Page:Iniquity of balls and stage-plays, discovered.pdf/2



TAGE-PLAYS, tho' much frequented in our day, yet derive their pedigree, original, and institution from the Devil, they being at first celebrated to the honour, and for many hundreds of years together, dedicated, devoted, and appropriated to the worship and service of the Heathen Gods, who, as Augustine affirmeth, did themselves importunately demand these Plays to be exhibited to them for their Honour, yea, denounced Calamities if they were not exhibited, and shewed themselves pacified and well-pleased when they were performed. ''Pol. Virg. de invent. recum, l''. 4. c. 14. says, "There was one Valesius, a Wealthy Roman, who had three sons desperately sick of the pefstilence, for whom when he prayed to his houshold gods, was desired to go to Tarentum, and take water from before, or from beside the altar of Pluto and Proserpina, and give them to drink, or, as others, to wash in, which being done they were restored to health; and in gratitude commanded by these infernal spirits to celebrate night-plays to them, which he and they accordingly did for three nights together."

The ancient church and fathers condemned and prohibited Stage-plays, and excommunicated the actors thereof. ''Clem. Alex.'' tells Christian youths, "That their Pedagogues must not lead them to Plays or Theatres, which may be called the chair of pestilence, because these conventicles, where men and women meet promiscuously, to