perstitious actions, which the Papists use, merely because the laws of the land, wherein you live, condemn such things. And I pray you, also, consider whether you have not been sometimes zealous in prayer, in the presence and company of others, to gain their praise and approbation; have you not desired that they should think you to be a man of good gifts and parts? And have you not in that regard endeavored to enlarge yourself? And have you not sometimes performed duties, merely because otherwise conscience would not let you be quiet? And have you not sometimes fasted and prayed, and humbled yourself, merely or chiefly, in hope the Lord would, for your so doing, prevent or remove some judgment from you, or grant you some good thing which you desire. Now, I beseech you, answer me truly and plainly, whether you do not think you have done so. Nom. Yea, believe me, sir, I think I have. Evan. Then have you in all these things honored and worshipped your parents, your masters, your magistrates, your neighbors, your friends, and yourself, as so many false Gods, instead of the true God; and therein have been guilty of breach of the second commandment. Neo. I pray you, sir, proceed to speak of the third commandment, as you have done of the first and second: and first, tell us how the second and third commandment differ. COMMANDMENT III. Evan. Why, as the Lord, in the second commandment, requires that we worship him alone by true means, so does he, in the third commandment, require that we use the means of his worship after a right manner, that so they may not be used in vain, Matth. 15: 9. And in this commandment likewise there is a negative expressed in these words, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." That is, thou shalt not profane it, by using my titles, attributes, ordinances, or works ignorantly, irreverently, or after a formal, superstitious manner. And an affirmative included in these words, "But thou shalt sanctify my name," Isa. 8:13. By using my titles, attributes, ordinances, works, and religion, with knowledge, reverence, and after a spiritual manner, John 4: 24. Neo. I pray you, sir, begin with the affirmative part, and first tell us what the Lord requires in this commandment. Evan. The Lord in this commandment requires, that we sanctify his name in our hearts, with our tongues, and in our lives, by thinking, conceiving, speaking, writing, and walking so as becomes the excellency of his titles, attributes, ordinances, works, and religion. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord in regard to his titles? Evan. By thinking, conceiving, speaking, and writing holily, reverently, and spiritually of his titles, Lord and God, Deut. 28: 58. And this we do when we meditate on them, and use them in our speeches and writings with an inwar spiritual fear and trembling, to the glory of God, and the good of men, Jer. 5: 22. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord, in regard to his attributes? Evan. By thinking, conceiving, speaking, and writing holily, reverently, and spiritually of his power, wisdom, justice, mercy, and patience, Psal. 104: 1. and 103: 6, 8. And this we do, when we think, speak, and write of them, after a careful, reverent, and spiritual manner, and apply them to the good uses for which the Lord hath made them known, Psal. 37: 30. Neo. And in which of God's ordinances are we to sanctify his name? Evan. In every one of his ordinances, prayer, preaching, and hearing the word, administering and receiving the sacraments. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord in prayer? Evan. In prayer we are to sanctify the name of the Lord in our hearts, and with our tongues, in calling upon his name, after a holy, reverent, and spiritual manner: and this we do when our prayers are the speech of our souls, and not of our mouths only, that is when in prayer we lift up our hearts unto God, Ps. 25: 1. And pour them out unto him, Psal. 62: 8. And when we pray with the spirit, and with the understanding also, 1 Cor. 14: 15. and with humility, Gen. 18: 27. and Gen. 32: 10. Luke 18: 13. and with fervency of spirit, James 5: 16. and out of a sense of our own wants, James 1: 5. and with a special faith in the promises of God, Matth. 21: 22. Neo. And how are you ministers to sanctify the name of the Lord in preaching his word? Evan. We are to sanctify the name of the Lord in our hearts, and with our tongues, in preaching after a holy, rever. ent, and spiritual manner:* and this we do when the word is preached, not only outwardly by the body, but also inwardly with the heart and soul; when the heart and soul preach, then is the ministry of the word on the minister's part used after a holy and spiritual manner,† and that is, when we preach the demonstration of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2: 4. and in sincerity, 2 Cor. 2: 17. and faithfully without respect of persons, Deut. 33: 9. and with judgment and discretion, Matth. 24: 49. and with authority and power, Matth. 7:29. and with zeal to God's glory, John 7:18. and with a desire of the people's salvation, 2 Cor. 11: 2. Neo. And how are we hearers to sanctify the name of the Lord in hearing his word? Evan. In hearing it after a holy, reverent, and spiritual manner: and this you do when your heart and soul heareth the word of God; and that is, when you set yourselves in the presence of God, Acts 10: 33. And when you look upon the minister as God's messenger or ambassador, 2 Cor. 5: 20. And so hear the word as the word of God, and not as the word of man, 1 Thess. 2: 13. With reverence and fear, Isa. 66: 2. And with a ready desire to learn, Acts 17:11. And with attention, Acts 8: 6. And with alacrity without wearisomeness or sleepiness, Acts 20: 9. Neo. And how are you ministers to sanctify the name of the Lord, in administering the sacraments? Evan. By administering them after an holy, reverent, and spiritual manner: and that is when we administer them with our hearts or souls, according to Christ's institution, Matth. 26: 26. To the faithful in profession at least, 1 Cor. 10: 10. And with a hearty desire that they may become profitable to the receivers. Elton on the Com. p. 40. + Downham on the Com. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord in receiving the sacraments? Evan. This we do, when we rightly and seriously examine ourselves aforehand, 1 Cor. 11. And rightly and seriously mind and consider the sacramental union of the sign, and thing signified, and do in our hearts perform those inward actions, which are signified by the outward actions, Acts 8: 37, 38. 1 Cor. 10: 6. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord in regard to his works? Evan. In thinking and speaking of them after a wise, reverent, and spiritual manner; and this we do, when we meditate and mention in our speeches and writings the inward works of God's eternal election and reprobation with wonderful admiration of the unsearchable depths thereof, Rom. 11: 33, 34. And when we meditate in our hearts on the works of God's creation and administration, and make mention of them in our words and writings, so as that we acknowledge therein his wisdom, power, and goodness, Rom. 1: 19,20. Psal. 19:1. And acknowledging the workmanship of God therein, do speak honorably of the same, Psal. 139: 14. Gen. 1: 31. Neo. And how are we to sanctify the name of the Lord in regard of his religion? Evan. By a holy profession of his true religion, and a conversation answerable thereunto, to the glory of God, the good of ourselves, and others, Matth. 5: 16. 1 Pet. 2: 12. Neo. And, sir, are we not also to sanctify the name of God in swearing thereby? Evan. Yea, indeed, that was well remembered, we are to sanctify the name of the Lord in our hearts, and with our tongues in swearing thereby, after a holy, religious and spiritual manner; and this we do when the magistrate requires an oath of us, by the order of justice, that is not against piety or charity, Gen. 43: 3. 1 Sam. 24. 21, 22. And when we swear in truth;* that is, when we are persuaded in our conscience the thing we swear is truth, and swear simply and plainly, without fraud or deceit, psalm 15: 4. and 24: 4. And when we swear in judgment; that is, * Jer. 4: 2. when we swear with deliberation, well considering both the nature and greatness of an oath, viz. That God is thereby called to witness the truth, d judge and punish us, if we swear falsely, Gal. 1: 20. 2 Cor. 1:23. And when we swear in righteousness; that is, when the thing we swear, is lawful and just, and when our swearing is that God may be glorified, Josh. 7: 19. Our neighbor satisfied, controversies ended, Heb. 6: 16: Our own innocency cleared, Exod. 22: 11. and our duty discharged, 1 Kings 8: 31. . Neo. Well, sir, now I pray you proceed to the negative part, and tell us what the Lord forbids in this command ment. Evan. As the Lord, in the affirmative part of this commandment, requires that we sanctify his name in our hearts, with our tongues, and in our lives, by thinking, conceiving, speaking, writing, and walking so as becomes the excellency of his titles, attributes, ordinances, and religion; so does he in the negative forbid the profanation of his name by doing the contrary. Neo. Well then, sir, I pray you, first, tell us how the titles of God are abused. Evan. They are profanely abused divers ways, as first, by thinking irreverently of them, or using them in our common talk, or in our writings, after a rash, careless, and irreverent manner, Psalm 50: 22. Rom. 1:21. As when in foolish admiration we say, "Good God, good Lord! Lord have mercy on us, what a thing is this!" and the like; or when by way of idle wishes, or imprecations, we say, "The Lord be my judge," Gen. 16: 5. Or, "I pray God, I may never stir, if such a thing be not so," and the like; or when by way of vain swearing, we mingle our speeches, and fill up our sentences with needless oaths, as, not so, by my faith, and the like, Matth. 5: 34. James 5: 12. Or when by way of jesting, or after a formal manner, we say, God be thanked, God speed you, God's name be praised, and the like, 2 Samuel 23: 21. Neo. And I pray you sir, how are the attributes of God profanely abused? Evan. The attribute of God's power is profanely abused, either by calling it in question, 2 Kings 7: 2. or by thinking, speaking, or writing of it carnally, carelessly, or con |