1.
The
originall
beginning
of
Stage-playes
.
Heathen
invented
playes
.
2.
THe
first
beginning
of
playes
proceeded
from
those
men
which
were
not
in
the
Church
of
God
.
When
God
had
appointed
man
to
get
his
liuing
,
with
his
labour
Gen.
3.19
.
Iuball
the
seauenth
of
Cain
his
race
invented
playing
.
Gen.
4.21
.
on
Instruments
,
which
(
as
after
)
is
a
lawfull
recreation
.
But
the
invention
of
divers
sorts
of
vnlawfull
playes
is
briefly
noted
by
Plinius
Histor
,
natur
.
lib
7.
cap.
59.
by
Eusebius
de
praepar
.
euang.
lib.
1.
cap.
2.
and
lib.
2.
cap.
2.
by
Arnobius
contra
gentes
lib.
7.
by
Polydorus
Virgilius
de
rerum
invent
.
lib.
3.
cap.
13.
by
Alexander
ab
Alexandro
genialium
dierum
.
libr.
6.
cap.
19.
by
Caelius
Rhodiginus
antiq.
lib.
8.
cap.
7.
Whether
they
grew
vp
first
at
Lydia
in
Asia
as
saith
Herodotus
lib.
1.
or
at
Athens
in
Graecia
,
as
Polydorus
Virgilius
lib.
3.
cap.
13.
and
Volaterranus
lib.
29.
ca.
11.
report
,
it
is
not
materiall
.
Pausanias
in
Eliacis
writeth
that
Iphitus
was
admonished
by
the
oracle
of
Apollo
to
restore
the
Olympike
games
.
Iosephus
Scaliger
poëtices
lib.
1.
cap.
22.
&c.
may
satisfie
all
men
that
desire
to
reade
more
of
this
point
.
About
the
beginning
of
the
Persian
monarchie
,
The
solemn
beginning
of
playes
.
which
was
almost
500
yeeres
afore
Christ
,
and
about
the
time
of
the
Iewes
returne
out
of
the
captivitie
of
Babylon
,
this
miscreant
author
alwayes
of
some
hurte
,
never
of
any
good
to
Christian
or
heathen
,
first
came
abroade
with
great
solemnitie
,
as
it
may
be
gathered
by
Herodotus
.
Afterwards
from
those
Lydians
in
Asia
,
or
from
the
Grecians
at
Athens
,
came
playes
to
Rome
in
the
reigne
of
Tarquinius
Priscus
,
as
Eusebius
noteth
in
his
Chronologie
at
the
yeare
of
the
world
4602.
Alexander
ab
●●●and
.
lib.
5.
c.
16.
Hermanus
Contractus
at
the
yeare
of
the
world
3341
noteth
the
same
.
And
Titus
Livius
lib.
7.
Pomponius
Laetus
in
Philippo
,
Funccius
in
his
worthie
Chronologie
at
the
yeare
of
the
world
3512.
and
Herodianus
lib.
3.
witnes
how
the
Romans
augmented
their
playes
afterwards
.
The
entrance
of
playes
into
the
Church
of
the
Iewes
.
The
first
authorised
entrance
that
any
such
kinde
of
playes
or
heathen
exercise
had
into
the
church
of
God
,
seemeth
to
be
about
170
yeares
before
the
birth
of
Christ
,
when
that
wicked
Iesus
affecting
heathenisme
,
changed
his
name
into
Iason
,
and
for
150
talents
of
silver
purchased
a
commission
of
Antiochus
Epiphanes
king
of
Syria
,
that
he
might
erect
a
place
for
heathen
exercises
at
Ierusalem
,
and
traine
up
the
youth
of
the
Iewes
in
the
customes
of
the
Gentiles
,
1
Maccab.
1.12
.
Ioseph
.
antiq.
lib.
12.
cap.
6.
but
more
specially
2
Maccab.
4.7
.
&c.
Which
exercise
though
it
was
not
to
play
on
the
stage
,
but
for
activitie
of
their
bodies
,
yet
it
may
here
be
observed
as
an
entrance
to
other
heathen
customes
,
and
as
that
which
maketh
way
to
bring
in
Stage-playes
afterwards
.
Then
Herode
the
greate
increased
heathenish
playes
and
exercises
greatly
in
his
dayes
,
building
one
theater
at
Ierusalem
;
Ioseph
.
antiq.
lib.
15.
cap.
10.
or
11.
and
an
other
at
Caesarea
Stratonis
;
Ioseph
.
antiq.
lib.
15.
cap.
13.
and
lib.
16.
cap.
9.
The
horrible
sinnes
of
the
Iewes
cutte
them
off
shortly
after
from
being
the
Church
of
God
,
and
therefore
no
more
can
be
sayd
of
their
heathenish
exercises
.
Their
entrance
into
the
christian
church
.
How
or
when
Playes
came
into
the
Christian
Church
,
and
who
first
gaue
them
intertainment
,
is
more
incident
to
this
present
purpose
,
and
fitter
testimonie
to
giue
evidence
hereafter
either
for
them
or
against
them
.
When
the
Roman
Emperours
delighted
too
much
in
all
kind
of
playes
,
and
when
christian
religion
grew
mightily
under
them
in
Europe
especially
,
christians
imbraceing
the
Gospel
could
not
be
altogether
ignorant
of
these
stage-playes
,
but
sometimes
some
christians
resorted
to
these
playes
,
as
by
the
complaints
and
invectiues
of
some
ancient
fathers
against
them
,
it
doth
appeare
.
And
though
secretly
by
such
meanes
playes
through
satans
subtilties
approached
neare
to
the
church
doore
,
yet
all
this
while
neither
the
Emperours
power
thrust
them
upon
the
Church
,
nor
the
reverend
Fathers
and
faithfull
Pastours
of
those
times
gaue
way
to
such
open
wickednes
by
theire
silence
.
But
when
that
great
scarlet
coloured
whore
of
Babylon
with
her
golden
cup
of
abhominations
in
her
hand
,
which
hath
a
name
written
in
her
forehead
,
a
mysterie
,
great
Babilon
the
mother
of
whoredomes
,
and
which
reigneth
over
the
kings
of
the
earth
,
was
set
in
Peters
chaire
at
Rome
as
the
Papists
say
;
then
did
the
king
of
the
Locusts
,
called
Abaddon
and
Apollyon
,
hauing
the
key
of
the
bottomeles
pitt
,
with
full
power
for
such
a
purpose
,
sette
the
church
doore
wide
open
for
sundrie
sportes
and
playes
to
enter
freely
into
the
house
of
God
,
as
Platina
reporteth
Paulus
II.
did
.
And
that
not
onely
in
their
great
solemnities
and
festivals
,
which
were
spent
commonly
in
bellie
cheare
and
Playes
,
as
Peucerus
writeth
of
Vrbanus
IIII.
much
after
the
fashion
of
the
Israelites
,
sitting
downe
to
eate
and
drinke
,
and
rising
up
to
play
:
but
specially
in
their
rich
Iubilies
,
first
begunne
in
the
Christian
church
by
Bonifacius
VIII
.
in
the
yeare
of
Christ
1300.
and
afterwards
continued
and
hastened
by
his
successors
.
Of
which
Sports
and
Playes
Aventinus
annal.
Bojor
.
lib.
7.
speaking
of
Clemens
VI.
and
Bale
in
the
life
of
Iulius
III.
doe
write
.
And
thus
much
shall
suffice
for
the
beginning
of
Playes
among
the
Lydians
of
Asia
;
and
among
the
Grecians
and
Romans
in
Europe
;
as
also
for
their
entrance
into
the
Christian
church
,
first
secretly
by
the
malice
of
Satan
stealing
some
Christians
affections
to
such
vanities
;
then
openly
by
the
power
of
that
Abaddon
of
Rome
,
who
besotted
mens
senses
with
such
fooleries
,
that
he
might
robbe
their
purses
in
his
rich
Iubilies
.
III.
The
argument
of
Stage-playes
.
4.
WHereas
Stage
playes
ordinarily
goe
under
the
name
either
of
Tragedies
or
els
of
comedies
;
we
are
to
understand
that
the
argument
or
matter
acted
in
tragedies
is
murther
,
treason
,
rebellion
,
and
such
like
;
and
in
comedies
is
bauderie
,
cosenage
,
and
meere
knaverie
.
Objection
.
But
here
some
men
eyther
meerly
ignorant
(
as
the
most
religious
and
learned
are
ignorant
of
many
things
,
Bucerus
de
regno
Christi
lib.
2
,
ca.
54
for
we
know
but
in
part
.
I
Cor.
13.9
.
)
or
els
perversly
irreligious
,
will
say
,
that
sometimes
the
sacred
Scripture
is
or
may
be
acted
by
players
on
the
stage
,
and
thereby
a
man
may
learne
more
then
at
a
sermon
.
Answer
.
But
for
better
information
of
the
ignorant
,
and
more
forcible
confutation
of
the
perverse
and
profane
,
a
threefold
answer
may
be
giuen
.
answer
.
I
First
,
concerning
those
persons
that
so
greatly
desire
to
learne
religion
at
Stage-playes
,
let
them
examine
their
owne
consciences
by
their
workes
which
are
manifest
before
God
and
men
,
and
consider
themselues
in
these
fiue
points
.
1.
They
seldome
come
to
the
Church
to
learne
religion
according
to
Gods
ordinance
,
though
God
command
them
so
to
doe
,
Deut.
12
,
5.
But
ye
shall
seeke
the
place
which
the
Lord
your
God
shall
choose
out
of
all
your
tribes
,
to
put
his
name
there
,
and
there
to
dwell
,
and
thither
thou
shalt
come
,
&c.
though
God
intreate
them
so
to
doe
,
Prov.
1.20
.
Wisedome
cryeth
without
:
shee
uttereth
her
voyce
in
the
streets
.
&c.
as
also
cerning
good
and
necessarie
matters
.
As
for
hawking
,
hunting
,
fishing
,
fouling
,
and
such
like
,
they
are
rather
to
be
counted
honest
and
lawfull
callings
,
wherein
men
may
get
their
living
with
their
labour
,
then
recreations
,
except
it
be
by
change
of
labour
,
as
in
other
lawfull
callings
.
Confutation
.
And
now
to
come
to
confutation
of
the
objection
,
it
seemeth
that
Stage-playes
cannot
be
counted
in
the
number
of
recreations
,
and
that
for
these
three
reasons
.
-
First
,
they
are
not
worhie
to
be
compared
to
any
of
the
former
lawfull
recreations
.
-
Secondly
,
they
serue
not
the
ende
of
recreations
,
which
is
to
refresh
the
wearie
,
but
not
to
make
men
delight
in
sinne
.
-
Thirdly
,
the
most
persons
that
ordinarily
resorte
to
them
,
are
verie
idle
persons
,
that
should
rather
be
set
to
some
honest
labour
,
then
so
unprofitably
to
mispend
their
time
to
their
owne
hurte
.
The
originall
beginning
then
is
sufficient
to
perswade
the
faythfull
to
renounce
Stage-playes
,
and
say
unto
them
,
Gette
thee
hence
.
Esai
.
30.22
.
The
second
reason
.
Reason
.
2
6.
THE
second
reason
may
be
taken
from
the
matter
or
argument
,
which
is
acted
upon
the
Stage
,
which
is
eyther
murther
and
mischief
in
tragedies
,
or
bauderie
and
cosonage
in
comedies
,
as
was
observed
before
sect
.
4.
And
the
reason
may
be
contrived
thus
.
It
is
not
lawfull
for
Christians
to
sporte
themselues
eyther
with
the
dreadfull
judgments
of
God
,
or
with
the
abhominable
sinnes
of
men
.
But
in
Stage-playes
there
are
acted
sometimes
the
fearefull
judgments
of
God
,
as
in
tragedies
:
and
sometimes
the
vile
and
hatefull
sinnes
of
men
,
as
in
comedies
.
And
therefore
it
is
full
of
horrour
seriously
to
thinke
upon
them
,
and
much
more
to
be
eyther
actor
to
shew
them
,
or
beholder
and
hearer
to
laugh
at
them
,
or
delite
in
them
.
Ham
derided
his
Fathers
nakednes
Gen.
9
,
22.
but
he
was
accursed
for
it
.
Curses
are
denounced
in
Gods
Law
against
all
sinners
,
Deut.
27
,
26.
And
they
that
make
a
sport
of
sinne
cannot
avoyd
Gods
curse
,
no
more
then
they
that
feasted
when
they
should
haue
fasted
,
Esay
.
22
,
14.
Surely
this
iniquitie
shall
not
be
purged
from
you
,
till
ye
dye
,
sayth
the
Lord
of
Hoastes
.
The
third
reason
.
Reason
.
3
7.
THE
third
reason
is
taken
from
the
Stage-players
,
and
from
such
their
vices
as
properly
belong
to
them
,
as
they
are
Stage-players
.
And
four
of
their
vices
may
perswade
all
men
that
their
playes
are
unlawfull
.
-
First
,
they
being
men
,
change
their
apparel
,
and
put
on
womans
apparell
,
without
which
exchange
they
cannot
act
some
partes
in
their
Playes
,
which
thing
the
Lord
forbiddeth
.
Deut.
22.5
.
The
woman
shall
not
weare
that
which
perteyneth
to
the
man
,
neyther
shall
a
man
put
on
womans
rayment
:
for
all
that
do
so
are
an
abomination
to
the
Lord
thy
God
.
For
this
change
of
apparell
maketh
the
man
effeminate
,
and
the
woman
manish
,
as
some
can
testifie
if
they
would
,
some
haue
confessed
,
and
the
Heathen
know
.
Cyprianus
lib.
2.
epist.
2.
speaking
of
this
change
of
apparell
in
Stage-playes
,
sayth
thus
:
evirantur
mares
;
men
loose
their
manhood
&c.
Charondas
made
a
law
to
the
inhabitants
of
Thuria
(
which
is
a
citie
in
Greece
,
described
by
Pausanias
in
Messenicis
,
and
by
Strabo
lib.
8.
)
that
if
any
man
refused
to
goe
to
warres
,
or
being
in
the
field
cast
downe
his
weapons
and
ranne
away
,
he
should
stand
three
dayes
in
the
open
market
in
womans
apparell
,
which
argued
effeminatenes
in
him
,
as
if
formerly
he
had
used
it
.
Diodor.
lib.
12.
-
Secondly
,
they
never
come
on
the
Stage
in
theire
owne
name
,
but
some
in
the
name
and
person
of
a
divell
,
others
of
a
foole
,
others
of
a
bawde
,
others
of
a
tyrant
,
others
of
other
men
,
which
beseemeth
not
a
Christian
,
neither
proceedeth
it
of
God
,
nor
is
approved
of
God
,
but
is
contrarie
to
Christian
profession
.
Tit.
2.12
.
-
Thirdly
,
they
sweare
by
the
living
God
,
which
is
contrarie
to
the
Law
of
God
,
Exod.
20.7
.
or
by
heathen
idols
,
which
is
forbidden
,
Exod.
23.13
.
or
by
both
,
which
is
reproved
Amos
8.14
.
Zephan.
1.5
.
-
Fourthly
,
they
teach
their
hearers
and
beholders
much
sinne
in
the
acting
of
their
Playes
,
as
to
sweare
,
curse
,
lye
,
flatter
,
cosen
,
steale
,
to
play
the
bawde
and
the
harlot
,
with
very
many
such
other
lewde
lessons
.
The
fourth
Reason
.
Reason
.
4
8.
THE
fourth
reason
ariseth
from
the
consideration
of
the
hearers
and
beholders
,
who
being
baptised
into
the
name
of
Christ
,
are
brought
into
danger
of
gods
wrath
,
and
their
owne
condemnation
,
in
as
much
as
they
are
partakers
of
the
sinnes
of
the
Players
and
of
the
Playes
in
approving
them
.
And
whatsoever
brings
men
into
these
dangers
must
needs
be
evill
.
And
besides
the
approbation
,
which
maketh
them
guiltie
,
they
learne
sinne
:
for
as
sayth
Cyprianus
lib.
2.
epist.
2.
adulterium
discitur
,
dum
videtur
,
they
learne
to
commit
adulterie
,
when
they
heare
and
behold
such
immodest
and
unchaste
words
and
gestures
upon
the
stage
.
And
many
goe
honest
thither
,
which
returne
home
dishonest
.
Iob
made
a
covenant
with
his
eyes
,
that
he
would
not
looke
on
a
maide
,
Iob
31.1
.
David
desired
God
to
turne
away
his
eyes
from
regarding
vanitie
,
Psal.
119.37
.
The
fift
Reason
.
Reason
.
5
9.
THE
fift
reason
may
be
taken
from
consideration
of
these
eight
fruits
or
effects
which
follow
Stage-playes
:
-
First
,
the
Stage-players
get
their
living
by
an
ungodly
&
unlawfull
trade
,
never
approved
by
God
,
&
when
they
shall
stand
at
the
barre
of
Gods
judgement
,
they
shall
be
speachles
,
and
cast
into
utter
darkenes
,
where
shall
be
weeping
and
gnashing
of
teeth
,
except
they
repent
and
forsake
their
wicked
trade
betimes
,
whiles
the
Lord
granteth
space
to
repentance
.
-
Secondly
,
the
hearers
receaue
much
hurte
by
them
,
as
was
noted
in
the
fourth
reason
,
and
if
it
be
true
which
is
reported
,
whoredome
is
sometimes
committed
at
that
place
,
and
at
that
time
.
-
Thirdly
,
the
better
sort
of
men
which
are
governours
of
families
,
receaue
domage
,
when
some
of
their
families
resorte
to
Stage-playes
,
for
sometimes
their
goods
are
stollen
to
mainteine
Lewdnes
,
sometimes
their
daughters
or
maide-servants
are
defiled
,
or
stollen
away
,
and
maried
without
their
governours
consent
or
privitie
.
-
Fourthly
,
the
word
of
God
and
the
ministers
thereof
,
are
now
and
then
taxed
and
taunted
.
-
Fiftly
,
the
Lord
himselfe
is
there
blaspheamed
ordinarily
.
-
Sixtly
,
the
poore
in
the
church
of
Christ
,
are
hindred
from
some
reliefe
,
dist.
86
,
c.
8
which
otherwise
they
might
haue
.
for
the
prodigalitie
lavished
upon
Stage-players
,
restrayneth
the
liberalitie
that
might
and
ought
to
be
bestowed
upon
the
poore
.
-
Seauenthly
,
there
is
losse
of
pretious
time
,
which
should
be
spent
in
Gods
service
,
by
those
that
are
hired
to
be
diligent
labourers
in
his
vineyard
,
and
not
be
wickedly
mispent
in
such
sinfull
sportes
,
seeing
everie
one
,
both
young
and
olde
,
must
giue
account
to
God
of
his
labours
,
and
of
his
time
spent
in
this
life
.
The
Holy
Ghost
sayth
Ephes.
5.16
.
Redeeme
the
time
,
for
the
dayes
are
evill
;
but
some
men
say
,
Let
us
haue
pastime
,
that
is
,
any
sinfull
course
,
whereby
we
may
passe
away
&
mis-spend
the
short
time
which
we
haue
in
this
life
,
that
the
day
of
death
,
judgment
,
and
condemnation
may
come
speedily
upon
us
before
we
repent
,
and
before
we
consecrate
our selues
wholly
to
God
.
Peter
sayth
:
It
is
sufficient
for
us
,
that
we
haue
spent
the
time
past
of
this
life
,
after
the
lustes
of
the
Gentiles
,
walking
in
wantonnes
,
lustes
,
drunkennes
,
in
gluttonie
,
drinkings
,
and
abominable
idolatries
.
1
Pet.
4.3
.
And
if
any
be
otherwise
minded
,
the
Lord
in
his
time
will
either
convert
or
confound
him
.
-
Eightly
,
whereas
the
life
of
a
Christian
effectually
called
,
should
be
spent
continually
in
fighting
against
all
kinde
of
sinne
,
in
crucifying
the
old
man
,
and
in
renewing
the
inner
man
dayly
,
these
Stage-playes
quench
the
spirit
,
and
destroy
the
new
man
,
as
also
on
the
other
part
,
they
foster
,
cherish
,
and
mainteyne
the
old
man
,
as
all
those
that
haue
the
spirit
of
Christ
know
and
feele
.
But
if
any
man
haue
not
the
spirit
of
Christ
,
the
same
is
not
his
.
Rom.
8.9
.
The
sixth
Reason
.
10.
Reason
.
6
THE
sixt
reason
may
be
taken
from
the
opinion
and
judgment
of
all
sortes
and
states
of
men
,
by
whom
these
Stage-playes
haue
been
disalowed
.
Orthodoxal
Protestants
.
First
,
all
orthodoxall
Protestants
of
all
ages
and
times
,
which
maintayned
the
generall
doctrine
of
the
Catholike
church
,
haue
censured
Stage-playes
,
as
unlawfull
from
age
to
age
hitherto
.
To
reporte
and
repeate
their
severall
judgements
out
of
their
owne
writings
,
or
out
of
histories
,
is
more
then
I
can
performe
,
it
would
make
a
greate
volume
,
it
would
be
tedious
to
reade
,
and
perhaps
not
so
necessarie
.
Wherefore
it
seemeth
rather
convenient
to
call
a
greate
number
of
them
together
out
of
all
the
places
of
their
dwellings
,
and
as
it
were
out
of
all
the
world
,
that
they
all
may
be
heard
to
speake
altogether
with
one
consent
and
voyce
.
But
because
it
would
be
a
verie
tedious
,
and
troublesome
thing
,
for
so
many
,
so
reverend
,
and
so
old
aged
Fathers
to
travell
so
farre
;
it
is
more
convenient
and
reasonable
to
spare
their
labours
so
much
as
may
be
,
and
call
them
together
at
three
severall
times
,
and
in
three
severall
places
of
their
habitations
;
that
is
,
to
call
those
of
Asia
,
to
meete
together
in
Asia
:
those
of
Africa
,
in
Africa
:
and
those
of
Europe
,
in
Europe
.
Asia
,
In
Asia
,
about
two
and
twentie
of
the
most
reverend
Fathers
of
those
times
,
met
together
in
Laodicea
,
somewhat
more
then
300
yeres
after
Christ
,
and
holding
a
councill
there
,
decreed
cap.
54.
that
none
of
the
Cleargie
should
be
present
at
Stage-playes
.
And
the
Centuriators
of
Magdeburg
haue
inserted
this
whole
Councill
in
their
laborious
and
worthie
historie
Cent.
4.
cap.
9.
col.
834.
Afrike
.
In
Africa
more
then
400
years
after
Christ
there
were
some
four
and
fortie
of
the
worthiest
&
learnedst
Fathers
assembled
at
Carthage
in
the
third
councill
that
was
holden
there
,
amongst
whom
was
that
worthie
Augustinus
,
and
they
decreed
cap.
11.
that
the
children
of
ministers
or
of
others
of
the
Cleargie
should
not
be
present
at
Stage-playes
,
seeing
none
of
the
Laitie
might
be
there
.
Semper
enim
Christianis
omnibus
hoc
interdictum
est
,
ut
ubi
blasphemisunt
,
non
accedant
.
that
is
;
for
all
christians
haue
evermore
beene
forbidden
to
come
in
place
,
where
blasphemers
are
.
And
the
same
religious
Fathers
then
,
and
there
decreed
also
cap.
35.
That
the
church
should
not
tefuse
to
receaue
the
Stage-players
into
their
fellowship
,
if
they
repented
and
renounced
that
their
trade
of
playing
.
Whereby
is
evident
that
Stage-players
in
those
former
and
purer
times
,
were
generally
excommunicated
,
and
cast
out
of
the
societie
of
the
saintes
.
Europe
.
In
Europe
divers
worthie
and
graue
Fathers
of
the
church
,
called
and
summoned
by
Constantinus
Magnus
,
a
little
after
the
Nicene
Councill
,
to
come
together
at
Arles
in
France
,
held
two
Councils
there
,
the
first
,
and
shortly
after
the
second
.
In
both
which
they
decreed
the
excommunication
of
all
Stage-players
,
so
long
as
they
continued
that
trade
of
life
.
And
in
the
first
Councill
,
cap.
5.
thus
they
say
:
De
theatricis
,
&
ipsos
placuit
,
quandiu
agunt
,
à
communione
separari
;
that
is
,
as
touching
Stage-players
,
we
thinke
it
good
,
that
whiles
they
continue
in
that
trade
of
life
,
they
be
kept
from
the
communion
.
And
in
the
second
Councill
held
there
presently
after
,
they
decree
the
same
thing
againe
,
can.
20.
and
almost
in
the
same
words
.
But
yet
to
giue
in
more
evidence
,
we
may
haue
all
the
worthie
Fathers
of
the
Churches
in
Asia
,
Africa
,
and
Europa
,
assembled
together
in
the
sixt
generall
Council
,
which
was
held
at
Constantinople
,
approue
that
which
at
Laodicea
in
Asia
,
and
at
Carthage
in
Africa
,
was
decreed
against
Stage-players
.
For
when
Constantinus
Pogonatus
in
the
yeare
681
called
that
sixt
general
Councel
at
Constantinople
against
the
Monothelites
of
those
times
,
as
Zonoras
,
Tomo
tertio
sheweth
,
about
fiue
yeares
after
,
his
sonne
Iustinianus
II.
assembled
the
Fathers
there
againe
,
as
Gratianus
dist.
16.
cap.
7.
and
the
Centuriators
of
Magdeburgh
,
Cent.
7.
cap.
9.
col.
455.
doe
witnesse
:
and
can.
20.
they
approue
those
two
former
Councils
of
Laodicea
and
of
Carthage
.
And
thus
we
haue
the
judgement
of
all
the
orthodoxall
and
true
Catholike
Fathers
of
the
churches
throughout
the
whole
world
,
against
Stage-players
,
and
Stage-playing
,
with
one
consent
.
Papists
.
Secondly
,
the
Papists
,
though
they
be
favourers
of
Stage-playes
,
and
actors
sometime
upon
the
Stage
(
as
lately
at
Lions
in
France
)
yet
they
cannot
for
verie
shame
justifie
them
,
but
contrariewise
condemne
them
in
their
writings
.
And
in
their
great
Canon
booke
of
Decrees
compiled
by
Gratian
,
they
ratifie
the
four
first
generall
Councils
,
and
all
the
other
Councils
made
afterwards
,
and
conteyned
in
that
greate
booke
of
Decrees
,
dist.
15.
cap.
2.
&
4.
and
dist.
16.
cap.
6.
&c.
they
approue
by
name
the
three
Councils
alledged
before
.
More
particularly
they
approue
that
which
was
mentioned
before
of
the
Council
of
Laodicea
,
de
consecratione
dist.
5.
cap.
37.
and
that
which
was
decreed
against
Stage-plaies
in
the
third
Councill
of
Carthage
,
de
consecrat
.
dist.
2.
cap.
96.
and
the
canons
of
the
sixt
generall
Councill
,
de
consecratione
dist.
3.
cap.
29.
Parlement
.
Thirdly
,
the
Honourable
Court
of
Parliament
in
this
Land
,
hath
justly
censured
Stage-players
,
as
those
that
liue
not
in
a
lawfull
trade
to
mainteyne
themselues
by
.
as
in
the
xiiij
.
yeare
of
Elizabeth
,
chap.
5.
and
in
the
xxxix
yeare
of
Elizab.
chap.
7.
and
in
the
second
yeare
of
King
Iames
,
chap.
vij
.
Fourthly
,
the
civill
law
in
pointing
out
those
persons
which
are
of
evill
note
or
name
,
The
civil
Law
.
sayth
thus
of
Stage-players
Pandect.
lib.
3.
tit
.
2.
Eos
enim
,
qui
quaestus
causa
in
certamina
descendunt
,
&
omnes
propter
praemium
in
scenam
prodeuntes
,
famosos
esse
,
Pegasus
&
Nerva
responderunt
;
that
is
,
Pegasus
and
Nerva
said
,
that
those
were
infamous
which
tryed
masterie
for
gaine
,
and
all
that
came
upon
the
Stage
for
a
rewarde
.
Also
who
list
,
may
reade
somewhat
to
the
same
purpose
.
Novel
.
const.
51.
Heathens
.
Fiftly
,
the
infidell
Heathens
,
howsoever
they
first
devised
them
,
and
after
used
them
very
much
,
yet
haue
they
disalowed
them
,
as
Augustine
de
civitate
Dei
,
lib.
2.
cap.
13.
rehearsing
the
words
of
Scipio
out
of
Tullie
,
sheweth
:
Quum
artem
ludicram
scenamque
totam
probro
ducerent
,
genus
id
hominum
non
modo
honore
civium
reliquorum
carere
,
sed
etiam
tribu
moveri
notatione
censoria
voluerunt
.
that
is
,
The
Romans
accounting
those
playes
,
and
the
whole
Stage
to
be
reproachfull
,
when
they
valued
the
goods
and
enrolled
the
names
of
their
citizens
,
gaue
not
the
honour
of
other
citizens
to
Stage-players
,
but
razed
their
names
out
of
their
wardes
or
companies
.
Suetonius
taxeth
Nero
for
a
favorer
of
them
,
and
an
actor
among
them
.
Arnobius
lib.
7.
contra
gentes
,
appealing
to
the
conscience
of
the
Heathen
,
sheweth
that
they
disallow
them
,
and
sayth
thus
of
the
Stage-players
,
actores
inhonestos
esse
jus
vestrum
judicavit
,
that
is
,
your
owne
law
hath
adjudged
the
stage-playes
to
be
no
honest
men
.
And
these
judgements
of
men
are
sufficient
to
condemne
Stage-playes
as
unlawfull
,
and
dishonest
also
,
as
Cornelius
Nepos
sayth
in
his
preface
before
the
description
of
the
noble
Emperours
.
The
seauenth
Reason
.
Reason
.
7
II.
THE
seauenth
and
last
reason
is
drawne
from
the
judgments
which
God
hath
inflicted
upon
the
Players
,
and
beholders
.
1.
Philip
king
of
Macedonia
,
and
father
of
Alexander
the
greate
,
was
slaine
at
a
play
by
Pausanias
,
as
Diodorus
Siculus
writeth
lib.
16.
Plinius
histor.
natur
.
lib.
7.
cap.
53.
speaking
of
divers
that
dyed
sodainly
,
sayth
,
that
one
M.
Ofilius
Hilarus
a
noble
player
of
Comedies
,
after
he
had
played
his
part
gallantly
on
the
day
of
his
birth
,
and
was
vaunting
at
supper
of
his
dayes
worke
,
died
sodainly
at
the
table
.
3.
Paulus
Orosius
lib.
7.
cap.
4.
writeth
that
in
the
twelft
yeare
of
Tiberius
,
(
which
was
three
yeares
before
Christ
beganne
to
preach
the
Gospel
publikely
)
there
were
twentie
thousand
persons
slaine
by
the
fall
of
the
Theater
at
Fidena
in
Italie
.
4.
About
thirteene
yeares
after
,
Caius
Caligula
the
Emperour
was
slaine
at
a
play
.
Ioseph
.
antiq.
lib.
19.
cap.
1.
Suetonius
in
Caligula
cap.
58.
5.
About
150
yeares
after
Christs
nativitie
,
whiles
the
Playes
were
kept
at
Rome
with
great
solemnitie
,
for
the
space
of
three
dayes
and
three
nights
together
,
continually
and
without
intermission
,
a
great
parte
of
the
citie
was
sette
on
fire
and
consumed
.
And
Phillip
the
Emperour
was
slayne
at
Varona
,
and
his
sonne
at
Rome
,
as
it
is
reported
by
Sextus
Aurelius
,
Pomponius
Laetus
,
and
Eutropius
lib.
9.
6.
Tertullianus
in
his
booke
de
Spectaculis
,
sayth
,
that
a
Christian
woman
going
to
the
playes
,
was
then
possessed
of
a
divell
,
and
when
other
Christians
,
intending
to
cast
the
divell
out
of
her
,
demanded
of
him
,
how
he
durst
presume
to
assault
one
that
beleeved
in
Christ
,
the
divell
answered
,
that
he
found
her
in
his
owne
house
,
and
therefore
had
good
right
to
seaze
upon
her
.
Also
he
writeth
in
the
same
Booke
and
place
,
that
an
other
faythfull
woman
going
also
to
behold
the
Playes
,
had
eyther
a
fearefull
dreame
or
a
vision
the
next
night
after
,
wherein
shee
was
checked
for
going
to
the
Playes
,
was
warned
of
her
death
,
and
dyed
within
fiue
dayes
after
.
7.
Aventinus
annal.
Bojorum
lib.
7.
writeth
,
that
about
1200
yeares
after
Christ
,
three
hundred
men
were
slaine
with
hayle
and
lightning
at
Pisonium
,
a
cittie
of
Bavaria
,
in
the
confines
of
Italie
,
whiles
they
were
there
to
behold
the
Playes
.
8.
The
same
Author
Aventinus
annal.
Bojor
.
lib.
7.
writeth
also
,
that
when
Pope
Nicholaus
V.
solemnized
his
rich
Iubilie
,
in
the
yeare
1450
,
with
Stage
playes
,
fiue
hundred
&
threescore
persons
,
comming
to
Rome
to
behold
the
Playes
,
were
partly
troden
to
death
,
and
partly
drowned
in
Tiber.
9.
At
London
in
the
yeare
of
Christ
1583
eight
persons
were
slaine
,
and
more
hurte
,
by
the
fall
of
the
theater
.
10.
At
Lions
in
France
in
the
moneth
of
August
,
in
the
yeare
1607
,
whiles
the
Iesuites
were
acting
their
Playes
,
to
the
disgrace
of
true
religion
,
and
the
professors
thereof
,
the
Lord
from
heauen
continuing
thunder
&
lightnings
,
for
the
space
of
two
houres
together
,
slewe
twelue
persons
presently
,
and
amased
all
the
rest
with
great
terrour
and
feare
.
FINIS
.