The Name of Christ Like to Precious Ointment

    THE NAME OF CHRIST LIKE TO PRECIOUS OINTMENT

    "Thy name is as Ointment poured forth" &c., Song 1:3.

    THE spouse knows not how to set out the transcendent excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before she saith, "His love is better than wine;" and here she compares his name to "Ointment poured forth," &c.

    The words are a proposition, in which you have two parts.

    1. The subject.

    2. The predicate.

    1. By the name of Christ, some understand the doctrine of Christ declared in the Gospel; others by his name, his Person. Illyricus in locum, "Ye shall be hated of all nations for my name-sake; I will show him how great things he shall suffer for my name;" that is, for my sake.

    2. Christ hath several sweet names or appellations given him in the holy scripture, that may be compared to precious Ointment; as first, his name Jesus, Emmanuel, the Lord our righteousness, Prince of Peace, &c.

    SIMILE

    I. Ointment is of a fragrant and odoriferous scent. Precious Ointment yields a very sweet smell; the box of Ointment which was poured upon Christ, the text says, "the whole house was filled with the odour thereof."

    PARALLEL

    I. THE Lord Jesus is very sweet and of a fragrant smell to believers, as hath been showed upon divers metaphors; nay, he makes their persons, prayers, and all their performances as sweet odours in the nostrils of God. Christ perfumes as it were all persons and places where he cometh; the Person, example, passion, intercession, word, promises, ordinances of Christ, are of a sweet savour, Re 7:3-4.

    SIMILE

    II. Ointment hath an exhilarating virtue, it cheers, elevates, and makes the heart glad, Pr 27:9. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; hence the ancients in their banqueting and joyful feastings, used choice and precious Ointments, Am 6:6.

    PARALLEL

    II. Jesus Christ, and the Spirit that flows or proceeds from him, is of a gladening, refreshing and comforting nature, Heb 1:9, he anoints his saints, gives the sorrowful the oil of gladness for the spirit of heaviness, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time when their corn and their wine increased," Isa 41:3; Ps 4:7.

    SIMILE

    III. Oil hath a drawing and cleansing quality in it; it is powerful in attracting, or drawing pollution or noxious matter out of wounds or sores in the body.

    PARALLEL

    III. Christ draws the soul (when his name is poured out, so that the soul feels the nature of his sovereign love and grace) out of the world, and the kingdom of Satan, and from all uncleanness of the heart and life to himself. Saith Christ, "And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me: with loving-kindness have I drawn thee; draw me, and I will run after thee," Song 1:4; Joh 12:32; Jer 31:3. Christ draws the soul from sin, and sin from the soul; and so cJeanseth it thereby.

    SIMILE

    IV. Ointment hath a mollifying and supplying virtue, it will soften any hard tumour or swelling in the body; the Lord alludes to this: "They have not been molified with Ointment,". Isa 1:6.

    PARALLEL

    IV. Christ's name poured forth, viz., his perfections and excellencies made known to a sinner, presently softens his hard adamant like heart: all the hearts of sinners that have been broken and made tender, have been so by the virtue of this precious mollifying Ointment.

    SIMILE

    V. Ointment is of a beautifying nature; David tells us, it makes the face to shine, Ps 104:15. Naturalists say there is a sort of Ointment that will fetch out wrinkles.

    PARALLEL

    V. This spiritual Ointment will fetch out all the stains and spots of sin; all those blemishes and wrinkles of the soul; of which the apostle speaks, that so we may be presented amiable in the sight of God. Believers have no beauty but what they have from Christ, Eph 5:27.

    SIMILE

    VI. Some Ointments are of great worth and value, as appears not only by historians, but by what is said of that box Mary bestowed upon our blessed Saviour, Mt 26:7.

    PARALLEL

    VI. The Lord Jesus Christ is of an inestimable worth; who is able to account the value of this box of precious Ointment? wisdom is the principal thing, Christ is the wisdom of God, 1Co 1:24: "Its price is above rubies," Pr 3:15.

    SIMILE

    VII. Ointments are of a healing nature.

    PARALLEL

    VII. Christ heals the soul; he is not only the Physician, but his blood, and the precious graces of his Spirit, are the Balm or Ointment that cures all our sores.

    SIMILE

    VIII. Some Ointments are of a strengthening nature; the joints being weak and benumbed, or parts of the body anointed therewith, it recovers their strength.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. All spiritual strength is from Christ; it is he only that confirms and strengthens the feeble knees, and the hands that hang down, Eph 6:10; Heb 12:12; it is he that strengthens our hearts in the day of trouble, and weakens the hands of our enemies, Ps 31:24.

    SIMILE

    IX. Ointment being poured forth, denotes the use of it; it is of little profit whilst it is kept close shut up in the box, nor doth it yield that fragrant smell till poured forth.

    PARALLEL

    IX. The name of Christ hath not the fragrant smell, nor appears of that great worth and excellency, till poured forth in the ministry of the word by the Spirit, and in his ordinances; that is the way of opening this precious alabaster-box, which, like pipes, conveys the golden oil to the lamps; thus Christ manifested the savour of his knowledge by the apostle in several places, 2Co 2:14-15.

    SIMILE

    X. Ointment poured forth, denotes plenty; as one observes upon the place; as also a free communication of it.

    PARALLEL

    X. The Lord Jesus hath a great plenty of all good and sweet perfumes, and precious things in him and he is free to part with them, or communicate of his fulness unto us, Col 2:3; Joh 1:14,16.

    SIMILE

    I. ALL natural ointments are of human composition, they are compounded by men, hence called the Ointment of the apothecary, Ec 10:1. God created the materials, man learned the skill of using them.

    DISPARITY

    I. But this spiritual Ointment was not made by man; the divinity of Christ is from everlasting, not made, nor created; and his human nature was filled with the Spirit, he was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, that so he might pour forth his sweet and sacred unction to his saints, Heb 1:8.

    SIMILE

    II. Natural ointments are of great value, but their worth is known and may be computed; Mary's box of precious Ointment was valued, but at or little more than three hundred pence.

    DISPARITY

    II. The Lord Christ is of inestimable worth and invaluable; all the pearls and diamonds in the world is not worth the least drop or drachm of this good and precious Ointment: those that have it, would not part with it for ten thousands of rivers of oil; one drop of it infinitely excels all the choicest Ointments in the world.

    SIMILE

    III. Natural Ointments will not keep their virtue; the most fragrant of them in the world, will, though kept never so closely, and carefully, in time corrupt and lose its savour: "Dead flies make the Ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell."

    DISPARITY

    III. The duration of this holy Ointment is such, that it will never decay; Jesus, and the grace of Jesus, is incorruptible; he is as sweet, as fragrant, and of the same virtue he was in Abraham's and Abel's time; and so will abide for for ever; for he is without beginning or end of days: nothing can get into this precious Ointment to make it unsavoury to a gracious soul; the cross itself is sweet in him, Heb 7:3; 13:8.

    SIMILE

    IV. Other Ointment is of a wasting nature; take but one drachm out, and there is an abatement, and so by little and little it will diminish, and shrink till it comes to nothing.

    DISPARITY

    IV. Jesus Christ hath anointed thousands of the godly in all ages since the beginning, and yet the vessel is as full as ever; it is always pouring forth, it ever runs, yea, and that freely too, yet the Ointment doth not diminish; there is not in him one drachm less than there was at the beginning.

    SIMILE

    V. Other Ointments are only good for the body; one sort pleaseth the sensual part, and another makes the face and skin of a man to shine.

    DISPARITY

    V. The spiritual Ointment is for the suppling, cleansing, and healing of the soul, it causes an internal beauty, and puts a lustre on the inward man; which God and holy angels delight in, 1Pe 3:4; Eze 16:13-14.

    SIMILE

    VI. No one land of natural Ointments hath all excellent qualities in it: some may be of a fragrant smell, but not healing, others may be good for healing, but not of a fragrant smell.

    DISPARITY

    VI. All excellencies meet together in Christ, there is nothing that is of use, profit, pleasure, or delight, but is to be found in him, yea, and that in the highest degree.

    SIMILE

    VII. A person may be anointed with precious ointment, and in a little time lose all the scent and savour of it.

    PARALLEL

    VII. He that is anointed with this Ointment will smell of it as long as he lives; there will be some savour of Jesus Christ remaining, though his lips and life may not be always alike, sweet and fragrant.

    SIMILE

    VIII. The effects which are wrought by other Ointment, are not quick and sudden, cannot heal, cleanse, nor make the face smooth and beautiful in a moment: the virgins that were to delight the Persian King, must be anointed six months, before their beauty was perfect, Es 2:12.

    DISPARITY

    VIII. Such are the effects and powerful operations of the Lord Jesus Christ, (this spiritual Ointment) that no sooner he touches the blind with his finger but they see; and the lepers are cleansed at a word of his mouth, Mt 8:2, as soon as every one drop of his Ointment is applied, by faith to the soul, the effect follows; one moment is sufficient for Christ to accomplish his work, though he doth not always work so speedily.

    SIMILE

    IX. A very small quantity of other Ointment doth but little good, nor worketh but small effects, whether for healing, beautifying, or perfuming: one drop will not perfume a whole room, &c. See Robertson.

    DISPARITY

    IX. A very small quantity of this spiritual Ointment doth wonderful things; the least measure of true grace, hath glorious and marvellous effects, as it is spoken of faith, though it "be as small as a grain of mustard seed," yet, &c., Mt 13:31, a little of this Ointment perfumes the whole soul, house, and family of a saint.

    APPLICATION.

    From hence you may further take notice of, and admire the excellencies of Jesus Christ, in that he is compared to all things that are good, pleasant, and delightful; well may he be called Wonderful: O! how wonderful and pleasant is that precious and good name, that is composed of so many excellent things, Isa 9:6.

    2. This should draw our hearts, towards him, make us love him and delight in him, and long, and desire after him; "His name being as Ointment poured forth;" it follows, "therefore do the virgins love thee," Song 1:3.

    3. This also demonstrates the excellencies of his grace! it is the graces of Christ, that makes him to be compared to Ointment poured forth; his sweet Ointments are, as one observes, his meekness, patience, and holiness, &c.

    4. The special graces of Christ, as appears from hence, are not communicated to all, the holy Ointment under the law, was only for consecrated things and persons, the elect and holy priesthood of God, only have the name of Christ, like precious Ointment, poured out, Ec 4:12. Christ empties himself only to those golden vessels, though common graces are communicated to all.

    5. We may from hence infer, how unsavoury all wicked men are in their persons and services that have not this good Ointment upon them; their hearts, lives, and prayers, and all they do, stink in the nostrils of the Lord, being not perfumed by Jesus Christ: "The sacrifice of the wicked, is an abomination to the Lord," Pr 15:8.

    6. This teacheth us, how to keep our souls sweet; sin, the world, and the devil strive to make them lose their savour. Therefore pray every day for a drop or two, of this Ointment to sweeten your prayers, meditations, and all your holy duties: and be sure to carry Christ in your hearts, lips, and lives, and this will make you lovely, and cause you to shine wherever you come.

    7. When you smell of any perfume, think of this precious Ointment, that perfumes heaven and earth.

    8. If you are sad and disconsolate, you may know whither to go, it is this Ointment that cheers, revives, and maketh glad every drooping Christian.

    9. Are you troubled with hardness of heart, or any swelling tumour? why then with speed, get some of this mollifying Ointment.

    10. Be sure to ascribe all true softness and brokenness of spirit to Christ and his good Ointment.

    11. He that would be beautiful, must not be without this Ointment.

    12. Get store of it, to perfume your houses, and pray that your wives and children have store of it poured upon them.

    13. What a mercy is it, to have this good Ointment by us, and laid up for us, seeing we are so subject to be unsavoury, subject to wounds and sores, and other diseases, which this Ointment cures effectually!