Let us now just look over our own Country-men till King _Charles_ the Second. _Shakespear_ takes the Freedom to represent the _Clergy_ in several of his _Plays_: But for the most part he holds up the _Function_, and makes them neither Act, nor Suffer any thing unhandsom. In one Play or two He is much bolder with the _Order_.[265] Sr. _Hugh Evans_ a _Priest_ is too Comical and Secular in his Humour. However he understands his Post, and converses with the Freedom of a Gentleman. I grant in _Loves Labour lost_ the _Curate_ plays the Fool egregiously; And so does the _Poet_ too, for the whole _Play_ is a very silly one. In the History of Sr. _John Old-Castle_, Sr. _John, Parson_ of _Wrotham_ Swears, Games, Wenches, Pads, Tilts, and Drinks: This is extreamly bad, and like the Author of the _Relapse_ &c. Only with this difference; _Shakespears_, Sr. _John_ has some Advantage in his Character. He appears Loyal, and Stout; He brings in Sr. _John Acton_, and other Rebels Prisoners. He is rewarded by the King, and the Judge uses him Civilly and with Respect. In short He is represented Lewd, but not Little; And the Disgrace falls rather on the Person, then the Office. But the _Relapsers_ business, is to sink the Notion, and Murther the Character, and make the Function despicable: So that upon the whole, _Shakespear_ is by much the gentiler Enemy.
Towards the End of the _Silent Woman_, _Ben Johnson_ brings in a _Clergy-man_, and a _Civilian_ in their _Habits_. But then he premises a handsom Excuse, acquaints the _Audience_, that the _Persons_ are but borrowed, and throws in a _Salvo_ for the Honour of either profession. In the Third _Act_, we have another _Clergy-man_; He is abused by _Cutberd_, and a little by _Morose_. But his Lady checks him for the ill Breeding of the Usage. In his _Magnetick Lady_, _Tale of a Tub_, and _Sad Sheapherd_, there are _Priests_ which manage but untowardly. But these _Plays_ were his _last Works_, which Mr. _Dryden_ calls _his Dotages_.[266] This Author has no more _Priests_, and therefore we'll take Leave.
_Beaumont_ and _Fletcher_ in the _Faithful Shepheardess_, _The False one_, _A Wife for a Month_, and the _Knight of Malta_, give, us both _Priests_ and _Bishops_, part Heathen and part Christian: But all of them save their Reputation and make a creditable Appearance. The _Priests_ in the _Scornful Lady_, and _Spanish Curate_ are ill used. The first is made a Fool, and the other a Knave. Indeed they seem to be brought in on purpose to make sport, and disserve Religion. And so much for _Beaumont_ and _Fletcher_.
