This Fable hits the Humour of a great many loose People in the World,
that are so Wicked as to value themselves upon their Ill Manners, and
the contempt of all Goodness; Nay, to the Degree even of taking a Pride
in their Iniquity, and affecting a Reputation by it, in proportion to
the Measure of the Extravagance. Some Men are so Harden’d in Lewdness,
that they make it a Point of Honour to be True to’t, and to go to the
Devil with a Frolick betwixt their Teeth. They have gotten a Habit of
Laughing Honesty and Good Manners out of Countenance, and a Reprobated
Hardness of Heart, does them the Office of Philosophy towards a Contempt
of Death. Our common Executions yield but too many Instances of this
kind; and it helps mightily to keep up the Humour, that instead of Owning
and Professing an Abhorrence for these Affronts upon God and Nature,
the Impiety is celebrated for a Jest. And whence comes it now, that Men
should be so Insensible, either of a Present Calamity, or of a Future
Judgment; but from the Custom of a Scoffing Atheistical Life; where
Licentiousness has so long pass’d for Sharpness of Wit, and Greatness
of Mind, that the Conscience is grown Callous; and after this, it is by
a Natural Congruity for Men to Dye as they have Liv’d. Now a Liberty in
this Latitude is not more Execrable, then the Example is Pernicious;
especially where it is attended with the Pleasure of a Frothy and a
Surprizing Wit to Recommend the Wickedness.