Justice the Decorum of the Character of Judges
Alex. Gerard, D. D. Deuteronomy 16:20 That which is altogether just shall you follow, that you may live, and inherit the land which the LORD your God gives you. (preached at the Assizes): — The duties which are incumbent upon us may be very properly divided into two classes — such as are incumbent upon all men, and such as are incumbent upon particular ranks of men. I. JUSTICE IS IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED WITH THE END OF THAT OFFICE WHICH MAGISTRATES, JUDGES, AND RULERS BEAR. The exercise of justice itself is the proximate means of answering the purposes of government and judgment. One of the principal ways in which other virtues promote these purposes is by contributing to the steady and vigorous exercise of incorruptible justice. Injustice, directly and of itself, defeats these purposes, and is in every instance absolutely inconsistent with them. Other vices obstruct them sometimes very strongly, but always more remotely and indirectly, often by preparing the way to injustice. II. RULERS AND JUDGES HAVE, FROM THEIR OFFICE, OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY EXERTIONS OF JUSTICE WHOLLY PECULIAR TO THEMSELVES. On this account also justice may be considered as in a special manner the virtue of their character and station. The poor man, who cannot himself resist the oppression of the great; the peaceable man, who is harassed by the encroachments of the man of violence; the orphan, whose rights are invaded by him that hath no bowels, claim the protection of the judge, and can obtain redress only by brining their cause under his cognisance. Differences arising from the ignorance or the self-partiality of persons well disposed can be determined only by the superior knowledge and unbiassed justice of the judge. When individuals are injured or the public disturbed by crimes, it is to the integrity of the judge that they must look up for help. How extensive, then, is the sphere of public justice which is peculiar to the ruler and the judge! In every instance of public justice he must make conscience of doing what is right, else he forfeits the character of a just and honest man, in the very same way as another person would forfeit it by being convicted of a transgression of private justice. III. Justice may be considered as in a peculiar manner belonging to rulers, judges, and magistrates because THEY ARE UNDER PECULIAR OBLIGATIONS TO IT. Every act of injustice brings positive hurt on the person who is affected by it; but an unjust judgment hurts with the cutting aggravations of its being done under form of law, and of its impeaching the person whom it injures, as if he had been injurious. Private persons are connected only with a few, and therefore only a few can be hurt by their injustice; but the injustice of a judge is of more extensive consequence, it hurts all who are subject to his jurisdiction. Private injustice may be checked or redressed by the righteousness of the judge; but if the judge be unrighteous, by whom shall his injustice be restrained? (Alex. Gerard, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. WEB: You shall follow that which is altogether just, that you may live, and inherit the land which Yahweh your God gives you.