REFLEXION.
This gives us to Underſtand the Practice of the World, and that Flattery and Time-ſerving Enters into the moſt Solemn Offices of Mankind To Flatter Fooliſh Men into a Hope of Life where there is None at all, is much the ſame Thing with Betraying people into an Opinion, that they are in a Virtuous, and a Happy State, when they are Over-run with Paſſion, and Drown’d in their Luſts. The One has the ſame Pernicious Effect upon our Minds, that the Other has upon our Bodies; for it makes us Careleſs of Both. There are Certain Decencies of Form, and Civility, 'tis true, that purely regard Matters of Converſation, and Good Manners; And Theſe Reſpects ought to be Preſerv'd; But Ceremonies of Mode and Complement, are mightily out of Seaſon, when Life and Salvation come to be at Stake.
It falls under the Proſpect of the ſame Topique, to Conſider, that Kingdoms and Common-Wealths have their Diſtempers, Intermiſſions, and Paroxiſms, as well as Natural Bodies. And that a Glavering Councel is as Dangerous on the One hand, as a Wheedling Prieſt, or a Flattering Phyſician is on the Other. There is hardly ſuch Another Pieſt in a Community, as a Conſort of Paraſites, that feed Governours with Falſe Repreſentations and Reports of Men and of Things. They Firſt Betray their Maſters to Diſhonour, and Ruine; and then when they find the Veſſel Sinking, Save themſelves in the Long-Boat. So much the Better, quoth the Doctor: Ay, Ay. (ſays the Empirical Stateſman) That's as we'd have it. When at the fame time the Diſtemper is as Mortal to the Government, on the One hand, as to the Patient on the Other.
Fab. XCVI.
A Fowler and a Black-Bird.
As a Fowler was Bending his Net, a Black-Bird call’d to him at a diſtance, and Ask’d him what he was a doing. Why ſays he, I am laying the Foundations of a City; and ſo the Birdman drew out of Sight. The Black-Bird Miſtrufting Nothing, flew preſently to the Bait in the Net, and was taken; and as the Man came running to lay hold of her; Friend, ſays the Poor Black-Bird, If This be Your Way of Building, You'l have but Few Inhabitants.
The MORAL.
RE-
