Why take the antidote before you have swallowed the poison; why so solicitous to purge yourself from the imputation of a crime, before you are accused, or why censure the doctrines of a book before you have read and considered it?

Before the second crowing of the cock. Before the invention of dials, hour-glasses, and clocks, the crowing of the cock was much attended to, as announcing the dawn, at which time servants were expected to rise and begin their labours