ow its hatred of sin, and
to deter others from transgression, sin is punished. Punishment is the
penalty due to sin; in the language of Homer, it is the payment of a
debt incurred by sin. When the transgressor is punished he is said to
"pay off," or "pay back" his crimes; in other words, to expatiate or
atone for them.

"If not at once,
Yet soon or late will Jove assert their claim,
And heavy penalty the perjured pay
With their own blood, their children's, and their wives'."[936]

At the same time the belief is expressed that the gods may be, and often
are, propitiated by prayers and sacrifices, and thus the penalty is
remitted.

"The Gods themselves, in virtue, honor, strength,
Excelling thee, may yet be mollified;
For they when mortals have transgressed, or fail'd
To do aright, by sacrifice and pray'r,
Libations and burnt-off'rings, may be sooth'd."[937]

[Footnote 934: "Iliad," bk. xix. l. 91-101 (Lord Derby's translation).]

[Footnote 935: Ibid., bk. ix. l. 132-136.]

[Footnote 936: Ibid., bk. iv. l. 185-188.]

[Footnote 937: Ibid., bk. ix. l. 581-585.]

Polytheism, then, as Dr. Schaff has remarked, had the voice of
conscience, and a sense, however obscure, of sin. It felt the need of
reconciliation with deity, and sought that reconciliation by prayer,
penance, and sacrifice.[938]

The sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the absolute need of
expiation, is determined with increasing clearness and definiteness in
the tragic poets.

The first great law which the Tragedians recognize, as a law written on
the heart, is "that the sinner must suffer for his sins." The connection
between sin and suffering is constantly recognized as a natural and
necessary connection, like that between sowing and reaping.

A haughty spirit, blossoming, bears a crop
Of woe, and reaps a harvest of despair.[939]

"Lust and violence beget lust and violence, and vengeance too, at the
appointed time."[940] "Impiety multiplies and perpetuates itself."[941]
"The sinner pays the debt he contracted, ends the career that he
begins,"[942] "and drinks to the dregs the cup of cursing which he
himself had filled."[943] Conscience is the instrument in the hands of
Justice and Vengeance by which the Most High inflicts punishment. The
retributions of sin are "wrought out by God."

The consequences of great crimes, especially in high places, extend t