Question 55

What is the general sin here forbidden?

All prophaning and abusing of any thing, whereby God makes himself known.

How doth God make himself known?

By his aforesaid Names, Titles, Atributes, Ordinances, Word and Works.

When are these prophaned and abused?

Where either things or persons, wherein and whereby God is honoured, and whereupon his holy Name is called, are undervalued or despised; being slightly or vainly used any other way, and to any other end than God in his Word hath directed, and commanded.^a

What are the chief sins forbidden in this commandment?

1. Perjury or Swearing by the Name of God falsly.^b 2. Swearing by Idols or false Gods, which are the vanities of the Gentiles.^c 3. Unjust Swearing, or Swearing to do that which is unjust, and in it self unlawful to be done.^d This sin having the addition of the solemnness of an Oath i a double iniquity, and obligeth a man to nothing but a deep unfeigned Repentance. 4. Swearing by the Creatures.^e 5. Vain or frequent Swearing,^f when men Swear in a light matter, and upon every trivial occasion; or without urgent necessity, a just and weighty cause that only can warrant an Oath. 6. Breaking those Oaths made by the Creatures as not binding and valid. For although Christ prohibit Swearing by the Creatures, yet he ever enjoyns performances agreable to such Oaths, because of the Creatures relation to God, whom he will make instruments of vengeance to fulfill his Will, and execute his pleasure against false and vain Swearers.^g 7. Presumptuous, proud, daring^h and unadvisableⁱ adjuration, cursings and execrations, when men prophanely curse themselves^j or others (as God refuse me, God damn us, or them) in the Name of the true God, or by false Gods,^k whose Names we ought not to take up into our mouths.^l 8. B’asphemy and reproach of the sacred Name of God,^m and of those that bear his Name,ⁿ or stand in any special relation to him.^o 9. The irreverent use of the Name of God, or of any thing whereby God makes himself known.^p