Histrio-Mastix. The Players Scovrge, Or, Actors Tragaedie, Divided into Two Parts, Wherein it is largely evidenced, by divers Arguments, by the concurring Authorities and Reso- lutions of Sundry texts of Scripture; of the whole Primi-tive Church, both under the Law and Gospell; of 55 Synodes and Councels; of 71 Fathers and Christian Writers, before the yeare of our Lord 1200; of above 150 foraigne and domestique Protestant and Popish Authors, since; of 40 Heathen Philosophers, Hi storians, Poets; of many Heathen, many Christian Nations, Repub- liques, Emporors, Princes Magistrates; of sundry Aposto- licall, Canonicall Imperiall Constitutions; and of our owne English Statutes, Magistrates, Vniversities, Writers, Preachers. That popular Stage-playes (the very Pompes of the Divell which we renounce in Baptisme, if we beleeve the Fathers) are sin- full, heathenish, lewde, ungodly Spectacles, and most pernicious Cor- ruptions; condemned in all ages, as intolerable Mischiefes to Churches, to Republickes, to the manners, mindes and soules of men. And that the Profession of Play-poets, of Stage players; together with the penning, acting, and frequenting of Stage-playes, are unlawfull, infamous and misbeseeming Chri stians. All pretences to teh contrary are here likewise fully answered; and the unlawfulnes of acting, of beholding Academicall Enterludes, briefly discussed; besides sundry other particulars con- cerning Dancing, Dicing, Health-drinking, & c. of which the Table will informe you
By: By William Prynne, an Vtter-Barrester of Lincolnes Inne. ... (12 lines)
Contributors: McAlpin Collection of British History and Theology (Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary)
Published: 1633
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 1006
Notes: For publishing this book the author was sentenced to pay a fine of £5000, to lose both ears, one at Westminster and the other in Cheapside, to be deprived of his university degrees, to be excluded from Lincoln's Inn, and to be imprisoned for life. The book was condemned to be burned before his face by the hangman.