LVI. Ques. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?
Ans. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, That however the hearers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.
Q. 1. Whence is it that such as profane God's name do escape punishment from men?
A. Such as profane God's name, for the most part, do escape punishment from men— 1. Because no laws of men do, or can, reach all profanations of God's name. 2. Because such laws as do reach blasphemy, perjury, swearing, and the like grosser profanations of God's name, are not executed by many in authority, who oftentimes, being profane and wicked persons themselves, are more ready to punish them that hallow God's name than those that profane it.
Q. 2. How doth it appear that such as profane God's name shall not escape God's righteous judgment?
A. Such as profane God's name shall not escape God's righteous judgment, because God is righteous, and he will not hold them guiltless.
Q. 3. When doth the Lord punish them that profane his name?
A. 1. Sometimes God doth punish them in this life, and that with dreadful temporal plagues. "If thou wilt not observe to do all these words, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful."— Deut. 28:58, 59. 2. Be sure if such escape here, they shall not escape eternal wrath and vengeance hereafter. "Thou treasurest up to thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."— Rom. 2:5.
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