None but those who do his commandments shall enter in through the gates into the city, and eat of the tree of life, in the midst of the paradise of God.

DISCOURSE II.

On the Christian Name.

"The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch."-Acts xi., 26.

NAMES are words given to persons and things, and express, by the common consent of mankind, certain ideas, by which these persons and things are known and designated. In modern times, names are little more than arbitrary distinctions; but among the orientalists, the appellations given as names are always significant. And in this sense all the names given to God in the Old Testament are to be understood. Hence, a knowledge of his name imports, not merely a knowledge of the different names by which he is known, but a knowledge of his essential perfections. According to this view of the subject, God was pleased to reveal himself in express terms, declarative of all his glorious perfections. The Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty. Before God proclaimed his name to Moses, he placed him in a cleft of the rock, in Horeb. This rock was an eminent type of Christ; and doubtless the whole transaction was intended to show, that in Christ alone he could be so viewed by fallen man. According to this view of the subject, the name, that is, the perfections of the Lord, become a strong tower to the righteous, into which they run and are safe. Hence, says the Psalmist, They that know thy name will put their trust in thee.

The names which have been given to Jesus Christ are, also, appropriate and significant. It is, therefore, said, that God has given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The name to which the apostle here refers, as having been given to Christ, and which he declared to be above every other name, is doubtless the name of Jesus. No other being, in heaven or in earth, can possess this name, as it is possessed by the Saviour and Redeemer of the

world; for there is no other name given among men whereby we can be saved; and no other could redeem us to God but HE. Hence, it was announced before his birth, by the angel Gabriel, that his name should be called Jesus, for he should save the people from their sins. The qualifications of the Saviour of the world were so extraordinary, the redeeming acts so stupendous, and the result of all so glorious, both to God and man, that it is impossible to conceive a higher name or title, to be given to any being, than that of JESUS, or Saviour of the world.

As God has revealed his perfections to man, under the most significant and appropriate titles, and as the work and office, which have been assigned to Jesus Christ under the gospel age, have been designated by the appellations given to him, so, in like manner, the Christian character and perfections have been designated by the name given to the true followers of Jesus Christ. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. And although mere names are but empty sounds, yet it will not be denied by any, that there are names of honor and significancy, and when attended by the things signified, become of great and sacred importance. Such is the name of Christian, given to the primitive disciples at Antiocha name more than eighteen hundred years old. In discussing the subject before us, we propose to consider the original import of this sacred name, and shall endeavor, as far as may be practicable, to bring both the name and the thing signified into common use.

1. We learn from the Scriptures, that at first the followers of Christ were designated by different names. Among themselves, they were most usually denominated brethren, from their mutual love, and their relation to God and to each other. They were styled believers, from their reception of Jesus as the true Messiah. They were called disciples, from learning their religion of Christ, as their Teacher. They were also called saints, from their separation from the world, and from their holiness and purity of heart. Their enemies styled them Nazarenes: thus Tertullian accused Paul of being a ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes. Of similar import to this was the appellation of Gallileans, and the term aireses, or sect; meaning, by that, a body of men who had embraced a religion of their own, in opposition to that established by law. And this appellation of Gallileans was continued to be employed by the enemies of the Christian religion, as a term of reproach, as late as the time of Julian, who reigned about the middle of the fourth century, and used it incessantly in his invectives against the followers of Christ.

But, after the lapse of some time from the promulgation of Christianity, the followers of Christ were designated by a new namethey were styled Christians. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Antioch was a famous city, built on the river Orontes, and the capital of Syria, where the kings of Syria, the successors of Alexander the Great, usually resided. The gospel

was first preached in this city by certain men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who had fled from the persecution which commenced at Jerusalem, on the death of Stephen. These men, when they first came to the city, addressed themselves to the Greeks, the pagan inhabitants of the place, preaching the Lord Jesus. This is the first instance we meet with in the Sacred Writings, of the gospel being preached to the heathen. Though the apostles and evange lists had received from their Lord a commission to preach the gospel to every creature, it was some time before they fully comprehended its import, or attempted, in its full extent, to execute it. Until this time, they who were dispersed from Jerusalem, into various parts, preached the gospel to the Jews only. The introduction of the gospel into Antioch was, therefore, distinguished by the remarkable circumstance of its being the first instance in which the apostles' commission was executed to the full extent, and the treasures of divine grace were freely proposed to the acceptance of the Gentiles.

The humble and faithful labors of these persecuted men, were singularly blessed in this idolatrous city, for the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. When tidings of these things came to the ears of the church at Jerusalem, they immediately sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch, who, when he came and saw the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave unto the Lord. Not satisfied with contributing his own exertions to the formation of the work, he called in superior aid; he went to Tarsus, to seek Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. Thus this church, in addition to other extraordinary circumstances, had the honor of being one of the first scenes in which the great apostle of the Gentiles labored. It was here he began to scatter those celestial sparks, which soon after kindled a general conflagration in the world. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. Great and continued prosperity attended this church, till the number of its communicants, as we are informed by Chrysostom, swelled to a hundred thousand. It was during the residence of St. Paul in this city, that this extraordinary name was given to the disciples.

II. It is evident, from many considerations, that the name of Christian was given to the disciples by divine authority. It has, indeed, been supposed by some, that this name was given to the disciples by their enemies. But it does not look at all probable that an appellation so inoffensive, and even so honorable, originated with their enemies; they would have invented one that was more opprobrious. There is not the least intimation, either in sacred or profane history, that this name was ever used as a term of reproach; and had it ever been so used, it is unreasonable to suppose it could have escaped the notice of all historians. It has been supposed by

others, that it was first assumed by the disciples themselves. But we can scarcely suppose that they would have ventured to take a step so important as that of assuming an appellation by which the church was to be distinguished in all ages, without divine direction; especially at a time when the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were so common, and in a church where prophets abounded. For there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and with Saul. It is not to be supposed that they would assume a new appellation without recourse to the prophets for that direction; or that, supposing it to have no other than a human origin, it would have been so soon and so universally adopted by every part of the Christian church.

This opinion is fully confirmed from the use of the word here employed, and which is not used in any other instance in the New Testament, to the giving a name by human authority. In its genuine import, it signifies an oracular nomination, or a declaration from God. Thus Dr. Doddridge translates it: And the disciples were by divine appointment first named Christians at Antioch He adds, "I think with Dr. Benson, that the word chrematisai, which is rendered were called, implies that it was done by divine direction, and have translated accordingly." In this sense the original word is uniformly used in the New Testament. And being WARNED OF GOD in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their country another way. But when he had heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; notwithstanding being WARNED OF GOD in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee. And it WAS REVEALED into him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death till he had seen the Lord's Christ. And they said, Cornelius the centurion was WARNED OF GOD by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was ADMONISHED OF GOD when he was about to make the tabernacle. By faith, Noah, BEING WARNED OF GOD of things not seen, as yet, moved by fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house. The evangelists employ the same word in the original which is used in these several verses, but differently rendered; in all of which, however, it signifies oracular nomination. The Sacred Oracles, then, may be considered as giving a universal testimony in favor of this import of the word, and as fully sanctioning the doctrine we have stated.

The celebrated Dr. Clark, in his commentary on this text, says: "The word chrematisai, which we translate were called, signifies in the New Testament, to appoint, warn, or nominate by divine direction. If, therefore, the name was given by divine appointment, it is most likely that Saul and Barnabas were directed to give it; and that, therefore, the name Christian was from God." The Dr. further

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remarks: "A Christian, therefore, is the highest character which any human being can bear upon earth; and to receive it from God, as those appear to have done, how glorious the title."

III. In this view of the subject, we see a remarkable accomplishment of a prophecy of Isaiah: The Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And again, The Lord shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name. Doubtless, this is the same name that Christ promised to give to them who overcome. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a NEW NAME written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. He that overcometh I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and I will write upon him my NEW NAME. It is evident that Isaiah and John have reference to the same name. Isaiah says, that the Lord shall call his servants by a new name; John, that Christ will write upon them who overcome his new name; and we are informed by Luke, that the disciples were called Christians by divine appointment. From the united testimony of these inspired witnesses, it is evident that this new name was that of Christian, and that it was given by the direction of God.

IV. Names, as they are calculated to give just or false representations of the nature of things, are of the first importance; so that the affixing one to discriminate the followers of Christ in every age, seems not to be unworthy of divine appointment. This name is significant. The proper import of this name is a follower of Christ-it denotes one who, from a mature deliberation and an unbiased judgment, cordially embraces the religion of Christ, receives his doctrine, believes his promises, and makes it his chief and constant care to regulate his life according to the precepts and example of our common Lord. The Christian and man of the world are the most opposite characters; for it is the chief part of our Saviour's design, and the great scope of his religion, to redeem us from this present evil world. A Christian possesses the mind and spirit of Christ, and imitates his example. He has attained such a practical knowledge of Christ, as enables him to walk even as he walked. The rules by which he lives are the words of Christ-his example is the model after which he copies-the happiness to which he aspires is that of forever being with the Lord, for in his presence there is fulness of joy, and at his right hand pleasures forever more.

Multitudes assume the name of Christian, to whom it is, in strict propriety, wholly inapplicable. Educated in a country where Christianity is the received religion, they acquiesce in its truth. But to whatever distinguishes the real Christian-his faith, his hope, his charity, his love-to whatever relates to a spiritual union with Christ -faith in his Messiahship, delight in his person, or an animating hope of his appearance to recompense the just, they remain total and contented strangers. They have never participated in these