What does God forbid in the eighth commandment?
God forbids not only those thefts,1 and robberies,2 which are punishable by the magistrate; but he comprehends under the name of theft all wicked tricks and devices, whereby we design to appropriate to ourselves the goods which belong to our neighbour:3 whether it be by force, or under the appearance of right, as by unjust weights, ells, measures, fraudulent merchandise,4 false coins, usury,5 or by any other way forbidden by God; as also all covetousness,6 all abuse and waste of his gifts.7
But what does God require in this commandment?
That I promote the advantage of my neighbour in every instance I can or may; and deal with him as I desire to be dealt with by others:8 further also that I faithfully labour, so that I may be able to relieve the needy.9