and ’tis our own Fault if they are not lasting.  This certainly must recommend the Stage to the Vertuous; and Piety can’t be offended at the decent reproving of Vice, and the insinuating recommendation of Vertue.  Here we find Morality urg’d by Precept and Example, and the Stage reprehending those Follies which the Pulpit wou’d blush to correct; for tho’ the Church is the Place to declaim against Sin, yet there are some sorts of Wickedness which can’t be so decently reprov’d there; so that the Stage is serviceable on this account, to supply the Defects of the Pulpit.  In short, whatever may be objected against the present management of the Stage, is of no force against such Proceedings as these.  Religion and Morality can receive no Damage here; for as long as these Rules are observ’d, they strictly include both.

It was the Opinion of a great Master of Reason, that Tragedy conduces more to the Instruction of Mankind, than even Philosophy itself, because it teaches the Mind by Sense, and rectifies the Passions by the Passions themselves.  And there is this further Advantage, that we have always the Example of great Men before us, and are generally inclinable to take our Manners from them.  There has indeed Authorities been produc’d against the Stage, tho’ there don’t want as ancient Advocates for it; and some of the Fathers themselves writ Plays, however Mr. Collier came to forget it.

If the Theatre is capable to give us such Advantage, it will easily be prov’d of what necessity there is for its encouragement in this Populous City:  If there were no Politick Reasons, yet the Good to Religion that may be done by it, is a convincing Argument at once for its Lawfulness and Use.  I know the Gravity of some can’t dispense with so much time to be spent in Diversion, tho’ I can’t think this a reasonable Objection where so much Profit may attend our Delight.  If it be lawful to recreate our selves at all, it can never be amiss to frequent such a Diversion, that only takes up our Time to make us wiser.  I wou’d to God all of them were directed to the same End.  No Man is to employ himself so as to exclude the Duties of Religion; and there is as much danger in minding too much the Business of the World, as the Pleasures of it; both of them are to be kept within bounds, and both subservient to Religion.  The Passions of Men are active and restless; and ’tis the Prudence of every State to encourage some publick Exercise to keep them at quiet.  If the Theatre was down, the Churches wou’d not be the fuller for’t.  Or if they shou’d, Religion is not always the design of them who come there; so that I cannot see that any thing can be allow’d for the publick Diversion with so much Innocence and so much, Advantage.  I’m only afraid that such a Regularity wou’d be too Vertuous for the Age; and I don’t doubt but the Beaux and Poetasters wou’d be full of Exclamation:  For it wou’d be a dreadful Time if the Ladies should regard the Play more than