tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured: then, when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; but sin, when it is completed, begetteth death." [1] When, therefore, the law says: " Thou shall not covet," it means that we are to restrain our desires from those things which belong to others: a thirst for what belongs to others is intense and insatiable: it is written: " A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money;" [2] and of him Isaias says; " Wo to you that join house to house, and lay field to field." [3]
But a distinct explanation of each of the words, in which this commandment is expressed, will place the deformity and grievousness of this sin in a clearer light. The pastor, therefore, will teach that by the word " house" is to be understood not only the habitation in which we dwell, but, as we know from the usage of the inspired writers, the entire property of its owner. Thus to signify that God had enlarged their means and ameliorated their condition, he is said in Exodus to have built houses for the midwives. [4] From this interpretation, therefore, we perceive, that we are forbidden to indulge an eager desire of riches, or to envy others their wealth, or power, or rank, content with our own condition, be it humble or elevated. To desire the glory won by others is also prohibited, and is included in the word " house."
Next follow the words, "nor his ox nor his ass," from which we learn that it is unlawful to desire not only things of greater value, such as a house, rank, glory, because they belong to others; but, also, things of little value, whatever they may be, animate or inanimate. The words, "nor his servant," come next, and include slaves as well as other servants, whom it is not less unlawful to covet than the other property of our neighbour. With regard to freemen, who, induced by wages, affection or respect, serve voluntarily, it is unlawful, by words, or hopes, or promises, or rewards, to bribe or solicit them, under any pretext whatever, to leave those to whose service they have freely bound themselves; and if, before the period of their engagement has expired, they leave their masters or employers, they are to be admonished, on the authority of this commandment, to return by all means, until they shall have completed their full time of service. The word " neighbour" is mentioned in this commandment, to mark the wickedness of those, who covet neighbouring tenements, lands, houses and the like, which lie in their immediate vicinity; for neighbourhood, which consists in friendship, is transformed by covetousness from love into hatred. But this commandment is by no means transgressed by those, who desire to purchase or have actually purchased, at a fair price, from a neighbour, the merchandize which he has for sale: instead of doing him an injury, they, on
