Question 69

Whom doth the Sixth Commandment forbid us to kill?

The sixth Commandment forbiddeth us to kill, either our selves, or others.

How are we forbidden to kill our selves, or others?

We are forbidden to kill our selves, or others, either directly by taking away our own, or others life; or indirectly by doing any thing that tendeth thereunto.

It is unlawful upon any account to kill our selves, as when hereby we shall prevent others from putting us to death with torture and disgrace; as Cato, and other Heathens, who slew themselves; and Saul, who fell upon his own Sword, that he might not be slain and abused by the uncircumcised Philistines?

1. It is unlawful in any case to kill our selves, And the Keeper of the Prison drew out his Sword, and would have killed himself, but Paul cried with a loud voice, Do thy self no harm.^a 2. Although the Heathens counted it a vertue, and the part of a brave Heroical Spirit, in some cases to kill themselves; yet the Law of God alloweth no such thing, but accounteth such persons self-murderers. 3. It was Sauls sin to die in that act of Self-murder, and we ought rather to submit our selves to any abuses, and tortures of others which is their sin, than to lay violent hands on our selves, and so die in a sin which there is no time, nor place, for repenting of afterwards.

Is it possible for any that kill themselves to be saved, when there can be no repenting afterwards for this sin?

1. It is possible for some to give themselves their deaths wound, and yet repent before they die and be saved, although this is very rare. 2. It is possible that some who are Children of God, may in a Frenzie (Satan taking advantage to inject temptations hereunto) to kill themselves, and yet through habitual Faith and Repentance to attain Salvation.

Is it lawful in any case to kill others?

1. It is lawful to kill others. 1. In the execution of the just Sentence of the publick Laws, especially on such as have been Murderers whoso killeth any person, the Murderer shall be put to death?^b 2. In lawful War, Cursed is he that keepeth back his Sword from blood.^c 3. In necessary self defence, If a Theif be found breaking up and be smitten that he die, there shall be no Blood shed for him.^d

Is it lawful to fight, and kill another in a Duel?

1. It is unlawful to fight a private Duel, except a man be set upon by another, and he cannot avoid; then it is lawful for a man in his own defence to fight and slay his enemy that assaulteth him. 2. It is lawful to fight a publick Duel, if a single enemy at the head of an Army do make a challenge, and it may be the means to prevent the effusion of the more Blood; as David did well to fight with, and kill Goliah.

May we not be guilty of the Murder of our selves, or others, any other ways than by directly taking away our own, or others lives?

We may be guilty of the Murder of our selves, or others indirectly, by doing any thing that tendeth to take away our own or others lives. As 1. By neglecting, or withholding the lawful and necessary means for the preservation of life, such as Meat, Drink, Sleep, Clothes, Physick, needful Recreations, and the like: when we forbear to make use of the necessary preservatives of life our selves, either through a pinching Humour, or Satans Temptation, that we have no right to them, and hereby hasten our end, we are guilty of Self-murder: When we deny the necessaries of life to others in extream want, through Covetousness, and want of pitty, we are guilty of their Murder. 2. By excess in Eating, Drinking, carking Care, Envy, immoderate Sorrow, or doing any thing which may break and debilitate, or take off the vigour of our minds, and which may breed Distempers in our Bodies, this tendeth to Self-murder, Take heed lest your hearts be overcharged with Surfeiting, and Drunkenness, and the Cares of this life.^e Envy is the rottonness of the Bones.^f A broken Spirit drieth the Bones.^g 3. By Hatred, sinful Anger, Malice, bitter Speeches, Oppression; especially by Striking, Wounding, and any ways hurting the Bodies of others; this tendeth to the taking away the lives of others, and is Murder in Gods account, Whosoever hateth his Brother is a Murderer.^h Ye have heard that it was said by them of old times, Thou shalt 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: And whosoever shall say, Thou Fool, shall be in danger of Hell fire.ⁱ If ye bite and devour one another, take heed ye be not consumed one of another.^j There is that speaketh like the piercing of a Sword^k In the midst of thee have they dealt by Oppression: In thee have they vexed the Fatherless and the Widdow.^l