Chap. XIII - Of Justice
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2022
Summary
Of Justice in General, and Particular. The Great Good it doth in Empires and Kingdoms, a Token of the more retired Good it doth in the Soul. Its several Kinds. That GODS Punitive Justice Springs from his Goodness.
THO following the common Course of Moralists, in our Distribution of Vertues, we have seated Justice among the Cardinal Moral; yet upon second Thoughts we find reason to reduce it to the number of Divine Vertues, because upon a more neer and particular Inspection, we find it to be one of the Perfections of GOD, and under that notion shall discover its Excellence far more compleatly, then if we did contemplate its Nature, as it is limited and bounded among the Actions of Men.
THE Universal Justice of Angels and Men regards all Moral Actions and Vertues whatever: It is that Vertue by which we yield Obedience to all righteous and Holy Laws, upon the Account of the Obligations that lye upon us, for the Publick Welfare of the whole World. Because we Love to do that which is Right, and desire the fruition of Eternal Rewards. There is much Wisdome and Goodness, as well as Courage and Prudence necessary to the Exercise of this Vertue, and as much need of Temperance in it, as any. For he that will be thus just must of necessity be Heroical, in despising all Pleasure and Allurements that may soften his Spirit, all fears and dangers that may discourage and divert him, all inferior Obligations and Concernes that may intangle and ensnare him, he must trample under foot all his Relations and friends and particular Affections so far as they incline him to partiality and sloth; he must be endued with Great Wisdome to discern his End, great Constancy to pursue it, great Prudence to see into Temptations and Impediments, and to lay hold on all Advantages and Means that may be improved, he must have a Great Activity and Vigor in using them, a Lively sense of his Obligations, a transcendent Love to GOD and felicity, a mighty Patience and Long-suffering, because his Enemies are many, his Condition low, his Mark afar off, his Business manifold, his Life tho short in it self, yet long to him, his undertaking Weighty, and his nature corrupted.
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- The Works of Thomas Traherne VII<i>Christian Ethicks</i> and <i>Roman Forgeries</i>, pp. 98 - 102Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2022