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his word. Psalm xcv. 2, 3, Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Q.3. What is the second reason annexed unto the second commandment?

A. The second reason annexed unto the second commandment, is God's propriety in us, in these words, Thy God; I the Lord thy God.

Q. 4. What is the force of this second reason?

A. The force of this second reason is, That because we belong unto the Lord, therefore we ought to keep close unto him and his appointments, and take heed especially of idolatry and superstition, which do alienate the heart from him. Psalm xcv. 6, 7, O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our God. Psalm. cvi. 19, 21, They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. They forgot God

their Saviour.

Q. 5. What is the third reason annexed unto the second commandment?

A. The zeal which God hath to his own worship, is his jealousy, whereby, out of love to his own worship and institutions, he is highly offended with those that turn aside from them unto their own inventions: I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. Exod. xxxiv. 14, Thou shalt worship no other for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Q. 6. Wherein doth this zeal and jealousy of God for his own worship show itself?

A. The zeal and jealousy of God for his own worship doth show itself, 1. In his accounting the breakers of this commandment, those that hate him, and threatening to punish them unto the third and fourth generation: I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. 2. In his esteeming the keepers of this commandment, such as love him, and promising mercies unto thousands of them; shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. L 2

Q. 7. How can God, in justice, visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children?

A. 1. If the children do not walk in the steps of the same sins with their parents, God doth not punish them for their sins. Ezek. xviii. 14, 17, If he beget a son that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doth not such like; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. 2. If God doth visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children, it is when the children are guilty of the same iniquity, and so fill up the measure, and the punishment of them is most equal and righteous. Ezek. xviii. 25, Is not my way equal? Are not your ways unequal?

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.

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

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

Q. 1. What are we to understand by the name of God which we are forbidden in this commandment to take in vain ?

A. 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 makes himself known.

Q. 2. By what is it that God doth make himself known?

A. 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. Deut. vi. 4, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord. Exod. iii. 13, 14, unto me, What is his name? What shall I say unto nd they shall say them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:

Thou shalt say, I AM hath sent me unto you. Exod. vi. 3, I appeared unto Abraham by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known. 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; 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 prayer; and the like. Isaiah i. 9, Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant. Isaiah Ix. 14, The Zion of the holy One of Israel. Exod. iii. 6, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Isaiah xl. 28, The Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Job vii. 20, What shall I do unto thee, thou Preserver of men? 1 Tim. vi. 15, The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Jer. x. 7, Who would not fear thee, O King of nations. Rev. xv. 3, Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 2 Cor. i. 3, Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies. Psalm 1xviii. 20, He that is our God is the God of salvation. Psal. Ixv. 2, O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all-flesh come. 3. By his attributes, which are his perfections and properties, whereby he distinguisheth himself from his creatures; such as, omnipotency, eternity, invisibility, infinite wisdom, omnipresence, holiness, unchangeableness, mercifulness, love, and the like. Rev. xix. 6, The Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 1 Tim. i. 17, Now unto the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour, and glory. Psal. cxlvii. 5, Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Jer. xxiii. 24, Can any hide himself in secret places, that I shall not see him? saith the Lord: do not I fill heaven and earth? Psal. xcix. 9, For the Lord our God is holy. Mal. iii. 6, I am the Lord, I change not. Psalm cxlv. 8, The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion. iv. 8, God is love. 4. By his ordinances; prayer, hearing, the sacrament. Psal. lxxvii. 13, Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary. 5. By his word, law, and gospel. Psal. cxxxviii, 2, Thou hast magnified thy word aboye

1 John

all thy name. 6. By his works of creation and provi dence. Psal. xix. 1, The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Psal. ix. 16, The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth. Acts xiv. 17, He left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain, and fruitful seasons.

Q. 3. What doth the third commandment require, in reference unto these things whereby God doth, make himself known?

A. 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. Psal. xcvi. 8, Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name. Rev. xv. 3, 4, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. Who shall not fear thee and glorify thy name?

Q. 4. How should our holiness and reverence show itself towards these things?

A. Our holiness and reverence should show itself, 1. In reference unto God's names, titles, and attributes; in our holy and reverent thoughts, and meditating on them, so as to admire, fear, love, desire, and delight in God; and in our holy and reverent mention of them with our tongues. 2. In reference unto God's ordinances; in our holy and reverent making use of them, waiting upon, and seeking after God in them. 3. In reference unto God's word; in our holy and reverent minding the majesty and authority of God therein, so as to yield ready obedience thereunto. 4. In reference unto God's works of creation; in our holy and reverent contemplation of God's infinite power, and wisdom, and greatness, therein manifested: and in reference unto God's works of providence; in our holy and reverent eyeing, following, and complying with God's designs in all.his providential dispensations, blessing and praising him for all his mercies, submitting unto, and patiently bearing his corrections, and any sort of afflictions.

Q. 5. When should we especially, holily and reverent ly make use of those things whereby God maketh himself known?

A. 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.

Q. 6. What is the difference between the worship of God required in this third commandment, and that which is required in the first and second commandment?

A. The first commandment hath a respect unto the object of God's 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.

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

A. The third commandment forbiddeth the profa ning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known.

Q.1. How are God's names, titles, and attributes, profaned and abused?

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A. God's names, titles, and attributes, are profaned and abused, I. When persons do think slightly and irreverently of them, without any suitable affections to them; especially when their hearts are filled with despising, hatred, and aversion towards the name of God. Mal. i. 6, If I then be a Father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you that despise my name. 2. When persons speak irreverently concerning God, making mention of any of his names, titles or attributes, in ordinary discourse, crying O Lord, O God, God forgive me, God save me, and the like; without minding what they say, or having any awe of God upon them, while they are speaking of him. Psal. cxxxix. 20, Thine enemies take thy name in vain. 3. When persons do swear by the name of God, and that either vainly and wickedly, min

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