JUSTICE, is generally put for goodness, equity, that virtue which renders to every man his due; and oftentimes for virtue and piety in general; lastly, for the conjunction of all those virtues which make an honest man. See Ezek. xviii. 5, 9.
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Sometimes Justice is placed in opposition to Mercy; as a virtue which severely revenges the dishonour offered to God by sin.
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At other times it is taken for the clemency, mercy, and indulgence which God shews to sinners. It is frequently taken Is. xli. 10. xlii. 6. xlv. 8. lvi. 1. lxi. 10.in this sense in Isaiah. It is used sometimes when we are speaking of a good natured, mild, indulgent man. Thus S. Matthew a tells us, that Joseph being a just man, was Vide et Psal. l. 16. and cxlii. 1, &c. Ps. l. 16. and cxlii. 1. 1. Eccl. vii. 17. Rom. iii. 25, 26.not willing to defame Mary.
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It is also taken for alms. Redeem thy sins by justice, says Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. iv. 27. See likewise Prov. xxi. 26. and xi. 18. et passim.
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It is put for the justice which God does us, and the vengeance which he exercises against our enemys. Judgment is far from us, neither doth justice overtake us, says Isaiah lix. 9. We expected that God would deliver us from oppression, and revenge us on our enemies; but we see no change in our condition.
Prov. xviii. 15. Isa. v. 23. Isai. liii. 11. Ezek. xvi. 51, 52.6. To do judgment and justice is a common expression, describing all the duties of man towards God and towards his neighbour; particularly the being just and equitable to all the world.
- To justify any one, signifies often to declare him to be just, to absolve him. God condemns the Judge who justifies the wicked. To justify signifies likewise to instruct, to shew the ways of justice. Lastly, to justify, is to demonstrate another to be less culpable than ourselves. Jerusalem by its errors justified Sodom and Samaria; it hath evidenced, that people may exceed these cities in dissoluteness and irregularities.