and to shew how transcendent his own Skill in these things is, he has help’d the Author to a better Name for his Play, and says, The Younger Brother, or, The Fortunate Cheat, had been much properer. [Footnote:  Collier, p. 210.] This shews some good will he has to the Comick Trade however; and I doubt not, but if his Closet were Ransack’d, we might find a divertive Scene or two, effects of his idle Non-preaching hours, where Modesty, Wit, and good Behaviour, would be shewn in perfection.

And yet, as to his own humour, we find it to be, by his Book, more fickle than even the Wind, or Feminine frailty in its highest Inconstancy.  One while he’s for Instructing our Stage, Modelling our Plays, Correcting the Drama, the Unity, Time and Place, and acts as very a Poet as ever writ an ill Play, or slept at an ill Sermon; and then, presently after, wheiw, in the twinkling of an Ejaculution, as Parson Say-grace has it, he’s summoning together a Convocation of old Fathers, to prove the Stage in past Ages exploded, and all Plays horrible, abominable Debauchers of youth, and not to be encourag’d in a Civil Government.  What can we think of this, especialiy when I find him in this Paragraph of his Book * raving on at this rate, and quoting to us, That St. Cyprian, or the Author de Spectaculis, argues thus against those who thought the Play-House no unlawful diversion; ’tis too tedious to recite all, but enough of St. Cyprian for my purpose runs thus: 

What business has a Christian at such Places as these?  A Christian who has not the liberty so much as to think of an ill thing, why does he entertain himself with lewd Representations?  Has he a mind to discharge his Modesty, and be flesh’d for the Practice?  Yes, this is the consequence, by using to see these things, he’ll learn to do them; what need I mention the Levities and Impertinencies in Comedies, or the Ranting distractions of Tragedy, were these things unconcern’d with Idolatry, Christians ought not to be at them, for were they not highly Criminal, the foolery of them is Egregious, and unbecoming the gravity of Believers.

And then again, before he is out of breath,

A Christian has much better Sights than these to look at, he has solid Satisfactions in his power, which will please and improve him at the same time.  Would a Christian be agreeably refresh’d, let him read the Scriptures, here the Entertainment will suit his Character, and be big enough for his quality.  Ah, Beloved, how noble, how moving, how profitable a thing is it, to be thus employ’d, to have our expectations always in prospect, and be intent on the glories of Heaven!

Very good, and who is he so reprobated, that will not allow this to be devout, and admirable good Counsel?  But now let us see how the Absolver, for all Pious quotation, has follow’d St. Cyprian’s Advice; that holy Father charges him not to entertain