A discourse of constancy in two books chiefly containing consolations against publick evils written in Latin by Justus Lipsius, and translated into English by Nathaniel Wanley ...

CHAP. XIII.

Yet to satisfie the curious, three usual Objections are answered: First, of that; that evil Men are not pu∣nished. To which is reply'd; that though their punishments are defer∣red, they are not remitted. And this comes to pass either for Mans sake, or from the Nature of God which is slow to Revenge.

THis rude and simple vvay Lipsius is here the only safe one; the rest are slippery and deceitful. In su∣periour and divine things, the only acuteness is to discern nothing; and the only knowledge is to be ignorant. But forasmuch as this Cloud hath heretofore, and doth still rest upon the Minds of Men; in a few words (if possible) I shall endeavour to remove it, and vvaft you (now at a-stand) over

this River also. Pardon me, O thou Heavenly Mind said he (lifting up his Eyes) if I shall deliver any thing of these secrets (yet vvith a pious inten∣tion) less pure and pious than I ought. And first of all Lipsius methinks I am able in general to vindicate the ju∣stice of God vvith this one Argu∣ment. If God doth behold humane things, he doth also care for them, if he cares for them, he governs them, if he governes them it is with judgement, and if vvith judgement, how then unjustly? For vvithout judgement there is no government, but a meer heap, confusion and Tu∣mult. What have you to oppose against this Javelin; What Shield or vvhat armes? If you vvill confess it, nothing but humane ignorance; I cannot conceive (say you) vvhy these should be punish'd, and those other escape. Be it so; vvill you therefore add impudence to your imprudence; and carp at the power of that Divine

Lavv, vvhich you cannot conceive of? What more unjust way of pro∣ceeding against justice can there be than this? If any stranger should take upon him to judge of the Laws and Constitutions of your Country; you vvould command him to desist and be silent, because he understands them not, and shall you vvho are the inhabitant of earth, presume rashly to censure the Laws of Hea∣ven, You understand not? Or you that are the vvork to question your Maker? But it matters not, go on, for I shall now come up more close to you, and distinctly examine (as you desire me) these misty ca∣lumnies of yours by the Sun of Reason. Three things you object, that God doth not punish the vvic∣ked; that he doth punish the inno∣cent; and that he substitutes and and exchanges offendours. You say first divine vengeance doth ill to pass by vvicked men. Doth it then o∣verpass

them? In my apprehension it doth not, but rather deferrs their pu∣nishment. If divers Men owe me money; and I require it of this deb∣tour assoon as it becomes due, and allow to that other a longer time of payment: Am I therefore culpable? Or are not these things at my own dispose? The same does our Great God; to vvhom all vvicked men owe a punishment: He requires it present∣ly of these, but gives day to others; yet to be paid with interest, and what injustice is this? unless (possibly) you are solicitous for God, and fear he should lose part of his debt, by his merciful forbearance: But you need not fear it; no Man ever prov'd bank∣rupt to this supream Creditour. We are all under his Eye vv••eresoever we betake our selves; nay already in his shackles and custody. But I vvould (say you) have such a Tyrant imme∣diately punished, that by his present slaughter, he may satisfie so many as

he hath oppressed. For this vvay the Justice of God vvould shine out the more illustriously to us. Rather your stupidity in my Mind. For vvho art thou that not only presumest to lead on the judgements of God, but also to prescribe him his season? Do you think him your judge, or rather your Lictour or Executioner? Dispatch, lead him off (say you) scourge him, cover his face, and hang him up: For it is my vvill it should be so. O im∣pudence! But God vvills it otherwise, vvho (you ought to know) sees more clearly into these matters, and punish∣es for other ends. The heats of pas∣sion, and a certain desire of Revenge transport us; from all vvhich God is most remotely distant, and intends the vvarning and correction of others: For he best knowes to vvhom and vvhen these things may be useful. The choice of times is of great moment, and for vvant of a due and seasonable administration, the safest medicines

do oftentimes prove fatal to us. He took away Caligula in the first setting out of his Tyranny: He suffered Nero to run on longer, and Tiberius beyond either; and this no doubt for the good of those very Men, vvho then also complain'd. Our vicious and uncor∣rected manners, do often stand in need of a lasting and continued scourge, though vve vvould have it straight re∣mov'd, and thrown into the Fire. This is one cause of the forbearance of God, vvhich respect us; the other respects himself. To vvhom it seems natural to proceed on to his Revenge vvith a slow pace; and to recom∣pence the delay of his punishment vvith the vveight of it. Synecius said vvell, the Divine inquisition moves on slowly and by degrees: And so did the Ancients vvho from this property of his; feign'd God to have feet of Wool. So that although you are passionately hasty of Revenge; you cannot yet accuse this delay, since it

is so only a respite of punishment; that it may be also an encrease. Tell me, vvere you present at a Tragedy; vvould you stomach it that the A∣treus there, or the Thyestes; in the first or second act, should in a glo∣rious garbe, and vvith a stately tread, pass through the Scenes: That they should rule there, threaten and com∣mand all? I suppose you would not, for you know that felicity is but short∣liv'd: And expect that all this gran∣deur should finish in a fatal Cata∣strophe. In this Play and Fable of the World, vvhy are you more offend∣ed vvith God, than you vvould be vvith any Poet? That wicked Man flourishes, and that Tyrant lives hap∣py. Be it so; but think vvithall that this is but the first Act: And before possess your self inwardly vvith this, that tears and forrows press on hard to overtake those joyes. This Scene shall shortly flow vvith blood, and then those robes of Gold, and Purple shall

be rowled up and down, and tramp∣led in it. For that great Master of ours is a good Poet, and vvill not rashly exceed the Lawes of his Tra∣gedy. Do vve not vvillingly bear with Discords in Musick for some time; because vve know that the last clo∣sures vvill end in comfort? Do so here. But you vvill say those miserable Creatures that have suffered under this Tyranny, do not alwayes see the pu∣nishment. What wonder is it? For the Play is oftentimes somewhat long; and they are not able to sit it out in this Theatre. But others see it and fear; because they see that though (in this severe Court of Judicatory) some Men are reprieved; yet they are not pardoned: And though the day of execution is prolonged, yet it is not forgot. Wherefore Lipsius re∣member this; that vvicked Men are sometimes forborne, but never acquit∣ed: Nor is there any Man that en∣tertains a crime into his brest, but

vvho also hath a Nemesis at his back; for that Goddess is in pursuit of him and as I may say vvith Euripides,

VVith silent unsuspected pace She doth the guilty Sinner trace. And though he strive with utmost hast To scape; she seiseth him at last.