Selected quad for the lemma: duty_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	christian_a	part_n	religion_n	984	5	5.7580	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35682	The usefulness of the stage, to the happiness of mankind, to government, and to religion occasioned by a late book written by Jeremy Collier, M.A. / by Mr. Dennis.	Dennis, John, 1657-1734.; Collier, Jeremy, 1650-1726. Short view of the immorality and profaneness of the English stage.	1698 (1698)	Wing D1046; ESTC R12743	51,263	154

and_o a_o mutual_a dependence_n and_o be_v defend_v and_o support_v by_o their_o common_a confederacy_n thus_o while_o i_o be_o plead_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o stage_n i_o be_o defend_v and_o support_v poetry_n the_o best_a and_o the_o noble_a kind_n of_o writing_n for_o all_o other_o writer_n be_v 〈◊〉_d make_v by_o precept_n and_o be_v form_v by_o art_n but_o a_o poet_n prevail_v by_o the_o force_n of_o nature_n be_v excite_v by_o all_o that_o be_v powerful_a in_o humanity_n and_o be_v sometime_o by_o a_o spirit_n not_o his_o own_o exalt_a to_o divinity_n for_o if_o poetry_n in_o other_o country_n have_v flourish_v with_o the_o stage_n and_o be_v with_o that_o neglect_a what_o must_v become_v of_o it_o here_o in_o england_n if_o the_o stage_n be_v ruin_v for_o foreign_a poet_n have_v find_v their_o public_a and_o their_o private_a patron_n they_o who_o excel_v in_o greece_n be_v encourage_v by_o the_o athenian_a stage_n nay_o and_o by_o all_o greece_n assemble_v at_o their_o olympian_a istmean_a nemean_a pythian_a game_n rome_n have_v its_o scipio_n its_o caesar_n and_o its_o maecenas_n france_n have_v its_o magnanimous_a richlieu_n and_o its_o great_a lewis_n but_o the_o protection_n that_o poetry_n have_v find_v in_o england_n have_v be_v from_o the_o stage_n alone_o some_o few_o indeed_o of_o our_o private_a man_n have_v have_v soul_n that_o have_v be_v large_a enough_o and_o want_v only_a power_n but_o of_o our_o prince_n how_o few_o have_v have_v any_o taste_n of_o art_n nay_o and_o of_o they_o who_o have_v some_o have_v have_v their_o head_n too_o full_a and_o some_o their_o soul_n too_o narrow_a as_o then_o in_o maintain_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o stage_n i_o be_o defend_v poetry_n in_o general_a so_o in_o defend_v that_o i_o be_o plead_v for_o eloquence_n for_o history_n and_o philosophy_n i_o be_o plead_v for_o the_o reasonable_a pleasure_n of_o mankind_n the_o only_a harmless_a the_o only_a cheap_a the_o only_a universal_a pleasure_n the_o nourishment_n of_o youth_n and_o the_o delight_n of_o age_n the_o ornament_n of_o prosperity_n and_o the_o sure_a sanctuary_n of_o adversity_n now_o insolent_o attempt_v by_o furious_a zeal_n too_o wretched_o blind_a to_o see_v their_o beauty_n or_o discern_v their_o innocence_n for_o unless_o the_o stage_n be_v encourage_v in_o england_n poetry_n can_v subsist_v for_o never_o be_v any_o man_n a_o great_a poet_n who_o do_v not_o make_v it_o his_o business_n as_o well_o as_o pleasure_n and_o sole_o abandon_v himself_o to_o that_o and_o as_o poetry_n wou●d_v be_v crush_v by_o the_o ruin_n of_o the_o stage_n so_o eloquence_n will_v be_v miserable_o maim_v by_o they_o for_o which_o if_o action_n be_v confess_v the_o life_n of_o it_o the_o theatre_n be_v certain_o the_o best_a of_o school_n and_o if_o action_n be_v not_o the_o life_n of_o it_o demosthenes_n be_v much_o mistake_v in_o eloquence_n i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o the_o pulpit_n be_v something_o concern_v and_o by_o consequence_n in_o the_o stage_n and_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o learn_v from_o that_o place_n which_o instruct_v cicero_n and_o which_o form_v demosthenes_n for_o i_o can_v forbear_v declare_v notwithstanding_o the_o extreme_a veneration_n which_o i_o have_v for_o the_o church_n of_o england_n that_o if_o in_o some_o of_o our_o pulpit_n we_o have_v but_o person_n that_o have_v half_o the_o excellence_n of_o demosthenes_n that_o have_v but_o half_a the_o force_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o resistless_a strength_n of_o his_o reason_v and_o but_o half_a his_o vehement_a action_n we_o shall_v see_v quite_o another_o effect_n of_o their_o sermon_n those_o divine_a orator_n fulminate_v with_o their_o sacred_a thunder_n will_v infix_v terrible_a plague_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o sinner_n and_o rouse_v and_o awake_v to_o a_o new_a life_n even_o those_o who_o be_v dead_a in_o sin_n i_o now_o come_v to_o answer_v what_o be_v object_v from_o religion_n and_o that_o be_v that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o little_a happiness_n may_v be_v derive_v from_o the_o stage_n yet_o that_o there_o be_v a_o much_o better_a and_o sure_a way_n to_o be_v happy_a for_o the_o only_a way_n to_o be_v solid_o and_o last_o happy_a even_o in_o this_o life_n be_v to_o be_v true_o religious_a the_o best_a christian_n be_v always_o the_o happy_a man_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v the_o best_a nay_o the_o only_a mean_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n so_o for_o the_o make_v man_n happy_a even_o in_o this_o life_n it_o surpass_v all_o philosophy_n but_o yet_o i_o confident_o assert_v that_o if_o the_o stage_n be_v arrive_v to_o that_o degree_n of_o purity_n to_o which_o in_o the_o space_n of_o some_o little_a time_n it_o may_v easy_o be_v bring_v the_o frequent_v our_o theatre_n will_v advance_v religion_n and_o consequent_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n and_o so_o become_v a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a duty_n which_o i_o shall_v demonstrate_v when_o i_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o religion_n the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o part._n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o stage_n part_n ii_o chap._n i._n that_o the_o stage_n be_v useful_a to_o government_n since_o in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o treatise_n we_o have_v plain_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o stage_n be_v instrumental_a to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n and_o of_o englishman_n more_o particular_o and_o since_o it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o the_o happiness_n of_o those_o who_o be_v govern_v be_v the_o very_a end_n and_o design_n of_o all_o regular_a government_n it_o evident_o follow_v that_o the_o stage_n which_o contribute_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o particular_a man_n be_v conducive_a to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o state_n however_o i_o shall_v descend_v to_o show_v more_o particular_o that_o the_o stage_n be_v instrumental_a to_o the_o welfare_n first_o of_o government_n in_o general_n second_o of_o the_o english_a government_n more_o particular_o three_o especial_o of_o the_o present_a government_n first_o the_o stage_n be_v instrumental_a to_o the_o welfare_n of_o government_n in_o general_a which_o i_o shall_v prove_v 1._o by_o reason_n and_o 2._o by_o experience_n and_o first_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o reason_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v instrumental_a to_o the_o welfare_n of_o government_n and_o that_o whether_o you_o consider_v those_o who_o govern_v or_o second_o those_o who_o be_v govern_v first_o if_o you_o consider_v those_o who_o govern_v and_o here_o it_o be_v self-evident_a that_o no_o man_n who_o govern_v can_v govern_v amiss_o as_o long_o as_o he_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o common_a reason_n that_o require_v that_o all_o who_o govern_v shall_v consult_v the_o interest_n of_o those_o who_o be_v govern_v which_o be_v inclusive_a of_o their_o own_o and_o those_o ruler_n have_v always_o be_v upon_o a_o wrong_a foundation_n who_o have_v have_v a_o interest_n distinct_a from_o that_o of_o their_o people_n maladministration_n have_v always_o its_o source_n from_o the_o passion_n or_o vice_n of_o those_o who_o govern_v the_o passion_n which_o cause_v it_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n ambition_n or_o the_o immoderate_a love_n of_o pleasure_n now_o as_o tragedy_n check_v the_o first_o by_o show_v the_o great_a one_o or_o the_o earth_n humble_v so_o it_o correct_v the_o last_o by_o fire_v the_o mind_n and_o raise_v it_o to_o something_o noble_a the_o vice_n which_o cause_n the_o maladministration_n of_o governor_n be_v either_o vice_n of_o weakness_n or_o of_o malice_n the_o first_o of_o which_o cause_n governor_n to_o neglect_v and_o the_o last_o to_o oppress_v their_o people_n the_o vice_n of_o weakness_n be_v inconsiderateness_n and_o effeminacy_n inconstancy_n and_o irresolution_n now_o nothing_o can_v be_v a_o better_a remedy_n than_o tragedy_n for_o inconsiderateness_n which_o remind_v man_n of_o their_o duty_n and_o perpetual_o instruct_v they_o either_o by_o its_o fable_n or_o by_o its_o sentence_n and_o show_v they_o the_o ill_a and_o the_o fatal_a consequence_n of_o irregular_a administration_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o capable_a of_o raise_v the_o soul_n and_o give_v it_o that_o greatness_n that_o courage_n that_o force_n and_o that_o constancy_n which_o be_v the_o qualification_n that_o make_v man_n deserve_v to_o command_v other_o which_o be_v evident_a from_o experience_n for_o they_o who_o in_o all_o country_n and_o in_o all_o age_n have_v appear_v most_o to_o feel_v the_o power_n of_o tragedy_n have_v be_v the_o most_o deserve_a and_o the_o great_a of_o man_n aeschylus_n among_o the_o athenian_n be_v a_o great_a captain_n as_o well_o as_o a_o tragic_a poet_n and_o sophocles_n be_v both_o a_o able_a statesman_n and_o a_o victorious_a general_n if_o we_o look_v among_o ●he_n roman_n the_o very_o great_a among_o they_o be_v particular_o they_o who_o appear_v so_o far_o touch_v by_o the_o drama_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 ●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