A Bible Hand-Book :: BOOK IV. THE MORAL LAW.

BOOK IV. THE MORAL LAW.

Note.—The moral law, as a standard rule for our obedience, remains in full rigor and authority, and constitutes a body of precepts which carry a universal and natural equity in them, being so conformable to the light of reason and the dictates of every man's conscience that, as soon as they are declared and understood, they must needs be subscribed to as just and right.

CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

This command, although given in a negative form, enjoins the following positive duties:

1. That we must have a God, which, of course, is against atheism.

2. That we must have the Lord Jehovah for our God, which is against idolatry.

3. That we must have the only true God, the Lord Jehovah alone, for our God, and that is against Polytheism.

4. That all our services and acts of worship to the true and only God be performed with sincerity and true devotion. This is implied in the expression, before me, or in my sight.

1. Idolatry Forbidden.

Ex. XX, 3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Ex. XXXIV, 14. For thou shalt worship no other God: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Ex. XXIII, 13. And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Ex. XXIII, 24. Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

Deut. IV, 15. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; (for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire;)

16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deut. VI, 14. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;

15. (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you;) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Hosea XIII, 4. Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior besides me.

1 Cor. VIII, 4. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Ex. XXII, 20. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

2. God is to be Worshiped.

Deut. XXVI, 10. And now, behold, I have brought the first-fruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me: and thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God.

2 Kings XVII, 36. But the Lord, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt with great power and a stretched-out arm, him shall ye fear, and him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice.

Luke IV, 8. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

John IV, 24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1 Chron. XVI, 29. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Phil. III, 3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Psalm XCV, 6. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

3. Threatenings Against Idolatry.

Ex. XXII, 20. He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Lev. XX, 5. Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.

Deut. VIII, 19. And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

1 Kings IX, 6. But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them;

7. Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a by-word among all people.

Deut. XXVIII, 15. But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

16. Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

17. Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.

18. Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

29. Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Deut. VI, 14. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.

Deut. XXVII, 15. Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

4. The Judgment of God Inflicted upon the Violators of this Command.

Deut. XXXII, 16. They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

17. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

Deut. XXXII, 19. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.

20. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

Judges II, 11. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:

12. And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger.

13. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

Judges X, 6. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord, and served not him.

7. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

2 Kings XXII, 17. Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

Jer. V, 9. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jer. VII, 9. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

10. And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

Jer. VII, 20. Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

Ezek. XX, 32. And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

33. As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you.

Zeph. I, 3. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.

4. I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chamarim with the priests;

5. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and them that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham.

5. Instances where God's Judgments have been
Visited upon Particular Transgressors of this Command.

a. Jeroboam.

1 Kings XII, 28. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

29. And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.

30. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

1 Kings XIII, 33. After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.

34. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

b. Solomon.

1 Kings XI, 1. But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

2. Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.

7. Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10. And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.

11. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

c. Baasha.

1 Kings XVI, 1. Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,

2. Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;

3. Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

4. Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.

d. Ahab.

1 Kings XVI, 30. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.

1 Kings XVI, 33. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

1 Kings XXI, 20. And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, O mine enemy? And he answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord.

21. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

22. And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.

2 Kings X, 11. So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

e. Ahaziah.

2 Kings I, 2. And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

3. But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?

4. Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

2 Kings I, 16. And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

17. So he died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead, in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

f. Jehoram.

2 Chron. XXI, 11. Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.

12. And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,

13. But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:

14. Behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:

15. And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day.

2 Chron. XXI, 19. And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

g. Manasseh.

2 Kings XXI, 3. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.

4. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

5. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

6. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

7. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever. 2 Chron. XXXIII, 1. Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem:

2. But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

3. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them.

4. Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be forever.

5. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

6. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

7. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever:

8. Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

9. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

10. And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken.

11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

h. Amaziah.

2 Chron. XXV, 14. Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them.

15. Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

16. And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldst thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

17. Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face.

18. And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trod down the thistle.

19. Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldst thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

20. But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.

i. Twenty-four thousand slain.

Num. XXV, 2. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

3. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

4. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.

5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.

Num. XXV, 9. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

6. Idolatry Punished with Death.

Deut. XIII, 1. If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

2. And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

3. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

5. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Deut. XVIII, 20. But the prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deut. XIII, 6. If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

7. Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth;

8. Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:

9. But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people.

10. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Deut. XIII, 12. If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,

13. Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;

14. Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;

15. Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

16. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the Lord thy God: and it shall be an heap forever; it shall not be built again.

7. Idols are but Vanity.

Judges VI, 31. And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.

1 Kings XVIII, 21. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Kings XVIII, 27. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.

1 Chron. XVI, 26. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Isaiah XLI, 23. Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.

Acts XIX, 26. Moreover, ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying, that they be no gods which are made with hands.

Rom. I, 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Gal. IV, 8. Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

8. Against Inquiring Concerning Future Events
of false gods, and of those professing to have familiar spirits.

Isaiah XLIII, 23. Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings; neither hast thou honored me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

2 Kings I, 2. And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in the upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

4. Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

1 Sam. XXVIII, 7. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.

8. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

1 Chron. X, 13. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it.

Gen. XXXV, 2. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.

Joshua XXIV, 14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

Joshua XXIV, 23. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.

1 Sam. VII, 3. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Judges X, 16. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

2 Kings XXIII, 4. And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Beth-el.

5. And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.

2 Chron. XXXIII, 15. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.

Hosea XIV, 3. Asshur shall not save us: we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

9. This Command Requires Us to have a God,
and is therefore against Atheism.

Psalm XIV, 1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psalm LIII, 1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Rom. I, 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

Acts XIV, 17. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Psalm XIX, 1. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.

2. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

10. This Command Requires Supreme Love to God.

Matt. XXII, 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38. This is the first and great commandment.

Rom. XIII, 9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Psalm XLII, 1. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

CHAPTER II.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 4-6: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

This command prohibits the making of images to be used in religious worship, and the using of images in religious worship. It is not the engraver's skill, nor the printer's art, but the people's idolatry that is condemned—not the ingenuity in making, but the stupidity in worshiping those dumb representatives that is here forbidden. The brazen serpent and the cherubim are proof of this.

This prohibition, therefore, must be interpreted according to the subject-matter of it, which is divine worship. It is not unlawful to represent to the eye any visible thing by an artificial image of it, but when God says, Thou shalt not make, and thou shalt not worship, the meaning is, thou shalt not make any thing with an intention of worship, and thou shalt not worship any thing which thou or others have made.

As negative commands enjoin the performance of the opposite positive duties, so this command enjoins whatever appertains to the external and visible worship of God, as the first command, by prohibiting the owning or cleaving to false gods, enjoins the acknowledging, and cleaving to, and spiritually worshiping the true God.

1. The Use of Images Forbidden.

Ex. XX, 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.

Ex. XXXIV, 17. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

Lev. XIX, 4. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God.

Deut. IV, 16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

Psalm XCVII, 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Isaiah XLII, 8. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Rev. XIV, 9. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10. The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.

2. Images are no Representation of God.

Deut. IV, 12. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice.

13. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

14. And the Lord commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.

15. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire;

16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,

17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,

18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth:

Isaiah XL, 18. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Isaiah XL, 25. To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.

Isaiah XLVI, 5. To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?

Acts XVII, 29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

Isaiah XL, 19. The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

20. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation, chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image that shall not be moved.

Isaiah XLI, 29. Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.

Jer. X, 8. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

9. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

11. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

3. The Judgments of God
upon the Violators of this Command.

Ex. XXXII, 35. And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.

2 Kings XVII, 16. And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.

17. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

18. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.

2 Chron. XXVIII, 2. For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim.

3. Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

4. He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree.

5. Wherefore the Lord his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.

2 Chron. XXXIII, 7. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever.

2 Chron. XXXIII, 9. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

2 Chron. XXXIII, 11. Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

2 Kings XXI, 7. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the Lord said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name forever:

8. Neither will I make the feet of Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathers; only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them.

9. But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the children of Israel.

10. And the Lord spake by his servants and prophets, saying,

11. Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:

12. Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

Psalm LXXVIII, 58. For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

59. When God heard this, he was wroth, and greatly abhorred Israel.

Amos V, 26. But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

27. Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the Lord, whose name is The God of hosts.

Rom. I, 23. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.

4. Images used by Apostates
as Outward Symbols in worship Offered to the true God.

Ex. XXXII, 4. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

5. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To-morrow is a feast to the Lord.

Neh. IX, 18. Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is thy god that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations.

Judges XVII, 3. And when he had restored the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, his mother said, I have wholly dedicated the silver unto the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a graven image and a molten image: now therefore I will restore it unto thee.

4. Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred shekels of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah.

5. And the man Micah had a house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

Judges XVIII, 30. And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

31. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh.

1 Kings XII, 26. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

27. If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

28. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

29. And he set the one in Beth-el, and the other put he in Dan.

30. And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

31. And he made a house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

32. And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth-el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth-el, the priests of the high places which he had made.

33. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

5. Images not to be Worshiped,
though enjoined by human authority.

Dan. III, 18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

1 Kings XIX, 18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Rom. II, 4. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

Rev. XV, 2. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Rev. XX, 4. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

6. Threatenings Against Idolaters.

Isaiah II, 8. Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:

9. And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.

Isaiah XXVII, 11. When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favor.

Isaiah II, 20. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats.

Isaiah XIX, 3. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof; and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Ezek. XIV, 4. Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

5. That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.

6. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.

7. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to inquire of him concerning me; I the Lord will answer him by myself.

Zeph. I, 4. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.

5. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live forever?

Zech. XIII, 2. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

1 Cor. VI, 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.

Eph. V, 5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Rev. XXI, 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Rev. XXII, 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Acts XV, 20. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

1 Cor. V, 11. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.

2 Cor. VI, 16. And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 John V, 21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

Hosea IV, 17. Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Ezek. XXXVI, 18. Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it.

7. The following crimes partake of the nature of Idolatry,
and are consequently forbidden by this Command.

(1.) Magic.

Ex. VII, 11. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

12. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Gen. XLI, 8. And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Ex. VII, 19. And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

20. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.

21. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

22. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the Lord had said.

Dan. I, 20. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Dan. IV, 7. Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

Dan. IV, 9. O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.

Ex. VIII, 16. And the Lord said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

17. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

18. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.

19. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had said.

Ex. IX, 8. And the Lord said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

9. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt.

10. And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast.

11. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

[Note.—See all the plagues upon the Egyptians in the seventh, eighth, and ninth chapters of Exodus.]

Dan. II, 2. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to show the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

3. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

4. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriac, O king, live forever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.

5. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill:

6. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor; therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

7. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

8. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

9. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed; therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

10. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

11. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

12. For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

(2.) Sorcery.

Mal. III, 5. And I will come near to you to judgment: and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Rev. XXII, 15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Isaiah XLVII, 9. But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.

Rev. IX, 20. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk;

21. Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Acts XIII, 6. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus:

7. Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the Word of God.

8. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

10. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11. And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

(3.) Enchantments.

Lev. XIX, 26. Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Num. XXIII, 23. Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

(4.) Soothsaying.

Isaiah II, 6. Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.

Micah V, 12. And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.

John XIII, 22. Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.

Dan. V, 7. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

8. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

Acts XVI, 16. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

(5.) Observance of times.

Lev. XIX, 26. Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

Deut. XVIII, 10. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

Deut. XVIII, 14. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Gal. IV, 10. Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

2 Kings XXI, 6. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

(6.) Witchcraft.

Ex. XXII, 18. Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Deut. XVIII, 10. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

10. For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.

11. Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.

12. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast labored from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

13. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

14. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.

Gal. V, 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Micah V, 12. And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers.

Nahum III, 4. Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

5. Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

6. And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing-stock.

Lev. XIX, 31. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

Lev. XX, 6. And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

Isaiah VIII, 19. And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Lev. XVII, 7. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute forever unto them throughout their generations.

(7.) Divination.

Num. XXII, 7. And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Ezek. XXI, 21. For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.

Deut. XVIII, 14. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

Jer. XIV, 14. Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer. XXVII, 9. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:

10. For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.

Jer. XXIX, 8. For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

9. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.

Isaiah XLIV, 25. That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish.

(8.) Consulting familiar spirits.

Lev. XIX, 31. Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.

Lev. XX, 27. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them.

Isaiah XIX, 3. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

Isaiah XXIX, 4. And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

8. Idolatry is Debasing.

2 Kings XVI, 3. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his sons to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel.

Ezra VI, 21. And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat.

Rom. I, 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.

Rom. I, 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness: full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31. Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.

Eph. IV, 17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

CHAPTER III.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 7: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

The term name is sometimes taken for the nature and being of the Deity itself. Psalm xx,1: "The name of the God of Jacob defend thee." That is, God himself defend thee. Psalm cxxxv,3: "Sing praises unto his name." Psalm cxv,1: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory." Luke xxiv,47: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations." That is, repentance should be preached through him. Rev. iii, 4: "Thou hast a few names in Sardis." That is, a few persons.

The name of God is taken for that whereby God is called, and by which his nature and perfections are made known to men. These names are either his titles or his attributes. His titles are his name. Some of these are absolute, as Jah, Jehovah, God, I Am. Others are relative, and have respect to us, such as Creator, Lord, King, Father, Redeemer. His attributes are his name. Some of these are incommunicable, as Eternity, Immutability, etc. Others are communicable, as Goodness, Mercy, Truth, etc.

The Hebrews generally gave to God the name Jehovah, which signifies the existing one. With them it was the ineffable name, and not to be pronounced; and hence, in its stead, they generally used Adoni—Lord.

The name Jehovah is applied to Christ both in the Old and New Testament Scriptures.

God is taken, 1. Properly, for the whole Trinity; 2. Personally, for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

1. Profane Swearing Forbidden.

Jer. XXIII, 10. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

Hosea IV, 2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Lev. XXIV, 10. And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp;

11. And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) 12. And they put him in ward, that the mind of the Lord might be shewed them.

13. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

14. Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

15. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.

16. And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.

Zech. V, 3. Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

Matt. V, 34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James V, 12. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Deut. V, 11. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Lev. XVIII, 21. And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Lev. XIX, 12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Lev. XXI, 6. They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.

Matt. XXIII, 21. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

2. False Swearing Forbidden.

Lev. XIX, 12. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord.

Jer. VII, 9. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

10. And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

Hosea IV, 2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

4. I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Zech. VIII, 17. And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.

Mal. III, 5. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah XLVIII, 1. Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

Jer. V, 2. And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely.

3. O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

4. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God.

5. I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the Lord, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.

6. Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

7. How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

8. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbor's wife.

9. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Hosea X, 1. Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us?

4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

Lev. V, 1. And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

2. Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcass of an unclean beast, or a carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty.

3. Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty.

4. Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.

5. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing:

6. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb, or a kid of the goats, for a sin-offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.

Lev. VI, 2. If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor;

3. Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

4. Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

5. Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass-offering.

6. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto the priest.

3. Swearing by Creatures Forbidden.

Matt. V, 34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Matt. XXIII, 16. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

17. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

18. And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

19. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

20. Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

21. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Instance of this crime.

Gen. XLII, 15. Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

16. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

4. Instances of Swearing to Commit Sin,
or to encourage it.

1 Sam. XXVIII, 10. And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Psalm CII, 8. Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

Acts XXIII, 21. But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

Instances of rash swearing.

Mark VI, 23. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

Judges XXI, 1. Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife.

2. And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;

3. And said, O Lord God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to-day one tribe lacking in Israel?

4. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings.

5. And the children of Israel said, Who is there among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the Lord? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the Lord to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

6. And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day.

7. How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing we have sworn by the Lord, that we will not give them of our daughters to wives?

8. And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the Lord? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabesh-gilead to the assembly.

9. For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there.

10. And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children.

11. And this is the thing ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

12. And they found among the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.

13. And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them.

14. And Benjamin came again at that time; and they gave them wives which they had saved alive of the women of Jabesh-gilead: and yet so they sufficed them not. 15. And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the Lord had made a breach in the tribes of Israel.

16. Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?

17. And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel.

18. Howbeit we may not give them wives of our daughters: for the children of Israel have sworn, saying, Cursed be he that giveth a wife to Benjamin.

1 Sam. XIV, 24. And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

1 Sam. XIV, 28. Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.

1 Sam. XIV, 39. For, as the Lord liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him.

1 Sam. XIV, 45. And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

1 Sam. XXV, 22. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

2 Sam. XIX, 7. Now therefore, arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

5. Civil Oaths Lawful.

[Note.—To make an oath lawful, it must have the qualifications mentioned by Jeremiah iv,2: "Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness."

We must be certain that the thing is as we attest it.

He who is called upon to swear should look well that his words agree with his mind, and that the thing agrees with his words.

The matter of an oath ought to be possible.

The matter of an oath ought also to be lawful and honest.]

Jer. IV, 2. And thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Heb. VI, 16. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.

2 Chron. VI, 22. If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

23. Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

Deut. XXIX, 10. Ye stand this day all of you before the Lord your God: your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,

11. Your little ones, your wives, and thy stranger that is in thy camp, from the hewer of thy wood unto the drawer of thy water:

12. That thou shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day:

13. That he may establish thee to-day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

14. Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;

15. But with him that standeth here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day.

2 Chron. XV, 12. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul;

13. That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

14. And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets.

15. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.

Ezra X, 5. Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

Neh. X, 29. They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes.

Deut. VI, 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Jer. XII, 16. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The Lord liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

6. Articles of Peace and Private Contracts
Ratified by an Oath.

Gen. XXI, 23. Now therefore swear unto me here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

24. And Abraham said, I will swear.

Gen. XXI, 31. Whether he have gored a son, or have gored a daughter, according to this judgment shall it be done unto him.

Josh. II, 12. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token.

Josh. VI, 22. But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

Josh. IX, 15. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.

Josh. IX, 19. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

1 Sam. XIX, 6. And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain. 1 Sam. XX, 42. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.

2 Sam. XXI, 7. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the Lord's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.

Judges XV, 12. And they said unto him, We are come down to bind thee, that we may deliver thee into the hand of the Philistines. And Samson said unto them, Swear unto me, that ye will not fall upon me yourselves.

1 Sam. XXX, 15. And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.

2 Sam. XIX, 23. Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.

2 Kings XXV, 24. And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

Jer. XXXVIII, 16. So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.

Gen. XXIV, 2. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

3. And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.

Gen. XXIV, 9. And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

Gen. XXIV, 37. And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell.

Gen. XXIV, 41. Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.

Gen. XXV, 33. And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Gen. XLVII, 29. And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt:

30. But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying-place. And he said, I will do as thou hast said.

31. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head.

Gen. L, 25. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.

1 Kings I, 13. Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my Lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign?

14. Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. 15. And Bath-sheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.

16. And Bath-sheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou?

17. And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.

18. And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not:

19. And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.

20. And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him.

21. Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders.

22. And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in.

23. And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.

24. And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?

25. For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king's sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah.

26. But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called.

27. Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him?

28. Then king David answered and said, Call me Bath-sheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king.

29. And the king sware, and said, As the Lord liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress.

2 Kings XI, 4. And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the Lord, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the Lord, and shewed them the king's son.

Neh. V, 12. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

Examples of oath-takings.

1 Kings II, 42. And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Did I not make thee to swear by the Lord, and protested unto thee, saying, Know for a certain, on the day thou goest out, and walkest abroad any whither, that thou shalt surely die? and thou saidst unto me, The word that I have heard is good.

1 Kings XVIII, 10. As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

In case of property the oath of a single person will suffice where no other evidence can be had.

Ex. XXII, 10. If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and if it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

11. Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

One witness not sufficient in criminal cases.

Num. XXXV, 30. Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

Deut. XVII, 6. At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

Heb. X, 28. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.

1 Tim. V, 19. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Deut. XIX, 15. One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Matt. XVIII, 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

CHAPTER IV.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 8-11: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

This is the last commandment of the first table of the law. As we have seen in the preceding pages, the first commandment relates chiefly to the inward veneration, love, and esteem which we are to cherish toward God. The second relates to the external expressions of this veneration and love in appropriate outward actions, as the prostration of the body, etc. And the third requires us to glorify his name in our speech by never using his name except with due reverence and solemnity. So this fourth commandment prescribes the time which God has been pleased to set apart for the more especial performance of acts of religious devotion and piety.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." God enforces this command with great particularity, and gives us three to press its observance upon us. The first is taken from his own example: "The Lord rested the seventh day;" rest ye also. The second is taken from the liberal portion of time allotted for secular uses: "Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work." Is it not reasonable that a seventh portion should be given sacredly to the Lord when he has so freely and so liberally given us the rest? The third is the fact that God has especially dedicated it to his own immediate service and worship. "The Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Sabbath implies rest and cessation from labor—a temporal Sabbath. It signifies, also, a spiritual rest—a rest from the toil and drudgery of sin, the grievous exactions of Satan, and the burden of a guilty conscience. It is also used to signify the eternal rest of the blessed in heaven. "There remaineth a rest [or the celebration of a Sabbath] unto the people of God."

1. The Sabbath must be kept as a Day of Rest from Secular Work.

Ex. XX, 9. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work:

10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Ex. XXIII, 12. Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest; that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid and the stranger may be refreshed.

Jer. XVII, 21. Thus saith the Lord; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem;

22. Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.

Ex. XVI, 23. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to-day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

25. And Moses said, Eat that to-day; for to-day is a Sabbath unto the Lord: to-day ye shall not find it in the field.

26. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none.

27. And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

28. And the Lord said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

29. See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days: abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

30. So the people rested on the seventh day.

Ex. XXXI, 13. Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily, my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.

14. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you. Every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.

15. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

16. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Luke XXIII, 56. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the seventh day according to the commandment.

Lev. XXIII, 3. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.

Lev. XXVI, 2. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

Deut. V, 12. Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.

13. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work:

14. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thine cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.

15. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.

Matt. XXIV, 20. But pray ye that your flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath day.

Isaiah LVIII, 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14. Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Jer. XVII, 24. And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein;

25. Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain forever.

Jer. XVII, 27. But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

Isaiah LVI, 2. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Isaiah LVI, 4. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

5. Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

6. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

7. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.

Neh. X, 31. And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

Neh. XIII, 15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath day?

18. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath.

19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.

20. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

21. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the Sabbath.

2. The Sabbath a Day for Religious Worship.

Ezek. XLVI, 3. Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the Lord in the Sabbaths and in the new moons.

Lev. XIX, 30. Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

Mark VI, 2. And when the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Luke IV, 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luke IV, 31. And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days.

Luke XIII, 10. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

Acts XIII, 14. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

15. And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Acts XIII, 27. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they know him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

Acts XIII, 42. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

Acts XIII, 44. And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God.

Acts XV, 21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

Acts XVII, 2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,

3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Acts XVIII, 4. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Numb. XXVIII, 9. And on the Sabbath day two lambs of the first year, without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof:

10. This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

3. Works of Mercy and Humanity may be Done on the Sabbath Day.

Matt. XII, 1. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were a hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.

2. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.

3. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was a hungered, and they that were with him;

4. How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

5. Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?

6. But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8. For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

9. And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

10. And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

11. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12. How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.

13. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Mark II, 23. And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.

24. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the Sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25. And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was a hungered, he, and they that were with him?

26. How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27. And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

28. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

Mark III, 1. And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

2. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

3. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

4. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

5. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. Luke VI, 1. And it came to pass on the second Sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

2. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath days?

3. And Jesus answering them, said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was a hungered, and they which were with him;

4. How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

5. And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.

6. And it came to pass also on another Sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

7. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

8. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10. And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Luke XIII, 10. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

11. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

12. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.

13. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.

15. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

16. And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?

17. And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

John V, 8. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.

John IX, 13. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

14. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

4. The First Day of the Week is the Christian Sabbath.

Luke XXIV, 1. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.

3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.

John XX, 19. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Acts XX, 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Rev. I, 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11. Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

1 Cor. XVI, 2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Mark XVI, 9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Matt. XXVIII, 1. In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.

2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow;

4. And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.

CHAPTER V.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 12: Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

This is the first command in the second table of the law. As the first table enjoined those duties which we owe directly to God, so the second table enjoins those duties which we owe to our fellow-men. As our parents are related to us next under God, the duties which we owe to them are appropriately placed first.

1. This Command Requires Reverence
and Obedience on the Part of Children.

Ex. XXI, 17. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Prov. XX, 20. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Prov. XXX, 17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Col. III, 20. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Gen. XLVIII, 9. And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

10. Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

11. And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed.

12. And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.

Lev. XIX, 3. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.

Prov. I, 8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

9. For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Prov. VI, 20. My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

21. Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

22. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Prov. XIII, 1. A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.

Prov. XXIII, 22. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. Matt. XV, 4. For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6. And honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

Eph. VI, 1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Luke II, 51. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

52. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

2. It Requires Reverence to the Aged,
whether they are Our Parents or not.

Lev. XIX, 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.

1 Tim. V, 1. Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

2. The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

3. Honor widows that are widows indeed.

4. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

1 Peter V, 5. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Ex. XXII, 28. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Acts XXIII, 4. And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5. Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

2 Peter II, 10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Jude, 8. Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

3. God's Judgments Against Disobedient Children.

Ex. XXI, 15. And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.

Ex. XXI, 17. And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

Deut. XXI, 18. If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:

19. Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; 20. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.

21. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deut. XXVII, 16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.

Prov. XX, 20. Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

Prov. XXX, 17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Gen. XVIII, 19. For I know him, that he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Deut. IV, 9. Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

10. Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Prov. IV, 3. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

2 Tim. III, 14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

4. It Requires Reverence and Submission
to Magistrates and Civil Rulers.

1 Pet. II, 17. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

2 Pet. II, 10. But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Matt. XXII, 21. They say unto him, Cesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Rom. XIII, 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

1 Pet. II, 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15. For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

CHAPTER VI.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 13: Thou shalt not kill.

This command not only prohibits murder, but also prohibits all those passions and tempers which would lead to murder; such as, hatred, anger, etc. It does not prohibit the killing of animals for food; since God has granted man the use of animal food. It does not prohibit the killing of a fellow-being if necessary to self-defense. The law only requires us to love our neighbor as ourself; but to suffer ourselves to be killed rather than to take the life of an enemy, by whom we are assaulted, would be to love him better than ourselves. It does not prohibit the taking of life by civil authority; for the civil officer is "a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

1. Murder is Prohibited.

Ex. XX, 13. Thou shalt not kill.

Matt. XIX, 18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.

2 Tim. I, 9. Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient; for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers.

Gen. IX, 6. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Ex. XXI, 12. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Num. XXXV, 16. And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

17. And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

18. Or if he smite him with a hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Num. XXXV, 21. Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.

Num. XXXV, 30. Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.

31. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

Ex. XXI, 13. And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.

14. But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Num. XXXV, 33. So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land can not be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

Deut. XIX, 11. But if any man hate his neighbor, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities;

12. Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.

13. Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

2. Threatenings Against Murderers.

Psalm V, 6. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Psalm LV, 23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Prov. VI, 17. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.

Prov. XXVIII, 17. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

Jer. II, 34. Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.

Jer. XIX, 3. And say, hear ye the Word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle.

4. Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents.

Ezek. XXXV, 6. Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord God, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: since thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.

John VIII, 44. 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.

1 John III, 15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

3. Cases wherein Killing a Man
is not to be Punished with Death.

Ex. XXII, 2. If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.

3. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution: if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.

Deut. XIX, 4. And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbor ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

5. As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbor to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbor, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:

6. Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.

Num. XXXV, 15. These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them; that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.

Num. XXXV, 22. But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,

23. Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:

24. Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:

25. And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whether he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

4. Human Life Authorized to be taken
by the Civil Government.

Deut. XVII, 12. And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

Joshua I, 18. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

Ezra VII, 26. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

Rom. XIII, 1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.

2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have the praise of the same:

4. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he heareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6. For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

1 Peter II, 13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14. Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

5. Hatred Forbidden.

1 John II, 9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1 John II, 11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John III, 13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1 John IV, 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

6. Malice Forbidden.

Eph. IV, 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

Col. III, 8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

1 Peter II, 1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

Titus III, 3. For we ourselves also were sometime foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

3 John, 9. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.

10. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

James III, 14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

7. Anger Forbidden.

Eccl. VII, 9. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Prov. XIV, 17. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

Prov. XVI, 32. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Prov. XXIX, 22. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgressions.

Matt. V, 22. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Eph. IV, 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

8. Wrath Forbidden.

Prov. XXIV, 29. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his works.

Prov. XIV, 29. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Prov. XIX, 19. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

Prov. XII, 16. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Prov. XXI, 24. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Prov. XXII, 3. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Rom. XII, 19. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Eph. IV, 26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

Eph. IV, 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

James I, 19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

9. Contention Forbidden.

Prov. XIII, 10. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Prov. XVII, 14. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Prov. XVIII, 6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Prov. XII, 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

Prov. XXVI, 21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Prov. XXIX, 9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

Rom. II, 8. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath.

Titus III, 9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

CHAPTER VII.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 14: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

1. The Statement of the Law.

Ex. XX, 14. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Mark X, 19. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.

James II, 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Deut. XXIII, 17. There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

Lev. XIX, 29. Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

2. Threatenings Against Fornication, Adultery, etc.

Ex. XXII, 16. And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

17. If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

Lev. XVIII, 20. Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her.

Lev. XX, 10. And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Lev. XXI, 7. They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God.

Deut. XXII, 22. If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

23. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

24. Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

25. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die:

26. But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:

27. For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. 28. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

29. Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

Deut. XXIII, 17. There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

18. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Prov. V, 3. For the lips of a strange woman drop as a honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

4. But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

5. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Prov. VI, 24. To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

25. Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

26. For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

27. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

28. Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

29. So he that goeth in to his neighbor's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Prov. VI, 32. But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

33. A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

34. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

35. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

Prov. VII, 6. For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

7. And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,

8. Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

9. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:

10. And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of a harlot, and subtile of heart.

11. (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

12. Now she is without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

13. So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,

14. I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows.

15. Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

16. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

18. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

20. He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.

21. With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

22. He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;

23. Till a dart strike through his liver: as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Prov. IX, 13. A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

14. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

15. To call passengers who go right on their ways:

16. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

17. Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Prov. XXII, 14. The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.

Prov. XXIII, 27. For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28. She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men.

Prov. XXXI, 3. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Eccl. VII, 26. And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Hosea IV, 2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Mal. III, 5. And I will come near to you to judgment, and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.

Rom. I, 28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity.

1 Cor. IV, 16. Wherefore I beseech you be ye followers of me.

17. For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every Church.

1 Cor. V, 1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

1 Cor. VI, 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Cor. X, 8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Num. XXV, 1. And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

2. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.

3. And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor; and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

4. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.

5. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.

6. And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

7. And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;

8. And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was staid from the children of Israel.

9. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

2 Cor. XII, 20. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

21. And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Gal. V, 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Eph. V, 5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

1 Cor. VI, 15. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid.

Col. III, 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6. For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.

Heb. XIII, 4. Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Jude, 7. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

2 Pet. II, 14. Having eyes full of adultery, and that can not cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.

1 Tim. I, 10. For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

3. Impure Thoughts Condemned.

Matt. V, 28. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matt. XV, 19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

4. Polygamy Forbidden.

Mal. II, 15. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

16. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

1 Cor. VII, 2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Lev. XVIII, 18. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime.

Deut. XVII, 15. Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.

16. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

17. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

1 Kings XI, 1. But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites.

1 Kings XI, 3. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Matt. XIX, 9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Mark X, 6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

1 Tim. III, 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.

1 Tim. III, 12. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

5. Against Divorce.

1 Cor. VII, 10. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11. But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Rom. VII, 2. For the woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Matt. XIX, 3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

4. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8. He said unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

1 Tim. III, 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach.

Mark X, 1. And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

2. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

3. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4. And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

6. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10. And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Luke XVI, 18. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 15: Thou shalt not steal.

1. Theft Forbidden.

Ex. XX, 15. Thou shalt not steal.

Lev. XIX, 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Deut. V, 19. Neither shalt thou steal.

Eph. IV, 28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

1 Peter IV, 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

2. Threatenings against Theft.

Zech. V, 4. I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

1 Cor. VI, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Hosea IV, 2. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Ex. XXI, 16. And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Ex. XXII, 1. If a man steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

Joshua VII, 11. Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

12. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Prov. XXIX, 24. Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

3. Threatenings against Robbery.

Isaiah LXI, 8. For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Lev. XIX, 13. Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.

Prov. XXI, 7. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

Ezek. XXII, 29. The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

Amos III, 10. I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

11. I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

Nahum III, 1. Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not.

4. Fraud and Cheating Forbidden.

Lev. XIX, 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Prov. XX, 14. It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Lev. XIX, 35. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.

36. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Lev. XXV, 14. And if thou sell aught unto thy neighbor, or buyest aught of thy neighbor's hand, ye shall not oppress one another.

Deut. XXV, 13. Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small:

14. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small:

15. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

16. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Prov. XI, 1. A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.

1 Thess. IV, 6. That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Prov. XVI, 11. A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

Hosea XII, 7. He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

8. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

5. Precepts Concerning Landed Property.

Deut. XIX, 14. Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.

Deut. XXVII, 17. Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

Ex. XXII, 5. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To-morrow is a feast to the Lord.

6. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt-offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Job XXIV, 2. Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.

3. They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

Prov. XXII, 28. Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Prov. XXIII, 10. Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

11. For their Redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.

6. Precepts Concerning Things Found,
Loaned, or Intrusted to Others.

Lev. VI, 1. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2. If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor;

3. Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

6. And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass-offering, unto the priest.

Lev. XXIV, 18. And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast.

Ex. XXII, 9. For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbor.

10. If a man deliver unto his neighbor an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it:

11. Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

12. And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.

13. If it be torn in pieces, then let him bring it for witness, and he shall not make good that which was torn.

14. And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.

15. But if the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be a hired thing, it came for his hire.

7. Restitution to be made to the Injured.

Lev. VI, 5. Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass-offering.

1 Sam. XII, 3. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

Luke XIX, 8. I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Psalm XXXVII, 21. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

Gen. XLIII, 12. And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight.

Gen. XLIV, 8. Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

8. Threatenings against Oppressors.

Jer. XVII, 11. As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Prov. XX, 21. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.

Prov. XII, 16. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Prov. XXII, 22. Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23. For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Prov. XXVIII, 3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

Prov. XXVIII, 8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Prov. XXVIII, 22. He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Isaiah V, 8. Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Micah II, 1. Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.

2. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

CHAPTER IX.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus XX, 16: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

As the eighth commandment provides for the security of every man's property, this provides for the defense of his good name; which "is rather to be chosen than great riches," and ought, therefore, to be guarded with the utmost care. A good name renders a man more serviceable to the cause of God, and the interests of his fellow men.

1. False Swearing is Condemned.

Lev. V, 1. And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

Ex. XX, 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

16. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

17. Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

18. And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

19. Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

Prov. VI, 16. I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18. Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

19. For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey.

Prov. XIV, 5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Prov. XIV, 25. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Prov. XIX, 5. A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Prov. XXI, 28. A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Prov. XXIV, 28. Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause: and deceive not with thy lips.

Prov. XXV, 18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

2. Lying Is Forbidden.

Lev. XIX, 11. Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Zech. VIII, 16. These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

17. And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these things are that I hate, saith the Lord.

Psalm XXXIV, 13. Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

1 Pet. III, 10. 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.

Prov. IV, 24. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

Eph. IV, 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Eph. IV, 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

Col. III, 9. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.

Psalm XV, 2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

Isaiah XXXIII, 15. He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

16. He shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

Prov. XII, 17. He that speaketh truth, sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19. The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counselors of peace is joy.

Job XXVII, 4. My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Prov. X, 18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Prov. XII, 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Prov. XXVI, 23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Psalm LII, 2. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

4. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

5. God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land of the living.

Psalm LIX, 12. For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

13. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.

Jer. IX, 5. And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jer. IX, 8. Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

9. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

1 Tim. IV, 2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy: having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

Rev. XXI, 27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Prov. XVII, 4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

Prov. XVIII, 6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Matt. XII, 35. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

3. Evil Speaking Condemned.

Titus III, 2. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Eph. IV, 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

James IV, 11. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law; but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

1 Pet. II, 1. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.

1 Pet. III, 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

10. 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.

Psalm XII, 3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

4. Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Prov. XIII, 3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Prov. XVIII, 13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

James I, 26. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

4. Slander Condemned.

Psalm CI, 5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Psalm XXXI, 13. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Prov. X, 18. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Psalm L, 20. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

21. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

1 Tim. III, 11. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

5. Talebearing and Backbiting Condemned.

Lev. XIX, 6. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am the Lord.

Prov. XX, 19. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Prov. XI, 13. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Prov. XVII, 9. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

Prov. XXVI, 20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out; so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Prov. XVI, 28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Psalm XV, 1. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

3. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor.

Rom. I, 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.

6. Reviling and Railing Condemned.

Ex. XXII, 28. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

1 Cor. VI, 10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Pet. III, 9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1 Tim. VI, 4. He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.

2 Pet. II, 11. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Jude, 9. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

7. Unprofitable Conversation Forbidden.

Eph. IV, 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

1 Cor. XV, 33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Eph. V, 3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Matt. XII, 36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Col. III, 8. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Col. IV, 6. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

2 Pet. II, 7. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked.

Isaiah IX, 17. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and an evil doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

1 Tim. I, 4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

2 Tim. II, 14. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2 Tim. II, 16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Titus III, 9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

8. Flattery is Forbidden.

Prov. XX, 19. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Prov. XXVI, 28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Prov. XXIX, 5. A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a net for his feet.

Prov. II, 16. To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the strange woman that flattereth with her words. Job XVII, 5. He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

Job XXXII, 21. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

22. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away.

1 Thess. II, 5. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness.

Psalm XII, 2. They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

3. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.

Psalm LXXVIII, 36. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.

Exodus XX, 17: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

The sin here prohibited is an inordinate desire for, or an unlawful lusting after, what is another man's. Thus the law of God not only condemns sinful actions, it also condemns sinful desires and thoughts. Sin has its origin in the heart. "From within, out of the heart, proceed evil thoughts," etc. Hence the law of God takes cognizance of the state of the heart, as well as of the outward conduct.

1. Covetousness Condemned.

Ex. XX, 17. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Deut. V, 21. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor's house, his field, or his man-servant, or his maid-servant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbor's.

Rom. VII, 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Col. III, 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Heb. XIII, 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalm X, 3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

Micah II, 1. Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.

2. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Hab. II, 9. Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Mark VII, 22. Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Eph. V, 5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Prov. XXVII, 20. Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Eccl. IV, 8. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

Eccl. V, 10. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

2. Unjust Means of Acquiring Property Condemned.

Prov. I, 18. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

1 Tim. VI, 9. 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.

10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Matt. XVI, 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Job XXVII, 8. For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

9. Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Prov. XIII, 7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

1 Tim. VI, 7. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Prov. XV, 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

James V, 1. Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

3. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

4. Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Luke VI, 24. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Job XX, 18. That which he labored for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.

19. Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away a house which he builded not.

Isaiah LVIII, 8. Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

9. In mine ears said the Lord of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.

Jer. XXI, 12. O house of David, thus saith the Lord; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

Luke III, 13. And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

Prov. XXVIII, 8. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

Prov. XXVIII, 2. For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

Prov. XXII, 22. Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

23. For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Jer. VII, 11. Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.

3. The Folly of Trusting in Riches.

Psalm XLIX, 6. They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7. None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.

Psalm LII, 5. God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land of the living.

6. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

Prov. XI, 28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Prov. X, 15. The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

Prov. XXVIII, 11. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that hath understanding searcheth him out. Jer. IX, 23. Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.

Mark X, 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

1 Tim. VI, 17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

1 Tim. VI, 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Psalm LXXIII, 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

5. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

7. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.

9. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

10. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

11. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?

12. Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

16. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

18. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

19. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

James II, 2. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3. And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool.

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CHAPTER I. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

1. Idolatry Forbidden.

2. God is to be Worshiped.

3. Threatenings Against Idolatry.

4. The Judgment of God Inflicted upon the Violators of this Command.

5. Instances where God's Judgments have been Visited upon Particular Transgressors of this Command.

a. Jeroboam.

b. Solomon.

c. Baasha.

d. Ahab.

e. Ahaziah.

f. Jehoram.

g. Manasseh.

h. Amaziah.

i. Twenty-four thousand slain.

6. Idolatry Punished with Death.

7. Idols are but Vanity.

8. Against Inquiring Concerning Future Events of false gods, and of those professing to have familiar spirits.

9. This Command Requires Us to have a God, and is therefore against Atheism.

10. This Command Requires Supreme Love to God.

CHAPTER II. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

1. The Use of Images Forbidden.

2. Images are no Representation of God.

3. The Judgments of God upon the Violators of this Command.

4. Images used by Apostates as Outward Symbols in worship Offered to the true God.

5. Images not to be Worshiped, though enjoined by human authority.

6. Threatenings Against Idolaters.

7. The following crimes partake of the nature of Idolatry, and are consequently forbidden by this Command.

(1.) Magic.

(2.) Sorcery.

(3.) Enchantments.

(4.) Soothsaying.

(5.) Observance of times.

(6.) Witchcraft.

(7.) Divination.

(8.) Consulting familiar spirits.

8. Idolatry is Debasing.

CHAPTER III. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

1. Profane Swearing Forbidden.

2. False Swearing Forbidden.

3. Swearing by Creatures Forbidden.

Instance of this crime.

4. Instances of Swearing to Commit Sin, or to encourage it.

Instances of rash swearing.

5. Civil Oaths Lawful.

6. Articles of Peace and Private Contracts Ratified by an Oath.

Examples of oath-takings.

In case of property the oath of a single person will suffice where no other evidence can be had.

One witness not sufficient in criminal cases.

CHAPTER IV. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

1. The Sabbath must be kept as a Day of Rest from Secular Work.

2. The Sabbath a Day for Religious Worship.

3. Works of Mercy and Humanity may be Done on the Sabbath Day.

4. The First Day of the Week is the Christian Sabbath.

CHAPTER V. THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

1. This Command Requires Reverence and Obedience on the Part of Children.

2. It Requires Reverence to the Aged, whether they are Our Parents or not.

3. God's Judgments Against Disobedient Children.

4. It Requires Reverence and Submission to Magistrates and Civil Rulers.

CHAPTER VI. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

1. Murder is Prohibited.

2. Threatenings Against Murderers.

3. Cases wherein Killing a Man is not to be Punished with Death.

4. Human Life Authorized to be taken by the Civil Government.

5. Hatred Forbidden.

6. Malice Forbidden.

7. Anger Forbidden.

8. Wrath Forbidden.

9. Contention Forbidden.

CHAPTER VII. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

1. The Statement of the Law.

2. Threatenings Against Fornication, Adultery, etc.

3. Impure Thoughts Condemned.

4. Polygamy Forbidden.

5. Against Divorce.

CHAPTER VIII. THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

1. Theft Forbidden.

2. Threatenings against Theft.

3. Threatenings against Robbery.

4. Fraud and Cheating Forbidden.

CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.

5. Instances where God's Judgments have been
Visited upon Particular Transgressors of this Command.

8. Against Inquiring Concerning Future Events
of false gods, and of those professing to have familiar spirits.

9. This Command Requires Us to have a God,
and is therefore against Atheism.

CHAPTER II.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.

3. The Judgments of God
upon the Violators of this Command.

4. Images used by Apostates
as Outward Symbols in worship Offered to the true God.

5. Images not to be Worshiped,
though enjoined by human authority.

7. The following crimes partake of the nature of Idolatry,
and are consequently forbidden by this Command.

CHAPTER III.
THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

4. Instances of Swearing to Commit Sin,
or to encourage it.

6. Articles of Peace and Private Contracts
Ratified by an Oath.

CHAPTER IV.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

CHAPTER V.
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT.

1. This Command Requires Reverence
and Obedience on the Part of Children.

2. It Requires Reverence to the Aged,
whether they are Our Parents or not.

4. It Requires Reverence and Submission
to Magistrates and Civil Rulers.

CHAPTER VI.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.

3. Cases wherein Killing a Man
is not to be Punished with Death.

4. Human Life Authorized to be taken
by the Civil Government.

CHAPTER VII.
THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.

CHAPTER VIII.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.

6. Precepts Concerning Things Found,
Loaned, or Intrusted to Others.

CHAPTER IX.
THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.