explained the Text with the utmost Perspicuity.«
    »But if this be the Meaning,« cries the Son, »there must be an End of all
Law and Justice - for I do not see how any Man can prosecute his Enemy in a
Court of Justice.«
    »Pardon me, Sir,« cries the Doctor. »Indeed, as an Enemy merely, and from a
Spirit of Revenge, he cannot, and he ought not to prosecute him; but as an
Offender against the Laws of his Country, he may and it is his Duty so to do: Is
there any Spirit of Revenge in the Magistrates or Officers of Justice, when they
punish Criminals? Why do such, ordinarily I mean, concern themselves in
inflicting Punishments, but because it is their Duty? And why may not a private
Man deliver an Offender into the Hands of Justice, from the same laudable
Motive? Revenge, indeed, of all Kinds is strictly prohibited; wherefore, as we
are not to execute it with our own Hands, so neither are we to make Use of the
Law as the Instrument of private Malice, and to worry each other with Inveteracy
and Rancour. And where is the great Difficulty in obeying this wise, this
generous, this noble Precept? If Revenge be, as a certain Divine, not greatly to
his Honour, calls it, the most luscious Morsel the Devil ever dropt into the
Mouth of a Sinner, it must be allowed at least to cost us often extremely dear.
It is a Dainty, if indeed it be one, which we come at with great Inquietude,
with great Difficulty, and with great Danger. However pleasant it may be to the
Palate, while we are feeding on it, it is sure to leave a bitter Relish behind
it; and so far, indeed, it may be called a luscious Morsel, that the most greedy
Appetites are soon glutted, and the most eager Longing for it is soon turned
into Loathing and Repentance. I allow there is something tempting in its outward
Appearance; but it is like the beautiful Colour of some Poisons, from which,
however they may attract our Eyes, a Regard to our own Welfare commands us to
abstain. And this is an Abstinence to which Wisdom alone, without any divine
Command, hath been often found adequate; with Instances of which, the Greek and
Latin Authors every where abound. May not a Christian, therefore, be well
ashamed of making a Stumbling-block of a Precept, which is not only consistent
with his worldly Interest, but to which so noble an Incentive is proposed