Nurse, after a great deal of Profane Stuff concludes her expostulation in these words: But his Worship (Young Fashion) over-flows with his Mercy and his Bounty; He is not only pleas'd to forgive us our Sins——but which is more than all, has prevail'd with me to become the Wife of thy Bosom:p. 96, 97.[154] This is very heavy, and ill dress'd. And an Atheist must be sharp set to relish it. The Vertuous Amanda, makes no scruple to charge the Bible with untruths.
—What Slippery stuff are Men compos'd of?
Sure the Account of their Creation's false,
And 'twas the Womans Rib that they were form'd of.Ibid.[155]
Thus this Lady abuses her self, together with the Scripture, and shews her Sense, and her Religion, to be much of a Size.
Berinthia, after she has given in a Scheme for the debauching Amanda, is thus accosted by Worthy: Thou Angel of Light, let me fall down and, adore thee!p.91.[156] A most Seraphick Compliment to a Procuress! And 'tis possible some Angel or other, may thank him for't in due time.
I am quite tired with these wretched Sentences. The sight indeed is horrible, and I am almost unwilling to shew it. However they shall be Produced like Malefactors, not for Pomp, but Execution. Snakes and Vipers, must sometimes be look'd on, to destroy them. I can't forbear expressing my self with some warmth under these Provocations. What Christian can be unconcern'd at such intolerable Abuses? What can be a juster Reason for indignation than Insolence and Atheism? Resentment can never be better shown, nor Aversion more seasonably exerted! Nature made the Ferment and Rising of the Blood, for such occasions as This. On what unhappy Times are we fallen! The Oracles of Truth, the Laws of Omnipotence, and the Fate of Eternity are Laught at and despis'd! That the Poets should be suffer'd to play upon the Bible, and Christianity be Hooted off the Stage! Christianity that from such feeble beginings made so stupendious a progress! That over-bore all the Oppositions of Power, and Learning; and with Twelve poor Men, outstretch'd the Roman Empire. That this glorious Religion so reasonable in its Doctrine, so well attested by Miracles, by Martyrs, by all the Evidence that Fact is capable of, should become the Diversion of the Town, and the Scorn of Buffoons! And where, and by whom is all this Out-rage committed? why not by Julian, or Porphirie, not among Turks or Heathens, but in a Christian Country, in a Reform'd Church, and in the Face of Authority! Well! I perceive the Devil was a Saint in his Oracles, to what he is in his Plays. His Blasphemies are as much improv'd as his Stile, and one would think the Muse was Legion! I suppose the Reader may be satisfied already: But if he desires farther proof, there's something more flamingly impious behind.
The Christian Almeida when Sebastian was in danger, Raves and Foames like one Possess'd,
But is there Heaven, for I begin to doubt?Don. Sebastian. p. 51.[157]
Now take your swing ye impious Sin unpunish'd,