as_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o experience_n he_o be_v in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o german_n be_v now_o as_o much_o use_v to_o play_n as_o the_o spaniard_n or_o the_o italian_n and_o yet_o their_o woman_n be_v much_o chaste_a than_o the_o woman_n of_o those_o two_o nation_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o german_a woman_n owe_v their_o chastity_n to_o the_o rudeness_n of_o their_o manner_n and_o to_o their_o want_n of_o attraction_n and_o to_o the_o coldness_n of_o their_o constitution_n in_o the_o hurry_n of_o my_o dispatch_n i_o have_v almost_o forget_v to_o return_v to_o valerius_n maximus_n who_o say_v mr_n collier_n be_v contemporary_a with_o livy_n give_v much_o the_o same_o account_n of_o the_o rise_n of_o theatre_n at_o rome_n it_o be_v devotion_n which_o build_v they_o and_o as_o for_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o place_n which_o mr_n dryden_n call_v the_o ornament_n this_o author_n censure_v as_o the_o blemish_n of_o â—eace_n and_o which_o be_v more_o he_o affirm_v that_o they_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o civil_a distraction_n and_o that_o the_o state_n first_o blush_v and_o then_o bleed_v for_o the_o entertainment_n he_o conclude_v the_o consequence_n of_o play_n intolerable_a and_o that_o the_o massilienses_n do_v well_o in_o clear_v the_o country_n of_o they_o now_o here_o in_o one_o citation_n mr_n collier_n have_v make_v no_o less_o than_o four_o or_o five_o mistake_n whether_o through_o malice_n or_o ignorance_n i_o must_v leave_v the_o reader_n to_o judge_v for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n valerius_n maximus_n censure_v neither_o comedy_n nor_o tragedy_n as_o the_o blemish_n of_o peace_n and_o if_o mr_n collier_n by_o theatre_n do_v not_o mean_v they_o he_o mean_v nothing_o that_o concern_v we_o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o either_o they_o or_o any_o of_o the_o public_a spectacle_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o civil_a distraction_n in_o the_o three_o place_n he_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o the_o state_n either_o blush_v or_o bleed_v for_o the_o representation_n of_o play_n in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o refusal_n of_o the_o massilienses_n to_o admit_v of_o dramatical_a representation_n can_v never_o argue_v any_o thing_n not_o only_o because_o the_o consent_n of_o nation_n be_v against_o that_o little_a state_n but_o because_o we_o can_v conclude_v from_o their_o refusal_n that_o they_o do_v not_o approve_v of_o they_o that_o all_o this_o may_v appear_v i_o be_o oblige_v to_o transcribe_v what_o he_o say_v proximus_fw-la militaribus_fw-la institutis_fw-la ad_fw-la urbana_fw-la castra_fw-la id_fw-la est_fw-la theatra_fw-la gradus_fw-la faciendus_fw-la est_fw-la quoniam_fw-la haec_fw-la quoque_fw-la sepenumero_fw-la animosas_fw-la acies_fw-la instruxerunt_fw-la excogitataque_fw-la cultus_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o hominum_fw-la delectationis_fw-la causa_fw-la non_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la pacis_fw-la rubore_fw-la voluptatem_fw-la &_o religionem_fw-la civili_fw-la sanguine_fw-la senicorum_fw-la protentorum_fw-la gratiae_fw-la macularunt_fw-la from_o military_a institution_n let_v we_o proceed_v to_o our_o city_n camp_n that_o be_v to_o theatre_n for_o these_o too_o have_v often_o show_v mighty_a army_n draw_v up_o and_o be_v first_o design_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n and_o for_o the_o delight_n of_o man_n defile_v our_o pleasure_n and_o our_o religion_n with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o people_n where_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o three_o thing_n 1._o that_o valerius_n maximus_n implicit_o commend_v the_o original_a institution_n of_o theatre_n 2._o that_o he_o charge_n that_o which_o be_v unblamable_a in_o they_o upon_o the_o combat_n of_o the_o gladiator_n three_o the_o representation_n of_o play_n be_v so_o far_o from_o cause_v civil_a distraction_n that_o upon_o the_o first_o representation_n of_o the_o ludi_fw-la pescennini_fw-la 390_o year_n after_o the_o build_n of_o the_o city_n the_o patrâ—cians_n and_o plebian_n be_v quiet_a for_o above_o eight_o year_n which_o be_v more_o than_o they_o have_v be_v for_o above_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o and_o after_o the_o first_o representation_n of_o comedy_n and_o tragedy_n which_o be_v in_o the_o five_o hundred_o and_o fourteen_o year_n of_o the_o city_n there_o be_v never_o any_o civil_a dissension_n or_o at_o least_o never_o but_o once_o till_o the_o sedition_n of_o tiberius_n graâ—chus_n which_o be_v above_o a_o hundred_o year_n after_o mr_n collier_n translate_v civili_fw-la sanguine_fw-la macularunt_fw-la cause_v civil_a distraction_n as_o if_o play_n be_v the_o principal_a cause_n of_o the_o dissension_n between_o the_o commons_o and_o the_o patrician_n whereas_o those_o dissension_n be_v natural_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o roman_a state_n mere_a necessary_a consequence_n of_o enlarge_a their_o empire_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n increase_n the_o number_n and_o force_v of_o the_o commons_o as_o machiavelli_n have_v declare_v in_o the_o six_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o discourse_n as_o for_o the_o massilian_n they_o will_v be_v better_o include_v under_o the_o authority_n which_o mr_n collier_n have_v bring_v in_o the_o second_o place_n from_o state_n in_o examine_v the_o authority_n which_o mr_n collier_n have_v bring_v from_o state_n it_o will_v be_v convenient_a to_o say_v a_o word_n to_o the_o proceed_n of_o the_o massilian_n as_o it_o be_v cite_v from_o valerius_n maximus_n who_o commend_v they_o for_o refuse_v to_o admit_v of_o play_n among_o they_o but_o first_o the_o refusal_n of_o this_o petty_a state_n can_v be_v of_o very_o small_a significancy_n against_o the_o consent_n of_o nation_n second_o this_o refusal_n be_v no_o sign_n of_o their_o disesteem_a of_o the_o drama_n but_o only_o of_o the_o prudence_n of_o their_o conduct_n for_o expense_n and_o any_o thing_n which_o look_v like_o magnificence_n be_v destructive_a to_o little_a state_n which_o can_v never_o subsist_v without_o extreme_a frugality_n but_o the_o athenian_n say_v mr_n collier_n for_o which_o he_o cite_v plutarch_n think_v comedy_n so_o unreputable_a a_o performance_n that_o they_o make_v a_o law_n that_o no_o judge_n of_o the_o areopagus_n shall_v make_v one_o to_o which_o we_o reply_v that_o this_o citation_n of_o plutarch_n be_v absolute_o false_a and_o that_o if_o it_o be_v true_a it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o much_o as_o pretend_v that_o it_o conclude_v against_o any_o thing_n but_o comedy_n which_o be_v but_o one_o species_n of_o dramatic_a poetry_n and_o that_o in_o reality_n it_o will_v be_v of_o no_o force_n against_o that_o what_o plutarch_n say_v be_v not_o that_o the_o athenian_n make_v a_o law_n that_o none_o of_o the_o areopagi_n shall_v make_v a_o comedy_n for_o one_o may_v as_o well_o suppose_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v enact_v by_o a_o english_a parliament_n that_o none_o of_o the_o twelve_o judge_n shall_v write_v a_o farce_n that_o which_o plutarch_n say_v be_v this_o that_o the_o council_n of_o aâ—eopagus_n establish_v a_o law_n that_o no_o man_n whatever_o shall_v make_v any_o comedy_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o law_n be_v make_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o old_a comedy_n and_o long_o before_o that_o come_v to_o any_o perfection_n for_o comedy_n as_o be_v apparent_a from_o aristotle_n treatise_n of_o poetry_n be_v very_o much_o discourage_v at_o first_o indeed_o at_o first_o they_o be_v so_o intolerable_o scandalous_a that_o they_o be_v think_v to_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o state_n and_o it_o be_v a_o long_a time_n before_o the_o magistrate_n can_v be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o be_v at_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o chorus_n but_o after_o the_o magistrate_n be_v at_o the_o expense_n of_o the_o chorus_n it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o a_o law_n shall_v be_v prefer_v against_o the_o writing_n that_o sort_n of_o poem_n which_o be_v represent_v at_o the_o public_a expense_n so_o that_o a_o citation_n which_o mr_n collier_n have_v bring_v against_o the_o stage_n in_o general_n be_v of_o no_o force_n we_o see_v against_o tragedy_n nor_o against_o the_o new_a comedy_n no_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o against_o the_o old_a one_o as_o it_o stand_v in_o the_o time_n of_o eupolis_n and_o aristophanes_n mr_n collier_n bring_v the_o word_n of_o his_o author_n but_o leave_v we_o to_o look_v for_o their_o sense_n and_o yet_o he_o will_v take_v it_o very_o ill_a to_o have_v that_o return_v upon_o he_o which_o he_o have_v say_v of_o mr_n durfey_n that_o he_o be_v at_o least_o in_o his_o citation_n vox_fw-la &_o praeterea_fw-la nihil_fw-la but_o he_o proceed_v to_o the_o lacedaemonian_n and_o say_v that_o they_o who_o be_v remarkable_a for_o the_o wisdom_n of_o their_o law_n the_o sobriety_n of_o their_o manner_n and_o their_o breed_n of_o brave_a man_n will_v not_o endure_v the_o stage_n in_o any_o form_n nor_o under_o any_o regulation_n this_o citation_n too_o be_v from_o plutarch_n and_o just_a of_o as_o much_o validity_n against_o the_o stage_n as_o the_o other_o for_o what_o can_v mr_n
and_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o god_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o justice_n to_o humility_n and_o to_o fidelity_n and_o to_o incline_v they_o to_o moderation_n and_o temperance_n and_o it_o be_v for_o the_o omission_n of_o one_o of_o these_o duty_n that_o the_o person_n of_o the_o modern_a tragedy_n be_v show_v unfortunate_a in_o their_o catastrophe_n thus_o don_n john_n be_v destroy_v for_o his_o libertinism_n and_o his_o impiety_n timon_n for_o his_o profusion_n and_o his_o intemperance_n macbeth_n for_o his_o lawless_a ambition_n and_o cruelty_n castalio_n for_o his_o falsehood_n to_o his_o brother_n and_o friend_n jaffeir_n for_o his_o clandestine_v marriage_n with_o the_o daughter_n of_o his_o benefactor_n and_o belvidera_fw-la for_o her_o disobedience_n thus_o we_o have_v show_v by_o reason_n and_o by_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o it_o be_v the_o business_n of_o the_o stage_n to_o advance_v religion_n and_o it_o be_v plain_a from_o history_n and_o from_o experience_n that_o religion_n have_v flourish_v with_o the_o stage_n and_o that_o the_o athenian_n and_o roman_n who_o most_o encourage_v it_o be_v the_o most_o religious_a people_n in_o the_o world_n and_o perhaps_o if_o we_o will_v come_v down_o to_o ourselves_o it_o will_v be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o show_v that_o they_o who_o frequent_a our_o theatre_n have_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o of_o natural_a religion_n in_o they_o than_o it_o be_v declare_v inveterate_a enemy_n who_o be_v principal_o fanatic_n and_o jesuit_n for_o the_o vice_n which_o be_v charge_v upon_o the_o friend_n of_o the_o stage_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o effect_n of_o frailty_n and_o mere_a human_a vice_n whereas_o the_o fault_n of_o its_o inveterate_a enemy_n be_v know_v to_o be_v diabolical_a crime_n destructive_a of_o society_n of_o peace_n and_o of_o human_a happiness_n such_o as_o falsehood_n slander_n injustice_n backbiting_a perfidiousness_n and_o irreconcilable_a hatred_n i_o now_o come_v to_o show_v in_o the_o second_o place_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v useful_a for_o the_o advance_v the_o christian_n and_o particular_o the_o reform_a religion_n the_o christian_a religion_n have_v two_o part_n the_o moral_a and_o the_o mysterious_a the_o moral_a consist_v of_o human_a and_o christian_a virtue_n the_o human_a virtue_n be_v a_o part_n of_o natural_a religion_n which_o since_o the_o stage_n advance_v as_o we_o have_v show_v above_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o partly_o advance_v christianity_n the_o stage_n too_o in_o some_o measure_n may_v be_v make_v to_o recommend_v humility_n patience_n and_o meekness_n to_o we_o which_o be_v true_a christian_a virtue_n and_o though_o a_o dramatic_a poet_n neither_o can_v nor_o aught_o to_o teach_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n yet_o by_o recommend_v the_o human_a and_o the_o christian_a virtue_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o audience_n he_o admirable_o prepare_v man_n for_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o mystery_n for_o this_o be_v undeniable_a that_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n but_o passion_n and_o vice_n that_o keep_v any_o man_n from_o be_v a_o christian._n that_o therefore_o that_o moderate_v our_o passion_n and_o instruct_v we_o in_o our_o duty_n must_v consequent_o advance_v our_o faith_n so_o that_o the_o stage_n be_v not_o only_o absolute_o necessary_a for_o the_o instruct_n and_o humanize_a those_o who_o be_v not_o christian_n but_o the_o best_a of_o all_o human_a thing_n to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o sublime_a doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n now_o that_o which_o incline_v we_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n will_v incline_v we_o to_o the_o pure_a sort_n of_o it_o and_o that_o which_o have_v the_o least_o affinity_n with_o idolatry_n which_o be_v the_o reform_a religion_n that_o which_o open_v man_n eye_n as_o the_o stage_n do_v by_o purge_v our_o passion_n and_o instruct_v we_o in_o our_o duty_n and_o that_o which_o raise_v their_o mind_n will_v make_v they_o natural_o averse_a from_o superstitious_a foppery_n and_o from_o be_v slave_n to_o priestcraft_n and_o that_o which_o expose_v hypocrisy_n as_o the_o stage_n do_v must_v natural_o make_v â—en_o averse_a from_o fanaticism_n and_o the_o affect_a austerity_n of_o bigot_n and_o therefore_o the_o jesuit_n on_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o fanatic_n on_o the_o other_o have_v always_o be_v inveterate_a enemy_n to_o play_n this_o be_v remarkable_a that_o the_o church_n and_o the_o hierarchy_n ever_o since_o the_o reformation_n have_v flourish_v with_o the_o stage_n be_v depose_v with_o it_o and_o restore_v with_o it_o thus_o have_v i_o show_v that_o the_o stage_n advance_v religion_n and_o more_o particular_o the_o christian_a reform_a religion_n i_o come_v now_o to_o answer_v what_o may_v be_v object_v from_o reason_n and_o from_o authority_n chap._n ii_o the_o objection_n from_o reason_n answer_v the_o objection_n from_o reason_n be_v chief_o three_o that_o the_o stage_n make_v its_o character_n sometime_o talk_v prophanel_n that_o it_o encourage_v pride_n that_o it_o expose_v religion_n in_o the_o priesthood_n these_o be_v so_o easy_o answer_v that_o i_o shall_v dispatch_v they_o in_o a_o few_o word_n and_o come_v to_o the_o objection_n from_o authority_n first_o the_o stage_n sometime_o make_v its_o character_n talk_v profane_o to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o the_o character_n which_o speak_v be_v well_o mark_v and_o the_o profaneness_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o fable_n and_o for_o the_o action_n than_o the_o profaneness_n be_v not_o unjustifiable_a for_o to_o assert_v the_o contrary_a will_v be_v to_o affirm_v that_o be_v be_v unlawful_a for_o a_o dramatic_a poet_n to_o write_v against_o profaneness_n which_o be_v ridiculous_a a_o poet_n have_v no_o other_o way_n in_o the_o drama_n of_o give_v a_o audience_n a_o aversion_n for_o any_o vice_n than_o by_o expose_v or_o punish_v it_o in_o the_o person_n of_o the_o drama_n and_o here_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o reply_v to_o something_o that_o mr_n colller_n have_v assert_v in_o his_o remark_n upon_o mr_n dryden_n king_n arthur_n which_o be_v that_o they_o who_o bring_v devil_n on_o the_o stage_n can_v hardly_o believe_v they_o any_o whereelse_n but_o why_o for_o godsake_n for_o a_o man_n of_o sense_n always_o reason_n but_o the_o pedant_n assert_n dogmatical_o do_v aeschilus_n in_o bring_v the_o fury_n upon_o the_o stage_n of_o athens_n show_v that_o he_o think_v they_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o poetical_a shame_n why_o shall_v it_o be_v more_o irreligion_n in_o we_o to_o bring_v devil_n on_o the_o stage_n that_o it_o be_v to_o bring_v fury_n in_o he_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o terrible_a than_o the_o show_n of_o devil_n if_o they_o be_v show_v solemn_o and_o can_v any_o thing_n that_o move_v terror_n do_v a_o disservice_n to_o religion_n but_o second_o the_o stage_n encourage_v pride_n indeed_o i_o must_v confess_v that_o even_o the_o best_a sort_n of_o pride_n which_o some_o call_v honour_n and_o other_o greatness_n of_o mind_n be_v not_o so_o very_o consistent_a with_o some_o of_o the_o christian_a virtue_n but_o then_o i_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o the_o stage_n can_v be_v at_o all_o useful_a for_o the_o instruction_n of_o those_o who_o be_v arrive_v at_o any_o more_o perfect_a state_n of_o religion_n but_o for_o those_o who_o be_v not_o that_o be_v for_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n greatness_n of_o mind_n may_v be_v very_o serviceable_a for_o the_o assist_v they_o to_o command_v their_o passion_n and_o the_o restrain_v they_o from_o commit_v enormous_a crime_n but_o three_o the_o stage_n expose_v religion_n by_o expose_v the_o priesthood_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o to_o talk_v of_o expose_v religion_n be_v cant_n for_o to_o expose_v religion_n be_v to_o expose_v truth_n which_o be_v absurd_a because_o nothing_o can_v be_v expose_v but_o that_o which_o be_v false_a if_o the_o stage_n real_o ridicule_v religion_n instead_o of_o ridicul_v hypocrisy_n some_o people_n who_o religion_n lie_v in_o their_o muscle_n will_v be_v more_o easy_o reconcile_v to_o it_o for_o how_o many_o book_n have_v be_v print_v in_o english_a that_o have_v be_v level_v direct_o against_o religion_n itself_o for_o what_o reason_n then_o have_v none_o of_o those_o zealot_n who_o have_v declaim_v with_o so_o much_o fury_n against_o the_o stage_n write_v any_o thing_n to_o dissuade_v people_n from_o read_v those_o deistical_a and_o atheistical_a treatise_n for_o what_o reason_n have_v they_o omit_v this_o unless_o because_o those_o book_n only_o attack_v religion_n about_o which_o they_o never_o much_o trouble_v their_o head_n but_o the_o poet_n attack_v they_o the_o bring_v a_o vicious_a or_o a_o ridiculous_a priest_n upon_o the_o stage_n than_o can_v be_v interpret_v the_o expose_v religion_n but_o the_o ridicul_v hypocrisy_n however_o this_o be_v very_o certain_a that_o no_o poet_n ought_v to_o show_v a_o priest_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o show_v any_o disesteem_a of_o
top_n of_o all_o human_a thing_n and_o though_o not_o so_o sacred_a as_o revelation_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n divine_a for_o reason_n be_v give_v we_o by_o god_n for_o our_o guide_n where_o we_o have_v no_o revelation_n to_o contradict_v it_o and_o both_o human_a authority_n and_o revelation_n hold_v and_o depend_v on_o reason_n we_o always_o assent_v to_o revelation_n divine_a authority_n because_o reason_n assure_v we_o that_o we_o always_o ought_v to_o assent_n to_o it_o and_o we_o sometime_o refuse_v to_o acknowledge_v human_a authority_n because_o we_o be_v convince_v by_o reason_n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o submit_v to_o it_o for_o the_o council_n he_o have_v cite_v i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o we_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v any_o of_o those_o council_n infallible_a but_o refuse_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o their_o decree_n unless_o they_o be_v confirm_v by_o reason_n or_o revelation_n now_o i_o desire_v to_o know_v of_o mr_n collier_n whether_o he_o himself_o pay_v the_o last_o deference_n to_o those_o council_n or_o no_o if_o he_o answer_v that_o he_o own_v their_o authority_n how_o dare_v he_o appear_v to_o have_v read_v so_o many_o play_n as_o he_o have_v cite_v through_o out_o this_o book_n when_o the_o decree_n of_o these_o council_n even_o in_o this_o very_a case_n appear_v from_o his_o own_o citation_n so_o much_o strong_a against_o the_o clergy_n than_o they_o do_v against_o the_o laity_n but_o if_o he_o answer_v that_o he_o disow_v their_o authority_n with_o what_o prodigious_a assurance_n can_v he_o offer_v to_o impose_v it_o on_o we_o that_o while_o he_o take_v his_o own_o satisfaction_n he_o may_v laugh_v à t_v our_o credulity_n but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o father_n they_o have_v their_o reason_n for_o cry_v out_o against_o the_o stage_n which_o can_v so_o much_o as_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v reason_n to_o we_o they_o have_v chief_o five_o and_o those_o five_o reason_n will_v serve_v to_o answer_v whatever_o have_v be_v cite_v by_o mr_n collier_n in_o his_o long_a ecclesiastical_a scroll_n first_o play_v in_o their_o time_n be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o pagan_a worship_n and_o that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n be_v alone_o a_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o oblige_v the_o father_n to_o forbid_v those_o diversion_n to_o the_o new_a christian_n several_a of_o which_o may_v be_v very_o well_o suppose_v to_o be_v not_o yet_o confirm_v in_o the_o faith_n the_o second_o reason_n why_o the_o father_n forbid_v the_o first_o christian_n play_n be_v because_o the_o combat_n of_o the_o gladiator_n be_v mingle_v with_o those_o diversion_n and_o something_o which_o be_v full_a as_o barbarous_a media_fw-la inter_fw-la carmina_fw-la pofâ—unt_fw-la aut_fw-la ursum_fw-la aut_fw-la pugiles_fw-la hor_n ep_n 1._o l._n 1._o the_o three_o be_v the_o gesticulation_n of_o the_o pantomime_n which_o indeed_o be_v unsufferable_o lewd_a and_o unfit_a to_o be_v see_v not_o only_o by_o christian_n but_o by_o any_o civil_a people_n let_v any_o one_o but_o consult_v what_o mr_n collier_n have_v cite_v from_o the_o father_n and_o he_o will_v find_v that_o these_o be_v three_o of_o the_o main_a reason_n which_o prevail_v upon_o the_o father_n to_o forbid_v the_o christian_n the_o diversion_n of_o the_o theatre_n it_o be_v not_o lawful_a say_v theophilus_n who_o he_o cite_v first_o for_o we_o to_o be_v present_a at_o the_o prize_n of_o your_o gladiator_n lest_o by_o this_o mean_v we_o shall_v be_v accessary_a to_o the_o murder_n there_o commit_v neither_o dare_v we_o presume_v upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o your_o other_o show_n lest_o our_o sense_n shall_v be_v touch_v and_o disoblige_v with_o indecency_n and_o profaneness_n and_o tertullian_n who_o he_o cite_v next_o say_v in_o his_o apologetic_n we_o keep_v off_o from_o your_o public_a show_n becáuse_v we_o can_v understand_v the_o warrant_n of_o their_o original_n but_o there_o be_v two_o reason_n behind_o the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n which_o make_v tertullian_n as_o mr_n collier_n have_v cite_v he_o cry_v out_o page_z 354._o but_o if_o you_o can_v wait_v for_o delight_n if_o you_o must_v be_v put_v into_o present_a possession_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o tertullian_n seem_v to_o allow_v that_o diversion_n indeed_o be_v necessary_a but_o that_o christian_n will_v find_v abundant_a entertainment_n in_o the_o very_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n this_o i_o must_v confess_v be_v very_o well_o direct_v by_o tertullian_n but_o if_o cato_n be_v former_o laugh_v at_o for_o speak_v in_o the_o senate_n as_o if_o he_o have_v live_v in_o plato_n republic_n whereas_o he_o be_v real_o in_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o that_o of_o romulus_n how_o shall_v this_o upstart_n reformer_n escape_v contempt_n who_o have_v apply_v to_o this_o profligate_n age_n what_o tertullian_n direct_v to_o those_o fervent_a christian_n who_o soul_n be_v flame_v with_o divine_a love_n in_o the_o purity_n of_o happy_a time_n thus_o have_v i_o examine_v four_o of_o the_o five_o reason_n not_o one_o of_o which_o can_v be_v a_o reason_n to_o we_o for_o neither_o be_v our_o drama_n a_o part_n of_o idolatrous_a worship_n nor_o have_v we_o either_o gladiator_n or_o pantomime_n nor_o the_o people_n of_o this_o age_n be_v satisfy_v to_o be_v always_o entertain_v with_o the_o scripture_n but_o require_v other_o diversion_n but_o the_o five_o reason_n be_v yet_o to_o come_v by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o these_o venerable_a gentleman_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n qualify_v to_o judge_v of_o a_o cause_n of_o which_o it_o appear_v even_o from_o mr_n collier_n citation_n that_o they_o have_v not_o the_o least_o knowledge_n for_o say_v the_o bishop_n of_o antioch_n who_o he_o cite_v first_o the_o tragical_a distraction_n of_o tereus_n and_o thyestes_n be_v nonsense_n to_o we_o now_o can_v any_o man_n possible_o talk_v thus_o who_o have_v the_o least_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o tragedy_n and_o particular_o of_o that_o tragedy_n it_o be_v below_o that_o prelate_n to_o consider_v horace_n for_o he_o will_v have_v tell_v he_o irae_fw-la thyesten_n exitio_fw-la gravi_fw-la stravere_fw-la &_o eltis_fw-la urbibus_fw-la ultimae_fw-la stetere_fw-la causae_fw-la cur_n perirent_fw-la funditus_fw-la imprimeritque_fw-la muris_fw-la hostile_a aratrum_fw-la exercitus_fw-la insolens_fw-la compesce_fw-la mentem_fw-la be_v the_o moral_a which_o the_o poet_n draw_v from_o this_o fable_n nonsense_n to_o we_o be_v it_o impertinence_n in_o a_o poet_n to_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o ought_v to_o restrain_v our_o anger_n because_o the_o indulge_v it_o have_v often_o bring_v man_n into_o fatal_a calamity_n for_o have_v this_o prelate_n understand_v this_o affair_n what_o can_v he_o have_v possible_o dislike_v here_o the_o moral_a or_o the_o fable_n the_o moral_a that_o methinks_v shall_v be_v hardly_o become_v of_o a_o professor_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v therefore_o extol_v above_o all_o other_o because_o it_o be_v more_o moral_a be_v it_o the_o fable_n then_o which_o offend_v he_o or_o the_o manner_n of_o convey_v the_o instruction_n methinks_v it_o be_v something_o odd_a in_o a_o christian_a prelate_n to_o condemn_v that_o method_n of_o teach_v which_o be_v chief_o practise_v by_o his_o great_a master_n who_o he_o profess_v to_o imitate_v but_o now_o to_o come_v to_o the_o author_n de_fw-fr spectacul_n be_v what_o need_v i_o mention_v say_v he_o the_o levities_n and_o impertinence_n in_o comedy_n or_o the_o rant_a distraction_n of_o tragedy_n be_v thâ—se_a thing_n unconcern_v with_o idolatry_n christian_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v at_o they_o for_o wâ—re_o they_o not_o high_o criminal_a the_o foolery_n of_o they_o be_v egregious_a and_o unbecoming_a the_o gravity_n of_o believer_n now_o let_v i_o ask_v mr_n collier_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o christian_n to_o read_v history_n it_o will_v certain_o be_v the_o absurde_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n to_o deny_v it_o now_o aristotle_n have_v declare_v very_o formal_o that_o tragedy_n be_v more_o grave_a and_o more_o instructive_a than_o history_n and_o though_o when_o the_o question_n be_v concern_v grace_n i_o will_v believe_v the_o least_o of_o the_o father_n before_o aristotle_n and_o all_o his_o interpreter_n the_o schoolman_n together_o yet_o where_o the_o dispute_n be_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o write_v and_o the_o colour_n of_o speech_n i_o will_v believe_v aristotle_n single_a testimony_n before_o all_o the_o father_n and_o council_n join_v in_o a_o body_n though_o play_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o father_n and_o council_n yet_o the_o father_n own_o and_o mr_n collier_n own_v that_o they_o be_v not_o forbid_v by_o scripture_n nor_o be_v they_o forbid_v by_o reason_n for_o who_o be_v they_o who_o frequent_v they_o who_o be_v they_o that_o approve_v of_o they_o who_o be_v they_o that_o have_v not_o the_o least_o scruple_n about_o they_o not_o a_o parcel_n of_o
the_o character_n but_o i_o can_v for_o my_o life_n conceive_v why_o the_o bring_v a_o foolish_a or_o a_o vicious_a priest_n upon_o the_o stage_n shall_v be_v such_o a_o abominable_a thing_n for_o since_o person_n of_o all_o degree_n from_o monarch_n to_o peasant_n be_v daily_o bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n why_o shall_v the_o clergy_n be_v exempt_v the_o clergy_n have_v be_v treat_v by_o our_o comic_a poet_n with_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o respect_n than_o the_o laity_n because_o they_o have_v hardly_o spare_v any_o condition_n of_o the_o laity_n but_o none_o of_o the_o superior_a clergy_n have_v be_v ever_o expose_v in_o our_o comedy_n which_o be_v one_o sign_n of_o the_o good_a intention_n of_o the_o poet_n and_o that_o they_o only_o show_v the_o folly_n and_o vice_n of_o some_o while_o they_o reverence_v the_o piety_n and_o learning_n of_o other_o and_o the_o order_n in_o general_n and_o whereas_o mr_n collier_n affirm_v that_o foreign_a state_n suffer_v no_o priest_n to_o be_v expose_v on_o the_o comic_a stage_n to_o that_o we_o answer_v that_o in_o country_n where_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v establish_v they_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o use_v this_o niceness_n for_o prudence_n require_v that_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v always_o take_v care_n of_o the_o establish_a religion_n and_o the_o establish_a religion_n in_o those_o country_n be_v almost_o all_o priestcraft_n to_o expose_v the_o priest_n be_v there_o to_o expose_v religion_n beside_o in_o those_o place_n priestcraft_n and_o secular_a policy_n have_v a_o near_a alliance_n and_o a_o close_a dependence_n on_o each_o other_o by_o much_o than_o they_o have_v here_o for_o the_o priest_n be_v considerable_o assistant_n to_o the_o magistrate_n in_o the_o enslave_v the_o people_n beside_o in_o italy_n and_o spain_n the_o inquisition_n rage_v and_o priest_n will_v be_v sure_a to_o take_v care_n of_o themselves_o as_o for_o france_n though_o they_o never_o have_v a_o priest_n upon_o the_o stage_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o poem_n which_o be_v write_v on_o purpose_n to_o ridicule_n even_o the_o superior_a clergy_n and_o by_o who_o be_v it_o write_v by_o mounseur_fw-fr boileau_n the_o most_o sober_a and_o most_o religious_a of_o all_o their_o poet_n who_o advise_v it_o who_o command_v it_o mounseur_fw-fr de_fw-fr lamoignon_fw-fr illustrious_a for_o his_o profound_a capacity_n renown_v for_o his_o learning_n and_o fame_v for_o his_o piety_n who_o believe_v that_o the_o expose_v that_o litigious_a humour_n that_o be_v creep_v into_o the_o regular_a clergy_n may_v do_v important_a service_n to_o the_o gallican_n church_n and_o why_o shall_v our_o magistrate_n make_v any_o exception_n against_o the_o expose_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o clergy_n here_o where_o the_o religion_n be_v so_o pure_a that_o to_o touch_v a_o priest_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o hurt_v the_o religion_n and_o whereas_o mr_n collier_n say_v that_o to_o affront_v a_o priest_n be_v to_o affront_v the_o deity_n so_o it_o be_v to_o a_o affront_n a_o peasant_n who_o be_v a_o good_a christian_a beside_o affront_n be_v always_o personal_a but_o a_o priest_n in_o a_o play_n be_v a_o general_a character_n and_o the_o bring_v a_o ill_a or_o a_o ridiculous_a one_o upon_o the_o stage_n rather_o proceed_v from_o our_o veneration_n for_o religion_n than_o from_o any_o contempt_n of_o it_o and_o whereas_o mr_n collier_n take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n to_o prove_v that_o a_o priest_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v contemn_v because_o he_o be_v a_o degree_n above_o a_o gentleman_n that_o defence_n methinks_v be_v not_o altogether_o so_o pertinent_a for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o person_n of_o degree_n superior_a to_o gentleman_n be_v every_o day_n expose_v on_o the_o stage_n and_o beside_o the_o way_n for_o a_o clergyman_n to_o secure_v himself_o from_o contempt_n be_v not_o to_o boast_v of_o secular_a advantage_n which_o in_o he_o be_v true_o ridiculous_a but_o to_o show_v his_o meekness_n and_o his_o humility_n which_o be_v true_a christian_a virtue_n beside_o the_o character_n in_o every_o comedy_n be_v always_o at_o the_o bottom_n universal_a and_o allegorical_a or_o else_o the_o instruction_n can_v not_o be_v universal_a a_o ridiculous_a or_o vicious_a priest_n in_o a_o comedy_n signify_v any_o man_n who_o have_v such_o folly_n or_o vice_n and_o the_o cassock_n be_v produce_v on_o purpose_n to_o signify_v to_o the_o clergy_n that_o they_o be_v partly_o concern_v in_o the_o instruction_n and_o have_v sometime_o their_o vice_n and_o folly_n as_o well_o as_o the_o laity_n the_o expose_v upon_o the_o stage_n a_o priest_n who_o be_v a_o ill_a or_o a_o ridiculous_a person_n can_v never_o make_v the_o order_n contemptible_a for_o nothing_o can_v make_v the_o priesthood_n contemptible_a but_o priest_n he_o among_o they_o who_o write_v the_o ground_n of_o the_o coutempt_n of_o the_o clergy_n say_v nothing_o that_o i_o remember_v of_o the_o stage_n but_o he_o say_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o their_o own_o folly_n and_o something_o too_o of_o their_o vice_n now_o the_o expose_v these_o folly_n and_o vice_n will_v be_v a_o way_n to_o reclaim_v they_o and_o so_o to_o preseruè_v the_o esteem_n that_o they_o have_v in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v plain_a from_o experience_n for_o the_o inferior_a clergy_n be_v much_o more_o respect_a in_o england_n than_o the_o regular_a clergy_n be_v either_o in_o france_n or_o italy_n where_o they_o be_v never_o expose_v on_o the_o stage_n and_o their_o life_n be_v here_o less_o scandalous_a than_o they_o be_v abroad_o they_o who_o have_v be_v at_o marseilles_n may_v inform_v mr_n collier_n that_o it_o be_v there_o a_o very_a common_a thing_n to_o see_v priest_n both_o secular_a and_o regular_a who_o be_v slave_n in_o the_o galley_n for_o the_o most_o detestable_a crime_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v full_a as_o necessary_a to_o expose_v a_o priest_n who_o be_v a_o ill_a man_n as_o one_o of_o the_o laity_n because_o his_o example_n be_v more_o contageous_a and_o the_o salvation_n of_o so_o many_o soul_n depend_v on_o it_o whereas_o a_o layman_n influence_n few_o beside_o a_o layman_n often_o offend_v through_o want_v of_o consideration_n because_o he_o do_v not_o reflect_v his_o worldly_a avocation_n divert_v his_o thought_n from_o religion_n so_o that_o such_o a_o one_o may_v have_v return_n of_o conscience_n but_o a_o ill_a clergyman_n can_v pretend_v inconsiderateness_n for_o it_o be_v his_o daily_a business_n to_o reflect_v on_o his_o duty_n and_o consequent_o such_o a_o one_o must_v be_v a_o downright_a atheist_n and_o a_o atheist_n sin_v on_o this_o side_n the_o law_n have_v nothing_o to_o restrain_v he_o but_o the_o apprehension_n of_o infamy_n and_o the_o fear_n of_o become_v contemptible_a beside_o a_o layman_n who_o transgress_v have_v his_o rector_n or_o his_o curate_n to_o remind_v he_o of_o his_o duty_n shall_v a_o clergyman_n who_o be_v a_o ill_a liver_n go_v on_o without_o admonition_n be_v that_o for_o his_o advantage_n or_o the_o benefit_n of_o his_o flock_n or_o the_o good_a of_o the_o public_a we_o own_o indeed_o that_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o be_v instruct_v by_o they_o yet_o ought_v they_o sometime_o to_o take_v their_o turn_n and_o be_v subject_a to_o our_o remonstrance_n as_o the_o roman_a consul_n if_o we_o may_v have_v leave_n to_o make_v such_o a_o comparison_n be_v accountable_a to_o the_o tribune_n of_o the_o people_n by_o the_o policy_n of_o that_o constitution_n thus_o i_o have_v answer_v what_o may_v be_v object_v from_o reason_n against_o the_o stage_n in_o general_n and_o what_o mr_n collier_n have_v object_v against_o the_o english_a stage_n in_o particular_a i_o mean_v as_o much_o as_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v answer_v for_o there_o be_v no_o defend_v the_o immodesty_n or_o immorality_n of_o or_o unnecessary_a profaneness_n of_o some_o of_o our_o play_n let_v we_o now_o come_v to_o the_o objection_n which_o mr_n collier_n have_v bring_v from_o authority_n chap._n iii_o the_o objection_n from_o authority_n answer_v the_o objection_n from_o authority_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n council_n and_o father_n but_o now_o let_v i_o ask_v mr_n collier_n this_o question_n be_v these_o person_n inspire_v or_o no_o that_o be_v do_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dictate_v whatever_o they_o write_v to_o they_o if_o he_o say_v it_o do_v i_o have_v nothing_o to_o say_v to_o such_o a_o man_n but_o abandon_v he_o to_o ecclesiastical_a censure_n if_o he_o say_v it_o do_v not_o why_o then_o i_o must_v tell_v he_o that_o we_o live_v in_o a_o age_n in_o which_o there_o be_v person_n that_o be_v too_o judicious_a and_o too_o generous_a to_o forego_v their_o reason_n for_o mere_a human_a authority_n a_o age_n in_o which_o we_o account_v it_o not_o only_o a_o absurdity_n but_o a_o sin_n to_o believe_v in_o any_o thing_n under_o heaven_n as_o well_o know_v that_o reason_n be_v the_o