Q. 10. What then is the nature of those desires which are here forbidden? A.-The Commandment forbids every desire and thought that is contrary to the perfect love of our neighbour; or in other words, every thing contrary to the honour and happiness, and life, and character, and property, and chastity of our neighbour. Q. 11.-Do such thoughts often arise in the heart? A.-Yes, very often, indeed. As a corrupt fountain continually bubbles up water which is corrupt, so from the heart of man, being naturally sinful, continually arise evil thoughts. Q. 12. Repeat that awful account of man's wickedness, which is given in the book of Ge nesis. A. God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Gen. 6. 5. Q. 13.-And what account does our Savi our give of the heart of man? A.-" Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Matt. 15. 19. Q. 14. What does this teach us? A.-It teaches us that all the wickedness in the world, proceeds from the wickedness of the heart. And so the Apostle James says, "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin : and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Jam. 1. 14. 15. Q. 15. What are the principal lessons to be learned from this Commandment? A. It shews us how deeply man is fallen from God, and how necessary it is that we should repent of our sins, and pray to God for liis converting grace," Create in me a clean. heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within Ps. 51. 10. me. A. 16.-From what does the comfort of good people arise, when they feel strongly the corruption of their heart? A.-From the mercy of God to them in Christ Jesus. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 7. 24. 25. Q. 17.-Ought we not all to be very watchful over our hearts ? |