Course 2, Chapter 30: Of union with our Lord, the new Adam, by charity. Fifth, sixth and ninth Commandments

1. Which is the fifth commandment?

Thou shall not kill. After having provided for the happiness of the world in the fourth command ment by obliging all men to live for one another, God, in the fifth, forbids whatever can disturb that happiness.

2. What are we forbidden by the fifth command ment?

We are forbidden by the fifth commandment to injure our neighbor, either in body or soul. Not only is murder forbidden, but whatever may lead to it; as hatred, anger, injurious words, &c.

3. What else is forbidden by this commandment?

It forbids also duelling and suicide; duelling, because it does not belong to individuals to take justice into their own hands; suicide, because we are not the masters of our life; it belongs to God.

4. What is scandal?

Scandal is any word or action not strictly correct, by which we give occasion to others to offend God. Scandal is a still greater sin than the mere killing of the body, because it kills the soul.

5. How must we confess the sin of scandal?

We must confess how many persons were scandalized, and what was the scandal given. We must also repair the scandal.

6. What are the advantages of the fifth command ment?

The following are some: 1 st, it protects the first of natural goods, which is the life of the body; 2d, it protects the most precious of supernatural goods, which is the life of the soul.

7. Which are the sixth and ninth commandments «

Thou shall not commit adultery. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife.

8. What are we forbidden by the sixth and ninth commandments?

We are forbidden all thoughts, desires, looks, words and actions, contrary to holy purity. When we confess, we must be very careful to tell whatever we have done contrary to these two command ments.

9. What must we do to avoid the sins forbidden by the sixth and ninth commandments?

In order to avoid those sins, we must immediately fly all the occasions of it; such as bad books, improper songs, dances, balls, theatres, too frequent intercourse with persons of a different sex, idleness, curiosity and dress.

10. In cases of doubt what must we do?

In cases of doubt, respecting parties or the reading of books, we must consult our confessor, who will guide us, not according to the maxims of the world, but according to the gospel. It is according to the gospel that we will be judged.

11. What must we do when we find ourselves in the occasion of such sins?

When we find ourselves in the occasion of such sins, we must fly immediately.

12. What are the remedies against this sin?

They are of two sorts, interior and exterior.

13. Which are the interior V

The interior remedies are: 1st, to reflect on the enormity and baseness of this sin, which degrades us to the level of the brute: 2d, to think of the chastise ments with which God has punished it: as the deluge, burning of Sodom, &c.; 3d, humility, vigilance and prayer.

14. AY Inch are the exterior remedies?

They are: 1st, to avoid every thing that flatters our senses too much; 2d, mortification; 3d, devotion

202 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

to tlie most Blessed Virgin: 4th, frequentation of the sacraments.

15. What are we commanded by the sixth and ninth commandments?

We are commanded to keep our souls and bodies pure. The virtue of purity is the most amiable of all virtues and renders man like unto the angels.

16. What are the advantages of the sixth and ninth commandments '?

1 st, they protect the quiet and honor of families; 2d, they shield our health and innocence from the passions of others and from our own passions: 3d, they procure for us a delicious peace during life, and great confidence at the hour of death.