A10335:4
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.
The Printer to the Reader.
The vanity and unlawfulness of Plays and Interludes hath been often spoken against by the holy men of God. The danger and hurt that cometh by them hath been plainly laid open by sundry fruitful treatises of this our age. Farther it seemeth that the Lord himself by sundry his visible judgements from Heaven, hath pronounced a sensible vae against them even in the face of the world. Witness Paris Garden and other places where divers have been grievously hurt, wounded, and maimed; and some by lamentable death and destruction utterly cut of and consumed. These and such like warnings and examples going before should (a man would think) have been a fearful precedent to the succeeding age that came after. But alas our practise showeth it to be far otherwise, Th'usual flocking and gadding that we see daily before our eyes to these Play-Houses and idle places of intercourse (many leaving their houses and sundry necessary duties unperformed, yea not sparing the very Sabbath it self, nor fearing the profanation thereof, so they may therein serve their unruly appetites and affections) doth sufficiently descry a far of of what metal we are made, and wherein the treasure of our hart consisteth.
THe vanitie and vnlawfulnesse of Plaies and Enterludes hath bene often spoken against by the holy men of God. The danger and hurt that commeth by them hath bene plainly laied open by sundrie frutfull treatises of this our age. Farther it seemeth that the Lord himself by sundry his visible iudgementes from Heauen, hath pronounced a sensible vae against them even in the face of the world. Witnesse Paris Garden and other places where divers haue bene grievously hurt, wounded, and maimed; and some by lamentable death and destruction vtterly cutt of and consumed. These and such like warninges and examples going before should (a man would thinke) haue bene a fearefull precedent to the succeeding age that came after. But alas our practise sheweth it to be farre otherwise, Th'vsuall flocking and gadding that we see daily before our eies to these Play-Houses and ydle places of entercourse (many leaving their houses and sundry necessarie duties vnperfourmed, yea not sparing the very Sabath it selfe, nor fearing the prophanation thereof, so they may therein serue their vnruly appetites and affections) doth sufficiently descry a farre of of what mettall we are made, and wherin the treasure of our hart consisteth.