August 11

Thy name is an ointment poured forth.—Sol. Song of Solomon 1:8.

HERE we have the report and manifestation of the excellencies of our Redeemer. His name. If you will take it properly of his name, Jesus, and Christ, or the Messiah, it is true of them, for they are significative of these excellencies. Ask an afflicted conscience, if Jesus, that is a Saviour, be not a precious word that hath a sovereign value, both a refreshing smell and a healing virtue. The hammer of the law may break a stony heart in pieces, but it is only the blood of Jesus that can soften it. And where it is effectually poured, either upon a wounded soul, it heals it, or upon a hard heart, it mollifies it. For that other name, Christ, well may it be called an ointment poured forth, for it signifies his anointing. And that the sweet savor of this name may affect, read but that one passage, Isaiah 61:1. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek—. What inestimable riches of consolation are there in each of those effects to which Christ was anointed! And yet, we find not a word among them all for a proud, stiff-necked sinner. Here are good tidings, but it is to the meek; comfortable binding up, but it is for the broken-hearted; liberty, but it is for captives and prisoners groaning under their chains, and desirous to be delivered; not such as delight in their bondage. There is oil of joy and garments of praise, but they are provided for mourning, dejected spirits that need them; not for the impenitent. On the contrary, there is a terrible word interjected in the midst of these promises. The day of vengeance of our God; and that is the portion of Christ's enemies, and such are all incorrigible sinners.

Thus it is, at the same banquet from which you come, one may be filled with spiritual joy, and the very person who sits next may be filled with a secret curse, and return more miserable than he came. But let the disconsolate, lamenting sinner lift up his head, and behold Christ, the Son of God, anointed a prophet to preach salvation and liberty to such, a priest to purchase it, and a king to give it.

Now, the pouring out of his name is diverse. Before the coming of the Messiah his name was poured out in prophecies and promises, in types and legal ceremonies; but more fully when the Word was made flesh. Then angels, and holy men, yea, and women, spake clearly of him. What was his Father's voice at his baptism, the Holy Ghost's descending, what was his own preaching, and miracles, and conversation, but all the pouring forth of his precious name? And in his sufferings and death, what think you? Was not his name then poured forth, yea, his blood with it? Yes, truly: being extended on the cross, and his body pierced in divers places, his precious ointments were shed abroad toward all the quarters of the world: their smell reached both heaven and the visible world. God the Father, as he was said to do in Noah's sacrifice, did much more smell in his sacrifice, a savor of rest, appeasing his wrath; and all believers a savor of peace, a quieting of their consciences. And as aromatic spices, when they are pounded out and beaten, send forth their sweet smells most liberally, so in these his sufferings, did the obedience, patience, and love, and all the graces, and the name of our Saviour, most clearly manifest themselves to the world. After he was dead, they embalmed his body, but they knew not that his own virtue would do more than all the ointments and spices in the world could do, not only by preserving his body from corruption, but by raising it the third day. And truly, after his resurrection, his own disciples knew his name better than ever before; and yet more fully after his ascension, when the Holy Ghost came down upon them; which was poured from heaven on them for this very end; that they might pour forth Christ's name to the ends of the earth. And they did so, carrying this precious treasure in earthen vessels as the elect vessel St. Paul speaks. And ever since, God hath continued the pouring forth of his name, by the ministry and preaching of the gospel. It is true, there are too many of those that are employed in this work, who seek themselves, and their own ends, rather than his glory whom they preach. And they that are more upright, the very best of them are sinful men. But how mean and unworthy soever they be, despise not the gospel. Let the sweet name which they pour forth, prevail for itself, that so you may reverence and love it, if you would have salvation by it; and there is no other name under heaven, by which that can be obtained.

As this name is poured forth in the gospel preached, so, in the sacraments annexed to it; and particularly in this, when the bread is broken, and the wine poured out. And was not this the earnest desire of the receivers of it this day—it should have been—to have our share in it, for the refreshment and curing of our souls? Nor shall any that came thus, be disappointed. And if not immediately, yet, most certainly, and that in due time, they shall find the sweet fruits of it.

You have heard many ways how the name of Christ is poured out, yet there is one more, without which all the rest are ineffectual; it is this, the secret and powerful working of the Spirit of God in the soul. The ordinances and means of salvation do indeed pour forth the name of Christ round about a man, but till the Spirit concur with them, not one drop falls within the soul. And is he not so much the more miserable, who hears much of Christ, and partakes nothing of him? Yes, surely. A man may have much common knowledge of Christ, and may understand well, yea, may preach well, concerning his worth and graces, and yet not love him. But there is a particular knowledge of him by the infusion of the Spirit, and where the smallest measure of this is, it presently wins the affection. There is a shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts, that the apostle speaks of; and this draws us after him; for our love to God is nothing else but the reflection of his love to us. So then, though many hear of Christ, yet, because there are but few that have this special knowledge of him, therefore it is, that so few truly esteem and love him; and they are such as are here called Virgins.