'You'l say, I can give you many Instances where the _Play-House_ has done no Harm. Don't mistake. Throwing away of Time and ill example, has a great deal of Harm in't; And thus far you are guilty at the best. For granting your own Virtue impenetrable, and out of Reach, Granting the Protection of your Temper has brought you off unhurt, are all People thus Fortified? By no means. However, many a weak Brother has ventur'd after you, and miscarried upon your _Precedent_. And since you make others thus _Faulty_, how can you be _Innocent_ your self? All the People undone There, will lay their Ruine at your Door. The Company are all Accessary to the Mischeif of the Place. For were there no _Audience_, we should have no _Acting_. And therefore those who joyn in the Crime, will ne're be parted in the Punishment. Granting your Modesty has secur'd you, which by the way I believe nothing of; yet since many have been debauch'd by the _Play-House_, you must expect a severe Reckning for giving them Encouragement. Tho' after all, as Virtuous as you are, I doubt not, you wou'd have been much Better, had you kept away.
'In fine, Let us not dispute to no purpose; The practise won't bear a Defence! Where the Cause is naught 'tis in vain to rack our Reason, and strain for Pretences. The best excuse for what is past, is to stand clear from the danger, and do so no more.'
One citation more from St. _Chrysostom_, and I take Leave. In the Preface of his Commentary upon St. _John_'s Gospel speaking of _Plays_ and other Publick _Shews_, he has these words.
'But what need I branch out the Lewdness of those _Spectacles_, and be particular in Description? For what's there to be met with but Lewd Laughing, but Smut, Railing, and Buffoonry? In a word. 'Tis all Scandal and Confusion. Observe me, I speak to you all; Let none who partake of this _Holy-Table_, unqualifie themselves with such Mortal Diversions.'
St. _Hierom_ on the _1st_. Verse 32 _Psal._ makes this Exposition upon the _Text_.
'Some are delighted with the Satisfactions of this World, some with the _Circus_, and some with the _Theatre_: But the Psalmist commands every good Man _to delight himself in the Lord_.----For as _Isaiah_ speaks, _woe to them that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter_.' And in his Epistles[496] he cautions the Ladies against having any thing to do with the _Play-House_, against Lewd Songs, and Ill Conversation. Because they set ill Humours at work, Caress the Fancy, and make pleasure a Conveyance for Destruction.'