REFLECTIONS ON Several Subjects, Suited to The PRESENT TIMES: Each Chapter beginning with a diverting Fable Curious Obfervations from the Beft Hiftories. Done into English, from a French Manufcript, Omne tulit punctum qui mifcuit utile dulci, The Second Edition. Printed for the Author, And are to be Sold by Anth. Peifley, and Will. Wells, The PREFACE Ables were fo much in Ufe, and had in fuch Efteem among the Ancients, that the Wifest and most Judicious of them, in whatever they either deliver'd, or publifh'd, by Way of Advice, or Direction to Others, generally interfpers'd fuch Choice Fables, as they thought would be moft conducive to render themselves more intelligible; and to imprint in the Minds of their Hearers, or Readers, fuch lively Ideas, and convincing Notions, as are requifite thoroughly to ground Men in the Knowledge of Vir(a2) tue, F |