Lesson 15: On the First Commandment

1. What is forbidden by the first Commandment?

All sins against faith, hope, and charity, and other duties of religion.

2. How does a person sin against faith?

Ai By not endeavouring to know what God has taught, by not believing all that God has taught, and by not professing his belief in what God has taught.

3. Who are they who do not endeavour to know what God has taught?

They who neglect to learn the Christian doctrine,

4. Who are they who do not believe all that God has taught?

Heretics and infidels.

5. Who are they who sin against faith by not professing their belief in what God has taught?

All those, who by any outward act, profession, or declaration, deny the true religion or church, in which they inwardly believe.

6. When, in particular, are we obliged to make open profession of our faith or religion?

As often as God's honour, our own spiritual good, or our neighbour's edification requires it. Whosoever, 6ays Clirist, shall confess me before men; I will also confess him before my Father wlio is in heaven. Matt. x. 32.

7. What does St. Paul say of apostates; that is, of those who are fallen away from the true religion or church?

That it is impossible for them to be renewed again Co penance; that is, their conversion is extremely difficult. Heb. vi. 4. 6.

8. Why is the conversion of apostates so very difficult?

Because, by their apostacy they crucify again the Son of God, and make a mockery of him. Heb. vi. 6.

9. Which are the sins against hope?

Despair and presumption.

10. What is despair?

A diffidence in God's mercy.

11. What is presumption?

A foolish expectation of salvation, without making proper use of the necessary means to obtain it.

12. How does a person sin against the love of God?

By every sin, but particularly by mortal sin.

13. How does a person sin against the love of his neighbour?

By injuring him in any respect; and by not assisting him, when able, in his spiritual or corporal necessities,