The Downfall of May Games, Indictment
The Indictment of Flora.
Flora, hold up thy hand,
Thou art here indicted by the name of Flora, of the City of Rome, in the County of Babylon, for that thou, contrary to the peace of our Soveraign Lord, his Crown and Dignity, haſt brought in a pack of practical Fanaticks, viz. Ignorants, Atheiſts, Papiſts, Drunkards, Swearers, Swaſhbucklers, Maid-marrions, Morrice-dancers, Maskers, Mummers, May pole-ſtealers, Health-drinkers, together with a raſcalian rout of Fidlers, Fools, Fighters, Gameſters, Whoremaſters, Lewd-men, Light-women, Contemners of Magiſtracy, affronters of Miniſtery, rebellious to Maſters, diſobedient to Parents, miſ-ſpenders of time, abuſers of the creature, &c.
Judg.
What ſayeſt thou, guilty, or not guilty?
Priſoner.
Not guilty, My Lord.
Judg.
By whom wilt thou bee tried?
Priſ.
By the Popes-holineſs, my Lord.
Judg.
Hee is thy Patron and Protector, and ſo unfit to bee a Judge in this caſe.
Priſ.
Then I appeal to the Prelates, and Lord-Biſhops, my Lord.
Judg.
This is but a tiffany put off, for though ſome of that rank did let looſe the reigns to ſuch prophaneneſs, in cauſing the book of Sports, for the prophaning of Gods Holy-day to bee read in Churches (for which God hath ſpewed them out) yet 'tis well known that the graveſt and moſt pious of that order, have abhorred ſuch prophaneneſs and miſ-rule, as B. Babington, both the Abbats, B. King, B. Hall, D. Davenant, &c.
Priſ.
Then I appeal to the rout and rabble of the world.
Judg.
Theſe are thy followers, and thy favourites, and ſo unfit to bee Judges in their own caſe.
Priſ.
My Lord, if there bee no remedy, I am content to bee tried by a Jury.
Judg.
Thou haſt well ſaid, thou ſhalt have a full, a fair, and a free hearing.
Cryer,
Make an O yes, and call the Jury.
Cryer,
O yes, All manner of perſons that can give in evidence againſt the priſoner at the Bar, let them come into the Court, and they ſhall bee freely heard.
Judg.
Cryer, call in Holy-Scriptures.
Holy-Scriptures,
My Lord, I cannot get in.
Judg.
Who keeps you out?
Holy-Scriptures,
My Lord, here is a company of ignorant, rude, prophane, ſuperſtitious, Atheiſtical perſons, that will not ſuffer mee to come in.
Judg.
Cryer, knock thoſe prophane perſons, and make room for the Holy-Scriptures to come in.
Cryer,
Vouz avez, Holy-Scriptures.
Judg.
What can you ſay againſt the priſoner at the Bar?
Holy-Scriptures,
Very much, my Lord, I have often told them, that the night of ignorance is now paſt, and the light of the Goſpel is come, and therefore they muſt walk as children of the light, denying all ungodlineſs and worldly luſts, living ſoberly, righteouſly, and religiouſly in this preſent world. I have often told them, that they muſt ſhun all the appearance of evil, and have no fellowſhip with the unfruitful works of darkneſs, nor conform themſelves like to the wicked of the world: But they muſt think the time paſt of their lives too much to have lived according to the luſts of men in the dayes of their ignorance, but now they muſt live according to the will of God, making his glory the ultimate end of all their actions and recreations. I have often told them, that our God is a jealous God, and one that will not indure to have his glory given to Idols or Harlots.
Jud.
This is full, and to the purpoſe indeed, but is there no more evidence to come in?
Cryer,
Yes, my Lord, here is Pliny, an antient Writer, who lived about ninety years after Chriſt, and is famous for his Natural hiſtory.
Judg.
What can you ſay againſt the priſoner at the Bar?
Pliny,
My Lord, I have long ſince told them, if they would beleeve mee,Plin Nat. Hiſt. l. 18 c. 29. that theſe were not Chriſtian, but Pagan-feaſts; they were Heathens, and ſuch as knew not God, who firſt inſtituted theſe Floralia and May-Games. I have told them that they were inſtituted according to the advice of Sibylls-books in the 516th. year after the foundation of the City of Rome was laid, to prevent the blaſting and barrenneſs of the trees, and fruits of the earth.
Judg.
Sir, you have given us good light in this dark caſe; for firſt wee ſee that the riſe of theſe Feaſts was from Pagans, and that they were ordained by the advice of Sibylls-books, and not of Gods book; and for a ſuperſtitious and Idolatrous end, viz. that hereby Flora, not God might bee pleaſed, and ſo bleſs their fruits and flowers. This is clear, but have you no more evidence?
Cryer,
Yes,Lactant. de falſa Relig. l. 1. c. 20. my Lord, here is Coelius Lactantius Firmianus, who lived about three hundred years after Chriſt, who will plainly tell you the riſe of theſe prophane ſports.
Judg.
I have heard very well of this celeſtial,Fluvius quidam eloquent: â Tulliana Lactantius. ſweet, and firm defender of the Faith, and that hee was a ſecond Cicero for eloquence in his time. Sir, what can you ſay againſt the priſoner at the Bar?
Lactan.
My Lord, I have long ſince declared my judgement againſt this Harlot Flora in my firſt book of falſe Religion: where I have told the world, that this Flora was a common-whore and one that got much mony by her harlotry; at her death ſhee made the people of Rome her heir, and left a certain ſum of mony for the yearly celebration of theſe Floralian ſports. The Senate after ſome time, the better to cover this foul buſineſs, make her the Goddeſs of Flowers, and tell the people that they ought to celebrate this laſcivious Feaſt of this laſcivious Harlot, with all manner of laſciviouſneſs, that ſo ſhee being pleaſed, might proſper their fruits and vines.
Judg.
This is plain and full, I now ſee that Lactantius is Firmianus, not only ſweet, but firm and conſtant againſt the Whore. But have you no more evidence?
Cryer,
Yes, my Lord, here is Synodus Francica, which was called in Pope Zachary's time, Anno Dom 742.
Judg.
What can you ſay againſt the Priſoner at the Bar?
Counc.
My Lord, I have long ſince decreed, that the people of God ſhall have no Pagan-Feaſts, or Enterludes, but that they reject and abominate all the uncleanneſſes of Gentiliſm, and that they forbear all ſacrilegious fires which they call Bonefires, and all other obſervations of the Pagans whatſoever.
Judg.
This is clear againſt all Heatheniſh Feaſts and Cuſtomes, of which this is one. But have you no evidence nearer home?
Cryer,
Yes, my Lord, here is one that may go for many, 'tis one that will conquer them all, and with the Sword of juſtice will ſuddenly ſuppreſs them.
Judg.
Who is that I pray you? let mee ſee ſuch a man.
Cryer,
Why my Lord, 'tis Charls the Second, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith.
Judg.
Truly hee deſerves that Title, if hee ſhall now appear in defence of the Truth, againſt that prophane rout which lately threatned the extirpation both of ſound doctrine, and good life. I hear that the King is a ſober and temperate perſon, and one that hates Debauchery, I pray you let us hear what hee ſaith.
Cryer,
My Lord, the King came into London, May 29. and the 30th. of May hee publiſhed a Proclamation againſt prophaneneſs, to the great rejoycing of all the good people of the Land. When all was running into prophaneneſs and confuſion, the Parliament ſate ſtill, and wee poor Miniſters had nothing left but our prayers and tears; then, even then it pleaſed the Moſt High (in whoſe hand is the heart of Kings) to put it into the heart of our Soveraign Lord the King, eminently to appear in the cauſe of that God, who hath ſo eminently appeared for him, and hath brought him through ſo many dangers and difficulties to the Throne, and made ſo many mountains a plain before him, to teſtifie againſt the debauchery and groſs prophaneneſs, which like a torrent had ſuddenly over-ſpread the Land. The ſum and ſubſtance of the Kings Proclamation is this, That it is the duty of all to take notice of Gods tranſcendent goodneſs to us, and to walk with ſuch circumſpection, integrity, and reformation in our lives, that wee may not drive away the mercy which is coming to us, by making our ſelves unworthy of it; and in order hereto, wee think it high time to ſhew our diſlike of thoſe (againſt whom wee have been ever enough offended, though wee could not in this manner declare it) who under pretence of affection to us and our ſervice, aſſume to themſelves the liberty of reviling, threatning, and reproaching others, and as much as in them lyes, endeavour to ſtifle and divert their good inclinations to our ſervice, and ſo to prevent that Reconciliation and Union of hearts and affections, which can onelyonly with Gods bleſſing make us rejoyce in each other, and keep our enemies from rejoycing.
There are likewiſe another ſort of men, of whom wee have heard much, and are ſufficiently aſhamed, who ſpend their time in Taverns, Tipling-houſes, and Debauches, giving no other evidence of affection to us, but in drinking our Health, and inveighing againſt all others, who are not of their own diſſolute temper; and who in truth have more diſcredited our cauſe by the licence of their manners and lives, than they could ever advance it by their affection and courage. Wee hope that this extraordinary way of delivering us all, from all wee feared, and almoſt bringing us to all wee can reaſonably hope, hath, and will work upon the hearts even of thoſe men to that degree, that they will cordially renounce all that licentiouſneſs, prophaneneſs and impiety, with which they have been corrupted, and endeavoured to corrupt others; and that they will hereafter become examples of ſobriety and vertue, and make it appear, that what was paſt, was rather the vice of the times, than of the perſons, and ſo the fitter to bee forgotten together.
And becauſe the fear of puniſhment, or apprehenſion of our diſpleaſure, may have influence upon many, who will not bee reſtrained by the conſcience of their duty; Wee do declare, That wee will not exerciſe juſt ſeverity againſt any Malefactors ſooner, than againſt men of diſſolute, debauched, and prophane lives, with what parts ſoever they may bee otherwiſe qualified and endowed, and wee hope that all perſons of honour, or in place and authority, will ſo far aſſiſt us in diſcountenancing ſuch men, that their diſcretion and ſhame will perſwade them to reform what their conſcience would not; and that the diſpleaſure of good men towards them, may ſupply what the Laws have not, and it may bee cannot well provide againſt, there being in the licence and corruption of the times, and the depraved nature of men, many enormities, ſcandals, and impieties in practice, and manners, which Laws cannot well deſcribe, and conſequently not enough provide againſt, which may by example and ſeverity of vertuous men bee eaſily diſcountenanced, and by degrees ſuppreſſed.
However, for the more effectual reforming theſe men, who are a diſcredit to the Nation, and unto any cauſe they pretend to favour and wiſh well to; wee require all Mayors, Sheriffs, and Juſtices of the Peace, to bee very vigilant and ſtrict in the diſcovery and proſecution of all diſſolute and prophane perſons, and ſuch as blaſpheme the name of God, by prophane ſwearing and curſing, or revile, or diſturb Miniſters, and deſpiſe the publick worſhip of God; that being firſt bound to the good behaviour, they may bee further proceeded againſt, and expoſed to ſhame, in ſuch a manner, as the Laws of the Land, and the juſt and neceſſary Rules of Government ſhall direct or permit.
Judg.
Now bleſſed bee the Lord, the King of Kings, who hath put ſuch a thing as this into the heart of the King, and bleſſed bee his Anointed, and bleſſed bee his Counſel, the good Lord recompence it ſeven-fold into his boſome; and let all the ſons of Belial flye before him, as the duſt before the wind, and let the Angel of the Lord ſcatter them.
Priſon.
My Lord, I, and all my retinew are very much deceived in this Charls the Second, wee all conceited that hee was for us. My Drunkards cryed, a Health to the King. The Swearers ſwore, a Health to the King, ſo long, till they ſwore themſelves out of Health. The Papiſt, the Atheiſt, the Roarer and the Ranter, they all concluded that now their day was come, but alas how are wee deceived!
Judg.
I wiſh that you, and all ſuch as you are may for ever bee deceived in this kinde, and that your eyes may rot in your heads before ever you ſee Idolatry, Superſtition and Prophaneneſs countenanced in the Land. Such trulypious-frauds are pleaſing to God, delightful to his people, and grievous to none but ſuch as ſhould bee grieved for their villany and licentiouſneſs.
Judg.
But have you no more evidence to produce againſt theſe prophane practices?
Cry.
Yes, my Lord, here is an Ordinance of Parliament ready mounted againſt them.
Priſ.
My Lord, I except againſt this witneſs above all the reſt, for it was not made by a full and a free Parliament of Lords and Commons, but by ſome Rump and relick of a Parliament, and ſo is invalid.
Judg.
Toto erras coelo, you are quite deceived, for this Ordinance was made by Lords and Commons, when the houſe was full and free; and thoſe the beſt that ever England had, for Piety towards God, and loyalty to their Soveraign, for they were ſecluded and impriſoned for their loyaly and fidelity. Let us hear what they ſay.
Ordinan. of Parl.
My Lord,V. Ord. of Parliament for the Lords day, 1644. I have plainly told them, that ſince the prophanation of the Lords day, hath been heretofore greatly occaſioned by May-poles (a Heatheniſh vanity, generally abuſed to ſuperſtition and wickedneſs) the Lords and Commons do therefore ordain, that all and ſingular May-poles ſhall bee taken down and removed by the Conſtables, Borſholders, Tything-men, Petty-Conſtables, and Church-Wardens of the places and pariſhes where the ſame bee; and that no May-pole ſhall bee hereafter ſet up, erected, or ſuffered to bee within this Kingdome of England, or the Dominion of Wales; and if any of the ſaid Officers ſhall neglect to do their office in the Premiſes, every of them, for ſuch neglect, ſhall forfeit five ſhillings, and ſo from week to week, five ſhillings weekly, till the ſaid May-pole ſhall bee taken down.
Judg.
This is to the purpoſe, and may paſs inſtead of many Arguments, for a Parliament of Lords and Commons, ſo pious, ſo prudent, ſo loyal and faithful to God and the King, to condemn theſe ſports as a vanity, a Heatheniſh vanity, abuſed to ſuperſtition and wickedneſs, and to be ſuppreſt under a penalty; This may clearly convince any ſober man of the ſinfulneſs of ſuch practices, and make them to abhor them, for what is forbidden by the Laws of men (eſpecially when thoſe Laws are conſonant to the Laws of God) may not be practiſed by any perſon; but theſe prophane ſports are forbidden by the Laws of men, and are herein conſonant to the Laws of God, which condemn ſuch ſinful paſtimes. But have you no more evidence beſides this Ordinance to batter theſe Babyloniſh Towers?
Cry.
Yes, my Lord, here is one that may go for many; 'Tis the ſolemn League and Covenant, taken in a ſolemn manner,The King took it at his Coronation in Scotland, Jan. 1. 1651. as appears by an excellent Sermon preached by Mr. Robert Douglas, p. 28. by King, Lords, and Commons, the Aſſembly of Divines, the Renowned City of London, the Kingdome of Scotland, and by many thouſands of Miniſters and people throughout this Nation. In the ſecond branch of it wee vowed the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Superſtition, Hereſie, Schiſm, Prophaneneſs, and whatſoever ſhall bee found contrary to ſound Doctrine, and the power of godlineſs.
Priſ.
My Lord, theſe things are out of date, and do not binde now our troubles bee over.
Judg.
The ſixth branch of the Covenant will tell you, That wee are bound all the daies of our lives to obſerve theſe things zealouſly, and conſtantly againſt all oppoſition; and I ſuppoſe every good man thinks himſelf bound to preſerve the purity of Religion, to extirpate Popery, and Hereſie, Superſtition and Prophaneneſs, not onelyonly in times of trouble, but theſe are duties to bee practiſed in our places and callings all our daies. Beſides, the Royaliſts do plead the Covenant at this day,V. Dr. Griffiths Serm. on Prov. 24. …. p. 12. preached at Mercers Chap. 1660. for the preſervation of the King; and if it bee in force as to that particular, as indeed it is, then much more doth it binde us ſtill to the obſervation of thoſe things which do more immediately appertain to the worſhip of God. Since Gods honour is to bee preferred before the honour of any man whatſoever. Now if our May-Games and miſ-rules do favour of ſuperſtition and prophaneneſs (as 'tis apparent they do) if they bee contrary to ſound doctrine, and the power of godlineſs (as to all unprejudiced men they are) then by this ſolemn League and ſacred Covenant wee are bound to root them up. This is ſufficient, if there were no more; but becauſe men are loath to leave what they dearly love, let us ſee whether you have any further evidence.
Cry.
Yes, my Lord, here is an excellent Order from the Council of State, made this preſent May, wherein they take notice of a ſpirit of prophaneneſs and impiety that hath over-ſpread the Land, to the diſhonour of God, and the grieving of his Miniſters and people; they do therefore order, that the Juſtices of the Peace, and Commiſſioners for the Militia, do uſe their utmoſt indeavours to prevent all licentiouſneſs and diſorder, all prophanation of the Sabbath, all interrupting or diſcouraging of Miniſters in the work of their Miniſtery; that they ſuppreſs all Ale-houſes, and all ungodly meetings; that they own and protect all ſuch as have adhered to the Parliaments cauſe and intereſt, and all good men in their ſober and pious walking, againſt all that are turbulent, malignant or diſaffected, and upon juſt cauſe to ſecure them. The Council doth likewiſe command them to have a ſpecial care to prevent prophaneneſs, and diſorders of people about May-poles, and meetings of that nature, and their rude and diſorderly carriages towards people, in moleſting them to get monies from them to ſpend vainly at ſuch meetings.
Ju.
This is full, and to the point indeed, bleſſed be God, and bleſſed be their counſel. But have you yet no more evidence?
Cry.
Yes, my Lord, here is Mr. Elton, a man eminent for Piety, and of known integrity in his time, hee hath long ſince told us (in his Expoſition of the ſecond Commandement) that ſuch filthy company, where there is ſuch filthy ſpeeches, and laſcivious behaviour, with mixt dancing at their merry meetingss, are great provocations to luſt, and inducements to uncleanneſs, and therefore to be abhorred of all ſober Chriſtians.Ames C…ſ. Conſ. l. 5. 6. 39. To him aſſents that great School-Divines Dr. Ames, who tells us, that thoſe who will ſhun incontinency, and live chaſtly, muſt ſhun ſuch prophane meetings, and take heed of mixt dancing, ſtage-playes, and ſuch incentives to luſt, where wickedneſs is preſented to the eye and ear, and the man puts on the womans apparel, which is an abomination to the Lord, Deut. 22. 5.
Priſ.
My Lord, theſe were old Puritans and Preciſians, who were more preciſe than wiſe.
Cry.
I will produce men of another ſtrain, here are Biſhops againſt you.Babington on the 7th Commandement. B. Babington hath long ſince told us, that theſe ſinful paſtimes are epulum Diaboli, the Devils feſtival, the inticements to whoredome, and the occaſions of much uncleanneſs, being condemned by Councils, and forbidden by Scripture, which commands us to ſhun all appearance of evil.
Judg.
This is good, but have you no more?
Cry.
Yes, my Lord, here is one more, 'tis B. Andrews, a man of great note for his learning (who in his Expoſition on the ſeventh Commandement) tells us, that wee muſt not onelyonly refrain from evil, but alſo from the ſhew of evil; and muſt do things honeſt not onelyonly before God, but alſo before men; to this end wee muſt ſhun wanton dancings, ſtage-playes, &c. becauſe our eyes thereby behold much vanity and a man cannot go on theſe hot coals, and not bee burnt, nor touch ſuch pitch, and not bee defiled, nor ſee ſuch wanton actions, and not bee moved; Beſides, there is much loſs, and miſ-ſpence of precious time, at ſuch prophane meetings.
Judg.
This is pious, and to purpoſe, here is evidence ſufficient, I ſhall now proceed to ſentence.
Cry.
My Lord, I deſire your Patience to hear one witneſs more, and then I have done.
Judg.
Who is that which comes ſo late into the Court?
Cry.
My Lord, 'tis acute and accompliſht Ovid.
Priſ.
My Lord, hee is a Heathen Poet, who lived about twenty years before Chriſt.
Judg.
His Teſtimony will bee the ſtronger againſt your Heatheniſh vanities. Publius Ovidius Naſo, what can you ſay againſt Miſtreſs Flora?
Ovid.
My Lord, I have long ſince told the world, that the Senatorian Fathers at Rome did order the celebration of theſe Floralian ſports to bee yearly obſerved about the beginning of May, Floralia cum maxima laſcivia, ludis, at que jocis obſcaenis, conviviis luxurioſis, coronis, ſaltationibus, cultu verſicolore & luminibus, celebrati fuere, Chriſtianorum cujuſmodi ſunt hodie Floralia eodem menſe Maio, Stuckii Antiquit.in honour of Flora, that our fruits and flowers might the better proſper. At this feaſt there was drinking, dancing, and all manner of laſciviouſneſs, by a harlotry company, ſuitable to the memorial of ſuch an Harlot, who was light her ſelf, and therefore delighted in Jokes and pleaſant Comedies, but not in ſad and direful Tragedies.
Priſ.
Sir, you wrong the Poet, and may, for ought I know, wrong mee, by wrapping up his ingenious narrative in ſo little room.
Judg.
Grata brevitas, I love thoſe whoſe writings are like Jewels, which contain much worth in a little compaſs, yet ſince the learned and ingenious Reader may deſire to hear the Author ſpeaking in his own language (ſince hee ſpeaks ſo fully and clearly to this purpoſe) you ſhall for once have your deſire.
Dic Dea,Ovid. Faſtorum lib. 5. reſponde, ludorum quae ſit origo, &c.
Convenere patres, & ſi bene floreat annus,
Numinibus noſtris annua feſta vovent.
Mater ades florum, ludis celebranda jocoſis,
Diſtuleram partes menſe priore tuas.
Incipis Aprili, tranſis in tempora Maii,
Alter te fugiens, cum venit, alter habet.
Cum tua fint, cedant que tibi confinia menſum,
Convenit in laudes ille vel ille tuas.
Circus in hunc exit,Ludi florales in circo ſive theatro, celebrati. clamata que palma theatris, &c.
Quaerere conabar, quare laſcivia major
His foret in ludis, liberior que jocus.
Sed mihi ſuccurrit numen non eſſe ſeverum,
Apta que deliciis munera ferre Deam.
Ebrius incinctis phylirâ conviva capillis
Saltat, & imprudens utitur arte meri,
Ebrius ad durum formoſae limen amicae
Cantat, habens unctae mollia ſerta comae.
Nulla coronatâ peraguntur ſeria fronte,
Nec liquidae vinctis flore bibuntur aquae.Coronâ cinctis.
Scena lenis decet hanc, non eſt mihi credite, non eſt,
Illa Cothurnatas inter habenda Deas.
Turba quidem cur hos celebret meretricia ludos,
Non ex difficili cognita cauſa fuit.
Non eſt detetricis, non eſt de magna profeſſis,
Vult ſua Plebeio ſacra patere Choro, &c.
Cry.
Now my Lord, and pleaſe you, wee will call over the Jury, that the priſoner may ſee wee have done her no wrong.
Judg.
Do ſo.
Cry.
Anſwer to your names. Holy Scriptures one, Pliny two, Lactantius three, Synodus Francica four, Charls the Second five, Ordinance of Parliament ſix, Solemn League and Covenant ſeven, Order of the Council of State eight, Elton nine, B. Babington ten, B. Andrews eleven, Ovid. twelve.
Theſe, with all the godly in the Land, do call for Juſtice againſt this turbulent Malefactor.
Judg.
Since 'tis ſo, I ſhall proceed to ſentence. Flora, thou haſt here been indicted by the name of Flora, for bringing in abundance of miſ-rule and diſorder into Church and State, thou haſt been found guilty, and art condemned both by God and man, by Scriptures, Fathers, Councils, by learned and pious Divines, both old and new, and therefore I adjudge thee to perpetual baniſhment, that thou no more diſturb this Church and State, leſt Juſtice do arreſt thee.