Question 68

Are we to take Care of our own Lives?

Yes. No Man ever yet hated his own Flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it,^a

Must we endeavour the Preservation of them?

Yes. Skin for Skin, and all that a Man hath will he give for his Life,^b

Are we to be careful of our Diet?

Yes. Hast thou found Honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee,^c

Are we to use Physick when we need it?

Yes. Take a Lump of Figs, and lay it upon the Boil,^d

And are we to be chearful?

Yes. For a merry Heart doth Good like a Medicine,^e

But may we deny Christ to save our Lives?

No. He that so saveth his Life shall lose it,^f

May we commit any wilful Sin to save our Lives?

No. We must not do Evil that Good may come,^g

But what we do for the Preservation of our own Lives must it be with an Eye to God’s Glory?

Yes. That I may live, and keep thy Word,^h —Live and praise thee,ⁱ

Are we to be compassionate even to the brute Creatures?

Yes. A Righteous Man regardeth the Life of his Beast,^j

Are we to be careful of the Lives of others as well as of our own?

Yes. It was Cain that said, Am I my Brother’s Keeper?^k

Are we to do what we can in our Places for the Relief of those that are expos’d to Violence?

Yes. We must deliver them that are ready to be slain,^l

Must we succour the Distressed like the good Samaritan?

Yes. Go thou and do likewise,^m

Are we to support the Lives of those that are in Straits?

Yes. The Blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me,ⁿ

Are we to be meek towards those that provoke us?

Yes. Shewing all Meekness towards all Men,^o

And are we to be merciful towards those that need us?

Yes. Put on as the Elect of God Bowels of Mercies,^p