A. By being restrained from private revenge. In which respect David blesseth God for keeping him from revenging himself with his own hand. 1We must distinguish betwixt public justice, and private revenge. 1.f That ariseth from judgement: gthis from wrath. 2.h That is accompanied with love:i this with hatred. 3.k That is done in Gods name: this is a mans own. All private revenge, though no outward hurt, or wrong be done thereby, is a sin in the revenging party because of the inward corruption whence it ariseth. Much hurt may fall on a delinquent by public Justice, and yet no sin in the execution thereof, because it may stand with equity, pity, mercy, and charity: and it may aim at the good of the party punished: yea and turn to his good also. A malefactor may be accused, condemned, and punished with stripes, fine, imprisonment, banishment, excommunication, death, or otherwise, and yet the bonds of mercy and love not transgressed. Thus may suites of law be made, and wilful or negligent debtors ⟨p. 193⟩cast into prison, as these are parts of public justice, and yet the condition of the fifth Petition not be violated, if anger, hatred, malice, revenge and such like corruptions taint not the foresaid execution of Justice.
A. By being restrained from priuate reuenge. In which respect Dauid blesseth God for keeping him from reuenging himselfe with his owne hand. 1We must distinguish betwixt publicke iustice, and priuate reuenge. 1.f That ariseth from iudgement: gthis from wrath. 2.h That is accompanied with loue:i this with hatred. 3.k That is done in Gods name: this is a mans owne. All priuate reuenge, though no outward hurt, or wrong be done thereby, is a sinne in the reuenging partie because of the inward corruption whence it ariseth. Much hurt may fall on a delinquent by publicke Iustice, and yet no sinne in the execution thereof, because it may stand with equitie, pitty, mercy, and charity: and it may aime at the good of the partie punished: yea and turne to his good also. A malefactor may be accused, condemned, and punished with stripes, fine, imprisonment, banishment, excommunication, death, or otherwise, and yet the bonds of mercie and loue not transgressed. Thus may suites of law be made, and willfull or negligent debters ⟨p. 193⟩cast into prison, as these are parts of publicke iustice, and yet the condition of the fift Petition not be violated, if anger, hatred, malice, reuenge and such like corruptions taint not the foresaid execution of Iustice.
- 11. Sam. 25. 33.
- fDeut. 17. 9.
- gGen. 4. 5.
- h2. Cor. 4. 2.
- iGen. 27. 41.
- kRom. 13. 4.
