591) THE UNLAWFULNESS OF SELF-MURDER. man live so as 'to render all these imputations incredible ; then those names of reproach will die, and do him no hurt. Let him avoid the company where he is so abused, and put himself out of the way of reproach and temptation for time to come. 2. What if our laws have not provided reparation for every little affront, because it was thought below the notice of governors, yet the law hath provided a gibbet for him that escapes the sword, in a duel wherein he hath killed his neigh- bour. The law of the land calls this murder, and condemns and punishes the murderer by a shameful mannerof death. Now because you have been called a liar or a sot, will you therefore resolve either to be stabbed or to be hanged ? What a strange reasoning is this for a man, who pretends to the sense and edu- cation of a gentleman ? 3.' But let it be further observed, that the law of Christ requires meekness and patience under many injuries; the law of Christ forbids all revenge and murder ; his law absolutely prohibits )(du to kill your neighbour, or to expose yourself to wilful death on the account of such trifles. Come learn to bridle your passions, and mortifyyour pride, and then such reproaches will notsit so heavy upon you. But if you are obstinately resolved to die for a point of honour, go, rush into the other world by the sword, or by the gibbet; and make your appeal for injured honour to the most righteous and supreme tribunal of justice there : God is a just. judge ; he weighs every circumstance to a grain in a divine ba- lance ; but you will find to your terror, that the court of heaven will be so far from approving your conduct, that you will be sen- tenced to everlasting infamy and shame, as a punishment of your pride; you will be doomed to immortal agonies of conscience; and the wrath of that God whose laws you have impiously bro- ken ; and notwithstanding all your fancied self-defence, you will be treated like a man that is guilty of his own and his brother's blood. Give me leave to finish this head with a few sentiments bor- rowed from Mr. Collier's discourse of duelling, in the first vo- lume of his essays, which I would recommend to the perusal of those who may be exposed to the danger and temptation of such combats. "It is great pity, saith he, that men who leave such opportunities for sense, should be entangled in so monstrous an absurdity ! That those who might be the ornament of their age, and defence of their country, should make themselves a misfor- tune to both. Perhaps the danger of the adventure, may make them think it honourable; but to risk the main, that is, the con- cerns of life and eternity, without reason or warrant is mere rash- ness ; it is to, be more stupid than brave. If a man should leap from a garret, or vault down the monument, do you imagine he
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=