Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/252

Chap. 16. also their causes, and the whole progress of them. When Thales was ask'd, whether a Man might hide his evil actions from God: He answered truly; no nor his evil thoughts neither. Whereas on the contrary we are here so benighted; that we do not only not see those close sins commited in the bosome, and (as they say) within the Buttons; but scarcely those which are open and dragged into the light. For we cannot behold the Crime it self, and the vigour of it; but some certain footsteps of it, when it is already committed, and upon its departure: They oftentimes are the best Men to us, who are the worst in the sight of God; as on the contrary they are reprobates in our esteem, who are the choicest to him. Forbear therefore (if you are wise) to discourse or judge of persons that deserve or deserve not their punishments; for such obscure causes as these are not to be decided, by some light and superficial appearances. Rh