The Moral Precepts of the Old Law

All the moral precepts of the Old Law belong to the natural law, that is the eternal law as recognized, in moral matters, by sound human reason. But the moral precepts of the Old Law do not all belong to the natural law in the same way. Some are manifest expressions of the natural law; others are derived fromthe natural law, either by human reason or by supernaturalillumination.

The moral precepts of the Old Law cover the ground adequately to put human reason into its right order towards God. These precepts, with their associated counsels, touch upon all the virtues.

All the moral precepts of the Old Law are summed up inthe Decalogue, that is, in the Ten Commandments.

The precepts of the Decalogue are specifically distinct commands and prohibitions. Three of the Ten Commandments regulate human conduct as directly referring to God; the other seven regulate man’s conduct, under God, towards his fellowman.

The Decalogue directs man to God by way of reverence,fidelity, and service. It regulates man’s conduct towards his fellows by requiring special reverence for parents, and forbiddingevil and harmful deeds (killing, stealing, adultery),words (false witness), and thoughts and desires(covetousness).

The Decalogue presents its precepts of command and prohibition in an admirable order.

The Commandments are clearly, plainly, and suitablyformulated.

The Decalogue expresses the will of God. If man doesnot fulfill its precepts, he cannot conform to the will of God and attain his true end. Hence, the precepts of the Decalogue are essential precepts which never admit of adispensation.

To fulfill a law perfectly, a human act mustbe performed knowingly, freely, and from a settled habit of virtue. Yet a law is fulfilled sufficiently by the human act which observes it knowingly and freely. A man ought to have the virtue from which obedience to law flows readily. This is a requirement ofthe natural law, but it is not included in the prescription of any individual law. Thus, the man who honors his parents now, fulfillsthe law now, whether he has the fixed habit of honoring his parents or not.

Moral virtues are exercised perfectly only when theyare exercised in, with, or through charity. Charity is thus the mode of every moral virtue. Now, strictly speaking, the mode of a virtue does not fall under the prescription or law of a virtue. Thus, if a person have the habit or virtue of obedience,and act obediently in a certain matter,he observes the law of obedience, even though his obedience in this instance is from policy and not from charity. He has a fault, of course, but his fault is not disobedience; he fulfills the law of obedience.

All the moral precepts of the Old Law are summed up,but not fully expressed, in the Ten Commandments. There are specialcommandments, given by Moses and Aaron for the guidance of the Chosen People in special circumstances and under particular conditions; these are all implied in the Decalogue; they arecorollaries to it.

The moral precepts of the Old Law were to guide men to good and to prepare them for Christ. But the fulfilling of theseprecepts could not, of itself, confer grace, in which is justification.