PUNISHMENT BY DEATH:

ITS

AUTHORITY AND EXPEDIENCY

BY

GEORGE B. CHEEVER, D.D.

Τὸ καλῶς δ ̓ ἔχον πόλει πάλαισμα

μή ποτε λῦσαι θεὸν ἀιτοῦμαι.

I will never implore the Deity to slacken that avenging effort which hath
the good of the state in view.

Edipus Tyrannus, 879, 880.

NEW YORK:

JOHN WILEY, 351 BROADWAY,

1855.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

CHAPTER I.

PAGE

The argument from Scripture.-The original ordinance consid-

ered,

CHAPTER II.

Argument from Scripture continued. Circumstances of the hu-

man race, when this ordinance was promulgated,

CHAPTER III.

Argument from Scripture continued.-Universality and compre-

hensiveness of this ordinance,

CHAPTER IV.

123

131

137

Argument from Scripture continued.-The Mosaic Statutes, a

luminous commentary upon this ordinance,

CHAPTER V.

Argument from the New Testament.-The ordinance not abro-

gated, but confirmed.-Proof from Paul's writings and expe-

rience,

CHAPTER VI.

Proof from the consentaneousness of Divine Providence,

CHAPTER VII.

Argument from Scripture continued.-Purpose and design of

this ordinance.-Its sanction of the civil magistracy.—of the

Origin of Government. Of its power to take life.-Benevo-

lent design of this ordinance,

Argument from Scripture connected with the argument from

expediency.-Wisdom and necessity of this ordinance.-Com-

monness of the spirit of Cain in human society,

CHAPTER IX.

Argument from Expediency continued.-Consentaneousness of

the Law of Nature with this Enactment.-The Power of Con-

science, and the Necessity of Righteous Law to sustain it,

178