Next Part 6 (The SIXTH Commandment)

[2] In reference to OURSELVES. The commandment, "You shall not kill," requires that we should preserve our own life and soul. It is engraved upon every creature that he should preserve his own natural life. We must be so far from self-murder, that we must do all we can to preserve natural life. We must use all means of diet, exercise, and lawful recreation, which, like oil, preserves the lamp of life from going out. Some have been tempted by Satan to believe they are such sinners that they do not deserve a bit of bread, and so they have been ready to starve themselves. This is contrary to the commandment, "You shall do no murder," which implies that we are to use all proper means for the preservation of life. "Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses." 1 Tim 5:23. Timothy was not, by drinking too much water, to weaken nature—but to use means for self-preservation.

This commandment requires that we should also endeavour to preserve our own souls. "Though you lose all else, remember to save your soul." It is engraved upon every creature, as with the point of a diamond—to look to its own preservation. If the life of the body must be preserved, much more the life of the soul. If he who does not provide for his own family is worse than an infidel, much more he who does not provide for his own soul. 1 Tim 5:8. A main thing implied in the commandment is a special care for preserving our souls. The soul is a jewel, a diamond set in a ring of clay. Christ puts the soul in balance with the world, and it outweighs all. Matt 16:26. The soul is a looking-glass, in which some rays of divine glory shine; it has in it some faint idea and resemblance of a Deity; it is a celestial spark lighted by the breath of God. The body was made of the dust—but the soul is of a more noble origin. God breathed into man a living soul. Gen 2:7.

(1) The soul is excellent in its nature. It is a spiritual being, "it is a kind of angelic thing." The mind sparkles with knowledge, the will is crowned with liberty, and all the affections are as stars shining in their orb. The soul being spiritual, it is of quick operation. How quick are the motions of a spark! How swift the wing of a cherubim! So quick and agile is the motion of the soul! What is quicker than thought? How many miles can the soul travel in an instant! The soul, being spiritual, moves upwards, it contemplates God and glory. "Whom have I in heaven but you?" Psalm 73:25. The motion of the soul is upward; but sin has put a wrong bias upon it, and made it move downward. The soul, being spiritual, has a self-moving power; it can subsist and move when the body is dead, as the mariner can subsist when the ship is broken. The soul, being spiritual, is immortal—"a bud of eternity."

(2) As the soul is excellent in its nature, so in its capacities. It is capable of grace, it is fit to be an associate and companion of angels. It is capable of communion with God— and of being Christ's spouse! "I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Cor 11:2. It is capable of being crowned with glory forever. Oh! then, carrying such precious souls about you, created with the breath of God, redeemed with the blood of God, what endeavours should you use for the saving of these souls! Let not the devil have your souls. Heliogabalus fed his lions with pheasants; the devil is called a roaring lion—feed him not with your souls! Besides the excellence of the soul, which may make you labor to get it saved, consider how sad it will be not to have the soul saved; it is such a loss as there is none like it; because in losing the soul, you lose many things with it. A merchant in losing his ship, loses many things with it: he loses money, jewels, spices, etc.; so he who loses his soul, loses Christ and the company of angels in heaven. It is an infinite loss—an irreparable loss; it can never be made up again Oh! what care should be taken of the immortal soul! I would request but this of you, that you take as much care for the saving of your souls as you do for getting an estate. Nay, do but take as much care for saving your souls—as the devil does for destroying them! Oh! how industrious is Satan to damn souls! How does he play the serpent in his subtle laying of snares to catch souls! How does he shoot the fiery darts! He is never idle; he is a busy bishop in his diocese; he "walks about seeking whom he may devour." 1 Pet 5:8. Now, is it not a reasonable request to take as much care for saving your souls—as the devil does for destroying them?

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