Question #130
of An Orthodox Catechism
Question
What doth God forbid in the eighth Commandment?
Answer
Not only those1 Thefts and2 Robberies, which the Magistrate punisheth, but by the name of Theft he comprehendeth whatsoever Evil, Crafts, Fetches, and Devices, whereby we seek after other Mens Goods, and indeavour with force, or with some shew of Right, to3 convey them over unto our selves; of which sort are4 false Weights, false Ells5 uneven Measures, deceitful Marchandize, counterfeit Coin,6 Usury, or any other way or means of furthering our Estate, which God hath forbidden: to these we may add all7 Covetousness, and the manifold wast and8 abusing of Gods Gifts.