t.hat indifference in our life to the po'll·er of example which would put a stumbling-block or nn 0cca~1on to fall in a brother's way (see Matt. xviii. 1-3; Uom. xiv. 6). If by careless Ii Ying we "destroy" him for whom Christ died, we nre breakers of this law. fi. I ( forbids dislike and hntred to our brother, and also n selfish isolation nnd neglect of him (1 John ii. 9-11; iii. 14, 15). If we are merely pursuing our own ends in life, nntl are 110l cnring whether our brother is saved or lost, this law condemns us. II' we even refrain from helping our brother in difficulty or lrinl, we are guilty (l'rov. xxiv. 11, 12; Isa. h-iii. 6, 7). We may "kill" by withliolcling the help which might snve I 6. It rcquin•s, 1.hcreforc, the cultivation of that kindly spirit of genial benevolenco, which would seek in e1·ery way to promote the gladness and safety of the society m which we rnoYc, and 0f men at large. Negative in form, the sixth commandment is positive in intent. "Thou shalt not kill" is but the elementary form in which God asserts the great law of mutual dependence and interdependence. "Love worketh no ill to his neigh hour. Therefore Joye is the fulfilling of the Law." \Vould we keep the. command- ment, "Thou shalt not kill"? Let us read it in the New Testament light," Thou i;halL help thy neighbour." "He that loveth another hath fulfilled the Lnw." II. \\"E WOULD THROW OUT A FEW HINTS AS TO THE GROUND ON WHICH THIS PRECEPT Is OR MAY BE ENFORCED. 1. The preciousness of man in God's sight. He who killed a beast had to make it good; but no satisfaction might be taken for the life of a murderer (see Gen. ix. 6). 2. The spiritual nature of man. 3. The high and hol.Y destiny designed for man forbids any tampering on our part with him or with it. Ill. \\'E HAVE, MOREOVER, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, A NEW SPRING OF ACTION DISCLOSED. This should actuate us in refraining from violating, and in seeking to fulfil, the law of love. 1. The incarnation of the Son of God is so touching a revelation of the greatness of man, and does of itself so elevate him, that no one realizing it can trifle with man. 2. The atoning sacrifice gives new views of man. After the Apostle Paul has been referring to the death of Christ, he says, "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh." Christ's death for every man has shown us a halo of glory around every man. \Ve look at him no more according to the accidents of birth, position, colour, clime; we judge all men thus : " Christ died for them." Oh! it is this cross which teaches us that reverence for human nature, which else we had lost altogether. 3. The incarnation and the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God not only give us the moving spring whereby to rise to a proper view of the greatness of man, but also the supreme reason for devoted love to him, for Christ's sake (1 John iv. 11, 20; sec Eph. iv. 31; v. 1, 2). With what immeasurable strength does the gospel bind us to fulfil "the royal Jaw,"" Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself"! IV. THIS :KEWLY ILLUMED PRINCIPLE OF LOVE WILL ENSURE THE FULFILMENT OF THE SIXTH COMMA~"DMENT, AND WILL EVEN MAKE A nREACH OF IT IMPOSSIBLE. God would have us lifted up by his love to so high a level, that we shall learn to love like him, even with a love (l) of good will, (2) of compassion, (3) of forgiveness, (4) of actual service, (5) of sell~denying sympathy and devotion. This is the love which "is born of God." This is the Divine philosophy of obedience to law. Learn, in con- clusion : 1. It is to revelation alone that we owe the clearest view of ltwman dignity. 1t is not from philosophy, nor from natural science that we learn to appreciate man, \Vhatever science may have to say as to his physical organism (and what it can say must depen<l on its own appropriate evidence), it is the "image of God" which he bears, that is his true dignity, and around it is the Divine guard so stringently placed. 2. From God's revelation to man we learn respect for man as man. Human lifo is heid Yery cheaply in lands where the gospel is unknown, and even in lands where it is known by men who reject it. There are some, indeed, who reject gospel light, yet borrow gospel morality, and call ·it theirs, while others who treat it as "a strange tLing" are already darkly suggesting a "morality" gross as that of pagan days. 3. F,om God's revelation we gather the only guarantee for human security and peace. It is by the cross and by the cross alone that the unity of man in a world wide brother- hood of love will ever be secured. 4. It is only by the new life bestowed by the Spirit uf God that we come to possess and practise this love to which the cross constrains. Wo way all of us have refrained from an open breach of the letter of the sixth command- ment. Not one of us can stand its searching test in the light of God's pure Word I Ah I " this cwnrr.andment fit for Zulus "1 There is not a man amongst us who in the CII. v. l-33.] 'rHE DOOK OF DEUTERONOMY. 99
prcsenco of Hs all-searching light, is not utterly condemned! (Jas. ii. 10.) "Lord, havo morcy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law! "