PART II.
ON THE COMMANDMENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The Commandments in General and the Chief Commandment of Charity.
1. To obtain eternal salvation is it sufficient that we believe all that God has revealed?
No; we must also keep His commandments: 'If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments' (Matt. xix. 17).
' Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doth the will of my Father who is in Heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven' (Matt. vii. 21).
2. But are we able to keep the Commandments of God?
Yes, with the assistance of God's grace, which He refuses to no one who asks for it.
'His commandments are not heavy' (1 John v. 3). 'My yoke is sweet, and my burden light' (Matt. xi. 30).
3. How do we know that we are able to keep the Commandments?
We know it, 1. Because God inflicts eternal punishment upon those who break them; and 2. Because there have been at all times Saints who faithfully observed them.
1. 'And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes' (Luke xii. 47). 2. It is written of Zachary and Elizabeth: 'And they were both just before God, walking in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blame' (Luke i. 6).
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