The Downfall of May Games, Argument 1 – Argument 2
Arguments againſt May-Games.
The firſt Argument is this,
That, whoſe Riſe, Root, and Original is evil, that thing cannot be good:
But the Riſe, Root, and Original of May-Games is evil, Ergo, they cannot be good.
The Major is clear, and like a Mathematical Principle, ſhines ſo bright with its own light, that it needs no demonſtration: for if the fountain be bitter, the ſtreams cannot be ſweet; if the root be naught, ſo is the fruit.
The Minor I prove thus, as the Revels and diſorders of Chriſtians ſprung from the Pagans Saturnalia, and from them came to the Papiſts, and ſo to us (as is abundantly proved by Mr. …) ſo theſe Floralian May-Games had their Original from the Floralian Feaſts,V. De Croy. Conformities chap. 19. Conform. 1. p. 44. and enterludes of the Pagan-Romans which were ſolemnized about the firſt of May, then they came to Rome Antichriſtian, as a prop to uphold their ſuperſticious and prophane Kingdome, and ſo to us.
Their Riſe briefly was thus,V. Hoſpinian de Orig. Feſtorum p. 99. Polydor. one Flora a notable Harlot, which had got much riches by whoring, at her death bequeathed her ſubſtance to the people of Rome, about the year of the World,Virgil. lib. 4. cap. 14. & lib. 5. cap. 2. 3760, and before Chriſt 242. (ſaith Calviſius) ſhee appointed a great ſum of mony to lye in ſtock with the uſury of which they ſhould yearly keep certain Playes called Floralia or May-Games,Godwin Antiq. lib. 1. ſect. 2. c. 9. p. 7, 8. & l. 2. ſect. 3. cap. 3. p. 87. in ſinging, dancing, drinking, whoring, and all manner of laſciviouſneſs, in remembrance of her. By ſound of Trumpet all the whores were called to theſe ſports where they danced naked about the ſtreets,Floralia in honorem Florae; è meret…ice Deae factae, agebantur à meretricibus exutis, omni cum verborum licentia, motu…mque obſcaenitate. Farnab. in Martial. Epig lib. 1. p. 2. with Trumpets blown before them. Hence that of Juvenal ſpeaking of a lewd woman, hee calls her a Floralian Curteſan.
—Digniſſima prorſus.
Floralia matrona tuba.
Juven. Sat. 60.
After ſome time the Senate of Rome being aſhamed of the Original of theſe Floralia, invented this fig-leaf for a cover.V. Aug. de Civit. Dei. lib. 4. cap. 8 They told the people that Flora was a Goddeſs, which had the tuition of Flowers (for Pagans and Papiſts have Gods and Goddeſſes almoſt for every thing,The Heathens had thirty thouſand gods. Weemſe on 2d. Command. as St. Loy for their Horſes, St. Anthony for their Piggs, St. George for their Wars, St. Roch for the Peſtilence, St. Apollonia for the Teeth, St. John for the Day,chap 5. p. 97. Vol. 2. St. Stephen for the Night, and St. Flora for their Flowers) and therefore ſhee muſt bee worſhipped (according to the cuſtome of the Heath… niſh and Idolatrous Feſtivals) with laſcivious ſports and paſtimes in May, Hi ludi celebrantur cum omni laſeivia, convenientes memoria meretricis. Nauclerus Chronogra. Volat. Gener. 24. p. 48. Cui calculum adjecit Munster in Coſmographi. & Roſinus de Antiquit, Rom. lib. 5. cap. 15.that ſhee might the more carefully ſee to their flowers, fruits, and herbs.
Theſe Floralian-ſports were very antient, for I finde they were practiſed in Cato the Cenſors time, who flouriſhed about the year of the world,Val. Maximus lib. 2. c. 20. ſect. 8. & Seneca Epiſt. 98. 3750. His gravity (ſaith the Hiſtorian) deterred the people from acting thoſe obſcenities in his fight.
Plutarch in the life of Pompey, makes mention of one Flora, that was Pompey's Curtezan, though ſhee were one ejuſdem farinae, Flora by name, and Flora in deed, yet ſhee was younger than the former by a hundred years; for the Flora wee ſpeak of, lived about two hundred years before Chriſt, when this lived about one hundred years before him.
A ſecond Argument is this,
All Idolatry is unlawful.
But this is Idolatry. 'Tis a forſaking of God, who is the Fountain of living waters, to go to a broken Ciſtern. 'Tis a robbing God of his honour, and giving it to a whore. They keep a feaſt to her, ſet up a Pole adorned with flowry Garlands, Ribbons, and other ornaments, to the end that ſhee may preſerve their fruits and flowers. Like the worſhippers of Baal, who danced round about the Altar in honour of that Idol, and to procure the more ſpeedy audience from it. 1 King. 18. 26. Neither will this excuſe you, to ſay, that you intend no ſuch thing; for this is finis operis, though not finis operantis. The action muſt be judged of by the end of the work, and not by the end of him that worketh; now the chief end for which this feaſt was at firſt ordained, is Idolatrous. The Iſraelites had no intent to worſhip the Calf, yet that was finis operis, and therefore God chargeth them with worſhipping of it, Pſ. 106. 6. How unſeemly is it then for Chriſtians, when they ſhould bee praying to God, and praiſing him for the fruits of the earth, and for his crowning the year with his goodneſs, and making his clouds to drop down fatneſs on us, to bee ranting, and abuſing his good creatures to riot and exceſs, giving the glory which is due to him, unto an Harlot? This is the very way to loſe all, Hoſ. 2. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Other ſins ſtir up Gods anger, but this provokes him to jealouſie and rage, and puts him into a flame againſt us, when wee ſhall thus give his glory unto creatures. Theſe mens actions do virtually and interpretatively thus ſpeak, O Goddeſs, Flora, bee thou our helper, the earth is now adorned with fruits and flowers, O do thou keep them from barrenneſs, and blaſting; make them fruitful, that wee may bee the fitter for thy ſervice, then will wee ſing, and dance, and drink, and ſet up a pole to thy praiſe; hear us therefore, O good Goddeſs Flora, for our flowers and fruits, for on thee wee do depend, and thine honour do wee celebrate at this ſeaſon of the year; hear us therefore wee beſeech thee, and grant theſe our Requeſts.
This and much more is the language of ſuch actions; I beleeve, there is not one of a thouſand that knows or conſiders this, it will be their wiſdome, now their folly is diſcovered, to ſay with repenting Ephraim, What have I to do any more with Idols? Hoſ. 14. 8. And according to Gods Commandement, wee muſt not onelyonly caſt away the Idols themſelves, but alſo the rellicks and appurtenances of Idolatry, ſaying to them with indignation, Get you hence, Iſa. 30. 22.
Arg. 2. To fear men more than God is Idolatry (Timor tuus, Deus tuus.)
But here is a fearing of men more than God; for divers years paſt whilſt the ſword of men was over our heads, here was none of this open prophaneneſs, but now that is removed, men fall to their old vomit again, not once conſidering that God beholds all their doings, and will bring them to judgement for all theſe things, Eccleſ. 11. 9.
Arg. 3. That which drives Gods fear out of mens hearts, may in no wiſe he tolerated: But theſe ſinful, ſenſual ſports and paſtimes drive the ſear of God out of mens hearts; when the Taber and the Timbrel, the wine and lewd women are in mens feaſts, they regard not the works of the Lord, but they ſay unto God, depart, Job 21, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Iſa. 5. 12.
Arg. 4. That which debaſeth and debaucheth youth (which is the flower and beſt of our daies,Quid de effoeminata dicam juventute, quae iuxu illis temporibus ac petualantiâ diſſoluta, cunctis flagitiorum generibus implicatur? Clemangis de novis celebritat. non inſtit. p. 144. and therefore ought in all reaſon and equity to bee given to God, who is the beſt of beings) ought not to bee tolerated: But theſe ſinful, ſenſual paſtimes debaſe and debauch youth. How many thouſands of young perſons have by this means got habits of drinking, whoring, prophaneneſs, contempt of Gods waies, &c. ſo that all their friends, with all their counſel, prayers and tears, have not been able to reform them? Evil cuſtomes are not eaſily broken, Jer. 13. 23. Young Devils uſually prove old Beelzebubs.
Arg. 5. All lying, ſtealing, and fighting muſt be abandoned:
But here is lying, ſtealing, and fighting.
The moſt of theſe May-poles are ſtoln, yet they give out,Our latras? furem video, Philip. dixit. that the Poles are given them, when upon thorow examination 'twill be found, that the moſt of them are ſtoln. There were two May-poles ſet up in my Pariſh, the one was ſtoln, and the other was given by a profeſt Papiſt. That which was ſtoln, was ſaid to bee given, when 'twas proved to their faces that 'twas ſtoln, and they were made to acknowledge their offence. This Pole that was ſtoln was rated at five ſhillings; if all the Poles one with another were ſo rated, which were ſtoln this May, what a conſiderable ſum would it amount to? Fightings and blood-ſhed is uſual at ſuch meetings, inſomuch that 'tis a common ſaying, That 'tis no feſtival unleſs there bee ſome fightings.
Arg. 6. All ungrateful and diſ-ingenuous requiting of God for his bleſſings muſt be abandoned:
But theſe prophane practices are a moſt ingrateful and diſingenuous requtting of God for his bleſſings.
Now in the Spring, when hee is loading us with his mercies, for us to load him with our rebellions and provocations; and as hee renews his bleſſings with the year, ſo for us to renew our diſobedience againſt him, and to fight againſt him with his own favours, is ſuch groſs ingratitude, that the Lord calls even upon the inanimate creatures to be aſtoniſhed at it, Iſa. 1. 2, 3, 4.
Arg. 7. That which brings no profit or comfort to ſoul or body, may not be practiſed:
But theſe ſenſual, prophane ſports, bring no profit to ſoul or body.
When the Romans were converted to the Faith, the Apoſtle asks them, what fruit they had of their former looſe, licentious practices, whereof they were now aſhamed, for the end of thoſe things is death, Rom. 6. 21. The Interrogation is a ſtrong Negation, q. d. there was no true comfort or benefit to bee found in them; where hee uſeth three ſtrong Arguments to deter them from ſuch ſinful practices. 1. They are unfruitful, there is no true profit comes by them. 2. They are ſhameful. 3. They are pernicious and deadly, they bring not onelyonly temporal, but eternal death upon men. None are gainers by them but the Devil; God is diſhonoured, his Ordinances prophaned, his Miniſters contemned, the Land defiled, the Modeſty, Chaſtity, and Reputation of people is blaſted, and their ſouls debauched with idleneſs, effeminacy, incontinency, and luxury.
Arg. 8. That prophaneneſs which is committed againſt great Light, great Loves, great Patience and Forbearance, is abominable:
But this prophaneneſs is ſuch.
In the times of Ignorance God winked (as it were) at ſuch practices, hee took not ſo much notice of them as hee doth now in theſe daies of light. This is the condemnation, 'tis that damning ſin with a witneſs, that when light is come into the world, yet men will love darkneſs, and works of darkneſs more than light. Though Iſrael play the harlot, yet Judah ſhould not ſin, Hoſ. 4. 15. Though Pagans, Papiſts, and Infidels, that know not God, live in ſuch kinde of lewdneſs and licentiouſneſs, yet England that hath been better taught, ſhould abhor ſuch folly; for us that have had ſuch famous preaching, praying, printing, ſignal victories, and deliverances continued to us, even to this day; for us to rant and roar, drink Healths, bee drunk and whore, and with the dog to return to our vomit, which for many years wee had left; this is ſuch an high aggravation of our ſin, that God will not brook it at our hands. When men ſin preſumptuouſly againſt great light, and with an high hand, they muſt dye for it, Exod. 21. 14. Numb. 15. 30, 31. We ſhould think it too much that in the daies of our ignorance wee went aſtray; theſe bodies and ſouls of ours which ſometimes were ſervants to unrighteouſneſs and fin, ſhould now become ſervants of righteouſneſs and holineſs, being wholly devoted to the ſervice of God. It ſhould bee as natural and delightful to us now to ſerve God, as ever it hath been to ſin againſt him.
Arg. 9. All occaſions of ſin must bee avoided:
But at theſe prophane meetings there are many occaſions of ſin; ergo, They muſt bee avoided.
For the Major it is clear, wee are oft commanded to ſhun the appearance of evil. 1 Theſ. 5. 22. to hate the garment ſpotted with the fleſh, Jude 23. and to keep our ſelves free, not onelyonly from the groſs blots, but alſo from the ſpots of the world, James 1. 27. Wee muſt not ſo much as taſte of the Devils broth, leſt at laſt hee bring us to eat of his beef; Iſa, 65. 4. Hee that will no evil do, muſt do nothing that belongs thereto. Hee that ſaith Yea to the Devil in a little, ſhall not ſay Nay when hee pleaſeth. 'Tis true in practicals, as well as in polemicals, that one abſurdity being granted, makes way for many more to follow. When men once begin to fall in this kinde, they know not where they ſhall reſt. Our corrupt nature like tinder or gunpowder, is ready to bee fired with every ſinful temptation, and therefore wee ſhould carefully ſhun them, elſe wee contradict our prayers, when wee pray that wee bee not led into temptation; if wee run into them, wee mock God, and ruine our ſelves; for hee will not preſerve us from the ſin, if wee do not carefully ſhun the occaſions of ſin.
For the Minor, that at theſe prophane meetings there are many occaſions of ſin, is too apparent. Who ſees not what drunkenneſs, ſwearing, curſing, fighting, ſtealing, lying, mixt-dancing, Morrice-dancing, Ribaldry, Debauchery, ſcoffing at piety, oppoſing of zealous Magiſtrates, Miniſters and people, prophanation of Sabbaths, miſ-ſpence of precious time, complying with Heathens and Idolaters in their ſinful and ſuperſtitious cuſtomes, perverting of that order which God hath ſet, turning night into day, and day into night? God hath ordained the night for man to reſt in, and not to ramble and go ſtealing May-poles in.
So that as in one Caeſar there were many Marii, ſo in this one ſin there is a confluence of many ſins. Phyſicians ſay, that morbi complicati ſunt periculoſiſſimi, where there is a complication of diſeaſes, there the cure is very difficult and dangerous. How perilous is it then to tolerate thoſe prophane paſtimes, which open the flood-gates to ſo much ſin and wickedneſs, as the ſad experience of all ages doth teſtifie? So that if I would debauch a people, and draw them from God and his worſhip to ſuperſtition and Idolatry, I would take this courſe; I would open this gap to them, they ſhould have Floralia and Saturnalia, they ſhould have feaſt upon feaſt (as 'tis in Popery) they ſhould have Wakes to prophane the Lords day, they ſhould have May-Games, and Chriſtmas-revels, with dancing, drinking, whoring, potting, piping, gaming, till they were made diſſolute, and fit to receive any ſuperſtition, and eaſily drawn to bee of any, or of no Religion: And this was the practice of the late Prelates, when they were bringing in Popery by the head and ſhoulders (as is made apparent to the world out of their*V. The Canterburian Selfconviction. own writings) they firſt cauſed the book of ſports to bee read in all Churches for the prophaning of the Sabbath (a leſſon that people can learn too faſt*Ad deteriora faciles ſumus, quia nec dux, nec comes deeſſe poteſt; & res ipſa ſine duce, ſine comite procedit, non pronum est iter tantum ad vitia, ſed praceps. Seneca Epiſt. 98. without a book) that ſo they might fit the people the better for the ſwallowing of thoſe ſuperſtitious innovations, which ſhortly after followed.
When Balaam would draw Iſrael to Idolatry, hee firſt draws them to whoredome, and by this means deſtroyed them, which all his curſing could not do, Numb. 32. 16. So when Iſrael fell to Idolatry, then they fell to feaſting, ſinging, dancing, according to the cuſtome of Idolatrous feſtivals, Exod. 37. 6. 19. but ſee what follows ſuch mad mirth, verſ. 27. the ſword and ſlaughter follows it at the heels. God is the ſame to the ſame ſinners, and if wee bee like them in ſin, wee ſhall bee like them in ſuffering.
Arg. 10. That which is of evil report amongſt the godly, may not bee practiſed, Phil. 4. 8.
But theſe prophane paſtimes are of evil report amongſt the godly.
I never yet knew any godly man, or any that had but a taſte of godlineſs, that ever approved, either by ſpeech, or by his preſence of ſuch prophane meetings. Sure that muſt needs bee very bad, which all good men do ſhun and abhor.
Arg. 11. That which incourageth the rout and raskality of a people to behave themſelves inſolently and irreverently toward the antient and the honourable, and all ſuperiours, that may not bee tolerated (for 'tis reckoned as a great judgement, Iſa. 3. 5.)
But theſe prophane meetings do encourage the rout in their inſolency againſt the antient and the honourable.
This makes the ſervant contemn his Maſter, the people their Paſtor, the ſubject his Soveraign, the childe his Father, and teacheth young people impudency and rebe…on.
Arg. 12. That which is a m…nifeſt violation of our Baptiſmal Vow, muſt bee abandoned.
But theſe prophane paſtimes are a manifeſt Violation of our Baptiſmal Vows.
Then we promiſed to forſake the Devil and all his works, the Pomp and Vanities of the world, and that wee would not be led by the luſts of the fleſh. Now at theſe prophane meetings there is a ſad Violation of this ſacred Vow; for if the Devil himſelf ſhould come and live in a bodily ſhape upon earth, he would drink, and dance, and ſwear, and whore, and fulfil the luſts of the fleſh, as theſe devils incarnate do.
Arg. 13. If Chriſt hath redeemed us from the ſinful cuſtomes, Paganiſh pleaſures, and vain converſation of the world, then wee may in no wiſe follow them.
But Christ hath redeemed us from the ſinful cuſtomes, Paganiſh paſtimes, and vain converſation of the wicked, Luk. 1. 74, 75. Gal. 1. 4. Tit. 2. 12, 13, 14. 1 Pet. 2. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. & 1. 4. 2, 3, 4.
Arg. 14. All inticements to Idolatry muſt be avoided:
But the obſervation of theſe Heatheniſh and Idolatrous Feaſts is a great enticement to Idolatry.
Hence it is that Papiſts, and Popiſh perſons are ſo forward to give people May-poles, and the Popes Holineſs with might and main keeps up his ſuperſtitious Feſtivals, as a prime prop of his tottering Kingdome. By theſe ſenſual ſports, and carnal-fleſh-pleaſing-waies of wine, women, dancing, revelling, &c. hee hath gained more ſouls, than by all the tortures, and cruel perſecutions that hee could invent. Hence the Whore of Babylon is ſaid to have her wine of abomination and fornication in a golden cup, Rev. 17. 4. the better to intice men to her, as Whores were wont to give inchanted Potions to work amorous affections; ſo doth the Whore of Rome allure men to her ſelf by the ſpecious baits of riches, liberty, paſtimes, and carnal pleaſures; hence the Lord, who knows our frame better than wee our ſelves, hath ſo oft forbidden us following the cuſtomes, feaſts, and faſhions of Idol…rs and Heathens, for fear leſt they ſhould bee drawn thereby to Idolatry, Levit. 18. 30. Deut. 12. 29, 30. Theſe do inſenſibly ſteal away the heart from God and his Truth, they are the Devils bellows to blow up the fire of luſt and uncleanneſs in the ſoul.
Arg. 15. That which is the joy and delight onelyonly of ſuperſtitious, popiſh, prophane perſons, muſt needs bee ſome vile and prophane thing; for like will delight in like, wicked men delight in thoſe things which ſute with their wicked luſts.
But theſe ſinful and rude paſtimes are the joy only of wicked men.
Who are they that delight in the fools filthy ſpeeches, laſcivious geſtures, and the mans wearing of the womans apparel, contrary to Gods expreſs command, Deut. 22. 5. but the prophane of the world? I never knew any good man that ever delighted in them; yea I have known ſome good men, that in their youth delighted in thoſe ſenſual paſtimes, which have abhorred themſelves for it in their old age; and make the Obſervation when you pleaſe, and you ſhall finde that they are the idle, effeminate, graceleſs ones that are the upholders and frequenters of theſe diſſolute meetings. So that as Solomon knew the true Mother of the childe, by her tender affection to it; ſo wee may know, that the Popiſh and prophane ſort are the Parents and Patrons of theſe abominations, by their pleading for them,Non niſi grande aliquod bonum quod à Nerone damnatum Tertul. adverſ. Gentes, cap. 5. and promoting of them. And as it was ſome ſignal good thing which Nero (that monſter of men) hated; ſo it muſt needs bee ſome notorious vile thing which ſuch vile men love and plead for.
Arg. 16. All miſ-ſpence of precious time muſt bee avoided: But in theſe licentious paſtimes there is much miſ-ſpence of precious time.
What a ſad account will theſe Libertines have to make, when the Lord ſhall demand of them, where waſt thou ſuch a night? why my Lord, I was with the prophane rabble ſtealing May-poles; and where waſt thou ſuch a day? why my Lord,See Reaſons to move us to redeem time, in Mr. Ambroſe his Sermon on Eph. 5. 16. I was drinking, dancing, dallying, ranting, whoring, carouſing, &c. If for every idle hour men muſt give an account, what account will men bee able to give for all thoſe ſinful dayes, nights, Sabbaths, &c. which they have miſ-ſpent in ſenſuality and luxury.
Arg. 17. That which deprives us of Gods Fatherly care and protection, muſt bee avoyded:
But this frequenting of ſuch prophane meetings deprives us of Gods Fatherly care and protection.
Hee hath promiſed to keep us no longer than wee keep his wayes, Pſal, 91. 11. which are the wayes either of our general calling, as wee are Chriſtians, viz. praying, reading, meditation, good conference, &c. or elſe the wayes of our particular calling, as wee are ſuperiors or inferiors, wee muſt walk with God in thoſe ſtations in which hee hath ſet us. If wee go beyond Gods bounds, wee cannot expect either his immediate protection, or the protection of his Angels.
Arg. 18. That which breeds in mens hearts an hatred of the power of godlineſs, muſt bee abandoned:
But ſuch prophane meetings breed in mens hearts an hatred of the power of godlineſs.
When men do evil, they hate the light of Piety in others; as the Theef hates the light that diſcovers him, and the Judge that condemns him; ſo do theſe hate the godly, becauſe their light condemns their darkneſs, their piety the wicked mans impiety, their ſtrictneſs condemns the worlds diſſoluteneſs, and their ſelf denying the worlds ſelf pleaſing. Wicked men love their luſts as their lives, and cannot indure ſuch as hinder them in the purſute of them; hence 'tis that the prophane rout raiſe ſo many lyes, ſlanders, and reproachful nick-names againſt the godly, and all becauſe they run not with them into the ſame exceſs of riot.
Arg. 19. That which hardens wicked men in their ſins, corrupts their minds and manners, and indiſpoſeth them for the ſervice of God, that ought to bee totally abandoned:
But theſe prophane ſports do ſo.
They infatuate and beſot men, they darken the underſtanding, and cloze up the eye of the ſoul, ſo that it takes no notice of Gods judgements;See the danger of carnal pleaſures, in my Comment. on 2 Tim. 3. 4. P. 119, &c. either imminent or preſent; Theſe ſenſual pleaſures ſtupifie and cauterize the conſcience, ſo that it cannot repent. They expel the fear of God, and all godly ſorrow for ſin out of the ſoul. They eſtrange the heart from God, and his worſhip, and make it burdenſome and weariſome to them, Mal. 1. 13. & 3. 14.
Arg. 20. Thoſe prophane practices, which are condemned by Scriptures, Fathers, Councils, and other pious men, ought in no wiſe to bee tolerated:
But theſe prophane practices are ſuch.
The Major is undeniable; the Minor I ſhall prove by its parts; and becauſe a bare recital of teſtimonies, would be too flat and frigid, I ſhall therefore (to quicken and delight the Reader) indict and arraign this Floralian Harlot, and impannel a Jury againſt her. This way of clearing things cannot juſtly bee offenſive to any, ſince 'tis but a kinde of Dialogue, and Dialogues have been ever accounted the moſt lively and delightful, the moſt facile and fruitful…eſt way of teaching. Alluſions and ſimilies ſink deep,Bis dicitur, quod per ſimilitudinem dicitur. and make a better impreſſion upon the ſpirit: A pleaſant alluſion may do that which a ſolid Argument ſometimes cannot do. As in ſome caſes Iron may do that which Gold cannot do,
—Ridiculum acri,
Fort…us & melius magnas pl…rumque ſecut res.
Horat. Serm. l. 1. Sat. 20. & Quintil. Inſtit. l. 6. c. 34.