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Gen_21:4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.
Ver. 4. And Abraham circumcised his son.] At circumcision, as now at baptism, names were given. Let them be such as are significant, and may immind us of some good, either person or thing; all will be found little enough, Optima nomina, non appellando fieri mala, faenerator Alfius dixisse verissime fertur .{ a} We read of a good woman, that had named her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Charity. And when she was to be condemned by Bonner; My lord, said she, if you burn me, I hope you will keep Faith, Hope, and Charity. No, by my truth, will I not, quoth the bishop; keep them who will, I’ll take no charge of them. {b} We read also of another, that, courting a harlot, asked her name: she answered, Mary; whereupon, remembering Mary Magdalene, that penitent harlot, he repented him of his evil purpose, and, advising the courtesan to repent by her example, departed, and lived honestly. {c} We cannot have too many monitors to mind us of our duty.
{a} Columel., De Re Rust., lib. i. cap. 7. - Horat., epod. ii. line 66.
{b} Act. and Mon., 1798.
{c} Strange Viney. in Palest.