Of the Justice of God
16. Another attribute of God is his justice. With submission I conceive that this is not to be said to be from eternity, any otherwise than all God’s relations are (as creator, redeemer, &c.) because there is no time with God. For though the blessed nature denominated just is from eternity, yet not the formality or denomination of justice. For justice is an attribute of God, as he is governor only: and he was not governor, till he had creatures to govern: and he could not be a just governor when he w-as no governor. The denomination did not arise till the creation had laid the foundation. Many questions may be resolved hence, which
1 will not trouble you to recite.
Justice in God is the perfection of his nature, as it giveth every one his due, or governeth the world in the most perfect orders for the ends of government. Because he is just, he will reward the righteous, and difference between the godly and the wicked: for that governor that useth all alike, is not just. The crown of righteousness is given by him as a righteous judge,
2 Tim. iv. 8.
I. The justice of God is substantially (in men we call it an inclination) in his nature, and so it is eternal.
II. It is founded formally in his relation of *’ governor.’’
III. It is expressively first in his laws: for as a just governor he made them suited to the subjects, objects, and ends.
IV. It is expressively secondarily in his judgments and executions; which is when they are according to his law; or in the cases of penalty where he may dispense at least according to the state of the subject, and fitted to the ends of government.
1. The justice of God is the consolation of the just: he will justify them whom his gospel justifieth, because he is just. The justice of God in many places of scripture, is taken for his fidelity in vindicating his people, and his judging for them, and procuring them the happy fruits of his government, and so is taken in a consolatory sense, Ps. lxxxix. 14. “Justice and judgment are the habitations of thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before thy face,’* 2 Thes. i. 5, 6. “It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble us, and rest to the troubled.”
2. The justice of God is the terror of the ungodly. As he would not make unrighteous laws, for the pleasure of unrighteous men, so neither will he pass unrighteous judgment. But look what a man soweth, that shall he also reap. All his peremptory threatnings shall be made good, and his wrath poured out for ever upon impenitent souls, because he is the righteous God.