A Scripture Catechism, in the Method of the Assemblies Q. 70-79

Q. 70. What is the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment is, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

1. Does this commandment concern our own and our neighhour's chastity?
   Yes: For this is the will of God, even our sanctification, 1 Thess. 4:3.

   Is it needful there should be such a commandment?
   Yes: For since all are gone aside, they are all become filthy, Ps. 14:3.

   Is it agreeable to the light of nature?
   Yes: For Abimelech called adultery a great sin, Gen. 20:9.

   And is this command for the public good of mankind?
   Yes: For whoredom and wine take away the heart, Hos. 4:11.

Q. 71. What is required in the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity, in heart, speech, and behaviour.

1. Is it our duty to keep our bodies pure from all fleshly lusts?
   Yes: We must possess our vessel in sanctification and honour, and not in the lust of concupiscence, 1 Thess. 4:4.

   Are we to present our bodies to God?
   Yes: Present your bodies unto God a living sacrifice, Rom. 12:1.

   Are we to glorify him with them?
   Yes: Glorify God with your bodies, 1 Cor. 6:20.

   Are we to use them for him?
   Yes: For your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, 1 Cor. 6:19.

   And to employ them in his service?
   Yes: Yield your members as instruments of righteousness unto God, Rom. 6:13.

   May they then be used in the service of our lusts?
   No: For if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, 1 Cor. 3:17.

2. Ought we to preserve our chastity in heart?
   Yes: That we may be holy both in body and spirit, 1 Cor. 7:34.

   And must we keep out all unclean thoughts and desires?
   Yes: We must flee youthful lusts, 2 Tim. 2:22.

   And is that the way to prevent the acts of uncleanness?
   Yes: For when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin, James 1:15.

3. Ought we to preserve our chastity in speech?
   Yes: Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, Col. 4:6.

   Is it the character of good people to be modest?
   Yes: I will turn to the people a pure language, Zeph. 3:9.

4. Ought we to preserve our chastity in behaviour?
   Yes: We must have a chaste conversation coupled with fear, 1 Pet. 3:2.

   And in our clothing?
   Yes: Women must adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, 1 Tim. 2:9.

   Must we abstain from all appearances of uncleanness?
   Yes: Hating even the garment spotted with the flesh, Jude 1:23.

   And from all approaches to it?
   Yes: Come not nigh the door of her house, Prov. 5:8.

5. Must we resolve against wanton looks?
   Yes: I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then, should I think upon a maid? Job 31:1.

   Must we always keep our bodies in soberness and chastity?
   Yes: We must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. 7:1.

   And must we crucify all the lusts of the flesh?
   Yes: They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, Gal. 5:24.

   Must the body be subdued?
   Yes: I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, 1 Cor. 9:27.

   And must its sinful desires be denied?
   Yes: If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee, Matt. 5:29.

Q. 72. What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

A. The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions.

1. Is adultery a very great sin?
   Yes: How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Gen. 29:9.

   Is it an iniquity to be punished by the judge?
   Yes: The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death, Lev. 20:10.

   Is fornication a very great sin?
   Yes: Fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you, Eph. 5:3.

   Will these sins certainly shut men out of heaven, if they be not repented of and forsaken?
   Yes: For fornicators and adulterers shall not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6:10.

2. Are unclean thoughts sins?
   Yes: For whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart, Matt. 5:28.

   Are unclean reflections sins?
   Yes: For some multiply their whoredoms by calling to remembrance the days of their youth, Ezek. 23:19.

   Are unclean desires sins?
   Yes: Inordinate affection, and evil concupiscence, are to be mortified in us, Col. 3:5.

   And must all fleshly lusts be shunned?
   Yes: Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, 1 Pet. 2:11.

3. Are unclean words sin?
   Yes: For there must be neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, Eph. 5:4.

   Must we therefore take heed of speaking any filthy words?
   Yes: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, Eph. 4:29.

   May we take delight in hearing filthy talk?
   No: For evil communications corrupt good manners, 1 Cor. 15:33.

4. Are all unchaste actions forbidden in this commandment?
   Yes: Not only adultery and fornication, but uncleanness and lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19), chambering and wantonness, Rom. 13:13.

   Are the occasions of uncleanness here forbidden?
   Yes: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, Eph. 5:11.

5. Is all uncleanness provoking to God?
   Yes: For I the Lord am holy, Lev. 20:26.

   Is it against our bodies?
   Yes: For the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, 1 Cor. 6:13.

   Is it a wrong to our souls?
   Yes: For fleshly lusts war against the soul, 1 Pet. 2:11.

   Is it wounding to conscience?
   Yes: I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, Eccl. 7:26.

6. Are idleness and gluttony occasions of uncleanness, and forbidden in this commandment?
   Yes: For this was the iniquity of Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness, Ezek. 16:49.

   And is drunkenness also a sin of dangerous consequence?
   Yes: For drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6:10.

Q. 73. What is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

1. Does the eighth commandment concern our own and our neighbour's wealth and outward estate?
   Yes: For the earth God has given to the children of men, Ps. 115:16.

   Is it necessary there should be such a command?
   Yes: For every brother will utterly supplant, Jer. 9:4.

2. Is robbing God the worst theft?
   Yes: Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me, Mal. 3:8, 9.

   And is justice to God the highest justice?
   Yes: Render to God the things that are God's, Matt. 22:21.

Q. 74. What is required in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment requires all lawful procuring and furthering our own and our neighbour's wealth and outward estate.

1. Is religion a friend to outward prosperity?
   Yes: In wisdom's left hand are riches and honour, Prov. 3:16.

   Does it teach us to be diligent in our callings?
   Yes: Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, Prov. 27:23.

   And to keep close to them?
   Yes: Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, 1 Thess. 4:11.

   And is that the way to thrive?
   Yes: For the hand of the diligent maketh rich, Prov. 10:4.

   Does religion teach us to be prudent in our affairs?
   Yes: The good man will guide his affairs with discretion, Ps. 112:5.

   And is that the way to thrive?
   Yes: For through wisdom is a house builded, Prov. 24:3.

2. Must we serve God with our worldly estate?
   Yes: Honour the Lord with thy substance, Prov. 3:9.

   And is that the way to thrive?
   Yes: So shall thy barn be filled with plenty, Prov. 3:10.

   Must we cheerfully use our estates?
   Yes: For I know no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life, Eccl. 3:12.

   And must we cheerfully serve God with them?
   Yes: We must serve the Lord our God with joyfulness and gladness of heart in the abundance of all things, Deut. 28:47.

3. Must we be just to all we deal with?
   Yes: Render therefore to all their due, Rom. 13:7.

   And must we give everybody their own?
   Yes: Owe no man any thing but to love one another, Rom. 13:8.

   Must we be true to every trust reposed in us?
   Yes: As the workmen who dealt faithfully, 2 Kings 12:15.

   And is honesty the best policy?
   Yes: For a little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked, Ps. 37:16.

   And shall we have the comfort of it in this world?
   Yes: He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly, that despiseth the gain of oppression and shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be in the munitions of rocks, bread shall be given him, and his waters shall he sure, Isa. 33:15, 16.

   If therefore we have done any wrong, must we make restitution?
   Yes: Zaccheus stood and said, If I have wronged any man, I restore him fourfold, Luke 19:8.

4. Must we concern ourselves for the welfare of others?
   Yes: Look not every one on his own things, but everyone also on the things of others, Phil. 2:4.

   And must we do all we can to promote the welfare of others?
   Yes; If thy brother's ox or ass go astray, thou shalt bring them back, Deut. 22:1.

5. Must we relieve the poor according to our ability?
   Yes; If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen into decay with thee, then thou shalt relieve him, Lev. 25:35.

   Must we be forward to relieve the poor?
   Yes: We must be ready to distribute, willing to communicate, 1 Tim. 6:18.

   Is that the way to thrive in this world?
   Yes; For he that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and that which he hath given will he pay him again, Prov. 19:17.

   And shall it be repayed in the other world?
   Yes: Thou shalt be recompenses in the resurrection of the just, Luke 14:14.

   And must we make this use of what we have in the world?
   Yes: We must labour that we may have to give to him that needeth, Eph. 4:28.

Q. 75 What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment forbids whatsoever does or may unjustly hinder our own or our neighbour's wealth, and outward estate.

1. May we do what we will with our own estates?
   No: For we are but stewards of the manifold grace of God, 1 Pet. 4:10.

   Is it a sin then to waste our estates in prodigality?
   Yes: For the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty, Prov. 23:31.

   Is luxury the way to beggary?
   Yes: He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man, Prov. 21:17.

   Is slothfulness a robbing of ourselves?
   Yes: For he that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster, Prov. 18:9.

   And is that the way to poverty?
   Yes: For drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags, Prov. 23:21.

2. Is keeping idle company the way to poverty?
   Yes: For he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough, Prov. 28:19.

   Is fraud and injustice the way to poverty?
   Yes: For wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, Prov. 13:11.

   Can any expect to prosper in a way of unjust gain?
   No: For 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, Jer. 17:11.

   Do men rob themselves and their families by foolishness in their affairs?
   Yes: For every wise woman buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands, Prov. 14:1.

   And by rash suretyship?
   Yes: For he that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it, Prov. 11:15.

3. Is it a sin to rob ourselves of the comfort of that which God has given us?
   Yes: If a man hath not power to eat of it, it is vanity, and an evil disease, Eccl. 6:2.

   And is it a sin to deny it to our relations?
   Yes: If any provide not for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel, 1 Tim. 5:8.

4. Is it a great sin to steal from anybody?
   Yes: For everyone that stealeth shall be cut off, Zech. 5:3.

   Is it a great sin for children to steal from their parents?
   Yes: Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith it is no transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer, Prov. 28:24.

   And for the rich to oppress the poor?
   Yes: Rob not the poor, because he is poor, Prov. 22:22.

   Will you therefore keep your hands from picking and stealing?
   Yes: Because of the fear of God, Neh. 5:15.

   Must those who have used themselves to it break it off?
   Yes: Let him that stole steal no more, Eph. 4:28.

   Must poor people especially watch and pray against this temptation?
   Yes: Lest I be poor, and steal, Prov. 30:9.

5. Is it a sin to cheat anybody in a bargain?
   Yes: Let no man go beyond or defraud his brother in any matter, 1 Thess. 4:6.

   Is it a sin to use false weights and measures?
   Yes: A false balance is abomination to the Lord, Prov. 11:1.

   Is it a sin to give assistance or countenance to any fraud?
   Yes: Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul, Prov. 29:24.

6. Is it a sin to deny relief to the poor?
   Yes: Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up the bowels of his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in that man? 1 John 3:17.

   Is it a sin to deny the payment of a just debt?
   Yes: For the wicked borroweth, and payeth not again, Ps. 37:21.

   Or withhold wages that is due?
   Yes: The hire of the labourers kept back by fraud crieth, James 5:4.

   And is the love of money the cause of all these sins?
   Yes: The love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Tim. 6:10.

Q. 76 What is the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

1. Does this commandment concern our own and our neighbouur's good name?
   Yes: For a good name is better than precious ointment, Eccl. 7:1.

   Is there need of this commandment?
   Yes: For every neighbour will walk with slanders, Jer. 9:4.

Q. 77. What is required in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name, especially in witness-bearing.

1. Is it our duty to govern our tongues?
   Yes: I said, I will take heed to my ways that I sin not with my tongue, Ps. 39:1.

   Is he a good Christian that does not?
   No: For if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, that man's religion is vain, James 1:26.

   Must we therefore pray to God to keep us from tongue-sins?
   Yes: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, Ps. 141:3.

2. Is it our duty to speak truth?
   Yes: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour, Zech. 8:16.

   Is there good reason for it?
   Yes: For we are members one of another, Eph. 4:25.

   And is this the character of a good man?
   Yes: That he speaketh the truth in his heart, Ps. 15:2.

   Are all truths to be spoken at all times:
   No: For there is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak, Eccl. 3:7.

   But may an untruth be spoken at any time?
   No: For God's people are children that will not lie, Isa. 63:8.

3. Is it our duty, especially in witness-bearing, to speak truth?
   Yes: For a faithful witness will not lie, Prov. 14:5.

   And the whole truth?
   Yes: Samuel told Eli every whit, and hid nothing from him, 1 Sam. 3:18.

   And nothing but the truth?
   Yes: For a lying tongue is but for a moment, Prov. 12:19.

4. Is it our duty to strive to have a good name with God?
   Yes: For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Cor. 10:16.

   And should we endeavour to have a good name with good people?
   Yes: Let those that fear thee turn unto me, Ps. 119:79.

   And if possible a good name with all people?
   Yes: Demetrius hath a good report of all men, 3 John 1:12.

   Must we abound in those things that are of good report?
   Yes: If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on those things, Phil. 4:8.

5. In order to our getting a good name must we live by faith?
   Yes: For by it the elders obtained a good report, Heb. 11:2.

   Must we walk wisely?
   Yes: For a man's wisdom makes his face to shine, Eccl. 8:1.

   Must we do justly?
   Yes: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, 1 Pet. 2:12.

   And be humble?
   Yes: For before honour is humility, Prov. 18:12.

   And must we abound in good works?
   Yes: Let your light so shine before men, Matt. 5:16.

   But can good people expect to have everyone's good word?
   No: Woe unto you when all men speak well of you, Luke 6:26.

   May we hazard a good conscience to preserve our reputation?
   No: For our praise is not of men, but of God, Rom. 2:29.

6. Ought we to be very tender of the good names of others?
   Yes: We must honour all men, 1 Pet. 2:17.

   Must we give them the praise of that in them which is good?
   Yes: We also bear record, 3 John 1:12.

   But may we flatter them?
   No: He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail, Job 17:5.

   Must we charitably conceal their faults?
   Yes: For charity covers a multitude of sins, 1 Pet. 4:8.

   Must we discourage slandering and censoriousness?
   Yes: We must with an angry countenance drive away a backbiting tongue, Prov. 25:23.

Q. 78 What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbour's good name.

1. Is lying a great sin?
   Yes: Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man, Col. 3:9.

   Is it a sin that God hates?
   Yes: Lying lips are abomination to the Lord, Prov. 12:22.

   And is it a sin that all good men hate?
   Yes: I hate and abhor lying, Ps. 119:163.

   Does it make men like the devil?
   Yes: For he is a liar, and the father of it, John 8:44.

   And will it bring them to hell?
   Yes: For all liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, Rev. 21:8.

2. Is it lawful to tell a lie to make sport?
   No: For as a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is he that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Prov. 26:18, 19.

   Is it lawful to tell a lie to excuse a fault?
   No: For Gehazi for doing so had a leprosy entailed on him and his seed for ever, 2 Kings 5:27.

   May we tell a lie with intention to do good?
   No: We must not do evil, that good may come, Rom. 3:8.

   Will what is got by lying do us any good?
   No: The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is vanity, tossed to and fro of them that seek death, Prov. 21:6.

   Should we therefore pray against this sin?
   Yes: Remove from me the way of lying, Ps. 119:29.

3. Is it a sin to belie ourselves?
   Yes: As there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches, Prov. 13:7.

   May we be careless of our own good name?
   No: If I should say I know him not, I should be a liar like unto you, John 8:55.

4. Is it a sin to belie our neighbour?
   Yes: They laid to my charge things that I know not, Ps. 35:11.

   Is it folly?
   Yes: He that uttereth slander is a fool, Prov. 10:18.

   Is it a sin to speak evil of any?
   Yes: Put them in mind to speak evil of no man, Tit. 3:1,2.

   And to be censorious of our brethren?
   Yes: Judge not, that ye be not judged, Matt. 7:1.

   Is it a great offence to God to do this?
   Yes: He that speaks evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judgeth the law, James 4:11.

   Does it make us like the devil?
   Yes: For he is the accuser of the brethren, Rev. 12:10.

5. Is it a sin to raise a false report?
   Yes: Thou shalt not raise a false report, Exod. 23:1.

   And a sin to spread it?
   Yes: Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer, Lev. 19:16.

   May we proclaim our brothers' faults?
   No: For charity rejoiceth not in iniquity, 1 Cor. 13:6.

   Is it a sin to speak ill of magistrates?
   Yes: Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people, Acts 23:5.

   Is it a sin to be abusive to the poor?
   Yes: For he that mocketh the poor, reproacheth his Maker, Prov. 17:5.

   May we speak ill of those who speak ill of us?
   No: We must not render railing for railing, 1 Pet. 3:9.

Q. 79. What is the tenth commandment?

A. The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shall not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

1. Does this commandment lay a restraint upon the heart?
   Yes: For the law is spiritual, Rom. 7:14.

   Does the heart need this restraint?
   Yes: For the inward part is very wickedness, Ps. 5:9.

   Does the light of nature discover this?
   No: I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet, Rom. 7:7.

2. Are we forbidden to covet another man's house?
   Yes: As they that covet houses and take them away, Mic. 2:2.

   Or another man's wife?
   Yes: For her husband is to her a covering of the eyes, Gen. 20:16.

   Or another man's goods?
   Yes: I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel, Acts 20:33.