Q8. How to Sanctify God's Name in Gospel Ordinances

Qu. 8. How many we sanctify the name of God in the use of Gospel institutions?

Answ. 1. By a holy reverence of his sovereign authority appointing of them. 2. A holy regard to his special presence in them. 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them. 4. Delight in his will, wisdom, love and grace manifested in them. 5. Constancy and perseverance in obedience to him in their due observation. (1.) (Leviticus 10:3; Malachi 1:6; Romans 4:11; Exodus 20:6, 7; James 4:12.) (2.) (Matthew 28:20; Isaiah 59:21; Exodus 29:43, 44, 45.) (3.) (Genesis 15:6; Hebrews 4:2, 6; Exodus 12:27, 28; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17, 18; chap. 7:1.) (4.) (Psalm 88:1, 2, 4, 10; Psalm 65:4; Psalm 36:7, 8.) (5.) (Psalm 23:6; Psalm 27:4; Revelation 2:3, 10; Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:23, 24, 25; Hebrews 12:3.)

Explication.

This is the first thing that God requires us to attend to, in the celebration of the ordinances of his worship; namely, that we therein sanctify his name, the greatest duty that we are called to in this world. This he lays down as the general rule of all we do herein (Leviticus 10:3): I will, says he, be sanctified in them that come nigh to me, and before all the people I will be glorified. Whatever we do in his worship, we must do it that he may be sanctified, or whatever we do is an abomination to him. Now the principal ways how we may herein sanctify the name of God are expressed.

First, when in every ordinance, we consider his appointment of it, and submit our souls and consciences to his authority therein which if we observe any thing in his worship but what he has appointed, we cannot do it. Not formality, not custom, not the precepts of men, not any thing but the authority and command of God, is to be respected in this obedience. This is the first thing that faith regards in divine worship; it rests not in any thing, closes nor with any thing, but what it discerns that God has commanded, and therein it eyes his authority as he requires it (Malachi 1:6): If I be a Father, where is mine honor? if I be Master, where is my fear? (Romans 14:11): As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Reverence then to the authority of God appointing his worship, is a principal means of sanctifying the name of God therein. This was the solemn sanction of all his institutions of old (Deuteronomy 6:4–5, 6, 7): Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might; and these words which I command you this day, shall be in your heart, and you shall teach them diligently to your children. And the observation of them he presses on this account, that the people might fear that glorious and dreadful name, the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 28:58), which name he had so often engaged in his commands, saying you shall do it, I am the Lord. And in the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ proposes his authority as the foundation of his commanding, and our observation of all the institutions of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18, 19, 20): Jesus came and spoke to them saying, all power is given me in heaven and earth, go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you. And he is to be considered in all our obedience, as the great and only law-giver of his Church, as the one law-giver who is able to save and to destroy (James 4:12), the sovereign Lord over his house (Hebrews 3:4, 5, 6), to whom every knee is to bow, and every conscience to be in subjection; and he who hears not his voice, is to be cut off from the people of God (Acts 3:23): It shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Secondly, God has frequently promised his special presence in and with his instituted ordinances. Of old both to the things themselves, and the places wherein they were according to his appointment to be celebrated; those of places, being also of his special institution. Under the New Testament, all difference of, and respect to place is taken away (John 4:21). The hour comes, when you shall neither in this Mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father, but the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeks such to worship him. And we are commanded in all places equally to make our prayers and supplications: but his presence is promised and continued with the due celebration of the things themselves by him appointed for his service (Matthew 28:20). Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you even to the end of the world. In them is the Tabernacle of God with men, and he dwells among them, and they are his people (Revelation 21:3). The promise of Christ being, that where two or three are assembled in his name, there he will be in midst of them (Matthew 8:18, 20). And this promised presence of God, or Christ, consists, 1. In the power and efficacy which he by his Spirit implants upon his ordinances to communicate his grace and mercy to his Church; it being his Covenant, that his Spirit shall accompany his word for ever to that purpose (Isaiah 59:21). 2. In the special blessing which he gives his people in those duties, both in the acceptance of them and testifying his good will to them (Exodus 29:42, 43, 45). At the Tabernacle of the Congregation will I meet with the people, says the Lord, there will I meet with the children of Israel. And the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory, and I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God (Zechariah 2:10, 11; Ezekiel 20:40, 41). I will accept you with your sweet savour (Ezekiel 43:27). In both giving them intimate communion with himself by Jesus Christ (John 1:3). By all these, he gives that special presence which he requires an especial reverence and regard of faith to, whereby his name is yet farther sanctified. 3. God has given special promises, or promises of his special grace to them that attend upon him in his worship in a due manner, and hereunto also belongs that sacred relation, which by virtue of divine institution is between the sacramental elements, and the especial graces of the Covenant which they exhibit and confirm; and the mixing of these promises with faith, according as they are appropriated to any particular institution, belongs also to the right sanctification of the name of God. So also, 4. does our delight in them: now this delight in the worship of God so much commended in the Scriptures and proposed to our example, consists not in any carnal self-pleasing, or satisfaction in the outward modes or manner of the performance of divine worship, but it is an holy soul-refreshing contemplation on the will, wisdom, grace and condescension of God; in that he is pleased of his own sovereign mere will and grace, so to manifest himself to such poor sinful creatures as we are; so to condescend to our weakness, so to communicate himself to us, so to excite and draw forth our souls to himself, and to give us such pledges of his gracious intercourse with us by Jesus Christ: by the contemplation of these things is the soul drawn forth to delight in God.

Lastly, Whereas great opposition lies oftentimes against the Church's obedience to God in this matter, and much persecution befalls it on that account, great weariness also being apt from the remainders of unbelief, carnal wisdom, indwelling sin, weakness of the flesh, in believers themselves to arise in the course thereof, and many temptations also beset them on every hand, to turn them aside from the way of truth and holiness, constancy and perseverance in the due and orderly celebration of all the ordinances of the Gospel belongs to this duty. And this perseverance respects both the things themselves, and the manner of their performance, both which are of the highest concernment for us diligently to attend to.

First, As to the things themselves; herein do we principally glorify God, and give due honor to Jesus Christ, when we abide in our professed subjection to him, and observance of his commands, against difficulties, oppositions and persecutions. This he takes notice of (Revelation 2:13). You hold fast my name, and have not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwells. And this he requires of us indispensably if we will be his disciples, or ever hope to obtain the reward (Matthew 10:38, 39). He that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me; and it is he who endures to the end, that shall be saved (Matthew 24:13). And to them who are faithful to the death, and them alone does he give the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Giving us caution not to lose those things which we have wrought, that we may receive a full reward (2 John 8). And as to the manner of their performance, two things are to be regarded in this duty of perseverance, and the sanctification of the name of God therein.

First, The inward principle of our obedience, our faith and love which are to be preserved from decay (Revelation 2:4, 5). I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love; remember therefore from where you are fallen, and repent, and do your first works (Revelation 3:3). Remember how you have received, and heard, and hold fast and repent.

Secondly, The outward manner of observance which is to be kept entire, according to the primitive institution of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23). I have received of the Lord, that which also I delivered to you, not admitting of any corruptions in it to avoid the greatest trouble (Galatians 5:11). And I brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?