Quid nunc? Selections from the poems of the late W. Cowper, Esq., contrasted with the works of Knox, Paley, and others / [William Cowper].
- William Cowper
- Date:
- 1809
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Quid nunc? Selections from the poems of the late W. Cowper, Esq., contrasted with the works of Knox, Paley, and others / [William Cowper]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![the restraint or punishment of criminals, ought to be up¬ holder If the magistrate be not tied down with these prohibitions from the execution of his office,* neither is the prosecutor: for, the office of the prosecutor is as ne¬ cessary as that of the magistrate. Nor, by parity of rea¬ son, are private persons withholden from the correction of vice, when it is in their power to exercise it : provided they be assured that it is the guilt which provokes them, and not the injury ; and that their motives are pure from all mixture, and every particle of that spirit which de¬ lights and triumphs in the humiliation of an adversary. Thus, it 'is no breach of Christian charity to withdraw our company or civility when the same tends to discoun¬ tenance any vicious practice. This is one branch ol that extra-judicial discipline, which supplies the defects and remissness of law ; and is expressly authorised by Saint Paul, ] Cor.Y. 2. “ But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man, that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner 5 with such an one no not to eat.” The use of this association against vice continues t6 be experienced in one remarkable instance, and might be extended with good effect to others. The confederacy am on srst women of character, to exclude from their so- O ciety kept mistresses and prostitutes/ contributes more, perhaps, to discourage that condition of life, and prevents greater numbers from entering into it, than all the consi¬ derations of prudence and religion put together. Pa ley. ♦ It is no uncommon thing to meet with persons who carry the rewards and trappings of prostitution as if the profession was an honourable one. * Zimmerman. SEDUC-](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31910063_0043.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
