This is in some sort the Reverse of _Boccalini_’s Advice from the
_West-Indies_; that the _Spaniards Dogs_ there, that were sent to
preserve their Flocks from _Wolves_, were grown _Wolves_ themselves. Now
here’s a _Wolf_ turn’d _Shepherd_, with the same Design, only better
Dress’d up: For there is no Treachery so plausible, as that which is
cover’d with the Robe of a Guide or Governor. Nothing like a Mercenary
_Bar-Gown_ to make a Sedition Warrantable; nothing like an _Assembly_ of
_Pye-Ball’d_ Divines, to make it a Point of Conscience; and nothing again
like a Popular _Ordinance_, to make it both Law and Gospel. There are
hardly any more Dangerous Instruments of Mischief, then Corrupt Officers
and Ministers, that Abuse their Authority, commit Publick Violence in
their Masters Name, and do Wrong under a Colour of Right and Justice.
But this does not come up yet to the Force and Point of the Fiction; for
’tis one thing to abuse a Lawful Authority, to the Degree of Tyranny
and Oppression; and it is another thing to exercise a worse Tyranny and
Oppression, without any Authority at all. The _Wolf_ turn’d _Shepherd_,
is only an _Usurper_ in the Shape of a _Protector_; a _Persecutor_
under the Cloak of a _Governor_; a Creature that’s Cruel and False by
Nature, in Opposition to all the Methods of Piety and good Manners: So
that here’s all summ’d up in a few words, to make the Case Miserable
and Shameful. The Morality in fine, of this Fable, may be fairly enough
apply’d to the Errors on Both Hands: That is to say, of those that put a
_Lawful Authority_ upon the Stretch, to the Abuse of that Power, under
the Colour of _Prerogative_; and of those that take upon them to Exercise
the Offices of Power, without any Right to’t at all. But the Sheep
however are well Guarded in the mean time, that have a Wolf for their
Keeper.