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…

Dei, brands Stage-plays with this black mark, That they are the spectacles of filthiness, the overturners of goodness and honesty, the chasers away of all modesty and ⟨image 20⟩chastity, whoris •• shows, the art of mischievous villainies, which even modest Pagans did blush to behold, the inventions to lewdness, by which the Devil useth to gain innumerable companies of evil men to himself. In another place he calls Theatres, Cages of uncleanness, the public professions of wickedness; and Stage-plays, the most petulant, the most impure, impudent, wicked, shameful, and detestable at •onements of filthy Devil-gods; which •o true religion are most abominable. And elsewhere he declares, That when the Gospel came to be spread abroad in the World, Stage-plays and Play-houses, the very caves of filthiness, went to ruin almost in every City, as inconsistent with it; whence the Gentiles (says he) complained of the times of Christianity, as evil and unhappy times. Epiphani •s contra haeres. says, That the Catholic and Apostolic Church doth reprobate and forbid all Theatres, Stage-plays, and such like Heathenish spectacles. Chrysostom Hom. in Matth. says, I wish the Theatres and Play-places were all thrown down, though as to us they did lye desolate and ruined long ago: Elsewhere he says, That nothing brings the Oracles and Ordinances of God into so great contempt, as admiring and beholding Stage-plays; And that neither Sacraments nor any other of Gods Ordinances (pray mark this diligently, O! how often is it sadly verified?) will do a man good so long as he goes to Stage-plays. Bernard Serm. ad milites templi, says, That all the faithful Soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all dicing and Stage-plays, as vanities and false frenzies. Let Salvian his weighty words, de gub-Dei, shut up this short account of the judgment of these Ancient Fathers anent this matter, who says, That in Stage-plays there is a certain Apostasy from the Faith—. For what is the first confession of Christians in their Baptism, but that they do protest they renounce the Devil, his Pomps, Spectacles and Works; know thou Christian, when thou doest wittingly and knowingly return to Stage-plays, thou returnest to the Devil, who is in his Plays, for thou hast renounced both of them together:

Dei, brands Stage-playes with this black mark, That they are the spectacles of filthiness, the overturners of goodness and honesty, the chasers away of all modesty and