4276. The evil of punishment flows from order. If there were not the evil of punishment, order would perish, and one would infect many, and then many would infect others. Since such an order exists for the preservation of all, therefore there is permission, as there is in every kingdom - without punishment, it would perish. Indeed, if the king should condone criminals, it would perish. Why would this not be the case in such a great kingdom [as the Lord's]?
4276. The evil of punishment flows from order; if there were no evil in punishment, order would perish; one would infest many, and these many, many more. Since, then, such an order is for the conservation of all, thence is the permission [of the evil]; just as in every government, if there were not penalties, it would perish. Nay, if a king should pardon criminals, he himself should perish. How much more does this hold in so great a government [as the Lord's]?
4276. Malum poenae ex ordine fluit, si non malum poenae, periret ordo, et unus infectaret plures, et sic plures, alios; cum talis ordo sit ad conservandum omnes, ideo permissio; sicut in unoquovis regno, nisi poenae, periret; imo si rex condonaret sceleratis, periret; quid non in tanto regno.