What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?
The sixth commandment absolutely forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Proofs
- The sixth commandment absolutely forbiddeth the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto. (Acts 26:28; Genesis 9:9)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is it a sin to destroy ourselves?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: shouldest thou die before thy time? (Ecclesiastes 7:17)
And of envy?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Envy is the rottenness of the bones, (Proverbs 14:30)
And of passion?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I do well to be angry, even unto death, (Jonah 4:9)
And of uncleanness?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He that committeth fornication sinneth Against his own body, (1 Corinthians 6:18)
And of intemperance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: At last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder, (Proverbs 23:32)
And of immoderate care and sorrow?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the sorrow of the world worketh death, (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Section 2
Is this an encroachment upon God’s prerogative?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For ’tis he that killeth and maketh alive, (Deuteronomy 32:39)
And a compliance with Satan’s temptations?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he was a murderer from the beginning, (John 8:44)
But may we not expose our lives for the sake of a good conscience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They loved not their lives unto death, (Revelation 12:11)
And hazard them in a good cause?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Zebulon and Naphtali jeoparded their lives in the high places of the field, (Judges 5:18)
Section 3
Is it a breach of this command for magistrates to take away the lives of capital offenders?
Answer: No.
Proof: Thou shalt do according to the sentence ; and the man that will do presumptuously, even that man shall die, (Deuteronomy 17:10, 12)
Or for one man to kill another in lawful war?
Answer: No.
Proof: Smite Amalek, and slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, (1 Samuel 15:3)
Or by accident?
Answer: No.
Proof: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hateth not in time past, shall flee to the city of refuge, (Deuteronomy 19:4–5)
Or in his own defence?
Answer: No.
Proof: For if a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, then shall no blood be shed for him, (Exodus 22:2)
Section 4
But is wilful murder a great sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It was said by them of old time, thou shalt not kill, (Matthew 5:21)
Is it a crying sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me from the ground, (Genesis 4:10)
Is it a sin that calls for present punishment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou shalt take him from my altar that he may die, (Exodus 21:14)
And exposes to future damnation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For no murderer hath eternal life, (1 John 3:15)
Ought we therefore to pray that God would keep us from it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, (Psalm 51:14)
Section 5
Is it a breach of this commandment to counsel the death of others?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon, (2 Samuel 12:9)
Or to consent to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye by wicked hands have crucified and slain, (Acts 2:23)
Or to be any way accessary to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have sinned, in that I have betrayed innocent blood, (Matthew 27:4)
Or to rejoice at it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, (Job 31:29)
Section 6
Is unjust and immoderate anger a breach of this commandment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whoso is angry with his brother without a case, is in danger of the judgment, (Matthew 5:22)
And foul and provoking language?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whosoever shall say unto his brother, Racha, or thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire, (Matthew 5:22)
And malice and hatred?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He that hateth his brother is a murderer, (1 John 3:15)
And is there such a thing as soul murder?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If thou givest him not warning his blood will I require at thine hand, (Ezekiel 3:18)