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Orthodox Confession

St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762

Part 3, 8. Questions 71–72

Question 71

What is the tenth Commandment?

Answer.

(Exodus xx. 17), Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbour’s Wife, 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 Thing that is his.

Question 72

After what Manner are we rightly to understand this Commandment?

Answer.

Among all the Commandments that relate to Charity or Love towards our Neighbour, this is the most complete and full, for it not only forbiddeth outward Actions, but even also those of the inward Parts of Man, and the evil Inclinations which arise from the deliberate Purposes and Will of Men’s Minds to do Evil. This Commandment, therefore, fulfilleth all Christian Perfection; and he who truly keepeth it may be thought to have done full Justice to his Neighbour. For That Which Thou Wouldest Not That Another Should Do Unto Thee, That Do Thou Not Unto Another. And herein is all Christian Salvation contained, that No One Should Desire Anything That Is Averse To God Or His Neighbour, but, on the other Hand, that He Should Love God More Than Himself, and His Neighbour As Himself.

These Duties if we perform and do in this World with the Love of our Lord and God, rightly and duly, and with the Catholic and Orthodox Faith, Then surely, without any doubting, we may hope to obtain the supreme Perfection of Charity in the World to Come, and to praise and celebrate in Heaven that One only God, who is worshipped in Trinity, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost, for ever and for ever. Amen.

The End.

And may Glory be to God.