Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/232

Chap. 13. do oftentimes prove fatal to us. He took away Caligula in the first setting out of his Tyranny: He suffered Nero to run on longer, and Tiberius beyond either; and this no doubt for the good of those very Men, who then also complain'd. Our vicious and uncorrected manners, do often stand in need of a lasting and continued scourge, though we would have it straight remov'd, and thrown into the Fire. This is one cause of the forbearance of God, which respect us; the other respects himself. To whom it seems natural to proceed on to his Revenge with a slow pace; and to recompence the delay of his punishment with the weignt of it. Synecius said well, the Divine inquisition moves on slowly and by degrees: And so did the Ancients who from this property of his; feign'd God to have feet of Wool. So that although you are passionately hasty of Revenge; you cannot yet accuse this delay, since it Rh