Question 54

What are we to understand by the Name of God, which we are forbidden in this Commandement to take in vain?

The Name of God which we are forbidden in this Commandment to take in vain, is to be taken generally, and comprehensively for any thing whereby God maketh himself known.

By what is it that God doth make himself known?

God doth make himself known; 1. By his Names taken particularly, which he hath given unto himself in Scripture, such as God, Lord, I am, Jehovah, and the like, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord,^a And they shall say unto me, what is his Name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM, thou shalt say, I AM, hath sent me unto you,^b I appeared unto Abraham by the Name of God Almighty, but by the Name of JEHOVAH was I not known.^c 2. By his Titles, such as Lord of Hosts, Holy One of Israel: The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Creator, Preserver of men. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: The King of Nations, the King of Saints, The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of Mercies; the God of Salvation; the Hearer of Prayers, and the like, Except the Lord of Hosts had left unto us a very small remnant,^d The Zion of the Holy One of Israel,^e I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,^f The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth,^g What shall I do unto thee thou preserver of men.^h The blessed, and the only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,ⁱ Who would not fear thee, O King of Nations,^j Just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints,^k Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies,^l He that is our God, is the God of our Salvation,^m O thou that hearest Prayers, unto thee shall all flesh come.ⁿ 3. By his Attributes which are his Perfections, and Properties whereby he distinguisheth himself from his Creatures, such as Omnipotencie, Eternity, Invisibility, Infinite Wisdom, Omnipresence, Holiness, Unchangeableness, Mercifulness, Love, and the like, The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth,^o Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory,^p Great is our Lord, and of great power, his Understanding is infinite,^q Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him, saith the Lord: do not I fill both Heaven and Earth?^r I am the Lord, I change not.^s The Lord is gracious and full of compassion.^t God is Love.^u 4. By his Ordinances, Prayer, Hearing, the Sacrament, Thy way, O God, is in the Sanctuary.^v 5. By his Word, Law and Gospel, Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name.^w 6. By his works of Creation and Providence, The Heavens declare the glory of God, and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work.^x The Lord is known by the judgments which he executeth.^y He left not himself without a Witness, in that he did good, and gave us Rain and fruitful Seasons.^z

What doth the third Commandment require in reference unto these things, whereby God doth make himself known?

The third Commandment, doth require in reference unto the things whereby God doth make himself known; 1. The use of them. 2. The Holy and Reverent use of them, that we should use them with holy ends, designing the glory of God, and in a Reverent manner, as is suitable unto the Majesty of God, who maketh himself known by them, Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his Name.^aa Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; who shall not fear thee and glorifie thy Name?^bb

How should our Holiness and Reverence shew it self towards these things?

Our Holiness & Reverence should shew it self; 1. In reference unto Gods Names, Titles, and Attributes, in our holy and reverent Thoughts, and meditating of them, so as to admire, fear, love, desire, and delight in God; and in our holy and reverent making mention of them with our Tongues. 2. In reference unto Gods Ordinances in our holy and reverent making use of them, waiting upon, & seeking after God in them. 3. In reference unto Gods Word, in our holy and reverent minding the Majesty & Authority of God therein, so as to yield ready obedience thereunto. 4. In reference unto Gods Works of Creation, in our holy and reverent Contemplation of Gods infinite Power and Wisdom, and greatness therein manifested; and in reference unto Gods works of Providence in our holy and reverent eying, following, and complying with Gods designs in all his providential Dispensations, blessing and praising him for his Mercies, submitting unto, and patiently bearing his Corrections, and any sort of Afflictions.

When should we especially, holily and reverently make use of those things whereby God maketh himself known?

At all times, but especially when we are called to the duties of his immediate Worship, we should be holy and reverent in the use of these things, sanctifying the name of God in them.

What is the difference between the worship of God required in this third Commandment, and that which is required in the first and second Commandments?

The first Commandment hath a respect unto the object of Gods Worship; the second Commandment hath a respect unto the means of Worship; but this third Commandment hath a respect unto the manner of Worship, requiring that it be performed with Humility, and holy Fear, with Sincerity, Fervency, and all kind of Holy Affections.