How justly might he leave us in our former wretchedness? There is a pretty Fable, the moral of it will profitably fit our present Discourse. A Serpent accidentally enclosed, betwixt two great Stones, that he could no way es extricate himself; made his moan to a man passing by to deliver him. The man with much force removed the Stone, and set him free. The Serpent now, feeling his liberty, thus bespake his deliverer. I confess, you have done me a kindness in helping me out, being almost famished: But now I am out, my hunger is so violent, that I must needs take the benefit of my fortune, and devour you. The man urged his Ingratitude; but to no purpose, for the Serpent would eat him. Instantly he spied an Ass coming, and desired the Serpent to put it to his judgement. The Serpent was contented, knowing that the Ass durst not but condemn the man for his prey, least he endangered himself. The case was pleaded on both sides; the Man urging his kindness, the Serpent his hunger: But the Ass gave judgement on the Serpents side; who is now ⟨p. 40⟩ready to set on the Man. Hereupon flies by an Eagle, to whom the Man appealed for Judgement in this controversy. The Eagle hearing the cause debated, demanded of the Serpent, if he could have freed himself, without the mans aid? The Serpent answered affirmatively, and said, it was only his policy, by this trick to get the Man within his reach. The Eagle desires to see the place: the Man shows it. The Eagle bids the Serpent go into the hole again for more certain demonstration. The Serpent doth so; and the Man removes the other Stone, as it was before, and reincloseth the Serpent. The Eagle now bids the Serpent deliver himself: He replied, he could not. Then (quoth the Eagle) this is my judgement: The next time the Man lets thee forth, do thou take him for thy prey, and eat him.
How iustly might hee leaue vs in our former wretchednesse? There is a pretty Fable, the morall of it will profitably fitte our present Discourse. A Serpent accidentally inclosed, betwixt two great Stones, that hee could no way es extricate himselfe; made his moane to a man passing by to deliuer him. The man with much force remooued the Stone, and set him free. The Serpent now, feeling his libertie, thus bespake his deliuerer. I confesse, you haue done mee a kindnesse in helping me out, being almost famished: But now I am out, my hunger is so violent, that I must needes take the benefite of my fortune, and deuoure you. The man vrged his Ingratitude; but to no purpose, for the Serpent would eate him. Instantly hee spied an Asse comming, and desired the Serpent to put it to his iudgement. The Serpent was contented, knowing that the Asse durst not but condemne the man for his prey, least hee endangered himselfe. The case was pleaded on both sides; the Man vrging his kindnesse, the Serpent his hunger: But the Asse gaue iudgement on the Serpents side; who is now ⟨p. 40⟩ready to set on the Man. Hereupon flyes by an Eagle, to whom the Man appealed for Iudgement in this controuersie. The Eagle hearing the cause debated, demanded of the Serpent, if hee could haue freed himselfe, without the mans ayde? The Serpent answered affirmatiuely, and sayd, it was onely his policie, by this tricke to get the Man within his reach. The Eagle desires to see the place: the Man shewes it. The Eagle bids the Serpent goe into the hole againe for more certaine demonstration. The Serpent doth so; and the Man remooues the other Stone, as it was before, and reincloseth the Serpent. The Eagle now bids the Serpent deliuer himselfe: Hee replied, hee could not. Then (quoth the Eagle) this is my iudgement: The next time the Man lets thee foorth, doe thou take him for thy prey, and eate him.