246 FABLES. 



APPLICATION. 



WK ought not to judge of men by their looks, or 

 their dress and appearances, but by the character 

 of their lives and conversation, and by their works; 

 for when we do not examine these, we must not be 

 surprised if we find that we have mistaken evil for 

 good, and instead of an innocent Sheep, taken a 

 Wolf in disguise under our protection. The finished 

 hypocrite, by assuming the character of virtue, 

 makes the vice more odious and abominable; and 

 when the mask is torn off, and fraud and imposture 

 are detected, every honest man rejoices in the 

 punishment of the offender. Men who have not 

 had good, religious, and moral principles early 

 instilled into their minds, find no barrier to check 

 their propensity to evil, and get hardened as they 

 advance in years; and even the most liberal educa- 

 tion, if it want the foundation of truth and honesty, 

 is often a curse instead of a blessing, and the 

 objects of it fail to do honour either to themselves 

 or to their country. Thus it is we see tyranny stalk- 

 ing along under the mask of care and protection. 

 Injustice sets up the letter of the law against its 

 .spirit. Oppression strips the widow and the 

 orphan, and at the same time preaches up mercy 

 and compassion. Treachery covers itself under a 

 cloak of kindness; and above all, it is peculiarly 

 painful to find numbers of men, even of the learned 

 professions, who ought to set an example of probity 

 and honour, misapply their abilities to t\vist and 

 pervert the sacred meaning of both law and gospel 

 to the basest and worst of purposes. 



