Question 69

May we dispose of our own Lives at our Pleasure?

No. For surely your Blood of your Lives will I require,^a

Is it a Sin in any Case to kill our selves?

Yes. Do thy self no Harm,^b

Is it an exceeding sinful Sin?

Yes. It was the Sin of Saul and Judas,^c

Is it a Sin needlessly to expose our own Lives?

Yes. Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God,^d

But must we not expose our Lives to keep a good Conscience?

Yes. Neither count I my Life dear unto me so that I might finish my Course with Joy,^e

Is Drunkenness a Sin against our own Lives?

Yes. Take heed lest your Hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting and Drunkenness, and so that Day come upon you unawares,^f

Is Uncleanness so?

Yes. He that commits Fornication sins against his own Body,^g

Is immoderate Care and Grief a Sin against our own Lives?

Yes. For the Sorrow of the World worketh Death,^h

Is it lawful for the Magistrate to take away the Life of a Malefactor?

Yes. For he bears not the Sword in vain,ⁱ

May Soldiers kill in a lawful War?

Yes. Cursed be he that keepeth back his Sword from Blood,^j

But is wilful Murther a great Sin?

Yes. The Voice of thy Brother’s Blood cries,^k

Is it an Iniquity to be punished by the Judge?

Yes. Whoso sheds Man’s Blood, by Man shall his Blood be shed,^l

And ought the Murtherer to be put to Death?

Yes. A Man that doth Violence to the Blood of any Person shall flee to the Pit, let no Man stay him,^m

Is Murther a great Affront to God?

Yes. For in the Image of God made he Man,ⁿ

Doth it make Men like the Devil?

Yes. For he was a Murtherer from the beginning,^o

Is it of dangerous Consequence to the Murtherer?

Yes. For no Murtherer hath Eternal Life abiding in him,^p

Ought we therefore to pray that God would keep us from it?

Yes. Deliver me from Blood-guiltiness, O God of my Salvation,^q

Is Malice Heart-murther?

Yes. He that hateth his Brother is a Murtherer,^r

Is rash Anger a Breach of this Commandment?

Yes. But I say unto you, Whosoever is angry with his Brother without Cause shall be in Danger of the Judgment,^s

Is giving foul Language a Breach of this Commandment?

Yes. Whosoever shall say to his Brother, Racha, or thou Fool, shall be in Danger of Hell Fire,^t

Is Revenge a Breach of this Commandment?

Yes. Dearly beloved, avenge not your selves,^u