A10335:118
Th'overthrow of stage-plays, by the way of controversy betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes…Th'overthrow of stage-playes, by the way of controversie betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes…
Th'overthrow of stage-plays, by the way of controversy betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes wherein all the reasons that can be made for them are notably refuted; th'objections answered, and the case so cleared and resolved, as that the judgement of any man, that is not froward and perverse, may easily be satisfied. Wherein is manifestly proved, that it is not only unlawful to be an actor, but a beholder of those vanities. Whereunto are added also and annexed in th'end certain latin letters betwixt the said Master Rainoldes, and D. Gentiles, reader of the civill law in Oxford, concerning the same matter.Th'overthrow of stage-playes, by the way of controversie betwixt D. Gager and D. Rainoldes wherein all the reasons that can be made for them are notably refuted; th'objections aunswered, and the case so cleared and resolved, as that the iudgement of any man, that is not froward and perverse, may easelie be satisfied. Wherein is manifestly proved, that it is not onely vnlawfull to bee an actor, but a beholder of those vanities. Wherevnto are added also and annexed in th'end certeine latine letters betwixt the sayed Maister Rainoldes, and D. Gentiles, reader of the civill law in Oxford, concerning the same matter.
Middelburg: printed by Richard Schilders, 1599
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
or through the manifold dangers coming both to actors, and spectators, by them. Hereupon, having added somewhat touching maygames, he made this exhortation. The Prophet prayeth unto the Lord, that he may not wander from his commandments. His action ought to be thine instruction: and art thou so far from following him that thou treadest his law under thy feet, and castest his words behind thee? Take heed, fear, and tremble; thou hast not to deal with ⟨p. 94⟩man, but with God: who hath left thee his law, not to dally withal, or cunningly to deceive thy self with thine own glosses upon the same, but to be the witness of his will, and rule of thy life. This is the same speech, and all, that he did utter so publicly hereof; set down in writing by him self before he uttered it: a speech, that in this present trial between us is already justified, and shall be declared further to be mgold, silver, precious stones, in the day of great trial. So shall the same doctrine delivered by S. Cyprian, the sixth general council, and other worthy men: when of the contrary side your wood, hay, stubble, shall be consumed by fire. In the mean season your self do lay open your own corrupt affections, & blaze your own shame sundry ways. One, in that you say, that you trust you shall not seem to any man to wrong S. Cyprian & the rest, if you follow the opinion of others both very godly & excellently learned, who do interpret that text of Deuter. otherwise then he, or they do: specially in a case that toucheth you so near, wherein you are to defend your self and many your good friends from the reproach of open infamy. For you speak therein, as if the question being of an other text, nThou shalt not give to usury unto thy brother, owhich some newer writers expound against unmerciful and cutting usury, as they term it; not against all usury, as Austin with a number of ancient Fathers doeth; an usurer should say: I trust I shall not seem to any man to wrong S. Austin and the rest, if I follow the opinion of others, both very godly and excellently learned, who do expound that text otherwise then he, or they do; specially in a case that toucheth me so near, wherein I am to defend my self, and many my good friends, from great discredit and discommodity. An other, in that you add, that you well wot it little becometh you to say, Da veniam Cyprian.