Fables of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists/Fable LXXXVI

by Roger L'Estrange

Fab. LXXXVI.

An Impostor to the Oracle.

THere was a certain Bantering Droll that took a Journey to Delphos, a purpose to try if he could put a Trick upon Apollo. He carry'd a Sparrow in his Hand under his Coat, and told the God, I have somewhat in my Hand, says he, Is it Dead or Living? If the Oracle should say ‘twas Dead, he could shew it Alive; If Living, ‘twas but squeezing it, and then 'twas Dead. Now He that saw the Malice of his Heart gave him this Answer: It shall e’en be which of the Two you please; for ‘tis in Your Choice to have it either the One or the Other.

The MORAL.

Prefumption leades People to Infidelity in a Trice, and so by Insensible Degrees to Atheism: for when Men have once cast off a Reverence for Religion, they are come within One Step of Laughing at it.

REFLEXION.

This Points at the Folly and Wickedness of Those Men that think to play Fast and Loose with God Almighty, who sees the very Thoughts of our Hearts. This way of Fooling in Holy Things is much a Bolder sort of Impicty, then it is commonly Taken for. He that pretends to Doubt of an All-knowing Power, has as much Right to Doubt of an Allmighty Power too, and the bringing of One Attribute in Question, Opens the Way to a Diffidence of all the Rest. It would prevent a great Deal of Wickedness in the World, if Men would but Live and Act in Religious Matters, so as to Own, and to Recognize the Force, and Awe of a Deity in their Practices, as well as in their Words: But when they come to Querying and Riddling upon't, with an [If it be so and so;] The Scandal of the Supposition is not to be Borne; for such a way of Seeming to Afficm a Thing, is but one Remove from a Flat Denyal of it. Such was the Imposters Question here to the Oracle: which Implyes both the Doubt of a Divine Omniscience, and a Curiosity to Discover the Truth of the Matter, with a Banter at the End on’t; and so makes it a consummated Wickedness.