Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
christian_n	church_n	communion_n	society_n	2,512	5	9.2730	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57291	The stage condemn'd, and the encouragement given to the immoralities and profaneness of the theatre, by the English schools, universities and pulpits, censur'd King Charles I Sundays mask and declaration for sports and pastimes on the Sabbath, largely related and animadverted upon : the arguments of all the authors that have writ in defence of the stage against Mr. Collier, consider'd, and the sense of the fathers, councils, antient philosophers and poets, and of the Greek and Roman States, and of the first Christian Emperours concerning drama, faithfully deliver'd : together with the censure of the English state and of the several antient and modern divines of the Church of England upon the stage, and remarks on diverse late plays : as also on those presented by the two universities to King Charles I.	Ridpath, George, d. 1726.	1698 (1698)	Wing R1468; ESTC R17141	128,520	226

he_o who_o preach_v up_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o cross_n can_v he_o have_v any_o like_n to_o to_o that_o which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o that_o doctrine_n will_v any_o man_n that_o look_v upon_o the_o jolly_a assembly_n in_o a_o playhouse_n think_v that_o these_o be_v disciple_n of_o the_o crucify_a god_n do_v they_o not_o look_v like_a mahomet_n votary_n or_o epicurus_n his_o follower_n will_v not_o one_o think_v that_o they_o be_v ●ather_o disciple_n of_o some_o heathen_a jupiter_n or_o venus_n or_o flora_n or_o some_o such_o wanton_a minion_n than_o of_o the_o grave_a the_o austere_a and_o the_o serious_a jesus_n for_o such_o he_o will_v have_v his_o follower_n to_o be_v these_o he_o will_v have_v know_v by_o action_n and_o a_o behaviour_n like_o his_o own_o and_o be_v a_o play_n likely_a to_o plant_v this_o noble_a temper_n in_o you_o as_o a_o christian_a you_o be_v to_o shun_v the_o very_a appearance_n of_o evil_a and_o be_v this_o your_o obedience_n to_o delight_v in_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a to_o applaud_v it_o with_o your_o smile_n to_o commend_v it_o with_o your_o tongue_n and_o to_o encourage_v it_o by_o your_o presence_n as_o a_o christian_a you_o be_v the_o salt_n of_o the_o earth_n 13._o and_o consequent_o be_v to_o preserve_v your_o neighbour_n from_o corruption_n and_o be_v this_o the_o way_n to_o preserve_v he_o from_o infection_n by_o your_o presence_n in_o such_o place_n and_o be_v as_o vain_a as_o he_o to_o encourage_v not_o only_o the_o actor_n in_o their_o unlawful_a profession_n but_o the_o spectator_n too_o in_o their_o disobedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n wo_n to_o that_o man_n by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o he_o that_o a_o millstone_n be_v hang_v about_o his_o neck_n and_o he_o drown_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o sea_n 6._o say_v our_o great_a master_n what_o be_v your_o go_v to_o a_o playhouse_n but_o give_v offence_n what_o be_v it_o but_o harden_v other_o man_n in_o their_o sin_n be_v not_o this_o tempt_a young_a people_n to_o those_o extravagancy_n they_o shall_v detest_v be_v not_o this_o justify_v the_o player_n profession_n and_o to_o make_v they_o think_v that_o you_o approve_v of_o their_o ludicrous_a vocation_n do_v christ_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o die_n and_o spill_v his_o blood_n for_o you_o that_o you_o may_v secure_o indulge_v your_o carnal_a genius_n do_v he_o sacrifice_v himself_o for_o you_o that_o you_o may_v please_v yourself_o with_o such_o foolery_n to_o delight_n in_o such_o vanity_n be_v a_o disparagement_n to_o his_o love_n a_o blemish_n to_o his_o charity_n a_o disgrace_n to_o his_o condescension_n and_o a_o undervalue_v of_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n have_v you_o not_o observe_v it_o have_v you_o not_o take_v notice_n how_o man_n and_o woman_n who_o have_v have_v some_o zeal_n for_o religion_n and_o very_o pious_a inclination_n how_o that_o zeal_n have_v decrease_v upon_o their_o frequent_v those_o house_n how_o their_o goodness_n have_v decay_v how_o flat_o they_o be_v grow_v in_o devotion_n how_o weak_a in_o their_o holy_a performance_n may_v be_v they_o have_v keep_v up_o some_o outward_a show_n some_o external_a formality_n some_o earnestness_n for_o the_o fringe_n of_o religion_n or_o for_o the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o christianity_n but_o have_v you_o not_o see_v how_o they_o be_v become_v stranger_n to_o that_o life_n which_o must_v adorn_v it_o with_o what_o face_n dare_v you_o approach_v the_o table_n of_o your_o lord_n who_o have_v be_v a_o spectator_n of_o such_o show_v but_o a_o little_a before_o if_o you_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n one_o day_n and_o run_v to_o a_o playhouse_n another_o do_v not_o you_o destroy_v all_o you_o build_v the_o day_n before_o in_o this_o sacrament_n you_o profess_v to_o imitate_v your_o lord_n in_o despise_v the_o world_n and_o be_v this_o imitation_n to_o go_v one_o day_n into_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o next_o into_o a_o den_n of_o thief_n for_o so_o the_o stage_n may_v just_o be_v call_v where_o man_n be_v rob_v of_o their_o relish_n of_o spiritual_a object_n whence_o have_v come_v that_o atheism_n that_o looseness_n that_o indifferency_n in_o thing_n divine_a that_o low_o esteem_v of_o the_o tremendous_a mystery_n of_o christianity_n which_o of_o late_a like_o a_o land-flood_n have_v overcome_v we_o have_v they_o not_o derive_v their_o boldness_n from_o these_o place_n have_v not_o the_o vice_n represent_v there_o in_o jest_n be_v practise_v by_o the_o forward_a youth_n at_o home_n in_o good_a earnest_n and_o can_v a_o christian_a have_v a_o good_a opinion_n of_o those_o house_n where_o so_o many_o have_v lose_v their_o virtue_n can_v any_o man_n of_o reason_n think_v that_o after_o all_o this_o mischief_n they_o may_v be_v safe_o hug_v and_o applaud_v those_o many_o notorious_a fornication_n and_o adultery_n we_o have_v hear_v and_o know_v of_o those_o barefaced_a cheat_n man_n boast_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o glory_v in_o their_o shame_n their_o impudence_n their_o courage_n to_o do_v evil_a their_o dare_a to_o do_v thing_n which_o sober_a heathen_n have_v detest_v whence_o have_v they_o come_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n but_o from_o those_o poison_a fountain_n if_o wanton_a lustful_a and_o obscene_a jest_n be_v express_o forbid_v by_o the_o great_a apostle_n eph._n 5._o 4._o nay_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v name_v among_o christian_n how_o can_v a_o man_n that_o make_v profession_n of_o that_o religion_n hear_v they_o or_o be_v take_v with_o they_o when_o god_n name_n be_v profane_v in_o such_o house_n when_o religion_n be_v mock_v when_o virtue_n be_v render_v odious_a do_v but_o take_v a_o view_n of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n and_o you_o will_v find_v they_o unanimous_a in_o this_o assertion_n that_o in_o our_o baptism_n when_o we_o renounce_v the_o devil_n and_o his_o work_n and_o the_o pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o the_o world_n we_o do_v particular_o renounce_v stage-play_n and_o such_o ludicrous_a representation_n they_o that_o live_v near_a to_o the_o apostolical_a time_n in_o all_o probability_n know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o this_o renunciation_n and_o this_o they_o profess_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o this_o they_o assure_v we_o be_v mean_v by_o those_o pomp_n and_o glory_n and_o why_o shall_v we_o presume_v to_o put_v a_o new_a sense_n upon_o that_o vow_n they_o receive_v this_o interpretation_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o propagate_v it_o to_o posterity_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o make_v the_o abjuration_n of_o the_o same_o opinion_n be_v dr._n bray_n in_o his_o discourse_n on_o the_o baptismal_a covenant_n printed_n in_o 1697._o and_o dedicate_v to_o his_o highness_n the_o d._n of_o gloucester_n where_o he_o comment_n thus_o on_o the_o pomp_n abjure_a in_o baptism_n 11._o thereby_o be_v ancient_o mean_v those_o pompous_a spectacle_n play_n and_o scenical_a representation_n exhibit_v in_o the_o roman_a theatre_n which_o because_o they_o be_v so_o lewd_a cruel_a and_o impious_a the_o primitive_a church_n strict_o enjoin_v all_o christian_n at_o their_o baptism_n not_o to_o frequent_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o be_v once_o present_a or_o everseen_a at_o they_o and_o answerable_a to_o those_o be_v our_o modern_a play_n act_v in_o the_o playhouse_n which_o be_v no_o thing_n inferior_a to_o the_o ancient_a one_o in_o impiety_n and_o lewdness_n and_o have_v such_o a_o malignant_a influence_n upon_o faith_n and_o manner_n as_o be_v own_a by_o almost_o all_o person_n and_o be_v general_o complain_v that_o they_o have_v they_o ought_v never_o to_o be_v frequent_v by_o christian_n and_o it_o may_v very_o well_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o breach_n of_o your_o baptismal_a vow_n and_o covenant_n for_o any_o of_o you_o to_o be_v hereafter_o present_a at_o they_o nor_o be_v it_o unworthy_a our_o observation_n that_o those_o commendable_a religion_n society_n of_o youngman_n and_o other_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n so_o much_o countenace_v by_o the_o late_a queen_n mary_n of_o bless_a memory_n and_o the_o best_a of_o the_o bishop_n have_v lay_v it_o down_o as_o part_v of_o their_o nine_o order_n that_o all_o of_o their_o society_n shall_v whole_o avoid_v le●d_a playhouse_n 125._o sir_n richard_n blackmore_n against_o the_o stage_n another_o late_a author_n i_o shall_v produce_v against_o they_o be_v sir_n richard_n blackmore_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o his_o excellent_a poem_n call_v prince_n arthur_n who_o testimony_n be_v so_o much_o the_o less_o to_o be_v except_v against_o because_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v for_o a_o reformation_n and_o not_o for_o the_o abolition_n of_o the_o stage_n his_o word_n be_v as_o follow_v ou●_n poet_n say_v he_o seem_v engage_v in_o a_o geneneral_a confederacy_n to_o ruin_n the_o end_n of_o their_o own_o art_n to_o expose_v

faemina_fw-la censum_fw-la etc._n etc._n non_fw-la unquam_fw-la reputant_fw-la quantum_fw-la sibi_fw-la gaudiae_fw-la constant_a satyr_n vi._n nor_o have_v he_o any_o better_a opinion_n of_o the_o chastity_n than_o of_o the_o good_a housewifry_n of_o those_o play-haunting_a lady_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o follow_a line_n cuneis_fw-la a_o habent_fw-la spectacula_fw-la totis_fw-la quod_fw-la securus_fw-la ames_o quodque_fw-la inde_fw-la expetere_fw-la possis_fw-la etc._n etc._n where_o he_o describe_v their_o lewdness_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o will_v offend_v chaste_a ear_n to_o hear_v it_o horace_n express_v himself_o much_o at_o the_o same_o rate_n as_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o its_o frequenter_n ut_fw-mi quondam_a marsaeus_n amator_fw-la origenis_n illi_fw-la qui_fw-la patriam_fw-la mimae_fw-la donat_fw-la fundumque_fw-la laremque_fw-la nil_fw-la ●uit_fw-la mi_fw-mi inquit_fw-la cum_fw-la uxoribus_fw-la unquam_fw-la alienis_fw-la verum_fw-la est_fw-la cum_fw-la mimis_n &_o cum_fw-la meretricibus_fw-la unde_fw-la fama_fw-la malum_fw-la gravius_fw-la etc._n etc._n sermo_n lib._n i._o sat._n ii_o so_o that_o both_o of_o they_o put_v the_o haunter_n of_o the_o theatre_n and_o of_o the_o bawdy-house_n in_o the_o same_o category_n the_o reviewer_n reflection_n that_o lewd_a person_n do_v also_o frequent_v the_o church_n 29●_n be_v no_o apology_n for_o the_o stage_n we_o have_v a_o positive_a command_n to_o meet_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n but_o none_o to_o frequent_v the_o playhouse_n and_o if_o a_o carrion-crow_n may_v be_v catch_v in_o a_o flock_n of_o dove_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o express_v it_o it_o will_v not_o thence_o follow_v that_o the_o egeon_n must_v flock_v to_o the_o rendezvous_n of_o the_o crow_n but_o the_o quite_o contrary_a and_o i_o must_v take_v leave_n to_o tell_v he_o that_o so_o long_o as_o our_o stage_n be_v keep_v up_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v our_o public_a assembly_n pure_a they_o learn_v such_o lewd_a practice_n and_o wanton_a behaviour_n at_o the_o playhouse_n that_o they_o smell_v strong_a of_o the_o infection_n when_o they_o come_v to_o church_n this_o be_v the_o complaint_n of_o eloquent_a chrysostom_n against_o those_o that_o frequent_v the_o playhouse_n in_o his_o time_n mat._n and_o we_o find_v ovid_n of_o the_o same_o mind_n that_o there_o be_v no_o reform_v the_o uncleanness_n of_o the_o town_n so_o long_o as_o the_o theatre_n be_v suffer_v to_o stand_v quid_fw-la faciet_fw-la custos_fw-la cum_fw-la 〈◊〉_d tot_fw-mi in_o urbe_fw-la theatra_fw-la cum_fw-la spectet_fw-la junctos_fw-la illa_fw-la libenter_fw-la equos_fw-la de_fw-fr arte_fw-la amandi_fw-la lib._n 3._o if_o our_o author_n object_n that_o this_o satyr_n be_v not_o direct_v against_o the_o stage_n but_o level_v at_o the_o pit_n the_o box_n and_o gallery_n i_o reply_v that_o the_o company_n discover_v the_o entertainment_n the_o carrion_n crow_n will_v scarce_o resort_v to_o a_o banquet_n of_o sweetmeat_n but_o the_o scent_n of_o a_o dead_a carcase_n will_v tempt_v they_o huge_o the_o poet_n already_o quote_v say_v nothing_o in_o vindication_n of_o the_o theatre_n and_o ovid_n in_o express_a term_n enjoin_v the_o pull_v it_o down_o the_o reviewer_n it_o seem_v have_v a_o great_a mind_n to_o fasten_v all_o the_o gild_n upon_o the_o audience_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v as_o a_o just_a reprisal_n to_o charge_v the_o poet_n and_o actor_n with_o their_o sha●e_n of_o the_o crime_n we_o have_v already_o hear_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o father_n and_o council_n of_o the_o grecian_a roman_a and_o english_a state_n and_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o charge_v the_o gild_n upon_o the_o theatre_n itself_o as_o well_o as_o on_o the_o actor_n and_o spectator_n and_o i_o have_v likewise_o bring_v in_o the_o evidence_n of_o foreign_a and_o domestic_a historian_n to_o prove_v that_o those_o concern_v in_o the_o stage_n have_v frequent_o break_v the_o peace_n by_o tumult_n sedition_n and_o other_o villainous_a disorder_n by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o playhouse_n ever_o since_o its_o first_o institution_n have_v be_v a_o common_a nuisance_n and_o shall_v now_o take_v the_o liberty_n to_o give_v a_o brief_a character_n of_o their_o writer_n and_o actor_n from_o author_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o the_o two_o repent_v poet_n that_o have_v already_o oblige_v we_o with_o a_o anatomy_n of_o the_o stage_n cap._n xv._n the_o character_n of_o the_o stage-poet_n and_o player_n the_o ancient_a roman_n hold_v player_n in_o somuch_o disgrace_v and_o contempt_n because_o of_o their_o vicious_a and_o dissolute_a life_n that_o they_o disfranchised_a and_o remove_v they_o from_o their_o tribe_n as_o be_v a_o dishonour_n to_o the_o roman_a blood_n and_o the_o noble_a parentage_n from_o whence_o they_o derive_v their_o original_a and_o total_o banish_v they_o at_o last_o triberius_fw-la the_o grecian_n drive_v they_o out_o of_o their_o country_n upon_o the_o same_o account_n as_o we_o have_v already_o hear_v from_o plutarch_n and_o other_o the_o primitive_a church_n throw_v they_o out_o of_o her_o communion_n and_o the_o first_o christian_n emperor_n throw_v they_o out_o of_o the_o commonwealth_n as_o have_v be_v prove_v before_o gregory_n nazianzen_n say_v of_o the_o player_n in_o his_o time_n that_o they_o be_v ashamed_a of_o nothing_o but_o honesty_n and_o modesty_n promote_v lewdness_n and_o boast_v of_o their_o skill_n to_o act_v and_o suffer_v all_o manner_n of_o brutal_a villainy_n even_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o sun_n educatione_n st._n chrysostome_n say_v they_o be_v infamous_a ●_z and_o deserve_v a_o thousand_o death_n because_o they_o personate_v those_o villainy_n which_o the_o law_n of_o all_o nation_n command_v man_n to_o avoid_v 6._o cyprian_n call_v they_o master_n of_o wickedness_n wish_n that_o eucratius_n can_v see_v their_o secret_n and_o their_o chamber_n door_n open_a he_o accuse_v they_o of_o sodomy_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o villainy_n and_o of_o condemn_v that_o abroad_o which_o they_o commit_v at_o home_n donato_n st._n augustine_n call_v they_o most_o villainous_a fellow_n and_o commend_v the_o prudence_n of_o the_o roman_n for_o dis-franchising_a they_o 4_o nicolaus_n cabasila_n say_v there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o wicked_a or_o villainous_a than_o a_o stage-player_n 2._o bodin_n write_v that_o their_o profession_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o apprenticeship_n of_o sin_n and_o a_o trade_n of_o wickedness_n which_o lead_v to_o hell_n 1._o ludovicus_n vives_n say_v that_o the_o roman_a stage-player_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v dissolute_a villain_n give_v up_o to_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n when_o they_o can_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o live_v in_o that_o city_n where_o there_o be_v so_o many_o thousand_o of_o profligate_v citizen_n 13_o the_o author_n of_o the_o three_o blast_v of_o retreat_n 〈◊〉_d of_o our_o penitent_a poet_n characterize_v the_o stage-player_n thus_o that_o their_o conversation_n be_v like_o their_o profession_n they_o be_v as_o skilful_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o uncleanness_n as_o in_o act_v it_o that_o their_o talk_n on_o the_o stage_n declare_v the_o inward_a disposition_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o that_o every_o one_o of_o they_o choose_v that_o part_n which_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o his_o own_o inclination_n that_o he_o can_v not_o but_o lament_v to_o see_v they_o bring_v up_o youth_n in_o filthy_a discourse_n unnatural_a and_o unseemly_a gesture_n and_o in_o ba●dry_n and_o idleness_n that_o he_o wonder_v how_o any_o father_n can_v delight_v to_o see_v his_o son_n hereft_v of_o modesty_n and_o train_v up_o in_o impudence_n he_o call_v the_o actor_n the_o schoolmaster_n of_o sin_n in_o the_o school_n of_o abuse_n they_o be_v notorious_o know_v to_o be_v the_o same_o in_o their_o life_n as_o they_o be_v on_o the_o stage_n that_o be_v roister_n brawler_n ill-dealer_n boaster_n stallion_n ruffian_n etc._n etc._n and_o love_v nothing_o that_o be_v virtuous_a mr._n gosson_n the_o other_o repent_v stage_n prodigal_a give_v the_o player_n the_o character_n follow_v abuse_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v uncircumcife_v philistine_n who_o nourish_v a_o canker_n in_o their_o own_o soul_n ungodly_a master_n who_o example_n do_v rather_o poison_n than_o instruct_v and_o therefore_o advise_v people_n if_o not_o for_o religion_n yet_o for_o shame_n lest_o the_o gentile_n shall_v judge_v they_o at_o the_o last_o to_o withdraw_v from_o the_o theatre_n with_o noble_a marius_n to_o appoint_v a_o punishment_n for_o player_n with_o the_o roman_a censor_n and_o to_o show_v themselves_o to_o be_v christian_n not_o to_o be_v draw_v by_o wicked_a spectator_n from_o virtue_n to_o vice_n from_o god_n to_o mammon_n and_o that_o so_o they_o shall_v fill_v up_o the_o gulf_n that_o the_o devil_n by_o play_n have_v dig_v to_o swallow_v they_o up_o this_o i_o think_v be_v sufficient_a evidence_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o crime_n be_v not_o altogether_o chargeable_a on_o

proper_o apply_v to_o they_o that_o not_o only_a thos●_n who_o commit_v such_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o death_n but_o they_o also_o that_o take_v pleasure_n in_o those_o that_o do_v they_o he_o further_o tell_v the_o ancient_a roman_n that_o stage-play_n pollute_v their_o soul_n deprave_v their_o manner_n provoke_v god_n and_o offend_v their_o saviour_n dishonour_v their_o christian_a profession_n and_o draw_v down_o god_n judgement_n on_o their_o state_n then_o miserable_o waste_v by_o the_o goth_n and_o vandal_n therefore_o he_o advise_v they_o eternal_o to_o abandon_v theatre_n which_o will_v bring_v their_o soul_n their_o body_n their_o church_n &_o their_o state_n to_o utter_v ruin_n this_o be_v so_o full_a a_o proof_n of_o his_o be_v against_o stag●-plays_n in_o general_a and_o those_o too_o not_o pollute_v with_o heathen_a idolatry_n but_o when_o church_n and_o state_n be_v both_o christian_a that_o certain_o our_o doctor_n can_v never_o quote_v salvian_n any_o more_o for_o their_o purpose_n i_o pass_v over_o their_o other_o popish_a saint_n and_o schoolman_n that_o they_o quote_v for_o their_o opinion_n which_o i_o suppose_v will_v have_v as_o little_a weight_n with_o any_o true_a protestant_n as_o if_o they_o have_v quote_v st._n garnet_n or_o st._n coleman_n but_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o argument_n page_n xxi_o that_o the_o canon_n of_o council_n bring_v against_o the_o stage_n relate_v only_o to_o scandalous_a play_n or_o immodest_a actor_n and_o here_o also_o the_o council_n shall_v speak_v fo●_n themselves_o cap._n vii_o council_n against_o the_o stage_n the_o council_n of_o eliberis_n in_o spain_n hold_v anno_fw-la dom._n 305._o order_v those_o who_o lend_v their_o garment_n to_o adorn_v play_n to_o be_v excommunicate_v for_o three_o year_n 57_o that_o no_o stage-player_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n unless_o they_o renounce_v their_o art_n and_o if_o they_o return_v to_o it_o again_o they_o shall_v be_v cast_v out_o 62._o that_o no_o believer_n shall_v marry_v a_o stage-player_n on_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n 67._o the_o council_n of_o arles_n hold_v at_o narbon_n in_o france_n about_o the_o year_n of_o our_o lord_n 314._o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n the_o great_a order_v that_o all_o stage-player_n shall_v be_v excommunicate_v so_o long_o as_o they_o continue_v to_o act_n 5._o the_o council_n of_o arles_n in_o that_o same_o kingdom_n hold_v anno_fw-la 326._o enact_v the_o like_a 5._o the_o council_n of_o laodicea_n in_o phrygia_n pacatiania_n hold_v about_o 364._o where_o most_o of_o the_o bishop_n of_o asia_n be_v present_a enact_v that_o no_o clergyman_n shall_v be_v present_a at_o any_o stage-play_n 20._o the_o council_n of_o hippo_n 35._o hold_v an._n 393._o and_o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n in_o africa_n hold_v an._n 399._o whereof_o st._n ●ustin_a be_v a_o member_n forbid_v the_o clergy_n and_o laity_n the_o use_n of_o stage-play_n but_o order_v they_o to_o be_v readmitted_n into_o the_o church_n upon_o repentance_n 35._o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n hold_v an._n 401._o enact_v that_o those_o who_o be_v new_o baptise_a or_o convert_v shall_v abstain_v from_o stage-play_n and_o that_o those_o who_o upon_o any_o solemn_a festival_n omit_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n and_o resort_v to_o stage_n play_n shall_v be_v excommunicate_v 88_o the_o council_n of_o africa_n hold_v an._n 408._o decree_v that_o reconciliation_n with_o the_o church_n shall_v not_o be_v deny_v to_o stage-player_n and_o common-actor_n in_o case_n of_o repentance_n and_o abandon_v their_o profession_n 12._o that_o stage-play_n be_v against_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n 28._o and_o that_o stage-player_n shall_v not_o be_v admit_v as_o evidence_n against_o any_o person_n but_o in_o their_o proper_a cause_n 96._o the_o council_n of_o carthage_n hold_v an._n 419._o declare_v all_o stage-player_n to_o be_v infamous_a person_n and_o uncapable_a of_o bear_v evidence_n 2._o the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n hold_v an._n 680._o and_o repute_v both_o by_o protestant_n and_o papist_n to_o ●e_v ecumenical_a order_a clergyman_n that_o frequent_v stage-play_n to_o be_v deprive_v and_o layman_n to_o be_v excommunicate_v 8._o the_o ●d_a council_n of_o nice_a hold_v about_o 787._o and_o common_o repute_v the_o seven_o ecumenical_a council_n forbid_v stage-play_n as_o be_v accurse_v by_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n 22._o cap._n 5._o v._n 11_o 12._o and_o forbid_v by_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 10._o 31._o the_o synod_n of_o tours_n hold_v in_o the_o time_n of_o char●emain_n an._n 813._o forbid_v to_o frequent_a stage-play_n and_o order_v they_o to_o teach_v other_o to_o avoid_v they_o 7._o the_o second_o synod_n of_o cabilon_n hold_v in_o the_o sa●●_n year_n forbid_v they_o in_o like_a manner_n the_o council_n of_o mentz_n and_o rheimn_v hold_v under_o that_o same_o emperor_n do_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n forbidden_a stage-play_n to_o the_o clergy_n the_o council_n of_o cologn_n hold_v an._n 1549._o forbid_v comedy_n to_o be_v act_v in_o nunnery_n for_o though_o they_o consist_v of_o sacred_a and_o pious_a subject_n they_o can_v notwithstanding_o leave_v little_a good_a but_o much_o hurt_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o holy_a virgin_n who_o behold_v and_o admire_v the_o external_n gesture_n therefore_o they_o forbid_v the_o act_n of_o comedy_n in_o monastries_n or_o that_o virgin_n shall_v be_v spectator_n of_o they_o the_o council_n of_o milan_n hold_v an._n 1560._o in_o the_o chapter_n concern_v the_o stage_n and_o the_o dice_n admonish_v prince_n to_o banish_v out_o of_o their_o territory_n all_o stage-player_n tumbler_n juggler_n and_o jester_n and_o to_o punish_v such_o public_a house_n as_o entertain_v they_o thus_o we_o find_v synod_n ancient_a and_o modern_a and_o some_o of_o they_o during_o the_o very_a darkness_n of_o popery_n express_o condemn_v the_o stage_n and_o that_o of_o the_o council_n of_o cologn_n be_v very_o remarkable_a which_o forbid_v virgin_n the_o see_v of_o comedy_n though_o the_o subject_n be_v sacred_a and_o pious_a because_o of_o the_o bad_a impression_n which_o the_o external_n gesture_n may_v leave_v upon_o their_o mind_n nay_o the_o very_a council_n of_o trent_n declare_v so_o far_o against_o stage-play_n as_o to_o forbid_v they_o to_o the_o clergy_n 979._o then_o what_o a_o shame_n be_v it_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n shall_v not_o only_o be_v so_o remiss_a in_o declare_v against_o the_o stage_n but_o that_o any_o of_o her_o clergy_n shall_v appear_v to_o defend_v it_o as_o that_o dr._n do_v who_o send_v the_o letter_n to_o m._n motteux_fw-fr to_o prefix_v to_o his_o beauty_n in_o distress_n and_o much_o more_o that_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v author_n to_o write_v play_n for_o the_o stage_n as_o jasper_n main_n and_o other_o of_o a_o latter_a date_n as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o innocent_a impostor_n etc._n etc._n who_o out_o of_o respect_n i_o forbear_v to_o name_n to_o these_o ancient_n and_o modern_a council_n i_o shall_v add_v that_o of_o the_o protestant_a church_n of_o france_n hold_v at_o rochel_n an._n 1571._o where_o this_o canon_n be_v unanimous_o agree_v upon_o viz._n all_o congregation_n shall_v be_v admonish_v by_o their_o minister_n serious_o to_o reprehend_v and_o suppress_v all_o dance_n mummery_n and_o interlude_n and_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v lawful_a for_o any_o christian_n to_o act_v or_o be_v present_a at_o any_o comedy_n tragedy_n play_n interlude_n or_o any_o other_o such_o sport_n either_o in_o public_a or_o private_a consider_v that_o they_o have_v always_o be_v oppose_v condemn_a and_o suppresse●_n in_o and_o by_o the_o church_n as_o bring_v along_o with_o they_o the_o corruption_n of_o good_a manner_n this_o methinks_v aught_o to_o have_v more_o weight_n with_o m._n motteu●_n and_o his_o church_n of_o england_n divine_a than_o the_o letter_n of_o a_o popish_a doctor_n of_o paris_n i_o shall_v insist_v no_o further_o on_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o stage_n by_o the_o prefacer_n to_o beauty_n in_o distress_n those_o i_o have_v already_o touch_v be_v his_o principal_a argument_n as_o for_o his_o hint_n of_o other_o thing_n be_v condemn_v by_o those_o father_n and_o council_n which_o be_v now_o general_o hold_v to_o be_v innocent_a they_o be_v me●r_a trifle_n no_o protestant_a ever_o hold_v that_o either_o man_n or_o council_n be_v infallible_a but_o the_o argument_n here_o adduce_v by_o those_o father_n and_o council_n against_o the_o stage_n be_v found_v upon_o general_a scripture_n rule_n aught_o to_o direct_v we_o in_o our_o faith_n and_o practice_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n yet_o see_v our_o parisian_a doctor_n think_v it_o a_o mighty_a argument_n for_o the_o stage_n that_o bishop_n cardinal_n and_o nuncios_fw-la make_v no_o scruple_n to_o be_v present_a at_o play_n 21._o though_o the_o same_o have_v be_v forbid_v by_o so_o many_o council_n mr._n motteux_fw-fr or_o his_o church_n of_o england_n divine_a may_v acquaint_v he_o