53.

Q. 53. Which is the third commandment? A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

EXERCISE.

What is not to be taken in vain? Whose name is not to be taken in vain ? What is the Lord here said to be? (Our God.) What is not to be done to the name of God? Who are not to take the name of the Lord in vain? Who will not hold them guiltless who take the name of God in vain? Who will not be held guiltless? (All who take the name of God in vain.) What will be done to those who take God's name in vain? By whom will they not be held guiltless? What do they take in vain, who will not be held guiltless? Whose name do all such take in vain ?

EXPLANATIONS.

Take the name of, Utter, or use those peculiar titles works, or attributes which make known and distinguish from every other being.

In vain, In a light, irreverent, or improper manner. Guiltless, Free from the liability to punishment.

PARAPHRASE FORMED.

The third commandment is, Thou shalt not [utter, or use those peculiar titles, works, or attributes which make known and distinguish from every other being] the Lord thy God, [in a light, irreverent, or improper manner :] for the Lord will not hold him [free from the liability to punishment] that taketh his name in vain.

54.

Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works.

EXERCISE.

In what manner are God's names to be used? (They must be used in a holy and reverend manner.) Whose names are to be used in a holy and reverend manner? Who are required to use God's names in a holy and reverend manner? What are to be used in a holy and reverend manner besides God's names? (God's titles.) What are to be used in a holy and reverend manner besides God's names and titles? (God's attributes.) What else? (His ordinances.) What else? (His word.) What are to be used in a holy and reverend manner besides God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, and word? (God's works.) In what manner are we to use God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works? (In a holy and reverend manner.)

How many ways are here enumerated, by which God reveals his name, or makes himself known to his creatures? (Six ways.) What is the first way here mentioned, by which God makes himself known? (By his names.) What is the second way by which God makes himself known? (By his titles.) What is the third way by which God makes himself known? (By his attributes.) What is the fourth way by which God makes himself known? (By his ordinances.) What is the fifth way by which God makes himself known? (By his word.) What is the sixth way by which God makes himself known (By his works.) How many things are required of us in using those things by which God reveals himself? (Two.) What is the first thing required of us, in the use of these names? &c. (They must be used in a holy manner.) What is the second thing required of us, in the use of God's names? &c. (They must be used in a reverend manner.) What com

mandment requires the holy and reverend use of God's names?

EXPLANATIONS.

Holy, Pure, sinless.

Reverend, Humble, submissive, and respectful.

God's names, The names which distinguish and are peculiarly applied to the Almighty, as "God," "Lord,” "Jehovah."

Titles, The terms of dignity and honour applied only to God, as "Lord of Hosts," "God of all Grace," "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Attributes, The qualities, or properties of nature and character ascribed only to God as their origin and source, such as "Almighty," "Holy," "Powerful.” Ordinances, All those significant services and ceremonies of worship, appointed or ordained by God to be observed by his creatures.

Word, The Bible.

Works, The things which he has made and still preserves, and regulates by the continued operations of his providence.

PARAPHRASE FORMED.

The third commandment requireth the [pure, sinless,] and [humble, submissive, and respectful] use of [the names which distinguish, and are peculiarly applied to the Almighty, as "God," "Lord," "Jehovah ;"] [the terms of dignity and honour applied only to God, as "Lord of Hosts,' "God of all Grace," "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;"] [the qualities, or properties of nature and character ascribed only to God, as their origin and source, such as Almighty,' Holy," "Powerful;"] [all those significant services and ceremonies of worship appointed, or ordained by God to be observed by his creatures ;]-[the Bible ;] and [the things which he has made, and still preserves, and regulates by the continued operations of his providence.]

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DOCTRINES SEPARATED AND PROVED.

238. God's names are to be used with holy reverence.

Psal. xxix. 2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name.

239. God's titles are to be used with holy reverence.— Rev. xv. 3, 4. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and

glorify thy name.

240. God's attributes are to oe used with holy reverence. -Rev. iv. 8. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

241. God's ordinances are to be used with holy reverence. Eccl. v. 1. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the House of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools.

242. God's word is to be used with holy reverence.Prov. xiii. 13. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed; but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

243. God's works are to be used and contemplated with holy reverence.-Job xxxvi. 24. Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold.

55.

Q. 55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known.

EXERCISE.

What is not to be profaned? Who maketh himself known? What does God make known? (Himself.) What kind of profanation of God's name is here forbidden? (All profaning.) What is here forbidden besides the profaning of God's name? (All abusing of it.) What are we here forbidden to profance or abuse? (All things whereby God makes himself known.) Who is made known? Who makes God known? (Himself.) By

what does God make himself known? (See last ques tion.)

How many things are here forbidden? What is the first thing here forbidden? (Profaning God's name.) What are we not to profane? What is the second thing here forbidden? What are we forbidden to abuse? What commandment forbids our profaning or abusing any thing by which God makes himself known.

EXPLANATIONS.

Profaning, Treating with irreverence, or disrespect. Abusing, Putting to a wicked purpose, or improperly using.

Any thing, Those names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, or works.

Whereby, By which.

Maketh himself known, Makes his nature, character, and perfections known to, and understood by, his rational creatures.

PARAPHRASE FORMED.

The third commandment forbiddeth all [treating with irreverence, or disrespect,] or [putting to a wicked purpose, or improperly using] of [those names, titles, attríbutes, ordinances, word, or works,] [by which] God [makes his nature, character, and perfections known to, and understood by, his rational creatures.]

DOCTRINES SEPARATED AND PROVED.

244. We are not to profane any thing by which God maketh himself known.-Lev. xviii. 21. Neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God. I am the Lord.

245. We are not to abuse any thing by which God maketh himself known.-Mat. xxiii. 14. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer.

56.

Q. 56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?