This has given occasion to enquire, "What Honesty or Virtue is, consider'd by it-self; and in what manner it is influenc'd by Religion: How far Religion necessarily implies Virtue; and whether it be a true Saying, That it is impossible for an Atheist to be virtuous, or share any real degree of Honesty, or Merit."
And here it cannot justly be wonder'd at, if the Method of explaining Things shou'd appear somewhat unusual; since the Subject-Matter has been so little examined, and is of so nice and dangerous Speculation. For so much is the religious part of Mankind alarm'd by the Freedom of some late pens; and so great a Jealousy is rais'd every-where on this Account; that whatever an Author may suggest in favour of Religion, he will gain little Credit in the Cause, if he allows the least Advantage to any other Principle. On the other side, the Men of Wit and Raillery, whose pleasantest Entertainment is in the exposing the weak sides of Religion, are so desperately afraid of being drawn into any serious Thoughts of it, that they look upon a Man as guilty of foul Play, who assumes the air of a Free Writer, and at the same time preserves any regard for the Principles of Natural Religion. Theyare
