A. 14. We hallow and sanctify God's name, by making as many proselytes as we can to him ; v.'hen, by all holy expedients, counsel, prayer, example, we endeavour the salvation of others. How did IVIonica, St. Austin's mother, labour for his conversion ! She had sorer pangs in travail for his new birth, than for his natural birth. It is an liallowing of God's name, when we diffuse the sweet savour of godliness and propagate rclijfion to Others ; when not only we our- selves honour God, but are instruments to make others honour him ; certainly when the heart is seasoned with grace, there will be an endeavour to season otliers. God's glory is as dear to a saint as his own salva- tion ; and that tliis glory may be promoted, he endeavours the conversion of souls; every convert is a member added to Christ. Let us thus liaHow God's name by labouring to advance piety in others ; especially, let us endeavour that those who are nearly relat- ed to us, or are under our roof, shall honour God, Josh. xxiv. 15., " As for me and my house, we will serve tlie Lord." Let us make our houses Bethels, places where God's name is called upon, Col. iv. 15., " Salute Nymphas, and the church that is in his house." Let the parent endeavour that his children may honour God, and the master that his servants honour him ; read the word, drop holy instruction, perfume your houses with prayer ; the Jews had sa- crifices in their family as well as in the ta- bernacle, Exod. xii. 3. This is an hallow- ing (iod's name, when we make proselytes to him, and endeavour that all under our charge should honour and sanctify his name.
A. 15. We hallow God's name when we prefer the honour of God's name before the dearest things. 1*/. We prefer the honour of God's name before our own credit. The saints of old have, for the honour of God, been willing to endure re])roach, Ps. Ixix. 7., '' For thy sake I lutve borne reproach." David cared not what reproach he suffered so God's name might not suffer. The pro* phet Elijah was called in derision, ' the hairy prophet ;' and the prophet Isaiah, ' the bearer of burdens ;' and the prophet Zepl\a-
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liiali, ' the bittei' propliet ;' but they did bind these reproaches as a crown about tlieir head ; the lionour of God's name was dear- er to them than their own lionour. Moses esteemed the rej)roaches of Clnist f^reater riches than tlie treasures of Egypt, Ileb. xi. 26. TJie aj)ostles went away rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ, Acts v. 41., — that they were graced so far as to be disgraced for the name of Clirist. This is an haHow- ing God's name, when we are content to have our name eclipsed, that God's name may shine the more. — 2d. We prefer the honour of God's name before our worldly profit and interest. Mat. xix. 27., " We have forsaken all and followed thee." When tliese two, God and estate, come in compe- tition, we will rather let estate go than God's love and favour. Thus that noble marquis of Vico parted with a fair estate using these words, '• Let their money perish Avith them, that count all the gold and silver in the world worth one hour's communion with Jesus Christ." — 3^. We prefer the ho- nour of God's name before our life, Rom. viii. 36., " For thy sake are we killed all the day long." The honour done to God's name, is not by bringing that outward pomp and glory to him as we do to kings, but God's honour comes in another way, and that is by the sufferings of his people ; when the world sees liow entirely God's people love him, that they will die in his service, this exalts and honours God's name ; God's crown doth flourish in the ashes of his mai*- tyrs. St. Basil speaks of a virgin, con- demned to the fire, who having her life and estate offered her, if she would bow to the idol, answered, Valeat vita, pareat pecunia, — Let life and money go, welcome Christ. When God's glory weighs heaviest in the balance, and we are willing to suffer the loss of all rather than God's name should Kuffer, now we do in an high degree hallow God's name.
A. 16. We do hallow and sanctify God's name, by an holy conversation, 1 Pet. ii. 9., " \e are a royal priesth<»od, a peculiar jieople: that ye should'shew forth tlie jirais- es of him who hath called you." As an unholy life doth dishoiiour God's name, Rom. ii. 21., " The name of God is blas-
jdiemed among the Gentiles througli you," so by our holy and Bible-conversation we honour God's name. A holy life speaks louder than all the anthems and praises in the world : though the main work of reli- gion lies in the heart, yet when our light so shines, that others behold it, now they glo- rify God; when our lives shine, now God's name shines. The Macedonians used one day in tlie year to wear the picture of Alex- ander set with pearl and costly jewels : so when we carry the j)icture of Clirist about us in our holy example, now we bring ho- nour to God's name.