criminal Man-flayers. Of this Sort are Heretics, falfe Teachers, and wicked and reprobate Chrif tians, who fet an Example of evil Living; that is, when they become ftumbling Blocks unto others. Concerning whom the Scripture judgeth thus, (Matt. xviii. 6.) Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for him that a Mill-Stone were banged about his Neck, and that he were drowned in the Depth of the Sea. Farthermore, a Perfon may be guilty of killing, not only by his own Act, but, also, by perfuading of another to do it; by affifting, inftigating, and confenting to others. This Commandment alfo comprehendeth all whatsoever may produce or caufe killing, as Pride, Envy, Hatred, Covetoufness, and the like.

QUEST. LXV.

What is the feventh Commandment?

How is this Commandment to be understood?
ANSWER.

Our Lord Jefus Chrift enjoined the most exact and perfect obfervation of this Commandment, when he faid, (Matt. v. 28.) Whosoever looketh on a Woman to luft after her, bath committed Adultery with her already in bis Heart. Now this Adul tery is two-fold, the one fpiritual, the other bodily; the fpiritual Adultery is, when any one, putting off the true, ortodox, and catholic Faith,

turneth

turneth afide into various Herefiés. Of fuch an one the Scripture fpeaketh thus, (Pfal. Ixxiii. 26.) They that forfake thee fhall perish; thou haft destroyed all them that commit Fornication against thee. Bodily Adultery is an unclean and immodeft Action committed with the Wife of another Man. By this Commandment, likewife, all other Lewdnefs and Wantonness is forbidden; as also procuring, and alluring others to Unchastity, indecent and obscene Songs; and Dancing and Gestures. As the Apostle declares, (Ephef. v. 3.) Fornication, and all Uncleanness, or Covetousness, let it not once be named amongst you, as becometh Saints; neither Filthiness, nor foolish Talking, nor Jefling, which

are not convenient.

QUEST. LXVII.

What is the eighth Commandment?
ANSWER.

Thou shalt not fteal.

QUEST. LXVIII.

How is this Commandment to be understood?
ANSWER.

This Commandment teacheth us, that we are not to poffefs ourselves of that which belongeth unto another, by any unjuft Means whatever; whether it be by Robbery, or Theft, or violently with-holding the Right of another. Hereby is, alfo, forbidden the taking away another's good Name and Reputation; the exacting too much of one's Hirelings, or Tenants; and the impofing too hard Conditions of Service on them.

Dd 2

This,

like

likewife, refpects Ufury. Of all which the Apoftle thus pronounceth, (1 Cor. vi. 10.) Nor Thieves, nor Covetuous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, fhall inherit the Kingdom of God. This Commandment regardeth, alfo, all juft Contracts and Bargains; in which we are required to be strictly true and upright, that we defraud not one another.

QUEST. LXIX.

1

What is the ninth Commandment?

ANSWER.

(Exodus. xx. 16.) Thou shalt not bear falfe Witness against thy Neighbour.

QUEST. LXX.

How are we to understand this Commandment?
ANSWER.

This Commandment forbids us to speak any Falsehood of our Neighbour. or hurt the Character of another out of Malice, or a Defire of Revenge in a Word, that we fhould avoid all evil Difpofitions and Paffions; that we become not the Children of the Devil, and like unto thofe of whom our Lord fpake, (John viii. 44.) Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Lufts of your Father ye will do: He was a Murderer from the Beginning, and abode not in the Truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he speaketh a Lie, be fpeaketh of his own: For he is a Liar, and the Father of it.

In a more especial Manner, it behoveth all fuch as are called to fit in Judgment, that they

most

moft carefully observe this Commandment, that they be not led afide by the Teftimony of falle Witnesses or Writings, but that they judge only righteous Judgment; leaft they become the Children of the Devil, and Heirs of Hell.

QUEST. LXXI.

What is the tenth Commandment?

ANSWER.

(Exodus xx. 17.) Thou shalt not covet thy Neigh bour's Wife, thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour's Houfe, nor his Land, nor his Man-Servant, nor his Maid-Servant, nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any Thing that is his.

QUEST. LXXII.

After what Manner are we rightly to underftand this Commandment?

ANSWER.

Among all theCommandments that relate toCharity, or Love towards our Neighbour, this is the most compleat and full; for it not only forbiddeth outward Actions, but even alfo thofe of the inward Parts of Man; and the evil Inclinations which arife from the deliberate Purposes and Will of Mens Minds to do Evil. This Commandment, therefore, fulfilleth all Christian Perfection; and he who truly keepeth it, may be thought to have done full Juftice to his Neighbour. For, THAT

WHICH THOU WOULDEST NOT THAT ANOTHER SHOULD DO UNTO THEE, THAT DO NOT THOU

UNTO ANOTHER. And herein is all Chriftian Salvation contained; that, No ONE SHOULD

DE

DESIRE ANY THING THAT IS AVERSE TO GOD OR HIS NEIGHBOUR; but on the other Hand, that, HE SHOULD LOVE GOD MORE THAN HIMSELF, AND HIS NEIGHBOUR AS HIMSELF.

THESE DUTIES, if we perform and do in this World, with the Love of our LORD and God, rightly and duly, and with the CATHOLIC and ORTHODOX FAITH; THEN, furely, without any doubting, we may hope to obtain the fupreme Perfection of Charity in the World to come; and to praise and celebrate in Heaven, that ONE only GOD, who is worshipped in TRINITY; THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST, for ever and for ever.

The EN D.

And

may

GLORY be to God.

AMEN.