Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

wrong, by fathering on him, and obliging him to maintain as his own, a
spurious offspring, a child which is not his. The act itself, and every thing
leading to the act, are here prohibited; and also fornication, as well as all
impure books, songs, paintings, &c., which tend to inflame and debauch
the mind.
THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.
Against stealing and dishonesty.—All rapine and theft are here
forbidden; as well national and commercial wrongs, as petty larceny,
highway robberies, house-breaking, private stealing, knavery, cheating,
and frauds of every kind: also, the taking advantage of a buyer's or seller's
ignorance, to give the one less, and make the other pay more for a
commodity than it is worth, is a breach of this sacred law. All
withholding of rights, and doing of wrongs, are against the spirit of it.
But the word is principally applicable to clandestine stealing; though
it may undoubtedly include all political injustice and private wrongs: and,
consequently, all kidnapping, crimping, and slave-dealing are prohibited
here, whether practised by individuals, the state, or its colonies. I greatly
doubt whether the impress service stands clear here. Crimes are not
lessened in their demerit by the number or political importance of those
who commit them. A state that enacts bad laws is as criminal before God
as the individual who breaks good ones.
Stealing, overreaching, defrauding, purloining, &c., are consistent with
no kind of religion that acknowledges the true God. If Christianity does
not make men honest, it does nothing for them. Those who are not saved
from dishonesty, fear not God, though they may dread man.
No man, from what is called a principle of charity or generosity,
should give that in alms which belongs to his creditors. Generosity is
godlike; but justice has ever, both in law and gospel, the first claim.