The Catechism, Or Christian Doctrine (Irish “Donlevy” Catechism, 1742), The Second Commandment

The Catechism, Or Christian Doctrine (Irish “Donlevy” Catechism, 1742), The Second Commandment

Catechism written in both Irish and English by Irish Catholic priest Andrew Donlevy in Paris 1742.

Source: Andrew Donlevy. The Catechism, Or Christian Doctrine by Way of Question and Answer, p. 73-74. Paris, 1742. Available at: https://books.google.ie/books?id=bj9RAAAAcAAJ

 

Of the Second Commandment

Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

 

Q. What does the second commandment forbid us?

A. It forbids us, first, to swear to any thing we know, or even doubt to be false.

2. To swear without necessity, although the thing be true and just. S. Mat. 5. 34, 35, 37

3. To swear what we do not intend to perform; or to neglect fulfilling, when we can, a lawful oath. Jerem. 4.2.

4. To swear we shall do what is bad, or not do what is good.

5. To conceal the truth from our lawful superior, when he requires of us to tell it; in which case, we do not only sin, but we are likewise obliged to repair all the damage and harm, which happened thereby to our neighbour.

6. To swear by God or the saints blood, wounds or limbs.

7. To give to the Devil, or curse at any rate ourselves, our soul or body, our children, servants, cattle, or any thing else whatsoever.

8. To wish either temporal or spiritual harm to ourselves or others.

9. To make a vow without intending to fulfill it; or to make a vow of doing what is evil, or displeasing to God.

10. To break a lawful vow.

 

Q. From hence it appears, that it is an ill custom to be given to swearing?

A. It is a very bad custom; wherefore, those foolish people sin greatly, who matter not whether they have truth or falsehood on their side, or swear to the truth itself without necessity.

 

Q. What should our speech be, in order to avoid sin?

A. Yes, yes; no, no: as our Saviour taught and commanded us; for what is more than these, proceedeth from evil. S. Mat. 5.37.