Part 3

The _Sense of God_ being pretty well laid, the next thing to be sunk is all Respect to Superiours here; A _Prince_ seldom appears to advantage, and 'tis easie to guess what use of this the Subjects will make. Imposing on _Parents_, and despising their Age is made a Mark of Spirit and Wit, and few are brought in _dull_ enough to _Obey_. False Notions of _Honour_ are here proposed as the ground of Esteem, and something of _Wildness_ must go to the gaining _Applause_. To set up for themselves is the first thing young People must learn, and to think it brave to trample on all that stands in their Way: No _Greatness_ like a thorough _Revenge_, nor any Spirit so _Mean_ as that which _forgives_; _Abusing_ those that honestly help them with their _Labour_, or _Goods_, has briskness and _Reach_, and a lively _Cheat_ go's off with more _Reputation_ than paying ones _Debts_.

Their _Friendships_ are built upon serving their Pleasures, and so cannot but be as loose as that which holds them together: They who are Constant in breaking their _Vows_, shall here be caress'd as _Faithful_ and _True_; but to shew _Fidelity_ where it is ow'd, is too _formal_ a business for those who have the _sense_ to be _free_, and can relish nothing but what is forbid.

This makes them treat all _Regular Love_ with that Stile of contempt, as if keeping of Measures was unbecoming our nature; and it was a shame to have the _Bed undefiled_. They mix with _Marriage_ all the disagreeable things they can find to turn the _single_ against it, and make those that are in weary and sick of so flouted a _State_: To increase their uneasiness under which Holy and Prudent Restraint, wandring Images are dressed up with all possible skill to affect them, and their heads are filled with the ways, of bringing these strange Desires to pass.

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.

And it is to be feared that they who come freest from any of that Pollution, which is in such quantities scattered there, have at least some dust to wipe off before they get home: 'Tis hard staying so long in such a Cloud of black vapours and smoak, without having so much as a soiling remain; great odds it is, but something will stick for a sober reflection to banish, and a Prayer to correct. And who is there that wants more work of that nature than He has already.

But tho' these shou'd be well enough armed to go away as clear as they came, yet Methinks they shou'd have some concern for the _Weakness of Others_, and the heat of their blood, as not to lead them into so _Contagious_ a _Place_. All that go thither as yet uncorrupted, are not however so fully prepar'd, as to be above taking any Infection: Their Experience is little, and their Aversions to Evil but imperfectly setled; that it can't be expected they shou'd be proof against all the Assaults that are made in a pleasing Disguise. That _Root of Vanity_ that secretly twists it self with their natures, is drawn out by degrees, and they are carryed on to the hopes of their _Liberty_ and of being _Admired_.

Now were they to find no Company here, but such as were lost to good manners and shame, they wou'd suspect some deceit in the whole, and look well to themselves: But going under the shelter of many that have names for Religion, and I trust have it indeed; they are emboldned to think they are very secure, and that there is no need of being so Nice. Thus while those, by whose Example these are encouraged, preserve it may be themselves from the _Danger_ they run; these unwary beholders take all that glisters for Gold, and are sadly betray'd.

[Sidenote: 1 Cor. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.]

St. _Pauls_ advice to those that were strong, in another case is so fitted to this, that I cannot forbear the letting you have it at large. _Take heed_ (says he) _least by any means this Liberty of yours become a Stumbling-block to them that are weak. For if any Man see thee which hast knowledge, sit at Meat in the Idols Temple, shall not the Conscience of him that is weak, be emboldned to eat those things that are offered to Idols: And through thy knowledge shall the weak Brother perish, for whom Christ dyed? But when ye sin so against the Brethren, and wound their weak Consciences, ye sin against Christ_.

And as forreign as this Instance may seem, was there any comfort in drawing the _Parallel_, we shou'd find but too great a Similitude between the _Places_ in question, and the _Idolatrous Temples_; while the other difference that is in the case seems to lie on the side I am writing, that if Christians might sin in the use of their _Liberty_ to the offence of their Brethren, much more wou'd they do so in such a Point as we have before us, where their own Consciences can hardly be clear, as we shall think it more difficult for them to be, if we consider yet further what _Mankind_ will come to at last if this _Humour_ prevails.

It is confess'd on all hands, that we live in a sad degenerate Age, and though some have suggested other causes of our horrid Declension, yet most considering People have the fairness to own, that the _Stage_ has gon furthest in running us down to this low and almost Brutal condition; nor will there remain much question of this, if we can but agree what _Corruption_ is.

If Exposing Religion with the Persons and things design'd for the keeping it up in the World, will pass for disorder; or if the Increase of Pride and Injustice, Blood and Revenge, are any signs of our being _Depraved_; or if want of Modesty, Obedience, and Love, contempt of Marriage, and neglect of it's Bonds may serve to shew the _foundations_ of things to be at all _out of Course_. I think we have sufficient warrant to lay the confusion at that _Door_, which opens to these.

That these things are taught there, and found in the World, can be no way deny'd, and then it is not of any great use to enquire, whether strictly speaking they were at first brought from thence, or carryed thither. For when our Bodies and Minds are much out of order at once, 'tis hard saying where the Distemper began; and the less material to know, when both must have their Cures apply'd, and it is to the advantage of neither, that they go on to hurt one another. If the ill humour does not begin in the place we suppose, it is there at least increased to a head, and thrown out again into all parts of the body, many of which to be sure first have it from thence, tho' they afterwards help to keep up the Spring: And if this pestilent Matter, be not only thus suffered to circulate, but assisted to spread, the _Sickness_ will quickly be _unto Death_.

For whatever some fancy, a Nation can never live long without any Religion, nor Religion subsist without some to attend it as their principal Care: So that shou'd it indeed come to pass, that no body minded what Men of this Character said, as these _Teachers_ would have it, Darkness with all it's hideous works wou'd soon cover the face of the Land, and make it fit for the Stroke.

We are already almost advanced to the brink of the Pit, by People's unlearning only what once they were taught, of the Honour and Advantage of _Marriage_, and the mutual Duties of Husbands and Wives, which are indeed so grosly forgot, that the Offenders have well nigh made their own Doctrine against it, appear to be true: But then it cannot confuse it self better, then by bidding so fair to destroy all the Comfort and Use of a _Social Life_: For if Mankind cannot indeed be happy in Wedlock, they are in a very deplorable State.

It was deservedly thought a Monstrous Error in those that declaimed against Marriage of old, as bringing more Creatures into the World to Sin, and be punished for it; tho' Salvation and Purity were their design: How much then above these are they to be blamed, who wou'd fain bring it into discredit, without any intent to keep Souls from Miscarrying, or set an unspotted life in it's place; but on purpose to spread their _Abominations_ the wider, in defiance of all the Threatnings of God denounced against them, and those they defile.

And who then that had any serious concern for the Glory of God, or the welfare of Men in this life or the next, wou'd not stop and consider a while with themselves, how far they shou'd give any countenance to such _Recreations_, as tend to disturb even the best of their present Enjoyments and Peace, and lead to extreme _Despair_ in the _End_? For however Men may with vain words be sadly deceived, _the Wrath of God cometh upon the Children of Disobedience, because of these things_, and when they have mock'd all they can, they will find that He is _a Consuming fire_.

Compassion, then, one wou'd think, shou'd work upon those that are good, to discourage by all their Endeavours, such Customs as bring on the ruine of many, and do hurt to the whole, tho' they shou'd have strength to go in, without being tainted themselves: Not that they can pretend to be safe even from taking _Infection_, if once their _Preservatives_ come to be frequently used, and to lose their Virtue, as they will by degrees. At least they will want a great deal of fulfilling the duty incumbent upon them to _Adorn their Holy Profession_, and can hardly assure themselves of their being redeemed from the vain Conversation they had in the World. Those allowances to this, at best, _careless spending of time_, which a little share in it, will bring them to make, cannot chuse but abate a great part of their _Zeal_, and slacken their pace in their spiritual Course; to which these _Entertainments_ are so flat a Reverse, that _Dying daily_, and going to them, set out as they are, can scarce have their good Opinion together.

And who then that desired to perfect their natures, by a patient _striving for Mastery_ over their Lusts, and following the _Captain_ of their _common Salvation_ thro' all the Paths of an humble Obedience, wou'd care to appear under so different a _Banner_, and encumber their Souls with more than they need, of what must again be thrown out of their way, or hinder their winning the _Prize_.

This being the case, good Christians certainly cannot have the much easier thoughts of such freedoms as these, for not finding them in so many words expresly forbid. Such as these will consider the end and design of the Gospel, and the frailty of Man, and think themselves obliged to be jealous of any fashion that tends to increase the weakness of one, and lessen the force of the other: When this plainly appears to be the Consequence of any Indulgence, they allow it to lay as full a Restraint, as cou'd be set by one or two particular Texts, which a corrupt understanding wou'd be at less pains to evade.

And yet if it blemishes any opinion to be Earthly and Sensual, or if _Evil Communications_ are ever the worse for their effect upon _Manners_: If to cherish a _Mind that is at Enmity with God_, and declared to be _Death_, be opposing his Will, and endangering the Souls of them that support the Resistance; Accusations abound against the Custom that passes for so inoffensive a thing.

If _casting down Imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every thought to the Obedience of Christ_, be the Warfare of those that wou'd go by his Name; If arming themselves against the _Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the pride of Life_, be that Task he has set them to do; If a _chast Conversation coupled with fear_, and _letting their Light so shine before Men_, that they may see 'em _do all to the glory of God_, be the duty of Christians; we have places enough to shew them of what importance it is, to withdraw from those that walk so very disorderly, as wou'd not have been in the times of a livelier Faith, allow'd the outward Communion of Saints.

Nor is the Case so mightily altered from what it was then, unless it be for the worse; as that we shou'd from thinking them wholly unworthy to come into our _Assemblies_, run flocking to theirs: For what vileness has ever offended the World, which is not exceeded if possible there? Can the Burlesquing an absurd Religion, or Mocking it upon the Stage be so bad as defying one that is reasonable and wise, or paying Honour to _Gods that were not_, be like the blaspheming him that is _True_? This cannot sure in reason be thought, whatever Excuses People may find to palliate that which they cannot find in their Hearts to condemn.

Nor is that primitive Spirit so wholly extinct, but that some in our days, and of _that Religion_ which carries more marks of the World, then God be thanked are met with in ours, have dared to appear directly against that vain Practice, which notwithstanding sits easie on many of so much a _stricter Communion_ than theirs. And this Instance is so far from being the worse for coming from _France_, that it is a great deal the more fit to be urged in the present debate. For if, in a Country disposed to a _lighter Temper and Air_, where the _Church_ has greater Corruption, and the _Theater_ fewer, there can yet be whole Bodies of _Casuists_ found, disallowing the sight of their _Modester Plays_; Methinks it shou'd not be thought an Absurdity here, to go about to disswade so _thoughtful_ a _People_ as we reckon our selves, from going to ours which shew so little of that Reformation to which we pretend.

[Sidenote: P. of _Conde_. _Vid. traite de la Comedie_.]

And least this should seem to be only the sense of some retired _Divines_, I beg leave to observe that the same censure is also pass'd by a _Prince of the Blood_, as highly Esteem'd for his _Learning_ as _Birth_. And I wish his Example were follow'd here, that the shameful _Indignities_ put upon Persons of the _Highest Descent_ by those of the _Meanest_, wou'd stir up some excellent Spirit of that Eminent Rank, to shew them how much beneath them it was, to stoop so low to be thus coarsly entertained: And that it betray'd a want of _Honour_ as well as _Religion_, tamely to see themselves as well as their _Maker_ abused, and to seem pleased with that in a Croud, which said or done before them any where else, they wou'd be obliged to resent as the highest Affront.

At least I hope that one way or other, they will be convinced how much it concerns them to put a stop to this Insolent Course, and find out some other _Diversions_, till these at least are reform'd, more suitable to the Christian Religion, and less threatning their Virtue and Fame. And such no doubt may be found, tho' some perhaps will be apt to reply, that, at this way of talking, all are condemn'd.

But this I conceive is not fair, nor rightly deduced from what has been said; good reasons I know are sometimes press'd with these kind of Extremities, when Men have not a mind to admit their natural force; and to hinder inferring any thing from them, they frowardly insist on their proving too much: And thus I think it wou'd be in those, who shou'd offer to urge that this sort of arguing puts an end to all kind of Mirth.

For are then all Diversions alike? And can there be none without such follies, as no Man in his sense wou'd endure? Must all easie Conversation be lost, unless Men have leave to be loose and profane? And can there be no coming together of Strangers or Friends, but some naked Vice must dance and be praised, or some Virtue made a Sacrifice of, to fill up the Feast?

There may very well be, and no doubt but there is, in most Conversation, a great deal of that which shou'd never be there; and this is what one cannot wholly avoid without leaving the World. But can this be reason why we must let People make to themselves new and needless Occasions of Vanity, and lay dangerous snares in the way of unwary People? I shou'd rather think the Argument lay; that since there were so many faults, in all parts of the World and divertion of life, Men shou'd not look out for more of this Trash to offend their Company with, and foment the Disease, but get clear away from all the Infection they cou'd, and lay in a Stock of such agreeable and wholsom provisions, as might enable them to treat others with Safety and Ease, and sometimes to correct the ill humours they found.

But then they must not go to such _Books_ and prescriptions for these, as are full of the leaven they shou'd put out from amongst them, and can serve for nothing else but to poyson their Food: To converse with Impiety here, is to give it all the advantage they can, it is to surrender the Mind entirely up to whatever assaults it, without being able to save so much as a stragling thought. For they whose _Closets_ are fill'd with nothing but these, do not even pretend to resist the force they call in, and a good Book standing idly by, will be little security, against the strong Delusions of those they read with concent: And therefore they who wou'd have their own virtue preserved, and see more in the World, must not only avoid ill commerce abroad, but reject it at home, and employ their Retirements in preparing themselves to appear in publick without danger, and to some kind of life.

This care, I am sure, of our selves, and this Compassion one of another, God and Nature and the Gospel require; and how much or how little soever others may be affected at this, you Sir, I dare say, will think best of your self, when you tread most in the steps of your _Saviour_, and like him, _go about doing good_: When you relieve the Afflicted, assist your Neighbours, and comfort your Friends; when you please and benefit those that desire to hear you, and Reverence and Kindness and Truth, are the Law of your Tongue. When a meek and quiet Spirit adorns you, and Piety gives the grace to your looks, when your Religious Example shines so lovely and clear, as to draw those after you, to whom it shews the beautiful way, and Vanity has not the face to appear; then, and not much before then, will you think you have made some Advance to Peace and a Crown.

In hopes of that desired Success,

I am,

SIR,

Your, &c.

FINIS.

These sermons preach'd upon several Occasions. By the Right Reverend Father in God, Richard Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Remarks upon an Essay concerning Humane Understanding: In a Letter address'd to the Author.