Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable CCCLXIV
Fab. CCCLXIV.
A Priest and Epiphany.
TO Morrow (says the Curate) is to be Celebrated the Feast of Epiphany: 1 do not know whether the Saint be a Man or a Woman; but the Day however is to be observed with Great Solemnity.
The Moral.
REFLEXION.
This is a Dry Fable, and there’s nothing to be gotten out of it but by Squeezing. it may pass however with a little Force, for a Reproach upon the Ignorance of many People in their own Trade, provided always that there be no Reflexion upon the Profession it self, which is but too much the Practice of Loose Men, and of Troublesome Times; as if the Commission were to Blame for the Person's sake that Abuses it. There are Men of all sorts, Good and Bad, in all Functions and Societies; and the Order, or the Office, is never the worse for the Failings of an Ill, or a Weak Man that has the Execution of it: It was well turn'd by Mr. Selden upon an Alderman in the Long-Long Parliament, on the Subject of Episcopacy. Mr. Speaker, says the Alderman, there are so many Clamours against such and such of the Prelates, that we shall never be Quiet till we have no more Bishops. Mr. Selden upon this, Informs the House, what Grievous Complaints there were for high Misdemeanors against such and such Aldermen, and therefore, says he, by a Parity of Reason, it is my Humble Motion that we may have no more Aldermen. Here was the Fault transferr'd to the Office, which is a Dangerous Error; for not only Government, but Human Society it self may be dissolved by the same Argument, if the Frailties or Corruptions of Particular Men shall be Reveng'd upon the whole.