If this be the Case in the Main, as it plainly appears from the Account above mention'd, and might further be shewn by a very great addition of proof; then whether all this can be found at any one time, or whether some Days may not possibly be pretty clear of it all but what is brought thither, is not very material, more than to determin, what particular Plays should always be chosen by those that will go to Any. For the fitness of allowing this Custom, or giving it any Encouragement, will not depend upon it's not being faulty alike in every Part; but 'tis enough to condemn it, if what has been said is the general Scope, tho' I doubt a Tryal wou'd shew that All offend in one thing or other.
Matters, then, being so, you will readily grant that they who go to be pleased, with any of those things which are hardly fit to be named; are wickedly bent, and live to the Scandal of that Religion they still make some shew to profess: Tho' not enough to give any hopes of their being reclaim'd, until we can find them perswaded indeed, that there is such a thing as Sin in the World, which will certainly have its Wages at last.
But for those who are satisfied of this, and wou'd be loath to savour so much as the Appearance of Evil, they must be beg'd to consider, what Vows they are under, and whereof they are made, and How much Weaker still many Others may be, and What Mankind must come to in time if this Humour prevails, and How much the next Life must be at this rate more wretched than this!
Who that reflected what it was to Renounce the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, wou'd play with the sharpest Weapons of these, and offer themselves to such apparent Danger in Sport? there's not one of these Enemies but know how to take the utmost advantage, and will be sure to hit all the Blots that they give, they cannot without receiving some hurt, be so much as a Minate off from their Guard; and sure they do not come hither to Watch.
Who that had engaged to believe the Christian Faith, cou'd be content to see it exposed in every branch? To have their Lord and Master affronted for pretending to Save, and his Ministers scorn'd for the work he gave them to do! to hear a Moment preferr'd to the hopes of Eternity, and the Judgment to come thrown off with a Jest!
Who that had promised Obedience to God in all his Wise and Holy Commands, would bear the seeing them not only broken with ease, as often as Mens Inclinations rose up against them, but charged as unconcernedly too with harshness and folly! Their Souls one wou'd think shou'd be vex'd at such daring Impieties, and their Spirits stirr'd in them to see such Vices Adored; to find Lewdness vaunting it over Religion and Virtue, and usurping their place in a bold recommending itself to the affections of Men, with all those Advantages God design'd for the Adorning of Things that were really Good.
And who wou'd lightly endure all this, that from their Vows went on to reflect of what they were made? I suppose they wou'd find as they often complain, that they are Weak and Infirm, that while this Flesh and Blood is about them, their Souls are heavy, apt to decline, and seldom continue long in one posture and stay; that the World is upon them where ever they go, and the Devil busily marking their steps in every Path. That their Faith wavers upon many Surprises, their Hopes languish, and their Fervour decays; that in such cold seasons as these, their Spirits move but stiffly about, and seldom rise into any earnest petitions for Grace, but sink under the burden of Prayer, or steal away to some Trifle, or other for a little Relief. That in such cases they have no Heart to go on with the rest of their Duties, all the Commandments of God growing grievous upon them, and Repentance beginning to have a discouraging face: That they know not how to follow their Master, wheresoever he goeth with all this Oppression, the Cross being now too much for them to take up, and they feeling now no Ease in his Yoke.
And when they often find it thus to their grief, even where they think they take care to prevent it, wou'd one ever believe they shou'd act, as if they desir'd these Gloomy Returns, or thought the present Light they enjoy'd cou'd never be obscured again? How shall we do to think them sincere in their daily bewailings of Human Infirmities, while they continue to lay new weights on their Nature, as if the common Occasions of Life afforded not tryal enough for their faith, unless they call'd in Temptations to prove how much they coul'd bear?
Wou'd they that desired to be fervent in Prayer, and attend on the Lord with as little Distraction as their State would admit, fill their Heads with a crowd of extravagant thoughts, and run to see Devotion it self ridiculed, as if nothing was in it but Solemn Pretences? Or wou'd they that proposed to have their Affections in order, and their Appetites calm, chuse to thrust in themselves, where Moving the Passions is the business in hand, and such things are rendred inviting, to which the Heart is but too much inclined?
It cannot sure be safe for any to let Errours come often before them in such shapes, as may make them wish they were true. It must needs enfeeble their Minds, to have those Spirits divided that want to be fixed; and to converse with loose Manners brought down into fashion, and dress'd up with intent to deceive, is much too great a hazard to run in that little ground that is left to hope for the grace and assistance of God, where his Spirit is griev'd, and his Being deny'd.