[ 84 ] 



(then Bishop of Ofibry) taking the alarm, he arofe, hkc another 

 CoHier, to prcfervc the mirror of Nature from being fullied. To 

 efFed this, inftead of employing his favourite inflrument of in- 

 vedive, he wrote fome Dramatic pieces, inculcating morality and 

 breathing the fpirit of tlie Gofpel. Two of thofc pieces — namely 

 God's Promises and John Baptist — were adcd by young men 

 at the market-crofs in Kilkenny, on a funday, in the year 

 1552*. 



In order to convey an idea of the tendency of thofe piece?, and 

 of the rude flate of the Drama at this time, I fhall here tranfcribe 

 the argument of God's Promises f, as fuppofed to be delivered 

 by the Author in perfon. — 



Baleus proclocutor. 



i 



" If profyght maye growe, moft Chriflen audyence, 

 " By knowlege of thynges which are but tranfytorye. 



And 



troverflal writings fliall be forgotten, pofterity will continue to admire the author of 

 Scriptcnim illujlrium majoris Britann'ne quam Angtiam et Scotam vocat Catalcgus. See 

 DoDSLEvV ColUa. of Old Plays, 2d Edit. vol. i. and Warton'j Hifl. of Eitg. Poet. 



vol. III. 



* See Collea, de Rebus Hib. vol. 11. p. 388. 



f In this piece, which was written chiefly to vindicate the do£lrine of grace, 

 againfl fuch as held the doftrine of free-will and the merit of works, Adam, Abra- 

 ham, Noah, Mofes, Ifaiah, David and John the Baptift, are all introduced on the 

 ftage with the Almighty I 



