exalted claim upon our obedience therefore commence, with this conclude all his commandments: " I am the Lord."
The negative part of the precept is comprised in these words: " thou shalt not have strange gods before me." This our divine legislator subjoins, not because it is not implied in the positive part of the precept, which says equivalently: "thou shalt worship me the only God," for if he is God, he is the only God; but on account of the blindness of many, who of old professed to worship the true God, and yet adored a multitude of gods. Of these there were many even amongst the Israelites, whom Elias reproached with having " halted between two sides," [1] and also amongst the Samaritans, who worshipped the God of Israel and the gods of the nations. [2]
Having thus explained the precept in its two-fold import, the pastor will observe that this is the first and principal commandment, not only in order, but also in its nature, dignity, and excellence. God is entitled to infinitely greater love and to higher authority with regard to his creatures than the masters or monarchs of the earth. He created us, He governs us, He nurtured us even in the womb, brought us into existence, and still supplies us by his provident care with all the necessaries of life. Against this commandment therefore transgress all who have not faith, hope, and charity; a numerous class, amongst whom are those who fall into heresy, who reject what the church of God teaches; those who give credit to dreams, divination, for tune telling, and such superstitious illusions; those who despairing of salvation trust not in the goodness of God; and also those who place their happiness solely in the wealth of this world, in health and strength, in personal attractions, or mental endowments. But these are matters which the pastor will find developed more at large in treatises on morality. [3]
ON THE HONOUR AND INVOCATION OF THE SAINTS.
IN the exposition of this precept, the faithful are also to be accurately taught that the veneration and invocation of angels and saints, who enjoy the glory of heaven, and the honour which the Catholic Church has always paid even to the bodies and ashes of the saints, are not forbidden by this commandment. [4] Were a king to prohibit by proclamation any individual to as-
- ↑ 3 Kings xviii. 21.
- ↑ 4 Kings xvii. 33.
- ↑ De variis istis peccatis vide dist. 24. q. 2. multis in capitibus. Aug. in lib. de divinat. diemon. cap. 5. et citatur 26. q. 4. a. secundum. Origen. horn, 5. in Joshue et habet 26. q. 2. c. sed et illud Aug. lib. 2. de doct. Christian, cap. 19. and 20. et ci tatur eodein cap. illud quod est. Cone. Garth. 4. cap. 19. vid. plura 26. q. 2, 3 et 5.
- ↑ Vid. Trid. sess. 17. de Sacrif Missae. c. 3. et sess. 25. sub princip. cap. de invo- cat. Sanctorum. Item vid. Synod. 7. act. 6. in fine, item Aug. lib. 8. de civit. Dei. c. 27. et lib. 10. c. 1. et lib. 21. contra Faust, c. 21. Basil. Horn. 20. in 40. Mar. et de Mar. Mamman: item Nazian. orat. in land. S. Cyprian.
