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 some 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.