A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 191 (Questions 68 cont.-69)
SERMON CXCI.
[2.] IT is every ones Duty, to Uſe lawful Means for the Preſervation of the Life of his Body. Tho' this be the leaſt part of the Man's C…; yet it is not to be neglected; the Body being the Soul's Organ, to Glorify God withal, and Redeemed by Chriſt, and an …ſſ…tial Conſtituent part of H… Nature, and c…p…ble of being made a Temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in.
AND here more particularly,
1. IT is our Duty to Defend ourſelves against all Unjust Violence that may be offered us. Doubtleſs Se…ſ-Preſervation is a Principle rooted in Nature, and warranted by this Precept. He that ſuffers has Life to be taken from him, by one that hath no warrant from God for it, when he might Preſerve it, either by ſtanding on his Guard, or ſaving himſelf by Retirement, will incur the Guilt of …f-Murder; ſince G… hath Command…d him to ſeek the Con… ance of his Life, and Nature it ſ…lf …eache… every Creature to Defend it ſelf when Affa…lted: Why elſe did Chriſt give that Precept to his Diſciples … Luk. 22.36. He that hath no ſword, let him ſel… his garment and b…y ….
2. TO avoid all theſe things, by which his Life …ill …e un…c…ſ…y Expoſed. If God calls him to it, …e m…t Expoſe himſelf, and commit it to Him; but …e…d…ſ…y to do it, when he hath i… God, but meerly f…r O…testation, or … ſome …, is a Breach of this Pr…cept i… … daring of Providence, and can never be … …ct of Faith in God, but … ſinful Preſumption. When the … Tempted Chriſt to throw Himſelf down &c. …e find …ow our Sa…i… anſwered him, Matth. 4.6, …. And if Men ſhould loſe their Lives in ſuch under…in…s, their Blood will be … their own Head….
3. To …ſe all the … for Mean, …ich God hath app…eted for the Support of our l…ſe. Our Bodily Life depends on Fi…h Me…a, as are made fit for the Suſtentation of it without which it muſt needs go to Decay; theſe are called a Stay, and a St…ſſ, Iſa. 3.1 And to be deprived of them, is reckoned as one of the Judgments of God. We ought therefore to ſeek a Supply of theſe, and to make uſe of the ſame for this End, which is the Ordinary way in which God Preſerves us. We ought therefore if God afford it us, to allow our ſelves Food con…icut for the comfortable Relief of our Bodies; and to deny it to our ſelves, either thro' Parſimony, or on Religious Pretexts which are Superſtitious, is a violation of our Duty: Hence that, Eccl. 5.19. Every man alſo to whom God but given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and is rejoyce in his labour; this is the gift of God.
4. TO make uſe of things which are for the Preſervation of we Health of the Body, and Recovering it when impaired. Sickneſs is a degree of Death, and we are many ways expoſed to it; and are therefore concerned to look after our Health, and to G…ard againſt all that hath a natural tendency to impair it.
AND here theſe things are to be attended;
1. WE are to Arm ourſelves againſt the Injuries of the Seaſons with ſuitable Apparel. In this reſpect the Conſideration of Apparel, bel…es to the Sixth Command; and Food and Rament are reckoned the neceſſary Supports of Life, 1 Tim. 6.8. And this is the firſt thing to …e regarded in our Choice of Apparel, viz. The Preſervation of our Health, which would … defect of it be expoſed.
2. We ought to uſe Moderation in Meats & Drinks. This alſo, as it hath a regard to the Preſervation of Life, is to be referred to in this Precept Exceſs in this being very pernicious to the Health, and a Cauſe of ſuch Diſeaſes as deſtroy …he Comfort of Life, and tend to ſhorten it, by bringing on the Body ſuch Maladies, … tend to precipitate our Diſſolution: As God hath given us theſe things for our Uſe, ſo He hath forbidden us all Exceſs in them; and that not only becauſe we ſhall hurt our Souls, but alſo becauſe we ſhall damnify our Bodily Life hereby: Hence that, Eccl. 10.17. Bleſſed art …, O land, when thy king is ſon of the nobles, and thy princes eat in due ſeaſon, for strength, …d not f…r drunkenneſs.
3. WE ſhould alſo be Moderate in our Bodily Labour. God hath made it Man's Duty to be Di…igent in his Calling, but He hath not bidden him to Surfeit his Body, and ſo haſten his own Death by exceſſive Labour, or tiring out of his Spirits by uninterrupted purſuit of it. Our Labour is to be proportioned to our Strength and the Vivacity of our Spirits, which cannot hold out without Reſpite: And it would be a …anity for a Man to Kill himſelf in his Endeavours to provide for the Continuance of his Life: It is therefore a Duty ſometimes to Divert and Recruit our tired Bodies and Spirits, with innocent and convenient Recreations, Pſal 104.23. Men …e…h ſ…r…ht h…s w…rk, …nd i… his …eh…r until the evening.
4. WE ought to make uſe of Remedies for the Pre…nting or Healing of …d…; Malad…es. God hath in His Providence provided us, not only with F…d, but alſo with Pryſick; and there are things proper for the Ordinary Maladies which we are liable to; and tho' the Succeſs depends on God's Bleſſing, yet we are not to Tempt Him by Omitting the Means, which He gives us Opportunity of Uſing: Our Saviour hath that Remark, Matth 9.12. They that be whole … …t a phyſician, but they that be ſick.
5. We ought to maintain a Quiet & Cheerful Temper of Mind, and avoid all th…ſe uneaſy Frames which leaven our Spirits. We ſhould not nouriſh Melaucholick and Diſcontented Frames in our Minds; and that not only becauſe we Diſhonour God hereby, but alſo becauſe it tends to the ſhortni…g of our Lives, and renders then: for the preſent very uneaſy: Hence we have that Obſervation of the Wiſe Man, Prov. 17.22. A merry heart do…th good like a medicine: but a broken ſpirit drieth the bones.
II. IN reſpect of Others, or our Neighbours, whoſe Lives alſo we are enjoyned to ſeek the Preſervation of. And there are ſpecial Duties here required of us, if we would not be defective in our Duty on this Account. But becauſe Love to our ſelves, is the Rule of our Love to our Neighbour, the leſs needs here to be ſaid, inaſmuch as whatſoever we owe to the Preſervation of our own Lives, the ſame we owe to others, in its meaſure and degree.
Briefly then.
[1.] IN General, This Command requires the Practice of theſe Two Vertues towards others in our Converſation, viz.
1. MILDNESS or Meekneſs of Spirit; which mainly conſiſts in the Moderation of our Paſſion of Anger and Malice againſt them. It is an Obſervation of our Saviour, in His giving the true Senſe of the Law, Matth 5 21, 22. Ye have heard that it was ſaid by them of old time, Thou ſhall not kill: and whoſoever ſhall kill ſhall be in danger of the judgment. But I ſay unto you, that whoſoever is angry with his brother without a cauſe, ſhall be in danger of the judgment—. Not as if all Anger were here forbidden, for this is ſet in it's due bounds by the Apoſtle, Eph. 4.26. Be ye angry and ſin not: neither let the ſun go down upon your wrath. Anger is an Affection which was put into Man, and hath its Uſe, for God made nothing in vain, but for ſome Service; not meerly to try us but to be improved for our Benefit: By it we are to reſent and repel Injuries offered us, which would otherwiſe hurt us. We live among Men who are filled with Sinful Natures, and too apt to vent them in abuſive Carriages to us: Nevertheleſs our Saviour would have us to Moderate this Affection, and keep it within bounds, and if it exceeds them, it brings us within the Verge of this Precept; and we are taught by it, that we ſhould be armed with a Spirit of Meekneſs & be ready to bear & forbear; and inſtead of railing and threatning Language, to be gentle, and follow that Precept laid down in Rom. 12.21. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. And therefore in private Injuries done us, Chriſt hath preſcribed to us that excellent Rule, Matth. 5.44. Love your enemies, bleſs them that curſe you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which deſpitefully uſe you, & perſecute you.
2. BENIGNITY; on a readineſs to Communicate to the Supply of his Wants. Charity indeed belongs to every Command of the Second Table, but it hath it's ſeveral manner of Operation in each of them; and that which refers to this, is a tender regard to the Life of our Neighbour, which moves us to Compaſſionate him in his Wants, and be willing to Supply them, according to his Neceſſity and our Ability: That is urged, 1 Tim. 6.18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to diſtribute, willing to communicate. And, Eccl. 11.2. Give a portion to ſeven, and alſo to eight; for thou knoweſt not what evil ſhall be upon the earth. This is not ſo to be underſtood as if we were bound to Nouriſh Idle Perſons in their Idleneſs, or encourage …nt Perſons, and ſturdy Beggars in their Se… lous way of Living, or ſupply the Luſts of Men in Drunkenneſs; but that when the Providence of God hath brought any into Diſtreſs, we ought to Pity their Caſe, and open our Bowels to them for their neceſſary Succour, and not ſuffer them to periſh; Job 29.13.
[2.] MORE Particularly, we are to exerciſe theſe Vertues in our Carriage to them, both in regard of their Souls and Bodies.
(1.) IN regard of th…r Souls; the Life whereof ſhould be very precious to us.
AND here more eſpecially,
1. WE ſhould be…r them upon Hearts in our ſolemn Addreſſes to God in Prayer. Some of our Neighbours are de…d in Treſpaſſes and Sins, and God only can reſtore them to Life; we ſhould therefore earneſtly Pray for their Converſion, that God would ſhew them Mercy, and apply to them His Grace, by which they may paſs from Death to Life: Others are in a State of Grace, renewed in the Image of their Mind, but they need Preſervation and Growth, which alſo muſt come from God; and by our frequency and importunity in this regard, we teſtify our regard for their Souls, that they may not Periſh, but obtain Eternal Life, 1 Tim. 2.1. I exhort therefore that first of all ſupplications prayers, interceſſions, and giving of thanks he made for all men.
2. BY applying Counſels & Repr…ofs to them as there is occaſion. When we ſee Sinners going in the way of Deſtruction, and undoing their own Souls, we muſt ſtep in, and do what we can to ſt…p them in their Career, and ſave them from going to the Pit; and not to do ſo is a note of Hatred, Lev. 19.17. And if we ſee any, of w…m we have better Hopes, wounding themſelves by their Follies, and expoſing their Souls to Harm, we ought to apply to th…m our Counſel, and Admonitions, and do all we can to recover them: Gal. 6.1. Brethren, If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which …t ſpiritual, reſtore ſuch …n one in the ſpirit of meekneſs; conſidering thy ſelf, lest thou alſo be tempted.
3. BY ſetting them a Good Example. Without this we ſhall but ſpoil our Inſtructions and Reproofs. It is by Exemplary Godlineſs that we offer the moſt potent Convictions to perſwade them of the Evil of their ways, and confirm to them the Truth of our Counſels and Warnings. It is by the brightneſs of a Godly Converſation, that we ſhall moſt likely win Men to embrace and approve of the Ways of God, and rouze up the Graces of God's Children, which are apt to grow indiſpoſed: It is therefore the Direction given by our Saviour, Matth. 5 16. Let your light ſo ſhine before men, that they may ſee your good work, and glorify your father which is in heaven.
(2.) IN regard of their Bodies, or outward Man. And here,
1. BY Relieving them in their Wants. And this not to be done by good Words and empty Wiſhes, but by opening our hand to Succour them; Jam. 2.16. 1 Joh. 3.16. We ought not to ſee any periſh, whilſt it is in the power of our hand to preſerve them. God hath given us a more liberal Portion of His outward bleſſings, that we may have wherewith to Relieve the Diſtreſs of the Needy; and if our Superfluity do not extend to their Neceſſity, yea, our Convenience to their e… trea… Want, we Sin againſt this Command: Hence that in Job 31.16, &c. If I have … h…ld the poor from their deſire, or have cauſed the eyes of the widow to fail: —
2. BY Succouring & Helping them in a time of Sickneſs. That is Recommended as one Expreſſion of the true Religion, Jam. 1.27. To viſit the fatherleſs & t…d us in their affliction. And what are we to Viſit them for, but to do what is needful and in our power, that they may not Periſh in their Affliction, but be Succoured according as their preſent Condition calls for? And for this we ſhould enquire into their Caſe, and do what we may for the reſtoring their Lives, and recovering their Health, Luk 10.30, &c.
3. BY Defending & Reſcuing their Lives from unjuſt Aſſaults. And doubtleſs, If it be our Duty to ſave our Neighbour's B…aſt if he be in Peril, as the Jews were commanded, much more then himſelf, when his Life is in preſent Peril, hence that, Prov. 24.11. If thou forbear to deliver them that are dra…en unto death, and thoſe that are ready to … ſlain And this alſo is extendible to all other eminent hazards in which Men may be in danger of Death, when without preſent Relief they muſt Die: As if they fall in the way and break their Bones, or fall into the Water and will elſe be Drowned, on any other Caſualty; it is our Duty by this Command, to afford our hand, as far as we may with our own Preſervation.) to free them from the Miſchief which they are over-taken withal. Th…ſe and ſuch like things appertain to the Humanity which is required in this Precept.
QUESTION LXIX.
WHAT is forbidden in the Sixth Commandment?
ANSWER.
THE Sixth Commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own Life, or the Life our Neighbour unjuſtly, or whatſoever tendeth thereunto.
WE obſerved in the Affirmative part of this Command, That the comprehenſive Duty here required is Humanity: The Sin therefore forbidden is Inhumanity; and it comprehends under it, whatſoever tends to Hurt the Life.
WE have before obſerved the Subject-matter about which this Precept is concerned, viz. Life: under which we took notice of the Life both of Soul and Body, as included; as alſo the … and comfort of the Life are contained in it: We likewiſe conſidered the Subjects who are comprehended under the Command, viz. ourſelve, and others, which need not be here again diſtinctly treated of.
BUT becauſe the Command is expreſſed Negatively, it will not be amiſs to take Notice of the more notorious Sins here aimed at; and the rather becauſe there are ſome Caſes referring to this Command, which will require a more diſtinct Conſideration. And what may here be offered, ſhall be ranked under Three Heads AND here,
Firſt SELF-MURDER, or the taking away of our own L…ves, is univerſally forbidden in this Command. And this ſeems to be deſignedly aimed at in the Anſwer; for the word Unp…th is limited to the Lives of others, and is not to be taken diſtributively; intimating, that the taking away of our own Lives, is unlawful many account whatſoever.
THIS is a CASE which is handled by Divines, Whether in no Caſe, a Perſon may Kill himſelf, with at incurring the Guilt of Murder? It is generally reſolved in the Negative by Chriſtian Caſuiſts, tho' it was too much favoured by the Donatists: But we know that it was mightily defended by the Steicks of old, who counted it to be a folly for a Man to complain of the Miſeries of this Life, when he had an eaſy way to rid himſelf of them, by putting an End to his Life; and charg'd it for baſe Puſillanimity for Men to be afraid of doing it. Beſides, we find it is a too frequent Temptation, which ſome are hurried by, when under Diſcontents; and apt to hope that there is not ſo great a …in in it.
HERE therefore it is to be aſſerted, That it is an …orrid Sin for any to Contrive, Plot and Execute upon themſelves their own Death; and of all Bodily Murders, it is the moſt Barbarous and Inhumane: It is Vile to Deliberate on it, far we ought to entertain the firſt Thoughts of it with greateſt abhorrence; it is yet more aggravated Sin to Reſolve and Contrive it, … Purpoſe it, and meditate … at … to Accompliſh it; and to purſue ſuch a Pr…n…u…ted thing to the Perpetration of it, adds to the I… quity, and makes it moſt horrendous. And the Truth of this will appear if we Conſider,
1. IT is directly contrary to the Principle of Self-Preſervation infuſed by God into Humane Nature. Naturallnclinations put into the Creature … Original Conſtitution, belong to the Law of Nature; & ſuch is a love of Life & a deſire to maintain and preſerve it: Yea, there is a Principle of Self-Preſervation in every Order of ſecond Beings, which they exert according to their Capacity; much more in reaſonable Creatures, in whom there is a rational Apprehenſion of the Value of Life, and the Evil in Death; in which regard it is called a King of Terro…s. It muſt needs therefore be very Un-natural for any to be Voluntary and Active in procuring their own Diſſolution.
2. IT is a riſing up againſt the Government of God. God is the Lord of our Lives, and hath our Times in His hand; Pſal. 31.15. My times are in thy hands. We are not our own, nor at our own diſpoſe: we are His Servants, and He hath an abſolute Power over us; He may diſpoſe of our Lives at His Pleaſure; but we take upon us His Prerogative, if we uſe our Liberty to do it: When we think God hath made it our Duty to preſerve our Lives, it muſt needs be an Act of Rebellion againſt Him, for us to cut them off. We are His Servants, and therefore cannot be our own Lords: Self-Murder therefore is an Act of Treaſon againſt the Crown of Heaven, and muſt be Anſwered for as ſuch.
3. IT is an high Affront put upon the Goodneſs of God to Man. Life is a Favour …o ſuch Beings as enjoy it, and a token of the Bounty of God who is the Author of it; for we are told, Acts 17.25. He giveth to all life & breath. Hence, the more Noble ſort of Life the Creature is indulged withal, the more Royal is the Divine Benignity appearing in it: Such is the Life of the reaſonable Creature; hence that, Job 35.10, 11. But m…ne ſaith, Where is God my maker, who giveth ſongs in the night? Who teacheth us more than the beaſts of the earth, and maketh us wiſer than the fowls of heaven. And the greater the Goodneſs is the greater is the Contempt that is caſt upon it.
4. IT is n… ſmall Injury offered to Human Society, of which he is a Member. Man was made a Sociable Creature and for the Benefit of the Community; nor doth he Live for himſelf, but for the Publick: And tho' by his folly he may be a Publick P…ſt, and forfeit his Life, yet God hath put the Power of Life and Death into the hands of lawful Authority: And he who takes away his own Life, becomes thereby Guilty of Felony, and the Common-wealth … ſeth a Member which might have be Serviceable to it: For which reaſon Civil Governments have appointed an Ign…ble Par… for all ſuch.
5. IT is to depriveth …ſe…ſ of the Opportunity of Glorifying God, and working out of his own Salvation: And herein he irreparably Injures himſelf. It is ſaid concerning them that are … Pſal. 115.17. The dead praiſe not the Lord, neither any that are gone down into ſilence. And it is certain that there is a Work to be done by Men in this Life, which there will be no Advantage for, or Opportunity to attend, after it is, ended; for we are told, 2 Cor. 6.2. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of ſalvation. And, Eccl. 9.10. Whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wiſdom in the grave whither thou goeſt. And this is indeed the great Benefit of Life, which by ſuch an Act is made irreparable. Whilſt there is Life, there is Hope; but Death fixeth the Man for ever unchangably. What an unaccountable Madneſs then munſt it needs be, for the Man to precipitate himſelf into this, with his own Hands; eſpecially if we conſider,
6. IT is for the Man to expoſe himſelf to the hazard of Eternal Death. It may ſeem too harſh to condemn all, that in Diſtraction do haſten their own End, to endleſs Miſeries: But ſurely, for Men in Diſcontent, deliberately to diſpatch themſelves, is too preſumptive of ſuch a thing, the Deed being a notorious Diſcovery of an unſubdued Heart to God; and to be ſure, If ſuch are Unregenerate, and ſo Dye, they put themſelves beyond all hope of Salvation for ever; and do but haſten themſelves to the blackneſs of Darkneſs, to the Fit from whence there is no Redemption: The Sin is Deally, and they prevent themſelves of a kindly Repentance.
7. THE Pleas which Men make for this are vain. There are many uſed, but they are inſignificant. The principal are ſuch as theſe,
1. The Examples that ore on Scripture Record. But Examples will not juſtify a direct Tranſgreſſion of the Precept; not do we find any Examples in the Word of God, of any that directly and deſignedly put an End to their own Lives, but ſuch as were Evil Men; ſuch was Saul, who fell on his own Sword; ſuch was Zimri, who Burnt himſelf in the King's Palace; ſuch was Judas, who in Deſpair Precipitated himſelf; and theſe are miſerable Patterns to follow: As to that of Sampſon, it was not with a next deſign to Kill himſelf, but to take juſt Revenge on the Philiſtines; beſides, he was a Type of Chriſt, and the Act was Extraordinary, and had an unimitable Call from God.
2. THE Intollerableneſs of the Troubles of this Life. This the Steicks were wont to pretend, That Nature had opened a way for Man to rid himſelf of Troubles, when they were too hard to bear; and that is was his own fault, if he did not make uſe of it. But this is contrary to the Word of God, which requires of us, patient Continuance in well-doing, as a Teſtimony of our ſincere Obedience to God; which were altogether needleſs, if this Courſe were Lawful: And it muſt needs be an Argument of Pride and Impatience, for Men to deſert the Poſt that God hath ſet them in, becauſe they diſlike it, and think it is too hard for them.
3. THE avoiding of a Diſhonourable or Cruel Death. When Men know their Death is deſigned, and they expect to be put to Tortures, or at leaſt to be made Spectacles to the World, they are apt to think it is better to prevent this, by being their own Executioners: But this alſo Contradicts the general Rule, That we ought not to do Evil, that Good … come of it: For the Act is forbidden abſolutely, and therefore no pretenſion of Advantage by it, can juſtify it: If we have done things worthy of Death, we muſt ſubmit our Lives to God's Miniſter's of Juſtice, but ought not to be our own Judges and Executioners; and if we ſuffer Wrong and Cruelty, we muſt leave it to God. AND here as to that CASE, Whether it be Lawful for a Man to Execute himſelf, if commanded by Authority ſo to do? I only ſay, It is barbarous Cruelty for Civil Judges to appoint ſuch a thing, and utterly Unlawful …on them; and if they ſhould do ſo, we have no Warrant to Obey them in it; it is enough that we yield our ſelves up to ſuffer the … impoſed; and tho' we may not refuſe to Die, yet we muſt refuſe to Kill our ſelves.
4. THe putting an End to a Sinful Life: And this Temptation ſome Chriſtians have been exerciſed withal; either thinking, that if they Live they ſhall increaſe their Guilt, or ſuppoſing that, being in Chriſt, by Dying they ſhall come to Sin no more: But this alſo is very Prepoſterous; for if the Man be Unconverted, he thus doth all he can to put himſelf beyond Repentance; and if Converted, he hinders himſelf of Serving God in his Generation; and inſtead of Glorifying Him, by maintaining the ſpiritual Warfare againſt Sin, he Diſmiſſeth himſelf (without Warrant) from the Poſt in which God hath ſet him, which is highly Diſhonourable to his Lord; and leaves a juſt Note of Infamy upon his own Name, when he is gone.
IN all theſe regards therefore, it is the Chriſtian's Duty to Reſolve with him, Job 14.14. All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
USE. LET us then Arm our ſelves with greateſt Reſolution againſt all ſuch Temptations. If at any time they ſhould ſtart up, or be ſuggeſted to us, Reject them immediately, and entertain not the leaſt Deliberation about them, but riſe up againſt them with the greateſt Deteſtation. Let us reckon the Temptation Un-natural & Diabolical, and treat it as ſo. Remember, God hath given us a Life to Serve Him in, and whatſoever Trials we encounter in it, they are of His Ordination, who hath made our Duty to Serve Him in Active and Paſſive Obedience: And the more Patiently … ſubmit to, and w… upon: Him, the more ſhall we H…r Him in our Lives, and the more Comfortably ſhall we leave the World, and our latter End ſhall be Peace.
[SEPTEMBER 19. 1704.]