Page:A Discourse of Constancy in Two Books Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.pdf/238

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Chap. 14.
of Conſtancy.
117

we judge them to be more desperately sick, who languish away under an inward waste; than those that are seised with some visible inflammation, or preternatural heats, though these last are more apparent: So are wicked Men under a more grievous punishment, who with so low and indiscernible procedures are lead on to their eternal Death. It used to be the cruel command of Caligula; so strike as that he may feel he dyes; the same befalls these Men, whom their Conscience as an Executioner, doth daily torture, and even kill by these slow degrees of lesser and repeated stripes. Nor let the splendour or the inlarged power and wealth of those Men impose upon you: Since they are no more happy and fortunate for these than they are healthful, whose Gout or Feaver rests it self upon a purple Couch. Do you see a beggarly Fellow represent in some Play the person of a Prince, all Pompous and brave?

You