A37046:620
The law unsealed
The law unsealed: or, A practical exposition of the Ten Commandments With a resolution of several momentous questions and cases of conscience. By the learned, laborious, faithful servant of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Durham, late minister of the Gospel at Glasgow.
Glasgow: printed by Robert Sanders, 1676
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
These ways of breaking this command spoken unto are more gross and extraordinary: we should now speak a word to such as are more common in our practise, and these are of two sorts.
These wayes of breaking this command spoken unto are more gross and extraordinary: we should now speak a word to such as are more common in our practise, and these are of two sorts.
The first is more gross, when the Name of God, or any thing bearing the Name of God as his Ordinances. Word, Sacraments, Prayer, &c. are profaned, out of Duty. This is done. 1. When these are mocked, or scorned, which is a high Degree of profaning his Name, 2. When the Scripture-phrases, expressions, or terms are baffled (to speak so) to our sinful scoffing, Jibing, and geiring of others, though we do not directly mock or geir at the Scripture it self. 3, When in ordinary discourse, and unnecessarily, Gods Name is used, though we intend not swearing, neither think that we do swear. 4. When ordinarily upon such and such occasions▪ the Lords Name is used in irreverent, and unwarrantable exclamations, as, O Lord, O God, what is this or that, &c. I hope in God, or trust in God to ⟨p. 103⟩see such a thing, &c. And possibly sometimes in passion. 5. When it is used in way of by-word, or of certain irreverent prayers, when a person is troubled and grieved, and would express that passion at some thing that falleth out not desired, God help me, God save me, what is that? what mean ye? God forgive me, God bless me, for Gods blessing do such a thing: If God will, in Gods strength, and I trust in God, &c. I shall do such and such a thing: for Gods sake do this or that, &c. 6. When it is used in mere complements, God keep you, God be with you, God bless you, &c. which, with many, are too ordinary Complements. 7. When it is used lightly in way of asseveration and indirect swearing, God a bit, God have me, if it be so, &c. 8. When it is used in a senseless and superstitious custom, upon such and such particular occasions, as when men say, O, God be blessed, and God bless at sternutation or neesing (which Plinius reporteth to have been used by Heathens, and particularly by Tiberius, who was none of the most religious men) God be here, God be in this house, when one entereth into a house; or when the Clock striketh.