Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	apostle_n	speak_v	word_n	9,283	5	4.1967	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A41298	A Defence of dramatick poetry being a review of Mr. Collier's View of the immorality and profaneness of the stage.	Filmer, Edward, b. ca. 1657.; Settle, Elkanah, 1648-1724.; Rymer, Thomas, 1641-1713.; Vanbrugh, John, Sir, 1664-1726.	1698 (1698)	Wing F905; ESTC R16098	47,476	128

heavy_a as_o the_o atheist_n lie_v upon_o he_o still_o he_o wipe_v off_o the_o imputation_n of_o debauchery_n assure_v we_o that_o as_o to_o the_o business_n of_o love_n aristophanes_n always_o decline_v it_o he_o never_o patch_n up_o a_o play_n with_o courtship_n and_o whine_a though_o he_o write_v nothing_o but_o comedy_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a as_o to_o the_o atheism_n of_o aristophanes_n though_o it_o may_v appear_v somewhat_o a_o sin_n against_o the_o athenian_a light_n of_o theology_n it_o happen_v to_o be_v a_o fault_n on_o the_o better_a side_n at_o least_o in_o the_o christian_a scale_n when_o only_o against_o the_o libertine_n household_n of_o heathen_a god_n where_o neither_o infidelity_n nor_o apostasy_n be_v altogether_o so_o capital_a now_o as_o such_o be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o ancient_a poet_n and_o those_o the_o very_a founder_n of_o the_o feast_n in_o the_o theatrical_a entertainment_n in_o st._n cyprian_a and_o tertullian_n day_n and_o some_o age_n after_o they_o i_o can_v but_o once_o more_o repeat_v my_o amazement_n at_o their_o over-passionate_a exclamation_n against_o the_o stage_n especial_o upon_o the_o mistake_a topick_n of_o lewdness_n and_o debauchery_n after_o all_o this_o honest_a and_o faithful_a review_n of_o the_o ancient_a stage_n take_v even_o by_o our_o kind_a author_n himself_o i_o fancy_v he_o have_v give_v we_o some_o more_o substantial_a reason_n for_o the_o scriptural_a silence_n against_o play_n than_o all_o these_o father_n have_v do_v for_o if_o such_o by_o his_o own_o generous_a acknowledgement_n be_v the_o stage_n primitive_a state_n of_o innocence_n a_o confession_n which_o we_o high_o stand_v oblige_v to_o he_o for_o though_o like_o one_o of_o sir_n martin_n marral_n discovery_n consider_v how_o little_a it_o make_v for_o his_o cause_n i_o fear_v we_o shall_v thank_v he_o for_o a_o favour_n he_o never_o intend_v we_o if_o therefore_o as_o i_o be_v say_v or_o rather_o our_o author_n have_v say_v for_o i_o such_o be_v not_o only_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o heathen_a stage_n under_o all_o the_o restriction_n of_o chastity_n modesty_n and_o decency_n not_o only_o from_o the_o native_a principle_n of_o the_o author_n but_o also_o from_o the_o regulation_n of_o public_a authority_n but_o even_o such_o be_v the_o merit_n so_o i_o may_v call_v it_o of_o those_o theatrick_n representation_n so_o little_o tend_v to_o the_o corruption_n of_o manner_n that_o several_a of_o they_o be_v write_v with_o a_o genius_n to_o speak_v in_o his_o own_o language_n enough_o to_o transfuse_v and_o inspire_v a_o spirit_n of_o bravery_n so_o far_o from_o a_o check_n as_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o excitation_n to_o virtue_n here_o upon_o all_o these_o concession_n even_o from_o our_o author_n himself_o provide_v still_o that_o as_o stage-play_n be_v only_o humane_a institution_n and_o worldly_a diversion_n and_o that_o that_o objection_n shall_v be_v find_v no_o bar_n to_o this_o plea_n of_o innocence_n as_o that_o i_o hope_v we_o shall_v make_v out_o this_o then_o be_v the_o stage_n and_o these_o the_o play_n that_o face_v the_o whole_a travel_n of_o the_o apostle_n here_o be_v a_o very_a substantial_a argument_n for_o the_o evangelical_n silence_n in_o not_o one_o word_n against_o they_o for_o the_o mouth_n of_o those_o divine_a oracle_n open_v only_o to_o the_o correction_n of_o vice_n nor_o will_v it_o raise_v any_o part_n of_o a_o objection_n against_o this_o argument_n for_o their_o silence_n etc._n etc._n that_o the_o original_a innocent_a constitution_n of_o play_n be_v sometime_o corrupt_v their_o modesty_n debauch_v and_o abuse_v creep_v in_o among_o they_o as_o this_o author_n often_o observe_v against_o they_o for_o as_o the_o very_a heathen_n themselves_o have_v their_o censor_n and_o inspector_n appoint_v to_o correct_v and_o punish_v those_o abuse_n and_o to_o keep_v the_o stage_n in_o the_o bound_n of_o modesty_n i_o hope_v the_o christian_n need_v no_o particular_a scriptural_a precept_n in_o that_o case_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n must_v then_o have_v most_o true_o have_v a_o low_a opinion_n of_o christian_n to_o think_v they_o want_v any_o particular_a evangelical_n light_n to_o follow_v even_o where_o the_o ignorant_a heathen_a have_v lead_v before_o they_o and_o as_o to_o the_o more_o horrid_a representation_n of_o the_o amphitheatre_n so_o frequent_a in_o the_o neronian_a reign_n in_o which_o st._n paul_n die_v here_o indeed_o there_o want_v no_o evangelic_n command_v to_o warn_v the_o christian_a from_o those_o execrable_a bloody_a wall_n where_o murder_n upon_o murder_n even_o in_o cold_a blood_a sport_n be_v make_v a_o public_a entertainment_n the_o divine_a wisdom_n as_o st._n cyprian_n say_v have_v have_v a_o low_a opinion_n indeed_o to_o think_v the_o christian_n can_v want_v a_o heavenly_a caution_n of_o enter_v those_o shambles_n of_o humane_a butchery_n beside_o to_o show_v how_o little_a the_o dramatic_a poetry_n lie_v under_o the_o gospel_n censure_n our_o author_n though_o upon_o another_o occasion_n be_v please_v to_o quote_v that_o text_n of_o st._n paul_n evil_a communication_n corrupt_v good_a manner_n as_o the_o expression_n first_o of_o the_o comic_a poet_n menander_n 290_o year_n before_o christ_n and_o afterward_o of_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n here_o i_o will_v ask_v whether_o st._n paul_n the_o most_o learned_a of_o the_o apostle_n in_o deliver_v the_o divine_a oracle_n of_o god_n will_v have_v incorporate_v the_o say_n of_o a_o heathen_a poet_n that_o possible_o have_v be_v speak_v a_o hundred_o time_n over_o on_o the_o public_a stage_n by_o a_o hireling_n player_n into_o the_o gospel_n of_o truth_n notwithstanding_o the_o morality_n and_o innocence_n of_o the_o expression_n itself_o have_v stage-play_n in_o themselves_o and_o that_o in_o their_o worst_a capacity_n of_o comedy_n just_o lie_v under_o st._n cyprian_n character_n of_o they_o viz._n that_o be_v they_o not_o otherwise_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 for_o some_o other_o instance_n of_o st._n paul_n respect_n for_o the_o poet_n in_o act_n 17._o 28._o in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v as_o certain_a of_o your_o own_o poet_n have_v say_v for_o we_o be_v also_o his_o offspring_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o titus_n chap._n 1._o ver_fw-la 14_o 15._o speak_v of_o the_o people_n of_o crete_n he_o say_v in_o the_o word_n of_o epimenides_n the_o poet._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d one_o of_o themselves_o even_o a_o prophet_n of_o their_o own_o say_v the_o cretan_n be_v always_o liar_n evil_a beast_n slow_a belly_n this_o witness_n be_v true_a etc._n etc._n here_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o disdain_v to_o quote_v a_o heathen_a poet_n nay_o and_o honour_v he_o with_o the_o title_n of_o prophet_n now_o therefore_o as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n speak_v by_o the_o inspire_a apostle_n we_o may_v venture_v to_o boast_v it_o give_v some_o reputation_n to_o the_o poet_n and_o sure_a a_o little_a vindication_n of_o the_o innocence_n of_o the_o profession_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n himself_o have_v speak_v in_o the_o word_n of_o a_o menander_n and_o a_o epimenides_n but_o to_o make_v a_o little_o far_a examination_n into_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o overviolent_a zeal_n and_o vehemence_n of_o the_o primitive_a father_n against_o the_o stage_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o forementioned_a authority_n viz._n theophilus_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n minutius_n foelix_n and_o st._n cyprian_n so_o faithful_o translate_v by_o mr._n collier_n live_v all_o in_o the_o second_o or_o three_o century_n in_o the_o mourn_a minority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n under_o the_o heathen_a persecution_n for_o constantine_n the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n begin_v his_o reign_n but_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o century_n have_v not_o then_o those_o primitive_a father_n with_o stake_n gibbet_n cauldron_n gridiron_n rack_n etc._n etc._n all_o before_o their_o eye_n a_o just_a cause_n of_o complaint_n against_o the_o christian_a inclination_n for_o play_n delight_n and_o pleasure_n at_o that_o time_n of_o day_n do_v the_o son_n from_o his_o father_n deathbed_n go_v to_o the_o music-house_n or_o the_o widow_n from_o her_o husband_n funeral_n to_o the_o dancing-school_n be_v the_o playhouse_n a_o seasonable_a christian_a diversion_n possible_o to_o come_v from_o a_o laurence_n gridiron_n to_o a_o thyestes_n feast_n i_o may_v here_o join_v with_o tertullian_n in_o earnest_n christian_n our_o time_n for_o entertainment_n be_v not_o yet_o you_o be_v too_o crave_v and_o ill_o manage_v if_o you_o be_v so_o violent_a for_o delight_n page_n 258._o beside_o be_v it_o not_o a_o yet_o great_a aggravation_n to_o the_o ill_n time_v christian_a fondness_n for_o play_n to_o herd_n consort_n and_o mix_v with_o their_o tyrant_n persecutor_n and_o murderer_n the_o heathen_n in_o their_o entertainment_n and_o diversion_n and_o

character_n into_o obscenity_n all_o wrap_v up_o so_o clean_a his_o action_n and_o his_o nature_n the_o adulterer_n and_o the_o god_n all_o of_o a_o piece_n good_a gracious_a heaven_n have_v not_o this_o enthusiast_n the_o whole_a zeal_n of_o a_o oliver_n porter_n and_o bid_v as_o fair_a to_o succeed_v he_o in_o his_o moor-field_n palace_n this_o be_v the_o innocent_a and_o mr._n drydens_n the_o blasphemous_a amphytrion_n how_o ingenious_o mr._n collier_n can_v out-blow_n the_o satyr_n in_o the_o fable_n mr._n dryden_n amphytrion_n be_v all_o a_o piece_n of_o blasphemy_n for_o give_v too_o much_o of_o the_o god_n to_o jupiter_n and_o have_v no_o way_n to_o mend_v that_o fault_n but_o by_o give_v he_o more_o of_o it_o this_o blasphemy_n of_o amphytrion_n nothing_o but_o mr._n dryden_n absalon_n and_o achitophel_n can_v outdo_v etc._n etc._n here_o we_o have_v blasphemy_n on_o the_o top_n of_o the_o letter_n without_o any_o trouble_n of_o inference_n or_o construction_n this_o poem_n run_v upon_o all_o scripture_n name_n upon_o supposition_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o object_n of_o worship_n here_o be_v no_o pagan_a divinity_n in_o the_o scheme_n so_o that_o all_o the_o athestick_a raillery_n must_v point_v upon_o the_o true_a god_n absalon_n be_v david_n natural_a son_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o blot_n in_o his_o scutcheon_n and_o a_o blemish_n upon_o his_o birth_n the_o poet_n will_v make_v admirable_a use_n of_o this_o remark_n present_o this_o absalon_n it_o seem_v be_v very_o extraordinary_a in_o his_o person_n and_o performance_n mr._n dryden_n do_v not_o certain_o know_v how_o this_o come_v about_o and_o therefore_o inquire_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o first_o place_n whither_o inspire_v by_o a_o divinier_n lust_n his_o father_n get_v he_o with_o a_o great_a gust_n this_o be_v downright_a defiance_n of_o the_o live_a god_n here_o you_o have_v the_o very_a essence_n and_o spirit_n of_o blasphemy_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n bring_v in_o upon_o the_o most_o hideous_a occasion_n i_o question_v whether_o the_o torment_n and_o despair_n of_o the_o damn_a dare_n venture_v at_o such_o flight_n as_o these_o they_o be_v bejond_a description_n i_o pray_v god_n they_o may_v not_o be_v bejond_a pardon_n too_o now_o be_v here_o only_o two_o unhappy_a word_n that_o blow_v the_o bellows_o to_o all_o this_o fire_n viz._n inspire_a and_o divine_a inspire_v especial_o in_o the_o verb_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v only_o appropriate_v to_o god_n that_o scarce_o that_o human_a passion_n love_n joy_n or_o what_o not_o nay_o a_o mere_a start_n of_o fancy_n a_o sudden_a lucky_a thought_n but_o shall_v be_v say_v to_o inspire_v a_o man._n be_v this_o gentleman_n as_o swear_v a_o enemy_n to_o all_o poetry_n as_o to_o the_o dramatic_a that_o he_o wilful_o forget_v how_o the_o poet_n upon_o all_o occasion_n invoke_v their_o muse_n to_o inspire_v they_o nay_o to_o go_v a_o little_a further_o what_o if_o the_o devil_n himself_o have_v have_v his_o inspiration_n too_o for_o as_o i_o take_v it_o the_o old_a heathen_a oracle_n be_v of_o his_o inspire_v the_o spirit_n of_o false-shood_a as_o well_o as_o truth_n have_v have_v the_o inspire_v power_n without_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n and_o though_o divine_a be_v here_o make_v the_o epithet_n to_o lust_n it_o make_v not_o all_o to_o his_o purpose_n it_o be_v true_a the_o expression_n favour_v a_o little_a too_o much_o of_o the_o libertine_n yet_o i_o defy_v all_o the_o sophistry_n of_o malice_n itself_o to_o mount_v it_o up_o to_o blasphemy_n or_o to_o make_v it_o bear_v any_o tendency_n to_o that_o tremendous_a signification_n he_o have_v give_v it_o for_o do_v not_o this_o man_n of_o letter_n know_v that_o divine_a though_v in_o the_o comparative_a degree_n be_v here_o infinite_o less_o than_o the_o positive_a divine_a only_o comparative_o to_o the_o common_a rapture_n of_o lust._n have_v it_o be_v write_a inspire_a with_o a_o divine_a lust_n it_o may_v have_v give_v a_o overcurious_a cynic_n some_o umbrage_n for_o so_o profane_a a_o construction_n and_o yet_o even_o then_o too_o it_o will_v not_o have_v full_o reach_v the_o point_n unless_o a_o divine_a have_v be_v change_v to_o the_o more_o emphatic_a the_o divine_n but_o here_o as_o mr._n dryden_n have_v word_v it_o and_o upon_o the_o subject_n he_o speak_v it_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v either_o mean_v or_o think_v of_o in_o this_o inspiration_n it_o be_v that_o of_o venus_n and_o indeed_o what_o can_v the_o genuine_a sense_n of_o this_o poor_a couplet_n honest_o and_o fair_o construe_v mean_a than_o that_o his_o father_n inspire_v or_o animate_v with_o a_o divine_a or_o sublime_a lust_n get_v he_o with_o that_o more_o than_o ordinary_a pleasure_n and_o transport_n that_o possible_o for_o it_o be_v not_o affirmative_o say_v to_o that_o sprightly_a vivacity_n to_o the_o generation_n of_o his_o absalon_n that_o young_a heir_n to_o continue_v his_o supposition_n may_v owe_v all_o those_o personal_a grace_n and_o beauty_n and_o all_o that_o innate_a bravery_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o uncommon_a accomplishment_n the_o poet_n have_v occasion_n afterward_o to_o give_v he_o here_o i_o must_v beg_v my_o reader_n be_v pardon_n that_o my_o honest_a defense_n of_o truth_n have_v force_v i_o upon_o this_o unseemly_a explanation_n i_o confess_v again_o this_o distich_n carry_v but_o a_o lewd_a idea_n along_o with_o it_o but_o so_o far_o from_o a_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o great_a god_n and_o so_o unpardonable_a as_o he_o fancy_v it_o that_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o profane_a oath_n in_o his_o name_n be_v of_o the_o two_o the_o great_a crimen_fw-la laesae_fw-la majestatis_fw-la dei_fw-la and_o that_o upon_o a_o fair_a trial_n in_o a_o court_n of_o justice_n the_o mulct_n of_o two_o good_a shilling_n or_o as_o many_o hour_n in_o the_o stock_n will_v be_v as_o much_o as_o our_o law_n can_v well_o give_v against_o he_o well_o this_o authot_n have_v the_o least_o reason_n of_o quarrel_v with_o mr._n dryden_n fairy_n way_n of_o write_v his_o way_n of_o comment_v be_v so_o far_o beyond_o it_o that_o all_o his_o own_o fairy_n be_v giant_n whilst_o mr._n dryden_n in_o this_o very_a distict_n be_v no_o less_o than_o lead_v up_o the_o old_a host_n of_o lucifer_n and_o charge_v at_o the_o throne_n of_o god_n himself_o at_o this_o rate_n of_o remark_v i_o dare_v not_o say_v whither_o this_o author_n be_v inspire_v by_o a_o puny_a or_o a_o full_a grow_v spirit_n but_o this_o i_o must_v say_v to_o come_v up_o to_o all_o the_o height_n of_o that_o christian_a champion_n he_o profess_v himself_o undoubted_o he_o must_v have_v a_o double_a portion_n of_o faith_n and_o hope_n to_o make_v up_o for_o his_o diminutive_a talon_n of_o charity_n finis_fw-la