Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	doctrine_n	reform_a	3,582	5	9.8202	5	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 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

we_o and_o the_o french_a be_v clear_o on_o our_o side_n but_o to_o come_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n if_o a_o lord_n may_v not_o be_v show_v a_o ●ool_n upon_o the_o stage_n i_o will_v fain_o ask_v mr_n collier_n what_o fool_n a_o comic_a poet_n may_v lawful_o show_v there_o and_o at_o what_o condition_n of_o man_n he_o be_v oblige_v to_o stop_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v whether_o a_o poet_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o dub_v his_o dramatical_a coxcomb_n may_v he_o show_v a_o fool_n a_o knight_n baronet_n or_o a_o knight_n bachelor_n or_o be_v they_o too_o include_v in_o quality_n must_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o go_v no_o further_o than_o squire_n and_o must_v fool_n and_o squire_n continue_v to_o be_v term_n synonimous_a if_o any_o of_o mr_n collier_n acquaintance_n will_v give_v himself_o the_o diversion_n of_o ask_v he_o these_o question_n i_o dare_v engage_v that_o he_o will_v find_v he_o embarass_v sufficient_o but_o methinks_v neither_o the_o lord_n nor_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o mr_n collier_n for_o his_o extraordinary_a civility_n for_o if_o a_o lord_n be_v capable_a of_o commit_v extravagancy_n as_o well_o as_o another_o man_n why_o shall_v mr_n collier_n endeavour_v to_o persuade_v he_o that_o he_o be_v above_o it_o or_o why_o shall_v he_o hinder_v he_o from_o be_v reclaim_v unless_o he_o will_v imply_v that_o a_o commoner_n may_v be_v correct_v when_o he_o grow_v extravagant_a but_o that_o when_o a_o lord_n grow_v fantastic_a he_o be_v altogether_o incorrigible_a nor_o be_v we_o oblige_v to_o mr_n collier_n any_o more_o than_o the_o peer_n be_v for_o since_o the_o bare_a advantage_n of_o their_o condition_n make_v some_o of_o they_o already_o grow_v almost_o insupportable_a why_o shall_v any_o one_o endeavour_n to_o add_v to_o their_o vanity_n by_o exempt_n they_o from_o common_a censure_n beside_o since_o folly_n ought_v to_o be_v expose_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o great_a be_v the_o fit_a as_o be_v most_o conspicuous_a and_o most_o contageous_a the_o folly_n of_o the_o mean_a sort_n be_v often_o the_o effect_n of_o ignorance_n and_o merit_v compassion_n rather_o than_o contempt_n affect_a folly_n be_v the_o most_o despicable_a now_o affectation_n be_v the_o child_n of_o vanity_n and_o vanity_n of_o condition_n but_o why_o shall_v a_o lord_n be_v free_a from_o dramatical_a censure_n when_o he_o can_v be_v correct_v no_o where_o but_o upon_o the_o stage_n a_o commoner_n may_v be_v correct_v in_o company_n but_o such_o friendly_a admonition_n to_o a_o lord_n may_v be_v interpret_v scandal_n for_o our_o comic_a poet_n i_o dare_v engage_v that_o no_o man_n respect_v our_o nobility_n more_o than_o they_o do_v they_o know_v very_o well_o that_o their_o title_n illustrate_v their_o merit_n and_o adorn_v their_o virtue_n but_o that_o those_o who_o they_o expose_v be_v such_o who_o folly_n and_o who_o vice_n render_v their_o title_n ridiculous_a and_o yet_o that_o they_o expose_v they_o no_o more_o than_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o king_n subject_n for_o folly_n as_o well_o as_o vice_n be_v personal_a and_o the_o satyr_n of_o comedy_n fall_v not_o upon_o the_o order_n of_o man_n out_o of_o which_o the_o ridiculous_a character_n be_v take_v but_o upon_o the_o person_n of_o all_o order_n who_o be_v affect_v with_o the_o like_a folly_n for_o they_o know_v further_o what_o mr_n collier_n apparent_o never_o know_v that_o a_o lord_n in_o effect_n in_o a_o comedy_n signify_v any_o man_n for_o the_o character_n of_o comedy_n be_v always_o at_o bottom_n universal_a and_o allegorical_a and_o the_o make_v lord_n of_o their_o comic_a fool_n can_v signify_v no_o more_o than_o to_o admonish_v our_o man_n of_o quality_n that_o they_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o instruction_n as_o well_o as_o other_o the_o four_o objection_n from_o reason_n be_v that_o the_o stage_n expose_v the_o clergy_n and_o so_o by_o endanger_v religion_n endanger_v government_n but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o book_n where_o i_o design_v to_o treat_v of_o religion_n we_o now_o come_v to_o answer_v what_o be_v object_v from_o religion_n which_o be_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o the_o stage_n to_o make_v people_n good_a subject_n for_o that_o the_o pulpit_n teach_v man_n their_o duty_n to_o their_o prince_n better_a than_o all_o the_o philosophy_n and_o all_o the_o poetry_n in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v indeed_o undeniable_a but_o the_o validity_n of_o this_o objection_n depend_v upon_o two_o supposition_n which_o be_v that_o all_o the_o subject_n of_o the_o state_n go_v to_o church_n and_o that_o all_o attend_v when_o they_o be_v there_o whereas_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o our_o atheist_n and_o deist_n seldom_o go_v thither_o and_o that_o our_o doubt_n cold_a and_o lukewarm_a christian_n seldom_o attend_v when_o they_o be_v there_o but_o that_o the_o stage_n reduce_v to_o its_o primitive_a purity_n will_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o send_v they_o thither_o and_o the_o best_a of_o all_o human_a preparative_n for_o the_o divine_a instruction_n which_o they_o will_v find_v there_o be_v design_v to_o be_v show_v in_o the_o remain_a part_n of_o this_o treatise_n the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o part_n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o stage_n part_n iii_o chap._n i._n that_o the_o stage_n be_v useful_a to_o the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n i_o now_o come_v to_o show_v that_o the_o stage_n be_v useful_a to_o the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n and_o first_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n second_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n particular_o and_o more_o especial_o of_o the_o reform_a religion_n religion_n in_o general_n or_o natural_a religion_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o consist_v of_o two_o part_n the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v first_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v be_v 1._o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n 2._o providence_n 3._o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n 4._o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n the_o poet_n and_o particular_o the_o tragic_a poet_n assert_n all_o these_o and_o these_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o his_o art_n for_o in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o machine_n be_v the_o very_a life_n and_o soul_n of_o poetry_n now_o the_o machine_n will_v be_v absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a without_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o particular_a providence_n in_o the_o second_o place_n let_v any_o man_n show_v i_o where_o terror_n be_v move_v to_o a_o height_n and_o i_o will_v show_v he_o that_o that_o place_n require_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o particular_a providence_n in_o the_o three_o place_n poetic_a justice_n will_v be_v a_o j●st_a if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o image_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o if_o it_o do_v not_o consequent_o suppose_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o providence_n it_o suppose_v too_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n for_o the_o thing_n which_o in_o perfect_a tragedy_n bring_v man_n into_o fatal_a calamity_n be_v involuntary_a fault_n that_o be_v fault_n occasion_v by_o great_a passion_n now_o this_o upon_o a_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n be_v very_o just_a and_o reasonable_a for_o since_o passion_n in_o their_o excess_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o most_o of_o the_o disturbance_n that_o happen_v in_o the_o world_n upon_o a_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o just_a than_o that_o the_o power_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n shall_v make_v sometime_o very_o severe_a example_n of_o those_o who_o indulge_v their_o passion_n providence_n seem_v to_o require_v this_o but_o then_o to_o make_v involuntary_a fault_n capital_a and_o to_o punish_v they_o with_o the_o last_o punishment_n will_v not_o be_v so_o consistent_a with_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n unless_o there_o be_v a_o compensation_n hereafter_o for_o such_o a_o punishment_n will_v not_o only_o be_v too_o rigorous_a but_o cruel_a and_o extravagant_a the_o second_o part_n of_o natural_a religion_n contain_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v to_o be_v do_v which_o include_v 1._o our_o duty_n to_o god_n 2._o our_o duty_n to_o our_o neighbour_n 3._o our_o duty_n to_o ourselves_o and_o all_o these_o it_o be_v the_o business_n of_o tragedy_n to_o ●each_v witness_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o ancient_a chorus_n as_o it_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o follow_a verse_n of_o horace_n ille_fw-la bonis_fw-la favetque_fw-la &_o concilietur_fw-la amicis_fw-la et_fw-la regatirato_fw-la &_o amet_fw-la peccare_fw-la timentes_fw-la ille●_n dape_fw-la laudet_fw-la mensae_fw-la brevis_fw-la ille_fw-la salubrem_fw-la justitiam_fw-la legesque_fw-la &_o apertis_fw-la otia_fw-la portis_fw-la ille_fw-la tegat_fw-la commissa_fw-la deosque_fw-la precetur_fw-la &_o oret_fw-la ut_fw-la redeat_fw-la miseris_fw-la abeat_fw-la fortuna_fw-la superbis_fw-la from_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o business_n of_o tragedy_n to_o exhort_v man_n to_o piety_n

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