SERMON II.
"Hallowed be thy name."—Matthew vi. 9.
By the name of the Lord, in Scripture, is meant, not merely his name pronounced by the lips, but his Divine quality, character, nature—in a word, himself, and whatever proceeds from him. Names, as originally given, were descriptive of the character or quality of the person named; hence, names were significative. This is the character, for the most part, of the names mentioned in the Scriptures; they are expressive either of qualities in the individual, or of circumstances connected with him. This is the nature, also, of names in the spiritual world, as appears from the following passage in the New Church Writings:—"The reason why by the name of Jehovah or of the Lord is not understood merely the name, but all things of love and faith,—originates in the spiritual world. In that world, names such as are used on earth are not pronounced; but the names of the persons spoken of are formed from the idea of all things which are known concerning them, which things are summed up in one expression: whence it is, that names in that world, like all other things, are spiritual." "Nor are the names of the Lord or
