Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the English Stage (1704); Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage in a Letter to a Lady (1704) by Anonymous
page 22 of 36 (61%)
page 22 of 36 (61%)
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Welfare? or rather, Must they not own, that by the seeing of Plays they
are more indisposed for Religious Performances; that the Awe and Reverence which they had for God and Religion, and the Horrour which they had at the Sins which they there see Men divert themselves with, and make a Jest of, does thereby wear off; that their sensual Desires are more heightned and enflamed; that they are more alienated from God, and more enamoured with the World? VIII. Can Persons who are sensible of, and do heartily lament their want of the Love and Fear of God, their too great a Love of the World, the frequent Distractions of their Mind in Prayer, and the Unruliness of their Lusts and Passions, delight to frequent a Place where they are surrounded with Temptations to the Love of the World; where what can excite to unlawful Desires and Actions is promoted; and the Arts of an easie Defilement are studied? Can they think this consistent with the Rules of keeping from all Appearance of Evil, of avoiding the Occasions and Temptations to Sin, and that Watchfulness over their Thoughts, and that Diligence in making their Calling and Election sure, as the Gospel requires? Do they in any wise herein adorn their Profession, resemble the Christians who lived in the first Ages of Christianity; or those who in any Age since have been celebrated for their Virtue? IX. Can Persons in good earnest pray, as they are directed in the Lord's-Prayer, _Not to be led into Temptation_, and yet frequent the Play-House, where they are assaulted with more and greater Temptations than incounter them perhaps in any other Place? X. Can such Persons as go to the _Play-Houses_ on Week-days, and appear in our _Churches_ on the Lord's-day, and even at the Holy Sacrament, where they declare, that they _present themselves, their Souls and |
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