E will inspire the whole army with courage, and strike a terror into the hearts of the enemy. Well, believer, the name of thy General, and the Captain of thy salvation, is JEHOVAH, a name at which every knee must bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. All the devils in hell tremble at the greatness of this name; and therefore take courage, hold on thy way, and resist even unto blood, striving against sin," under the conduct of such a renowned name, saying with the church, Psal. xx. 5, “We will be joyful in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners.” 66 And because we are called and commanded, in our work and warfare, to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay ourselves upon him, as our God; therefore, to encourage faith in this name, I will only give two or three additional epithets that I find affixed to it in scripture. 1. I find him called JEHOVAH-TSIDKENOO, "The Lord our Righteousness;" Jer. xxiii. 6: "This is his name, whereby he shall be called, The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." He has, by his active and passive obedience to the law, brought in everlasting righteousness for our justification, by which righteousness the law is "magnified and made honourable,” and we through faith in him, have "the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us;" and therefore, whenever the law, as a covenant, comes to demand the debt of obedience, as the condition of life, or bends its curse against thee, for the violation of its precepts, thou art to improve the name of thy General, by an applying faith, saying, He is the Lord my righteousness, "he was made sin for me, who knew no sin, that I might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2. I find him sometimes called JEHOVAH-ROPHEECHA, The Lord thy Healer or Physician, Exod. xv. 26; and, therefore, whenever thou findest thyself wounded by the fiery darts of Satan, or the pestilence or contagion of sin, in any shape, affecting thy soul with deadness, darkness, weakness, unbelief, enmity, or be what it will, presently have recourse to thy General; for he is the Captain of salvation, and by looking to him thou shalt be healed, as Israel was healed in the wilderness, by looking to the brazen serpent. 3. I find him sometimes called JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, “The Lord is there," Ezek. last chapter, last verse; which points at his gracious presence in his church, and among his people: "He is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; the Lord will help her, and that right early." By his essential presence he fills heaven and earth; and he is present in his church, in a way of special grace; for he says of Zion, "This is my rest for ever, here will I dwell; the Lord is there sitting upon a mercy-seat, to hear, help, and give out liberally to his subjects. 4. He is sometimes designated JEHOVAH-JIREH, "The Lord will see or provide," Gen. xxii. 14. This name is a glorious. encouragement under any want or strait, whether as to the soul or body; for we are thus assured, that, "when the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, the Lord will hear them, the God of Israel will not forsake them," Isa. xli. 17. 66 5. I find him called JEHOVAH-NISSI, "The Lord my Banner," Exod. xvii. 15; "because he gives a banner unto them that fear him," and they display it because of truth; and when they are allowed access to him in his ordinances, they sit down under his shadow with great delight, and his banner over them is love." His name is a banner of war, a banner of victory, a banner of triumph, to them that trust in it. 2dly, We have in the words not only Christ's name, but his office and relation to his people; he is their King, the Captain of their salvation; he is a person of royal authority, and he is appointed King of Zion by his Father, Psal. ii. 6: “ Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion:" "He hath on his vesture, and on his thigh, a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords," Rev. xix. 16; that you may'admire, and trust, and honour him as a mighty King, 1. Consider the height of his throne; it is the very same throne that the Father sits upon, hence called "the throne of God and of the Lamb." When he overcame, he sat down with the "Father on his throne," Rev. iii., at the close; and this throne of his is so high and lifted up, that when the angels look up to its height and glory, they are so dazzled that they cover their faces with their wings. 2. Consider the magnificence of his dwelling-place. Other kings have their royal palaces; but what are they, with all their splendour, but piles of dust? Zion's King inhabits eternity; "he dwelleth in the high and holy place," and "in light that is inaccessible and full of glory, which no man hath seen, nor can see." O" who shall dwell with him in his tabernacle?" See an answer, Psal. xxiv. 4. 3. Let us take a view of the splendour of his retinue, "The armies which are in heaven follow him," armies of angels, and the armies of the saints. His court is crowded with attendants, "Thousand thousands, ten thousand times ten thousands, stood before him." 4. Consider the vastness of his revenues; he levies tribute from heaven, earth, and hell. All creatures whatsoever pay a revenue of praise to him, as their great Lord, Rev. vii. 10. cause The church triumphant cries, “ Salvation to our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever." The church militant adores him, saying, " Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Yea, hell itself must pay a tribute of praise to his justice, and acknowledge the equity of his administration. 5. Consider the largeness of his dominion, in respect of all persons and places; “ His kingdom ruleth over all," Psal. cii. 19. His kingdom of grace, under the New Testament, extends to the heathen, and the uttermost parts of the earth.* And, in respect of duration, his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. In a word, he is the “ King of kings, and Lord of “ lords, the Prince of the Kings of the earth; by him kings reign, and princes decree justice." O who would not follow such a King? who would not desire to be amongst the number of his subjects? who would not desire to espouse his against all that dare to invade his prerogatives, as many are doing at this day, by encroaching on the immunities and liberties of his subjects? Do it who will, it will be to their own cost in the issue. 3dly, Another thing here, highly encouraging to the subjects and followers of this mighty Prince, is his proximity or nearness to his subjects or soldiers, “ He is on the head of them.” He is not only a Head of government, or a King, but he is also a Head of influence, such a head as that of the natural body to the members, which cannot be separated, but must always be where the members are. • God hath given him to be Head over all things 'unto the Church, which is his body.” He and they are "joined together by one Spirit," Rom. viii.; Col. ii. 19: “Not holding the Head, from which all the body, as by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” O what a great matter is this! and how may it inspire beJievers to hold on their way, and maintain their warfare, that the Lord, or Jehovah, is on the head of them! There are two or three mighty encouragements that arise hence. 1. If Jehovah be at thy head, he knows well how matters go with his militant members in the field of battle. Do not say, therefore, “My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God, for his eyes run to and fro through the whole earth.” A hair of your head cannot fall to the ground, without his knowledge and permission. 2. If Jehovah be at thy head, thou shalt not want what is * We are not, however, to understand the author as maintaining that the heathen can be in the kingdom of grace, without the means of grace. His meaning doubtless is, that Christ has full power to send the means of grace among the heathen, and establish his spiritual dominion in their hearts.---An. ED. needful to bear thy charges in thy journey and warfare. The whole army here is provided and maintained at the expense of the General. More particularly, (1.) The army must be provided with meat and drink: well, Jehovah at the head of them will see to this, " Thy bread shall be given thee, and thy water shall be sure.” Thy wants shall all be supplied by thy God,“ according to his riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.” (2.) The army must have clothing: well, Jehovah at their head will see to that also; he has provided an armory, in which hang the shields of the mighty men of war, Eph. vi. You see there what a vast complete stand of armour Jehovah has provided for his soldiers, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breast-plate of righteousness, the girdle of truth, the sword of the Spirit; nothing is wanting there, to attack the enemy, or defend the soul in its warfare. (3.) The army must have their garrison for winter quarters, where they may be sheltered from stormy wind and tempest: well, Jehovah at the head of them, has provided this ; yea, he himself is their garrison, their dwelling-place in all generations: He is a hiding-place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest. (4.) The army must have their orders and directions how to direct their motions, especially in a march: well, Jehovah at the head of them, will not let this be wanting, either; his “ law is a lamp to their feet, and a light unto their path.” “ He hath showed thee, Oman, what is good, and what the Lord thy God requireth of thee." (5.) T'he sick and wounded in the army must be seen to: well, Jehovah at the head of them is an experienced Physician, and a tender-hearted Shepherd; he gathers the lambs with his arm, he tenderly bindeth up the wounds of them that are broken in heart, and grieved in spirit. Thus you see what glorious encouragement arises from this, that Jehovah is at the head of them. 4thly, We have here their glorious and victorious march, under the conduct of Jehovah: he passes on before them ; where these things are implied: 1. That here, (on earth,] believers are not at home, for they are but on a journey; they are like Israel in the wilderness, where they found no city to rest in, no resting place on this side Jordan; no, they “ desire a better country, that is, a heavenly." 2. That they are in motion, or making progress towards their rest; for they are passing on, as it is said of the travellers to Zion, Psal. Ixxxiv.; “ They go from strength to strength, every one of them appeareth before God in Zion.” 40 VOL. III. 3. Thạt their King and General, at their head, is well acquainted with their ways, for he passes on before them, as their Leader and Commander; however ignorant or unskilful they are in themselves, yet their Head and King has all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid in him, and therefore he will know the way that they take, and the course that they steer; he will not leave them to their own conduct in the wilderness, no, but he will guide them by his counsel, till he has brought them to glory. 4. That Jehovah, their Head and King, marches in the front, to encounter all opposition, and to rid the passes of their way; and O what enemies dare to stand up oppose them, when Jehovah passes on before them as their King ! Surely in him they shall be “conquerors, yea, more than conquerors. Their bow shall abide in its strength, for Jehovah is the strength of Israel, who can neither lie nor repent," 1 Sam. to XV. 29. 5. That the church and people of God, while keeping his way, is under his particular protection ; he will " hide them in the secret of his tabernacle; they shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." 6. That there is something of particular greatness and majesty in the Lord's appearances in behalf of his people. Hence they are likened to an army, with an invincible general at their head, which made Balaam to cry out, “ How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob! and thy tabernacles, O Israel! He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up?" " Thus you see what glorious encouragement springs out of this word, to animate and encourage believers, in their spiritual warfare, Their King shall pass before them, and Jehovah at the head of them. But the eye of faith will see infinitely more in them, than any thing that I have said, or can say. I conclude with a few advices, in order to your successful march towards glory, under the conduct of your glorious King and Head, that passes on before you, as the Captain of 1st, Then, Study to be well acquainted with the glorious Breaker that has come up before you, and keep him ever in your view; for the very sight of the Captain inspires the soldiers with courage and valour. If he be in their view, they go on their way rejoicing, though hell and death, and armed legions of devils and men were in their way. Hence it is, that the saints are called so frequently to look to him in their Christian course and warfare. He calls on them so to do, Is. your salvation. |