What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

1. Are there any arguments against taking God’s name in vain, couched in the preceptive part itself, of this commandment?

Yes; he whose name we are discharged to take in vain, is the LORD OUR GOD;—Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD THY GOD in vain.

2. What is the force of the argument taken from his being [the Lord], or JEHOVAH?

That his infinite essential glory and excellency should fill us with the greatest reverence and humility, when we think, or speak of any thing by which he makes himself known.

3. What is the force of the argument taken from his being [our God]?

That his making himself over to us in the covenant of promise, as our reconciled God and Father in Christ, should lay us under the strongest obligation to a holy and reverent use of his name.

4. What is the particular reason expressly subjoined or annexed to this commandment?

It is in these words, by way of threatening, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

5. What is the import of the threatening, the Lord will not hold him guiltless?

It imports, that he will surely hold him guilty in a peculiar manner, who presumes to profane or abuse his name, so as that divine vengeance shall be infallibly certain against him.

6. In what light doth the scripture represent them who take God’s name in vain?

It represents them as his open and avowed enemies, “Thine ENEMIES take thy name in vain.”

7. How doth it appear that divine vengeance is infallibly certain against the profaners of God’s name?

It appears from the very terms of the threatening, The Lord WILL NOT hold him guiltless: that is, as sure as there will be a judgment-seat, before which sinners must appear; so sure it is, that this sin shall then be taken particular notice of, as a main article of the inditement.

8. Why do “the breakers of this commandment escape punishment from men?”

Because many of these to whom the administration of justice is committed, being themselves guilty, do therefore shew no concern for vindicating the honour of God’s name, in punishing the profaners of it.

9. Why will not the Lord our God [suffer them to escape his righteous judgment]?

Because if Heathens are highly punishable for this crime, as contrary to one of the first dictates of nature’s light, Romans 1:32 much more, among Christians, the manifestation of God’s name in Christ, being the greatest blessing, John 15:22 their profaning or abusing of it, must be the greatest sin. Amos 3:2