31 Justice Of God
JUSTICE OF GOD
Is that perfection whereby he is infinitely righteous and just, both in himself and in all his proceedings with his creatures. Mr. Ryland defines it thus: “The ardent inclination of his will to prescribe equal laws as the supreme governor, and to dispense equal rewards and punishments as the supreme judge.” Rev. 16:5. Psal. 145:7. Psal. 97:1.—2. It is distinguished into remunerative and punitive justice. Remunerative justice is a distribution of rewards, the rule of which is not the merit of the creature, but his own gracious promise, James 1:12. 2 Tim. 4:8. Punitive or vindictive justice, is the infliction of punishment for any sin committed by men, 2 Thess. 1:6. That God will not let sin go unpunished is evident, 1. From the word of God, Ex. 34:6,7. Numb. 14:18. Neh. 1:3.—2. From the nature of God, Isa. 1:13,14. Psal. 5:5,6. Heb. 12:29.–3. From sin being punished in Christ, the surety of his people, 1 Pet. 3:18.–4. From all the various natural evils which men bear in the present state. The use we should make of this doctrine is this: 1. We should learn the dreadful nature of sin, and the inevitable ruin of impenitent sinners, Ps. 9:17.–2. We should highly appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom justice is satisfied. 1 Pet. 3:18.–3. We should imitate the justice of God, by cherishing an ardent regard to the rights of God, and to the rights of mankind.–4. We should abhor all sin, as it strikes directly at the justice of God.–5. We should derive comfort from the consideration that the Judge of all the earth will do right, as it regards ourselves, the church, and the world at large, Psal. 97:1,2.
Charles Buck (1771-1815) was an English Independent minister, best known for the publication of his “Theological Dictionary”. According to the “Dictionary of National Biography”, a Particular Baptist minister named John C. Ryland (1723-1792) assisted Buck by writing many of the articles for the aforementioned publication. One may conclude, based not only Buck’s admiration for his friend Ryland, but also on the entries in his Theological Dictionary, that he stood head and shoulders with the High-Calvinists of his day.
Charles Buck on the Biblical Covenants (Complete)
Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary
