idest sense : -Precepts and prohibitions are to be nderstood not only as the regulators of outward ctions, or external compliance, but equally of inard motives, of the mind, of the affections and versions of the heart :- Where any, particular virtue i enjoined, there the vice immediately opposed to it

prohibited ; and wbere a vice is prohibited, the oposite virtue is enjoined :-- Precepts which verbally nforce a certain defined virtue, comprehend also, n spirit, all similar virtues, and all means of pronoting them ; and prohibitions which require a cerain vice to be avoided, include all similar vices, and all occasions of them :--Although the masculine genler is alone adopted in the phraseology of the Deca. ogue, females as well as males, being equally of the uman race, which is, without exception, the subject f the divine laws, are equally amenable to the prea epts and prohibitions of the Decalogue; its terms nly being altered to suit their several obligations :'he Commandments being of two kinds, positive and egative, there is some difference between them in he extent of their application, though there be none

their authority and force; for the negative preepts, those which forbid, are obligatory at all times nd in all cases; whereas the positive precepts, those hich enjoin certain duties, do not require that these uties shall be constantly fulfilled, or actually perormed at any but the proper seasons they are not pplicable to all persons, at all times :-Those things hich are commanded or prohibited to each indiidual in the singular number, in which all the Com- } landments are addressed, each one is bound to projote or to discountenance to the utmost of his power A others ;--As the Law is perfect in itself, so it canot be performed by partial obedience, the breach

of one commandment being an offence against thority of the whole, and being incapable of sation by obedience to the remainder : univer dience is required, and therefore the slightest sin is justly considered as a transgression of t - The same duties and virtues are not unfrequ quired by different Commandments, being in ways subservient to each of them; and the s are forbidden by more than one division of 1 when they tend to the breach of more than cept :-An explicit Commandment of the De whether positive or negative, supersedes th rity of all passages found in other parts of s which may be improperly understood, so as flict with its obligations.--because the will ever consistent with itself, and that which is or capable of misconstruction in his Word, interpreted according to that which is plain

equivocal,

$%. The Ten Commandments were given t written upon two tables of stone; the first t taining the four first precepts, which teach of man towards hiş Maker,the second t six last, which instruct him in his duty to fellow creatures. His duty towards himse plied in, and inseparably connected with, his of all the requisitions of the moral code ; : personal sin violates the first table, and alm one the second.

ned in those which and forelion, though

$ 8. The following compendium will shev stance of the Ten Commandments, extracte ing to the above-mentioned rules of interpre

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d by partiakerfect in itself his power

FIRST TABLE,

CONTAINING

Enjoins.

Prohibits The performance of re- ! The service of ligious duties on proper any other way tha motives.

which he has hims

pointed. The diligent use of all The use of any the means of grace, immediately con

with, or which

leads to, superstiti | idolatrous practices

IMMEDIATE DUTY TOWARDS GOD.

COMMANDMENT I. Enjoins I Prohibits The unfeigned acknow Atheism, Polytheism, dgement of the one true profaneness, and specuod, the Father, the Son, lative superstition. . id the Holy Ghost.. Devotion of the whole / All affections which are art to God above all / inconsistent with supreme ings.

devotedness to God. . All thoughts, words, All thoughts, words, I actions, tending to and actions derogatory to honour and glory of the character of God.

III.

The right use of the 1 Blasphemy, P name of God.

idle oaths, and irre

use of God's name. Due reverence for all The improper a divine and sacred-things. fane use of divine a

cred things. Hyr

cal professions of re The employment of Whatever may g every means and oppor. casion to blaspher tunity to excite respect contempt of the hol towards God.

of God.

The adoptiuiring and

obse and revelatio fusion

'he adoption of all! Every thing tending to ins of acquiring and / obscure the light of na. using the knowledge love of God.

to prevent the diffusion 1 of religious knowledge.

IV.

II. he pure worship of Idolatry, the paying of

religious homage, or external worship, to any created being, or to any representation of the

The public worship of Neglect of publi God; and the sanctifying ship. Breach of th to his service of certain bath, and inatten appointed times, espe. | appointed seasons cially every seventh day. | votion.

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Deity.

Enjoins

Prohibits
The prescribed mode. Unworthy, or irregular

manner of performance. All observances which All occupations and end to promote its de amusements which interign, and to engage others fere with sacred ordia the same duty.

nances, and prevent ours selves or others from I joining in them.

SECOND TABLE,

CONTAINING DUTY TOWARDS OUR NEIGHBOUR, OR MEDIATE

DUTY TOWARDS GOD. ..

VI.
Enjoins

Prohibits
Self-preservation. Suicide.

The preservation of our Murder, homicic neighbour. , .; / unlawful mode of

away human life. The taking advantage

Neglect, of the of all proper means of se

of safety and welfa curity and health, and the exercise of those virtues which promote them: patience, forgiveness, goodwill, and charity.

Anger, provocat the indulgence of sions and prop which may eventua to the injury or tion of ourselves o

creatures.

VII. The fulfilment of con- | Adultery. jugal obligations.

Chastity, bodily and Fornication, mental.

cleanness and imr

external and inter The adoption of all The use of eve preservatives of innocen which is likely to cy in ourselves and others, the passions, and and the avoiding of all centives to the temptations to sensuality. tion of unlawfu

A submis- subordination to all super

V. Reverence and submis- / Want of respect and on to all superiors, whe- subordination to natural jer seniors, parents, or parents, and to all supe iardians, magistrates, riors in age, church, and istors, masters, or bet. | state.

rs.

Disaffection, sedition,

turbulence, insolence. The exercise of all re- / Neglect of relative du. ive duties as superiors, / ties. uals, or inferiors. Every thing which che All acts and express hes the graces of obe sions which may injure or nce, humility, and sub bring into contempt any

of those to whom honour

zsion.

is due.