astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. They endeavour to deceive before they are able to speak. Ps. Iviii, 3.

Thou shalt not raise a false report. Exod. xxiii, 1.

Neither lie one to another. Lev. xix, 11.

He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. Ps. ci, 7.

I hate and abhor lying; but thy law do I love. Ps. cxix, 163. Deliver my soul, O Lord, trom lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Ps. cxx, %.

These things doth the Lord hate, yea, they are an abomination unto him; a lying tongue-an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations a false witness that speaketh lies. Prov. vi, 16–19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Prov. xii, 19.

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but they that deal truly are his delight. Prov. xii, 22.

The Jews were guilty of transgressing and lying against the Lord, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. Isa. lix, 13.

Swearing and lying were among the sins, which should cause the land to mourn. Hosea iv, 2.

The inhabitants have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth, therefore will I make thee sick in smiting thee. Mic. vi, 12-13.

These are the things that ye shall do, speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour. Zech. viii, 16.

Ye are of your father the Devil. When be speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it. John viii, 44. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead for telling lies. Acts v, 3, 10. Speaking the truth in love, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour. Eph. iv, 15, 25.

Lie not one to another. Col. iii, 9.

The law is made for liars, for perjured persons, &c. 1 Tim. i, 9, 10. All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and

brimstone. Rev xxi, 8.

There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. Rev. xxi, 27. Without is whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Rev. xxii, 15,

2. It forbids slandering.

Slandering is lying and evil-speaking joined together: and the common practice of mending the stories that we hear of others' characters, by making additions to them, is slander.

Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off. Ps. ci, 5. He that uttereth a slander is a fool. Prov. x, 18.

Angels bring not railing accusation against them (dignities) before the Lord. 2 Pet. ii, 11.

Michael, the archangel, durst not bring against hirn (Satan) a railing accusation; but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Jude 9.

Avoid tale-bearing, and never shew a readiness to believe evil of others, or in any way encourage persons to speak evil of others.

How long will ye judge unjustly? Ps. lxxxii, 2.

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a

backbiting tongue. Prov, xxv, 23.

Charity envieth not, believeth all things, hopeth all things. 1 Cor. xiii, 4-7.

Not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. 1 Pet. iii. 9, 10.

Much mischief and unhappiness are occasioned by the breach of this commandment. Tale bearers, liars, and slanderers, bring great trouble upon individuals, and frequently cause divisions in families and amongst friends. Be very careful how, and to whom, you repeat what you may hear. Never speak without consideration, but ask yourself, if what you are going to say is likely to do any one an injury. If you find it is, repress it. Be not great talkers, remember

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin. Prov. x, 19.

And not only restrain your lips, but keep your heart diligently; for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. Do not harbour any prejudices in your mind, but try to think well of every one, on whose character you cannot positively decide. Judge of others with candour. Be tender of your neighbour's reputation, and be not slow to vindicate him when you hear him wronged. Above all, be careful always to speak the truth, and let no profit or advantage tempt you to be guilty of a lie, or an equivocation. Pray to God to tame your tongue, and fill your mouth with wisdom. Litany. That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors,

and slanderers, and to turn their hearts. From envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness, Good Lord deliver us.

P

On the Commandments. No. 11.

TENTH COMMANDMENT.

What is the tenth commandment?

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is his.

What does this commandment forbid?

It forbids us coveting or desiring other men's goods, that is, their property, of whatever kind. Thus it condemns all improper desires of the heart. All the other commandments, in spirit, forbid the evil desires and thoughts of the heart, but this, in the very letter of it. Covetousness is called Idolatry because it draws the heart from God, and induces men to place their dependence on something else than his favour for their happiness. Nothing can be more injurious to spirituality of mind than the indulgence of this sin. It was by this commandment St. Paul was convinced that he was a sinner. I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet, Rom. vii, 7.

The covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. Ps. x, 3.
He that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days. Prov. xxviii, 16.
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth. Isa. Ivii, 17.
They covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take

them away. Micah ii, 2.

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness. Hab. ii, 9.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Mat. vi, 19-24.

Take heed and beware of covetousness.
I have coveted no man's silver or.gold.
Thou shalt not covet. Rom. xiii, 9.

Luke xii, 15.

Acts xx, 33.

If any man that is called a brother be covetous or an idolater, with such an one no not to eat. 1 Cor. v, 11.

Neither thieves nor covetous shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. vi, 10.

All nucleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints. Eph. v, 3.

No covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. v, 5.

Mortify your members, &c. inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Cel. iii, 5.

In the last times men shall be covetous, proud, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. 2 Tim. iii, 2, 5.

Let your conversation be without covetousness. Heb. xiii, 5. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James i, 14, 15. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not. James iii, 14.

The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John ii, 16.

What instances have we in scripture, of the evil consequences of indulging covetousness?

Eve coveted the fruit of the tree, and then took it. Gen. iii, 6.
Achan's sin began by coveting. Jos. vii, 20, 21.

Saul's covetousness led him to fly on the spoil of the Amalekites, which was forbidden. 1 Sam. xv, 9.

David's coveting Uriah's wife led him to adultery and murder.

Ahab's covetousness led him to the murder of Naboth. 1 Kings xxi, 4-16.

Gehzzi coveted the present, Naaman brought for his master, and then obtained it by a lie. 2 Kings v, 20.

The young man who could not part with his possession to follow Christ. Matt. xix, 21.

Judas's covetousness led him to betray his Master. Matt. xxvi, 15. Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness, which caused him to go to curse the Lord's people. 2 Pet. ii, 15.

Lot is the only child of God on record in the Scripture who was guilty of this sin. It led him to choose his residence in wicked Sodom. Gen. xiii, 10.

We ought to be content with such things as God gives us, who provides for us with fatherly care, and will withhold nothing but what would, in some way or other, be injurious to us.

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 1 Cor. x, 10.

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Phil. iv, 11.

Godliness, with contentment, is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out; and having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare. 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. 1 Tim. vi, 6--10.

Be content with such things as ye have. Heb. xiii, 5.

We are forbidden to envy the advantages of others, so as to make us dissatisfied with the mercies bestowed on ourselves, and lead us to sinful methods of procuring what may appear a more agreeable situation.

Discontent implies, that God has not chosen so well for us, as we could have done for ourselves; and, that we have not all we deserve to have a discontented man would be so, whatever situation he was in.

Do not all sins proceed from the corrupt principles of man's heart?

Yes, so our Lord teaches.

From within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, covetoneness, &c. Mark vii, 21, 22.

They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. Isa. lix, 4.

Most men deceive themselves, by fancying, that, if they refrain from gross violations of the law, they are in a safe state: therefore, to strike at the root of disobedience, we have this commandment.

The poorest person, who is contented with his station, is far more happy than a rich man, who covets what he does not yet possess. Thank God for what you already enjoy, and think how much less comfortable your situation would have been, if he had dealt with you after your deservings. Let not your desires wander after forbidden objects.

Keep your heart with all diligence; (Prov. iv, 23.) and pray
Create in me a clean heart; (Ps. li, 10.) and

Incline not my heart to covetousness. Ps. cxix, 36.

Collect for St. Matthew's day. Grant us grace to forsake all covetons desires, and inordinate love of riches, and to follow the same thy Son Jesus Christ.

We have now explained all the commandments contained in the two tables of the law; Do not you feel that you have broken them, and are exposed to the curse pronounced upon all transgressors?