Transcribed ,. Many thanks to the British Library forallowing their copies to be consulted for this transcription
The Precious Name, Proofs of the Godhead and a Hymn
by
John Church
p. 1THE
PRECIOUS NAME
OF
JESUS. [1]
The adorable Redeemer is stiledJehovah 330 times in the Old Testament—he is called God 90times in the Old Testament—he is called God 25 times in theNew—he is called the Son of God 41 times—he is calledthe Son of man 60 times—he is glorious in holiness, in allhis works and ways, and independently possesses an essentialglory as God, equal with the Father, an ever blessed Spirit, aglory as the Son of God, a personal glory as God-man, amediatorial glory in the work of redemption, a relative glory asthe great and only head of the Church, a declarative glory in allhis works of Creation, p. 2Grace, and Providence; there is no endof his greatness to them only which believe he isgracious—his name is as ointment poured forth. Thereis one blessed effect which the Name of Jesus has upon the mindand conduct of believers, worthy of attention, and that isreverence. The Names of Jesus being precious,lovely, and blessed, are had in particular reverence by all themthat fear him. Hence we are said to serve God acceptably,with reverence, and godly fear—that reverence which Godapproves, himself produces; and this reverence is necessary inthe use of his Names—in the godly conversation of saints,and in the public ordinances of his appointment. The firstinstance is the mark I aim at—to treat the subjectaccording to its importance would fill a volume. WhatChristian to whom this Name is dear, but must lament the abuse ofit among the carnal and ungodly people of theworld—“Surely, because of swearing, the landmourneth.” What horrid oaths, what dreadfulimprecations, what loud and repeated calls on God, on Christ, toblast the members and faculties of soul and body, although Godhas given many a public signal of his disapprobation of suchconduct, by answering their prayers in a moment, and suddenlydriving them to destruction and perdition—O! you that oncewere slaves to such an infernal custom, but now called out ofdarkness into light—what are your feelings when you hearthis best of Names blasphemed? When you call to remembranceyour past conduct, surely you can exclaim, “by the grace ofGod I am what I am.” What humility, contrition, andgodly sorrow do you feel, upon every renewed sense of past p. 3folly—andwhat gratitude do you feel to him who hath made you todiffer. And to endear that Name to you now, which was onceprofaned by you, (but leaving the world of the ungodly) I mustcome nearer home, even to those who profess better things; andbear my testimony against the prevalent folly of manypr