LIBER DE SPECTACULIS.

 I. CYPRIANUS plebi in Evangelio stanti salutem. Ut me satis contristat et animum meum graviter affligit cum nulla mihi scribendi ad vos porrigitur occ

 II. Non pudet, non pudet, inquam, fideles homines et christiani sibi nominis auctoritatem vindicantes, superstitiones vanas gentilium cum spectaculis

 III. Argumentum est ergo excitandae virtutis, non permissio sive libertas spectandi gentilis erroris, ut per hoc animus plus accendatur ad evangelicam

 0782D IV. Quid Scriptura interdixit? Prohibuit enim spectari quod prohibet geri. Omnia, inquam, ista spectaculorum genera damnavit quando idololatriam

 V. Plura prosequi quid est necesse, vel sacrificiorum 0783C in ludis genera monstruosa describere, inter quae nonnumquam et homo fit hostia latrocinio

 VI. Sed, ut de hoc scenae inquinamento inverecundo jam transitum faciam, pudet referre quae dicuntur, pudet etiam accusare quae fiunt, argumentorum st

 VII. Non est libidini satis malis suis uti praesentibus, nisi suum de spectaculo faciat in quo etiam superior aetas erraverat. Non licet , inquam, ade

 VIII. Nam illa altera reliquorum dementia est manifesta otiosis hominibus negotiatio et prima victoria est ut ultra modum humanum venter esurire potu

 IX. Habet Christianus spectacula meliora, si velit habet veras et profuturas voluptates, si se recognoverit. Et, ut omittam illa quae nondum contempl

 0786C X. Scripturis, inquam, sacris incumbat Christianus fidelis et ibi inveniet condigna fidei spectacula. Videbit instituentem Deum mundum suum, et

3. These are therefore an argument to stimulate virtue, not a permission or a liberty to look upon heathen error, that by this consideration the mind may be more inflamed to Gospel virtue for the sake of the divine rewards, since through the suffering of all these labours and pains it is granted to attain to eternal benefits. For that Elias is the charioteer of Israel is no defence for gazing upon the public games; for he ran his race in no circus. And that David in the presence of God led the dances, is no sanction for faithful Christians to occupy seats in the public theatre; for David did not twist his limbs about in obscene movements, to represent in his dancing the story of Grecian lust.  Psalteries, horns, pipes, drums, harps, were used in the service of the Lord, and not of idols. Let it not on this account be objected that unlawful things may be gazed upon; for by the artifice of the devil these are changed from things holy to things unlawful. Then let shame demur to these things, even if the Holy Scriptures cannot. For there are certain things wherein the Scripture is more careful in giving instruction. Acquiescing in the claim of modesty, it has forbidden more where it has been silent. The truth, if it descended low enough to deal with such things, would think very badly of its faithful votaries. For very often, in matters of precept, some things are advantageously said nothing about; they often remind when they are expressly forbidden. So also there is an implied silence even in the writings of the Scripture; and severity speaks in the place of precepts; and reason teaches where Scripture has held its peace. Let every man only take counsel with himself, and let him speak consistently with the character of his profession,6    “Cum persona professionis suæ loquatur.” and then he will never do any of these things.7    Baluzius reads with less probability “indecorum,” “anything unbecoming.” The reading adopted in the text is, according to Fell, “inde eorum.” For that conscience will have more weight which shall be indebted to none other than itself.

III. Argumentum est ergo excitandae virtutis, non permissio sive libertas spectandi gentilis erroris, ut per hoc animus plus accendatur ad evangelicam virtutem propter divina praemia cum per omnium laborum et dolorum calamitatem concedatur pervenire ad aeterna compendia. Nam quod Helias auriga est Israelis non patrocinatur spectandis circensibus: in nullo enim is circo cucurrit. Et quod David in conspectu Dei choros egit nihil adjuvat in theatro sedentes Christianos fideles: nulla enim obscoenis motibus membra distorquens desaltavit graecae libidinis fabulam. Nabulae, cynarae, tibiae, tympana, citharae Domino servierunt, non idolis. Non igitur praescribatur ut 0782C spectentur illicita; a diabolo artifice ex sanctis in illicita mutata sunt. Praescribat igitur istis pudor, etiamsi non possunt sanctae Litterae. Quaedam enim Scriptura magis providet in praecipiendo. Verecundiam passa, plus interdixit, quia tacuit. Veritas, si ad haec usque descenderet, pessime de fidelibus suis sensisset. Nam et plerumque in praeceptis quaedam utilius tacentur: admonent saepe dum interdicuntur. Ita etiam tacentur dum in Litteris scripta sunt, et praeceptorum loco severitas loquitur, et ratio docet quae Scriptura conticuit. Secum tantummodo unusquisque deliberet, et cum persona professionis suae loquatur, et nihil umquam indecorum geret. Plus enim ponderis habebit conscientia quae nulli se alteri debebit nisi sibi.