Lifes Preservative Against Self-Killing, Table of contents
A TABLE OF THE Chapters and ſeverall Sections, with their Contents.
CHAPTER 1. The generall deſcription of Self-murder.
§ 1. Concerning life and death; that they are things of greateſt importance. Page 1.
§ 2. Self-murder deſcribed what it is, and of the three parts of the deſcription. Page 2
§ 3. How ſelf-murder is knowne by life: which it deſtroyes: why evill ever cleaves to good: and that all worldly things are ſubject to contrary paſſions. Page 2, 3.
Chap. 2. Of the kindes of the life of man, naturall and ſpirituall; and what the care of men ſhould be of both. Page 4
Chap. 3. Of naturall life in generall.
§ 1. Of diverſe ſorts of life; of vegetation, ſenſe and reaſon. Page 4, 5
§ 2. That man onelyonly is ſubject to ſelf-murder; and of the greatneſſe of that ſin. Page 6
§ 3. How naturall life is knowne, in, and by the man in whom it is, both by ſenſe and underſtanding. Page 6
§ 4. Of the ſoules double act in man; for his perſon, and his workes. Page 7
Chap. 4. Of mans naturall life more ſpecially.
§ 1. Wherein the naturall life of man conſiſts; which is fraile. Page 8
§ 2. Of the ſweetneſſe of naturall life. Page 9
§ 3. How the loſſe of naturall life is horrible and painfull; and why. Page 9
§ 4. How life is deare and precious; with three reaſons thereof. Page 10
§ 5. Of naturall lifes preſervation, the meanes thereof: and of cheerefulneſſe. Page 12
§ 6. How to uſe Phyſick; with foure cautions about the ſame. Page 14
§ 7. Of three deadly things to be reſiſted. Page 16
§ 8. How to ſpend our lives well; with three motives ſo to do: and how men miſpend their lives foure wayes. Page 18
Chap. 5. Of mans ſpirituall life.
§ 1. What ſpirituall life is. Page 21
§ 2. Of the acts of ſpirituall life; which are two. Page 21
§ 3. Of the degrees of ſpirituall life: which are two, and ſubordinate. Page 22
§ 4. Who may have ſpirituall life; which is denyed to none; and by whoſe fault doth any miſſe of it, or loſe it: How the Goſpell was publiſhed to Adam and to all his poſterity; who for unbeliefe of the ſame are juſtly puniſhable. Page 24
§ 5. Of the excellency of ſpirituall life, in three reſpects. Page 26
§ 6. How to obtaine ſpirituall life by meanes, which wee are to uſe to get it, and grow in it. Page 28
§ 7. How the Goſpell works life, not phyſically or ethically, but ſupernaturally by the power of God, working according to his owne will upon mans heart, that is the ſubject of converſion. Page 30
§ 8. Why God uſes meanes to convert us; reaſons three. Page 31
§ 9. How the power of the Holy Spirit is manifeſted and ſeene upon us in the meanes, by foure degrees of operation And of three evidences of the Spirits application of Chriſt to us. Page 32
§ 10. How the Spirit works holineſſe in us in two degrees, with their uſes, and of three grounds of actuall obedience. Page 35
§ 11. Of the foure ſignes of ſpirituall life. Page 37
§ 12. How ſpirituall life may be preſerved by uſe of ſix meanes. Page 39
§ 13. How mans care of his ſpirituall life ſhould be great, preferring it above his naturall life. Page 42
Chap. 6. Of lifes deſtruction, and of murder in generall.
§ 1. How mans life maybe loſt, both paſſively and actively. Page 43
§ 2. How naturall life may be loſt, by meanes both internall and externall; caſuall and voluntary; juſtly and unjuſtly. Page 44
§ 3. Of the meanes of the deſtruction of ſpirituall life by the juſtice of God, and by the meanes of men, and of mans ſubjection to death. Page 45
§ 4. Of murder in ſelf-killing; how the ſame is horrible, and of foure things obſervable in it. Page 47
§ 5. How murder is vile, in three reſpects. Page 49
§ 6. Of the originall of murder; how it ſelfe is an act of impotency, which we are to abhorre; and how none can murder another without murdering themſelves: Page 51
Chap. 7. Of murder as it is of ones ſelfe.
§ 1. Of the ſpecificall nature of ſelf-murder. Page 53
§ 2. Of the evill and greatneſſe of the ſin of ſelf-murder. Page 54
§ 3. Of lawfull ſelf-killing of our old-man, of the kind of that killing, and how it is done. Page 54
§ 4. Of diverſe obſervations from the generall conſideration of ſelf-murder, for informing of our judgement, and directing of our practiſe. Page 56
Chap. 8. Of ſpirituall ſelf-murder in ſpeciall.
§ 1. That all periſhing-ſoules are ſelf-murdered, and how ſoule-murder is ſelf-murder. Page 57
§ 2. Spirituall ſelf-murder defined what it is. Page 58
§ 3. Of ſoule-murder, in two degrees, by deprivation of life. Page 58
§ 4. Of mans deficiency to be ſaved, in Adam and in our ſelves; by a fourefold omiſſion of doing our duties in uſe of meanes. Page 59
§ 5. Of mans neglect and contempt of the power of the meanes that he uſes. Page 60
§ 6. Of mans defect in obedience, both Evangelicall and Legall. Page 61
§ 7. Of the reaſons of our defect of obedience, which are foure. Page 62
§ 8. How and why grace dies by mans neglect. Page 63
§ 9. How the harme of omiſſion of dutie is deprivation of life ſpirituall; and of negative righteouſneſſe, and how the puniſhment of damage is greater than that of ſmart. Page 64
§ 10. Of the endeavour after ſpirituall life; wherein it conſiſts, and of the lets thereof. Page 66
§ 11. Of the ſecond degree of ſpirituall ſelf-murder, which is in ſubjection to death, by ſinnes of commiſſion. Page 67
§ 12. Of the meanes of mans deſtruction by breaking the Law of negative commands; and of foure properties of ſoul-murdring ſins. Page 67, 68.
§ 13. Of two cauſes of mens adventuring upon ſinfull courſes againſt the law. Page 69
§ 14. Of ſpirituall ſelf-murder by ſinning againſt the Goſpell: and how the obedience of the Goſpell differs from the obedience of the Law, in foure points. Page 70
§ 15. Of infidelity againſt the Goſpell, and of the cauſes and cure thereof. Page 72
§ 16. Of impenitency. Page 72
§ 17. Of the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt, and things obſervable about it. Page 73
§ 18. Of finall Apoſtacy; and of the difference of ſinnes. Page 75
§ 19. Of the malignity of the ſinnes againſt the Goſpell, above thoſe that are committed againſt the Law, for three reaſons. Page 76
§ 20. The uſes and improvement of the doctrine of ſpirituall ſelf-murder. Page 77
Chap. 9. Of bodily ſelf-murder in ſpeciall.
§ 1. How bodily ſelf-murder is defined and differenced from ſpirituall ſelf-murder. Page 80
§ 2. Of mans body, in a threefold conſideration, with its works; and of the ſoules three ſorts of morall works in the body; and how the body ſuffers by and for the ſoule. Page 81
§ 3. Of the degrees of bodily ſelf-murder, and the proneneſſe of man to it, upon two cauſes; which are removed by anſwers to both. Page 83
Chap. 10. Of the kindes of bodily ſelf-murder, direct and indirect.
§ 1. Direct and indirect ſelf-murder are defined. Page 84
§ 2. Of the difference betweene direct and indirect ſelf-murder, in three things. Page 85
§ 3. How indirect ſelf-murder is greater, in two reſpects, than direct. Page 87
§ 4. How direct ſelf-murder is abſolutely the greater, in three reſpects. Page 88
§ 5. Of the degrees of ſin; and how to eſcape the greateſt, and its end. Page 89
Chap. 11. Of indirect ſelf-murder of the body.
§ 1. The reaſons why indirect ſelf-murder is firſt treated of. Page 90
§ 2. How indirect ſelf-murder is wrought, two wayes; by omiſſion and commiſſion. Page 91
§ 3. How indirect ſelf-murder by omiſſion is phyſically effected, foure waies. ibid.
§ 4. How indirect ſelf-murder by omiſſion is morally wrought two waies; and that neglect of meanes of preſervation is tempting of God, and how. Page 94
§ 5. A queſtion reſolved, about ſtanders mute, or thoſe that refuſe to anſwer legally, and to ſubmit to lawfull triall when they are arraigned at the barre, for ſome capitall crime; the reaſons pro and contra, with the concluſion, that ſuch mutes are indirect ſelf-murderers. Page 96
§ 6. The reſolution of the queſtion, concerning malefactors arraigned for capitall crimes wherof they know themſelves guilty; whether they ought in conſcience to anſwer affirmatively or negatively to the queſtion made to them at the Barre, whether they be Guilty, or Not Guilty; the reaſons on both ſides, with the concluſion for the negative; that they may avoid indirect ſelf-murmurder. Page 100
§ 7. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion, by diſtemperature, and needleſſe mutilation of body, or members, whereupon death enſues. Page 109
§ 8. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion by unwarrantable practiſing of Phyſick, or Chirurgery upon ones ſelfe, thereby killed. Page 111
§ 9. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion by a mans unthriftineſſe and prodigality, bringing himſelfe to deſtruction. Page 111
§ 10. How indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion is wrought by deſperate hazard, in ſix caſes. Page 112
The firſt caſe is, concerning Braves, and deſperate undertakers. Page 112
The ſecond caſe is, concerning purchaſe and reskue. Page 112
The third caſe is, concerning ſome ſouldiers. Page 113
The fourth caſe is, concerning Mariners. Page 113
The fifth caſe is, concerning Duells. Page 114
The ſixth caſe is, concerning deſperate attempts, upon daring and wagering. Page 116
§ 11. Of indirect ſelf-murder committed by covenant and ſociety, with perſons deſtinate to deſtruction: in three caſes. Page 118
1. Of Leagues. Page 119
2. Of Warre. ibid.
3. Of preſuming into infectious places, or company. Page 120
§ 12. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion by doing that, which naturally procures that which kills the doer of it. Page 121
§ 13. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion by wilfully doing capitall crimes againſt humane Lawes and Authority. Page 120
§ 14. Of indirect ſelf-murder of commiſſion by wilfull tranſgreſſion of Gods Laws; after two ſeverall waies. Page 120
§ 15. Of three exempt caſes, wherein men may expoſe their lives to death, without danger of indirect ſelfmurder. Page 125
The firſt caſe is, concerning venturing life upon lawfull calling. ibid.
§ 16. A queſtion or caſe of conſcience reſolved about Souldiers in danger of their lives, fleeing without order. Page 127
§ 17. Of the ſecond exempt caſe about adventuring of life, without danger of indirect ſelf-murder; which is in urgent unavoidable neceſſity: in three points. Page 128
The firſt whereof is about both uncertaine death for certaine and neceſſary good. ibid.
And alſo certaine death for Superiours, and for ſome friends. Page 129
§ 18. Of the ſecond point, which is concerning certaine death for certaine more publick good. Page 131
§ 19. Of ſix queſtions reſolved, that belong to this ſecond point. Page 133
The firſt where of is about a man-ſlayer, what he is to do, for whoſe ſake his friends are purſued to death. ibid.
§ 20. Of the ſecond queſtion, which is about a man under deadly diſpleaſure of Superiours; what he is to do for to pacifie their mortall wrath, reflecting (for his ſake) upon his friends. Page 133
§ 21. The third queſtion, which is touching the voluntary appearing of Fellons or the like, at liberty upon baile, to ſubmit to Iuſtice, for freeing of their bailes; with danger of their owne lives. Page 135
§ 22. The fourth queſtion, which is about, what an unqueſtioned, or unſuſpected guilty party is to do, for ſaving of a guiltleſſe perſon that is brought to the doome and danger of death, upon triall, by error, or miſpriſion, for the capitall fact of the former. Page 136
§ 23. The fifth queſtion, which is about a mans voluntary revealing to the Magiſtrate his owne ſecret capitall crimes, touching his life; in caſe of importable diſtreſſe of conſcience for the ſame crimes by him done. Page 137
§ 24. The ſixth queſtion, or caſe, which is about burning, or ſinking a ſhip, in a ſea-ſight; and how farre ſuch a fight is to be mainteyned againſt the Enemies; without danger of ſelf-murder. Page 138
§ 25. Of the third point of the ſecond exempt caſe, which is about venturing of life without danger of indirect ſelf-murder for ſaving of ſoules. Page 141
In two caſes: 1. About infectious perſons. ibid.
2. About publiſhing of the Goſpell, upon danger of death to the doer. Page 142
§ 26. Of the third generall exempt caſe, wherein men may expoſe their lives to death, without danger of indirect ſelf-murder; which is about religion and our owne ſalvation; in foure points, or caſes. Page 143
§ 27. Of the firſt point or caſe, which is about defence of Religion, in peace and warre. Page 144
§ 28. Of the ſecond point of the third caſe, about adventuring and laying down our lives for religion, without danger of ſelf-murder; which is about the publick confeſſion, or profeſſion of the truth, with danger of life. Page 145
§ 29. Of the third point belonging to the third exempt caſe, which is about not-omitting doing neceſſary duties commanded by God, in perill of life; upon humane command or threats to the contrary: and of the ſeverall ſorts of thoſe duties, and how farre they bind us. And of the obedience and diſobedience of Miniſters to ſuſpenſion, deprivation, and the like cenſures. Page 146
§ 30. Of the fourth point of the third exempt caſe, which is about not-commiſſion of any evill of ſinne, upon any command or inforcement of man threatning death to the diſobedient. Page 149
§ 31. Of the kinds of ſins of commiſſion to be avoided to death; in things determinatly evill of themſelves, both by the law of nature and alſo by the poſitive Law of God. Page 150
§ 32. Of indifferent things, and how the uſe of them may be ſinfull, and in that reſpect then to be forborne. Page 152
§ 33. Of the diverſe properties of an indirect ſelf-murderer. Page 154
§ 34. Obſervations from indirect ſelf-murder, in three uſes. Page 155
Chap. 12. Of direct bodily ſelf-murder.
§ 1. What direct ſelf-murder is, both in the generall nature of it, in foure things: and alſo in the ſpecificall nature of it; remote and neere. Page 159
§ 2. Of the imaginary good conceited to be in ſelf-murder. Page 163
§ 3. Concerning the wills object; and its faultineſſe. Page 167
§ 4. Of diverſe obſervations from direct ſelf-murder. Page 169
§ 5. Of certaine exempt caſes of ſome that kill themſelves, and are not direct ſelf-murderers. Page 172
Chap. 13. Of direct ſelf-murderers.
§ 1. That practiſe and habit gives denomination, and why. Page 175
§ 2. How it is apparent by Scripture that many men have murdered themſelves: with diverſe obſervations from the ſame about ſelf-murder, and horrible crimes falling out in the Church. Page 176
§ 3. How ſelf-murderers are apparent by Hiſtories, both prophane and Eccleſiaſticall, amongſt heathens and Chriſtians, and the reaſons of the ſame. Page 178
§ 4. That ſelf-murderers are knowne by continued experience: and of two uſes of the ſame; and how the motions of ſelf-murder cleave to men, and prevaile over them. Page 181
Chap. 14. Of the meanes and method of ſelf-murderers murdering themſelves directly.
§ 1. Of the meanes of ſelf-murder, how none is lawfull: of two uſes, ſhewing how hard it is to do good, and eaſie to do evill. Page 183
§ 2. The ſelf-murderers application of the meanes of ſelf-killing; in premeditation and determination of the end; and choiſe of the meanes to effect it; with obſervation of three things therein, and of two obſervations for inſtruction and uſe. Page 185
§ 3. Of the ſelf-murderers method, in executing murder upon themſelves, with obſervation of three things therein, upon two reaſons; and how hardly reſolved ſelf-murder is withſtood. Page 187
Chap. 15. The ſelf-murderers motives, whereupon they directly kill themſelves.
§ 1. That men by abuſed reaſon, do ſin worſt; and that there is no true reaſon why any ſhould kill themſelves. Page 189
§ 2. Of motives to ſelf-murder there can bee none warrantably ſufficient: and how arguments are deemed weak, or ſtrong. Page 191
§ 3. Concerning the motive to ſelf-murder from perverted Iudgement, by humane lawes and cuſtomes: how both prevaile againſt nature. How the judgement of the learned and wiſe hath the force of Law. How lawes and cuſtomes againſt Scripture and reaſon are erroneous, and not to be obeyed. A caveat againſt vaine praiſe of ſelf-murderers. Page 192
§ 4. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from perverted judgment, by miſ-underſtood Scripture: the three cauſes thereof: and of foure meanes or rules of right underſtanding the Scriptures. Page 195
§ 5. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from perverted judgment, by miſ-conſtrued decree and deſtiny: and the grounds of the ſame: the errer of grounding ill practiſes upon that foundation: with diverſe obſervations about that courſe. Page 202
§ 6. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from perverted judgment, by the conceited good of ſelf-murder: and how apparent good beguiles the underſtanding; And now the will workes upon the underſtanding to deceive it: and how ſelf-murder blinds the mind. Page 207
§ 7. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from afflictions; their ſeverall ſorts, whereof three are upon the body. Page 211
§ 8. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from afflictions, upon a mans outward eſtate. Page 214
§ 9. Of the motive to ſelf-murder, from croſſes in points of honour. Page 215
§ 10. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from diſaſters upon friends, in two eaſes. Page 216
§ 11. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from trouble of conſcience, the kinds and manner of the ſame. Page 217
§ 12. Of the motive to ſelf. murder from diſconcentment of mind; and paſſion of love; the kinds, and cauſes of diſcontentment. Page 219
§ 13. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from diſgrace and ſhame; 221. the cauſes, effects and kinds thereof Page 222
§ 14. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from feare: the cauſes and effects of it. Page 224
§ 15. Of the true cauſes of ſelf-murder in afflictions; which are three. Page 225
§ 16. That Affliction is no warrantable motive for any to kill themſelves; ſhewed by foure reaſons. Page 228
§ 17. Of certaine uſes about afflicted perſons. Page 230
§ 18. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from anger and revenge; the kindes thereof againſt ones ſelfe and others, good and bad, their cauſes, and powerfull effects. Page 232
§ 19. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from care of prevention of ſin to come, in our ſelves, or others: and how unwarrantable it is for any to kill themſelves for that end. Page 237
§ 20. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from ambition and exceſſive deſire after glory, praiſe, or a better life to come after death: and how unwarrantable it is for any therefore to kill themſelves. Page 241
§ 21. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from the motions and temptations of the devill: how he ſuggeſts the ſame; and to whom ſpecially: how knowne to be from Satan; and upon what reaſons to be rejected. Page 246
§ 22. Of the motive to ſelf-killing from phrenſie: the kinds, the ſubjects, and grounds of it. Page 250
§ 23. Of the motive to ſelf-murder from the examples of ſuch as have murdered or killed themſelves: and of the inſufficiency of that motive for any to do the like, upon ſuch preſidents. Page 252
Chap. 16. Of Self-murderers introduction and entrance into the practiſe of ſelf-murder.
§ 1. Of the perſons moſt ſubject to ſelf-murder, who are of foure ſorts. Page 254
§ 2. Of the entrance into ſelf-murder, by foure particular degrees: where are handled two queſtions: 1. concerning deſire of death; 2. about the goodneſſe of being; againſt them that wiſh that they had never beene borne, or never had being. Page 256
§ 3. Of foure ſignes of enſuing ſelf-murder neere approching. Page 259
Chap. 17. Arguments againſt ſelf-murder, proving the ſame to be utterly unlawfull and damnable.
§ 1. That ſelf-murder is contrary to Religion, and how: where two queſtions are reſolved.
1. Whether the Supreame Magiſtrate may, for any capitall crime done by him, either kill himſelfe; or be put to death, pon his owne command, or otherwiſe by his people.
2. How farre a man condemned to die may be active about taking away his owne life. Page 262
§ 2. How ſelf-murder is againſt God himſelfe; in foure reſpects. Page 267
§ 3. How ſelf-murder is againſt nature. Page 269
§ 4. How ſelf-murder is injurious to mankinde. Page 270
§ 5. How ſelf-murder wrongs mans ſelfe in doing it. Page 271
§ 6. How ſelf-murder is a ſinne moſt harmfull, and to whom. Page 272
§ 7. How right reaſon condemnes ſelf-murder, by nineteene ſeverall arguments. Page 273
Wherein alſo is ſhewed the reaſons why the goods of ſelf-murderers become confiſcate, and Deodands. Page 278
§ 8. Of certaine uſes about the grievouſneſſe of ſelf-murder, and how men ſhould beware of it. Page 286
Chap. 18. Of the finall eſtate of direct ſelfmurderers; whether they be all everlaſtingly damned with the devils in hell, or not.
§ 1. Of the extent of ſelf-murder to the ſoules hurt, and how regardleſſe ſelf-murderers be of their ſoules. Page 288
§ 2. That all that kill themſelves are not properly direct ſelf-murderers; nor are in their ſtate of damnation: and who be exempted, and upon what grounds. Page 290
§ 3. That all proper and direct ſelf-murderers are reprobates, without the ſtate of grace; and are in the ſtate of eternall damnation, and the reaſons thereof. Page 291
§ 4. That by the Teſtimony of the Scriptures, both in doctrine, and alſo in all examples of ſelf-murderers recorded therein, all proper and direct ſelf-murderers are everlaſtingly damned. Page 293
§ 5. That ſelf-murder is a tranſcendent ſin beyond both law and mercy, and ſubjects the doers of it to damnation. ibid.
§ 6. That ſelf-murderers want all true ſaving repentance, and likewiſe ſalvation. Page 296
§ 7. How the Church teſtifies by her judgement and uſage of direct ſelf-murderers, that they are all damned in hell. Page 297
§ 8. Of certaine uſes. Page 299
§ 9. Of certaine objections made in favour of the ſalvation of ſelf-murderers, anſwered: and firſt touching that which is taken from the nature of ſelf-murder compared with other the moſt damnable ſins committed againſt the Law and Goſpell. Page 300
§ 10. The ſecond objection anſwered, which is made from the example of ſelf-killers, ſuch as Sampſon, Pelagia, and others who are ſaved. Page 303
§ 11. The third objection anſwered, which is taken from the antecedent prayer and repentance of ſelf-murderers for the intended fact of ſelf-murder to come; that for the ſame, the doer of it may not be damned. Page 306
Chap. 19. Antidotes for prevention of ſelf-murder.
§ 1. What a man is to do of and by himſelf to prevent ſelf-murder: in eight ſeverall particulars. Page 311
§ 2. How to others wee ſhould make confeſſion of our temptations, motives and progreſſe to ſelf-murder, that we may prevent the ſame; and of the maniſold caveats and obſervations about confeſſion. Page 317
§ 3. Of the meanes to be uſed by the tempted privatly and publickly with others, againſt the temptations to ſelf-murder: with the grounds of hope of comfortable ſucceſſe to prevaile againſt them. Page 322
§ 4. Of the courſe that others, without or againſt the wil of the tempted, are to uſe to ſave him, againſt the temptations and danger of ſelf-murder. Page 324
And laſtly, the concluſion ſhewing the great benefit of recovery from the temptations and danger of ſelf-murder, by the uſe of the former courſe. Page 326