Lesson 18: On the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Commandments

1. Say the fifth commandment?

A Thou shalt not kill.

2. What is forbidden by the fifth commandment?

All wilful murder, quarrelling, fighting, hatred, anger, and revenge.

3. What else is forbidden by the fifth commandment?

All injurious words: giving scandal or bad example; and not to ask pardon of those whom we have offended. Matt. v. 39.

4. Say the sixth commandment.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

5. What is forbidden by the sixth commandment?

All unchaste freedoms with another's wife or husband.

6. What else is forbidden by the sixth commandment?

All immodest looks, words, or actions; and every thing that is contrary to chastity. Col. iii. 6.

7. \re immodest songs, discourses, plays, novels, and cotv^dies, forbidden by the sixth commandment?

Yes; and it is sinful to join in them, to encourage them, or to be present at them.

8. Say the seventh commandment

Thou shalt not steal.

9. What is forbidden by the seventh commandment?

All unjust taking or keeping what belongs to another.

10. What else is forbidden by the seventh commandment?

All cheating in buying or selling; or any other injury done our neighbour in his property. 1 Cor. vi. 10,

11. What is commanded by the seventh commandment?

To pay our lawful debts; and to give every one his own.

12. What are they obliged to do, who retain ill-got goods, or who have unjustly what belongs to another?

To restore them as soon as possible, and as far as they are able; Otherwise the sin will not be forgiven them.

13. Say the eighth commandment.

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

14. What is forbidden by the eighth commandment?

All false testimonies, rash judgments, and lies. Matt. vii. 1.

15. Is it lawful to tell an innocent or jocose lie, or to tell a lie for a good purpose 1

No lie can be lawful or innocent; and no motive, however good, can excuse a lie; because a lie is always sinful and bad in itself. John, viii. 44.

16. What else is forbidden by the eighth commandment?

Backbiting, calumny, and detraction; and all words and speeches hurtful to our neighbour's honour, or reputation.

17. What is commanded by the eighth commandment'?

To speak of others with justice and charity, as we would be glad they did speak of us; and to witness the truth in all things.

18. What must they do, who have given false evidence against a neighbour, or who have spoken ill of him, or injured his character in any respect %

They must repair the injury done him, as far as they are able; and make him satisfaction by restoring his good name as soon as possible: otherwise the sin will not be forgiven them.