Next Part 2 (The SIXTH Commandment)

What are the aggravations of this sin of murder?

(1) To shed the blood of another causelessly; as to kill another in a humour or frolic. A bee will not sting unless provoked—but many when not provoked, will take away the life of another. This makes the sin of blood more bloody. The less provocation to a sin the greater sin.

(2) To shed the blood of another contrary to promise. Thus, after the princes of Israel had sworn to the Gibeonites that they should live, Saul slew them. Josh 9:15. 2 Sam 21:1. Here were two sins bound together, perjury and murder.

(3) To take away the life of any public person enhances the murder, and makes it greater, as to kill a judge upon the bench, because he represents the king's person. To murder a person whose office is sacred, and comes on the King of heaven's embassage; the murdering of whom may be the murdering of many. Herod added this sin above all, that he shut up John the Baptist in prison, much more to behead him in prison. Luke 3:20. To stain one's hands with royal blood. David's heart smote him because he did but cut off the corner of king Saul's garment. 1 Sam 24:5. How would David's heart have smitten him if he had cut off Saul's head?

(4) To shed the blood of a near relation aggravates the murder, and dyes it of a deeper crimson. For a son to kill his father is horrid. Parricides are monsters in nature. "He who takes away his father's life, commits many sins in one;" he is not guilty of murder only—but of disobedience, ingratitude, and diabolical cruelty. "He who strikes his father or mother, shall be surely put to death." Exodus 21:15. Then how many deaths is he worthy of, who destroys his father or mother! Such a monster was Nero, who caused his mother, Agrippina, to be slain.

(5) To shed the blood of any righteous person aggravates the sin. Hereby justice is perverted. Such a person being innocent, is unworthy of death. A saint being a public blessing, lies in the breach to turn away wrath; so that to destroy him is to pull down the pillars of a nation. He is precious to God. Psalm 116:15. He is a member of Christ's body; therefore what injury is offered to him is done to God himself. Acts 9:4.

Though, however, this commandment forbids private people to shed the blood of another, unless in their own defence—yet, such as are in public office must punish public offenders, even with death. To kill an offender is not murder—but justice. A private person sins if he draws the sword; a public person sins if he puts up the sword. A magistrate ought not to let the sword of justice rust in the scabbard. As he should not let the sword be too sharp by severity, so neither should the edge of it is blunted by too much leniency.

Neither does this commandment prohibit a just war. When men's sins grow ripe, and abundance of goods has bred abundance of sin, God says, "Sword, go through the land." Ezek 14:17. He encouraged the war between the tribes of Israel and Benjamin. When the iniquity of the Amorites was full, he sent Israel to war against them. Judges 11:21.

Use one. It should be for a lamentation that this land is defiled with blood. Numb 35:33. How common is this sin in this boasting age! England's sins are written in letters of blood. Some make no more of killing men, than sheep! "In your skirts is found the blood of the poor innocents." Jer 2:34. In Hebrew, "in your wings" is found the blood of innocents. It alludes to the birds of prey, which stain their wings with the blood of other birds. May not the Lord justly take up a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because "blood touches blood" Hos 4:2. There are wholesale murders.

And that which should increase our lamentation is, that not only man's blood is shed among us—but Christ's blood. Profane flagitious sinners are said to "crucify the son of God afresh." Heb 6:6.

(1) They swear by his blood, and so, as it were, make his wounds bleed afresh.

(2) They crucify Christ in his members. "Why do you persecute me?" Acts 9:4. The foot being trodden on, the head cries out.

(3) If it lay in their power, were Christ alive on earth—they would nail him to the cross again! Thus men crucify Christ afresh; and, if man's blood so cries, how loud will Christ's blood cry against sinners?

Use two. Beware of having your hands imbrued in the blood of others.

"But such a one has wronged me by defamation, or otherwise; and if I spill his blood, I shall but revenge my own quarrel!"

If he has done you wrong, the law is open; but take heed of shedding blood. What! Because he has wronged you, will you therefore wrong God? Is it not doing wrong to God, to take his work out of his hand? He has said "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." Rom 12:19. You would undertake to revenge yourself; would be plaintiff, and judge, and executioner, in yourself. This is a great wrong done to God, and he will not hold you guiltless.

To deter all from having their hands defiled with blood, consider what a sin murder is.

(1) Murder is a God-affronting sin. It is a breach of his command, and trampling upon his royal edict. It is a wrong offered to God's image. "In the image of God made he man." Gen 9:6. It is tearing God's picture. Man is the temple of God. "Know you not, that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" 1 Cor 6:19. The man-slayer destroys God's temple; and will God endure to be thus confronted by proud dust?

(2) Murder is a crying sin. "The voice of blood cries to Heaven." There are three sins in Scripture which are said to cry:

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