the Mice to have a Bell put about the Cats Neck, and they all agreed upon't to be a very good Expedient: But when it came to the Iſſue, the Counſel fell to the Ground for want of one to put it in Execution. This is no more then what we ſee frequently in difficulties of State; but the true Reaſon of failing in that Caſe, proceeds rather from ſome Failings in the Adminiſtration, then from any want of neceſſary Inſtruments. As for the purpoſe, where Reward and Puniſhment are Inverted, and where Men of Faith and Zeal for the Honour and Service of the Common-wealth are only made Sacrifices to the Paſſions and Intereſts of the Corrupt and Fearful. Where Matters are thus Manag'd, I ſay, every Man is not of a Conſtitution to Leap a Gulf for the Saving of his Country: Eſpecially, when over and above the certainty of Ruin, Men are no leſs ſure of having their very Names and Memories abandon’d to Infamy and Contempt for their Pains: But on the other Hand, where Chriſtian as well as Political Juſtice has its Courſe, every part of the Community ſuffers by Conſent with the whole: And ſuch a Goverment in the uttermoſt of Extremities, ſhall never fail of Devotes.
Fab. CCCXCII.
Uſurers and Curriers.
A Parcel of Curriers fell into Company with a Gang of Uſurers, and paſt this Complement upon 'em; what a Bleſſing they accounted it to meet with ſo many Worthy Men of their own Trade. One of the Uſurers was a Head Man of the City, it ſeems, and took it a little in Dudgeon to be Rank'd Cheek by Joul with a Scab of a Currier; and ſo ask'd one of 'em what he meant, by ſaying they were all of a Trade? Nay, I muſt confeſs, ſays the Fell-monger, there is ſome Difference yet betwixt your Trade and ours; for we deal but in Flaying of Dead Horſes, and Aſſes, and the People of your Trade Flay Living Men.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
