A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q. 54. What is required in the third commandment?
A. The third commandment requires a holy and reverent use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works.

1. Does this commandment require us to glorify the name of God? Yes: They shall worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name, Ps. 86:9. Are we to think of God's name with seriousness? Yes: They feared the Lord, and thought upon his name, Mal. 3:16. Are we to speak of it with reverence? Yes: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few, Eccl. 5:2. Are we to call upon his name with a holy awe? Yes: for we that are but dust and ashes speak to the Lord of glory, Gen. 18:27. Are we to worship God reverently in every religious duty? Yes: We must serve him acceptably, with reverence and godly fear, Heb. 12:28. And is there good reason for it? Yes: for our God is a consuming fire, Heb. 12:29. Ought we to behave ourselves very reverently in public worship? Yes: for God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of his saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him, Ps. 89:7.

2. Must we be holy in worshipping God? Yes: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, Ps. 96:9. Must we be holy in prayer and praise? Yes: lifting up holy hands, 1 Tim. 2:8. Must our thoughts be fixed? Yes: 0 God, my heart is fixed, Ps. 108:1. Must pious and devout affections be working in us? Yes: we must be fervent in spirit serving the Lord, Rom. 12:11. Must we be very humble in our approaches to God? Yes: as the publican that stood afar off, and would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven, Luke 18:13.

3. Must we give glory to God in his word? Yes: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name, Ps. 138:2. Must we hear it with reverence? Yes: We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God, Acts 10:33. Must we give glory to God in swearing when we are called to it? Yes: Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and shalt swear by his name, Deut. 6:13. Must we be cautions in swearing? Yes: we must fear an oath, Eccl. 9:2. Must we be conscientious in swearing? Yes: Thou shalt swear in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness, Jer. 4:2. Must we give glory to God in vowing? Yes: Vow and pay unto the Lord your God, Ps. 76:11.

4. Must we glorify God in his great works? Yes: we must magnify his works which men behold, Job 36:24. And must we glorify him by our good works? Yes: Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2:19.