How Far It May Be Lawful to Rejoice in Our Enemy's Overthrow
by Peter Martyr Vermigli
Wherefore, if it be demanded whether it is lawful for a man to delight in the miserable state of an enemy: first, I answer this in general, that for his ruin into sin, not only should we not rejoice, but we ought earnestly to lament. As touching adversity, some doubt there may be. Solomon saith in the Proverbs, the 24th chapter: "Rejoice not thou at the fall of thine enemy, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth, lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he take away his wrath from him."