Lesson 14: On the Ten Commandments. Q. Say the Ten Commandments of God. A. 1. I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before me, &c*

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

3. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

4. Honour thy father and thy mother.

5. Thou shalt not kill.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.

• See Appendix, p. 69.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's good*. Ex. xx

1. Is it necessary to keep all and every one of the ten commandments?

Yes: the Scripture says, whosoever shall offend in one, is become guilty of all — that is, the observance of the other commandments will not avail him to salva vation. James, xi. 10.

2. Which is the first commandment?

I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before me.

3. What is commanded by the first commandment?

To adore one God, and to adore but him alone.

4. How are we to adore God?

By faith, hope, and charity; by prayer and sacrifice.

5. What is faith?

A divine virtue, by which we firmly believe what God has taught.

6. How do we know with certainty, what God has taught?

By the authority of his church, which is the 'pillar and ground of truth. 1 Tim. hi. 15.

7. Why do we believe what God has taught?

Because he is the Infallible Truth, and therefore cannot deceive, nor be deceived.

8. What is hope?

A divine virtue, by which we firmly hope for eternal life, and for the means to obtain it.

9. Why do we hope in God?

Because he is infinitely powerful, good and merciful; and because he is faithful to his word, and has promised all graces, even heaven itself, through Jesus I hrist, to all those who keep his commandments.

10. What is charity?

A divine virtue, by which we love God above all for his own sake; and our neighbours as ourselves for the love of God.

11. Why should we love God above all for his own sake 1

Because God alone is infinitely good and perfect.

12. How are we to love God above all?

By loving him more than ourselves, and more than any thing in the world — and by being disposed to sacrifice every thing that is most dear to us, even our very lives, if necessary, rather than to offend him. Q. Should we often make acts of faith, hope, and charity?

Yes; and particularly when we come to the use of reason, and at the hour of death — also when we are tempted to sin, or have sinned against those divine virtues— and when we prepare ourselves to receive anj sacrament