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estate, which God has forbidden. To these may be added all covetousness, and the manifold waste and abuse of God's gifts.h

111. Q. What are those things which God commands here?

A. That I should help and increase to the best of my power the interests and advantage of my neighbour; that I should conduct myself towards him as I would wish others to act towards me; i

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. vi. 10. Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. Luke xii. 15. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they flee away as an eagle towards heaven. Prov. xxiii. 5. Covetousness, let it not once be named among you. Eph. v. 3. He that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. Prov. xxviii. 16.

h If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Ps. Ixii. 10. There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Prov. xxi. 20. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man ; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Prov. xxi. 17. Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh : for the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. Prov. xxiii. 20, 21. They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. 1 Tim. vi. 9, 17, 18.

i Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should

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and that I should carefully endeavour, in as much as I am able, to assist him in his need and infirmity.j

112. Q. What does God in the ninth commandment exact?

A. That I should not bear false witness against any man,k neither falsify any man's words, nor disparage or reproach any one, nor condemn any

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do to you, do ye even so to them. Matt. vii. 12. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matt. xxii. 39.

› Rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph. iv. 28. And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen to decay with thee, then shalt thou relieve him. Lev. xxv. 35. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also upon the things of others. Phil. ii. 4. Deut. xxi. 1-4. Exod. xxiii. 4, 5.

k A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Prov. xix. 9. Thou shalt not raise a false report; put not thine hand with the wicked, to be an unrighteous witness. Exod. xxiii. 1. These six things doth the Lord hate; a lying tongue, &c. a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Prov. vi. 16, 19.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Ps. xv. 3, 5. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour. Eph. iv. 25. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. Prov. xvii. 15.

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Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O thou mighty man? the goodness. of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good, and lying rather than

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man rashly or unheard; but that I should avoid, with carefulness, all kinds of lying, and deceit, as the especial works of the devil, unless I wish to excite God's heaviest vengeance against me; P and that, in passing judgment, or in other affairs, I strictly adhere to the truth, and freely and firmly acknowledge and profess the matter as it really is.9

to speak righteousness. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. Ps. lii. 1-4. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matt. vii. 1, 2. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips, that they speak no guile. 1 Pet. iii. 10. Rom. i. 29, 30.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. Luke vi. 37. A fool uttereth all his mind; but a wise man keepeth it till the end. Prov. xxix. 11. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination unto the Lord. Prov. xvii. 15.

• Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. John viii. 44.

P Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight. Prov. xii. 22. A righteous man hateth lying; but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Prov. xiii. 5. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Col. iii. 9. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour. Eph. iv. 25.

Thou shalt do no unrighteousness in judgment: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Lev. xix. 15. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. 1 Cor. xiii. 4-6. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness. Prov. xii. 17. Lie not against the truth. James iii. 14. Buy the truth, and sell it not. Prov. xxiii. 23. But speaking the truth in love

And, moreover, that I should defend and increase, as much as in me lies, the good name and reputation of others.r

113. Q. What does the tenth commandment forbid ?

A. That I should not desire or envy my neighbour's goods, neither his possessions nor his condition of life;s but that I should remain content

may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Eph. iv. 15. Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour. Zech. viii. 16.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another, without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Pet. iv. 8-10. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor. Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Prov. xxxi. 8, 9. Charity beareth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor. xiii. 7. He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. Prov. xvii. 9. A tale-bearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Prov. xi. 13. Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy people. Lev. xix. 16.

For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wrath, and smote him; I hid me, and was wrath, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. Isa. lvii. 17. Let your conversation be without covetousness. Heb. xiii. 5. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal. v. 26. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James iii. 16. Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Col. iii. 5. I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Rom. vii. 7, 8. Neither shalt thou desire thy neigh

with those things that befall me, whatever they may be, and with that lot in which it has pleased God to place me.t

114. Q. But can they, who are converted unto God, perfectly observe and keep these commandments?

A. No. For even the holiest men, as long as they live, shew only a small portion of that strict obedience;" yet, nevertheless, they earnestly de

bour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, his man-servant, his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing else that is thy neighbour's. Deut. v. 21. Exod. xx. 17.

• Be content with such things as ye have. Heb. xiii. 5. But godliness, with contentment, is great gain. 1 Tim. vi. 6. Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. Prov. xvi. 8. There is he that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is he that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches? Prov. xiii. 7. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver? Prov. xvi. 16. Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,`and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Tim. vi. 8-11. Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Phil. iv. 11. 1 Thess. iv. 11, 12. 1 Cor. xiii. 4.

u If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John i. 8. For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that I do not; but what I

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