A _Second_ Branch of the Profaness of the _Stage_ is their Abuse of Religion, and _Holy Scripture_. And here sometimes they don't stop short of Blasphemy. To cite all that might be Collected of this kind would be tedious. I shall give the _Reader_ enough to justifie the Charge, and I hope to abhor the Practice.
To begin with the _Mock-Astrologer_. In the First _Act_ the _Scene_ is a _Chappel_; And that the Use of such Consecrated places may be the better understood, the time is taken up in Courtship, Raillery, and ridiculing Devotion. _Jacinta_ takes her turn among the rest. She Interrupts _Theodosia_, and cries out: _why Sister, Sister----will you pray? what injury have I ever done you that you should pray in my Company?_
_Wildblood_ Swears by _Mahomet_, rallies smuttily upon the other World, and gives the preference to the Turkish Paradise[103]! This Gentleman to incourage _Jacinta_ to a Complyance in Debauchery, tells her _Heaven is all Eyes and no Tongue._[104] That is, it sees Wickedness but conceals it. He Courts much at the same rate a little before. _When a Man comes to a great Lady, he is fain to approach her with Fear, and Reverence, methinks there's something of Godliness in't_.[105] Here you have the Scripture burlesqu'd, and the Pulpit Admonition apply'd to Whoring.[106] Afterwards _Jacinta_ out of her great Breeding and Christianity, swears by _Alla_, and _Mahomet_, and makes a Jest upon Hell.[107] _Wildblood_ tells his Man that _such undesigning Rogues as he, make a Drudge of poor Providence_. And _Maskall_ to show his proficiency under his Masters, replies to _Bellamy_, who would have had him told a Lie.[108] _Sir upon the Faith of a Sinner you have had my last Lie already. I have not one more to do me Credit, as I hope to be saved Sir._
In the close of the _Play_, They make sport with Apparitions and Fiends. One of the Devils sneezes, upon this they give him the Blessing of the Occasion, and conclude _he has got cold by being too long out of the Fire_.[109]
The _Orphan_ lays the Scene in Christendom, and takes the same care of Religion. _Castalio_ Complements his Mistress to Adoration.
_No Tongue my Pleasure and my Pain can tell: 'Tis Heaven to have thee, and without thee Hell._ [110]