THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT.
"THOU SHALT NOT STEAL." [1]
THAT, in the early ages of the church, it was usual to impress on the minds of the faithful the nature and force of this commandment, we learn from the reproof uttered by the Apostle against some who were most earnest in deterring others from vices, in which they themselves were found freely to indulge: "Thou therefore," says he, "that teachest another, teachest not thyself: thou that preachest that men should not steal, stealest." [2] The salutary effect of such instructions was, not only to correct a vice which was then very prevalent, but, also, to repress turbulent altercations, and other causes of mischief, which generally grow out of theft. It is a melancholy truth, that in these our days men are unhappily addicted to the same vice: the peace of society is still frequently disturbed by the mischiefs and calamities consequent to theft; and the pastor, therefore, following the example of the Holy Fathers, and the masters of Christian discipline, will urge this point, and will explain with care and assiduity the force and meaning of this commandment.
In the first place, the care, diligence and industry of the pastor will be exercised in unfolding the infinite love of God to man: not satisfied with having fenced round our lives, our persons, our reputation, by means of these two commandments, " thou shall not kill," " thou shall not commit adultery;" he defends, and, as it were, places a guard over our property, by adding the prohibition, " Thou shalt not steal." Other meaning these words cannot have than that which has been already mentioned in expounding the other commandments: they declare that God for bids our worldly goods, which are placed under his sovereign protection, to be taken away or injured by any one. [3] Our gratitude to God, its author, should, then, be proportioned to the magnitude of the benefit conferred on us by this law; and, as the truest test of gratitude, and the best means of returning thanks to God, consists not alone in lending a willing ear to his precepts, but, also, in putting forth in our lives practical evidence of our sincere approval of them, the faithful are to be animated and inflamed to a strict observance of this commandment.
Like the former precepts, this also divides itself into two parts: the one, which prohibits theft, is mentioned expressly; of the other, which enforces kindliness and liberality, the spirit
