Lactantius's Testimony shall come next. This Author in his Divine Institutions,Lib. 6. cap. 20.[492] which he Dedicates to Constantine the Great, cautions the Christians against the Play-House, from the Disorder, and danger of those places. For as he observes.

'The debauching of Virgins, and the Amours of Strumpets, are the Subject of Comedy. And here the Rule is, the more Rhetorick the more Mischeif, and the best Poets are the worst Common-Wealths-men. For the Harmony and Ornament of the Composition serves only to recommend the Argument, to fortifie the Charm, and engage the Memory. At last he concludes with this advice.

'Let us avoid therefore these Diversions, least somewhat of the Malignity should seize us. Our Minds should be quiet and Compos'd, and not over-run with Amusements. Besides a Habit of Pleasure is an ensnaring Circumstance. 'Tis apt to make us forget God, and grow cool in the Offices of Virtue.Ibid. cap. 21.[493]

'Should a Man have a Stage at Home, would not his Reputation suffer extreamly, and all people count him a notorious Libertine? most undoubtedly. Now the Place does not alter the Property. The Practise at the Play-House is the same thing, only there he has more Company to keep him in Countenance.

'A well work'd Poem is a powerful piece of Imposture: It masters the Fancy, and hurries it no Body knows whither.——If therefore we would be govern'd by Reason let us stand off from the Temptation, such Pleasures can have no good Meaning. Like delicious Morsels they subdue the Palate, and flatter us only to cut our Throats. Let us prefer Reality to Appearance, Service, to Show; and Eternity to Time.Ibid. cap. 22.[494]

'As God makes Virtue the Condition of Glory, and trains men up to Happiness by Hardship and Industry. So the Devils road to Destruction lies through Sensuality and Epicurism. And as pretended Evils lead us on to uncounterfeited Bliss; So Visionary Satisfactions are the causes of Real Misery. In short, These Inviting Things are all stratagem. Let us, take care the softness and Importunity of the Pleasure does not surprise us, nor the Bait bring us within the snare. The Senses are more than Out-Works, and should be defended accordingly.'

I shall pass over St. Ambrose,In Psal. 119.[495] and go on to St. Chrisostome. This Father is copious upon the Subject, I could translate some Sheets from him were it necessary. But length being not my Business, a few Lines may serve to discover his Opinion. His 15 Homily ad Populum Antiochenum, runs thus.

'Most People fancy the Unlawfulness of going to Plays is not clear. But by their favour, a world of Disorders are the Consequences of such a Liberty. For frequenting the Play-House has brought Whoring and Ribaldry into Vogue, and finish'd all the parts of Debauchery.'

Afterwards he seems to make the supposition better than the Fact, and argues upon a feign'd Case.

'Let us not only avoid downright Sinning, but the Tendencies to it. Some Indifferent Things are fatal in the Consequence, and strike us at the Rebound. Now who would chuse his standing within an Inch of a Fall; or swim upon the Verge of a Whirlpool? He that walks upon a Precipice, shakes tho' he does not tumble. And commonly his Concern brings him to the Bottom. The Case is much the same in reference to Conscience, and Morality. He that won't keep his Distance from the Gulph, is oftentimes suck'd in by the Eddy; and the least oversight is enough to undo Him.'