THe third Commandment does forbid the abuse of Gods name. By the Name of God we are to understand any thing whereby he may be known, as his Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Works.
So that we sin against this Commandment by wicked Oaths, Cursed execrations, unlawfull Vowes, every light irreverent mention of God, all such idle words as do no way tend to the sanctifying of his name.
By breaking the Vow of our Baptisme, neglecting all those good promises and resolutions which since we have made. (Psal. 78.8) Dealing falsly in our Covenants, when our heart is not set aright, and our spirit not stedfast with God.
By our not acknowledging, and effectual remembrance of his holy titles and attributes as we have had occasion. Not delighting to speak good of his name, and to make his praise glorious.
By an irreverent and customary mention of his great and glorious name, upon trivial occasions.
By our not thinking and speaking of his word, so frequently with that holinesse and reverence as we should; sometimes pretending to declare his statutes, and to take his Covenant into our mouths, whereas we hate instruction, (Psal. 50.16) and cast his Law behinde us.
By our Carelesnesse in vindicating the glory of his Name and truths, when they are vilified by others.
By prophaning our profession of Christianity, with an unholy conversation; Not behaving our selves so sincerely in regard of God, nor so inoffensively in respect of men as we should.
By defacing his glorious image instamped upon us, in our Creation: Becoming more vile and foolish then the beasts that perish In our regeneration, (Ps. 49.20) relapsing into the sins of our unregeneracy. Not walking worthy of that vocation whereunto we are called. (Eph. 4.1)
By our carelesnesse in discovering, and acknowledging the divine power, and wisdome, in those special passages of his providence which befal us.
1 The fourth Commandment does forbid all carelesnesse, in sanctification of Sabbaths, Ordinary. Extraordinary.
So that we sin against this when we do not remember to keep the Lords day holy, that is, when we are not mindful beforehand to prevent and avoid all such businesses as may distract us in those duties that belong unto this day.
When we our selves do not rest from our usual works and sinful desires, but mis-spend much of that precious time in idlenes and vanity; or else satisfying our selves in a superstitious, customary observation of the outward rest, without regarding the means or the works of sanctification.
When we are not careful to prepare our selves for publike duty, by praying for Ministers in general, that God would endow them with fitting gifts and abilities, prospering their endeavours, by giving happy successe unto their Ministery: More particularly for the Pastor to whose charge we belong, that God would direct him to speak unto our hearts and consciences.
When we are careless in the performing of our publike duties, not with so much reverence, sincerity, spiritualnesse, attention as we should.
When we are negligent in looking to those that are under us, who by our carelesness or connivance, may be incouraged to the Prophanation of this day.
When we faile in those private duties th[…] concern the Sanctification of the Sabbath, Meditation of the Word we hear, Searching the Scriptures, to prove the truth of it, Application of it to our selves, examining our own hearts, private prayer, conference, whetting the Law upon one another, mutually exhorting and stirring up each other unto holy duties, contemplating the creatures and the Providence of God.2
When we are weary of the Sabbath, and wish it were gone,3 and cannot call it a delight.
(Isa. 58.13)And so for extraordinary dayes, lawfully set apart for solemn Feasts. Fasts, Publike. Private.
When we mispend our occasional Festivals, altogether in outward carnall mirth, without those inward spiritual duties of love and thankfulnesse which God requires; not keeping them holy unto the Lord, (Neh. 8.9) as we ought to do; Not thereby taking occasion to enlarge our bounty to our poor brethren.
And so for dayes of humiliation, which are called Sabbaths in Scripture; (Levit. 23.28) Our neglect of these when there is any special occasion for them, either publike or private; our insensiblenesse of dangers and judgements, like the old world, keeping on in the road of our secular employments, (Matth. 24.38) eating and drinking, buying and selling, &c. putting far away the evill day, chanting to the sound of the Viol, (Amos 6.3, 6) drinking wine in bowls, but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph; Not sighing and weeping for the abominations that are committed in the midst of us. (Ezek. 9.4)
When we do observe these dayes, we are ready to rest our selves in bodily abstinence, outward mortification, hanging down the heads, sad countenances, without inward afflicting of the soul; (Jer. 14.10) Not breaking, bruising, renting of our hearts; Refraining not our feet, but loving to wander; (Jonah 3.8) Not turning from all our evil wayes, and the violence in our hands.
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