Vers. 5. Euen vnto them will I giue in mine house, and within my walles, a place, and a name better then of the sonnes and of the daughters: I will giue them an euerlasting name that shall not be put out.
HEere wee may euidently see, that the doore is set open for all persons to enter into Gods kingdome (how vnworthy soeuer they be.) The Prophet alludes to Ierusalem, and to the Temple, wherein the Lord had put the memoriall of his name. Now none but the Iewes had any place there: for they would haue thought the Temple prophaned, if any Gentiles had come within it. And this, as you know, was the cause that so great a multitude arose against Saint Paul, who had brought some vncircumcised ones into it: Act. 21.28. But heere the Lord receiues all those with∣out exception, whom before he had reiected: and hath abolished that difference, by brin∣ging vs, who were strangers, into the Temple; that is, into the Church. For it is not now shut vp within the bounds of Iudea, as once it was; but it extends it selfe farre and neere, thorowout the whole world: as in Marke 16.15.
The word lad, is taken heere, as in many o∣ther texts, for place. It may also be taken for power or authoritie, in regard they are ad∣uanced to such dignitie, as to be held for the children of God. Where hee addes, a better name; it may be demanded whether the Lord compares the Iewes which were then in the Church, with the faithfull which afterwards he will call into their roome: or the estate of the people to come, with that it was then. For it is certaine that the name of the Gen∣tiles is more honourable now, then the name of Iewes, who for their infidelitie were cut off: and we haue succeeded them, who being wilde Oliues, were grafted into the naturall stocke: as S. Paul speakes, Rom. 11.24. We may expound it then, that the Eunuches and stran∣gers shall haue a better name then the chil∣dren, and those of the houshold; who were vn∣to God as his heritage. But I had rather take it in another sense, namely, that the dignitie of the faithfull shall be greater vnder Christ, then it was vnder the law. The Patriarks had an excellent name, in respect that they cal∣led vpon God as their Father, and were knit vnto him by (a perpetuall) couenant: but at Christs comming, Gods grace was more a∣bundantly sh••d abroad; and therefore we at this day haue obtained a better, and much more excellent name then they.
He calles it an euerlasting name, because it is vvritten in the heauens, where it shall not wi∣ther, but shall florish for euer. The wicked wil haue their names to be remembred in this world, and vse all the meanes they can that their renowne may continue perpetually; but it is perishable, and therefore lasts not long. But this is another kind of name; for wee are so made heires of the heauenly kingdome, that wee are accounted for Gods children in the presence of his Angels. The word Mib∣banim, may also be interpreted, for the name which a man gets by meanes of his chil∣dren: for men make their names aft••r a sort