Hor. Because Multitudes must be aw'd by Something that is terrible, as Flames of Hell, and Fire everlasting; and it is evident, that if it was not for the Fear of an After-Reckoning, some Men would be so wicked, that there would be no living with them.
Cleo. Pray, how wicked would they be? What Crimes would they commit?
Hor. Robbing, Murdering, Ravishing.
Cleo. And are not often here, as well as in other Nations, People convicted of, and punished for those Crimes?
Hor. I am satisfied, the Vulgar could not be managed without Religion of some Sort or other; for the Fear of Futurity keeps Thousands in Awe, who, without that Reflection, would all be guilty of those Crimes which are now committed only by a Few.
Cleo. This is a Surmise without any Foundation. It has been said a Thousand Times by Divines of all Sects; but No body has ever shewn the least Probability of its being true; and daily Experience gives us all the Reason in the World to think the Contrary; for there are Thousands, who, throughout the Course of their Lives, seem not to have the least Regard to a future State, tho' they are Believers, and yet these very People are very cautious of committing any Thing which the Law would punish. You'll give me Leave to observe by the By, that to believe what you say, a Man must have a worse Opinion of his Species, than ever the Author of the Fable of the Bees appears to have had yet.
Hor. Don't mistake me: I am far from believing, that Men of Sense and Education are to be frighten'd with those Bugbears.
Cleo. And what I say, I don't mean of Libertines or Deist; but Men, that to all outward Appearance are Believers, that go to Church, receive the Sacrament, and at the Approach of Death are observed to be really afraid of Hell. And yet of these, many are Drunkards, Whoremasters, Adulterers, and not a Few of them betray their Trust, rob their Country, defraud Widows and Orphans, and make wronging their Neighbours their daily Practice.
Hor. What Temporal Benefit can Religion be of to the Civil Society, if it don't keep People in Awe?
Cleo. That's another Question. We both agree, that no Nation or large Society can be well govern'd without Religion. I ask'd you the Reason of this: You tell me, because the Vulgar could not be kept in Awe without it. In Reply to this, I point at a Thousand Instances, where Religion is not of the Efficacy, and shew you withal that this End of keeping Men in Awe is much better obtain'd by the Laws and temporal Punishment; and that it is the Fear of them, which actually restrains great Numbers of wicked People; I might say All, without Exception, of whom there is any Hope or Possibility, that they can be curb'd at all, or restrain'd by any Thing whatever: For such Reprobates as can make a Jest of the Gallows, and are not afraid of Hanging, will laugh likewise at Hell and defy Damnation.