you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James i. 26. ON THE TENTH COMMANDMENT. Q. What is forbidden by the tenth commandment? A. All wishes inconsistent with charity to our neighbour, and thoughts which are inseparable from such wishes. Q. Why are we forbidden not only evil deeds, but also evil wishes and thoughts? A. First, because when the soul entertains any evil wishes or thoughts, it is already impure in God's sight, and unworthy of Him; as Solomon says; The unjust thought is an abomination to the Lord. Prov. xv. 26. And therefore we must needs cleanse ourselves also from these inward impurities also, as the Apostle teaches; Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. 2 Cor. vii. 1. Secondly, because, to prevent sinful acts, it is necessary to crush sinful wishes and thoughts, from which, as from seeds, such actions spring; as it is said; For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. Mat. xv. 19. 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. James i. 14, 15. Q. When we are forbidden to desire any thing of our neighbour's, what passion is hereby condemned? A. Envy. Q. What is forbidden by the words, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife? A. All lustful thoughts and wishes, or inward adultery. Q. What is forbidden by the words, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, nor his land, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor any thing that is his? A. All thoughts of avarice and ambition. Q. What positive duties, corresponding to these prohibitions, are prescribed by the tenth commandment? ON CHARITY. THIRD A. First, to keep purity of heart; and, secondly, to be content with our lot. Q. What is indispensable for the cleansing of the heart? A. The frequent and earnest invocation of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. CONCLUSION. APPLICATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF FAITH Q. How must we apply the doctrine of faith and piety? If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John xiii. 17. That servant which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke xii. 47. Q. What must a man do, when he is conscious of any sin? A. Not only should he immediately repent, and firmly resolve to avoid the same sin for the future, but also strive, as far as possible, to repair the scandal or injury that he has wrought by contrary good deeds. Thus it was that Zaccheus the Publican acted, when he said to the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing away from any one by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. Luke xix. 8. Q. What caution do we need, when we seem to ourselves to have fulfilled any commandment? A. We must then dispose our hearts according to the words of Jesus Christ; When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that, which was our duty to do. Luke xvii. 10. THE END. TO the glory of the Holy, consubstantial, life-giving, and undivided Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: by the command of the most religious and most absolute autocrat, our Sovereign Lord the Emperor Nicolai Pavlovich, Emperor of all Russia; with his consort, the most religious Lady, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna; his heir, the religious Lord, the Cesarevich and Grand Prince Alexander Nicolaevich; the religious Lords, the Grand Princes Constantine, Nicolai, and Michael Nicolaevich; the religious Lord, the Grand Prince Michael Pavlovich, and his consort the religious Lady the Grand Princess Helena Pavlovna; the religious Ladies the Grand Princesses Mary, Olga, and Alexandra Nicolaevna; the religious Ladies the Grand Princesses, Mary, Elizabeth, and Catherine Michaelovna; the religious Lady the Grand Princess Mary Pavlovna, and her Consort; the religious Lady the Grand Princess Anna Pavlovna, and her Consort: and with the blessing of the Most Holy Governing Synod; This Book, On the Duties of Parish Priests, taken from the Word of God, the Canons of the Councils, and the Doctors of the Church, is now printed for the twenty-first time, in the Great Imperial City of Moscow, in the year of the Creation of the world seven thousand three hundred and forty-one, and of the birth of God the Word in the flesh one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, the sixth of the Indict, the month of May. A PREFATORY ADDRESS то PRIESTS. THERE are four duties which Priests are bound diligently to fulfil. The first: To preach God's word, without omitting any opportunity, and so bring their parishioners to the knowledge of the faith, and to a good Christian life, according to the injunction of the holy Apostle Paul: Preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. 2 Tim. iv. 2. ་ The second: To lead their lives in accordance with the doctrine of the Gospel, and so make themselves ensamples of holiness for a Bishop, as the Apostle Paul teaches, must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine to exhort. Tit. i. 7, &c. The third: To minister God's sacraments; the sole end and aim of which is, to confirm those who believe in Christ in faith and holy living, and so perfect them for everlasting life, and for the kingdom of heaven. The fourth: To pray to God; which is so profitable and needful to preachers and stewards of the mysteries, that without it they can neither preach God's word, nor live holily L |