Part II, The Commandments: The Sixth and Ninth Commandments of God

'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'

'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.'

1. What does the Sixth Commandment forbid?

The Sixth Commandment forbids, 1. Adultery and all sins of impurity; as unchaste looks, words, jests, touches, and whatsoever else violates modesty.; and 2. Everything that leads to impurity.

' But fornication and all unclean ne.<'s- let it not so much as be

named among you, as becometh saints, or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility' (Eph. v. 3, 4).

2. What is it that generally leads to impurity?

1. Curiosity of the eyes; 2. Immodest dress; 3. Flatterers or seducers ; 4. Obscene books and scandalous pictures; 5. Nocturnal interviews, indecent plays and dances; 6. A too free intercourse with the other sex; 7. Drunkenness and revelry; and 8. Idleness and effeminacy.

3. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid?

The Ninth Commandment especially forbids the desire to have another man's wife/ and, in general, all impure thoughts and desires.

' Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart' (Matt. v. 28).

4. Are impure thoughts and desires always sins?

As long as they displease us, and we endeavor to banish them from our mind, they are not sins.

5. When do we sin by impure thoughts?

We sin by impure thoughts when we voluntarily represent immodest things or actions to our mind, and when we voluntarily take pleasure in them.

As it is a sin against purity designedly to look at immodest things, so it is also a sin to represent such things to our mind, or, when such representations are involuntary, willingly to take complacency or pleasure in them.

6. When do we sin by impure desires?

We sin by impure desires when we voluntarily wish to see, hear, or do something that is contrary to chastity or purity.

7. What should we do when we are tempted by impure thoughts and desires?

1. We should, in the very beginning, earnestly reist them, and implore the assistance of God; and 2. Wlien the temptation continues, we should not be discouraged, but persevere in our resistance, and endeavor to occupy our minds with some good subject.

1. 'As I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, excepi God gave it, I went to the Lord, and besought Him with my whole heart' (Wisd. viii. 21). 2. 'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive the crown of life' (James i. 12).

8. Why must we most carefully guard against im purity?

1. Because no sin is more shameful; and 2. Because none is attended with such dreadful consequences.

Q. Why is this sin so shameful?

Because man, who, as the image and temple of God, is called to a pure and holy life, is degraded by it to the level of an impure or unclean animal; whence it is styled. Sin of impurity or uncleanness (comp. 1 Cor. iii. 17).

10. What are the consequences of impurity?

1. It robs man of his innocence, and infects his body and soul; 2. It leads him to many other sins and vices, and often to murder and despair; and 3. It plunges him into misery, ignominy, and shame, and finally into eternal damnation.

'He that joineth himself to harlots will be wicked: rottenness and worms shall inherit him' (Ecclus. xix. 3). 'The whoremongers shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone' (Apoc. xxi. 8).

Examples: Impurity led David,' Solomon, the two Elders (Dan, xiii.), Herod, and Herodias into the greatest crimes. Chiefly on account of impurity, nearly the entire human race was destroyed by the Deluge ; Sodom and Gomorrha, by a rain of brimstone and fire; twenty-four thousand Israelites were put to death in the desert; and almost the whole tribe of Benjamin perished by the sword.

11. Is every sin of impurity a grievous sin?

Yes, every sin of impurity which one commits knowingly and willingly, either with himself or with others, is a mortal sin ; ' for know you this and understand, says St. Paul (Ephes. v. 5), that no fornicator, or unclean person, hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.'

12. Are all sins of impurity equally grievous?

No; some are more grievous than others, according to the persons with whom the sin is committed ; or according as the sin is more heinous and unnatural, and its consequences are more pernicious.

13. What are we to do when we doubt whether anything is a sin against purity?

We must consult our Director, and in the meantime carefully avoid what we are doubtful of.

14. What are we ' commanded ' by the Sixth and Ninth Commandments ?

We are commanded to be decent and modest in all our thoughts, looks, words, and actions, and to preserve most carefully the innocence of our soul as the greatest good and the most beautiful ornament of man.

15. What means should we employ in order to preserve our innocence?

We should, 1. Shun all bad company and all occasions of sin (Ecclus. iii. 27) ; 2. Carefully guard our senses, especially our eyes (Psalm cxviii. 37) ; 3. Often receive the Holy Sacraments ; 4. In temptation recommend ourselves to God and to the Blessed Virgin; 5. Remember that God sees everything, and that we may die at any moment (Ecclus. vii. 40) ; and 6. We should earnestly exercise ourselves in humility, in the mortification of the flesh, and in self-denial (Gal. v. 24).

Application. Love the innocence of your soul; often meditate on these words of the Holy Scripture : Oh ! how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory; for the memory thereof is immortal, because it is known both with God and with men. It triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts' (Wisd. iv. 1, 2). Therefore, whether you are by yourself or with others, never say or do anything that may not be said or done before people of propriety; and

should any one attempt to lead you to what is wrong, repulse him or seek for the protection of others. ' My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them. If they shall say : Come with us ; my son, walk not thou with them' (Prov. i. 10-15). Avoid all immoral books, magazines and newspapers. ( See note to quest. 9, First Commandment. )