A Body of Practical Divinity

XII. And lastly, We take Gods name in vain when we falsify our Promise. To say, if God spare us life we will do this, and never intend it. Our Promise should be Sacred and Inviolable; but if we make no reckoning to make a Promise, and mention Gods name in it, yet never intend to keep it, it is a double Sin, it is telling a Lye, and taking Gods name in vain. I should come now to the Affirmative implied▪ But hereafter—

XII. And lastly, We take Gods name in vain when we falsifie our Promise. To say, if God spare us life we will do this, and never intend it. Our Promise should be Sacred and Inviolable; but if we make no reckoning to make a Promise, and mention Gods name in it, yet never intend to keep it, it is a double Sin, it is telling a Lye, and taking Gods name in vain. I should come now to the Affirmative implied▪ But hereafter—

Use. Take heed of taking Gods name in vain any of these ways. Remember this Commination or Threatening in the Text, The Lord will not hold him guiltless. Here is a Meiosis, less is said and more intended: He will not hold him guiltless, that is, he will be severely avenged on such an one. The Lord will not hold him guiltless. Here the Lord speaks after the manner of a Judge who holds the Court of Assize. The Judge here is God himself, the Accusers Satan and a Mans own Conscience: The Matter of Fact is, Taking Gods name in vain; and the Malefactor ⟨p. 300⟩accused is found guilty and Condemned, The Lord will not hold him guiltless. Methinks these words, The Lord will not hold him guiltless, may set a Lock upon our Lips, and make us afraid of speaking any thing that may redound Dishonour upon God, or may be a taking his Name in vain. The Lord will not hold him guiltless: It may be Men may hold such Guiltless, when they Curse, Swear, speak Irreverently of God: Men may hold them Guiltless, let them alone, not punish them. If one takes away another's good Name, he shall be sure to be punished; but if he takes away Gods good Name, where is he that doth punish him? He that Robs another's Goods, shall be put to Death; but he that Robs God of his Glory, by Oaths and Curses, he is spared; but God himself will take the Matter into his own hand, and he will punish him who takes his Name in vain.