This is the course of the World, to the very Life, we can never want
Advisers and Councellors in Matters of the Greatest Hazzard: But let the
Reason be ever so clear, we are still at a Loss for an Instrument to put
Dangerous Projects in Execution.
Desperate Cases require Desperate Remedies; but let the Hazzard of this
or that part of a Body be what it will, it is a matter of Duty, Justice
and Policy to consult the Good of the whole. It was the Interest of the
_Mice_ to have a _Bell_ put about the _Cats Neck_, and they all agreed
upon’t to be a very good Expedient: But when it came to the Issue, the
Counsel fell to the Ground for want of one to put it in execution. This
is no more then what we see frequently in difficulties of State; but the
true Reason of failing in that Case, proceeds rather from some Failings
in the Administration, then from any want of necessary Instruments. As
for the Purpose, where Reward and Punishment are inverted, and where Men
of Faith and Zeal for the Honour and Service of the Common-wealth are
only made Sacrifices to the Passions and Interests of the Corrupt and
Fearful. Where Matters are thus Manag’d, I say, every Man is not of a
Constitution to Leap a Gulf for the Saving of his Country: Especially,
when over and above the certainty of Ruin, Men are no less sure of having
their very Names and Memories abandon’d to Infamy and Contempt for their
Pains; But on the other hand, where Christian as well as Political
Justice has its Course, every part of the Community suffers by Consent
with the whole: and such a Government in the uttermost of Extremities,
shall never fail of _Devotes_.