Q. What is the sixth commandment? A. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Q. What does the sixth commandment forbid? A. The sixth commandment forbids all sins of uncleanness with another's wife or husband. Q. What else is forbidden by the sixth commandment? A. All other kinds of immodesties, by kisses, touches, looks, words, or actions. Q. What ought we to think of immodest plays and dances? A. They are also for thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into hell. And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee; for it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body go into hell (S. Matt. v. 29). And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ hath died? Now when you sin thus against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother (1 Cor. viii. 11). If any man commit adultery with the wife of another, and defile his neighbour's wife, let them be put to death, both the adulterer and the adulteress (Levit. xx. 10). Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols. For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief (Col. iii. 5). But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints. Or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks (Eph. v. 3). I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin. For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high? (Fob xxxi. 1.) bidden by this commandment; and it is sinful to be present at them. Q. Does this commandment forbid us to read immodest books? A. Yes; for such reading is very dangerous, and generally sinful. Q. What is the seventh commandment? Gaze not upon a maiden, lest her beauty be a stumbling-block to thee (Ecclus. ix. 5). For from the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man (S. Matt. xv. 19). Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God (S. Matt. v. 8). O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men. When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts (Wisd. iv. 1). Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting (Gal. vi. 7). He that stole, let him now steal no more, but rather let him labour A. Thou shalt not working with his hands the thing steal. Q. What does the seventh commandment forbid ? A. The seventh commandment forbids all unjust taking away, or keeping what belongs to another. which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suf fereth need (Eph. iv. 28). But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things. But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name (1 S. Pet. iv. 15). Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due custom to whom custom: fear to whom fear: honour to whom honour (Rom. xiii. 7). : Q. What else is forbidden by the eighth commandment? A. All calumny, detraction, and backbiting, or any words which injure our neighbour's cha racter. Q. What is he bound to do who has injured his neighbour by speaking ill of him? A. He must make him satisfaction, and restore his good name as far as he is able. that are written in the book of life of the Lamb (Apoc. xxi. 27). A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline. A thief is better than a man that is always lying but both of them shall inherit destruction (Ecclus. xx. 26). Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord but they that deal faithfully please Him (Prov. xii. 22). Hypocrisy. And when great multitudes stood about Him, so that they trod one upon another, He began to say to His disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy (S. Luke xii. 1). Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Cor. v. 8). Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach is foolish. In the multitude of words there shall not want sin but he that refraineth his lips is most wise (Prov. x. 18). The man that in private detracted his neighbour, him did I persecute. With him that had a proud eye, and an unsatiable heart, I would not eat (Ps. c. 5). |