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Concerning Publick Shows and Stage-plays.
S. Chrysostom living in Two great Imperial Cities, where Plays, Shows, Comedies, &c. were very frequent, and to which the People were much addicted; one needs not wonder, that he should so often and so earnestly inveigh against those disorders. He calls their Stages, Schools of Lewd∣ness, Academies of Incontinence, and Pestilential Pulpits.
There, saith he, you see lewd Wo∣men representing Adulteries, and uttering Blasphemies. With what Eyes will you look upon your Wives, your Children, Servants or Friends at your going out of such places? He refu∣teth in another Sermon the specious pretences they had to plead for Plays: these are his Words. What harm, say you, is there in going to see a Play? Is that sufficient to keep one from the Communion? But I will ask you, Whether there can be a more shameless Sin, than to come to the holy Table, being defiled with Adultery? Yes, it is a kind of Adultery to go to a Play; and if you will not believe me, hear the Words of him who is to judge of our life. Jesus Christ tells us, That whosoever looketh upon a Woman to lust after her, committeth Adultery. What can be said of those, who passionately spend whole days in those places, in looking up∣on Women of ill fame and reputation: With what face will they dare to affirm, that they beheld them not to lust after them? And so much the rather, because they hear lascivious Speeches, they see wanton Actions, they are entertained with amorous Songs, and with Voices capable of stirring up shamefull Passions; they see Women dressed, painted, and adorned on purpose to inspire Love. The Assistants are in such confusion and idleness, as promote Riotings; and these are natural effects both of the preparations and consequences of Plays. The Musical Instruments, Consorts and Songs, are equally dangerous; they flatter strangely, they effeminate the heart, and prepare it to yield to the snares laid for them by profligate Women. For if in the Church it self, where Psalms are sung, the Scripture is read, where the dread of the Almighty appears, and Men are in a posture of reverence? If, I say, in that so venerable a place, Lust will creep in as a Thief, How shall they be able to overcome the motions of Concupiscence, that constantly frequent the Stage, who neither see nor hear any thing but what is profane and dangerous; whose Hearts are full of evil Thoughts, and whose Eyes and Ears are assaulted continually? But if this be impossible, how shall they justifie themselves from the guilt of Adultery? And if they are Adulterers, how can they pretend to come into the Church, and to participate of the holy Table before they have done Penance?
See the 4th. Homily concerning Hannah, the 1st. 7th. 17th. 37th. and 38th. upon S. Mat∣thew, the 32d. and 58th. upon S. John, and the 17th. Homily upon the Epistle to the Ephesians, against Mountebanks, and Jesters, and Stage-players.