Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

But the pith and effect almost of the whole, lieth herein that he saith, the name of the Lord thy god, to wit, which is thy chief goodness & felicity, thy creator, thy redeemer, & thy tender father. Now note that the Lord doth not barely forbid to use his name, but he chargeth not to use it lightly or in vain, that is, beyond necessary use or our behoof, and beside the honour and glory of God. Let us see therefore how we ought to sanctify the Lords name, and how we may devoutly use the name of God, and last of all, so worship him, as he him self hath appointed us to do.

But the pithe and effect almost of the whole, lyeth herein that he sayth, the name of the Lord thy god, to wit, which is thy chief goodnesse & felicitie, thy creator, thy redéemer, & thy tender father. Now note that the Lorde doth not barely forbid to vse his name, but he chargeth not to vse it lightly or in vaine, that is, beyond necessarie vse or our behoofe, and beside the honour and glory of God. Let vs sée therefore howe we ought to sanctifie the Lordes name, and howe we maye deuoutly vse the name of God, and last of all, so worship him, as he him selfe hath appointed vs to do.

First of all, we have to think of God, as of the chief felicity, and infinite ¹treasure of all good things, who loveth us exceedingly with a fatherly affection, always wishing, and by all means desiring to have us men saved, and to come to the perfect knowledge of the very truth: whose judgements are true and just, whose works for their excellency are wonderful, and whose words are most true, and truth it self. Then must this holy name of God continually be called upon in prayers, need, and requests. By that alone, we must look to obtain whatsoever is needful for our bodies or souls. We must never cease to give thanks to that, for all the good benefits that we do or shall receive. For what good soever men have and enjoy, that have they not from else where, than from God the fountain and giver of all. This glory must ever be given to God. If we be nipped with any adversity, let us not by an by murmur against Gods good pleasure, and his secrete judgements, but rather suffering, and submitting ourselves under his mighty and fatherly hand, let us say with the Prophet David: It is good for me Lord that thou haste chastened me. Let not us appoint God what he shall do, but wholly & always submit our selves to his good will and holy pleasure. Let us in all things give God the glory, in praising openly, and plainly professing his name and doctrine before Kings and Princes, yea, and in sight of all the world, so often as occasion shall be given, and the glory of God shall seem to require. Let us not be ashamed of God our father, of his truth and true religion. Let us not be ashamed of Christ our redeemer, nor yet of his cross. But let us be ashamed of errors, idolatry, of the world and vanity, of lies and iniquity. Let us holily, reverently, and devoutly, both speak and think of God, his works, and his word. Let the law of