- #GC211 Does He only forbid evil speaking, or does He also include evil thinking? Both of them, for the reason already stated. For whatever it is wrong to do before men, it is wrong to wish before God.
- #GC212 The summarize its meaning? He enjoins us not to be inclined to misjudge and defame our neighbours, but rather to esteem them highly, as far as the truth will permit, and to preserve their good reputation in our speech.
- #GC213 Let us come to the last commandment? Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
- #GC214 Seeing that the whole law is spiritual, as you have so often said before, and the other commandments are not only to order outward acts, but also the affections of the heart, what more is added here? The Lord wished by the other commandments to rule our affections and will, but here He imposes a law also on our thoughts which though charged with covetousness and desire, yet stop short of an active...
- #GC215 Do you mean that the least temptation that enters into the thought of a believer is sin, even though he resists it and does not consent to it? It is certain that all evil thoughts proceed from the infirmity of our flesh, even though we do not consent to them. But I say that this commandment speaks of concupiscence which tickles and pierces t...
- #GC216 You say then that the evil affections which involve a definite act of will or resolution are already condemned, but now the Lord requires of us such integrity, that no wicked desire may enter our hearts, to solicit and incite them to evil? That is right.
- #GC217 Can we now give a short summary of the whole law? We can, reducing it to two articles---the first of which is that we are to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strength; the second that we love our neighbours as ours...
- #GC218 What is meant by the love of God? To love Him as God is to have and hold Him as Lord, Saviour and Father, and this requires reverence, honour, faith, and obedience along with love.
- #GC219 What does "with all our heart" signify, and "with all our soul, and with all our strength Such a zeal and such a vehemence, that there is in us no desire, no will, no intention and no thought, contrary to this love.
- #GC220 What is the meaning of the second article? As we are by nature prone to love ourselves, that this affection overcomes all others, so love to our neighbour should be so predominant in our hearts, as to direct and govern us, and be the rule of a...
- #GC221 What do you understand by "our neighbours" Not only our parents and friends, or those acquainted with us, but also those who are unknown to us, and even our enemies.
- #GC222 But what connection do they have with us? That which God has placed among all men on earth, and is so inviolable, that it cannot be abolished by the malice of any man.
- #GC223 You say, then, that if any man hate us, the blame is his own, and yet according to the order of God, he does not cease to be our neighbour, and we are to regard him as such? It is so.
- #GC224 Seeing that the law of God comprises the form of worshiping Him aright, should not the Christian man live according to its command? Yes indeed. But there is some infirmity in us, so that no man acquits himself perfectly in it.
- #GC225 Why then does the Lord require a perfection which is beyond our ability? He requires nothing which we are not bound to perform. Nevertheless, provided we take care to conform our life to what we are told here, although we are very far from reaching perfection, the Lord doe...
- #GC226 Do you speak of all men in general, or of believers only? He who is not yet regenerated by the Spirit of God cannot begin to do the least of the commandments. Moreover, even if a person could be found who had fulfilled some part of the law, he would not acqu...
- #GC227 Hence we must conclude that the law has a two-fold office, in accordance with the fact that there are two classes of men? Yes, in regard to unbelievers it seems but to convict and make them inexcusable before God (Rom 3:3). And this is what Paul says, that it is the ministry of death, and condemnation (2Co 3:6,9). In reg...
- #GC228 What? First, in that it shows them that they cannot justify themselves by their works, it humbles them and disposes them to seek their salvation in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:3). Secondly, inasmuch as it requires...
- #GC229 We say then that although during this mortal life we will never fulfill the Law, such perfection is not required of us in vain, for it shows us the mark at which we ought to aim, that each of us, according to the grace God has bestowed on him, may strive continually to press toward it, and to advance day by day? That is as I understand it.
- #GC230 Do we not have perfect rule of goodness in the Law? Yes, and therefore God demands nothing from us, but to follow it; and, on the other hand, repudiates and rejects all that a man undertakes to do beyond what it contains. The only sacrifice He requires...
- #GC231 What is the purpose then of all the admonitions, reproofs, commandments, and exhortations made both by Prophets and Apostles? They are nothing else than declarations of the Law, leading us into obedience to it rather than turning us away from it.
- #GC232 But nothing is said about particular vocations? When it is said that we are to render to every one his due, we may well infer what the duty of each is in his own vocation. Moreover as we have already said, this is expounded for us in the whole of S...
- #GC233 Since we have spoken sufficiently of the service of God, which is the second part of His worship, let us now speak of the third part? We said it was the invocation of God in all our needs.
- #GC234 Do you think that He alone is to be invoked? Yes, for He requires this as the worship proper to His Deity.
- #GC235 If it is so, in what way is it legitimate for us to ask the aid of men? There is a great difference between these two things. For we call upon God to protest that we expect no good but from Him, and that we have no refuge elsewhere, and yet we ask the assistance of men, a...
- #GC236 You mean that when we seek the succour of men, there is nothing to prevent our calling upon God alone, seeing that we do not put our reliance on them, and do not seek their aid except in so far as God has ordained them to be ministers and dispensers of His blessings, in order to assist us? That is true. And indeed, every benefit that comes to us we should take as coming from God Himself, as in truth it is He who sends it to us by their hands.
- #GC237 Nevertheless, should we not give thanks to men for the kindness which they do to us? Certainly, if only for the reason that God honours them by communicating His blessings to us through their hands, for in this way He lays us under obligation to Him, and wishes us to be mindful of the...
- #GC238 Can we not conclude from this that it is wrong to invoke angels, and saints who have departed from this world? Yes, indeed; for God has not assigned to saints this office of aiding and assisting us. And in regard to angels, though He employs their ministry for our salvation, nevertheless He does not wish us to...
- #GC239 You say, then, that all that conflicts with the order instituted by the Lord, contravenes His will? Yes, for it is a sure sign of infidelity if we are not contented with what the Lord gives to us. Moreover, if instead of having a refuge in God alone, in obedience to His command, we have recourse to...
- #GC240 Let us now speak of the way of prayer to God. Is it sufficient to pray with the tongue, or does prayer require also the spirit and the heart? The tongue is not always necessary, but there must be understanding and affection.
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