Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/251

130230 [sic] best of us pretend to so unblemished a purity; but there will be found some such spots in it, as are to be washed out (as I may say) with this salt water of Affliction. Forbear therefore young-man this intricate pursuit of the respects and proportions of crimes: And since thou art but an earthly and pedaneous judge; leave it to God, who from his higher tribunal will determine of it; with greater equity and certainty. 'Tis he only that can distinguish of our deserts; and 'tis he alone who (notwithstanding all artificial disguises) can behold both vice and vertue in their proper countenances. Who can impose upon him who equally searches into things internal and external; that sees at once the Body and the Mind, the Tongue and the Heart: And (to conclude) those things that are open, with those that are recluded and retyred? Who doth not only most clearly behold our actions themselves, but Rh