Page:Terræ-filius- or, the Secret History of the University of Oxford.djvu/23

Rh However this conduct may erve the purpoes of an ambitious Stateman, who is declining in the eteem of that Party, upon which he firt et out, and by whoe interet he aggrandiz'd himelf; yet it never did, nor ever will conduce to the good of any Nation, or the glory of any Prince.

I hall not init upon the baenes or ingratitude of uch proceedings, becaue as publick Honely has, long ago, been laugh'd at as a chimæra, it would be ridiculous to argue upon publick Gratitude. But, peaking politically, what can any Government be aid to gain by uch conduct? if it engages an Enemy, does it not alo endanger the los of a Friend? Or, can an old inveterate Adverary, brought over by venal motives, be ore rely'd upon than taunch Friend, actuated by the natural principles and dictates of his heart?—It is, at bet, nothing ele but giving away with one hand, what they gain with the other; not to mention the hazard, which they run, of being betray'd or undermin'd by their new converts and adherents.

To uppoe that our friends will always be our friends, however deerted, diregarded, or ill-ued, is equally ridiculous with believing that mercenary Proelytes can be afely confided in, when there is real danger. Zeal and Affection to a caue may go a great way in retraining ome perons from