The name is too tender, too common, and too interesting to need much explanation; but though it is not necessary, in the ordinary acceptation of the word, to dwell upon it by way of explaining its meaning, yet it may not be amiss to remark the general application of it. As a woman who brings forth a child is by virtue of it immediately called a mother, so the church, which brings forth children to God in Christ is called "the Jerusalem which is above, who is the mother of us all." (Galatians 4:26.) The name is applied to all that carry this kind of maternity. The synagogue is called the mother of the Jews. Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, (saith JEHOVAH by the prophet) which I have put away?--here mother means the synagogue. (See Isaiah 1:1.) Babylon is called the mother of harlots, Revelation 17:5. An holy matron is called a mother in Israel, 2 Samuel 20:19; Judges 5:7. Our grave is called by Job our mother's womb, Job 1:21.