' Qu. ' in the eecond, what, &c. ' ? — Ed.
132 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XLIV.
askest tliou thus after my name, seeing it is secret ?' There was little known of the Trinity, of the Son of God, the incarnation of the Son of Grod, &c.
First point, That one great privilege of the gospel is to know God by his right name.
1. I shall show 5^011 how God's name and title hath been often changed and altered, because he would acquaint his people with his full name by degrees: Bxod. vi. 3, ' I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.' First to Abraham, to distinguish him from idols and false gods. El Shaddai ; then * Jeho- vah,' as giving being to his people, making good his promises ; after, ' God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob,' as relating more to the covenant ; then, * God that brought them out of the land of Egypt,' Exod. XX. 2 ; then, ' God that brought them out of the land of the north ; ' then, ' the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; ' before that, ' the Lord our righteousness,' Jer. xxiii. 6. The Jewish church knew little of the doctrine of the Trinity, distinction of the persons, quality of the mediator. God proclaimed his name : Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7, ' The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long- suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression and sin.' But tlie way of pardon was not then so fully discovered. Some names God hath from everlasting, as Eternal, Infinite ; some relate to the present state, as Creator, Lord, God in covenant, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
2. What the gospel especially doth discover more of God.
[1.] The distinction of the persons in the Godhead. At the baptism of Christ the whole Trinity was sensibly present ; the Son in the body, the Father in the voice, and the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove. This was the myster}^ brought upon the stage.
[2.] The incarnation of Christ : 1 Tim. iii. Iti, ' God manifest in the flesh.' The world was acquainted with this great help to piety. The Jews had a temple ; here is a temple wherein the Godhead dwelleth bodily : Col. ii. 9, ' For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the God- head bodily.'
[3.] The attributes of God are more amply declared. Every excel- lency of God hath its proper theatre where it is seen. In the gospel ^11 are discovered, but chiefly mercy, justice, and truth. His power and his wisdom are seen in the world, but more in the gospel ; the heavens do not declare half so much of the glory of God as the word and doctrine which Christ brought out of the Father's bosom : 1 Cor. i. 24, ' Christ the wisdom of God, and the power of God.' There is truth : 2 Cor. i. 20, ' For all the promises of God in him are Yea, and in him Amen.' The greatest assurance of his faithfulness was his sending Christ ; that which we expect is nothing so difficult to believe as the incarnation of the Son of God ; his second coming is not so un- likely as his first ; if he came to suffer, and to purchase, he will come to reign. His wisdom in joining God and man together in the person of Christ, justice and mercy together, comfort and duty together in the covenant of grace ; two natures, two : attributes. God loseth no honour,
VeR. 26.] SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. 133
man wanteth no encouragement. God showeth his justice: Eom. iii. 26, ' To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' While the sacrifices continued, God only showed patience and forbearance ; his lioliness and hatred of sin, by laying it on Christ, punishing it in Christ ; his wrath, the most dreadful sight of God's wrath is upon Golgotha ; God spared not his Son. But his grace, that was on the top : Titus iii. 4, ' But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared.' This is the attribute that beareth sway in the gospel. Mercy is in office ever since the fall ; there was not so much kindness to man discovered in innocency ; God did good to a good man, there was no mercy to enemies then ; there man was made after God's image, here God is made after our image and like- ness. Mercy and grace comes now to show itself to the world.
Use. Let us admire and study more the name of God in the gospel. The first letter of Christ's name is Wonderful. He is a mystery that is worthy our contemplation. The angels have known more of God since Christ was revealed : Eph. iii. 10, ' To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.' Let it take up your thoughts, set your minds awork : Heb. iii. 1 , ' Wherefore, holy brethren, par- takers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Jesus Christ.' There cannot be a more afiective, humbling and heart-changing consideration.