in Law, signifies a maintain- ing or showing a sufficient reason in court why the de- fendant did what he is called to answer. Pleas in justification must set forth some special matter: thus on being sued for a trespass, a person may justify it by proving, that the land is his own freehold; that he entered a house in order to apprehend a felon; or by virtue of a warrant, to levy a forfeiture, or in order to take a distress; and in an assault, that he did it out of necessity.

in Theology, that act of grace which renders a man just in the sight of God, and worthy of eternal happiness. See THEOLOGY.

The Romanists and Reformed are extremely divided about the doctrine of justification; the latter contend- ing for justification by faith alone, and the former by good works.