The law unsealed

6. Consider how this sin of taking his Name in vain is fallen in by writing, not only when Treatises are written, but almost in every Epistle or Letter, there will be found some prayer or wish, for fashion-sake, wherein there is but little Conscience made to have the heart joining in it; how much irreverent using of the Scripture and of Gods Name, is there in writing of Letters, particularly of Burial-letters, thus. ⟨p. 106⟩It hath pleased the Lord, it hath seemed good to God, it hath pleased God or the Almighty, &c. I am not condemning the thing simply, but our way of abusing it,

6. Consider how this sin of taking his Name in vain is fallen in by writing, not only when Treatises are written, but almost in every Epistle or Letter, there will be found some prayer or wish, for fashion-sake, wherein there is but little Conscience made to have the heart joyning in it; how much irreverent using of the Scripture and of Gods Name, is there in writing of Letters, particularly of Burial-letters, thus. ⟨p. 106⟩It hath pleased the Lord, it hath seemed good to God, it hath pleased God or the Almighty, &c. I am not condemning the thing simply, but our way of abusing it,

7. Look through accidental mentioning of God (if we may say so) in salutations, God save you, God be with you; In prayers for Children, evidencing rather our fondness on them thereby, then our love and reverence to the Name of God; for such as are in any present hazard, God save; for any favour, courtesy or complement, God bless; these are good (as the Apostle saith of the Law) if used lawfully, but they are often sinfully, rashly, ignorantly, yea profanely abused, we having often more respect to them we speak unto, then unto God. I would not condemn the use of them being duties, but exhort you to guard against the abuse, and to use a grave, reverent, understanding, and sensible way of expressing of them, or of any thing like them.