The Poison of this Fable in the Liberty of Jesting with Holy Matters,
would need an Antidote to go along with it, if it were not that it is a
Pagan’s Conceit, and consequently suitable enough to the Character and
Humour of an Infidel, to have the Offices of Christianity in Derision. If
we take it by that Handle, it may serve for a Reproof to those among our
selves, (as we have but too many of them,) that take the same Freedom of
Scoffing at Religion, and Religious Rites and Ceremonies. These People
pass in the World under the Name of Christians, but in their Hearts and
Manners they are little better than Pagans: The Frolick of a Merry Word
goes further with them, then the Conscience of their Profession, and if
they can but elude the Dint of a Pinching Conviction by some Trivial
Jest, the Conceit they think Attones for the Wickedness.