Page:Essay on Crimes and Punishments (1775).djvu/216

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order which the impiety hath occasioned. But if in the act of impiety the delinquent hath not even stolen a handkerchief; if the ceremonies of religion have been in no wise disturbed, shall we, as I said before, punish the impiety as we would punish parricide? The Marshal d’Ancre had caused a white cock to be killed when the moon was at full: ought we therefore to burn the Marshal D’Ancre?

Est modus in rebus, sunt certi denique fines;
Nec scutica dignum horribili sectere flagello
.


CHAPTER VII.

On the Crime of Preaching; and of Anthony.

A Calvinist teacher, who, in certain provinces, preaches to his flock, if he be detected, is punished with death; and those who have given him a supper, or a bed, are sent to the gallies for life.

In other countries, if a Jesuit be caught preaching, he is hanged. Is it to avenge God that this Calvinist and this Jesuit are