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…

And however some empty and effeminate, vain and vicious, Roman Emperors reduced such Plays, yet some of the gravest and soberest, manliest and bravest, even Heathen Emperors, did oppose and exterminate them (so that Guevara noteth it to have been one of the tokens and characteristics to know a virtuous or vicious Prince of Rome by, to wit, whether he maintain •d Players, Jesters, and Jugglers among the people, or not) as did also many Senators▪ Christian Emperors, and well regulated Republics, both Pagan and Christian; as unbeseeming exercises, and effeminate arts, which did much dishonour and corrupt the state, and as Seminaries of all vice and intolerable mischiefs in the Common-wealth: And no doubt, whatever good is pretended to be got in a Play-house or at the Stage (hardly without a predominant mixture of evil) may be learned as well, as easily, and much more safely, if not more cheap too, elsewhere. As they have been thus forbidden and censured by Councils, so I say more particularly they have been very unanimously condemned by the Fathers on these and other such like grounds; 1. As being a breach of the Seventh Commandment, wherein a multitude of modern Divines writing on this Command, accord with them. 2. As being a conforming to, and participating with Pagans in their idolatrous and superstitious practises, expressly ⟨image 18⟩forbidden to the people of God in the Scripture; which put Cyprian de spect, peremptorily to conclude, That the Scripture hath everlastingly condemned all sorts of such Spectacles and Stage-plays, when it took away Idolatry, the Mother of them, whence all these Monsters of vanity, lightness, and lewdness did proceed. 3. As being cross to, and a practical renunciation of, the baptismal Vow of Christians, wherein they engage to renounce the Devil and all his pomps and works, of which sort they account the acting and beholding popular Stage-plays to be. 4. As being the removal of a distinguishing character of Christians from Heathen Gentiles, Who (as Tertullian sayes, lib. de spect. cap. 24.) did most of all discern men by this, that they abandoned and renounced all Stage-plays. 5. As being unsuitable to, if not inconsistent with, the Gospel, which forbiddeth Christians to make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof, to be Caterers for their corruptions, and to be conform to the world;

And however some empty and effeminate, vain and vicious, Roman Emperours reduced such Playes, yet some of the gravest and soberest, manliest and bravest, even Heatlien Emperors, did oppose and exterminate them (so that Guevara noteth it to have been one of the tokens and characteristicks to know a vertuous or vicious Prince of Rome by, to wit, whether he maintain d Players, Jesters, and Juglers among the people, or not) as did also many Senators Christian Emperours, and well regulated Republicks, both Pagan and Christian; as unbeseeming exercises, and effeminate arts, which did much dishonour and corrupt the state, and as Seminaries of all vice and intolerable mischiefs in the Common-wealth: And no doubt, whatever good is pretended to be got in a Play-house or at the Stage (hardly without a predominant mixture of evil) may be learned as well, as easily, and much more safely, if not more cheap too, elsewhere. As they have been thus forbidden and censured by Councels, so I say more particularly they have been very unanimously condemned by the Fathers on these and other such like grounds; 1. As being a breach of the Seventh Commandement, wherein a multitude of modern Divines writing on this Command, accord with them. 2. As being a conforming to, and participating with Pagans in their idolatrous and superstitious practises, expresly