The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

3. That exchange is not allowed in Criminal Causes where the Guilty ought to suffer in Person, 'tis not from any Injustice in the Nature of the thing, for then it would not be allowed in Civil; but there are special Reasons why an Innocent Person is not ordinarily admitted to suffer for an offender.

1. No man hath absolute Power over his own life. 'Tis a depositum consigned to him for a time, and must be preserved till God, or the Public good, calls for it.

1. No man hath absolute Power over his own life. 'Tis a depositum consigned to him for a time, and must be preserv'd till God, or the Publick good, calls for it.

2. The Public would suffer prejudice by the loss of a good Subject. Therefore the Rule of the Law is just, Non auditur perire volens. The desire of one that devotes himself to ruin is not to be heard. And the guilty person who is spared might grow ⟨p. 246⟩worse by impunity, and cause great disorders by his evil example. But these considerations are of no force in the case of our Saviour: For,

2. The Publick would suffer prejudice by the loss of a good Subject. Therefore the Rule of the Law is just, Non auditur perire volens. The desire of one that devotes himself to ruine is not to be heard. And the guilty person who is spared might grow ⟨p. 246⟩worse by impunity, and cause great disorders by his evil example. But these considerations are of no force in the case of our Saviour: For,