He that does Nothing at all, does Worſe then He, that upon the Account of Humane Frailty, does Amiſs; for Nothing can be more contrary to God Himſelf, who is a Pure Act, then the Sleeping and Drowſing away of our Life and Reaſon, that was given us for ſo many Better Purpoſes. The Frog in the High-way here, is the Lively Figure of ſuch a Man; for a Life of Sloth is the Life of a Log, rather then the Life of a Reaſonable Creature. 'Tis as much as a Body can well do, even with the Uttermoſt of his Prudence and Induſtry, to Rub through the Difficulties of the World, though he ſhould keep himſelf perpetually a Doing. There is not perchance a more Inſupportable Miſery in Nature, then it would be, to put the Body into a Frame, that ſhould keep it always in the fame Poſture. What can be ſaid Worſe of Slothfulneſs now, when the very Vice is Equal to the moſt Exquiſite of Torments? It is odious to God and Man, Uſeleſs to the World, Irkſome to it Self, Miſerable in All Eſtates, and utterly Incapable, either of Taſting or Enjoying any thing of Comfort. The Frog was us'd to the Place, ſhe ſaid, and rather then Stir to help her ſelf, there ſhe lay till her Guts were paſh’d out.
Fab. CLXVI.
A Bee-matter.
THere came a Thief into a Bee-Garden in the Abſence of the Maſter, and Robb’d the Hives. The Owner Diſcover'd it upon his Return, and ſtood Pauſing a while to Be-think himſelf, how This ſhould come to paſs. The Bees, in This Interim, came Laden home out of the Fields from Feeding, and Miſſing their Combs, they fell Powdering in Swarms upon their Maſter. Well (ſays he) you area Company of Senceleſs and Ungrateful Wretches, to let a Stranger go away Quietly that has Rifled ye, and to bend All your Spite againſt your Maſter, that is at this Inſtant Beating his Brains how he may Repair and Preſerve ye.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
and
