Histrio-mastix.

The Players Scovrg or Actors Tragaedie Divided into Two Parts Wherein it is largely evidenced, by divers Arguments, by the concurring Authorities and Refolutions of fundry texts of Scripture; of the whole Primitive Church, both under the Law and Gofpell; of 55 Synodes and Councels; of 71 Fathers and Chriftian Writers, before the yeare of our Lord 1200; of above 150 foraigne and domeftique Proteftant and Popifh Authors, fince; of 40 Heathen Philofophers, Hiftorians, Poets; of many Heathen, many Chriftian Nations, Republiques, Emperors, Princes, Magiftrates; of fundry Apoftoliseall, Canonicall, Impersall Conftisutions; and of our owne Englifh Statutes, Magiftrates, Vniverfisies, Writers, Preachers. That popular Stage-playes (the very Pompes of the Divell which we renounce in Baptifme, if we believe the Fathers) are finfull, heathenifh, lewde, ungodly Spectacles, and moft pernicious 1 Corruptions; condemned in all ages, as intolerable Mifchiefes to Churches, to Republickes, to the manners, minds and foules of men. And that the Profeffion of Play-poets, of Stage-players; together with the penning, acting, and frequenting of Stage-playes, are unlawfull, infamous and misbefeeming Chriftians. All pretences to the contrary are here likewife fully anfwered; and the unlawfulness of acting, of beholding Academicall Enterludes, briefly difcuffed; befides fundry other particulars concerning Dancing, Dicing, Health-drinking [?] of which the Table will informe you. By WILLIAM PRYNNE, an Vtter-Barrefter of Lincolnes Inne. Cyprian. De Spectaculis lib p.244. Fugienda funt ifta Chriftiants f delibus, ut iam frequenter diximious, tam vana, tam peraiciofa, tam faeriloga Spectacula: qua, etfi nonbaberent crimen, habent in fe et maximam et parums congruexie fideli us vanitate. LaEtantius de Vero Cultu cap.20. Vitanda ergo Spectacula emxia, non folam ne quid vitiorum peEtoribus infideat,[?] fed ne cuius nos volup. tatis confuetudo delineat, arque a Deo et a bonis operibus averts. Chryfoft. Hom. 38. in Matth. Tom.2.Col.299. B& Home.8 De Poenitentia, Tom.5. Co.750Immo vero, his Theatralibus ludis everfis, non leges, sid iniquitatem evertetin, ac cm v.em civiaris peftem extinguetis.: Etenim Tbeatrum, corr.munis luxuria efficina, publicum ireoxtinentia gyminafium; cathedra pester lentia; perffimus locus; plurimorumque morbequm plena Babyloniea fornax, [?]. Auguftinus De Civit. Dei, l.4 c.1. Si tantumode boni et bonetibomines in civitate effient, nec in retus bumaxis Ludi fcenici effe debuiffent2. Printed in London by E.A. and W.I. for Michael Sparke and are to be fold at the Blue Bible, in Greene Arbour, in little Old Bayly. 1633.

Actvs 1. Scaena Prima.3

That all popular, and common Stage-Playes, whether Comicall, Tragicall, Satyricall, Mimicall, or mixt of either, (efpecially, as they are now compofed, and perfonated,) are fuch finfull, hurtfull, and pernicious Recreations, as are altogether vnfeemely, and vnlawfull vnto Chriftians: I fhall firft of all euidence, and prooue it, from their original parents, and primary Inuentors: which were no other, but the very Deuill himfelfe; or at leaftwife, Idolatrous, and Voluptuous Pagans, impregnated with this infernall iffue from Hell it felfe: from whence I argue in the firft place, thus. That which had its birth, and primarie conception from the very Deuill himfelfe, who is all, and onely euill; muft needes be Sinfull, Pernicious, and altogether vnfeemely, yea,Vnlawfull vnto Chriftians. But Stage-Playes had their birth, and primary conception, from the very Deuill himfelfe, who is all, and onely euill. Therefore they muft needes bee Sinfull, Pernicious, and altogether vnfeemely, yea, Vnlawfull vnto Chriftians. The Minor, (which is onely liable to exception,) I fhall eafily make good: Firft, by the direct, and punctuall teftimony of fundry Father. Clemens Alexandrinus, Oratio Exhortatoria, ad Gentes. fol.8. Tertullian de Spectaculis.cap.5.7.10.24. Clemens Romanus, Conftitutsonum Apoftolorum.lib.2.c.65.66.S. Cyprian,De Spectaculis.1. & Epift.1.Epift.10. Eucratio, Arnobius Disputatio. Aduerf. Gentes.l.7.Lactantius,De Vero Cultu.6.20.Cyrill of Hiserufol. Catech. My ftag. 1. S. Chryfoftome, Hom. 6. 7. & 38. On Mat. S. Auguftine, De Ciuit. Dei. Lib. I. cap.32.1.2.c.6. to 23. Salvian. De Gub.Dei.lib.6.pag.206.207. (a) All excellently learned in all the learning of the Heathens, and therefore, beft able to determine of the Originall of Stage-Playes, efpecially, fince they liued fo neere vnto their birth-day.) All thefe, I fay, to whom I might adde: Pope Innocent the firft, Epiftolarum Decretalium. Epift.2. ad Victricium.cap.II . (which you fhall finde in Surius, Contdcorum. Tom. I.pag.529. and in Gratian. Diftinctio. 51. Tap. Praterea, frequenter :) Ludouicus Vines, Comment. In Auguftinum, De Ciu. Dei. Lib.I.cap.32.lib.2.cap.6. to 22. Coelius Rhodiginus Antiquarum Lectionum. Lib.8. cap.7. Agrippa DeVanitate Scientiarum. Cap. 59. Ioannes Mariana,Doft. Reinolds, Goffon8, with fundry others in their Bookes, and Treatifes againft Stage-Playes : doe expreffely teftifie: That all Theatricall Playes, or Enterludes, had their Originall birth from the very Deuill himfelfe, who inuented them for his owne honour, and worfhip, to detaine men captive by them in his infernall fnares: Whence they all condemne them, as finfull,hurtfull,abominable,and vnlawfull pleafures : ftiling all Play-houfes : the (b) Temples, Chappels9,Chaires,Shops, and Schooles of Satan : and Playes, the Deuils Spectacles, Lectures, Sacrifices, Recreations, and the like. If all thefe feuerall Witneffes then haue any credit : ( as their teftimony in our prefent caf, was never contradicted to my knowledge, by any Chriftian, or Pagan Author : ) my Minor, (yea, my Maior likewife,) neede no farther proofe: But yet to fatisfie vncredulous fpirits in this point, I fhall here in the fecund place, recite fome two, or three Hiftories of note, and credit, which prooue my affumption to the full. Memorable to this purpofe,is that ftory (c) in Tertullian10; who informes vs: that a Chriftian woman in his time, going to fee a Stage Play acted, returned from it poffeffed with a Deuill: which Deuill being interrogated by the Exorcifts, and Chriftians that came to difpoffeffe him, how he durft affault a beleeuing Chriftian in fuch a prefumptuous manner? Returned them this
7 6 5 4

anfwere, with much boldneffe: that he had done moft inftly in it, in meo enim eam inueni : for I found her in my owne Temple, negociated, and imployed in my feruice : Whence this acute,and learned Author doeth (as we alfo from it may) conclude : (d) that Playes, and Play-houfes came originally from the Deuill himfelfe, becaufe hee claimes both them, and thofe who doe frequent them for his owne. Adde wee to this, the ftorie of one Valefivs a wealthy Roman: whofe three children being defperately ficke of the Plague,and afterwards recovered by Wafhing them in hote Water, taken from the Altar of Proferpina : which remedy, was prefcribed vnto him by an immediate voice from his Deuill-Gods, after his earneft prayer to them,to tranflate their fickeneffes on himfelfe : thefe infernall Spirits, in recompence of this their cure,appearing to thofe recouered Patients in a Dreame: commanded them to celebrate Playes vnto them; which Valefius did accordingly: This ftory I fhall couple with that of (f) Titus Latinus13 as fome; or Tiberius Attinius, as others ftile him: to whom the great Deuill-God Iupiter Capitolinvs , vnder the Confulfhip of Qu.Sulpitius Camerinus, & Sp. Largius Flavus, in a great mortality both of men, and beafts, appeared in a dreame: commanding him, to informe the Senate; that the caufe of this fatalitie was their regligence, in not prouiding him an expert, and eminent Profultor15 in their laft Playes, that they celebrated to him: and withal, to enjoyne them from him, to celebrate thefe Playes afrefh vnto him, with greater care and coft, and then this Plague fhould ceafe: He fuppofing it to be a mere dreame, and fancy of his owne, neglects his arrant; vpon which this great Mafter-Deuill appears vnto him the fecund time, threatning to punifh him for his precedent neglect, and charging him to difpatch his former meffage to the Senate: Who neglecting it as before, as being afhamed, and with all affraide, to relate it to the Senate, *left at fhould prooue nothing but his own private fancy: fome few dayes after, his Sonne was taken away from him by fodaine death, and a griping fickeneffe feifed vpon euery part, and member of his body, so that he could not fo much as ftirre one ioynt, without introllerable paine and torture. Where vpon, by the advice of fome of his friends, to whom he did impart thefe dreames, hee was carried vp out of the Countrey in a litter, into the Senate houfe, where he deliuered his former meffage: no-fooner had he ended his relation, but his fickeneffe forthwith leaus him; and rifing out of his bed, he returnes vnto his houfe an healthie man: The Senate Wondring at it, commanded thefe Playes to bee againe renewed, with double the former pompe and coft; and fo the Peftilence ceafed. Thefe two precedent parallel Hiftories, (the trueth of which the Fathers in the margent 16 teftifie, (doe infallibly demonftrate, the Deuill himfelfe to bee the Authour of thefe Stage-Playes, fince he inioynes his Pagan worfhippers to celebrate them to his honour, and takes fuch pleafure, and contentment in them. To thefe, I fhal annexe one ftory more, which though moft Proteftants may chance to flight, as a fable 17; yet all our Roman Catholiques, (who are much deuoted to thefe Theatricall Spectacles,) will ready fubfcribe vnto it, as an vndoubted trueth: and that as our rare Hiftorian, (f) Mathew Paris at large relates it, is briefely this: Saint Dominicke19, Saint Iulian20, and one Thurcillus a plaine Hufband-man, being in the Church of Saint Maries, about the middle of the World, where there were many Soules of Saints departed, in endleffe Bliffe, others in Purgatory: on a Saturnday euening neere night: faw a Deuill towards the North part of the Church, riding poft towards Hell on a blackehorfe, with many damned Soules: Saint Dominicke chargeth this Deuill to come prefently to him: who delaying to doe it, out of ioy for the great bootie of Soules which he had gotten, Saint Dominicke takes a rod, and whips him well, caufing him to follow him to the North fide of the Church, where Soules were vfually freed; where the Deuill among other things informes him, that euery Lords day at night, (a time which fome men confecrate and fet apart for Stage-Playes, and fuch infernall Paftimes, wheras (g) Saint Paul21 did fpend it all in preaching:) the Deuils did vfe to meete in Hell, and there did recreate, and exhilarate themfelues (h) with Stage-Playes: Which Saint Dominicke, and the others hearing, they defired the Deuill, that they might goe along with him to Hell, to fee their Enterludes: Who putting by Thurcillus, permitted Saint Dominicke, and Saint Iulian to accompany him: the Deuill brings them into a large, but fmokie houfe towards the North, enuironed With three Wals; where they fee an ample Theater with feates round about it, where fundry Deuils fate in a row laughing, and making themfelves merry With the torments, and finnes of the Damned, whom the Prince of the Deuils commanded to bee brought vpon the Stage, and to Act their parts in order. And firft of all, the Proud man is brought vpon the Theater: next an (i) idle Nonrefident, who did not feede his Flocke, neither by Life, nor Doctrine: then a Souldier, who had liued by Murther, and Rapine22: then an Oppreffing, and Bribe-taking Lawyer, who was once an Officer in the Kings Exchequer, and did much oppreffe the
18 14 12

11

Subiects: next au Adulterer, and an Adultereffe: then a Sclanderer: next a Theife: and laft of all, a Sacrilegious perfon, who had violated Sanctuaries23; all thefe coming in their feuerall24 garbes, and poftures25, did Act their proper parts, and had feuerall Tragicall tortures inflicted on them by the Deuils Minifters, who were likewife Spectators of thefe Ludibrious26 Spectacles. If then the Deuils recreate themfelues thus in Hell with Stage-Playes, as this Hiftorian reports; if they thus Proiect, and Puruay for them; they may be well reputed the primary Authors, and Inuentors of them. Laftly, that which is vtterly difpleafing vnto God, and wholy fraught with Scurrility27, Prophanneffe28, Sinne, and Wickedneffe: that which was at firft deuoted to the Deuils immediate worfhip, and cannot any waves bee deemed the inuention29, or product either of God himfelfe, (k) who is infinitely holy, (I) and therefore, no Prosector of fuch vnholy pleafures:) or of Chriftians, or ciuill Pagans; (m) muft of neceffitie be fathered on the Deuill himfelfe, who is the common feed-plot of all vncleanneffe, and prophanneffe whatfoeuer: But fuch are Stage-Playes: as (n) hereafter I fhall prooue at large: Therefore they muft of neceffitie, call the Deuill Father, and be reputed as his of-fpring: fo that the Affumption of my former argument is irrefragable 30. For the Maior: That things which had their birth, and primary conception from the Deuill himfelfe, who is all, and onely euill, muft needs bee finfull, pernicious, vnfeemely, and vnlawfull vnto Chriftians: I perfume, no Chriftian dares gaine-fay it: For what honeft, profitable, good, or lawfull thing, can flow, or iffue from him, (o) who is wholy euill, (p) and walkes about in an indefatigable, and reftleffe manner, like a roring Lyon, feeking whom he may deuoure? (q) Can a bitter Fountaine, fend foorth fweete, and pleafant ftreames? (r) Or can a corrupt Tree bring foorth good, and holefome fruite? (s) Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthineffe; or a good thing out of 31 wickedneffe? It is paft the skill of any Chymicke , or artift to effect it. Certainely, (t) fuch as the Mother is, fuch is the Daughter: (u) that which is borne of the flefh, is flefh, and that which is borne of the fpirit, is fpirit: Now the (x) Deuill, is an vncleane, a wicked, a finfull, and pernicious Spririt: there is no good at all within him: his inuentions, works, and of-fpring, therefore muft refemble him: (y) they muft be euill, vncleane, pernicious, and abominable, like himfelfe: (z) Men doe not, men cannot gather Grapes of Thornes, or Figges of Thiftles: fuch as the ftocke is, fuch muft bee the fruite; as Scripture, Nature, Reafon, and Experience teach vs. Since then the Deuill himfelfe, is all, and onely euill, abominable, polluted, and pernicious; I meane in his qualitie, as a Deuill, (a) not in his entitie, as a creature: thefe Stage-Playes (which are his proper, and immediate iffue) muft bee fo too: if not to Pagans, (b) inthralled to his bondage, and captiuated at his pleafure in his fnares: yet at leaft to fuch as lay any title to the name of Chriftians: who haue vowed in their very Baptifme, and firft admittance into the Church of Chrift: (c) to forfake the deuill, and all his works: of which thefe Stage-Playes, are well-nigh the chiefe: (d) Oderis itaque Chriftiane, 32 quoruns AuEtores non poteris non odiffe : needs then muft all Chriftians hate thefe Stage-Playes, whofe Author they cannot chufe33 but hate: needs muft they repute them euill, abominable, and pernicious; (e) yea, altogether fuch; fince the genitor34, and parent of them, is wholly, onely, always fuch. (f) Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? was a queftion, that fincere Nathaniel35 demanded once of Philip36, when hee brought tidings to him of Chrift: Can any good thing come out of Hell? out of Satan; out of that wicked, and vncleane infernall Spirit, (g) who plots the ruine of mens Soules, and nothing elfe? is the demand I make to fuch who are inamoured with thefe Stage-Playes. Alas, what Chriftian, or Pagan heart, can fo much as once conceiue; ( h) that the profeffed enemie of mankind, of God, of goodneffe: the fountaine of all finne, and wickedneffe: the very fincke, and center of all vncleanneffe, fhould be the Author, Propagator, or Contriuer of any reall good: of any thing that furthers the happineffe, or well-fare of the fonnes of men? Was it euer knowne fince the world was framed; that this onely Author of all euill, was the caufe of any good? of any inuention that might benefit the Bodies, or Soules of men, or further their Temporall, or Eternall well-fare? Oh no: the experience of all ages, all men, all Chriftians prooues it: For though the Deuill may fometimes commend fome feeming good vnto vs: yet (i) latet anguis in berba37: there is always poyfon38, in his beft, and fweeteft Potions: there is a Soule-intangling fnare, in all his inuentions: a dangerous, and ineuitable hooke in all his baites: all his works, contriuances, and delights, (k what euer glittering out-fide, or Honie tafts39, they feeme to haue; are but fo many (L) trappes, and poyfons, to captiuate, and indanger Soules: they are all abominable, and pernicious, like himfelfe: and fo are Stage-Playes too, as well as others: O then let this conuince them to bee vnlawfull, vnfeemely, and pernicious vanities: (as the fore-quoted Fathers, and Authors in the Minor haue deemed them for this very reafon;) and now at laft perfwade all Chriftians, all Pagans, (vnieffe they will fweare homage to the Deuill, and renounce the feruice, and protection of the Liuing, onely God;) for euer to abominate them, as the very product of Satan, and the broode of Hell.

Endnotes
1 2

Pernicious: Archaic for wicked (Pernicious). Latin for: Book of the show p.244. Beast undergoes Christiants f weakened, as has frequently diximious, so vain, so peraiciosa, so saeriloga spectacle which, though nonbaberent crime, and have a very large and loyal U.S. parums congruexie vanity. Cap.20 cheering of true worship. Therefore avoided emxia shows, not only the prevention of vice infideat breasts, but we should not pleasure. the practice of drawing, inject from God and the good Cover check. Chrysoft. Hom. 38. at Mt. Tom.2.Col.299. B & Home.8, penance, Tom.5. Co.750-no, these theatrical plays overturned, not laws, Sid evertetin iniquity, and pest cm v.em civiatatis extinguetis.: For theater, luxury corr.munis effcina, public ireoxtinentia gyminasium; chair pests lens; perssimus place of most morbequm full Babyloniea furnace. Augustine in The City. God, l.4 c.1. If only they were in the city of good and honest men, and would not have had to be the stage was covered with humaxis Games. 3 Latin for, Act 1. First Scene. 4 Latin for, Clement of Alexandria, The prayer of exhortation to the Gentiles. fol.8. Tertullian of Spectaculis.cap.5.7.10.24. Clement of Rome, Constitution Book of the apostles. 2.c.65.66.S. By The Spectaculis.1. & Epist.1.Epist.10. Eucratio, Arnobius Talk. Adverse. Nations. l.7.Lactantius of true worship .6.20. Cyril of Hisersol. catechists. 5 Latin for, 1. S. Chrysostome, Hom. 6. 7. & 38. On Mat. S. Augustine, De Ciuit. Dei. Lib. I. cap.32.1.2.c.6. to 23. Salvian. De Gub.Dei.lib.6.pag.206.207. 6 Latin for, Letters Decree. Epist.2. 1 to Victricium.cap.I. 7 Latin for, Syrian Councils Tom 1 p. 529. and in Gratian. Distinction. 5 1 ch. Besides, often. 8 Latin for, Luis vineyards, Comment. For Augustine, the Cean. God. Bk. I. cap.32.lib.2.cap.6to 33. Early Lectionum.lib.8.cap.7 Rhodiginus worships. Agrippa vanity Sciences cap. 59 John Marian, Doet. Reinold, Gosson. 9 Chappels: Chapels. 10 That ftory in Tertullian: This story Prynne is about to tell comes from one of Tertullians religious works. 11 Latin for, For me, I found it. 12 Altar of Proserpina: An Altar in the extreme north-western part of the campus Martius, the Tarentum . . . said to have been found by a Sabine from Eretum, Valesius, who, at the command of an oracle, was seeking water to heal his children of a plague (Ball Platner). 13 Titus Lartius: a character in Shakespeares The Tragedy of Coriolanus. He is a Roman senator and general who fights with Coriolanus at Corioles, though he is less audacious than his fellow commander (Coriolanus Characters). 14 Jupiter Capitolinus: the sky-god Jupiter (Jupiter, the Capitoline Triad). 15 Profultor: Taking into account the long s in this word, this word is more than likely Prynnes spelling of Prosecutor. 16 Margent: Archaetic word for margin (Margent) . 17 Flight, as a fable: To brush off as a fable. 18 Matthew Paris: choir monk at St Albans from 1220 to 1259. He appears to have been extremely well connected, visiting the court and even travelling to Norway at the invitation of King Haakon. In 1236 he succeeded Roger of Wendover as the Abbeys chronicler (Matthew Paris). 19 Saint Dominicke: Saint Dominicke or Saint Dominic(1170-1121) was the founder of the great order of preaching friars which bears his name. . . . Dominic spoke to . . . [the preaching friars] on methods of preaching and urged them to unremitting study and training. He reminded them too that their primary duty was their own sanctification,

for they were to be successors of the Apostles. They must be humble, putting their whole confidence in God alone; only thus might they be invincible against evil (Saint Dominic Founder of the Friars Preachers, Confessor -11701221). 20 Saint Julian: According to a pious fiction that was very popular in the Middle Ages, Julian was of noble birth and while hunting one day, was reproached by a hart for hunting him and told that he would one day kill his mother and father. [Later] he was richly rewarded for his services by a king and married a widow. While he was away his mother and father arrived at his castle seeking him; When his wife realized who they were, she put them up for the night in the master's bed room. When Julian returned unexpectedly later that night and saw a man and a woman in his bed, he suspected the worst and killed them both. When his wife returned from church and he found he had killed his parents, he was overcome with remorse and fled the castle, resolved to do a fitting penance. He was joined by his wife and they built an inn for travelers near a wide river, and a hospital for the poor. He was forgiven for his crime when he gave help to a leper in his own bed; the leper turned out to be a messenger from God who had been sent to test him. He is the patron of hotel keepers, travelers, and boatmen (St. Julian) 21 Saint Paul: Saint Paul, the Apostle, original name Saul of Tarsus . . . [was] one of the leaders of the first generation of Christians, often considered to be the second most important person in the history of Christianity. . . . His surviving letters . . . have had enormous influence on subsequent Christianity and secure his place as one of the greatest religious leaders of all time (Saint Paul, the Apostle) . 22 A Souldier, who had liued by Murther, and Rapine: A soldier who had spent his life murdering and raping people. 23 Sanctuary: the most sacred part of a religious building (as the part of a Christian church in which the altar is placed) (Sanctuary). 24 Feuerall: Several. 25 Poftures: Attitudes. 26 Ludibrious: Mocking, scornful (Ludibrious). 27 Scurrility: Being vulgar and evil (Scurrilious). 28 Prophanneffe: Most likely this word is prophesize. 29 Inuention: Invention. 30 Irrefragable: Impossible to refute (Irrefragable) . 31 Chymicke: a Czech chemist (The Paracelsian Debates). 32 Latin for Hate Christians, therefore, not instigators Of this you can not hate. 33 Chufe: Choose. 34 Genitor: One who begets: [i.e.]father, parent (Genitor). 35 Nathaniel: Nathaniel is one of the twelve apostles in the Gospel of John. He was among the apostles to whom the risen Christ appeared before His ascension (Blank). 36 Philip: Philip was one of the twelve apostles in the Bible. He took an active part in the disciples' discussions with Jesus (John 14:8) but, like most of the disciples, was perhaps a bit slow in understanding what Jesus was telling them (John 14:9) (Philip the Apostle). 37 Latin for lurking in the grass. 38 Poyfon: Poison. 39 Honie tafts: Honey tastes.