All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Col. iii, 17.)
For if we thus do, there will be nothing polluted, nothing unclean, wherever
Christ is called on. If thou eat, if thou drink, if thou marry, if thou travel,
do all in the Name of God, that is, calling Him to aid thee: in everything
first praying to Him, so take hold of thy business. Wouldest thou speak somewhat?
Set this in front. For this cause we also place in front of our epistles the
Name of the Lord. Wheresoever the Name of God is, all is auspicious.
For if the names of Consuls make writings sure, much more doth the Name of
Christ.
Or he means this; after God say ye and do everything, do not introduce the
Angels besides. Dost thou eat? Give thanks to God both before
and afterwards. Dost thou sleep? Give thanks to God both before
and afterwards. Launchest thou into the forum? Do the same-nothing worldly,
nothing of this life. Do all in the Name of the Lord, and all shall be prospered
to thee. Whereonsoever the Name is placed, there all things are auspicious.
If it casts out devils, if it drives away diseases, much more does it render
business easy.
And what is to "do in word or in deed"? Either requesting or performing
anything whatever. Hear how in the Name of God Abraham sent his servant;
David in the Name of God slew Goliath. Marvelous is His Name and great. Again,
Jacob sending his sons saith, "My God give you favor in the sight of the man."
(Gen. xliii. 14.) For he that doeth this hath for his ally, God, without whom
he durst do nothing. As honored then by being called upon, He will in turn
honor by making their business easy. Invoke the Son, give thanks to the Father.
For when the Son is invoked, the Father is invoked, and when He is thanked,
the Son has been thanked.
These things let us learn, not as far as words only, but to fulfill them
also by works. Nothing is equal to this Name, marvelous is it everywhere.
"Thy Name," he saith, "is ointment poured forth." (Cant. i. 3.) He that hath
uttered it is straightway filled with fragrance. "No man," it is said, "can
call Jesus Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Cor. xii. 3.) So great things
doth this Name Work. If thou have said, In the Name of Father, and Son, and
Holy Ghost, with faith, thou hast accomplished everything.
See, how great things thou hast done! Thou hast created a man, and wrought
all the rest (that cometh) of Baptism! So, when used in commanding diseases,
terrible is The Name. Therefore the devil introduced those of the Angels,
envying us the honor. Such incantations are for the demons. Even if it be
Angel, even if it be Archangel, even if it be Cherubim, allow it not; for
neither will these Powers accept such addresses, but will even toss them away
from them, when they have beheld their Master dishonored.
"I have honored thee," He saith, "and have said, Call upon Me"; and dost
thou dishonor Him? If thou chant this incantation with faith, thou wilt drive
away both diseases and demons, and even if thou have failed to drive away
the disease, this is not from lack of power, but because it is expedient it
should be so.
"According to Thy greatness," he saith, "so also is Thy praise." (Ps. xlviii.
10.) By this Name hath the world been converted, the tyranny dissolved,
the devil trampled on, the heavens opened. We have been regenerated
by this Name. This if we have, we beam forth; This maketh both martyrs and
confessors; This let us hold fast as a great gift, that we may live in glory,
and be well-pleasing to God, and be counted worthy of the good things promised
to them that love Him, through the grace and lovingkindness, through Christ
Our Lord, to Whom be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen..