To conclude. Profaness tho' never so well corrected is not to be endured. It ought to be Banish'd without _Proviso_, or Limitation. No pretence of _Character_ or Punishment, can excuse it; or any _Stage-Discipline_ make it tolerable. 'Tis grating to _Christian_ Ears, dishonourable to the Majesty of God, and dangerous in the Example. And in a Word, It tends to no point, unless it be to wear off the horrour of the Practise, to weaken the force of Conscience, and teach the Language of the Damn'd.
The Satyr of the _Stage_ upon the _Clergy_ is extreamly Particular. In other cases, They level at a single Mark, and confine themselves to Persons. But here their Buffoonry takes an unusual Compass; They shoot Chain'd-shot, and strike at Universals. They play upon the _Character_, and endeavour to expose not only the Men, but the Business. 'Tis true, the Clergy are no small Rub in the _Poets_ way. 'Tis by their Ministrations that Religion is perpetuated, the other World Refresh'd, and the Interest of Virtue kept up. Vice will never have an unlimited Range, nor Conscience be totally subdued, as long as People are so easy as to be Priest-ridden! As long as these Men are look'd on as the Messengers of Heaven, and the Supports of Government, and enjoy their old Pretentions in Credit and Authority; as long as this Grievance continues, the _Stage_ must decline of Course, and Atheism give Ground, and Lewdness lie under Censure, and Discouragment. Therefore that Liberty may not be embarrass'd, nor Principles make Head against Pleasure, the _Clergy_ must be attack'd, and rendred Ridiculous.
To represent a Person fairly and without disservice to his Reputation, two Things are to be observ'd. First He must not be ill used by others: Nor Secondly be made to Play the Fool Himself. This latter way of Abuse is rather the worst, because here a Man is a sort of _Felo de se_; and appears Ridiculous by his own fault. The Contradiction of both these Methods is practised by the _Stage_. To make sure work on't, they leave no stone unturn'd, The whole _Common place_ of Rudeness is run through. They strain their Invention and their Malice: And overlook nothing in ill Nature, or ill Manners, to gain their point.