Thou shalt not kill— For a full exposition of this commandment we refer to that of our Saviour, Matthew 5:21; Matthew 5:48 see Genesis 9:6. The words are better rendered, thou shalt do no murder. And if we are not to murder others, certainly not ourselves, so that suicide is here plainly and absolutely forbidden, as well as, according to our Saviour's exposition, all those angry and resentful passions, which are no less criminal in themselves than they are fatal in their consequences. Hallett, upon this commandment, says, I cannot conclude upon it without bearing my testimony against the Alexanders and Caesars of the earth, as some of the most wicked and odious of men, who delighted in shedding the blood of millions, only for the sake of getting a name among men as wicked as themselves. But, worse again than these monsters, are those eldest sons of Satan, the inquisitors and persecutors, who impiously murder their better brethren for this very reason, because they are better than themselves; because they had rather die the most tormenting death than break God's holy commandments!

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising