quis enim virtutem amplectitur ipsam,
JUV. Sat. 10. v. 141
For who wou'd virtue for herself regard,
Or wed, without the portion of reward?
Ir is usual with polemical writers to object ill designs to their adversaries. This turns their arguments into satire, which, instead of shewing an error in the understanding, tends only to expose the morals of those they write against. I shall not act after this manner with respect to the freethinkers. Virtue, and the happiness of society, are the great ends which all men ought to promote; and some of that sect would be thought to have at heart above the rest of mankind. But supposing those who make that profession to carry on a good design in the simplicity of their hearts, and according to their best knowledge, yet it is much to be feared, those well-meaning souls, while they endeavoured to recommend virtue, have in reality