'»34 ^^' '^^^^'^^''^ ^'' Crimes and Punijhments, 



And yet, however jufl: and proper fuch a pro- 

 ceeding might be, I fuppofe no one will affert, 

 that the magiftrate is bound to it by either that 

 or any other text in the fcriptures ; or that that 

 alone would be admitted, as a Sufficient reajon for 

 \o extraordinary a meafure. * 



But in confidering the punifliment of murder 

 by death, upon the footing of political advantage^, 

 which alone has any thing to do with the quef- 

 tion, may it not juftly be afked, what natural 

 reafon can be given, why the lofs of one mem- 

 ber of fociety fliould necelTarily be followed by 

 the lofs of another! And, if none can be given, 

 whether the prefent pradlice, on fuch occafions, 

 is any tiding more, than a barbarous expedient 

 to get rid of a difficulty, than haftily cutting a 

 knot, becaufe a little dexterity is requifite to 

 untie it ? 



It would furely better become a wife politi- 

 cian, to enquire, what are the fprings which lead 

 men to the commifTion of crimes-, and fo to 

 fuit his punifhments to particular offences, as 

 that they (hall in their own nature tend to pre- 

 vent them, and correct their evil influence; 

 and not to inflift random punifliments, merely 

 to make the delinquent fuffer. 



• Let it alfo be obferved, hy thofe i>:ho ixsill quote fcripiure 

 upon the cccafion, that when Cain murdered Abel, God 

 only fet a mark upon him, that is, rendered him infamous. 

 This is a fcripture precafent ! 



Now 



