Opening of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 6
Thou ſhalt not kill.
ANd it enioynes all ſuch common duties, as appertaine to our ſelues and our neighbours, in regard of the ſafety of their and our perſon The ſubſtance is, Thou ſhalt by all good meanes procure, & by no ill meanes hinder thine owne, or thy neighbours perſonall ſafetie.
The things commanded are of two ſorts.
1 Some directly commanded.
2. Some indirectly.
Directly in regard,
1. Of our ſelues.
2. Of others.
In regard of our ſelues.
1. LoueLove of our ſelues, true louelove whereby we doe truly and ordinately will and deſire our owne good and ſaftie.
2. The effects of this louelove, which are both inward and outward.
1. Inward.
1. In regard of our affections.
2. In regard of our thoughts.
In regard of our affections by moderating them.
1. Towards good.
2. Towards euill.
Towards the good and deſirable things which are
1. To come hereafter, by a good hope of them.
2. That are preſent, by cheerefulneſſe at them.
2. Towards the euill and harmefull things that are
1. Already vponupon vsus, by patience, in quiet and willing bearing the ſame.
2. Imminent and to come, by courage in a reſolute ſetting our hearts to preuent and reſiſt them ſo farre as may be.
2. The inward effects of louelove in regard of thoughts by holding them conſtantly attendant vponupon our owne preſeruation in all occaſions.
2. The outward effects of louelove, which are for our naturall and ſpirituall eſtate.
1. For our naturall eſtate regarding our bodily condition in this preſent life.
1. In regard of good and needfull things.
2. In regard of euill and hurtfull things.
1. In regard of good and needfull things, for the continuance and comfort of this preſent life.
1. A due and moderate painefulneſſe and vndergoing of labour to get the ſame.
2. A moderate and temperate vſe of them, for meaſure, both
1. Of foode.
2. Apparell.
3. Reſt and ſleepe.
4. Exerciſe.
5. Euen ſometimes alſo nuptiall ſociety of generation and the like.
2. In regard of euill and hurtfull things, tending to breake off life, or making it vncomfortable, viz.
1. A wiſe and diſcreet ſhunning.
2. A reſolute and conſtant reſiſting.
1. A wiſe and diſcreet ſhunning of thoſe that with ſafety of conſcience we may poſſibly ſhun.
1. By flying.
2. By ſuffering.
1. By flying all if it may bee, ſuch are,
1. Quarrels and brawles, chiefly priuate combats.
2. Infections places.
3. Dangerous and miſchieuous ſports, as football, &c.
4. Dangerous climing, or waies, or paſſages, or the like.
2. By ſuffering the leſſe to auoid the greater: as cutting off a limme to ſaue the life, &c.
2. A reſolute and conſtant reſiſting of them by Art or force.
1. By Art.
1. Of Phyſicke, ſome.
2. Of law, others.
2. By force in needfull caſes, to which end,
1. Wee muſt bee prepared of weapons, &c.
2. We muſt vſe them.
1. In publike.
2. In priuate.
1. In publike by warres, both defenſiue and offenſiue.
2. In priuate for defence againſt preſent & otherwiſe vnauoidable violēce.
2. The outward effects of louelove which concerne our ſpirituall eſtate in regard of another life.
1. By preuenting.
2. By procuring.
1. By preuenting ſpirituall miſchiefe.
1. By repenting or confeſſing and bewailing ſinnes paſt, ſeeking pardon.
2. By ſhunning ſinne and the occaſions of ſinne for the time to come.
2. By procuring our ſpirituall good by conſtancy in all good duties for our ſpirituall proceeding in grace and glory.
2. Things directly commanded in regard of others.
1. LoueLove to him, that is, an entire and earneſt deſire of his good.
2. The effects of louelove, which are
1. Inward.
2. Outward.
1. Inward.
1. In regard of the acts of conuerſation paſſing betwixt vsus.
2. In regard of other accidents.
1. In regard of the acts of conuerſation paſſing betwixt vsus for two reſpects.
1. The accepting and entertaining of his deeds towards vsus.
2. The ruling of our cariage to him-ward.
1. The accepting and entertaining of his deeds towards vsus, whether
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good and pleaſing.
1. By kindneſſe, taking all euen the leaſt in good worth.
2. By thankefulneſſe, in being carefull to remember, acknowledge, and requite them.
2. Bad and iniurious and diſpleaſing.
1. By meekeneſſe.
2. By forgiueneſſe.
1. By meekeneſſe, which is a calme and quiet diſpoſition towards him in the doing, or when wee heare of or remember the doing of them.
2. Forgiueneſſe and forgetting them afterwards, yea and readineſſe to requite their euill with good, but not with euill.
2. The acts of our conuerſation in regard of ruling our cariage to him-ward.
1. In regard of his hurt.
2. In regard of his good and benefit.
1. In regard of his hurt and euill, by innocency, which is an abhorring and loathing that we ſhould be a cauſe of hurt, or wrongfull griefe to any.
2. In regard of his good and benefit by vertues that make vsus apt to procure,
1. Curteſie or ſeruiceableneſſe, a readineſſe to gratifie him in any kinde office, though not in ſtrictneſſe required at our hands.
2. Peaceableneſſe, by care to maintaine all good concord and agreement.
1. Betwixt him and our ſelues.
2. Betwixt him and others.
1. Betwixt him and our ſelues.
1. In preuenting iarres.
2. In redreſſing them that are fallen out.
1. In preuenting iarres ſo farre as may be.
1. By pleaſingneſſe and deſire to pleaſe him, ſo farre as we may reaſonably and lawfully.
2. By paſſing by and couering his weakneſſes and infirmities as natural diſabilities and morall wants, that are not palpable, in not ſuffering our hearts to be eſtranged from him for them.
3 By taking his deeds in the beſt part.
4. By parting with our owne right to him, ſo far as we may without too much hurting our ſelues or wronging our places.
2. By redreſſing iarres that are falne out,
1. By care to make amends to him by all good meanes if wee hauehave done wrong.
2. By willingneſſe to accept of any reaſonable ſatisfaction, if we hauehave beene wronged by him.
2. We muſt hauehave a care to hauehave agreement betwixt him and others, by care and readineſſe to perſwade peace, and ſet them at one.
Hitherto of the inward effects of louelove in regard of the acts of conuerſation.
2. Now followes the inward effects of louelove in regard of other accidents that befall him any way: as,
1. Congratulation or reioycing in his good.
2. Compaſſion or grieuing for his euil.
Hitherto of the inward effects of louelove: now followes
2. The outward effects of louelove, which are,
1. Generall, in an amiable and kinde ordering of our countenances and whole cariage.
2. Particular.
1. For his outward eſtate.
2. For his inward.
For his outward eſtate.
1. In ſpeech.
2. In deed.
1. In his ſpeech, milde and good language.
2. In his deed,
1. Defence againſt wrōgs and iniuries.
2. Releeuing his miſeries and wants.
2. His particular inward eſtate of ſoule.
1. In word.
2. In deed.
1. In word, in regard
1. Of good.
2. Of euill.
1. Of good, to doe our beſt.
1. To ſhew it him.
2. To perſwade him to it.
3. To encourage him in it.
2. In regard of euill.
1. Of ſinne.
2. Of temptation.
1. Of ſinne.
1. To ſhew it him.
2. To diſſwade him from it.
3. To reproue him for it.
2. In regard of temptations and afflictions, to ſtrengthen and comfort him vnderunder it.
Hitherto of the outward eſtate: now followes,
2. The inward eſtate of the ſoule in regard of deed.
1. By giuing him good Example of life.
2. By moderating our ſelues in the vſe of Chriſtian liberty for his ſake.
So much is commanded directly, whereof hitherto.
Now indirectly ſome things are commanded in regard
1. Of men.
2. Of beaſts.
1. In regard of men,
1. Liuing.
2. Dead.
1. Liuing, in preuenting that that may probably doe them hurt: as,
1. Liues of mankinde beaſts.
2. Incommodious buildings, wels, pits, hie waies, &c.
2. Dead, as comely and decent interring of their bodies.
2. In regard of beaſts, a mercifull vſing them in giuing food, reſt, and quietneſſe neceſſary for them.
Hitherto the affirmatiue part. The negatiue followes: which ſhewes how this commandement is broken.
1. By omiſſion of any of the former things either in whole or in part.
2. By commiſſion in things quite contrary.
1. Directly.
2. Indirectly.
1. Directly in regard of
1. Our ſelues.
2. Others.
1. In regard of our ſelues contrary to the forenamed,
1. LoueLove.
2. The effect of LoueLove.
1. LoueLove.
1. In exceſſe, ſelfe-louelove, a peruerſe or ouer-earneſt deſire of our owne naturall welfare.
2. In defect, which is not often ſcene, in a kinde of bitterneſſe, in ill will againſt our ſelues.
2. The effect of louelove is,
1. Inward.
2. Outward.
1. Inward.
1. In regard of good.
2. In regard of euill.
1. In regard of good, which is either,
1. To come, firſt by deſpaire thereof, in defect: Secondly, by a fooliſh hoping for it, in exceſſe.
2. Preſent, contrary to cheerefulneſſe.
1. In defect.
2. In exceſſe.
1. In defect, carnall ſorrow.
1. For our owne croſſes.
2. For the good of others, which is called enuie.
2. In exceſſe, by madde mirth and ouer-ioying ofthings carnall.
2. The inward effect of louelove in regard of euill, either.
1. To come.
2. Preſent.
1. To come.
1. In defect, timorouſneſſe, in dying almoſt for feare.
2. In foole hardineſſe, in exceſſe, by an vnneceſſary prouoking dangers.
2. Preſent euill.
1. In exceſſe, ſtupidity, when a man is like a ſtone and will not feele them.
2. In defect; when a man is carried away with fretting and diſcontentment at them.
2. The outward effects of louelove.
1. For the naturall eſtate.
2. For the ſpirituall.
1. For the naturall eſtate.
1. In regard of the things concerning life.
2. In regard of life it ſelfe.
1. In regard of things concerning life.
1. Good.
2. Euill.
1. Good.
1. For getting them.
2. For the vſe of them.
1. For getting them.
1. By toilſome labouring for them, to the hurting of the bodie.
2. By ſlothfull neglect of them.
2. For the vſe of them.
1. In exceſſe, by taking them exceſſiuely and intemperatly, where is the practiſe of gluttony, drunkenneſſe, and all luxuriouſneſſe and not.
2. In defect, by niggardly pinching of ones body, for want of neceſſary things.
2. Euill and hurtfull, in regard of the things concerning life.
1. By exceſſe, here is hazardfulneſſe in venturing vponupon needleſſe dangers, as combats, dangerous ſports, climbing, &c.
2. By defect, here is timorouſneſſe, and that,
1. In not daring to vſe fit meanes for preuenting them that might be preuented out of feare of the euill.
2. In not daring to hazard our ſelues to them when our calling requireth.
2. The effects of louelove for our naturall eſtate, in regard of life it ſelfe.
1. In defect, attempting wilfully to take away ones life by ſelfe-murther.
2. In exceſſe, in vſing of baſe and vile ſhifts to ſaue ones life.
2. The outward effects of louelove, for the ſpirituall eſtate,
1. By impenitency.
2. By venturouſneſſe vponupon the occaſions of ſinne.
So much of the ſinnes againſt our ſelues: thoſe follow that are againſt others.
1. Againſt louelove.
2. Againſt the effects of louelove.
1. Againſt louelove.
1. In exceſſe, fondneſſe and carnall louelove.
2. In defect, hatred, hauing two degrees,
1. Of diſlike of the perſon, not for his ſinne but wrong.
2. A malitious deſire of his hurt.
2. Againſt the effects of louelove which are in regard,
1. Of his naturall eſtate of life.
2. In regard of his ſpirituall eſtate of life.
1. In regard of his naturall eſtate, which is,
1. Inward.
2. Outward.
1. Inward, reſpecting
1. The acts of conuerſation.
2. O her accidents.
1. The acts of conuerſation paſſing betwixt vsus.
1. For accepting of his deeds.
2. For ordering our deeds.
1. For accepting of his deeds.
1. Good.
2. Bad.
1. Good, contrary
1. To kindneſſe, in diſdainfulneſſe, and ſcornefull reiecting of kindneſſe.
2. To gratitude.
1. By formall thankfulneſſe in words alone.
2. By vnthankfulneſſe.
1. By denying or forgetting a good turne done to vsus.
2. By requiting good with euill, which is worſt of all.
2. Bad, againſt
1. Meekneſſe.
2. Forgiueneſſe.
1. Meekneſſe.
1. In exceſſe, being too meeke, ſo that ſinne maketh not one angry.
2. In defect, by anger for wrongs too ſore, too much, or too long, and it is
1. Vnkindnes taking.
2. Sullenneſſe.
3. Rage.
2. Againſt forgiueneſſe, by reuengefulneſſe in remembring euill to requite it with the like or worſe.
2. The act of conuerſation, for ordering our deeds toward him.
1. Euill.
2 Good.
1. Euill, againſt innocency, which is harmfulneſſe and miſchieuouſneſſe (for too innocent one cannot be) in delighting to hurt others.
2. Good, contrary
1. To ſeruiceableneſſe.
2. To peaceableneſſe.
1. To ſeruiceableneſſe.
1. In exceſſe, by charging our ſelues harmefully, for ſuperfluous kindneſſes, ouer-kindneſſe.
2. In defect, by hoggiſhneſſe and churliſhneſſe, refuſing to doe good.
2. Good, contrary to peaceableneſſe.
1. In exceſſe, by being of a man pleaſing diſpoſition, rather ſinning then incurring their diſpleaſure.
2. In defect.
1. By fained peace to entrap the ſooner.
2. Frowardnes and contentiouſneſſe in cauſing falling out,
1. Betwixt our ſelues and others.
2. Betwixt ſome of our neighbours and others.
1. Betwixt our ſelues and others.
1. By procuring jarres.
2. By nouriſhing them.
1. By procuring iarres.
1. Through croſneſſe and thwarting.
2. Through miſconſtruction of things indifferent.
3. Through prying into each weakneſſe.
4. Through rigorous ſtanding vponupon ones right.
2. By nouriſhing them.
1. In ſtoutneſſe, ſcorning to acknowledge and make amends for wrongs.
2. In vnappeaſableneſſe, and refuſing to be contented with any reaſonable ſatisfaction.
2 Falling o…t betwixt ſome of our neighbours and others, in deſire to ſow quarrels, and to nouriſh them.
So much of the effects of louelove inward, reſpecting the acts of conuerſation: now followes in reſpect of
2. Other accidents, in regard of his naturall eſtate befalling him.
1. Good, enuie, contrary to fellow reioycing.
2. Euill,
1. In exceſſe, which is fooliſh pittie.
2. In defect.
1. In hard hartedneſſe, in careleſſe neglecting his miſeries.
2. In crueltie, in reioycing at his ſmart, and reioycing in any euill of his whatſoeuer.
2. The effects of louelove, in regard of his outward naturall eſtate.
1. In word.
2. Countenance.
3. In deed.
1. In word.
1. For matter.
2. For manner.
1. For matter.
1. Mocking, ſpecially at his miſerie.
2. Rayling at him, with ill names and vpbraidings.
3. Threatning him, with future reuenge.
2. For manner, clamorouſneſſe and crying out, in ouer-loud words.
2. In countenance and geſture, in a ſowre, fierce, angry, diſcontented looke, and dogged carriage.
3. In deed, and that
1. By attempt alone, as caſting a thing at him to hurt him, as Saul caſt his Speare at Dauid.
2. By effect alſo in degrees.
1. Inferiour.
2. More notorious.
1. Inferiour, that hurts, but kills not, as
1. Oppreſſing.
2. Smiting.
1. Oppreſſing and grinding his face with hard dealing of any kinde.
2. Smiting, wounding, and mayming him.
2. More notorious, in taking away life.
1. Manifeſtly.
2. Cloſely.
1. Manifeſtly,
1. By weapon.
2. By poiſon giuen to him.
1. By weapon, whether
1. Suddenly in paſſion, or
2. Premeditately, as in lying for him, or challenging him.
2. Cloſely, by ſome deuice, as Dauid killed Vriah, and ſo many kill others, by ſending them out to warre in hope they ſhall periſh there, and neuer returne.
Hitherto of hurting ones neighbours naturall life. Now follow the hurts,
2. To his ſpirituall life, and that
1. In word.
2. In deed.
1. In word, in foure kindes of ill ſpeeches.
1. In poyſoning him.
2. Drawing him.
3. In diſſwading him.
4. In diſcomforting.
1. In poyſoning him, with hereticall and vnſound doctrine.
2. In drawing him to ſin, whether
1. To commit it at firſt, which is, inticing to ill, or
2. To continue impenitently in it, which is, to ſtrengthen the hands of the wicked, as a flatterer doth in commending one for that that is naught.
3. In diſſwading a man, from beginning or continuing to doe well, by faire or foule words.
4. In diſcomforting the tempted, or afflicted, with ill and aggrauating ſpecches, and vnfound collections, as Iobs friends did.
2. Spirituall hurt in deed.
1. By moleſting and troubling a man, for well doing.
2. By giuing bad example, eſpecially being the firſt inuenter of a ſinne.
3. By abuſing of Chriſtian libertie, to the grieuing of ſome, or animating of others in euill, this is to be vnderſtood, if the thing be left at ones owne choice to doe, and he be not enioyned to doe it.
Hither of direct breaches of this commandement. The indirect breaches are,
1. Towards men.
2. Towards beaſts.
1. Towards men.
1. Liuing.
2. Dead.
1. Liuing, by doing ſuch things, as in likelihood may endanger them, as
1. Keeping cruell and mad beaſts.
2. In building ſtaires, or other like things dangerouſly, or ſtiles, &c.
2. Dead, by barbarous and inhumane vſage of the dead corps.
2. Towards beaſts in two things.
1. In ouer-working them, without fit hartening of reſt and prouender.
2. In delighting in their worrying one another for ſports ſake; for a good man is mercifull to his beaſt, therefore it is the part of a bad man to be cruell.
Hitherto the ſixth Commandement concerning our owne and neighbours ſafetie. The ſeuenth followes.