Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/256

Chap. 17. venly judge will remember it to the advantage of their posterity. Were they Evil? It shall be hurtful to them. Were the Belgians some years ago; Lascivious, Covetous, Impious? We shall suffer for it. For in every external punishment, God not only beholds the present, but also looks back upon pass'd times; and with the weights of them both, doth most equally poise the ballance of his Justice. I sayd in external punishments and I would have you to observe it. For crimes themselves are not transferr'd, nor is there a kind of confusion of them: God forbid there should. But certain punishments and corrections only, such as are about us not in us; and which properly respect the Body, or estate; but not this inward Mind of ours. And in all this where is the injury? We are doubtless willing to be heirs of those advantages, and rewards (if any) that are due to our ancestours: And if Rh