The PREFACE.
prize; and under the Cover of ſome Allegory or Riddle. But, What can be ſaid more to the Honour of This Symbolical Way of Morallizing upon Tales and Fables, then that the Wiſdom of the Ancients has been ſtill Wrapt up in Veils and Figures; and their Precepts, Councels, and ſalutary Munitions for the Ordering of our Lives and Manners, Handed down to us from all Antiquity under Innuendo's and Alluſions? For what are the Ægyptian Hierogliphicks, and the whole Hiſtory of the Pagan Gods; The Hints, and Fictions of the Wiſe Men of Old, but in Effect, a kind of Philoſophical Mythology: Which is, in truth, no other, than a more Agreeable Vehicle found out for Conveying to us the Truth and Reaſon of Things, through the Medium of Images and Shadows. But what needs any thing more be ſaid for the Reputation and Authority of This Practice and Invention, conſidering the Frequent and the Edifying Uſe of Apologues in Holy Writ: And that our Bleſſed Saviour Himſelf, has not only Recommended, but Inculcated, This way of Teaching by Parables, both in his Doctrine and Example, as the Means that Divine Providence made uſe of for the Gaining of Idolaters and Infidels over to the Chriſtian Faith? What was it that brought, even David himſelf to a Sight and Deteſtation of his Sin in the Matter of Uriah, and to a Senſe of his Duty, but the Prophet Nathan's telling him a Story at a Diſtance (and by God's Own Direction too) of a Rich Man that had a World of Sheep himſelf, and yet forc'd away a Poor Man's Only Lamb from him, that he Lov'd as his Own Soul? How did David take Fire at this Iniquity in Another Man, till upon ſecond Thoughts his Conſcience brought it home to his Own Caſe, and forced him to paſs Judgment upon Himſelf? Now This is but according to the Natural Biaſs of Humane Frailty, for every Man to be Partial to his own Blind-ſide, and to Exclaim againſt the very Counterpart of his Own Daily Practice. As what's more Ordinary, for Example, then for the moſt Arbitrary of Tyrants, to ſet up for the Advocates and Patrons of Common Liberty; or for the moſt Profligate of Scoffers and Atheiſts, to Value themſelves upon a Zeal for the Power, and Purity of the Goſpel? In two Words, What's more Familiar then to ſee Men Fighting the Lord's Battels (as they call it) againſt Blasphemy and Prophaneneſs, with One hand; and at the ſame time offering Violence to his Holy Altars, Church and Miniſters with the Other: Now Theſe People are not to be dealt withal, but by a Train of Myſtery and Circumlocution; a Downright Admonition looks liker the Reproach of an Enemy, then the Advice of a Friend; or at the Beſt, it is but the Good Office of a Man that has an Ill Opinion of us: And we do not Naturally Love to be Told of our Faults by the Witneſſes of our Failings. Some People are too Proud, too Surly, too Impudent, too Incorrigible, either to Bear, or to Mend upon the Liberty of Plain Dealing. Others are too Big again, too Powerful, too Vindictive, and Dangerous,
