What is the Third Commandment?
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord thy God will not acquit him that takes his name in vain.” [Exodus 20:7 Brenton's LXX; cf. Deut. 5:11]
What doth this Commandment teach us?
First, it teacheth us, that we should hold the Name of the Lord God in the highest and most awful respect and honor; nor ever use it lightly or jestingly, nor on trifling occasions, or for unjust purposes. Secondly, that by no means we call the Name of God to gain credit to a falsehood, nor perjure ourselves. Thirdly, that we do not give occasion or advice to others to be forsworn. Fourthly, that we do most devoutly observe and fulfill whatever vows we make unto God; according to that Scripture, “And if thou wilt vow a vow to the Lord thy God, thou shalt not delay to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee, and otherwise it shall be sin in thee.” [Deut. 23:21 Brenton's LXX; the next two verses (vv. 22-23) are also instructive: “But if thou shouldest be unwilling to vow, it is not sin in thee. Thou shalt observe the words that proceed from between thy lips; and as thou hast vowed a gift to the Lord God, so shalt thou do that which thou hast spoken with thy mouth.”] And in this sort are all they guilty, who, having promised in their Baptism, that they would persevere in the right and true Faith of God to their life's end; yet afterwards suffer themselves to be drawn away for self-interest, or danger of suffering; as, namely, for fear of being hurt in their worldly honors, or estate, or life. And do therefore abjure and renounce that which they had before so solemnly sworn, and promised unto God. Concerning the danger of which apostasy the renowned Apostle St. Paul rejoiced in these words: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” [2 Tim. 4:7 ONT]
Q. What does God command in the Third Precept?
A. We are commanded thereby to praise God with reverence and godly fear, and neither diminish His Glory, nor blaspheme His Name.
Q. Who are those that transgress against this Commandment, by dishonoring God, and blaspheming His Name?
A. As God's Name is hallowed by good works, so it is blasphemed by evil works, and as good works are grounded on every one of the Commandments, so evil works are forbidden in every one, and more especially the sin of blaspheming the Name of God, viz.:
1. When any one does in express words revile and blaspheme His Name.
2. When any one calls God to witness upon every trivial occasion.
3. When we charge God with a lie.
Q. Can't you explain these ways of blaspheming the Name of God more clearly, and shew wherein they do consist?
A.
1. Those are guilty of blaspheming the Name of God, who make Him a liar, unjust, impotent, and the author of sin; or those that revile the Holy Scriptures, the Blessed Virgin the Mother of our Lord, or those who are acknowledged Saints. Moreover, it is a degree of blasphemy, when one calls God to bless any wicked design, as if a robber or thief begged God to bless his wicked enterprise, for thereby he makes God, as much as in him lies, a robber also.
2. The Name of God is blasphemed by swearing falsely against the light of one's own conscience, or taking His Name in vain in common conversation, or by taking an oath upon every trivial occasion.
3. Those cursed impostors make God a liar, who impute miracles and wonders to images, relics of Saints, and to some particular places, or do pretend themselves to the power of doing miracles. Lastly, those that knowingly and willfully propagate false or superstitious doctrines, do make God a liar also.
Q. When is God's name taken in vain?
A. It is taken or uttered in vain when it is uttered in vain and unprofitable talk, and still more so when it is uttered lyingly or irreverently.
Q. What sins are forbidden by the third Commandment?
A.
1. Blasphemy; or daring words against God.
2. Murmuring; or complaining against God's Providence.
3. Profaneness; when holy things are jested on, or insulted.
4. Inattention in prayer.
5. Perjury; when men affirm with an oath what is false.
6. Oath-breaking; when men keep not just and lawful oaths.
7. Breach of vows made to God.
8. Common swearing; or thoughtless oaths in common talk.
Q. Are not such oaths specially forbidden in holy Scripture?
A. The Saviour says; “But I say to you not to swear at all: ... But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and ‘no,’ ‘no’; and what is more than these is from the evil one.” [Mt. 5:34a,37 ONT]
Q. Does not this go to forbid all oaths in civil matters?
A. The Apostle Paul says: “For men indeed swear by the greater, and the oath for confirmation is to them an end of all contradiction. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the immutability of His counsel, mediated by an oath.” [Heb. 6:16-17 ONT] Hence we must conclude, that if God Himself for an immutable assurance used an oath, much more may we on grave and necessary occasions, when required by lawful authority, take an oath or vow religiously, with the firm intention of not breaking it.