A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

The one whereof, was at her returning Home from a Stage-Play, immediately possessed with a Devil; who being by Exorcism Expostulated with, How he durst thus Assault, and enter into a Believing Woman? Answered boldly, That he had done it most justly: For, said he, in meo eam inveni, I found her in my own Temple, or in my own Ground, or in my own Dominion, or Jurisdiction; and as if he had said, About my own Work and Business. The other who the same Night, after hearing a Tragedian, had a Lining-Sheet presented to her, in her Sleep; The Actor in the Play being also named, with a sharp obraiding of her, for 'this deed of hers; and lived not above five days after. And in Alipius, a dear Friend, and Convert of Augustine's; who (as that Father Narrates, in the 6. Book of His Confession, cap. 8.) being importuned one day by some of his Friends, and Fellow - Students, meet him on the way, to go along with them to see a Sword-Play, earnestly at first withstood them; and being at last drawn a long with them, he resolved to be absent, while he was present, and to shut his Eyes all the while he was there: and accordingly did, when he took his place: But when a great Shout was made, occasioned by some Accident in the Play▪ he opened his Eyes; Yet with a Resolution to contemn the sight, whatever it should be: but forth-with he was smitten with a grievous Wound in his Soul, and was not now the same man, that he came thither: But a true Companion of them, that brought him; he beheld, he shouted, he grew out-ragious, and brought away Madness with him; whereby he was excited to return thither again, drawing others along with him, and even out-stripping these, by whom he was first drawn away: Yet after this length of Profanity, he was mercifully recovered, but not till along time after. (Persons that are once mislead by Stage-Plays, though Civil or Religious, being seldom speedily reclaimed from them.) This was also Exemplified, in that late English Gentle-Woman of good-rank▪ Who spending much of her precious Time, in Attendance on Stage-Plays; and falling at last into ⟨image 15⟩a Dangerous Sickness, whereof she dyed, Anno 1631. Friends i • her Extremity, sent for a Minister to prepare her for Death; who beginning to Instruct and Exhort her to repent and call on God for Mercy, she made him no Reply at all; but cried out Hieronimo, Hieronimo; O let me see Hieronimo Acted!