Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

and presumptuous worshippers. Were every blasphemer among us to be
stoned to death, how many of the people would fall in every corner of the
land! God is long suffering; may this lead them to repentance! We have
excellent laws against all profaneness, but alas for our country! they are
not enforced; and he who attempts to put the laws in force against profane
swearers, &c., is considered a litigious man, and a disturber of the peace
of society. Will not God visit for these things? This is not only contempt
of God's holy word and commandments, but rebellion against the law.
A common swearer is constantly perjuring himself. Such a person
should never be trusted.
The best way is to have as little to do as possible with oaths. An oath
will not bind a knave or a liar; and an honest man needs none, for his
character and conduct swear for him.
He who uses any oath except what he is solemnly called by the
magistrate to make, so far from being a Christian, does not deserve the
reputation either of decency or common sense.
THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
Against profanation of the Sabbath, and idleness on the other days of
the week.—"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." As this was the
most ancient institution, God calls upon them to remember it. As if he
had said, "Do not forget that when I had finished the creation of the
heavens and the earth, and all that is in them, I instituted the Sabbath; and
remember why I did so, and for what purposes."
The word shabath signifies "he rested," and hence shabath, or
"sabbath," the seventh day, or the day of rest, or rest simply. "In six days
God created the heavens and the earth, and rested," that is, ceased to
create, "on the seventh day;" and has consecrated it as a day of rest for
man; rest to the body from labour and toil; and rest to the soul from all
worldly cares and anxieties. He who labours with his mind on the