Page:A Beacon to the Society of Friends.djvu/113

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SER. V.
ON THE NAME OF JESUS.
109

recommend us to God, the one thing needful. And no true minister ever attempted any further, than to recommend to this light and spirit of God. It was the ultimatum of Jesus Christ in his outward manifestation."[1] pp. 131, 132.

"The name of Jesus is nothing but the power," &c. This assertion is wholly unwarranted, and is made in order to support the dangerous error, that the inward light is the primary rule of faith and practice; and to get rid of the incarnation and atonement of the Son of God;—for Hicksism sets itself above the authority of the Holy Spirit in his revelation by the Scriptures.

Cruden, shows that the word name, as applied to Christ, is used in Scripture in various senses. It signifies his deity and perfections, that which he really is, and is in the Scriptures acknowledged to be.

"His name shall be called Wonderful, The mighty God." Isa. ix. 6;—that is, he is wonderful, he is the mighty God.

"Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel: which being interpreted is, God with us." Matt. i. 23.—that is, he who is prophesied of, is, God with us.

Many of the phrases in Scripture, are adapted to the usages and common sense of mankind; and the consideration of such usages, may often help us to ascertain the meaning of words. When we apply for a favour to any one in the name of his friend, the name implies a permission to avail ourselves of the friendship existing between the parties, as a claim on the favor of him to whom we apply. Here name is a

  1. See under Ser. II. Ex. 6.—"It was the ultimatum, &c."