A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

We may further fall into the breach of this Command in reference to our selves, either directly, as purposing and intending hurt to our own body, or indirectly, by casting our selves in unnecessary seeming dangers, by wilful or careless overusing of known unwholesome food, by excessive and immoderate toil, by spending and wasting the body with unchastness, by drunkenness and gluttony (whereby many more are destroyed then with the Sword, according to the common saying, plures gulâ quàm gladio pereunt) and many other ways.

We may further fall into the breach of this Command in reference to our selves, either directly, as purposing and intending hurt to our own bodie, or indirectly, by casting our selves in unnecessary seeming dangers, by wilful or careless overusing of known unwholesome food, by excessive and immoderate toyl, by spending and wasting the body with unchastness, by drunkenness and gluttony (vvhereby many more are destroyed then with the Sword, according to the common saying, plures gulâ quàm gladio pereunt) and many other vvays.

If we consider this command with respect to others, we may conceive it in reference to a threefold life, which we should endeavour to preserve and promote in them, in any one of which a commission or omission will make a breach thereof.

If we consider this command vvith respect to others, vve may conceive it in reference to a threefold life, which vve should endeavour to preserve and promote in them, in any one of which a commission or omission will make a breach thereof.

1. There is a life of the body; and whatever cometh from us that wrongeth that, either directly, as strokes, challenges or appeals, &c. or indirectly, if it were but by keeping back something that is in our power to give which might be useful to our neighbour in his need, that no doubt maketh guilty of this sin of killing in respect of this bodily life. I have mentioned appeals to Duels under the former branch, because albeit that in the matter of private duels, the pride and corruption of men do ordinarily either commend a vain bravery and gallantry, or pretend the ex uses of a seeming Obligation in the point of honour or necessary defence: Yet we are sure that the judgment of God, which is according to truth, by pointing out on the part as well of the accepter as of the appealer; these ensuing irregularities do condemn the thing as exceeding sinful. As 1. Impotency of mind and excess of passion, which if sooner in the accepter, doth only add deliberation to his other guilt. 2. Contempt of the public Laws and civil order. 3. An Usurpation of the Magistrates sword, which is given to him, both for punishing and protecting;