[ 1177] Every Wicked Man, a curse to the place he lives in.
BIas the Philosopher,* 1.1 being at Sea in a great Tempest with a number of odd fellowes, some of them very rake-shames and naught, they began (as men in such a case usually do) to call upon the gods; which he perceiving, comes to them, and saith; Sirs, hold your peace, lest the gods take notice that you are here, and so not onely you, but we also suffer for your sakes: And it is observed, that S. Iohn leap'd out of the Bath,* 1.2 because Cerinthus was there, his reason was, le••t the Bath should fall for his sake onely, being a wretched blasphemous He∣retick: Thus it is,* 1.3 that a Wicked Man, though he thinks he hurt no body but himself, is a Plague and a curse to the place he lives in, let him be never so No∣ble, never so Honourable, potent or wealthy, if he be a prophane Man, a lewd loose Libertine, he engageth the place of his abode to the wrath of God, and hastneth his Judgments thereon.