Matthew 5:21

Here our blessed Saviour begins to expound the spiritual sense and meaning of the law, and to vindicate it from the corrupt grosses of the Pharisees:

Where observe, Christ doth not deliver. new law, but expounds the old; doth not injoin new duties, but inforces the old ones. The law of God was always perfect, requiring the sons of men to love God with all their hearts, and their neighbor as themselves.

In this exposition of the law, Christ begins with the sixth commandment, Thou shalt not kill; where he shews, that besides the actual taking away of life,. person may violate that command.

1. By rash anger.

2. By disgraceful and reviling words.

Thence learn, that every evil motion of our hearts consented to against our neighbour, all unjust anger towards him, all terms of contempt put upon him, are forbidden by the law of God, no less than the gross act of murder itself.

Learn, 2. That wrath and anger, without just cause, hath its degrees; and according to the degrees of the sin, will the degrees of punishment be proportionable in the next world.

Learn, 3. That self-murder is here forbidden, and in no case lawful, man having no more power over his own life than over another's; though life be ever so miserable and painful, yet must we wait God's time for our dismission and release.