beginning; and hence our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Goa, when the Pharisees sought his life, said, that " they were begotten of their father the devil." [1]
But besides the reason already adduced, which afford good grounds for detesting this sin, other and most efficacious remedies are prescribed in the pages of inspiration; and of these remedies the first and greatest is the example of the Redeemer, which we should set before our eyes as a model for imitation. When scourged with rods, crowned with thorns, and finally nailed to a cross, lie, in whom even suspicion of fault could not be found, " the sprinkling of whose blood speaketh better than that of Abel," [2] poured out his last breath a prayer for his executioners: " Father," says he, " forgive them, for they know not what they do." [3]
Another remedy prescribed by Ecclesiasticus is to call to mind death and judgment: " Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin;"* as if he had said: frequently and again and again reflect that you must soon die, and, as at the hour of death you will have occasion to invoke the infinite mercy of God, his pardon and peace, you should now, and at all times, place that awful hour before your eyes, in order to extinguish within you the consuming fire of revenge; for, than the forgiveness of injuries and the love of those who may have injured you or yours, in word or deed, you can discover no means better adapted, none more efficacious to obtain the mercy of God.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.
"THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY." [4]
As the bond which subsists between man and wife is one of strictest union, nothing can be more gratifying to both than to know that they are objects of mutual and undivided affection; and as, on the other hand, nothing inflicts deeper anguish than the alienation of the legitimate love which they owe to each other, this commandment, which prohibits concubinage and adultery, follows with propriety, and in order, that which protects human life against the hand of the murderer. It prohibits to violate or sunder, by the crime of adultery, the holy and honourable union of marriage, a union which is generally the source of ardent affection and love.
