15. How does the Psalmist describe the characters of the deceitful?

They delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. (62 P. 4.)

16. Is deceit often practised in buying?

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. (20 Pr. 14.)

17. What is money obtained by fraud?

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. (21 Pr. 6.)

18. How does Jeremiah describe the deceitful character?

They bend their tongues like their bow for lies, but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth. They will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth they have taught their tongue to speak lies.-Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit.-Their tongue is as an arrow shot out, it speaketh deceit. (9 Jer. 3, 5, 6, 8.)

19. Is Satan deceitful?

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; he is a liar, and the father of it. (8 Jn. 44.)

20. What is the language of the hypocrite?

Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou. (65 Is. 5.)

21. How does God describe the hypocrisy of the Israelites to Ezekiel ?

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not. (33 Ez. 31, 32.)

22. How does St. Paul describe the hypocrite }

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. (II. Tim. 3. 5.)

23. Is the hope of hypocrites vain, and their punishment certain?

The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment. (20 Job, 5.) What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul. (27 Job, 8.)

The hypocrites in heart heap up wrath. (36 Job, 13.)

24. How did Christ expose the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees?

Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (23 Mt. 27, 28.)

25. How does Christ show the insufficiency of a mere profession?

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. (7 Mt. 21.)

26. With whom will other unconverted sinners have their portion?

With hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (24 Mt. 51.)

XXVI. TAKING GOD's NAME IN VAIN. BLASPHEMY. CURSING AND SWEARING.

Commands against-Punishment of-Extent of command.

1. What is the third commandment?

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (20 Ex. 7.)

2. What punishment did God denounce against blasphemy?

Whosoever cursed his God shall bear his sin; and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord he shall surely be put to death. (24 Lev. 15, 16.)

3. Is the name of God holy?

Holy and reverend is his name. (111 P. 9.)

4. Is the name of Christ to be always reverenced?

God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (2 Phil. 9, 10, 11.)

5. How is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit for bidden?

All sius shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: but he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. Because, they said, he hath an unclean spirit. (3 Mr. 28, 29, 30.)

6. Does Christ forbid swearing?

Swear not at all. (5 Mt. 34.)

7. How does St. James caution against this sin?

Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (5 Jas. 12.)

(See also 5 Mt. 34 to 37.)

8. Is this sin a national evil?

Because of swearing the land mourneth. (23 Jer. 10.)

9. Are we forbidden to curse?

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. (12 Ro. 14.)

10. How does St. Paul describe the awful character of sinners who thus abuse their tongues?

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. (3 Ro. 13, 14.) (See also 10th P.)

XXVII. GENERAL TEXTS CONCERNING THE TONGUE.

Cautions in the use of the tongue-We are accountable to God for its right use-Evils from the tongue.

1. How should our speech be regulated?

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (4 Col. 6.)

2. Does the regulation of the tongue often preserve from troubles?

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. (21 Pr. 23.)

3. What was the Psalmist's resolution?

I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle. (39 Ps. 1.)

4. Does God know every word we utter?

There is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. (139 P. 4.)

5. Will God punish those who abuse their tongues?

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things. Who have said, with our tongue will we prevail, our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (12 P. 2, 3, 4.)