The Mystery of the Marriage Song, Exposition · Verse 17
VERS. XVII. I will make thy name to be remembred in all Generations; therefore ſhall the people praiſe thee for ever and ever.
[I will make thy name to be remembred.]
OR thus, I will mention thy name that it may be remembred. The Inditer of this Pſalm ſpeaketh theſe words to Chriſt concerning his Kingdome and glory. There is a connexion between this and the Verſe going before, both aiming at the honour and renown of Chriſt the Bridegroom, whoſe name and truth (maugre all oppoſition and attempts to the contrary) ſhall be remembred throughout all Generations. But as for the names of his and his peoples implacable enemies, they ſhall rot and even ſtinke above ground; and thus it is with the names of Antiochus, Julian, Gelſus, Porphyrie, &c. at this day. The name of Chriſt is, and ever ſhall be precious, and the high prayſes thereof ſhall be celebrated from one Generation to another.
Quae. But who will cauſe this name to be remembred and celebrated?
Anſw. Even the Spirit of the Lord (who inſpired the Pſalmiſt in compoſing this good matter) the Pſalmiſt was but the Amanvenſis of the Spirit; though we are not utterly to exclude inſtruments, and ſecond cauſes by whom the Spirit of God worketh (for it may be truly ſaid that the Church or Spouſe doth inſtrumentally cauſe the name of the Lord to be remembred) yet the Spirit of God is the onelyonly efficient cauſe.
Hence therefore Obſerve.Obſerv. The Spirit of God chooſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred.
That the Holy Ghoſt (by whoſe inſpiration this Pſalm was indited) will cauſe the name of Chriſt to be remembred and honoured from age to age, whilſt the world endureth.
The Enemies of Chriſt have endeavoured from time to time, by power and pollicy, to bury his name in ignominy and oblivion. Some of them rendring him in his own perſon a deceiver, a blaſphemer; others reviling him in his members, but the Spirit ſhall convince the world that Chriſt is righteous, and that his people are righteous, and holy, however they have been repreſented by the world, John 16.10.
This is promiſed here in the Text, I will make memory of thy name (ſo ſome render the words) or cauſe thy name to be remembred.
Three things are to be explained and opened.
I. What is meant by the name of Chriſt?
II. What it is to remember his name?
III. How the Spirit of God cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred?
1 Quae. What doe you mean by the name of Chriſt?
Quaery. 1 Anſw. The name of Chriſt hath various ſignifications in Scripture, where it is often mentioned, Iohn 5.43.What is meant by the name of Chriſt. Iohn 10.25. Acts 2.38. Acts 3.6. Acts 5.28, 40. Col. 3.17. 1 Pet. 4.14.
1 Sometimes it ſignifieth the power and Authority of Chriſt; At the name of Jeſus ſhall every knee bow, Phil. 2.10.
2 Sometimes it is taken for the worſhip of Chriſt, Micah 4.5. Zech. 14.9. Now the Saints are called by a reproachfull name, but they ſhall be known by another name. The Spirit of the Lord will cauſe the name of Chriſt only to be remembred among the Saints. Under the name of Chriſt here is comprehended his Goſpel, or the word of his Kingdome, Mat. 4.23. wherein the name, natures, offices, works, ſufferings, victories, excellencies of Chriſt are diſplayed. God hath promiſed that this name from the riſing of the Sun, to the going down thereof, ſhall be great among the Gentiles, Mal. 1.11. his way ſhall be known upon earth, and his ſaving truth among all Nations, Pſa. 67.2, 3, 4, 5. The Heathen ſhall be his Inheritance, and the uttermoſt parts of the earth his poſſeſſion; his name ſhall be great and glorious from Sea to Sea, and from one end of the world to another. All the ends of the world ſhall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the Nations ſhall worſhip before him, Pſa. 2.8. Pſa. 22.27. Iſa. 59.19.
Quae. But you will ſay,The name of Chriſt is ſweet and excellent. is the name of Chriſt ſo excellent?
Anſw. Yea it is moſt excellent, Heb. 1.4. Act. 4.12. For
Firſt, In knowing and remembring the name of Chriſt, we come to the ſaving knowledge of God, whoſe name is in Chriſt, Exod. 23.21. Now what is the name of the Lord (as himſelf proclaimeth it to Moſes) but his mercy, truth, power, goodneſſe, wiſedome, long-ſuffering, for our our Salvation, Exod. 34.6, 7. This name Chriſt declareth to his Brethren, Heb. 2.12. And hath made familiar unto us, (God being manifeſted in our nature) they ſhall call his name Emanuel, which (being interpreted) is God with us, Mat. 1.23.
Secondly, The name of God in Chriſt is our ſtrong Tower, and refuge, whereunto we may have recourſe in all our trialls and dangers, and be ſafe, Pro. 18.10. When ſin and Satan, and our own conſciences accuſe us, we muſt run to this ſtrong hold. His name ſhall be Jeſus, for he ſhall ſave his people from their ſins, Mat. 1.21. And this is his name whereby he ſhall be called the Lord our righteouſneſſe, Jer. 23.6. This name is our ſtay and ſupport when we have not that comfortable ſenſe of Divine love which we formerly had. He that walketh in darkneſſe, and hath no light, let him truſt in the name of the Lord, Iſa. 50.10. And hereof we ſhould make mention continually (as the Pſalmiſt ſaith) I will make mention of thy righteouſneſſe, even of thine onelyonly, Pſa. 71.16.
II. Quaer. What is it to remember the name of Chriſt?
Anſw. There is a twofold remembrance of his name.What is it to remember the name of Chriſt. A twofold remembrance. 1 A notionall.
I. A meer ſpeculative notionall remembrance of it. Thus thouſands (who will not have Chriſt to Reign over them) doe literally and notionally commemorate his name, Goſpel, and Kingdome, and make repetition thereof with the tongue (perhaps far more readily then many ſincere Chriſtians who have not ſuch a ſtrong naturall memory and faculty of expreſſion to diſcourſe of the things of Chriſt which they read and hear.) Not every one that ſaith Lord, Lord (i.e.) that mentions the name Goſpel and Kingdome of the Lord Jeſus, ſhall be ſaved. Many will ſay in that day Lord Lord have we not Propheſied, caſt out Devils, and done wonderfull works in thy name? but the Lord will ſay he never knew them, Mat. 7.21, 22, 23. Men may performe ſome duties in the name and ſtrength of Chriſt, and be raiſed above their naturall and acquired abilities, by ſome influences and gifts of the Spirit of God, and yet the Lord will not owne them for his true Remembrancers.
Quae. 3 II. There is alſo a ſanctified ſpirituall practicall Remembrance of the name of Chriſt;2 A practicall remembrance of the name of Chriſt. ſo to remember him as to believe on him, doe his will, love him, and delight in him (in the ſenſe of his love to us) We will remember thy love (ſaith the Spouſe) more then Wine, Cant. 1.4. The name or love of Chriſt is ſweet and precious to a ſpiritual experienced Chriſtian. Austin after he had experimented the vertue and excellency of the name of Chriſt,How the Spirit cauſeth us to remember Chriſts name. did diſreliſh Cicero's eloquent Writings, becauſe he found not this name in them. When the Spirit of the Lord opens the name of Chriſt to a ſoule, it is like a Box of ſweet Oyntment, caſting forth a moſt fragrant and odoriferous ſmell. Thy name is as Oyntment powred forth, therefore doe the Virgins love thee, Cant. 1.3.
Now to the third Quaery, Negat. Not ordinarily, by immediate ſuggeſtion and revelation.How and by what means the Spirit of God cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be Remembred?
Anſw. 1 I Anſwer, firſt (negatively) the Spirit doth not now ordinarily cauſe Chriſts name to be remembred by immediate ſuggeſtion and Revelation, as he did before the word of God was written; then indeed the Spirit of the Lord did more immediately ſuggeſt the name and will of Chriſt to the Patriarchs, yea, and after ſome part of the word was written, to the Prophets and Apoſtles; but now we are under a better and ſurer adminiſtration. God who at ſundry times, and in divers manners (by peace meale, now a little, and then a little*foreign) ſpake in time paſt to the fathers, hath in theſe laſt dayes ſpoken to us by his Son once for all, Heb. 1.1, 2. We have a more ſure word of Prophecy, whereunto we may doe well to take heed, 2 Pet. 1.19. The Lord hath commanded us to hear the voyce of his Son in his word and Ordinances, and every ſoule that will not hear ſhall be cut off, Deut. 18.18. Acts 3.22. Acts 7.37.
†Yet nevertheleſſe there is an immediate Teſtimony of the Sp.And yet it will not be denyed but that there is an immediate Teſtimony of the Spirit (without any ſyllogiſticall reaſoning) ſaying particularly to the ſoul, Be of good cheere, thy ſins are forgiven thee. The Holy Ghoſt doth not alwayes evidence to a mans conſcience his good eſtate by force of Argument taken taken from the fruits of Sanctification, but ſometimes immediately by way of preſence; as the fight of a friend comforts a man without help of diſcourſe; and thus much is granted by many eminent practicall Divines, *Dr. Preſton Chur. Mar. p. 9. Of effect. faith. p. 245 Dr. Sibbs Seale of Spi. p. 166. Mr. Tho. Goodwin Ret. of prayers. p. 109.269. Mr. Sym. Deſ. ſoule. M. Rutherford. M. Cotton.who alledge Rom. 8.16.1 John 5.6, 8. Rev. 2.17. for it, & no donbt but many ſpiritual Chriſtians (who are far from Emhuſiaſmes) have experience thereof. Concerning which,Cautions about the immediate Teſtimony of the Sp. theſe Cautions are to be obſerved.
Firſt, That this immediate Teſtimony is not ordinarily communicated to every believer, but only to ſome Chriſtians.
Caution. 2 Secondly, It followes deep and ſerious ſelf-abaſement and Humiliation.
Caution. 3 Thirdly, It comes after great and extraordinary afflictions, deſertions, conflicts, Rev. 2.17. As Wine is given to them that are of heavy hearts, Prov. 31.6. or elſe it is to prepare a Chriſtian for great afflictions and Martyrdome. The Apoſtles were preſent with Chriſt at his Transfiguration, Mat 17.1. and beheld his glory that they might be fitted to ſuffer for him. Bleſſed Glover having been in a diſconſolate condition, cryes out a little before his Martyrdome, He is come, he is come.
Caution. 4 Fourthly, This immediate whiſpering or ſuggeſtion is ſo far from making a Chriſtian abandon and caſt off the Ordinances and appointments of Chriſt, that it quickens and ſtirs him up to be more frequent, zealous and ſpirituall in the things of Gods worſhip. The Spirit of God enters into us when the Lord ſpeaks to us in and by his word, Ezek. 2.1, 2.
Anſw. 2 Therefore ſecondly, Affirmat. The Spirit cauſeth Chriſts name to be remembred ordinarily in the uſe of means. The Spirit cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred. 1 By enabling men to preach the Goſpel.The Holy Ghoſt doth ordinarily comemorate and cauſe the name of Chriſt to be remembred in and by the uſe of means and ſecond cauſes, which though they be but paſſive in themſelves, and ſo cannot produce any powerfull effect without the invincible concurrence and operation of the Spirit of God, yet the Spirit doth ordinarily work thereby: Nor doth he bring to our remembrance contrary things, but the very ſame things which are contained in the word, John 14.26.
Let me now declare more particularly how and after what manner the Spirit of God cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred.
Firſt therefore he anointeth and furniſheth men with ſpirituall gifts and abilities, Epheſ. 3.8. Epheſ. 4.8. for declaring and making known to the world a naked crucified Chriſt as the object of true faith, and the ſum, ſubſtance, and quinteſſence of all the Scriptures, Promiſes, Sacraments, Ordinances, graces, comforts, 1 Cor. 2.2. Gal. 6.14. 2 Cor. 1.20. Col. 2.10. Col. 3.11. There being no other name given under Heaven whereby we can be ſaved, but the name of Chriſt, Acts 4.12. No other foundation can my man lay, then that which is laid, 1 Cor. 3.11.
Secondly, 2 By ſtirring up in the Saints a mighty Spirit of prayer.He ſtirreth up in his people a mighty ſpirit of Prayer, to implore and beſiege the Throne of grace inceſſantly (maugre all diſcouragements) One thing have I deſired of the Lord (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) that will I ſeek after, Pſal. 27.4. The Spirit of God makes them reſtleſſe and importunate, ſo that they will take no denyall; Lord thou haſt promiſed that thou wilt advance thy Name and thy Kingdome, and ſpread thy truth throughout the world, and that all impediments and hindrances ſhall be removed; now Lord I plead thy Promiſe, and doe earneſtly beg the fulfilling of it, that ſo thou mayeſt have more honour in the world then thou haſt at this day. Though God doth not effect great things for our prayers, yet he doth ordinarily ſtir up in his people a ſpirit of prayer, before he bring them to paſſe. The ſame Spirit that cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred, in the Nations of the world, doth direct his people to pray for thoſe very things which God intends to accompliſh. As in a way of Prophecy, the Spirit in the Prophets did ſignifie the glory that ſhould follow, 1 Pet. 1.11. So here in a way of prayer.
Thirdly, 2 Byrevealing Chriſt to theſouls of men.The Spirit of God doth powerfully and convincingly reveale the name of Chriſt to the ſoules of men. He ſhall glorifie me (ſaith Chriſt) for he ſhall take of mine, and ſhew it unto you, John 16.14. He ſhall exalt that name which is exalted above all names, Eph. 1.21. Phil. 2.9. We read of the demonſtration of the Spirit, 1 Cor. 2.3. Now a demonſtration is the moſt convincing, and cleareſt kind of proof, which beareth down all before it, and ſilenceth all objections to the contrary. For this end the Miniſtry of the Goſpel is mighty and powerfull, but then it is through the Spirit of God, 2 Cor. 10.4. without which all the teachings of men will not make the name of Chriſt to be remembred to purpoſe; but where this ſpirituall demonſtration comes, it anſwers all cavills, and outs the Devil of his ſtrong hold.
Fourthly, 4 In order hereunto, the Spirit puts a Divine light into their hearts.In order hereunto the Spirit of the Lord puts a Divine light into the blind hearts of men. What though the Sun ſhine brightly, yet if a man be blind he cannot ſee it. Now we are all ſpiritually blind by nature, 2 Cor. 3.14. 2 Cor. 4.4. Acts 26.18. Epheſ. 5.8. and therefore there is an abſolute neceſſity not only that the object ſhould be revealed, but alſo that a Divine ſpirituall light and capacity ſhould be put into the ſubject, which being done by the Spirit of wiſedome and Revelation, Epheſ. 1.17. ſhining into mens hearts, and giving them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4.6. The name word and works of Chriſt are exceeding myſterious, the little book (which is in the right hand of him that ſits on the Throne) is claſped and ſealed, Rev. 5.1. till the Spirit unclaſp and open it to us, and give us a ſpirituall underſtanding of the things which are written in it. There is a Spirit in the word, a Spirit in the wheeles, or providentiall revolutions and changes, Ezek 1.1. which opens the myſteries of the word and works of Chriſt, and ſo declares his name unto us.
Fifthly, 5 He reneweth in them the remembrance of ſpirituall things.Whereas the beſt of us (notwithſtanding our former experiences) are exceeding apt to forget the name of the Lord Jeſus (which is our reſting place) and ſo are diſquieted in our ſpirits, and become exceeding dull and unfruitfull in our places (ſo that God hath little honour by us) the Spirit in this caſe whiſpers us in the ear, awakens us, and brings the name of Chriſt to our remembrance, John 14.26. yea ſome truths which perhaps we have read or heard many years agoe, and which have been long out of our remembrance, the Spirit ſets afreſh upon our hearts, and that when we are in a looſe and unſpiritual frame that ſo the free gracious operation and impreſſion of the Holy Ghoſt may be the more magnified by us. As for vain and unprofitable things, we can remember them with much facility, but for ſpirituall things which coucern the glory of God, the crucifying of the fleſh, and the luſts thereof, and the peace and comfort of our own ſoules, we doe as eaſily forget, till the Spirit of God by over-powring our hearts, cauſe us to remember the ſame: He it is that doth particularly apply the promiſes unto us, he it is that helpeth our infirmities, Rom. 8.26. He is our Remembrancer and comforter, our teacher and our councellor; in difficult caſes he leadeth us into all truth, John 16.13. and guideth us into thoſe wayes which make for the honour and exaltation of the name of Chriſt. When you turn to the right hand, or to the left, you ſhall hear a word behind you, ſaying, this is the way, walke in it, Iſa. 30.21.
Sixthly, 6 He helps Chriſtians in their places to ſpeak out their experiences of his goodneſſe.As the holy Ghoſt raiſeth up and comforteth the hearts of declining Chriſtians themſelves, by minding them ſeriouſly of the name of Chriſt, and cauſing them to remember from whence they are fallen, Rev. 2.5. and that it was much better with them before, then now it is, Hoſ. 2.7. So he openeth their mouths wide (being by nature ſpiritually dumb, and averſe to the language of Canaan) to declare and ſet forth the name and praiſes of Chriſt where they come, and to ſpeak of his goodneſſe to others. With the tongue men confeſſe the name of the Lord, Rom. 10.10. and the manifeſtation of the Spirit is given to every one to profit withall, 1 Cor. 12.7. and till the Spirit of God enlarge our hearts, and open our mouths, we cannot hold forth the truth in love and meekneſſe nor faithfully communicate to others our experiences of the vertue and efficacy of the name, natures, offices, and relations of Chriſt: we cannot in a Chriſtian manner declare the ſame to our Children, that they may make them known to their children, and ſo from one Generation to another.
Seventhly, 7 He maketh them walk holily and convincingly.The Spirit of God (being a Spirit of holineſſe and of glory) cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred by working up the hearts and lives of the Saints to much holineſſe and purity; men are led more by example then by precept. When Chriſtians have a converſation becoming the Goſpel, and walk as Chriſt walked, Phil. 1.27. Phil. 2.5. O this convinceth gainſayers, adorneth the name of Chriſt, and cauſeth men to fall in love therewith; as on the contrary, the pride, ſelfiſhneſſe, worldlineſſe, and diviſions of Chriſtians doe exceedingly harden the wicked, and cauſe the name of the Lord to be blaſphemed, Rom. 2.24. O therefore let every one that nameth the name of Chriſt, depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.14. They that are taught by the holy Spirit of God will doe ſo.
Eighthly, 8 By the ſufferings of the Saints, he advanceth the name of Chriſt.The Lord maketh his name to be remembred, not only by the active, but alſo by the paſſive obedience of his people. The blood of the Martyrs is the ſeed of the Church; they that ſuffer for the name of Chriſt, with the mind of Chriſt, namely, with patience, meekneſſe, humility, wiſedome, love and pity to their enemies, are the beſt and moſt powerfull Preachers of Chriſts name and Goſpel. As the Spirit of God made the name of Chriſt famous by the preaching, ſo by the ſufferings of the Apoſtles; as they laboured much for Chriſt, ſo they ſuffered great things for his name, Acts 9.16. Acts 5.41. and it is given to the Saints not only to believe, but to ſuffer for his ſake, Phil. 1.29. Many have been converted, and have embraced the name of Chriſt, by beholding the heavenly carriage and deportment of the Martyrs in their ſufferings, the ſame darting forth not a little ſpirituall glory and Majeſty.Satan (and not the Spirit of God) doth ſometimes, put men upon Religious duties.
Obj. But (you will ſay, that) Satan doth ſometimes put men upon Religious duties, and ſuggeſt the name and things of Chriſt to them, and cauſe them to remember, and to mention the ſame.
Anſw. This is very true, Satan can and doth tranſform himſelf into an Angel of light, 2 Cor. 11.14. (eſpecially in our dayes) Oh the ſad and dreadfull deluſions that are abroad in the world! Oh the ſubtill devices turnings and windings of this wily Serpent! how many Stars hath this Dragons tayle caſt down to the earth? Rev. 12.4.
Satan hath ſeverall wayes and methods to infinuate into poor ſoules, and to delude them, and I wiſh with all my ſoule we may not be ignorant of his Devices, 2 Cor. 2.11. He will ſeem to exalt Chriſt and redemption by his blood, the teachings of his Spirit, the perfection and glory of his righteouſneſſe and ſatisfaction to the poor wounded ſoule.*See the Quakers ſhaken, in the Narrat. of 10. Gilpin. Daemon. Meridian. p. 81. by M. Fowler. And will cauſe ſuch viſions, apparitions, repreſentations to the fancy and ſenſes of a man, as will at preſent wonderfully raiſe and elevate him, as if he were in the third Heaven.5 Things wherein Satan differs from the Spirit of God in putting men upon Religious duties.
But let theſe five diſtinguiſhing Notes be conſidered by the Reader, and they will (by Gods bleſſing) miniſter ſome light unto him.
Firſt then, Satan puts a man upon Religious exerciſes at unſeaſonable times, when he ſhould be employed in his Calling; God loveth mercy and not ſacrifice. Indeed there is a great temptation on the other hand when Chriſtians neglect prayer, meditation, and hearing the word, under pretence of multiplicity of other buſineſſe, and employments. But the Spirit of God is Regular, and ſeaſonable in his motions to Religious duties, and doth not make a man neglect the duties either of his generall or particular Calling.
Secondly, Satan when he puts a man upon prayer, or any other Religious ſervice, he comes upon the conſcience in a rough, violent, imperious maner, not humbling, preparing, and enlarging the heart in order to the duty, as the Spirit of the Lord doth, who directs the Saints both as to the matter manner and other circumſtances of prayer. The Spirit of adoption comes not in the rough, but in the ſtill voyce, 'tis a Dove like, not a boyſterous Spirit.
Thirdly, Satan by his ſuggeſtions about ſpirituall things, makes men the more flaſhy, inconſtant, fantaſticall, proud and vain; but the holy Ghoſt the more he operates upon, and ſuggeſts the name of Chriſt to the ſoule, the more ſerious, ſober, conſtant, humble, wiſe and grave, ſuch a ſoule will be.
Fourthly, Satan endeavours to ſhuffle out one duty by another, as prayer or hearing, by reading, &c. 'Tis his deſigne to exclude publick adminiſtrations by private communion, or private communion by publick adminiſtrations: But the Spirit of the Lord is uniform, and by his motions cauſeth the ſoule to have reſpect to the whole will of Chriſt, and to remember his name in all the Ordinances of his worſhip, as there is opportunity.
Laſtly, Though Satan may ſometimes, and in ſome caſes, pretend to the exalting of the blood of Chriſt, and the teachings of the Spirit of Chriſt, yet it is that himſelf may have the more advantage: He reduceth all to that light, or rather thoſe Principles of darknes which are within a man, and ſo in effect puts him upon a meer Covenant of works, and the worſt …nd of Popery and Socinianiſme (as we have many ſad examples thereof at this day) vilifying and excluding the written word, Miniſtry, and Ordinances of Chriſt, as meer ſhadowes, and beggerly Rudiments, and bringing in a multitude of ſenfleſſe Allegories, and fooliſh ſpeculations, which eat out and deſtroy the very marrow and favour of the Scriptures. But as for the Spirit of God, he doth ordinarily convert, teach, comfort, and ſtabliſh the ſoule, by applying the blood, benefits, and Promiſes of Chriſt, as the ſame are propounded and held forth in the written word, and the faithfull diſpenſation thereof by his Miniſters; he doth ordinarily ſpeak in, with, and by, and alwayes according to the written word (rightly underſtood) nor doth the Spirit of the Lord cauſe a Chriſtian to ſlight and contemne his brother, as being not under ſuch high attainments as himſelf. Much more might be ſaid on this ſubject, but it is a large common place upon which many good men have written, and therefore I ſhall inſiſt no further upon it.
From what hath been delivered in the Explication of this Doctrine, we may draw three or four uſefull Corrolaries.
Corol. 1 Firſt then, They doe but labour in vain, and ſtrive againſt their Maker, who attempt directly or indirectly, to cauſe the name of Chriſt either perſonall or myſticall to be quite forgotten. The enemies conſulted againſt Gods hidden ones, that the name of Iſrael might be no more in remembrance, Pſal. 83.4. Herod would have killed Chriſt as ſoon as he was born, Mat. 2.16. And there be many that would deſtroy Chriſt as ſoon as he is ſpiritually formed in the ſoule, Gal. 4.19. When Goſpel light breaks forth, theſe (like the Dog in the manger) not only reject it themſelves, but would hinder others from receiving it, being afraid of the light, leſt their works of darkneſſe ſhould be diſcovered. Thus it was with the Phariſees, John 3.20, 21. But (will they, nill they) the light ſhall ſhine forth more and more, till it have fully diſcovered the Impoſtures of Satan and Antichriſt, and made the name and truths of Chriſt glorious throughout the world, the Spirit of glory and Revelation will doe it. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit (ſaith the Lord of Hoſts) Zech. 4.6. The Spirit of the Lord ſhall lift up a Standard, Iſa. 59.19. This Battell ſhall be by burning and fuell of fire, Iſa. 9.5.
Corol. 2 Secondly, Foraſmuch as the Lord hath promiſed that he will cauſe his name to be remembred, we that have often made mention of his name, and ſee but little fruit of our labours, ſhould nevertheleſſe take courage, and not diſpond in our ſpirits, conſidering what the Lord hath promiſed (though we be vile and unworthy) that the Gentiles ſhall know and truſt in his name, Rom. 15.12, 21. The Lord will write his Law in the hearts of the people, and they ſhall know the truth, and the truth ſhall make them free, Jer. 31.33. John 8.32. The Lord will deſtroy in this mountain, the face of the covering caſt over all people, and the vaile which is ſpread over all Nations, Iſa. 25.7. Many ſhall run too and fro, and knowledge ſhall be encreaſed, Dan. 12.4. Living waters ſhall goe out from Jeruſalem, and the earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, Zech. 14.8. yea, the Lord will be to the people as a dew falling on the tender graſſe, and they ſhall bring forth fruit in ſeaſon, and their fruit ſhall abide, Pſal. 92. Hoſ. 14.15. Pſal. 110.3. Mic. 5.7. Iſa. 55.10. Gal. 4.27. John 15.16.
We know from ſad experience that our poor Children and relations, yea generally all our Auditors doe forget the name of Chriſt, though we often mention it to them, here a little, and there a little, line upon line, and precept upon precept, Iſa. 28.10. But when the Spirit of the Lord writes the name of Chriſt upon their hearts, they ſhall remember it, and ſhall be manifeſtly declared to be the Epiſtle of Chriſt, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, 2 Cor. 3.2, 3.
Corol. 3 Thirdly, It concerns us therefore to honour and exalt the Spirit of the Lord who indited this Pſalm, and in the light, wiſedome, and ſtrength of that Spirit (with all humility and reverence) to hallow and make mention of the name of Chriſt, whereover we are caſt by providence; but eſpecially to our Children and Relations, that they may make the ſame known to their Children; and in ſo doing, we ſhall leave a ſweet favour behind us, and be a bleſſed example to the next ſucceeding Generation, whom (I doubt not) the Lord will honour in the carrying on of his work (though we of this preſent age ſhould be laid aſide as unfit for it.)
Magiſtrates, Miniſters, Parents, Maſters of Families, every one in his place, ſhould declare to the people, eſpecially to the younger ſort (that they may declare the ſame to the next Generation.)
1 The glorious works of Creation and Providence, and the wonderfull out goings and appearances of God in the deliverance of his people, Exod. 12.25. Pſal. 77.11, 12.
2 The admirable things of Gods holy Law, which we ſhould whet upon our Children, Pſal. 119.129. Deut. 4.9. Deut. 6.7. Pſal. 78.5, 6, 7. Mal. 4.4. Yea, we ſhould keep a Record of the Judgements and terrible diſpenſations of God, Joel 1.3. But
3 We ought eſpecially to commemorate and tranſmit to our poſterity, the ſweet and precious name of Chriſt (to wit) the gracious complot and Covenant between the Father and the Son, for our redemption and ſalvation, Prov. 8.23, 30, 31. Heb. 10.7. Iſa. 49.3, 4, &c. Iſa. 53.12. And the heavenly intercourſe and tranſactions between Chriſt and his Church, which are the ſubject matter of this Song; herein we ought chiefly to inſtruct our Children, that the ſame may not depart out of their mouth, nor out of the mouth of their ſeed, nor out of the mouths of their ſeeds ſeed, Iſa. 59.21. The living, the living, he ſhall praiſe thee, The father to the Children ſhall make knowne thy truth, Iſa. 38.19.
An aniverſary memoriall of, and thankſgiving for outward deliverances, is not ſufficient, much leſſe for ſoule mercies, the praiſes whereof ſhould be continually celebrated by us. Tell your Children, and let your Children tell their Children, and their Children another Generation, Joel 1.3. what the Lord Chriſt hath done for poor ſinners.
Corol. 4 Laſtly, Seeing the Spirit of God in and by the Church cauſeth the name of Chriſt to be remembred, Let us therefore earneſtly beg and wait for the abundant powring out of this Spirit, Iſa. 44.3. Iſa. 35.7. Joel 2.28. That the Goſpel may run, and may be glorified, and that the precious name of Chriſt (which is as a box of ſweet perſume) may be powred into the hearts, memories, mouths, and lives of the people, and that all Nations may bleſſe the Lord for Chriſt, as the great defite and delight thereof, Hag. 2.7. and for his Church, which ſhall be the joy of many Generations, Iſa. 60.15. that with gladneſſe and rejoycing they may make mention of that ſpirituall intercourſe which is between the Bridegroome and Bride here, and the glorious communion which ſhall be between them … Heaven, and which is and ſhall be matter of high praiſes to Eternity, as the Pſalmiſt concludes, Therefore ſhall the people praiſe thee for ever and ever.
Make haſt, and come away my Beloved, and be thou like to a Roe, or to a young Hart upon the mountaines of Spices,
Gant. 8.14.
Let the Spirit and the Bride ſay come, and let him that heareth ſay come; and let him that is athirſt come. He which teſtifieth theſe things, ſaith, ſurely I come quickly, Amen. Even ſo, come Lord Jeſus,
Rev. 22.17, 20.
FINIS.