The import of the term condition being fixed, we
shall ])roceed to shew,
XL The reasonableness of the condition here imposed —
Here it will be proper to mark the precise nature and limits of the condition imposed —
[The forgiving of others is not so to be understood as to supersede the exercise of magisterial ai(thority . God has
aRom.iii. 27. ^' 2 Thess. ii. 13. ^ Rom. vi. 23. dRom. ix. 11.
appointed magistrates as his vicegerents in the world, and has put the sword into their hands " for the punishment of evil- doers, and the support of them that do well :" and if they should forbear " to execute wrath" upon those who violate the laws, they would themselves be guilty of a dereliction of their public duty. Such lenity therefore is not comprehended in the duty which is here inculcated. Neither does the duty here spoken of altogether prohibit us from the j^ersotial exercise of our just rights, either for self-defence, or for the obtaining of legal redress. The Apostle Paul pleaded his right as a Roman citizen in order to protect himself against the injuries with which he was menaced ; and appealed to the tribunal of Cassar to obtain that justice which was denied him in the inferior courts. He has indeed expressed his disapprobation of a liti- gious spirit, and especially such a shameful exercise of it as led Christians to drag one another before the tribunals of Heathens. But he does not prohibit Christians from submitting their claims to the arbitration of judicious persons among them- selves ; and consequently he does not require us so to forgive those who injure us, as in no case to seek redress. If the only alternative be to suffer an injury, or by angry contention to embroil ourselves in difficulties and quarrels, our Lord has determined the point for us, and bidden us to " turn the other cheek to a man who has smitten us," rather than retaliate the injury, or do ourselves a still greater injury by yielding to a vindictive spirit. But to a certain extent, the support of our just rights is necessary for the preservation of the peace of the community ; and consequently we not only are |;er?/«i;!^ec?, but bound, in some instances, to maintain our rights, and to punish those who would rob us of them.
But nothing is ever to be done from a vindictive spirit. The smallest disposition to revenge is strictly prohibited. We not only must not avenge ourselves, but must not for a moment be pleased with the news that any evil has happened even to our most inveterate enemy. So far from wishing him evil, we ought to the uttermost to do him good : to love and bless him when he hates and curses us ; and to pray fervently to God for him, at the very time he is doing us all the injury in his power. The work of retribution must be left to God, " to whom alone vengeance belongeth;" and we must content ourselves with " heaping coals of fire upon his head," to melt him into love.
Now on our performance of this duty God suspends the salvation of our souls.]
The reasonableness of this condition will easily appear —
[If we exercise this grace of forgiveness from proper mo- tives, and in a becoming maimer, it will be a clear evidence