That the goodness and mercy cf God far exceed his justice is another observation, which the pastor will not fail to make to the faithful: he is angry to the third and fourth generation; but he bestows his mercy on thousands.
The words: " Of them that hate me" display the grievousness of sin: what more wicked? what more detestable than to hate God, the supreme goodness and sovereign truth? This, however, is the crime of all sinners: for as he who observes the commandments of God, loves God, [1] so he who despises his Law, and violates his commandments, is justly said to hate God. The concluding words: "And them that love me," point out the manner and motive of observing the Law of God: those who observe the divine Law should be influenced in its observance by the same love and charity which they bear to God; a principle which applies with equal force and truth to the exposition and observance of all the other commandments.
THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.
" THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN." [2]
THIS precept is necessarily comprised in the former, which commands us to worship God in piety and holiness: He who is to be honoured must also be spoken of with reverence and must forbid the contrary, according to these words of Malachy: "The son honoureth the father, and the servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honour?" [3] Yet, on account of the importance of the obligation which it imposes, God would make this law, which commands his name to be honoured, a distinct precept; and this he does in the clearest and simplest terms. This observation must have much influence in convincing the pastor, that on this point it is not enough to speak in general terms: that its importance is such as to require to be dwelt upon at considerable length, and to be explained to the faithful in all its bearings with distinctness, clearness, and accuracy. [4]
This assiduity on the part of the pastor cannot be deemed superfluous: there are not wanting those who are so blinded by the darkness of error as not to dread to blaspheme his name, whom the angels glorify; and who are not deterred by the divine commandment from shamefully and daringly outraging his divine majesty every day, or rather every hour and moment of
