The word justice, or i-ighteousness, is used in Scripture some- times in a wider and sometimes in a more restricted sense. In theology, it is often distinguished as justitia interna, or moral excellence, and justitia externa, or rectitude of conduct. In Hebrew p"«T2 means, in a physical sense, straight ; and in a moral sense, right, what is as it should be. And n|"7n!5 means rightness, that which satisfies the demands of rectitude or law. The Greek word StKatos has the physical sense of equal ; and the moral sense of, conformed to what is right ; and ScKatoo-wvy is either that which divides equally, i. e., equity in the moral sense, or that which sat- isfies the demands of right. The Latin Justus and justitia are commonly used in the wide sense for what is right, or as it should be. Cicero ^ defines justitia as " animi afifectio suum cuique tri- buens." This definition he elsewhere amplifies, saying: "Justitia erga Deos religio, erga parentas pietas, creditis in rebus fides, in moderatione animadvertendi lenitas, amicitia in benevolentia nomi- natur." ^
When we regard God as the author of our moral nature, we conceive of Him as holy ; when we regard Him in his dealings with his rational creatures, we conceive of Him as righteous. He is a righteous ruler ; all his laws are holy, just, and good. In his moral government He faithfully adheres to those laws. He is im- partial and uniform in their execution. As a judge he renders unto every man according to his works. He neither condemns the in- nocent, nor clears the guilty ; neither does He ever punish with undue severity. Hence the justice of God is distinguished as rectoral, or that which is concerned in the imposition of righteous laws and in their impartial execution ; and distributive, or that which is manifested in the righteous distribution of rewards and punishment. The Bible constantly represents God as a righteous ruler and a just judge. These two aspects of his character, or of our relation to" Him, Ure not carefully distinguished. We have the assurance which runs through the Scriptures, that " The judge of all the earth " must " do right." (Gen. xviii. 25.) " God is a nghteous judge." (Ps. vii. 11, marginal reading.) " He shall judge the world with righteousness." (Ps. xcvi. 13.) " Clouds
1 Be Finibus, v. 23, 65, edit. Leipzig, 1850, p. 1042.
2 PartUiones Oratorios, 22, 78, edit, ut sup. p. 194.