Westminster Larger Catechism

Q135

What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?

The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves721 and others722 by resisting all thoughts and purposes,723 subduing all passions,724 and avoiding all occasions,725 temptations,726 and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any;727 by just defence thereof against violence,728 patient bearing of the hand of God,729 quietness of mind,730 cheerfulness of spirit;731 a sober use of meat,732 drink,733 physic,734 sleep,735 labour,736 and recreations;737 by charitable thoughts,738 love,739 compassion,740 meekness, gentleness, kindness;741 peaceable,742 mild and courteous speeches and behaviour;743 forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil;744 comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.745
Duty

Scripture Proofs

721
Ephesians 5:28-29
722
1 Kings 18:4
723
Jeremiah 26:15-16Acts 23:12Acts 23:16-17Acts 23:21Acts 23:27
724
Ephesians 4:26-27
725
2 Samuel 2:22Deuteronomy 22:8
726
Matthew 4:6-7Proverbs 1:10-11Proverbs 1:15-16
727
1 Samuel 24:121 Samuel 26:9-11Genesis 37:21-22
728
Psalm 82:4Proverbs 24:11-121 Samuel 14:45
729
James 5:7-11Hebrews 12:9
730
1 Thessalonians 4:111 Peter 3:3-4Psalm 37:8-11
731
Proverbs 17:22
732
Proverbs 25:16Proverbs 25:27
733
1 Timothy 5:23
734
Isaiah 38:21
735
Psalm 127:2
736
Ecclesiastes 5:122 Thessalonians 3:102 Thessalonians 3:12Proverbs 16:20
737
Ecclesiastes 3:4Ecclesiastes 3:11
738
1 Samuel 19:4-51 Samuel 22:13-14
739
Romans 13:10
740
Luke 10:33-34
741
Colossians 3:12-13
742
James 3:17
743
1 Peter 3:8-11Proverbs 15:1Judges 8:1-3
744
Matthew 5:24Ephesians 5:2Ephesians 5:32Romans 12:17
745
1 Thessalonians 5:14Job 31:19-20Matthew 25:35-36Proverbs 31:8-9

See also