Transcriber's note:

The errata have been applied. They appear in the text like this, and the explanation will appear when the mouse pointer is moved over the marked passage. Otherwise no attempt has been made to distinguish likely typographical errors from the natural variability of 17th century orthography.

A few short phrases proved illegible on the scan: these are marked [......].

Transcriber's note:

The errata have been applied without further annotation. Otherwise no attempt has been made to distinguish likely typographical errors from the natural variability of 17th century orthography.

The marginal notes have been changed to footnotes, marked thus [123].

A few short phrases proved illegible on the scan: these are marked [......].

A SHORT

VIEW

OF THE

Immorality, and Profaneness

OF THE

English Stage,

TOGETHER

With the Sence of Antiquity
upon this Argument,

By JEREMY COLLIER, M.A.

London, Printed for S. Keble at the Turk's-Head
in Fleetstreet, R. Sare at Gray's-Inn-Gate,
and H. Hindmarsh against the Exchange in
Cornhil. 1698.

THE

PREFACE

Being convinc'd that nothing has gone farther in Debauching the Age than the Stage Poets, and Play-House, I thought I could not employ my time better than in writing against them. These Men sure, take Vertue and Regularity, for great Enemies, why else is their Disaffection so very Remarkable? It must be said, They have made their Attack with great Courage, and gain'd no inconsiderable Advantage. But it seems Lewdness without Atheism, is but half their Business. Conscience might possibly recover, and Revenge be thought on; and therefore like Foot-Pads, they must not only Rob, but Murther. To do them right their Measures are Politickly taken: To make sure work on't, there's nothing like Destroying of Principles; Practise must follow of Course. For to have no good Principles, is to have no Reason to be Good. Now 'tis not to be expected that people should check their Appetites, and balk their Satisfactions, they don't know why. If Virtue has no Prospect, 'tis not worth the owning. Who would be troubled with Conscience if 'tis only a Bugbear, and has nothing in't

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