Deuteronomy 5:17 You shall not kill. I. THE DISPOSITION OF HEART it enjoins us to bear one towards another. 1. Thou shalt not bear an envious, but thou shalt bear a complacential spirit towards others. Envy, strictly speaking, is that inward hatred of another for some good thing he has, which we have not, but wish for. 2. As we may not bear an envious, so neither may we bear a revengeful temper towards any of our neighbours, but must be disposed in meekness of spirit towards all and every one of them. We must consider that by this commandment those dispositions which are the direct contraries to this revengeful spirit, and which fall under the general word meekness, are enjoined upon us. (1) We must bear a kind and courteous temper of heart towards others, as being members of ourselves; we and they being of one blood, and having the same Father. (2) A disposition to construe everything in the best part. (3) Another part of this meekness is a forgiving temper. (4) A peaceable temper is another branch of meekness. 3. But we may not be of a cruel, but must be of a compassionate disposition. As we may not rejoice in others' sins, so may we not lead any into sin; as those do who take pleasure in making others drunk, or in putting them upon any kind of wickedness. Nor, finally, may we encourage any sin by our example and conduct. II. We must indulge neither envy, revenge, nor cruelty in our TONGUES; but from a real affection one towards another, our words must be charitable and kind. III. OUR CONDUCT. Thou shalt not do any damage to thy brother in soul or body, but shalt do him all the good thou canst in both. (S. Walker, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt not kill. |
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