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…

Again, killing may be considered either as purposed, such as Cain's was of Abel, and Joab's of Abner and Amasa, or not purposed; which again is twofold: 1. Innocent, which is even by the Law of God every way so, and is indeed no breach of this Command: as when a man, following his duty, doth that ⟨p. 347⟩which beside, and contrary to his intention, and without any previous neglect or oversight-in him, proveth the hurt and death of another. 2. Culpable, because although it do proceed beyond the purpose of the person, yet it is occasioned and caused by a culpable negligence: As suppose one were hewing with an Axe, which he either knew, or might have known to be loose, and the head not well fastened to the helve, did not advertise those about him of it, if by flying off it happened to wound or kill any person, he were not innocent, but if without any inadvertency he either knew not that it were loose, or that any were about him, if then it should fall off and kill his Neighbour, in this case he is guiltless: So when the Lord commanded those who built houses to build battlements about the roofs of them, if any person fell where the battlements were, the Master was free; if the battlements were not, he was guilty.

Again, killing may be considered either as purposed, such as Cain's was of Abel, and Joab's of Abner and Amasa, or not purposed; which again is twofold: 1. Innocent, which is even by the Law of God every way so, and is indeed no breach of this Command: as when a man, following his duty, doth that ⟨p. 347⟩which beside, and contrary to his intention, and without any previous neglect or oversight-in him, proveth the hurt and death of another. 2. Culpable, because although it do proceed beyond the purpose of the person, yet it is occasioned and caused by a culpable negligence: As suppose one were hewing with an Axe, which he either knew, or might have known to be loose, and the head not well fastened to the helve, did not advertise those about him of it, if by flying off it happened to wound or kill any person, he were not innocent, but if without any inadvertencie he either knew not that it vvere loose, or that any vvere about him, if then it should fall off and kill his Neighbour, in this case he is guiltless: So vvhen the Lord commanded those vvho built houses to build battlements about the roofs of them, if any person fell vvhere the battlements vvere, the Master vvas free; if the battlements vvere not, he vvas guilty.