Page:Sermons on the Ten Commandments.djvu/129



are taught by the Doctrine of the New Church, that by this Commandment, in the natural or literal sense, is meant, "not to steal, or rob, or act the pirate; and in general, not to take away from any one his goods secretly or under any pretext. It also extends to all kinds of imposition, unlawful gains, usuries, and unjust exactions; also to fraudulent practices in paying duties and taxes, and in discharging debts. Workmen transgress this Commandment who do their work unfaithfully and deceitfully; merchants, who deceive in merchandise, or in weight, measure, or accounts: judges, who judge for bribes, friendship, relationship, or similar causes, perverting the laws or the cases before them, and thus unjustly deprive others of their goods."

Let us now examine some of these particulars in the signification of the literal sense of this Commandment; and at the same time, let us each examine our consciences, and see whether this Divine precept is in any way broken by ourselves.