We are many times Preserv’d or Destroy’d, by Those Accidents or Counsels,
that in All Probability should have had quite Contrary Effects. But it is
Our Part yet to Act according to Reason, and commit our selves to Heaven
for the rest. We have our Blind Sides in the World, as well as the _Stag_
had his by the Sea-side, and we have our Enemies too, that are still
Watching to make Advantage of that Weakness. One Man is Transported out
of his Reason, and his Honesty, by Sensual Pleasures: Another by Money,
perhaps, or by Ambition. Every Man, in short, by Somewhat or other: And
it is but striking him in the Right Vein, to do his Bus’ness. The Wisest
of Men have their Follies; The Justest, their Iniquities, and the most
Temperate of Men have now and then by Fits, their Excesses. _Achilles_
himself (after all that his Mother could do for him) was left Vulnerable
yet in the Heel, and _Paris_’s Arrow found him Out there. We are taught
further also to look to our selves on the _Blind Side_, as the Part that
lyes most Expos’d to an Attacque. And finally; That it is not in the
Power of Humane Wisdom to secure us against Plots and Practices upon
Humane Frailty: Nay, and when we have done our Best to Prevent Mischief,
the very Precaution it self serves many times to Contribute to our Ruin.
The _Stag_ did All that was to be done here; but the Ways and Workings
of Providence are unsearchable; and it is not in the Power of Humane
Prudence to Obviate all the Accidents of Humane Life.