Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/258

Chap. 17. the vastness of his Mind. Should those martial Wolves, heretofore rase so many Cities, and break so many Scepters with impunity? Should they broach so much blood by the slaughters of others; and themselves never bleed for't? I should then indeed confess that God to be no avenger, who yet hears and sees all that we do. But they shall not scape so, at length of Necessity they must undergo punishments at least in their posterity; such as are slow indeed, but not too late. Nor is there a conjunction of time only with God but of parts too. I mean thus, that as in a Man the whole Body suffers, when possibly only the hand, or groin, or belly has offended: So is it in great Societies. All many times do account for the faults of a few: Especially if those that have sinned are (as it were) the more principal members; as Kings, Princes, and Magistrates. Hesiod spake truly, Rh