Commenting on Hosea 4:16, Calvin has the following to say. As I read his words, I can't help but think about the many churches in which not only the worship of God is mixed with much worldliness and man-centeredness... but in which the person of God himself is corrupted by false idols of the imagination. I have in mind particularly those 'modern' churches today in which God is said to have made many paths to himself, Christ being just one.... or in which God is said to countenance things like abortion, cohabitation, etc., because today 'just isn't like Bible times, and for some pre-marital sex is what's best', etc.
When pastors in such churches, who are preaching such contemptible things, then turn 'round and utilize the Scriptural texts claiming Christ's name, and proclaim forgiveness of sin, etc., and CLAIM to worship him, I find myself dismayed. Such worship is clearly condemned by God's words in Hosea 4:16.. "Swear ye not, 'Jehovah liveth'". I find it troubling that folks who will proclaim that all will be saved, or that all religious belief is valid (but Christ is for me) or any of the other modern versions of old heresies, will continue using the old liturgies and continue reading the very Scriptural texts that show the falsehood of their position - with seeming blindness to that fact. Perhaps for these it is comfortable to hear that Christ died for his people, or that Christ can save to the uttermost. (why not? That IS comforting doctrine! Yet those words don't apply to those outside of Christ!) How disgusting it is to hear Christ's name blasphemed by liberal pastors....he is slandered and his grace manipulated. Yet we know Christ reigns even today and will clearly triumph at the last day!
At any rate, here are Calvin's words on the matter:
He at last subjoins, "And swear not, Jehovah liveth". The Prophet seems here to condemn what in itself was right: for to swear is to profess religion, and to testify our profession of it; particularly when men swear honestly. But as this formula, which the Prophet mentions, was faultless, why did God forbid to swear by his name, and even in a holy manner? Because he would reign alone, and could not bear to be connected with idols; for "what concord,' says Paul, 'has Christ with Belial? How can light agree with darkness?' (2 Cor. 6: 15:) so God would allow of no concord with idols. This is expressed more fully by another Prophet, Zephaniah, when he says, 'I will destroy those who swear by the living God, and swear by their king,' (Zeph. 1: 5.) God indeed expressly commands the faithful to swear by his name alone in Deut. 6 and in other places: and further, when the true profession of religion is referred to, this formula is laid down, 'They shall swear, The Lord liveth,' (Jer. 4: 2.) But when men associated the name of God with their own perverted devices, it was by no means to be endured. The Prophet then now condemns this perfidy, Swear not, Jehovah liveth; as though he said, "How dare these men take God's name, when they abandon themselves to idols? for God allows his name only to his own people." The faithful indeed take God's name in oaths as it were by his leave. Except the Lord had granted this right, it would have certainly been a sacrilege. But we borrow God's name by his permission: and it is right to do so, when we keep faith with him, when we continue in his service; but when we worship false gods, then we have nothing to do with him, and he takes away the privilege which he has given us. Then he says, 'Ye shall not henceforth blend the name of the only true God with idols.' For this he cannot endure, as he declares also in Ezek. 20, 'Go ye, serve your idols; I reject all your worship.' The Lord was thus grievously offended, even when sacrifices were offered to him. Why so? Because it was a kind of pollution, when the Jews professed to worship him, and then went after their ungodly superstitions.