Metadata
Title
Gilbert Tennent sermons 59, Sextus precept (Sixth commandment), 1745
Date
1745/1756
Digital Identifier
PHS.TennentSermons059
Description
Gilbert Tennent (1703-1764) was an Irish-American Presbyterian clergyman, and one of the leaders of the Great Awakening.
Tennent wrote this sermon on the subject of the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." He begins his discussion with references to Exodus 20:13 and Mark 10:19.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it appears Tennent wrote this sermon in 1745, then delivered it again in 1748, 1751, and 1756.
Tennent wrote this sermon on the subject of the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." He begins his discussion with references to Exodus 20:13 and Mark 10:19.
From dates noted in the manuscript, it appears Tennent wrote this sermon in 1745, then delivered it again in 1748, 1751, and 1756.
Subject
Place
Pennsylvania--Philadelphia
Congregation
Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
Holding Institution
Presbyterian Historical Society
Extent
20 pages
Format (Digital)
tiff
Rights
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Language
eng
Type
Text
Abstract
Sext[um] precept[um] (The Sixth Commandment [Thou shalt not kill]) examines the intent and extent of this
prohibition, first by what it doesn't include, in the cases of the just war, self-preservation, protection of property, or killing by accident, which are outside of this command (which, interestingly is translated in many instances today as "Thou shalt not murder"). Unjust killing is the point at issue. Rev. Tennent discusses suicide,, also condemned as self-murder, taking the individual from a chance to be useful to society, and from the obligations due loved ones; suicide is an affront and dishonor to God, destroying the body as the likeness of God. and sending the soul to extinction. Murder disrupts society by undermining the peace and the power of the magistrate to decide life & death, once individuals take matters into their own hands. The Reverend argues against private duels and the reputation they have for being honorable, but does admit that single combat to end a war might be allowable, as with David & Goliath.
Other behaviors can tend toward self-murder: putting oneself at unnecessary physical risk, being careless of nourishment--whether over-eating or alcoholism, the danger of despair and the loss of appetite and therefore health. He mentions mental tendencies that kill off the soul: meanness and lack of compassion for others, either with refusal to help or in venting anger and reproach on others. Anger is a human behavior and must be channeled and regulated toward worthy objects, Reproach is just, also, if it wakes up
and educates the one it's directed at to improve his behavior and usefulness, and to glorify his creator.
prohibition, first by what it doesn't include, in the cases of the just war, self-preservation, protection of property, or killing by accident, which are outside of this command (which, interestingly is translated in many instances today as "Thou shalt not murder"). Unjust killing is the point at issue. Rev. Tennent discusses suicide,, also condemned as self-murder, taking the individual from a chance to be useful to society, and from the obligations due loved ones; suicide is an affront and dishonor to God, destroying the body as the likeness of God. and sending the soul to extinction. Murder disrupts society by undermining the peace and the power of the magistrate to decide life & death, once individuals take matters into their own hands. The Reverend argues against private duels and the reputation they have for being honorable, but does admit that single combat to end a war might be allowable, as with David & Goliath.
Other behaviors can tend toward self-murder: putting oneself at unnecessary physical risk, being careless of nourishment--whether over-eating or alcoholism, the danger of despair and the loss of appetite and therefore health. He mentions mental tendencies that kill off the soul: meanness and lack of compassion for others, either with refusal to help or in venting anger and reproach on others. Anger is a human behavior and must be channeled and regulated toward worthy objects, Reproach is just, also, if it wakes up
and educates the one it's directed at to improve his behavior and usefulness, and to glorify his creator.
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IIIF Manifest
https://www.philageohistory.org/rdic-images/iiif.cfm/PHS.TennentSermons059/manifest
