to do, we ſhould Diſtinguith betwixt Lawful and Unlawful, Prudential and Fooliſh, a Leſs Preſent Good, and a Conſequence of greater Evils, that we be not Betray’d by the Fair Appearances of Things Specious; Frauds and Fallacies, Glittering Outſides, &c. into Inconvenieneyes and Miſtakes.
When a Man wants any thing, let him look for’t in Time, and Confider Well beforehand what Occaſion he has for’t, and upon What Terms it is to be Had; for there may be ſuch Conditions that a Man would not Comply with, even for the Saving, or Redeeming of his Life. There are Other Caſes, where a Man muſt Part with More for the Getting of a Thing, then That Thing is Worth. Some again, where a Body runs the Riſque of an Abſolute Ruine, for the Gaming of a Preſent Supply: Wherefore there's No Remedy eithcr Way, without a Strict Calculation upon the Profit or Loſs on Both Sides. I want Mony, but I will not make my ſelf a Slave for’t. I want a Friend at Court, but I will not Forfeit the Character of a Man of Honour, or the Conſcicnce of a Chriſtian, and an Honeſt Man, to Purchaſe ſuch a Friend: I am in Priſon; but [ will not play the Knave to ſet my ſelf at Liberty. Theſe are All, Neceſſary Deliberations upon the Matter here in Queſtion. Let us ſee how we ſhall get Out again, ſays the Frog, before we go In.
Fab. CXLIII.
A Dog and a Cock upon a Journy.
A Dog and a Cock took a Journy together. The Dog Kennell'd in the Body of a Hollow Tree, and the Cock Rooſted at night upon the Boughs. The Cock crow’d about Midnight; (at his Uſual Hour) which brought a Fox that was abroad upon the Hunt, immediately to the Tree; and there he ſtood Licking of his Lips, at the Cock, and Wheedling him to get him Down. He Proteſted he never heard ſo Angelical a Voice ſince he was Born, and what would not He do now, to Hugg the Creature that had given him ſo Admirable a Serenade! Pray, ſays the Cock, ſpeak to the Porter below to open the Door, and Ill come Down to ye: The Fox did as he was Directed, and the Dog preſently ſeiz'd and Worry'd him.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
