Page:Iniquity of balls and stage-plays, discovered.pdf/5

[ 5 ] "manners, eſpecially when as the holy Scripture is profaned, which is not delivered to be acted or played, but only to be preached."

2. As being a confirming to, and participating with Pagans in their idolatrous and ſuperſtitious practices, expreſly forbidden to the people of God in ſcripture, which put Cyprian 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 renounciation of, the baptiſmal vow of Chriſtians, wherein they engage to renounce the Devil and all his pomps and works, of which fort 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 ſays, lib. de. ſpect. cap. 24.) did moſt of all diſcern men by this; that they abondoned 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 commandeth them to walk circumſpectly, accurately, even with Spiritual preciſeneſs and ſtrictneſs, not as fools, but as wife, redeeming the time, wofully waſted away, and miſerably miſpent this way; to abſtain from all appearance of evil; to rejoice in the Lord; and when they are merry, to ſing Pſalms, and to vent and expreſs their mirth in ſongs of praiſe to God, and not in this wanton way; and aſfureth them withal, that evil communications corrupt good manners.

6. As