Selected quad for the lemma: law_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
law_n	king_n	lord_n	parliament_n	20,596	5	6.9552	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57291	The stage condemn'd, and the encouragement given to the immoralities and profaneness of the theatre, by the English schools, universities and pulpits, censur'd King Charles I Sundays mask and declaration for sports and pastimes on the Sabbath, largely related and animadverted upon : the arguments of all the authors that have writ in defence of the stage against Mr. Collier, consider'd, and the sense of the fathers, councils, antient philosophers and poets, and of the Greek and Roman States, and of the first Christian Emperours concerning drama, faithfully deliver'd : together with the censure of the English state and of the several antient and modern divines of the Church of England upon the stage, and remarks on diverse late plays : as also on those presented by the two universities to King Charles I.	Ridpath, George, d. 1726.	1698 (1698)	Wing R1468; ESTC R17141	128,520	226

those_o of_o the_o other_o greek_a captain_n he_o have_v name_v then_o as_o to_o his_o roman_a instance_n scipio_n africanus_n be_v so_o far_o from_o approve_v the_o folly_n of_o the_o stage_n that_o he_o pity_v the_o commonwealth_n as_o draw_v near_o its_o ruin_n when_o he_o see_v the_o child_n of_o the_o nobility_n breed_v up_o to_o dance_a and_o sing_v to_o the_o praise_n of_o stage-player_n which_o their_o ancestor_n reckon_v disgraceful_a 3._o and_o therefore_o his_o building_n or_o rather_o advise_v a_o sort_n of_o reform_v as_o to_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o theatre_n to_o distinguish_v the_o senator_n from_o the_o people_n seem_v rather_o to_o have_v proceed_v from_o a_o compliance_n with_o custom_n and_o a_o design_n to_o humour_v the_o time_n than_o from_o his_o approbation_n of_o stage-play_n beside_o there_o be_v no_o man_n acquaint_v with_o roman_a history_n but_o must_v needs_o know_v that_o their_o theatre_n be_v apply_v to_o other_o use_n as_o public_a oration_n and_o the_o execution_n of_o malefactor_n so_o that_o the_o erect_v of_o a_o theatre_n will_v not_o always_o infer_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o drama_n pompey_n indeed_o build_v a_o theatre_n of_o stone_n after_o the_o former_a have_v be_v destroy_v by_o scipio_n nasica_n and_o to_o prevent_v its_o be_v demolish_v by_o the_o censor_n in_o time_n to_o come_v erect_v a_o temple_n of_o venus_n on_o the_o top_n of_o it_o which_o be_v no_o great_a proof_n that_o it_o be_v design_v for_o a_o reformation_n of_o manner_n and_o this_o the_o senate_n be_v so_o sensible_a of_o that_o they_o blame_v pompey_n for_o building_n his_o theatre_n as_o i_o have_v say_v already_o mr._n dennis_n in_o the_o same_o ridiculous_a manner_n ascribe_v the_o union_n of_o the_o french_a and_o their_o conquest_n to_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o drama_n and_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o conquest_n to_o the_o cease_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o dramatic_a poetry_n among_o they_o before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o last_o war_n 61._o but_o if_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o look_v back_o to_o the_o time_n of_o charlemaigne_n who_o be_v a_o mortal_a enemy_n to_o the_o stage_n he_o will_v find_v that_o france_n extend_v her_o conquest_n a_o great_a deal_n further_o then_o under_o his_o conduct_n than_o she_o have_v do_v by_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o drama_n under_o lewis_n fourteen_o and_o keep_v they_o long_o too_o and_o i_o will_v pray_v he_o to_o observe_v that_o our_o own_o glorious_a sovereign_a king_n william_n who_o have_v oblige_v the_o french_a to_o resign_v their_o conquest_n be_v no_o great_a admirer_n of_o the_o stage_n so_o that_o it_o be_v something_o else_o than_o the_o drama_n that_o have_v give_v he_o the_o ascendant_n over_o france_n and_o the_o world_n must_v own_v that_o his_o courage_n and_o conduct_n and_o qualification_n for_o government_n be_v equal_a to_o any_o of_o those_o who_o mr._n dennis_n have_v mention_v as_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o the_o theatre_n in_o his_o second_o chapter_n 68_o he_o will_v persuade_v the_o world_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v particular_o useful_a to_o the_o english_a and_o especial_o the_o present_a government_n because_o the_o english_a be_v more_o prone_a to_o rebellion_n than_o any_o people_n upon_o the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o that_o we_o have_v be_v long_o at_o quiet_a since_o the_o flourish_a of_o the_o drama_n than_o at_o any_o time_n before_o since_o the_o conquest_n and_o that_o the_o civil_a war_n be_v begin_v by_o those_o that_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o stage_n so_o much_o for_o its_o usefulness_n to_o the_o english_a in_o general_n then_o he_o prove_v its_o usefulness_n to_o this_o government_n in_o particular_a because_o some_o of_o its_o friend_n will_v prove_v averse_a to_o it_o if_o the_o stage_n be_v either_o suppress_v or_o very_o much_o discourage_v and_o that_o it_o divert_v the_o enemy_n of_o the_o government_n hinder_v their_o plot_v and_o frequent_v jacobite_n conventicle_n here_o be_v another_o piece_n of_o civility_n to_o the_o nation_n again_o they_o be_v the_o great_a rebel_n on_o earth_n according_a to_o he_o but_o this_o i_o have_v answer_v already_o that_o we_o have_v have_v more_o peace_n since_o the_o flourish_a of_o the_o drama_n than_o at_o any_o time_n since_o the_o conquest_n be_v false_a it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o have_v flourish_v but_o since_o the_o restoration_n of_o charles_n ii_o for_o it_o be_v restrain_v in_o queen_n elizabeth_n time_n by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o banish_v the_o city_n of_o london_n as_o have_v be_v already_o say_v yet_o her_o be_v be_v a_o long_a and_o a_o peaceable_a reign_n stage-player_n be_v condemn_v as_o rogue_n in_o that_o of_o king_n james_n yet_o we_o have_v peace_n all_o his_o time_n but_o the_o unanswerable_a argument_n be_v this_o those_o that_o rebel_v against_o charles_n i._o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o stage_n but_o if_o mr._n dennis_n will_v be_v please_v to_o look_v back_o he_o will_v find_v i_o have_v prove_v that_o the_o incendiary_n and_o fomenter_n of_o the_o civil_a war_n be_v the_o friend_n of_o the_o stage_n who_o teach_v rebellion_n against_o our_o constitution_n set_v the_o king_n above_o all_o law_n and_o will_v have_v tread_v parliament_n under_o foot_n who_o be_v two_o three_o of_o our_o government_n if_o the_o two_o state_n of_o lord_n and_o commons_o may_v be_v allow_v that_o name_n but_o if_o this_o will_v not_o do_v what_o will_v mr._n dennis_n reply_n if_o i_o tell_v he_o that_o those_o very_a man_n who_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o stage_n or_o at_o least_o their_o successor_n in_o principle_n and_o practice_n who_o abhor_v the_o tyranny_n of_o 41_o as_o much_o as_o mr._n dennis_n abhor_v the_o rebellion_n on_o it_o be_v the_o firm_a friend_n this_o government_n have_v and_o here_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o say_v once_o for_o all_o that_o it_o be_v very_o dangerous_a to_o our_o present_a establishment_n to_o have_v the_o theatre_n manage_v by_o such_o kind_n of_o person_n as_o our_o author_n and_o other_o who_o exclaim_v with_o so_o much_o malice_n and_o ignora●●●_n against_o those_o very_a maxim_n which_o contribute_v 〈◊〉_d the_o happy_a revolution_n for_o if_o resist_a or_o dethrone_v a_o prince_n be_v in_o no_o case_n lawful_a which_o be_v the_o common_a theme_n and_o know_a principle_n of_o most_o of_o the_o libeler_n against_o 41_o it_o will_v by_o necessary_a consequence_n condemn_v the_o revolution_n of_o 1688._o so_o very_o useful_a be_v some_o of_o the_o late_a advocate_n and_o author_n for_o the_o stage_n to_o the_o present_a government_n i_o will_v not_o say_v all_o that_o have_v write_v play_n for_o i_o know_v that_o mr._n tate_n and_o some_o other_o who_o part_n deserve_v a_o better_a employment_n be_v person_n of_o generous_a english_a principle_n our_o author_n insinuation_n that_o the_o suppression_n or_o discourage_v of_o the_o stage_n will_v create_v a_o aversion_n in_o any_o of_o the_o friend_n of_o the_o government_n to_o the_o present_a constitution_n be_v so_o very_o silly_a that_o certain_o he_o must_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o himself_o upon_o second_o thought_n do_v he_o think_v that_o a_o prince_n of_o such_o courage_n and_o bravery_n as_o we_o put_v any_o value_n upon_o the_o friendship_n or_o enmity_n of_o a_o parcel_n of_o man_n who_o have_v be_v declare_v rogue_n and_o vagabond_n by_o the_o statute_n or_o that_o the_o nation_n will_v any_o way_n resent_v the_o overturning_a of_o the_o stage_n which_o never_o have_v any_o continue_a foot_n nor_o settle_a encouragement_n among_o we_o but_o under_o the_o reign_n of_o a_o luxurious_a prince_n especial_o consider_v how_o instrumental_a it_o have_v be_v to_o the_o debauch_v of_o our_o youth_n do_v he_o think_v that_o the_o people_n who_o have_v look_v on_o with_o satisfaction_n to_o see_v several_a of_o those_o non-jurant_a bishop_n turn_v out_o of_o their_o see_v though_o once_o they_o adore_v they_o when_o petitioner_n against_o king_n james_n declaration_n will_v bestow_v one_o sigh_n on_o the_o lewd_a stage_n though_o it_o be_v first_o pull_v down_o and_o then_o build_v up_o again_o to_o make_v its_o own_o funeral_n pile_n the_o contrary_n will_v be_v so_o true_a that_o thousand_o of_o husband_n parent_n and_o master_n who_o have_v have_v their_o wife_n child_n and_o servant_n debauch_v by_o it_o will_v glad_o throw_v up_o their_o hat_n at_o such_o a_o bonfire_n and_o lay_v such_o a_o curse_n upon_o those_o that_o shall_v ever_o attempt_v to_o erect_v another_o stage_n as_o joshua_n lay_v upon_o the_o re-builder_n of_o jericho_n the_o nation_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o delicate_a pass_n indeed_o when_o we_o must_v not_o talk_v of_o overturning_a the_o stage_n but_o a_o parcel_n of_o debauch_a wit_n will_v threaten_v the_o government_n if_o the_o thing_n be_v worthy_a of_o his_o majesty_n notice_n he_o may_v well_o

interlude_n can_v serve_v for_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o divert_v their_o meditation_n from_o whatever_o be_v serious_a and_o therefore_o the_o set_n up_o of_o mask_n and_o sport_n and_o pastime_n upon_o sunday_n and_o holyday_n be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o effectual_a method_n that_o the_o enemy_n of_o piety_n can_v have_v invent_v to_o hinder_v the_o effect_n of_o those_o ordinance_n which_o the_o church_n of_o england_n look_v upon_o as_o necessary_a to_o promote_v the_o salvation_n of_o her_o people_n cap._n iii_o the_o s●age_n encourage_v by_o the_o king_n and_o archbishop_n laud'_v book_n of_o sport_n yet_o this_o be_v not_o all_o that_o the_o then_o head_n of_o the_o church_n king_n charles_n the_o first_o and_o laud_v the_o metropolitan_a of_o all_o england_n do_v to_o run_v down_o the_o practice_n of_o piety_n and_o religion_n they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v to_o corrupt_v the_o people_n only_o by_o bad_a example_n but_o enjoin_v also_o the_o book_n of_o sport_n and_o pastime_n to_o be_v read_v by_o the_o bishop_n and_o their_o clergy_n and_o take_v off_o the_o restraint_n that_o be_v lay_v upon_o the_o people_n from_o follow_v such_o practice_n by_o the_o law_n then_o in_o be_v particular_o the_o one_a of_o car._n cap._n 1._o and_o 3d_o car._n cap._n 2._o forbid_v all_o sport_n or_o pastime_n whatsoever_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n in_o the_o first_o it_o be_v complain_v of_o that_o the_o holy_a keep_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n in_o very_a many_o place_n of_o this_o realm_n have_v be_v and_o now_o 〈◊〉_d prosane_v and_o neglect_v by_o a_o disorderly_a sort_n of_o people_n in_o exercise_v and_o frequent_v bearbaiting_a bullbaiting_n interlude_n common-plays_a and_o other_o unlawful_a exercise_n and_o pastime_n yet_o the_o king_n contrary_a to_o his_o own_o law_n set_v up_o interlude_n and_o mask_n in_o his_o palace_n on_o sunday_n and_o by_o his_o declaration_n for_o sport_n and_o pastime_n on_o sunday_n do_v perfect_o dispense_v with_o the_o say_a law_n and_o reflect_v severe_o upon_o those_o that_o will_v hinder_v the_o people_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o such_o sport_n and_o pastime_n as_o puritan_n and_o precisian_n and_o archbishop_n laud_n and_o the_o govern_v part_n of_o the_o church_n join_v with_o he_o in_o prosecute_a mr._n prin_fw-mi for_o his_o histriomastix_n wherein_o he_o write_v against_o those_o play_n and_o interlude_n especial_o such_o as_o be_v act_v on_o sunday_n and_o be_v so_o embitter_v against_o he_o that_o on_o feb._n 1._o 1632._o laud_n procure_v he_o to_o be_v send_v close_a prisoner_n to_o the_o tower_n where_o he_o lie_v till_o the_o 21_o of_o june_n 1633._o when_o a_o information_n without_o mention_v any_o particular_a passage_n in_o his_o book_n be_v exhibit_v against_o he_o in_o the_o star-chamber_n for_o publish_v a_o book_n concern_v interlude_n entitle_v histriomastix_n which_o be_v license_v by_o a_o chaplain_n of_o dr._n abbot_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n notwithstanding_o which_o licence_n he_o have_v this_o heavy_a sentence_n pass_v upon_o he_o viz._n to_o be_v imprison_v during_o life_n pay_v 5000_o l._n fine_a be_v expel_v lincolns-inn_n disable_v to_o exercise_v the_o profession_n of_o a_o barrister_n degrade_v by_o the_o university_n of_o oxford_n of_o his_o degree_n take_v there_o and_o that_o do_v to_o be_v set_v in_o the_o pillory_n at_o westminster_n and_o have_v one_o of_o his_o ear_n cut_v off_o and_o at_o another_o time_n to_o be_v se●_n in_o the_o pillory_n in_o cheapside_n and_o there_o to_o have_v his_o other_o ear_n cut_v off_o which_o be_v according_o execute_v on_o the_o seven_o and_o 10_o of_o may_n and_o he_o remain_v s●ndry_a year_n in_o the_o tower_n upon_o this_o censure_n though_o the_o queen_n be_v say_v to_o have_v intercede_v earnest_o for_o the_o remission_n of_o this_o sentence_n which_o be_v tyrannical_a to_o the_o high_a degree_n consider_v ●he_n law_n beforementioned_a against_o stage-plays_a declare_v the_o actor_n to_o be_v rogue_n etc._n etc._n as_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o 39th_o of_o eliz._n and_o the_o seven_o of_o king_n james_n the_o first_o have_v be_v so_o successful_a against_o mr._n prin_fw-mi laud_n and_o his_o faction_n take_v courage_n and_o prevail_v with_o his_o majesty_n to_o publish_v his_o declaration_n concern_v recreation_n on_o the_o lord_n day_n after_o evening_n prayer_n date_v octob._n 18._o in_o the_o nine_o year_n of_o his_o reign_n which_o be_v 1634._o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o find_v this_o declaration_n on_o one_o of_o his_o father_n king_n james_n in_o anno_fw-la 1618._o wherein_o it_o be_v say_v that_o when_o that_o prince_n return_v from_o scotland_n he_o find_v his_o subject_n but_o chief_o those_o in_o lancashire_n debar_v from_o lawful_a recreation_n on_o sunday_n after_o evening_n prayer_n for_o which_o he_o rebuke_v the_o puritan_n and_o publish_v his_o declaration_n that_o none_o shall_v thereafter_o prohibit_v his_o good_a subject_n from_o use_v their_o lawful_a recreation_n on_o that_o day_n he_o add_v in_o another_o part_n of_o it_o that_o his_o county_n of_o lancashire_n to_o his_o great_a regret_n have_v more_o popish_a recusant_n than_o any_o other_o county_n in_o england_n but_o be_v inform_v by_o his_o judge_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n that_o they_o be_v beginning_n to_o amend_v he_o be_v very_o sorry_a to_o hear_v the_o general_a complaint_n of_o his_o people_n that_o they_o be_v debar_v from_o all_o lawful_a recreation_n and_o exercise_n on_o sunday_n after_o the_o end_n of_o all_o divine_a service_n which_o can_v not_o but_o produce_v two_o evil_n viz._n the_o hinder_v the_o conversion_n of_o many_o who_o their_o priest_n will_v persuade_v that_o there_o be_v no_o honest_a mirth_n or_o recreation_n allow_v in_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o set_n up_o of_o filthy_a tipple_a and_o drink_v and_o breed_v a_o number_n of_o idle_a and_o discontent_a speech_n on_o those_o day_n his_o express_a pleasure_n therefore_o be_v that_o no_o lawful_a recreation_n shall_v be_v bar_v to_o his_o good_a people_n and_o that_o the_o bishop_n shall_v take_v strict_a order_n with_o all_o puritan_n and_o precisian_n and_o either_o constrain_v they_o to_o conform_v themselves_o or_o to_o leave_v the_o country_n and_o that_o his_o pleasure_n be_v that_o his_o good_a people_n shall_v not_o be_v hinder_v after_o the_o end_n of_o divine_a service_n on_o sunday_n from_o their_o lawful_a recreation_n such_o as_o dance_v either_o man_n or_o woman_n archery_n leap_v vault_a nor_o from_o have_v of_o may-game_n whitsonale_n morrice-dances_a and_o set_v up_o of_o maypole_n or_o other_o sport_n therewith_o use_v and_o he_o bar_v from_o those_o sport_n all_o recusant_n that_o abstain_v from_o come_v to_o church_n and_o divine_a service_n and_o those_o that_o though_o they_o conform_v in_o religion_n do_v not_o come_v to_o church_n be_v the_o place_n proper_a for_o it_o this_o declaration_n afford_v a_o large_a field_n for_o reflection_n here_o be_v the_o platonic_a king_n the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n the_o ●irst_n as_o some_o say_v to_o who_o they_o give_v the_o title_n of_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n who_o to_o convert_v the_o papist_n as_o he_o pretend_v order_v the_o lord_n day_n to_o be_v profane_v with_o such_o sport_n and_o pastime_n as_o tend_v to_o debauch_v the_o moral_n of_o the_o people_n and_o yet_o will_v not_o show_v the_o least_o favour_n to_o the_o strict_a sort_n of_o protestant_n but_o brand_v they_o with_o the_o nickname_n of_o puritan_n and_o precisian_n and_o order_n his_o bishop_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o conformity_n or_o to_o expel_v they_o the_o country_n but_o the_o pleasant_a jest_n be_v this_o that_o he_o invite_v they_o to_o come_v to_o church_n by_o the_o tempt_a reward_n of_o have_v liberty_n to_o profane_v the_o sabbath_n which_o they_o perfect_o abhor_v his_o son_n king_n charles_n 1._o corroborates_n this_o declaration_n by_o he_o of_o the_o 18_o of_o oct._n 1634._o which_o he_o begin_v thus_o now_o out_o of_o the_o like_a pious_a care_n for_o the_o service_n of_o god_n and_o suppress_v any_o humour_n that_o oppose_v truth_n and_o for_o the_o ease_n comfort_n and_o recreation_n of_o our_o well-deserving_a people_n we_o do_v ratify_v and_o publish_v this_o our_o bless_a father_n declaration_n this_o declaration_n do_v but_o too_o much_o verify_v what_o a_o old_a reverend_n divine_a of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n say_v to_o king_n james_n i._o when_o he_o ask_v his_o blessing_n on_o his_o journey_n to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o crown_n of_o england_n viz._n pray_v god_n bless_v you_o sir_n and_o make_v you_o a_o good_a man_n but_o he_o have_v ill_a stuff_n to_o make_v it_o of_o the_o declaration_n add_v we_o command_v that_o no_o man_n do_v trouble_n or_o molest_v any_o of_o our_o loyal_a people_n in_o or_o ●rom_o their_o lawful_a recreation_n and_o we_o further_o will_v that_o

their_o sense_n and_o lust_n as_o one_o that_o have_v the_o green-sickness_n may_v say_v coal_n and_o clay_n and_o ash_n do_v i_o more_o good_a than_o meat_n because_o they_o be_v not_o so_o sit_v to_o judge_v as_o those_o that_o have_v a_o healthful_a state_n and_o appetite_n and_o it_o seldom_o please_v the_o conscience_n of_o a_o die_a man_n to_o remember_v the_o time_n he_o have_v spend_v at_o stage-play_n ix_o usual_o there_o be_v much_o cost_n bestow_v on_o they_o which_o may_v be_v better_o employ_v and_o therefore_o be_v unlawful_a x._o god_n have_v appoint_v a_o state_v mean_n of_o instruct_v soul_n by_o parent_n minister_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v much_o more_o fit_a and_o powerful_a therefore_o that_o time_n be_v better_o spend_v and_o it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o playhouse_n be_v not_o a_o state_v mean_n of_o man_n institution_n set_v up_o to_o the_o same_o pretend_a use_n as_o the_o church_n and_o ministry_n of_o christ_n and_o so_o be_v not_o against_o the_o second_o 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which_o be_v give_v they_o for_o more_o important_a business_n and_o which_o they_o will_v wish_v and_o wish_v again_o at_o last_o that_o they_o have_v spend_v more_o wise_o i_o know_v the_o fantastic_a will_v say_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v innocent_a and_o may_v teach_v man_n much_o good_a like_o he_o that_o must_v go_v to_o a_o whore-house_n to_o learn_v to_o hate_v uncleanness_n and_o he_o that_o will_v go_v out_o with_o robber_n to_o learn_v to_o hate_v thievery_n but_o i_o shall_v now_o only_o ask_v they_o as_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n 1._o whether_o they_o can_v spend_v that_o time_n no_o better_o 2._o whether_o better_a book_n and_o practice_n will_v not_o edisie_v they_o more_o 3._o whether_o the_o great_a lover_n of_o romance_n and_o play_n he_o the_o great_a lover_n of_o the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o of_o a_o holy_a life_n 4._o whether_o they_o feel_v in_o themselves_o that_o the_o love_n of_o these_o vanity_n do_v increase_v their_o love_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o kill_v their_o sin_n and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o life_n to_o come_v or_o clean_a contrary_n and_o i_o will_v desire_v man_n not_o to_o prate_v against_o their_o own_o experience_n and_o reason_n nor_o to_o dispute_v themselves_o into_o damnable_a impertinency_n nor_o to_o befool_v their_o soul_n by_o a_o few_o silly_a word_n which_o any_o but_o a_o sensualist_n may_v perceive_v to_o be_v mere_a dece●t_n and_o falsehood_n if_o this_o will_v not_o serve_v they_o shall_v be_v short_o convince_v and_o answer_v in_o another_o manner_n cap._n xviii_o reflection_n on_o some_o late_o play_v first_o on_o beauty_n in_o distress_n i_o come_v next_o to_o make_v some_o remark_n on_o m._n motteux_n play_v call_v beauty_n in_o distress_n which_o it_o seem_v he_o and_o his_o friend_n mr._n dryden_n propose_v as_o a_o pattern_n of_o reformation_n it_o be_v e●sie_a in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o observe_v from_o mr._n dryden_n poetical_a epistle_n to_o the_o author_n that_o it_o 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the_o stage_n condemn_v and_o the_o encouragement_n give_v to_o the_o immorality_n and_o profaneness_n of_o the_o theatre_n by_o the_o english_a school_n university_n and_o pulpit_n censure_v king_n charles_n 1._o sundays_n mask_n and_o declaration_n for_o sport_n and_o pastime_n on_o the_o sabbath_n large_o relate_v and_o animadvert_v upon_o the_o argument_n of_o all_o the_o author_n that_o have_v write_v in_o defence_n of_o the_o stage_n against_o mr._n collier_n consider_v and_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o father_n council_n ancient_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n and_o of_o the_o greek_a and_o roman_a state_n and_o of_o the_o first_o christian_n emperor_n concern_v the_o drama_n faithful_o deliver_v together_o with_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o english_a state_n and_o of_o several_a ancient_n and_o modern_a divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n upon_o the_o stage_n and_o remark_n on_o diverse_a late_a play_n as_o also_o on_o those_o present_v by_o the_o two_o university_n to_o 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alone_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o apply_v the_o sovereign_a remedy_n by_o oblige_v magistrate_n and_o minister_n to_o perform_v their_o duty_n or_o enable_v they_o to_o do_v it_o by_o new_a law_n if_o those_o we_o have_v already_o be_v not_o sufficient_a our_o gracious_a sovereign_n have_v not_o only_o rescue_v we_o from_o popery_n and_o tyranny_n but_o out_o of_o his_o fatherly_a care_n to_o prevent_v our_o future_a danger_n have_v again_o and_o again_o recommend_v it_o to_o his_o people_n to_o take_v effectual_a method_n for_o the_o suppress_v of_o profaneness_n and_o immorality_n which_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o liberty_n make_v use_v of_o as_o the_o most_o successful_a engine_n to_o ruin_n both_o the_o author_n of_o this_o treatise_n have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o stage_n be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n owe_v to_o the_o method_n of_o educate_v our_o youth_n in_o school_n from_o whence_o the_o infection_n spread_v into_o the_o university_n and_o pulpit_n and_o have_v be_v encourage_v by_o the_o late_a reign_n and_o part_n of_o the_o clergy_n have_v at_o last_o prove_v so_o fatal_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o 〈◊〉_d ●●●ople_n that_o the_o stage_n be_v become_v a_o general_a 〈◊〉_d and_o have_v be_v complain_v of_o as_o such_o 〈◊〉_d by_o puritan_n and_o those_o who_o oppose_v king_n charles_n i._o as_o the_o advocate_n of_o the_o theatre_n do_v false_o pretend_v but_o by_o ancient_n and_o modern_a church_n of_o england_n divine_v and_o have_v be_v sometime_o restrain_v and_o at_o other_o time_n entire_o banish_v by_o the_o state_n of_o england_n in_o parliament_n assemble_v whether_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o present_a stage_n be_v such_o as_o may_v deserve_v a_o more_o favourable_a censure_n at_o your_o hand_n be_v submit_v as_o be_v fit_v it_o shall_v to_o your_o great_a wisdom_n in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n there_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o great_a of_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o poet_n of_o the_o heathen_a greek_a and_o roman_a state_n of_o the_o first_o christian_a emperor_n etc._n etc._n and_o of_o our_o english_a state_n against_o the_o theatre_n fair_o exhibit_v but_o see_v the_o defender_n of_o the_o playhouse_n argue_v the_o usefulness_n of_o it_o to_o the_o english_a nation_n in_o general_n and_o to_o the_o present_a govenment_n in_o particular_a it_o be_v reasonable_a the_o appeal_n shall_v be_v to_o our_o honourable_a representative_n and_o that_o the_o argument_n pro_fw-la and_o con_v shall_v be_v lay_v before_o they_o not_o doubt_v if_o they_o think_v fit_a at_o all_o to_o take_v it_o into_o consideration_n but_o they_o will_v give_v a_o true_a and_o righteous_a judgement_n in_o the_o matter_n it_o be_v not_o in_o england_n alone_o where_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o the_o immorality_n and_o profaneness_n of_o it_o be_v the_o present_a subject_n of_o controversy_n but_o in_o france_n and_o italy_n nay_o at_o rome_n itself_o where_o as_o well_o as_o at_o paris_n the_o stage_n have_v of_o late_a as_o all_o the_o public_a intelligence_n inform_v we_o receive_v a_o check_n though_o the_o prefacer_n to_o the_o play_n call_v beauty_n in_o distress_n say_v the_o french_a stage_n be_v so_o reform_a as_o not_o to_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n the_o honour_n of_o our_o nation_n and_o religion_n will_v therefore_o seem_v to_o require_v that_o our_o theatre_n shall_v come_v under_o examination_n as_o well_o as_o they_o but_o the_o time_n whe●_n and_o the_o method_n how_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o king_n and_o parliament_n to_o determine_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o our_o english_a lady_n and_o gentlewoman_n who_o encouragement_n and_o presence_n be_v the_o most_o powerful_a argument_n after_o all_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o stage_n and_o by_o who_o absent_v themselves_o it_o must_v 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