d 590 Chap. 24. An Expofitian upon tbeTook of jnB. Verf. i4. godly men, becaufe they oppofe that more excellent Image of God, the new Creature, or the Image of God renewed in righ- teoufneffe and true holineffe. As there is an imageor iikeneffe of God in every man, fo much more in a godly man,for Godlineffe is :rue God likeneffe. Therefore to flied the bloodofa Godly man is a higher affront to the Ma efiyof God. As the new wine is in the clufter, and one faith deferey it not for a bleffing it in it (1h. 65.8.) So we may fay, deftroy not a Godly man,for ableffing is in him, (firft, from God, and, fecondly, for men)but we may fay much more, Deftray him not for the Image of God is in him. Sixthly, Murther deprives us of that which is molt preciousin the whole compaffeofnature;'And according to the value ofthat wherein the damage is received, is the greatne ffeof the fin corn. mitted. Satan reprefented life better then all other things (rob 2. 4.)Skinfor shin andall that a man bathwill begivefor his life; Gold and, Silver,houfes and lands are but toyes and trifles to life. There isnothingof man except his foule ( whichcannot dye) better thenhis life. And this the murtherer takes away. Amur- therer is the greateft theife, and the vaineft one, he fteales away that from another which is to him of higheft value, yet that which himfelfecannot carry away, nor makeany tire of Seventhly, The finfulneffeofmurther appeares in this ; That it is not only a wrong to that particular perfon who is murdered, but a Wrong to all that have dependance upon him. The life of one man may have an Influence uponmam, wife and children, thewhole family, and kindred , all relations, and employment whether more private, or publicke, are wronged and fuller in his death. Though that which cuts offa mans life cannot cut offhis owne hope (if he have a wel groundedone) for things to come, yet it cuts off the hopes of all others depending upon him (as an inftrurnent in the hand of God) for good things prefent.. Eightly, The rmurther takes away that from a man which no man can reftore to him, or repaire him in; he takes away that which is lmpoftïble for him to give againe. He that tookaway a mans goods was bound by the law ofGod to reftore it fourfold, or fivefold, or leven fold,(according to thecafe)and poffibly he right rettore it an hundred fold, but he that takes away a mans life, bath taken that (which though he would)he cannot re@ore fo much as fingle. The law ofnature will not Puffer the murder: er
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