[Picture: Picture of John Church]
THE
PRECIOUS NAME
OF
JESUS. {1}
THE adorable Redeemer is stiled Jehovah 330 times in the Old Testament—he
is called God 90 times in the Old Testament—he is called God 25 times in
the New—he is called the Son of God 41 times—he is called the Son of man
60 times—he is glorious in holiness, in all his works and ways, and
independently possesses an essential glory as God, equal with the Father,
an ever blessed Spirit, a glory as the Son of God, a personal glory as
God-man, a mediatorial glory in the work of redemption, a relative glory
as the great and only head of the Church, a declarative glory in all his
works of Creation, Grace, and Providence; there is no end of his
greatness to them only which believe he is gracious—his name is as
ointment poured forth. There is one blessed effect which the Name of
Jesus has upon the mind and conduct of believers, worthy of attention,
and that is _reverence_. The Names of Jesus being precious, lovely, and
blessed, are had in particular reverence by all them that fear him.
Hence we are said to serve God acceptably, with reverence, and godly
fear—that reverence which God approves, himself produces; and this
reverence is necessary in the use of his Names—in the godly conversation
of saints, and in the public ordinances of his appointment. The first
instance is the mark I aim at—to treat the subject according to its
importance would fill a volume. What Christian to whom this Name is
dear, but must lament the abuse of it among the carnal and ungodly people
of the world—“Surely, because of swearing, the land mourneth.” What
horrid oaths, what dreadful imprecations, what loud and repeated calls on
God, on Christ, to blast the members and faculties of soul and body,
although God has given many a public signal of his disapprobation of such
conduct, by answering their prayers in a moment, and suddenly driving
them to destruction and perdition—O! you that once were slaves to such an
infernal custom, but now called out of darkness into light—what are your
feelings when you hear this best of Names blasphemed? When you call to
remembrance your past conduct, surely you can exclaim, “by the grace of
God I am what I am.” What humility, contrition, and godly sorrow do you
feel, upon every renewed sense of past folly—and what gratitude do you
feel to him who hath made you to differ. And to endear that Name to you
now, which was once profaned by you, (but leaving the world of the
ungodly) I must come nearer home, even to those who profess better
things; and bear my testimony against the prevalent folly of many
professors. There appears an inseparable connection between love and
fear—I mean that holy, child-like, filial fear that God has promised to
give his children—“I will put my fear in their hearts:”—this fear is of
especial service to the saints; and when in exercise they can resist
almost any temptation—witness Joseph’s conduct. When it is not in
exercise, the believer is in danger of falling into sin, or complying
with the first temptation that presents itself. This fear is only the
effect of spiritual knowledge, and the love of God, as reconciled and
well pleased with us.—While faith apprehends the love of God, our love is
led forth to him in sweet return; and is attended with a holy spiritual
awe—viewing the majesty of his person, and the glory of his character,
although the soul is admitted into the most sweet familiarity with
God.—When this is the case the Name of Jesus is precious indeed; and when
this is not the state of the soul, there is a love, and a fear of the
dear, the dreadful name of the LORD THY GOD!—And surely such souls can
never hear or read, with pleasure, the pompous titles given to sinful
men, as his Holiness—which is an attribute of Deity—as, the Most, or
Right Reverend Father in God, Lord of such a place—or even the common
name given to ministers in general, as the Reverend so and so—the term
Reverend, belongs to God alone, as God—Holy and Reverend is his Name—and
no one beside. I wish great men, and good ministers, to have all the
respect paid them becoming their stations, but not at the expence of the
Divine honour.—Another part of this folly is evident, from the light and
trifling manner in which the Name of God is used in the pulpit—as
swearing by his life, which is customary among some good ministers, and
their hearers copy after them—so that upon every trifling occasion, we
hear the dogmatical and awful oath pronounced, “As God liveth—as the Lord
liveth,” it is so and so; and, perhaps, to an assertion that we have only
their _ipse dixit_ for.—O ye ministers of the Lord Jesus—do not use this
term so frequent; for I do not think any one has a right to swear by
God’s life but himself, who, because he could swear by none greater sware
by himself in the Covenant, to be the God of his Church.—How prevalent is
this profanity among the professors of the day—when upon almost every
meeting, parting, and common conversation, they break out in this
unguarded and impious language—“Good God!—Good Lord!—Lord Jesus!—God
bless you!”—with other expressions of the like kind.—What the excellent
Cowper observes, is worthy of remark, as it contains a sharp reproof to
worldlings, and profane professors.
Oaths terminate, as Paul observes, all strife;
Some men have surely, then, a peaceful life,
In every tale they tell, or false or true,
Well known, or such as no man ever knew—
They fix attention, heedless of your pain,
With oaths, like rivets, forc’d into your brain!
A Persian, humble servant of the Sun,
(Who, tho’ devout, yet bigotry had none)
Hearing a Lawyer, grave in his address,
With adjurations, every word impress—
Suppos’d the man a Bishop! or at least,
God’s Name upon his lips—a Priest!
Bow’d at the close, with all his graceful airs,
And begg’d an interest in his fervent prayers!
_Only call to mind the third Commandment_!
This subject the libertine may treat with contempt, and say, What have we
to do with the law of commands—why it was only made for carnal
characters; they will be judged by it! But surely the children of God,
who love and esteem the Name of their Father, God, their Saviour, Jesus,
will not, must not, blaspheme their Names.—Time would fail to mention all
the ways by which the Name of Jesus is slighted, in light conversation on
religious topics.—I wish to be understood here; I do not mean that upon
the Name of Jesus, people are to adopt the Popish system of bowing the
head or drop a curtsey, nor put on a fearful, dismal gloom; but to speak
of his Name, Person, and Work, soberly, discreetly, yet affectionately;
and upon their separation from each other, to commend each to God, with a
degree of solemnity and christian affection—as “Farewell—Grace and Peace
be with you—The Lord be with you;”—while the heart sweetly replies “and
with thy spirit!”
Reverence in prayer, I love and prize—access to God with an holy
boldness, but not impudence; nor a gloomy, horrid countenance, as if we
were addressing a God that hated us. How solemn and how sweet the
address of certain characters, to Jesus—“Lord save me!—Lord help me!—Lord
that I might receive my sight!—Lord Jesus receive my spirit”—Let the word
of God be your rule in all things—so in an attendance on the public
means, be reverent, be serious, be cheerful—in an early attendance—let
not your religion disturb the religion of others—if late, do not rush
into your seats, while the minister is in prayer. How painful to hear
the females come in with pattens on—and others opening and shutting their
pews—some coughing and sneezing, so loud as to hurt the feelings, and
almost turn the temper of the most amiable ministers in the world, to
smother them.—Another species of irreverence I have long noticed with
grief, among many dissenters—as soon as the last sentence of the Sermon
is pronounced, many directly rush out of Chapel, as though they were glad
it was over—in some cases it is excusable; a person may be faint in a
warm place—others, in service—some obliged to hasten to their families;
they may be excused.—I wish every congregation showed as much reverence
in the close of service, as a certain place of worship I had the honour
once to preach in—none went out till the Benediction was pronounced; and
not till the whole assembly had stood still for the space of one or two
minutes: How lovely the sight! Do ye, dissenters, adopt the same plan—it
will show your love to the Gospel of Jesus, and to his assemblies. I
readily grant that these things have nothing to do with our salvation;
but surely no believer will object to them, as they are designed for the
honour of that dear Name, in whom centers all our felicity.
I might mention many other blessed effects which are produced by the Holy
Spirit’s making this Name precious to believers; but I forbear to enlarge
on any other particulars—only the bare mention of a few things—an humble
reliance, trust, and confidence in him—“they that know thy Name will put
their trust in thee.” Supreme love to his Person, Works, Ways,
Ministers, Truths, and Dispensations—submission to his Will—a desire to
be conformed to his Image—to be like him—to enjoy much communion with
him—and to be for ever with him, in a state of endless felicity.—These
effects deaden us to the world, mortify sin, lead us to deny all
self-righteousness, keep us near him, humble the soul, and create the
most intense desire that others may be made acquainted with this Name.
This is our refuge, our joy, our glory—“the Name of the Lord is a strong
tower; the righteous runneth in and are safe.” Ye children of the most
high God, this Jesus is yours, in the most exalted sense of the word, if
you are driven out of every lying refuge, and can say,
Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on thee!
Dear Name!—the rock on which I build.—To him, with the Father, and the
Spirit, three co-equal Persons in one God, be glory for ever. AMEN.
* * * * *
The following NAMES, EPITHETS, and APPELLATIONS, are expressive of the
NATURE, GLORY, PROPERTIES, OFFICES, and RELATIONS of that GOD-MAN whom
Angels ADORE, and Saints ADMIRE and LOVE above all Things.—The Initial
Letters of the Verses point out his inestimably precious Name.
_Tell me_, _I pray thee_, _thy Name_. Gen. xxxii. 29.
J EHOVAH, God, Almighty, Jah, I Am;
E manuel, Shiloh, Lord of Hosts, the Lamb;
S ecret Desire of Nations, Bridegroom, Lord;
U nchangeable, Eternal, King, the Word;
S aviour, the Branch, the Lord our Righteousness;
C ounseller, Root of Jesse, Prince of Peace;
H oly, True, Faithful, Brother, Father, Friend;
R edeemer, High Priest, Life, Beginning, End;
I mmortal Shepherd, Husband, Shield, and Sun;
S eed of the Woman, precious Corner-Stone;
T he Way, the Truth, Messiah, God alone.