Exposition of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 3
The third Commandement. The Negatiue part.
The third Commandement containes,
Firſt, a precept or commandement.
Secondly, a commination or threatning denounced againſt the breakers of it.
The precept forbids all manner of prophanation and abuſe of Gods name, ſtanding in the abuſe of his titles, hi attributes, his workes, and his word, and his holy ordinances.
Firſt, his titles are abuſed, when men take them into their mouthes and vſe them in their ſpeech vnreuerently, and without due reſpect; and that either without an oath, or with an oath.
1 Without an oath, as when men mention any of Gods titles in their common talke raſhly, Deut. 28.58.careleſly and vnreuerently; and that either
In a fooliſh admiration vponupon ſome ſudden accident or ſtrange report, ſaying Good God, oh Lord, oh Ieſus. Philip 2.10.
In idle wiſhes, and imprecations, Gen. 16.5.as when men wiſh il to themſelues, or to others, and vſe the name of God in their wiſhes.
In curſing, as when men ſay, Gods curſe light on ſuch, &c. Iam. 3.9.10. 2. Sam. 16.7.8.
In praiſing God for euill things, 1. Sam. 23.21.
2 With an oath, as when men ſweare by them in their ſpeech, lightly and prophanely, and that either
1 By God calling for a witneſſe of vaine and friuolous things, Ierem. 23.10. Hoze. 4.2. Mat. 5.37.by vſuall ſwearing in their common talke.
2 By calling God for a witneſſe of their furious anger, 1. Sam. 14.34. 1. Sam. 25.34.by paſſionate ſwearing.
3 By calling God for a witneſſe of an vntruth, Z…ch. 5.4. Leuit. 19.12.by ſwearing falſly, or forſwearing themſelues; which is done
1 By ſwearing that which they know or thinke to be falſe, Mat. 26.72.and that either directly againſt their knowledge, or deceitfully.
2 By ſwearing to do that which they meane not to do. Pſal. 15.4.
3 By ſwearing to do a thing which they alſo meane to do, 2. Chro. 36.13 Ezech. 17.13.14.15.and is lawfull to be done, and yet afterwards do it not; and this is periurie except in theſe two caſes,
1 If after the oath taken, God make the thing promiſed impoſſible to be done.
2 If the thing that men ſweare to do, be not ſimply required to be done, but either the doing of that thing or ſome other thing proportionable vntounto it.
The higheſt degree of periurie is, Leuit. 24.11.15.16.when men forſweare themſelues, in publike before a Magiſtrate.
The higheſt degree of vnreuerent vſing of Gods titles, is blaſpheming of them, by ſpeaking baſely, contumeliouſly, or reprochfully of any of them.
Secondly, his Attributes are abuſed, when men thinke or ſpeake of them otherwiſe then beſeemes the perfect purity and holines of them, (namely) by thinking or ſpeaking of any of them raſhly and vnreuerently, or by peruerting any of them to a wrongfull vſe. And the Attributes of God, that are moſt commonly thus abuſed, are
1 His power, which is abuſed
1 Either, Exod. 5.2. Pſal. 12.4. 2. King. 18.30 34.35. 2. King. 7.2.when men call the greatneſſe of it into queſtion.
2 Or when men ſpeake of it carnally, and careleſly, or contemptuouſly.
2 His prouidence, which is abuſed, when men being vnderunder the hand of God, do fret and ſhew themſelues diſpleaſed, with the worke of his prouidence, and that
3 Either, by murmuring againſt it directly & in plaine termes. Deut. 1.27.
2 Or, by ſpeaking grudgingly againſt the worke of his prouidence, vnderunder other names, as vnderunder the name of Chance or Fortune.
3 His iuſtice, which is abuſed, Pſal. 50.21. Mal. 3.13.14. Iob. 21.14.when men either thinke or ſay, that God approues of ſinne or wicked ſinners.
4 His mercy, which is abuſed
1 Either, when men peruert it and miſapplie it, preſuming vponupon it to harden their hearts in ſinning, Deut, 29.19.20.
2 Or when men ſpeake baſely or contemptuouſly of Gods merciemercy.
5 His patience, which is abuſed, when on Gods patience and forbearance for a time to puniſh them for their ſins, Zephan. 1.12. Rom. 2.4.men thinke or ſay that God will neither do good nor euill.
3 His works are abuſed, when men thinke or ſpeake of any of them, or vſe any of them vnreuerently and without due reſpect: and the works of God which are thus abuſed, are
1 Either, the wonderfull and vnſearchable workes of God, within himſelfe, Rom. 9.19.20 Rom. 11.33.(namely) his eternall election and reprobation, which are thought or ſpoken of vnreuerently, when men cauill againſt them, and ſeek to bring them within the compaſſe of their ſhallow reaſon.
2 Or, the outward works of God, which are thought or ſpoken of, or vſed vnreuerently, either when men ſee not God in his workes; or when they vſe them not as they ought to be vſed. And theſe workes of God that are thus abuſed, are
1 Either the workes of creation, the creatures of God which are abuſed
1 When men thinke or ſpeake baſely of any of them, Num. 11.6. Pſal. 78.18.and debaſe their goodneſſe and diſcommend them.
2 When men deride the wormanſhip of God, in any of them, Gen. 21.9. 2 King. 2.23.eſpecially in man or woman, in regard of ſome naturall defect, deformitie, or infirmitie of body or minde.
3 When men beholding any of Gods creatures, Pſal. 19.1. Pſal. 139.14.giuegive not him the due praiſe and glorie of his wiſedome and power appearing in them.
4 When men peruert any of the creatures of God to a wrong vſe, either contrarie to, or differing from the good vſe for which God hath ordained them, Gen. 1.14. Iſai 47.13.as to enchantment, &c.
5 When men ſweare by them, Ierem. 5.7.eſpecially by the body of Chriſt, and the parts and members of his bleſſed body.
2 Or the workes of Gods adminiſtration & prouidence; and thoſe are
1 Either the workes of his prouidence that fall out and come to paſſe in the common courſe of this life, 1. Sam. 15.17.18.19. 2 Sam. 12.7.8.9.10. Iſa. 5.1.2.3.4. Mat. 21.33.34which are abuſed when men hauehave ſuch an opinion of thoſe works which hath no ground for it either in the word of God, or in the courſe of nature; as that it is vnluckie to pul on the ſhooes awrie in the morning.
2 Or the works of Gods merciemercy, his bleſſings; which are abuſed
1 When men receiue them vnthankfully, and requite them vnkindly.
2 When men ſweare by any worke of merciemercy, as by the death of Christ, or by any good gift of God, as by their faith, &c.
3 The workes of Gods iuſtice, which are abuſed, Ioſh. 22.17. Luke 13.1.2.3when men lightly paſſe ouer the iudgements of God ſeene in the world.
4 His word and his holy ordinances, which are abuſed when men thinke or ſpeake of them or any part of them, or vſe any of them or any part of them, otherwiſe then beſeemes the holineſſe of them, and the excellent vſe of them; they being ſuch as do moſt clearely and familiarly make God himſelfe and all his goodneſſe knowne vntounto vsus. And this is done either generally, or particularly:
1 Generally.
Firſt, 2. Chron. 36.16. Act. 2.13. Pſal. 5.16.17. 2. Tim. 3.7. Heb. 5.12. 2. Sam. 12.14. Ierem. 34.16. Rom. 2.24. Tit. 1.16.when men vſe them vnreuerently or ſcornfully.
Secondly, when men vſe them fruitleſly, and are not bettered by them in knowledge, faith, &c.
Thirdly, when men make profeſſion of religion, and yet liue wickedly.
Fourthly, when men ſhrinke in caſe of perill, and deny God the honour of their ſuffering for his truth.Mat. 10.33. Ioh. 12.42. Gal. 2.12.13. Mat. 7.6. Luke 22.67.
Fiftly, when men profeſſe the truth of God, or ſpeake of good thing vnſeaſonably, or at times not conuenient.
2 Particularly, as
Firſt, the word of God is abuſed, and that
1 When men take any part of it into their mouthes, 1. Pet. 4.11. Iſai. 22.12.13. 2 Pet. 3.4.and vſe it in their ſpeech, either vnreuerently, idlely and vainly, or in mockage.
2 When men peruert it, or any part of it to a wrong vſe.
1 When men vſe any part of it to curious and needleſſe queſtions.1. Tim 6.4. 1. Tim. 1.4. Tit. 1.4.
2 *Mat. 5.39.When men vſe any part of it to ieſting and prophane mirth.
3 *Eccleſ. 3 4. 1. Tim. 5.8. Exod. 22.25. Deut. 23.19. Mark 3.5. Epheſ. 4 26. Pſal. 50.18.When men vſe any part of it for the maintenance and defence of any error, hereſie, or ſinne.
4 When men turne any part of it to a charme or ſorcery.
Secondly, the Sacraments, which are abuſed
1 By giuing that vntounto them which belongs not vntounto them, as
1 When men giuegive to them power to conferre and giuegive grace by the verie worke wrought.Rom. 4.10.11. Epheſ. 5.26. 1. Pet. 3.21.
2 When men giuegive to them an abſolute neceſſitie, and hold them abſolutely neceſſarie to ſaluation. Iohn 3.8.
3 When men giuegive to them adoration, as the Papiſts do, Mat. 4.10.
2 By peruerting of them and applying them to a wrong vſe, as namely to ſuch things or to ſuch vſes as God hath not appointed them, as Baptiſme to the conſecrating of bells, to driue away diuels, &c.
Thirdly, Prayer, which is abuſed
1 When men pray for ſuch things as are not agreable to the will of God, as for the dead, Iam. 4.3. Iohn 5.14.
2 When men vſe prayer to vnlawfull ends, as ſorcery, enchantment, &c.
Hereunto is added the abuſe of the holy lot, which is an ordinance of God appointed for ſpeciall ends, &c. which is abuſed
1 When men vſe it vnreuerently, Pro. 16.33.as in light and trifling matters, or in way of ſport.
2 When men peruert it, Pro. 18.18. 1. Sam. 10.21.and vſe it to wrong ends; as to ſearch their fortune, and what ſucceſſe they ſhall hauehave in their affaires, by caſting a die.
The affirmatiue part of the third Commandement.
It requireth a ſober, 1. Cor. 10.31.religious and honorable vſage of Gods holy name, Mat. 6.10. Num. 25.28. 1. King 19.10and that in all things we giuegive him his due glorie, and that grounded on a true zeale of Gods glorie; and ſtanding,
1 In yeelding due reuerence to the name of God.
2 In making a wiſe and holy confeſſion of the truth of God.
Firſt, yeelding due reuerence to the name of God, and that either in ſpeech or action.
In ſpeech, which is, Pro. 31.26. Pſal. 71.15.when men hauing occaſion to vſe the name of God, do wiſely make mention of it, and reuerently, and to good vſe and edification; and that either without an oath, or in the lawfull vſe of an oath.
Without an oath, which is to be expreſſed in ſpeaking of his holy titles; which is, Deut. 28.58. Rom. 9.5.when men vſe them in their ſpeech, onelyonly in ſerious matters, and with feare and trembling, and to the good of men, and praiſe of God.
2 Of his attributes, Pſal. 40.9.10. Pſal. 66.16. Pſal. 107.8.when men break forth into ſuch a declaratiō of Gods power, wiſedom, goodneſſe &c. as both themſelues and others are, or may be thereby ſtirred vp to magnifie thoſe holy attributes, and more earneſtly to praiſe God for the ſame.
3 Of his word and the parts of his worſhip; Deut. 6.7. Pſal. 37.30.31 Pro. 10.21.which is, when men ſpeake of them with ſuch care and reuerence as beſeems the holineſſe and excellency of them, and apply them onelyonly to thoſe good vſes for which God hath ordained them.
4 Of his workes, Exod. 15.1. to 23. Pſal. 136. wholl. Pſal. 145.17.20.21.which is, when men ſpeake of them, of what ſort or kind ſoeuer they be, with reuerence and with an approbation of the good and excellencie of them, and do giuegive God the due praiſe of his wiſedome, power, and goodneſſe, appearing in the ſame.
In the lawfull vſe of an oath, which is, when men ſweare by the name of God, hauing a lawfull calling thereunto, and do it lawfully.
And men hauehave a lawfull calling to ſweare,
1 When the Magiſtrate vponupon a iuſt occaſion doth require an oath by the order of iuſtice, Gen. 43.3. 1. Sam. 24.22.23.and doth miniſter the ſame lawfully, ſo as it be not againſt pietie or charitie.
2 When their owne calling, generall or particular, neceſſarily requires an oath; as (namely)
1 When the taking of an oath, may further Gods glorie and worſhip, Gal. 1.20. 1. Theſſ. 2.5.or may ſerue to proue ſome doctrine of ſaluation in whole or in part.
2 When the taking of an oath, ſerues to maintaine and further a mans owne or others ſaluation, 2. Cor. 1.23. Pſal. 119.106.in ſoule or in body.
3 When the taking of an oath ſerues to further brotherly louelove, Gen. 21.23.24 Gen. 31.53.and to confirme lawful peace and ſocietie betweene party and partie, countrey and countrey.
4 When a man by an oath, and not otherwiſe, Rom. 1 9. 1. Theſſ. 2.10.may maintaine his own good name, and life, or goods.
And that men may ſweare lawfully, Gal. 1.20. 2. Cor. 1.23.they muſt know that an oath is
A calling of God to witneſſe for the neceſſarie confirmation, either of the vnknowne truth of their ſpeech touching things of great importance, or the truth of the promiſe they make to do ſome thing or things that are of weight likewiſe, and lawfull, and poſſible; and a wiſhing God to puniſh them, if either they lye, or wittingly and willingly do otherwiſe then they promiſe: and it is either
An affirming oath,
Or a promiſing oath.
And they muſt looke that they ſweare,
1 In truth, Ierem. 4.2.which implyeth
1 That the thing they ſweare vntounto, be a truth, and that they know it ſo to be, or at leaſt thinke it ſo, and be perſwaded in conſcience that it is a truth.
2 That they ſwere ſimply & plainly, without fraud or deceit, Pſal. 15.4. Pſal. 24.4.nor ſwering one thing, & meaning another.
2 In iudgement, which is with deliberation and due conſideration of the nature and greatneſſe of an oath, and of the matter they ſweare vntounto, Exod. 22.11. Deut. 6.13.and of the particular circumſtances, of time, place, and perſons, before whom they ſweare; and in taking of the oath, that they hauehave a reuerent care and feare of Gods Maieſtie.
3 In righteouſneſſe, which implieth,
1 That the thing they ſweare vntounto, 1. Sam. 25.22.be iuſtand lawfull.
2 That their calling to ſweare be iuſt and warrantable.
3 That their ſwearing be directed to a right end, (namely) to Gods glory, and peace among men. Heb. 6.16.
Here added, that an oath taken touching things certaine, lawfull, & poſſible, bindeth the conſcience, though it be taken by creatures or by falſe gods; and againe, that an oath may lawfully be broken in ſixe caſes.
Men yeeld due reuerence to the name of God in Action; which is when the actions of men tend to the glory of God, 1. Cor. 10.31. Coloſſ. 3.17.and whatſoeuer they do, they do it to that end principally that God may be glorified; & that either in generall, or particular.
In generall, Mat. 5.16. 1. Pet. 2.12. Reuel. 2.13.as (namely) when they liue ſo holily and ſo behaue themſelues, as that in their whole conuerſation they bring glorie to Gods name.
Or in particular, and that
1 When the power and fruite of the word of God, Pſal. 119.105. Luk. 8.15.and other meanes of ſaluation, is expreſſed in their particular actions as occaſion is offered.
2 When men do ſanctifie Gods bleſſings, chaſtiſements, 1. Tim. 4.5.and ordinances, and the workes of their callings, by the word of God, and prayer.
By the word of God, by taking inſtruction from thence touching the lawfull vſe of them, Pſal. 119.24.and how to vſe them after an holy manner.
By prayer, (namely)
1 By petition, crauing aſſiſtance of Gods grace, Gen. 24.12. 2. Chro. 16.12 Ioh. 6.11. Act. 27.35. Act. 21.5.and his bleſſing in the lawful vſe of his bleſſings, &c. as particular occaſion is offered.
2 By thankſegiuing, magnifying the name of the Lord, Gen. 24.27. Deut. 8.10. Exod. 18 10. 2. Sam. 22.and returning thanks to him for his grace, ayde and bleſſing vouchſafed in the lawfull vſe of his bleſſings, &c. as particular occaſion is likewiſe offered.
Secondly, in making a wiſe and holy confeſſion of the truth of God, Iſa. 44.5. Mat. 10.32.33 Mar. 8.38.which is to confeſſe the whole truth of God and his religion plainly, boldly and religiouſly, when and whereſoeuer any iuſt occaſion is offered; and that either by word or practiſe.
1 Rom. 10.10. 1. Pet. 3.15.16By word, (namely) by Chriſtian apologie, which is, when men are ready to confeſſe the truth of God and his religion, and do indeed with feare and meekneſſe confeſſe it ſo often as on iuſt cauſe they are thereunto required.
1 Pſal. 22.22. 1. Theſſ. 5.11.Either in publike by the Magiſtrate, or in priuate by friends, peaceably and without violence.
2 Mat. 10.18.19 Act. 5.27.28. Act. 26.Or are thereunto drawne by violence of the enemies and perſecutors of the Church of God, and that before malicious enemies, being thereunto called, and ſeeing Gods glorie endangered, and his truth ſpoken againſt.
2 By practiſe, and that
1 Dan. 6.10.11. Gen. 12.7.8. Gen. 21.33.By ſhewing forth the truth of religion by practiſe, though it be with danger to loſe their liues for it.
2 By witneſſing and ſealing the doctrine of faith and truth of religion, Act. 7.58.59. Act 22.20. Heb. 11.37. Reuel. 2.13.by their cheerfull ſuffering, yea by ſhedding their bloud without feare or ſhrinking, being thereunto called; which is knowne
Firſt, by finding that God puts into them the ſpirit of courage, and giues them reſolution to abide and to ſtand out againſt the force of all the enemies of the truth.
Secondly, if being in the hands of the Magiſtrate, and God cutting off all lawful means of eſcaping, the Magiſtrate do then inflict on them tortures and torments, and do take away their liues for the truths ſake, though vniuſtly.
Thus much concerning the negatiue and affirmatiue parts of the Commandement; now followeth the commination or threatning.
The commination or threatning denounced againſt the breakers of it,
Including:
1 The greatneſſe of the puniſhment that ſhall be inflicted on the offenders againſt this commandement.
2 The ineuitableneſſe of it.Nahum. 1.3.6. 1. Sam. 2.25.
And containing in effect thus much; that howſoeuer mans law for the moſt part takes not hold of offenders againſt this commandement, Pſal. 1.5.Ierem. 23.10. Zach. 5.3.4.and they eſcape puniſhment amongſt men; yet God will not acquite them, nor ſuffer them to eſcape his iuſt and fearefull iudgement, becauſe his exact iuſtice cannot let ſo hainous a ſinne eſcape vnpuniſhed, as is the prophanation of his name; which is moſt hainous,Iſai. 42.8. Iſai. 48.11.
1 Becauſe Gods glorie is the laſt and principall, and for which all things were ordained, and is moſt deare to himſelfe.
2 Becauſe in prophaning Gods name, men ſhew moſt inſolent contempt of God.
3 Becauſe God appointed in the iudiciall law, not onelyonly the blaſphemer himſelfe to be puniſhed by death, Leuit. 24.14. Leuit. 5.1.but alſo eueryevery perſon that ſhould heare blaſphemy or a falſe oath, and not reueale it.
The end of the third Commandement.