Since thereby, indeed, a charity and humanity so unparalleled, a meekness so incomparable, a resolution so invincible, a patience so heroical, were manifested for the instruction and direction of men; since never were the vices and the vanities of the world (so prejudicial to the welfare of mankind) so remarkably discountenanced : since never any suffering could pretend to so worthy and beneficial effects, the expiation of the whole world's sins and reconciliation of mankind to God, the which no other performance, no other sacrifice did ever aim to procure; since, in fine, no virtue had ever so glorious rewards as sovereign dignity to him that exercised it, and eternal happiness to those that imitate it; since, I say, there be such excellent uses and fruits of the cross borne by our Saviour, we can have no reason to be offended at it or ashamed of it; but with all reason heartily should approve, and humbly adore the deep wisdom of God, together with all other his glorious attributes displayed therein. To whom, therefore, as is most due, let us devoutly render all glory and praise:

"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. Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever." Amen.

OF

DOING ALL IN THE NAME OF CHRIST.

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

17.

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 a 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 upon understanding the sense of that phrase, it being somewhat ambiguous and capable of divers meanings— different, according to the variety of matters or occasions to which it is applied; most of which are comprehended 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, according to this acceptation, I conceive it safest and best to interpret St Paul's meaning here, supposing it to comprehend all the more special and restrained meanings of this phrase. Of which meanings I shall endeavour to propound the chief, and both to unfold and to inculcate the several respective branches of this duty. Yet, first of all, rejecting one or two which cannot well be applied to this purpose.

To do in another's name doth sometimes denote the assuming another's person, or pretending to be the same with him, the very he. So, "many shall come in my name," prophesied our Saviour, "saying, I am Christ." To do thus in Jesus' name is the part of an antichrist and an impostor. That sense, therefore, can have nothing to do here.

Again, to do in another's name doth often imply doing in another's name or stead as a deputy or substitute, representing the person or supplying the office of another. So did the prophets "come and speak in God's name; " what they declared or enjoined being therefore said to be declared and enjoined by God himself: “I spake unto you, rising up early, and speaking," viz., by the prophets whom he sent, and who are said to come and speak in his name. And thus the apostles spake in Christ's name: "We are ambassadors for Christ; we pray you in Christ's stead be reconciled.” Thus, also, princes govern and magistrates execute

justice in God's name; whence they are styled "gods,” as being his lieutenants, administering that judgment which belongs originally and principally to him. Now for this sense, neither is it so proper or convenient here; it agreeing only to some particular persons and to some peculiar actions of them; insomuch, that others presuming to act, according to that manner or kind, in Jesus' name, shall thereby become usurpers and deceivers. We (and to us all this precept is directed) shall heinously transgress our duty, doing anything thus in His name, without his letters or credence, without being specially called or sent, or being duly by him authorized thereto.

These, and such like senses, the present matter doth not well admit; the rest that suit thereto I shall, with some distinction, in order represent.

I. To do in another's name sometimes doth signify to do it out of affection or honour to another, for another's sake, because we love or esteem him. (Compare Mark ix. 41; Matt. x. 41; xix. 29; xxiv. 9.)

Thus, it is said, "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye are Christ's," is added by way of interpretation, that is, out of respect to Christ, because of your relation to him, " shall not lose his reward." And thus, surely, we ought to do everything in Jesus' name. All our actions ought to proceed from a principle of grateful love and reverence towards our gracious Redeemer. "Let all your actions be done in charity," saith the apostle; if in charity to

our neighbour, then much more in love to him, for whose sake we are especially bound to love our neighbour. Upon any undertaking, or applying ourselves to action, we should so reflect thereupon as to consider whether that we are going about be apt to please him, and conducible to his honour; if so, remembering what he hath done and suffered for us, we should, out of love and respect to him, readily perform it; but if it otherwise appear displeasing or dishonourable to him, we should, from the same principles, carefully decline it. The duty is certain, and the reason thereof evident; for inducement to the practice thereof observe St Paul's example, who thus represents himself as acting: "The love of Christ constrains us; judging this, that he died for all, that they who live might not live to themselves, but to him that died and rose for them." The love of Christ, begot and maintained by a consideration of his great benefits, was the spring that set St Paul on work, that excited and urged him forward to action. Thus doing, we shall do in Jesus' name; but if we act out of love to ourselves, to promote our own interests, to gratify our own desires, to procure credit or praise to ourselves, we act only in our own names, and for our own sakes; not in the name or for the sake of Jesus.

II. To do in another's name implies doing, chiefly, for the interest or advantage of another, upon another's behalf or account, as the servants or factors of another.

For, when the business is another's, and the fruit or benefit emergent belong to another, he that prosecutes