HenryWSC 69

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 69

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May we dispose of our own lives at our pleasure? No: For surely your blood of your lives will I require,
Gen. 9:5
. Is it a sin in any case to kill ourselves? Yes: Do thyself no harm,
Acts 16:28
. Is it an exceeding sinful sin? Yes: it was the sin of Saul and Judas, Sam. 31:4.
Matt. 27:5
. Is it a sin needlessly to expose our own lives? Yes: Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God,
Matt. 4:7
. But must we not expose our lives to keep a good conscience? Yes: Neither count I my life dear unto me, so that I might finish my course with joy,
Acts 20:24
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Is drunkenness a sin against our own lives? Yes: Take heed lest your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and so that day come upon you unawares,
Luke 21:34
. Is uncleanness so? Yes: He that commits fornication sins against his own body,
1 Cor. 6:18
. Is immoderate care and grief a sin against our own lives? Yes: for the sorrow of the world worketh death,
2 Cor. 7:10
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Is it lawful for the magistrate to take away the life of a malefactor? Yes: for he bears not the sword in vain,
Rom. 13:4
. May soldiers kill in a lawful war? Yes: Cursed is he that keepeth back his sword from blood,
Jer. 48:10
. But is wilful murder a great sin? Yes: The voice of thy brother’s blood cries
Gen. 4:10
Is it an iniquity to be punished by the judge? Yes: Whoso sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed,
Gen. 9:6
. And ought the murderer to be put to death? Yes: A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him,
Prov. 28:17
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Is murder a great affront to God? Yes: for in the image of God made he man,
Gen. 9:6
. Does it make men like the devil? Yes: for he was a murderer from the beginning,
John 8:44
. Is it of dangerous consequence to the murderer? Yes: for no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him,
1 John 3:15
. Ought we therefore to pray that God would keep us from it? Yes: Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God of my salvation,
Ps. 51:14
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Is malice heart-murder? Yes: lie that hateth his brother is a murderer,
1 John 3:15
. Is rash anger a breach of this commandment? Yes: But I say unto you, Whosoever is angry with his brother without cause, shall be in danger of the judgment,
Matt. 5:22
. Is giving foul language a breach of this commandment? Yes: Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, or Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire,
Matt. 5:22
. Is revenge a breach of this commandment? Yes: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,
Rom. 12:19
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HenryWSC 69