Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/44

40 same with the Father, John xiv. 7 to 11; and who therefore says to his disciples, "Ye call me Master, and Lord; and ye say well, for so I am," John xiii. 13.

It may be further remarked concerning the appellation Lord, that it implies a nearer and dearer relation to man, than is suggested either by the name Jehovah, or by the term God, or by both in conjunction; while at the same time it involves every divine attribute and perfection belonging to the Deity. Hence it will in general be found, that whenever a member of the true church has occasion to speak of the Supreme Being, especially if addressing himself to another member of the same church, he will readily and spontaneously make mention of him by the approved title or appellation of Lord. But, on the other hand, whenever a person, who may be considered in a state of separation from the church, or even one who is yet only in it's externals, is similarly circumstanced, he will as readily and spontaneously use the term God. Sometimes indeed a member of the true internal church will also use this latter term: but it will be found in general to be either in the way of accommodation to the states of others, or in reference to some subject that does not immediately involve the identity of Jesus with Jehovah. The former expression, viz. Lord, arises from an interior perception and acknowledgment of the Divine Presence in a Human Form, accompanied with a degree of confidence in his providence and protection: but the latter expression, viz. God, for the most part announces, on the part of those who habitually use it, a vague, distant, and obscure idea of the Being so denominated. We conclude this article with a quotation from Paul, which, singular as it may appear, yet does credit