Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/237

116216 [sic] either in the Commission of his crimes or at least after he hath acted them. So true is that which Plato said of old; that punishment treads upon the heels of sin: or as Hesiod more properly, it is coeval and twinns with it. The punishment of evil is not only ally'd to; but is bred within that evil. nor is there any thing in this Life, that can pretend to calmness and security; besides innocence alone. As the Roman custome did enforce the Malefactour to bear that Cross which was streight to bear him: So hath God impos'd upon all wicked Men, this Cross of Conscience; on which they shall begin to suffer, before their further and worse sufferings do begin. Do you suppose that only to be punishment, which we can look upon, and which this Body doth sensibly undergo? No. All those external things do but lightly, and for no long time touch upon us; they are the internal that more exquisitely torment us. As Rh