A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

6. Blasphemy, may be considered either as it is, here in the way by men living, or as it is by them in the place of Torment; who keeping still, no doubt their former wicked Nature and Corruption, and not considering God as he is in himself, but as they feel him in the severity of his Justice punishing them, cannot have good thoughts of him, but will fret at his power and Justice, which they cannot get free of, though it is like, after ⟨p. 161⟩their sentence is past, this is to be considered, as a part of their cursed Estate, and doth increase meritoriously their judgment, as Blasphemy in the way did.

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 practice, and these are of two sorts.

These wayes of breaking this command spoken unto are more grosse and extraordinary: we should now speak a word to such as are more common in our practice, and these are of two sorts.

The 1. 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, Jeibing, 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 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 neezing (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.