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attributes displayed therein. To whom therefore, as is most due, let us devoutly render all glory and praise. And,

Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.' 6 Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Amen.

SUMMARY OF SERMON XXXIII.

COLOSSIANS, CHAP. III.-VERSE 17.

THIS duty enjoined by the Apostle, is one of large extent and extreme importance, to the performance of which we are under the strongest obligations. But first we must understand what it is, the phrase, doing in the name of Jesus, being somewhat ambiguous, and capable of different meanings. Certain senses of it stated, which in the present case cannot be admitted. Others, and those suitable ones, represented in order.

I. To do in another's name, sometimes signifies to do it out of affection or honor to another; for another's sake, because we love or esteem him. Instance of this usage. And thus surely we ought to do every thing in Jesus's name: all our actions ought to proceed from a principle of grateful love and reverence towards our gracious Redeemer: this point enlarged

on.

In

II. To do in another's name implies, doing chiefly for the interest and advantage of another, as his servants or factors: for when the business is another's, and also the fruit or benefit arising from it, he that prosecutes that business may well be, and is commonly, supposed to act in that other's name. stance of our Saviour so acting, John vii. 18. and thus, in imitation of him, ought we also to do all things in his name, remembering that we are not our own men, but the servants of Jesus, &c.

III. It imports, frequently, doing by the appointment and command, or by the commission and authority of another: see Acts iv. 7. And thus we are bound to do all things in the

name of Jesus, regulating all our actions by his law, conforming our lives to his will, and acting according to the rules of his will and his example: for what is done beside his warrant and will, cannot be rightly esteemed done in his name, and will not be accepted by him.

IV. Hereto we may add that what we do in imitation of Jesus, and in conformity with his practice, we may be said peculiarly to do in his name. As a picture is wont to bear his name whom it is made to represent, and whom it resembles, so if we set Christ's example before us, and endeavor to transcribe it, if our life, in its principal lineaments, resembles his holy life, it may well bear his name: this point enlarged on.

V. To do in another's name sometimes imports, doing by any power derived from, or virtue imparted by, another. Through thee, says the psalmist, will we push down our enemies; in thy name will we throw down those that hate us. So did the Apostles cast out devils, and do other miracles, in the name of Jesus: also with expectation of aid, or hope of good success, from him. And thus also it is our duty to do all things in our Saviour's name; with faith and hope in him, relying on him for direction and assistance, expecting from him only a blessing and happy issue of our undertakings: this subject enlarged on, and the folly and arrogance of relying on our own efforts and powers exposed.

VI. To do in another's name may denote, to act with such regard to another, that we acknowlege our hope of prospering in what we do, our expectation of acceptance and reward, to be grounded on him; that they are procured by his merits and means, are bestowed only for his sake. Thus our Saviour bids us offer up prayers in his name, John xiv. 13; that is, representing to God his meritorious performances in our behalf, as the ground of our access to him, and of our hope to obtain from him what we want. So also we are enjoined to give thanks in This point enlarged on.

his name, Eph. v. 20.

VII. Lastly, to do in the name of Jesus may well imply doing with invocation of him: thus we may understand that passage of St. James, where the elders are advised to pray and anoint the sick in the Lord's name; and thus St. Chrysostom expounds the words. That to do thus is our duty, appears by those frequent injunctions to pray indesinently, to pray always, to abide instantly in prayer; which do not only import that we should pray often, and continue patiently and earnestly in prayer, but that we should annex it to, or interpose it among, all our actions, undertaking nothing of consideration without it, &c. Reasons given why we are concerned to do this: exhortations thereto and examples in the holy Scriptures. Thus should we do all things in the name of Jesus, on all occasions praying to him, or, which is the same thing, to God in his name; which that we are allowed and exhorted to do, is an invaluable privilege. In so many ways and particular respects we may and ought to perform all we do in the name of Jesus to which considerations may be subjoined one general duty, implied in all and each of them :

VIII. That our Lord Jesus should be frequently, and in a manner continually present to our minds and thoughts. This is plainly implied in the former duties; for how is it possible we should perform all our actions, or utter all our words, with any sort of regard to him, if we seldom think of him? Such is the activity of our minds, that it is easy enough to do this; and in respect of other objects we commonly see that it is done; and whatever we vehemently affect, our mind, however otherwise employed, will be thinking of it: instances of the covetous, the voluptuous, and the studious man. Why then may we not as well direct our minds as often towards our Lord, and mix the remembrance of him with all other employments of our thoughts? For to do so is very requisite and expedient to our good practice. This subject continued to the end.

SERMON XXXIII.

OF DOING ALL IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.

COLOSSIANS, CHAP. III.-VERSE 17.

And whatsoever ye do in word, or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

WHATSOEVER ye do in word, or deed:' a duty we see the Apostle enjoins us of a large extent, and therefore surely of a great importance; indeed of an universal concernment; such as must go along with, must run through all our words and all our actions. We are therefore much obliged, and much concerned to attend thereto, and to practise it carefully. But first we must understand what it is; the doing whereof depends on understanding the sense of that phrase, ('doing in the name of Jesus,') being somewhat ambiguous, and capable of divers meanings; which both in common use and in holy Scripture we find it to bear, different according to the variety of matters or occasions to which it is applied; most of which are comprehended, and, as it were, complicated in that general one, according to which we may be said to do that in another person's name, which we do with any kind of reference or regard to him; such as our relations, or our obligations to that person do require; and the particular nature of the action doth admit. And according to this acception I conceive it safest and best to interpret Saint Paul's meaning here, supposing it to comprehend all the more special and restrained meanings of this phrase, truly applicable to the present matter; of which meanings I shall endeavor in order to propound the chief; and,

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