Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/210

Chap. 10.

Unishment I confess respects evil Men, but is no evil it self. For First, it is good if you respect God, whose eternal and immoveable law of Justice doth require that the crimes of Men be either amended, or removed out of the way. Now chastisement amends those that can be washed out; and those which cannot, punishment takes away. It is good also in respect of Men, amongst whom no society could stand and continue; if all things were permitted with impunity to turbulent and desperate spirits. As the punishment of petty Thieves and Murther- Rh