In considering the subject of retributive justice, we shall shew,
I. How it should be exercised by men —
By men in their individual capacity, it should not be exercised at all —
[We are forbidden to think of retaliating an injury, or of avenging ourselves at all^. Yea rather we are taught patiently to bear injuries *• ; and tenderly to requite them with acts of kindness '^ ; and to persist in this conduct till we have melted our
adversaries into shame, and overcome them with love ^
Our blessed Lord, who died for his very murderers, has " left us an example that we should follow his steps ^" ]
But, as public men, we may, and must execute justice on those who transgress the laws —
[Magistrates are invested with authority by God himself for this very end : and they are " not to bear the sword in vain : " they are to be a terror to evil-doers, as well as a protection to those who do well.
Now this throws the true light on the advice which David gave to Solomon at the close of his life, and on the conduct which Solomon maintained. David was not actuated by revenge when he advised Solomon to put Joab to death, and to take the fii'st opportunity of visiting on the head of Shimei the sins of which he had been guilty. David knew the characters of both : he knew that Joab would not fail to advance Adonijah to the throne, if ever it should be in his power ; and that Shimei still cleaved to the house of Saul as much as ever, and would use all his influence in concert with Joab to dethrone Solomon: David therefore advised him to remove as soon as possible those who would destroy the peace and prosperity of his kingdom. As for Joab, he ought to have been put to death long ago, for the murders he had committed ; and David had brought guilt on himself and the whole nation by suflering him to live : and therefore, now that there was no prospect of the people rising in favour of Joab, he recommended that justice should be executed upon him. That David was actuated by no bad spirit in this advice, appears from the charge he gave Solomon at the same time to walk in the strictest observance of God's commands. We may justly say therefore that the advice was precisely such as a dying monarch ought to have given to a young man, who was just ready to ascend the throne. In like manner Solomon was justified in all the steps he took to
a Prov. xxiv. 29. ^ Matt. v. 38, 41. c Matt. v. 44.
'> Rom. xii. 19—21. ^' 1 Pet. ii. 21—24.