Fab. CC.
Jupiter and a Herds-man.
A Herds-man that had loſt a Calf out of his Grounds, ſent up and down after it; and when he could get No Tydings on't, he betook himſelf at laſt to his Prayers, according to the Cuſtom of the World, when People are brought to a Forc'd Put. Great Jupiter (ſays he) Do but ſhew me the Thief that ſtole my Calf, and I'll give thee a Kid for a Sacrifice. The Word was no ſooner paſs'd; but the Thief appear’d; which was indeed a Lyon. This Diſcovery put him to his Prayers once again. I have not forgotten my Vow, ſays he, but now thou haſt brought me to the Thief, I'll make That Kid a Bull, if thou'lt but ſet me Quit of him again.
The MORAL.
REFLEXION.
THIS Fable Condemns All Raſh Vows and Promiſes, and the Unſteadyneſs of Thoſe Men that are firſt mad to have a Thing, and as ſoon Weary of it. Men ſhould Conſider well before hand what they Promiſe, what they Vow; nay, and what they Wiſh for, leaſt they ſhould be Taken at their Words, and afterward Repent. We make it Half our Bus'neſs to Learn out, Gain, and Compaſs thoſe Things, which when we come to Underſtand, and to have in our Poſſeſſion, we'd give the whole Earth to be Rid of again: Wherefore he that Moderates his Deſires without laying any Streſs upon Things Curious, or Uncertain; and Reſigns himſelf in All Events to the Good Pleaſure of Providence, ſucceeds Beſt in the Government of his Fortune, Life, and Manners. The Herds-man was in a State of Freedom, we ſee, till he made himſelf a Voluntary Slave, by Entering into a Dangerous, and Unneceſſary Vow; which he could neither Contract without Folly, nor Keep without Loſs and Shame; For Heaven is neither to be Wheedled, nor Brib'd. Men ſhould ſo Pray as_not to Repent of their Prayers, and turn the moſt Chriſtian and Neceſſary Office of our Lives into a Sin. We muſt not Pray in One Breath to Find a Thief, and in the Next to get ſhut of him.
FAB.
