John Trapp on Romans 12:21

Verſe 21. Be not overcome] In rixa is inferior eſt, qui victor eſt, ſaith Baſil. In revenge of injuries, he is the loſer that gets the better. [non-Latin text not transcribed] [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 letter] Cor. 6.7. Hence the Apoſtle diſgraceth it, by a word that ſignifieth diſgrace or loſſe of victory.

But overcome evil] This is the moſt noble victory. Thus David overcame Saul, Func. Chronol. and Henry the 7th, Emperour of Germany, overcame the Prieſt that poiſoned him at the Sacrament: for he pardoned him, and bad him be packing. So did not Iacup the Perſian King,Turk Hiſt. who perceiving himſelf poiſoned by his adulterous wife, enforced her to drink of the ſame cup: and becauſe he would be ſure ſhe ſhould not eſcape, with his own hand he ſtruck off her head. But this (to ſay truth) was not revenge, but juſtice.