The Duties Commanded and Sins Forbidden in the Law of God, Commandment 3
The third Commandement.
The Affirmatiue part, Commanding vsus to sanctifie the name of God. Math. 6. 9. Psal. 29. 2.
The Negatiue part, Forbidding to take the name of God in vaine; that is, to profane it, or pollute it.
The speciall duties of sanctifying Gods name, are the vsage of Gods name holily,
according to the seuerall acceptation of Gods name, which signifieth either
1. God himselfe, and his attributes, which are himselfe. Ioel 2. 32. Deut. 28. 58. Exod. 33. 19. and 34. 5, 6, 7.
That wherby hee is named, that is,
2. Renowmed: his name of renowme, or glory. Exod. 9. 16. Psalm. 8. 1.
Knowne, as
3. His titles: as Iehouah, Iah, Lord, God, &c. Exod. 3. 15. Exod. 6. 3.
Meanes wherby hee is known, which are either
Peculiar to his Church, as the
4. Word of God. Act. 9. 15 … 21. 13.
5. Religiō of God, prescribed in his Word. Mic. 4. 5. 1. King. 5 3, 5.
6. Common to all, as the workes of God, for God is knowne by his workes, as men are by their names. Rom. 1. 19, 20. Exod. 34. 7. Psa. 58. 11, 12. Ro. 1. 21.
After an especiall manner, according to any almost of the former acceptations, and that is, by swearing.
1. As the name of God signifieth▪ God himselfe, and his attributes.
Thus wee are to sanctifie the name of God, in our
Hearts, 1▪ Pet. 3. 14, 15. by
Thinking and conceiuing of God and his attributes, holily and reuerently.
Acknowledging, beleeuing, and remembring effectually God and his attributes.
Mouthes, by
Confessing, and professing God and his attributes. Rom. 10. 10. 1. Pet. 3. 15.
Speaking holily and reuerently of God and his attributes.
Liues, by a conuersation answerable to the effectuall knowledge of God and his attributes. Deut. 28. 58.
2. As the Name of God signifieth his glory.
Thus wee are to sanctifie the name of God, by glorifying him in our
Hearts, by a true
Desire of Gods glory.
Purpose and intent thereof. Mal. 2. 2.
Mouthes, by making the glory of God, both the
Matter of our speech: for by giuing praise and thankes to God, we glorifie him. Psalm. 50. 23.
End of our speech, by vttering
Necessary truth. Iosh. 7. 19. Col. 4. 6.
Sauoury speeches.
Liues, by
Doing all things to the glory of God. 1. Cor. 10. 31.
Bringing forth the fruits of good workes: for thereby we
Glorifie God our selues. Ioh. 15. 8.
Cause others to glorifie him. Math. 5. 12.
The speciall vices.
To entertaine base, vnreuerent and vngodly thoughts, concerning God and his attributes. Psalm. 50. 21. this is to blaspheme God in our hearts. Iob. 1. 5. Psalm. 14. 1. … 10. 11.
Not to know God, &c. effectually. Rom. 2. 4, 5.
Not to confesse God and his attributes before men. Math. 10. 33.
To speake of God, or his attributes
Vnreuerently.
Vnholily.
Psalm. 78. 19, 20. Exod. 5. 2.
Not to sanctifie God in our liues. Numb. 20. 12. Tit. 1. 16.
Pride, and vaine-glory. Gen. 11. 4.
Neglect of Gods glory. Rom. 1. 21.
To suppresse the praises of God, and to be vnthankfull to him. Luk. 17. 17.
To blaspheme the name of God. Leuit. 24. 11.
Opp. Truth
Dissembled, or suppressed. Ioh. 9. 21. … 12. 42, 43.
Denyed. Mark. 14. 68.
Oppugned. Act. 26. 11. 1. Tim 1. 13.
Speech,
Idle. Math. 12. 36.
Vnsauoury. Col. 4. 6.
By our sinnes, to
Dishonour God. Rom. 2. 23.
Cause his name to be blasphemed. Rom. 2. 24. 2. Sam. 12. 14. Tit. 2. 5.
3. As the Name of God signifieth his titles, which we vse by taking them
Vp in our mouthes and writings.
VponUpon vsus, when we are called after Gods name, and his name is called vponupon in vsus. Genes. 4. 26. Esa. 43. 6, 7. Act. 11. 26.
We sanctifie the Name of God in our speech and writings, when it is mentioned
In a matter serious.
After a reuerent manner.
To a good end.
And hereunto is referred Blessing of
God. Rom. 9. 5. … 1. 25. 2. Cor. 11. 31. Iam. 3. 9.
Mē, which
Generally is required of all. Mat. 5. 44. Rom. 12. 14. and hereto salutation is referred. Genes. 47. 7, 10. Iam. 6. 12. Rom. 16. 16. Mat. 5. 47.
After a peculiar manner is to bee performed by Superiours. Heb. 7. 7. as by
Parents. Gen. 27. 27. … 49.
Ministers. Nu. 6. 23, 24, 25.
Magistrates. 2. Sam. 6. 18. 1. Kin. 8. 55.
We sanctifie the Name of God and of Christ our Sauiour, which we take vponupon vsus, professing our selues Christians, and the children of God, when wee walke worthy our calling. Ephes. 4. 1. Tit. 2. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Eph. 5. 3.
Neuer to make mention of God, which is a signe that he is not in mens thoughts.
To mention it amisse, as
In a matter light and ridiculous, as in sport.
After a manner
Vnreuerent and carelesse.
Superstitious.
To a wicked end, as to
Charmes and Exorcismes. Act. 19. 13.
Wicked sentences, which begin, In nomine Dei. Amen.
Erroneous doctrines. Ierem. 23. 25.
Opp. Cursing. Rom. 12. 14.
Salutation,
Neglected in due time and place.
Abused to
Hypocrisie, where it is not sincere and from the heart.
Malicious purposes. 2. Sam. 20. 9. Mat. 26. 49.
Name of Christ, as it is taken vponupon men, profaned, Gen. 6. 2. which is a fault either
Common to all wicked persons which call themselues Christians.
Peculiar to the Iesuites, who vnderunder the name of Iesus, serue Antichrist.
4. As the Name of God doth signifie his Word.
This (to omit the holy and pure vse of it, in the preaching & hearing thereof, of which we spake in ye 2. Com.) we are to sanctifie in our
Hearts, by a holy
Meditation therof.
Desire, study and care to know and practise it.
Psal. 119.
Words and writings, by applying it to those vses for which it is profitable. 2. Tim. 3. 16. to our selues, or others, for the
Information of the iudgement, by doctrine and confutation.
Reforming of the life and affections, by admonition, exhortatiō, reproofe, consolation.
Deeds, by obeying it from our hearts. Rom. 6. 17. Luk. 11. 28. Ioh. 13. 17.
5. As the Name of God signifieth his religion.
This are we to sanctifie by a conuersation answerable to the Religion which we professe, Tit, 2. 11, 12. 13. Ephes. 4. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. … 5. 8, 10, 11. This being the right way, Esa. 30. 21. Act. 9. 2. wee are to walke in it, Mic. 4. 5. and that
Vprightly, in respect of God. Psal. 119. 1. Gal. 2. 14. Gen. 17. 1.
Inoffēsiuely, in respect of men. 1. Cor. 10. 32. Heb. 12. 13. Phil. 1. 10. Act. 24. 14, 15, 16.
The Word of God is profaned in the
Heart, when wee hauehave neither desire to know it, nor care to keepe it.
Words & writings, when it is abused to vses either
Vaine and vnprofitable, as when it is read in an vnknowne language, or so sung, that it cannot bee vnderstood. Psalm. 47. 7.
Euill, in respect of
Iudgement, as for the
Confutation of the truth.
Confirmation of errours.
Manners, as to
Impenitency. Psa. 50. 16, 17.
Scoffes and iests.
Charmes and inchantments. Deut. 18. 11, 12.
Deeds, when we doe not obserue it to doe it, Leuit. 22. 31, 32. either through
Neglect. Malac. 1. 12. Amos 2. 7. Prou. 30. 9.
Contempt, which is a kind of blasphemy. Num. 15. 30, 31.
Thus y• name of God is takē in vaine, when our cōuersatiō is not agreeable to our profession: as whē mē walke in respect of
God, in hypocrisie, 2. Tim. 3 5. pretending the profession of religion to their
Worldly respects. Phil. 3. 18, 19.
Wicked respects. Mat. 23. 14. 1. King. 21. 9. 2. Sam. 15. 8. Math. 2. 8.
Mē, offensiuely: and thus the name of God is profa…d by the
Dissolute and wicked life of carnall-gospellers. Rom. 2. 24.
Offences of the godly, 2. Sam. 12. 14. and those y• would seeme forward professors.
6. As the Name of God signifieth his workes, both of
Creation, in respect whereof hee is called the Creator.
Administration, in regard whereof hee is called the Gouernour and Iudge of the world.
The workes of Creation or creatures, we are to sanctifie by a
Holy meditation and mentioning of them, to
Gods glory, that we
In them may acknowledge the wisedome, power and goodnesse of God. Rom. 1. 19, 20. Psalm. 19. 1.
Knowing him by his workes, may glorifie him as God. Rom. 1. 21.
Acknowledging in thē the workmanship of God, may speake honourably thereof. Psa. 139. 14. Gen. 1. 3 1.
Our good, that what the Scripture hath taught vsus in thē to
Imitate, wee may follow. Math. 6. 26, 28. Prou. 6. 6.
Auoide, wee may shun. Psalm. 32. 9. Ierem. 5. 8. 2. Pet. 2. 22.
Pure vse, sanctified by
The Word.
Prayer.
1. Tim. 4. 5
Opp.
In respect of Gods glory,
Not to acknowledge God by his creatures.
Knowing him by them, not to glorifie him as God.
To depraue or deride (like Mo…us) the workes of God.
In regard of our good, to imitate that in them, which the Scriptures teach vsus to shun.
Opp. To the vse sanctified by
the Word, is the vse
Without, or besides the Word, being
Scrupulous. Rom. 14. 23.
Superstitious,
Ascribing sanctification to them, as, to holy-water, salt, candles, bells.
Abusing them to diuination. Deut 18. 10. Esa. 47. 13. Ier. 10. 2.
Contrary to the Word, abusing them as instruments vntounto sinne, as our bodies to fornication, our meate and drinke, to surfetting and drunkennesse.
Prayer, the profane vse, without
Crauing Gods blessing in the vse.
Returning thanks to God the giuer of them.
The workes of administration, (which in a generall sence are called the iudgements of God) are exercised in
Determining doubts, which by men cannot sufficiently be decided, viz. Lots, Prou 16. 33. as in
Deciding controuersies. Pro. 18. 18.
Elections. 1. Sam. 10. 21, 24. Act. 1. 23.
Diuiding inheritances. Numb. 26. 55.
Finding out a secret offe…dor. Iosh. 7. 14.
Lots are purely vsed, when we
Call vponupon God for his direction, referring our selues to his iudgement. Act. 1. 24.
Rest well pleased in the sentence of God.
Assigning
Rewards and blessings, hereof we are to hauehave a pure vse, whether bestowed vponupon
Our selues: that is, to bee thankfull for them, and to testifie our thākfulnes, by
Words, in
Giuing thankes. Psal. 124. 6. … 86. 12, 13.
Declaring Gods benefits. Ps. 66. 16. 71. 8, 18.
Deed, by
Referring thē to Gods glory, & the good of our brethren. Luk. 19. 13.
Being mooued to repentance thereby. Rom. 2. 4.
Others: viz. to
Reioyce with them. 1. Cor. 12. 26
Praise God for them. Psal. 35. 27. Gal. 1. 23.
Punishments & crosses, wch more specially are called iudgments: wherof also wee are to hauehave a pure vse, whether laid on
Our selues, to
Bee humbled vnderunder the hand of God. Iob 1.
Patiently & thankfully to beare them Iob 1.
To learne obedience by that we suffer. Heb. 5. 8.
Others, to
Be terrified (by their example) frō sinne. Iosh. 22. 20. 1. Cor. 10. 6. Rom. 11. 20, 21.
Condole with y• faithful. Ro. 12. 15
Magnifie the iustice of God in punishing the wicked Psal. 58. 11, 12. Iudg. 5. 31.
Lots abused, in
Casting of fortunes.
The game called Lottery.
Those games of Dice and Cards, &c. which wholly consist in chance: for in toyes and sports wee are not to appeale to the immediate iudgement of God. Prou. 16. 33.
Not to be thankfull to God for his benefits.
Not to testifie our thankfulnesse: but rather to
Assume the praise to our selues.
Abuse Gods blessings to
His dishonour.
Harme of others.
Impenitency.
To enuie the graces of God in others.
Not to be humbled vnderunder the hand of God. Ier. 5. 3. Esa. 22. 12, 13.
To be impatient, and to murmure.
To be incorrigible. Esa. 1. 5. Ier. 2. 30.
Not to be warned by the iudgements of God vponupon others. Dan. 5. 22. but rather to be pleased with our selues, that we are not so afflicted. Luk. 13. 1, 2, 3.
To reioyce at the afflictions of others. Iob 31. 29.
Of Othes.
1. In generall.
The Na…e of God is to be sanctified by a lawfull Oth.
Where consider two things: First, that we are to sweare vponupon iust occasion. Deut. 6. 13. Psal. 63. 11. Esa. 45. 23.
Secondly, that we sweare lawfully.
Duties required in a lawfull Oth, respect the
Object: for we are to sweare by the Lord alone, Esa. 65. 16. Ierem. 12. 6. Either
Directly.
Indirectly, the inuocation and attestatiō referred to God, though something else be named.
Maner, for we are to sweare▪ Ier 4. 2. in
Truth, Rom. 9. 1. that is,
To that which is true.
Truly, Exanimi sententia. 2. Chr. 15. 15.
Righteousnesse, promising by Oth lawfull things onelyonly.
Iudgement,
Discerning the necessity of our Oth, in respect of the
Person
Imposing it.
Not beleeuing a necessary truth, without it.
Thing, which cannot otherwise be proued.
End, for
Gods glory.
The good of
Our selues.
Others.
Duly weighing the conditions & circumstances. Gen. 24. 5. Iosh. 2. 17, 18, 19.
End, for we are so to sweare, that
God may hauehave glory by the manifestation, or confirmation of a necessary (but hidden) truth, which otherwise could not bee demonstrated▪ Iosh. 7. 19.
Our neighbour may be satisfied, controuersies may be ended. Heb. 6. 16.
Our owne innocency cleered, Exod. 22. 11. and ou… duty discharged. 1. King. 8. 31.
To refuse altogether to sweare, with the Anabaptists.
To sweare vnlawfully.
To sweare by any thing besides God, Ier. 5. 7. Zeph. 1. 5. vsing Othes
Ridiculous: as By Lakin, &c.
Pharisaicall, by creatures, as Light, Fire, &c.
Popish, as by
Saints: Mary, Iohn, &c.
Idols, as
Masse.
Rood.
Amos 8. 14.
Heathenish, by the gods of the Gentiles, 1. King. 19. 2. Mebercle, Medius Fidius, &c.
Blasphemous, as by all the parts and members of Christ.
Opp. to sweare
To that which is false. Leuit. 19. 12.
Falsly, with a mind to dece…ue Ps. 24. 4.
To sweare to an vnlawfull thing, which either
Is apparantly vnlawfull at the ti…e of the Oth. 1 Sam. 25. 21, 3…. … 28. 10.
Afterwards proueth to bee vnlawfull. Mark. 6. 23, 25.
Opp. To sweare
Without necessity, as they vse to doe, who sweare ordinarily and commonly: this is to p…ll…te the Name of God, and to make that common, which he hath sanctified and extolled aboue all things. Math. 5. 37. Iam. 5. 12. Ecclus. 23. 8.
Rashly and vnaduisedly. Leuit. 5. 4. 1. Sam. 14 39, 44. as those which sweare in heat and choler.
To sweare to
No end, vainly, & through a foolish custome, without regard of Gods glory, or good of their brethren, or discharge of their duty.
An ill end, as
For a brauery, that they may glory in their shame, and garnish their speech with the pollution of Gods Name.
To falsifie the truth, and to win credit to a falshood.
2. In speciall.
There are two distinction of Othes.
1. An Oth is either
Assertory, wherein some truth, is auouched, and that, if it bee
Certaine & knowne, simply that it is so.
Supposed, according to our opinion, that wee thinke so.
Promissory, wherby we truly promise some lawfull thing which is in our power, calling vponupon God not onelyonly as our witnesse and Iudge, but also as our surety, that we will performe it. Heere foure things are required:
1. That the thing be lawfull.
2. That it is, and will be in our power.
3. That wee hauehave a true and vnfained purpose to performe it.
4. That wee doe indeed performe it, Num. 30. 2. though to our owne hinderance. Psal. 15. 4.
2. An Oth is either
Publike.
Priuate.
Opp. To auouch that to bee
True, which we know to be false.
Certaine, which we know not to bee true.
Opp. To promise by Oth y• which
1. Is not lawfull, which is to sinne with an high hand, and with a desperate resolution to doe ill.
2. Is not in our power, wch either
Appeareth so at the first; and so cannot be promised by Oth, without extreme profanesse.
Proueth so afterwards; & therfore cannot be promised simply, without great rashnesse.
3. We doe not meane to performe: which is to sweare deceitfully. Psalm. 24. 4.
4. Which wee doe not performe, being a thing lawfull, and in our owne power; and this properly is called Periurie.
But if it be
Impossible, our Oth doth not bind vsus.
Vnlawfull, wee are bound to breake it: otherwise we adde sinne to a sinne.
In publike Othes cō sider the duty of him that
Imposeth it, viz. that he so impose it, as that the Oth may bee taken in
Truth.
Iudgement.
Righteousnes.
Deposeth: that the consideratiō of the publike pla…e for seat of iudgement, make him y• more reuerently and circumspectly performe the generall duties, both in Othes
Assertory.
Promissory.
A priuate Oth may be taken onelyonly vponupon necessity. Mat. 5. 37. for what is redundant, aboue yea or nay, in our ordinary talke or communication, is of euill: and consequently priuate Othes must be rare and in season.
To Promissory Othes we are to referre Vowes, which are promissory Othes, made to God voluntarily concerning the performance of some certaine thing which may be acceptable to God, either for the confirmation of our faith in prayer, or for the strengthening of our resolution in the performāce of some good thing which we purpose.
Duties required in Vowes, belong either to the
Making
Performing
of them. Psal. 76. 11. Esa. 19. 21.
Those which belong to the making of a vow, concerne the
Obiect, which is God alone, Psal. 76. 11.
Manner. A.
End. B.
Opp. To impose an Oth,
When it is not necessary.
VponUpon men of no credit, who make no conscience of an Oth.
In matters of no moment.
Tumultuously and in haste.
Iniuriously, especially in a capitall cause, to make the party accuse himselfe.
Against his conscience, when hee knoweth that it
Is false.
Will not bee performed.
Opp. To depose in an Oth
Assertory, contrary to conscience, for
Malice.
Fauour.
Hire.
1. King 21. 13. Mark. 14. 56.
Promissory, contrary to a mans purpose: as when being chosen to publike places, or admitted into societies, men take Othes, onelyonly because it is the custome and manner that they should sweare, not because they meane to keepe their Oth.
To sweare in our communication,
Without necessity,
Rashly.
Profanely. Ier. 23. 10.
Ordinarily and commonly.
The Papists vow to Saints, both
Themselues: as to Augustine, Francis, Dominick, &c. as the Nazarites were wont to vow themselues to God. Numb. 6.
Other things; as Oblations, and Pilgrimages, &c.
A. Manner, for it must be made in
Truth, and therfore must be
Sincere. 2. Chron. 15. 15.
Voluntary. Deut. 23. 23.
Righteousnesse, both in respect of the
Person vowing, that either hee
Be his owne man.
HaueHave the consent of his gouernour. Numb. 30.
Thing vowed, that it be lawfull & acceptable to God: as
Things good and commanded: of such, Vowes are made.
Absolutely, wch are renewings of our Vow in Baptisme.
With restraint of circumstances: as to giuegive so much almes weekly; or to pray so oft daily, &c.
The vse, or forbearance of things indifferent, as wee hauehave found the same profitable or hurtfull to vsus.
Iudgement, so as the party cleerly discerne it to be a thing, 1. lawfull and acceptable vntounto God: 2. in our power, either naturally, or by the assistance of Gods grace promised to vsus: 3. profitable.
B. End of the
Vow, which is, to confirme our
Faith in prayer. 1. Sam. 1. 11.
Resolution in good things.
Thing vowed, which must be referred to the
Glory of God, as Vowes Eucharisticall, sacrifices of praise, gifts to be bestowed to godly vses. Ps. 66. 13, 14. … 61. 8. … 132. 2, 5. Leuit 27. 16. Gen. 28. 20, 21.
Good of our brethren: as Vowes of charity and mercy towards the poore.
Our profit: as the Vowes of
Sobriety, of fasting and abstinence.
Repentance, as of
Hūbling our soules. Nu. 30. 14
Amending our liues, in
Forsaking our sins with the occasions thereof.
Stirring vp our selues to the performance of our duties.
Opp. Vowes
Hypocriticall: when men doe not truly purpose to performe them: such as hypocrites make in the time of aduersity, to deceiue God. Psal. 78. 36.
Forced: as of some young persons, which against their will are thrust into Monasteries, and made to vow single life.
The Vowes of children entring into a Monastery, against the will of their parents, are held firme among Papists: as Mat. 15. 5, 6.
Opp. To vow things either
Simply euill.
Euill to vsus.
Such are Monasticall Vowes.
Opp. To vow that which either is not, or wee know it not to be
Lawfull and acceptable to God. Deut. 23. 18. as the Vow of voluntary pouerty.
In our owne power: as the Vow of single life, in them that hauehave not the gift of continency.
Profitable, as going on Pilgrimages, &c.
Vowes therefore indefinitely conceiued, (as that of Iephthe, Iudg. 11. 31.) are vnlawfull, because we know not whether they will be lawfull, in our power, or profitable.
Opp. To vow with the Papists, such things as serue neither for the
Glory of God, but
To superstitious and idolatrous ends.
For their owne glory, with opinion of merit.
Profit of their neighbour, but contrary thereto, as the Vow of
Monastical obedience, making them renounce all duty to parents, & seruice to their countrey.
Voluntary pouerty, making them drones, &c.
Good of themselues, as y• Vow of continency, from whence all the vncleannesse & incontinency of the Popish Clergy proceedeth.
As touching the performance of Vowes, the Scripture requireth that we should performe them, or else we commit a sinne, as bad, or worse than Periury, Num. 30. 3. & that without
Delay. Eccles. 5. 3, 4. Deut. 23. 21.
Diminution. Num. 30 3. Deut. 23. 23.
Prouided alwayes, that the thing vowed bee
Lawfull.
In our power.
Otherwise wee hauehave sinned in vowing, but wee are not bound to the performance.
No hing doth bind the conscience, which is against the Word of God.
Vowes are of 2. sorts: some
Common to all Christians, as the Vow in Baptisme, whereby we consecrated our selues to God, and is more carefully to be performed.
Proper to seuerall men, and it is either a
Renewing of the common Vow, which is needfull to bee done, when men come to yeeres of discretion.
New Vow, concerning
Certaine things commanded, with limitation of circumstances.
Things indifferent, to bee vsed or refused, as wee hauehave found them by experience to bee profitable or hurtfull for vsus.
Not to performe lawfull Vowes, being in our power.
To vse delay, which argueth vnwillingnesse.
To performe it by the halues, which argueth doubling, as in Ananias and Saphyra. Act. 5.
To thinke our selues bound to performe vnlawfull or vnpossible Vowes. Iudg. 11. 35, 39.
To pretend we cannot performe the Vow of Baptisme, and such like lawfull Vowes, when we will not.
Not to performe the Vow of Baptisme, or those wherby it is renewed:
Or any other lawfull or profitable Vow, which is in our power to performe, if we will.