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THE meaning is: Thou shalt watchfully preserve thy Soul and Body in the Purity and Chastity either of single Life, or lawful Marriage. Thou shalt keep all the Parts of thy Body (which is the Temple of the Holy Ghost) chast and undefiled.
Thou shalt be Chast in Heart, in Tongue, and in Behaviour.
Thou shalt have a Chast Hand, and Eye, and Ear.
Thou shalt avoid all opportunities, means, oc∣casions, and instruments of defiling, either thy Neighbour or thy self.
Thou shalt use that sobriety, temperance, and moderation in Meats and Drinks; and that modesty in Behaviour and Apparel, as may be most condu∣cive to the preservation of Chastity and Purity.
Thou shalt by Watching, Fasting, and Prayer; by keeping sober, honest, and chast Company, by avoiding Idleness, or by Lawful and Holy Marriage, offer up to God that most acceptable Sacrifice of a pure Soul, and a chast Body.
These things being here commanded us; we are forbidden as follows:
Thou shalt not commit, or be Sins forbidden. guilty of any actions of unclean∣ness, with thy self, or any other.
Thou shalt not use any filthy, or unchast words; immodest, or impure Communications, or Gestures.
Thou shalt not violate thy Neighbour's Bed, or break thy own Marriage Vow, or cause others to break theirs by Adultery.
Thou shalt not commit Incest, Beastiality, So∣domy, Polygamy, (or having more Wives than one) Whoredom, or Fornication.
Thou shalt not willingly admit, or delight in unchast, and unclean thoughts, fancies, desires, and imaginations.
Thou shalt not commit the Adultery or For∣nication, or unchastity of the Eye, Hand, or Heart.
Thou shalt not be guilty of wanton dalliances with others, or of pollution of thy own Body.
Thou shalt not tempt or betray thy self (or o∣thers) to the least degrees of Uncleanness by those things that provoke and feed Lust; as, Lascivious Company or Discourse, Songs, Books, or Pictures, by Luxurious Diet, Idleness, wantor. Dresses, and immodest Actions.
Here also if we seriously consider (as we ought) what 'tis that is enjoined us in this Command∣ment, and what is forbidden in it, and then reflect∣ing upon our own Lives, find any of the duties of it neglected by us, or any of the Sins against it sadly ad∣ventured on by us, in Thought, Word, or Action; how af∣fectionately should we say with the Church, Lord, have Mercy upon us, and incline our Hearts to keep this Law? That is, Lord, pity and pardon all our past breaches of this Commandment; and so incline our Hearts to Love and Obedience for the future, that through thy Grace we may most sincerely keep this Law of thine, for the remainder of our days.
Duties com∣manded.