basis of] faith, so this commandment leads us forth and directs the
mouth and tongue to God. For the first objects that spring from the
heart and manifest themselves are words. Now, as I have taught above
how to answer the question, what it is to have a god, so you must learn
to comprehend simply the meaning of this and all the commandments, and
to apply it to yourself. If, then, it be asked: How do you understand
the Second Commandment, or what is meant by taking in vain, or misusing
God's name? answer briefly thus: It is misusing God's name when we call
upon the Lord God no matter in what way, for purposes of falsehood or
wrong of any kind. Therefore this commandment enjoins this much, that
God's name must not be appealed to falsely, or taken upon the lips
while the heart knows well enough, or should know, differently; as
among those who take oaths in court, where one side lies against the
other. For God's name cannot be misused worse than for the support of
falsehood and deceit. Let4this remain the exact German and simplest
meaning of this commandment.

From this every one can readily infer when and in how many ways God's
name is misused, although it is impossible to enumerate all its
misuses. Yet, to tell it in a few words, all misuse of the divine name
occurs, first, in worldly business and in matters which concern money,
possessions, honor, whether it be publicly in court, in the market, or
wherever else men make false oaths in God's name, or pledge their souls
in any matter. And this is especially prevalent in marriage affairs
where two go and secretly betroth themselves to one another, and
afterward abjure [their plighted troth].

But. the greatest abuse occurs in spiritual matters, which pertain to
the conscience, when false preachers rise up and offer their Lying
vanities as God's Word. Behold, all this is decking one's self out with