tion.*-JEHOVAH is a man of war: JEHOVAH is his

name.

And it is very remarkable to this purpose, that when he promised any special favor or blessing to the church, or threatened any distinguishing judgment to their enemies on their behalf, which was the same as promises to them, he gave this as a reason, That they might know his name to be JEHOVAH," which expression is very frequent in the old testament, and certainly shews that the name itself, has a relation to what he promises to do for them; when by the mighty works he would perform on their behalf, they should learn the relation he stood in to them as JEHOVAH, their Savior, fulfilling his promises to them.

In like manner when he gave them ordinances and laws, he always put them in mind of their obligation to observe them, from the consideration of his name JEHOVAH. Accordingly, when any particular commandment is enjoined them, he commonly adds, "I AM JEHOVAH," or, "I AM JEHOVAH THY GOD." And it is very observable, that the ten commandments which were given them with so great external solemnity, are prefaced with these remarkable words, " I AM JEHOVAH THY ELOHIM, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This expression being so often repeated, must have been of the greatest importance to that people, and if rightly understood, is full of instruction to us. At the same time, that every repetition thereof put them in mind of the power and prerogative of

In the same words Isaiah triumphs in JEHOVAH, who, he says, was become his JESUS. See page 127.

+ Exod. xx. 2.

JEHOVAH, to give out what laws, statutes, and or dinances, he pleased, and require their obedience and conformity to them in the manner he directed.

It gave them the strongest assurance of the infallible performance of all the promises he had made. It secured to them the enjoyment of such blessings as he in sovereignty had added to their dutiful obedience to the laws he had given them,-and was a divine certification, that the comminations he prefixed to the violation of these statutes, should be as certainly executed.

When he says, "I am JEHOVAH your GOD, it must certainly denote the relation he stood in to them; and that he would aid and protect them in the exercise of their duty, and amply reward them for it. This was not like Egyptian bondage, of making brick without straw; for at the same time that he imposes the duties, he intimates the gracious relation he was come under to them, in names every way significant and expressive of that divine aid necessary to their right performance of the duties required. Thus, the same gospel was preached to them as to us, in whom the power of divine truth, expressed in the names and relations in which GOD in his sovereign mercy and grace has revealed himself to us, is the all-powerful cause of that love and conformity we shew to the commandments of the LORD our GOD.

True believers were then, as well as now, distinguished from such as only professed to be lieve, by the power of truth contained in these declarations made by JEHOVAH, of what he was to them, and what he would do for them, included in significant names, promises, prophecies, signs, sacrifices, &c. the spirit and intent of which being known and believed by them, was a principle and cause that love and filial obedience they expressed

for the honor and glory of him, who had conferred such valuable privileges upon them. The truly righteous in all periods, have viewed the duties required of them, in the light of privileges conferred upon them. But the other, who saw no further than the letter, was void of that knowledge on which belief is founded, consequently, their obedience was without principle, and had no higher end than self under some consideration or other: and the great reason is frequently given, "They knew not the name of JEHOVAH, and therefore they did not regard the words of his mouth.-But they that knew his name, put their trust in him."

This subject is capable of exemplification from a variety of passages, but I shall only notice one in Isaiah,* where JEHOVAH declares several things concerning Christ, the Savior, and the great work he should perform, especially the extent of the privileges of the gospel to the blinded Gentile nations; and to command credit to these sovereign declarations, he says, "I am JEHOVAH, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another."-The glory of bringing to pass these great events, which were as certain as to their accomplishment, as other promises made formerly, which were already fulfilled, therefore he adds, "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare, before they spring forth I tell you of them." His glory as JEHOVAH is pledged for the performance; and the Gentile nations are invited to rejoice in JEHOVAH, who had thus engaged himself for their salvation: and to confirm their hopes, he declares the divine cause and method of bringing to pass the grand event. "JEHOVAH‡ is pleased for his righteousness' sake, for he shall magnify the law, and make it honorable," by bringing into † Ver. 8.

* Isa. xlii.

Isa. xlii. 21.

being, and actually accomplishing what JEHOVAH had engaged the honor of his name for.

The word TORAH here rendered law, might as well be doctrine, institution, or disposition. The word ADAR signifies illustrious, eminent, magnificent. The verbs, as in many other declarations of Jehovah, are in the hiphil conjugation, which is always expressive of the cause,-is the same as if he had said, "I will cause to be;" and with respect to his promises, points out the absolute certainty of their accomplishment. The verse reads, "JEHOVAH is pleased to manifest his faithfulness: he will cause his institutions to be magnified: he will cause his law or doctrine to be illustrious." JEHOVAH is represented as the efficient cause of the promises made respecting the salvation of ment being accomplished, which plainly shews the connection betwixt the name, and the salvation promised.

When divines speak of Christ fulfilling the law, it is generally restricted to what is called the moral law, or ten commandments, which he perfectly obeyed in his life, and is commonly called his active obedience. But the law here must be taken in a larger sense, including what gives instruction, as well as what implies obligation, and extends to every thing in the old testament concerning him, whether doctrines, promises, prophecies, types, signs, shadows, &c. all which are fulfilled with unerring exactness in him.-Every circumstance concerning him in the new testament, (many of which perhaps seem very trifling to a carnal conception) was a fulfilling something that referred to him in the old, Hence it is so often said," As it is written-that the scriptures might be fulfilled.” In this manner JEHOVAH manifested his faithfulness, and made his institu

tions, doctrine, of law, magnificent and illustrious, every tittle whereof being fulfilled in JESUS CHRIST: and of so great importance was it to the glory of JEHOVAH, that JESUS CHRIST could not dispense with the least circumstance, without the strictest conformity and most perfect obedience thereto, not only in the letter, but the spirit and intent of it: and his mind being capacious enough to investigate the extensive subject in every necessary point of view, the principles of obedience and springs of action in him, being commensurate to the extent of the law in its utmost latitude, and adequate to the divine spirituality thereof, gave such worth to his obedience, as when viewed by the impartial eye of JEHOVAH, who sent him to fulfil all righteousness, the sentence of approbation is proclaimed from heaven in his favor, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

But to make this point still more evident, let it be considered, that the name JEHOVAH is given to JESUS CHRIST in the old testament, joined with the common names of Savior, Redeemer, &c. which certainly belong to the economy of redemption: and to confirm the faith of the church, it is pro mised, that he should be called by this name, joined with another peculiar to him as our Redeemer, and which is declared by JEHOVAH in the before cited text, to be the capital ground of his being pleased with us." This is the name whereby he shall be called, JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness." This refers to the

Jer. xxiii. 6.

+ We have a strange translation of a similar text, Jer xxxiii. 16. "In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shril dwell safely and this is the name whereby she shall be called, the LORD our righteousness." Not to expose the glaring incongruity of the terms, "SHE shall be called the LORD," the sentiment conveyed by them destroys the foundation of our acceptance