Questions 71–80The Seventh through Tenth Commandments

English text of 1647

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Wikisource transcription of the 1647 English text; source edition not documented; formatting and a known Q85 omission are normalized. Source: Wikisource transcription.

The catechism was first published in 1647; this edition reproduces its historical English text. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.

What is required in the seventh commandment?

The seventh commandment requireth the preservation of our own and our neighbour's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior^a.

Scripture proofs

aI Cor. 7:2-3, 5; I Thess. 4:3-5

What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

The seventh commandment forbiddeth all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions^a.

aMatt. 5:28; Eph. 5:3-4

Which is the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.^a

aEx. 20:15; Deut. 5:19

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others^a.

aLev. 25:35; Eph. 4:28b; Phil. 2:4

What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever doth, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbour's, wealth or outward estate^a.

aProv. 28:19ff; Eph. 4:28a; II Thess. 3:10; I Tim. 5:8

Which is the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.^a

aEx. 20:16; Deut. 5:20

What is required in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour's good name^a, especially in witness bearing^b.

aZech. 8:16; Acts 25:10; III John 12

bProv. 14:5, 25

What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbour's, good name^a.

aLev. 19:16; Ps. 15:3; Prov. 6:16-19; Luke 3:14

Which is the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment is, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's.^a

aEx. 20:17; Deut. 5:21

What is required in the tenth commandment?

The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition^a, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his^b.

aPs. 34:1; Phil. 4:11; ITim. 6:6; Heb. 13:5

bLuke 15:6, 9, 11-32; Rom. 12:15; Phil. 2:4