Owen - BT795 O84 1800Z

EVIDENCES OF FORGIVENESS. 187 in the providence of God, that since the Jews have re- jected the covenant of their fathers, and are cast out of the covenant for their unbelief, they have shunned that name of God. I know themselves and others pretend strange mysteries in the letters and vowels of that name, which make it ineffable. But the truth is, being cast out of that covenant, which was built and, established on that name, in the just judgment of God, through their own blindness and superstition, they are no more able to make mention of it. It is required, then, that the name of God be given to us as engaged in cove- nant, to secure our expectation that he will be to us according to his name. 3. The whole gracious name of God, every title that he hath given himself, every ascription of honor to him- self that he has owned, is confirmed to us (to as many as believe) in Jesus Christ. For as he hath declared to us the whole name of God, John, 17 : 6, so not this or that promise of God, but "all the promises of God are, in him, yea and amen." So that as of old every particu- lar promise that God made to the people served especi- ally for the particular occasion on which it was given, and each name. of God was to be rested on as to that dispensation under which it was suited to give re- lief and confidence ; as the name of El-shaddai to Abra- ham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the name Jehovah to Moses and the people; so now, by Jesus Christ, and in him, every particular promise belongs to believers in all their circumstances; and every name of God whatever is theirs, at all times, to rest upon, and put their trust in. Thus the particular promise made to Joshua, at his en- trance into Canaan, to encourage and strengthen him in the great enterprise of conquering the land, is by the apostle applied to all believers, in all their occasions whatever : "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb. 13 : 5. So likewise doth every name of God be-

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