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A. If we consider what the condition of mankind is, the question is answered. For by nature we are all liable to the curse, and we have nothing to complain of in God when he leaves us in this condition. Then as he demonstrates his love for the righteous, by blessing their posterity, so he executes his vengeance against the wicked, by depriving their children of this blessing.
A. To allure us by attractive mildness, he promises that he will take pity on all who love him and observe his commands, to a thousand generations.
A. Not at all, but that he will exercise his benignity to believers to such a degree, that for their sakes he will show himself benign also to their children, by not only giving them prosperity in regard to the present life, but also sanctifying their souls, so as to give them a place among his flock.
A. I admit it. For as he reserves to himself liberty to show mercy when he pleases to the children of the ungodly, so he has not so astricted his favour to the children of believers as not to repudiate at pleasure those of them whom he will. (Rom. ix.) This, however, he so tempers as to show that his promise is not vain or fallacious.
A. To intimate that he is more inclined to kindness and beneficence than to severity. This he also declares, when he says that he is ready to pardon, but slow to wrath. (Ex. xxxiv. 6; Ps. ciii. 8; cxlv. 8.)
A. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain.
A. He forbids us to abuse the name of God, not only by perjury, but by swearing without necessity.
A. It may indeed, when used on a fit cause: first, in asserting the truth; and secondly, when the business is of such importance as to make it meet to swear, in maintaining mutual love and concord among men..
A. The mention of one species admonishes us in general, never to utter the name of God unless with fear and reverence, and for the purpose of honouring it. For while it is thrice holy, we ought to guard, by all means, against seeming to hold it in contempt, or giving others occasion to contemn.
A. By never speaking or thinking of God and his works without honour.