Sum Of Commandment 6.
SUM OF COMMANDMENT 6.
Evan. Well, then, I ask you to consider, that in the sixth commandment there is a negative part expressed in these words: “You shall not murder.” That is, you shall not in heart, tongue, or hand, impeach or hurt either the life of your own soul or body, or the life of any other man’s soul or body; and an affirmative part is included in these words: “But you shall in every way, by all good means, seek to preserve them both.”
Neo. I beg you, sir, speak of these things in order; and first tell us, what is forbidden in this commandment as tending to murder OUR OWN SOULS?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering our own souls, this commandment forbids all sinning against God, Prov 6.2; and also the careless neglect and wilful rejection of the means that God has ordained for salvation, Heb. 2.3.
Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to murder OTHERS’ SOULS?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering the souls of others, it is forbidden in this commandment to give any occasion for others to sin against God, either by provoking them, 1Kings 21.25, or by counselling them, 2Sam. 17.21, or by evil example, Rom. 14.15.
Neo. And what is forbidden in this commandment, as tending to murder OUR OWN BODIES?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering our own bodies, this commandment forbids excessive worldly sorrow, 1Cor. 7.10; Prov. 17.22; and also the neglect of food, drink, apparel, recreation, medicine, or any such refreshments, Eccl. 5.19; 6.2; and also excessive eating and drinking, Prov. 23.29, 30; Hosea 7.5; and also laying violent hands on ourselves, 1Sam. 31.4; Acts 16.28.
Neo. Well, sir, now I beg you, tell us what is forbidden in this commandment as tending to murder OTHERS’ BODIES; and first, what is forbidden in respect to the heart?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our hearts, this commandment forbids all hasty, rash and unjust anger, Mat. 5.22; and also malice or hatred, Lev. 19.18; 1John 3.15; and also envy. Psalm 37.1; Prov. 24.1; and also desire for revenge. Lev. 19.18.
Neo. And what is forbidden in respect to the TONGUE?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our tongues, this commandment forbids all bitter and provoking terms, Eph. 4.81; and also all wrangling and contentious speech, Prov. 15.1; and also crying out and unseemly shouting, Eph. 4.31; and also railing or scolding, Prov. 17.19; 1Peter 3.9; and also all reviling and threatening speech, Mat. 5.22; and also all mocking, scoffing, and deriding speech, 2Kings 2.23; John 19.3.
Neo. And what is forbidden in respect to the whole body, and more especially of the HAND?
Evan. That we may not be guilty of murdering others with our hands, in respect to the other parts of the body, this commandment forbids all disdainful, proud, and scornful carriage, Gen. 4.5; Prov. 6.17; and also all provoking gestures, such as shaking the head, gnashing the teeth, and the like, Matt, 27.39; Acts 7.54; and also all froward and churlish behaviour, 1Sam. 25.17; and also brawling and quarrelling. Tit. 3.2. And more especially in respect to the hand, striking and wounding are forbidden, Exo. 21.18, 22; and also all taking away of life, other than in the case of public justice, just war, and necessary defence, Exo. 21.12; Gen. 9.6.
Neo. I ask you, sir, to proceed to the affirmative part of this commandment; and first tell us, What is required of us in respect to the life of our own souls?
Evan. In respect to the preservation of the life of our own souls is required a careful avoiding of all sorts of sin, Prov. 11.19; and also a careful use of all means of grace and spiritual life in our souls, 1Peter 2.2.
Neo. And what is required of us in respect to the preservation of the life of others’ souls?
Evan. In respect to the preservation of the life of the souls of others it is required that according to our position and calling, and as present occasion offers, we teach and instruct others to know God and his will. Gen. 18.19; Deu. 6.7; and also that we do our best to comfort others that are in distress of conscience, 1Thess. 5.14; that we pray for the welfare and comfort of others’ souls, Gen. 43.29; and that we give others good examples by our Christian-like walking, Mat. 5.16.
Neo. And what is required of us in respect to the preservation of the life of our own bodies?
Evan. In respect to the preservation of the life of our own bodies, this commandment requires that we be careful to procure for ourselves the use of wholesome food, clothing, and lodging, and medicine, when there is occasion, 1Tim. 5.23; Eccl. 10.17; 2Kings 20.7; and also that we use honest and lawful mirth, rejoicing in a holy manner, Prov. 17.22; Eccl. 3.4.
Neo. And what is required of us in respect to the preservation of the life of the bodies of others?
Evan. In respect to the preservation of the life of the bodies of others, this commandment requires a kind and loving disposition, with tenderness of heart towards them, Eph. 4.31, 32: and also a patient bearing of wrongs and injuries, Col. 3.12, 13; and also taking all things in the best sense, 1Cor. 13.5, 7; and also avoiding all occasions of strife, and parting with our own right sometimes for peace’ sake, Gen. 13.8, 9; and also all those looks and gestures of the body which express meekness and kindness, Gen. 33.10; and also relieving the poor and needy, Job 31.16; and also visiting the sick. Mat. 25.36. And now, neighbour Nomologista, I ask you to tell me if you think you keep this commandment perfectly, or not?
Nom. No, indeed, sir, I do not think I keep it perfectly, as you have expounded it, nor any other man.
Evan. Assure yourself, neighbour Nomologista, that I have expounded it according to the mind and will of God revealed in his word. For you see, I have proved it all by Scripture: I told you at the beginning that the law is spiritual, and it binds the very heart and soul to obedience; and that under one vice which is expressly forbidden, all vices of the same kind, along with all occasions and means leading to it, are likewise forbidden; and I have expounded it according to these rules. Therefore, I ask you to consider that as many sins as you have committed, and as many times as you have carelessly neglected, and wilfully rejected the means of salvation, so many wounds have you given to your own soul.
And as many times as you have given occasion for others to sin, so many wounds have you given to their souls.
And so many fits of worldly sorrow as you have had and so many times as you neglected the moderate use either of food, drink, apparel, recreation, or medicine when need has required, so many wounds have you given your own body.
And so many times as you have been either unadvisedly angry with anyone, or borne any malice or hatred towards anyone, or have secretly in your heart wished evil to anyone, or borne envy in your heart towards anyone, or desired to be revenged on anyone, then you have been guilty of murdering them in your heart. And if you have given others any wrangling and contentious speech, or any reviling and threatening speech, or carried yourself frowardly and churlishly towards others, and have not borne injuries and wrongs patiently, and expressed pity and compassion towards others, then you have been guilty of murdering them with your tongue. And if you have quarrelled with any man, or stricken or wounded any man, then you have murdered them with your hand, even though you have not taken away their lives. And thus I have endeavoured to satisfy your desires concerning the sixth commandment.
Neo. I beseech you, sir, proceed to speak of the seventh commandment as you have done of the rest.