God's name, or making a pretty show, or claiming to be right, whether
it occur in gross, worldly business or in sublime, subtle matters of
faith and doctrine. And among liars belong also blasphemers, not alone
the very gross, well known to every one, who disgrace God's name
without fear (these are not for us, but for the hangman to discipline);
but also those who publicly traduce the truth and God's Word and
consign it to the devil. Of this there is no need now to speak further.


Here, then, let us learn and take to heart the great importance of this
commandment, that with all diligence we may guard against and dread
every misuse of the holy name, as the greatest sin that can be
outwardly committed. For to lie and deceive is in itself a great sin,
but is greatly aggravated when we attempt to justify it, and seek to
confirm it by invoking the name of God and using it as a cloak for
shame, so that from a single lie a double lie, nay, manifold lies,
result.

For this reason, too, God has added a solemn threat to this
commandment, to wit: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that
taketh His name in van. That is: It shall not be condoned to any one
nor pass unpunished. For as little as He will leave it unavenged if any
one turn his heart from Him, as little will He suffer His name to be
employed for dressing up a lie. Now alas! it is a common calamity in
all the word that there are as few who are not using the name of God
for purposes of Lying and all wickedness as there are those who with
their heart trust alone in God. For by nature we all have within us
this beautiful virtue, to wit, that whoever has committed a wrong would
like to cover up and adorn his disgrace, so that no one may see it or
know it; and no one is so bold as to boast to all the world of the