A Body of Practical Divinity

IX. We t•ke God Name in vain, when we use our Tongues any way to the Dishonour of Gods Name, as when we use Railing, or Curse in our Passions: Especially when we wi•h a Curse upon our selves, if a thing be not so, when we know it to be false. I have read of one who wished his Body might rot if that which he said was not true; and soon after his Body rotted, and he became a loathsome Spectacle.

IX. We t•ke God Name in vain, when we use our Tongues any way to the Dishonour of Gods Name, as when we use Railing, or Curse in our Passions: Especially when we wi•h a Curse upon our selves, if a thing be not so, when we know it to be false. I have read of one who wished his Body might rot if that which he said was not true; and soon after his Body rotted, and he became a loathsom Spectacle.

X. We take Gods Name in vain, by Rash and Unlawful Vows. There is a good Vow, when a Man binds himself by Vow to do that which the Word binds him to; as if he be Sick, he Vows if God restore him, he will live a more strict holy Life, Psal. 66.13. I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered when I was in trouble. But Voveri non debet quod Deo displicet: Such a Vow should not be made, as is displeasing to God: As to vow voluntary Poverty, as your Friars; or to vow to live in Nunneries. Jephthah's Vow was rash and unlawful; he vowed to the Lord •o Sacrifice that to him which he met with next, and it was his Daughter, Judges 11.31. He did ill to make the Vow, and worse to keep it: He became guilty of the Breach of the Third and Sixth Commandment.