THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 14, 1861

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

To comprehend the full extent of the ten commandments, it will be requisite to observe the following rules:

1. When any sin is forbidden in them, the opposite duty is intended to be enjoined; and when any duty is enjoined, the opposite sin is forbidden.

2. When the highest degree of any thing evil is prohibited, whatever is faulty in the same kind, though in a lower degree, is prohibited. See our Lord's illustration of the sixth and seventh commandments. Matt. v, 22, 28.

3. When one instance of virtuous behaviour is commanded, every one that hath the same nature and the same reason for it, is understood to be commanded also.

The command "Honor thy father and thy mother," &c., includes the duty of paying respect to all superiors, as magistrates, masters, &c.

4. When we are expected to abstain from any sin, we are expected to avoid, as far as we can, all temptation to it and occasion of it: and when we are expected to practice any virtue, we are also expected to use all fit means that may better enable us to practice it.

5. All that we are bound to do ourselves, we are bound on fitting occasions, to exhort and assist others to do, when it belongs to them; and all that we are bound not to do, we are to tempt nobody else to do, but keep them back from it as we have opportunity.—The Mine Explored, pp. 78, 79.