And if Religion signifies nothing, (as I am afraid it does with some People) there is Law, as well as Gospel against _Swearing_. _3d Jac. 1 cap. 21._ is expresly against the _Playhouse_. It runs thus. For the preventing and avoiding of the great abuse of the holy Name of God, in Stage Plays, Enterludes &c. Be it enacted by our Sovereign Lord &c. That if at any time, or times, after the End of this present Session of Parliament; any Person or Persons do, or shall in any Stage Play, Enterlude, Show, &c. Jeastingly or Profanly, speak or use the Holy Name of God, or of Christ Jesus, or of the Holy Ghost, or of the Trinity, which are not to be spoken, but with Fear and Reverence; shall forfeit for every such offence, by him or them committed, ten pounds: The one Moity thereof to the King's Majesty, his Heirs; and Successors, the other Moity thereof to him, or them, that will sue for the same in any Court of Record at Westminster, wherein no essoin, protection, or wager of Law shall be allow'd. By this _Act_ not only direct Swearing, but all vain Invocation of the Name of God is forbidden. This _Statute_ well executed would mend the _Poets_, or sweep the _Box_: And the _Stage_ must either reform, or not thrive upon Profaness. _3dly_ Swearing in the _Playhouse_ is an ungentlemanly, as well as an unchristian Practice. The _Ladies_ make a considerable part of the _Audience_. Now Swearing before Women is reckon'd a Breach of good Behaviour, and therefore a civil Atheist will forbear it. The custom seems to go upon this Presumption; that the Impressions of Religion are strongest in Women, and more generally spread. And that it must be very disagreeable to them, to hear the Majesty of God treated with so little respect. Besides: Oaths are a boistrous and tempestuous sort of Conversation; Generally the effects of Passion, and spoken with Noise, and Heat. Swearing looks like the beginning of a Quarrel, to which Women have an aversion: As being neither armed by Nature, nor disciplin'd by Custome for such rough Disputes. A Woman will start at a Soldiers Oath, almost as much as at the Report of his Pistol: And therefore a well Bred Man will no more Swear, than Fight in the Company of Ladies. 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?_