Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/51

Rh the Lord himself in these words: "Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself: on these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets," Matt. xxii. 37 to 40. And to another place, when a lawyer inquired of Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, he referred him to the same duty of love to God, and love to man, adding, "This do, and thou shalt live," Luke x. 25 to 28. It is observable, that eight out of the ten commandments are expressed in the negative form, prohibiting acts of wickedness and uncharitableness, and not positively enjoining the things contrary to them, such as works of piety, mercy, and kindness. Thus it is said in the First commandment, Thou shalt not have other gods before me. In the Second, Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain. In the Fifth, Thou shalt not kill. In the Sixth, Thou shalt not commit adultery. In the Seventh, Thou shalt not steal. In the Eighth, Thou shalt not bear false witness. In the Ninth and Tenth, Thou shalt not covet what is thy neighbour's. The reason of this circumstance appears to be, because it is necessary that man, who is already in the love and practice of the evils above enumerated, should abstain from them as sins against God, before he can perform works of genuine love and charity: for it is only in proportion as he thus abstains from evil, that good inclinations can be implanted within him. For example, 1. In proportion as any person does not worship other gods, so far he worships the true God. 2. In proportion as a person does not take the name of God in vain, so far he loves and reverences whatever is divine. 3. In proportion as a person is unwilling to commit murder, or to indulge in hatred and revenge, so far he