,,the ,,ordinance ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,,by ,,john ,,cunningham1 ,a4,m4 ,,he ,,hath ,,commanded ,,his ,,covenant ,,for ,,ever4 ,ps4 cxi4 #i4 ,,though ,,it ,,be ,,but ,a ,,man',s ,,covenant1 ,,yet ,,if ,,it ,,be ,,confirmed1 ,,no ,,man ,,disannuleth1 ,,or ,,addeth ,,thereto4 ,gal4 iii4 #ae4 ,,glasgow3--,,william ,,marshall4 ,,sold ,,also ,,by ,,john ,,keith4 ,,edinburgh3--,,thomas ,,nelson ,,and ,,john ,,johnstone4 ,,london3--,,hamilton1 ,,adams1 ,,co4 ,,manchester3-,,galt ,,anderson4 ,,belfast3--,,william ,,pollock4 ,,to ,,the ,,reverend ,,andrew ,,symington1 ,d4,d41 ,,professor ,,of ,,divinity ,,in ,,the ,,reformed ,,presbyterian ,,church1 ,,this ,,volume ,,is ,,most ,,respectfully ,,inscribed4 ,,contents4 ,introduction ,page #a ,,chapter ,i4 ,,nature ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,term ,covenant defined1 #e ,sinners ,redeemed1 are in ,covenant with ,god1 #f ,this relation not a mere law1 #g has parties1 #g has conditions1 #g is the ,covenant of ,grace1 #h ,term ,covenanting defined1 #h ,by ,covenanting men make a ,covenant with ,god1 #h ,this ,covenant not distinct from that of ,redemption1 or that of ,grace1 #i ,the formal exercise of ,covenanting not indispensable to an interest in the ,covenant of ,grace1 #aa ,god's ,covenant may1 for the first time1 be entered into in the exercise of ,covenanting1 #ab ,in ,covenanting1 if ,god's ,covenant has been laid hold on before1 it is then renewed1 #ad ,,the ,,vow4 ,definition1 #ae ,vow made to ,god alone1 #ae a solemn promise to ,god1 #af to be made voluntarily1 #ag must be consistent with duty1 #ag never made but in ,covenanting1 #ag ,,the ,,oath4 ,definition1 #ah ,to swear1 to use an oath1 #ai ,it is by the ,lord that all ought to swear1 #ai ,oath sworn with the lifting up of the right hand1 #bj ,swearing a devotional exercise1 #ba ,in the oath is implied a condensed adoration1 #ba ,the oath a solemn appeal to ,god1 #bc ,in swearing a lawful oath1 a ,covenant with ,god is made1 #bc whether given to confirm an assertion1 #bc or given to confirm an explicit promise1 #bf ,the civil or moral use of the oath depends on its spiritual character1 #bi ,the oath distinct from the vow1 #cj ,,confession4 ,to confess1 to perform services which include ,covenanting1 #ca --in the ,old ,testament1 #cb --in the ,new1 #cc ,to confess ,christ1 to ,covenant1 #cf ,to profess1 sometimes1 to confess1 #cg ,then1 profession equivalent to confession1 #ch ,,personal ,,covenanting4 ,this an act1 of adherence to ,god's ,covenant1 #ch approving of the way of salvation through ,christ1 #ci of accepting ,christ and all his benefits1 #ci of renouncing satan and sin1 #db of self-dedication to ,god1 #dc in which duty is promised to ,god1 #dd ,,social ,,covenanting4 ,this also an act of acquiescence in ,god's ,covenant1 #dd ,performed by the ,church in an ecclesiastical capacity1 #de ,performed by ,covenanting in a national capacity1 #df ,that may be performed by various communities in one confederation1 #dg ,implying all that is included in ,personal ,covenanting1 #dh ,an act of acceptance of the benefits of ,god's ,covenant1 #di ,of vowing general and specified obedience1 #ej ,of federal engagement among the members of the ,covenanting community1 #ea ,of public acceptance of the truth of ,god and of renouncing error1 #eb ,performed in the name of those who engage in it1 and in the name of posterity1 #ec ,,covenant ,,ratification4 ,by oath1 #ed ,oath and ,covenant associated1 #ed ,oath for confirmation1 #ee ,oath essential to a ,covenant with ,god1 #ee ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,manner ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,preliminaries1 #eg ,intelligently1 #fa ,cordially1 #fb ,deliberately1 #fc ,sincerely1 #fc ,in the first ages by sacrifice1 #fd ,phrase considered1 #fd ,what intended by the bisection of the victim1 #fg ,swearing symbolized by sacrifice1 #fg ,explicit proof1 #fi ,covenants ratified by blood of sacrifice1 #gj ,in all ages by faith1 #ga ,devotionally1 #gc ,in solemn assemblies1 #gc ,a holy exercise1 #gd ,should be performed with godly fear and reverence1 #gd ,with confession of sin1 #ge ,vow made in prayer1 #gf ,sometimes with the living voice1 #gg ,sometimes by subscription1 #gg ,covenanting a distinct exercise1 #gh ,though entering into other duties1 yet by itself not unnecessary1 #gi ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,covenanting ,a ,,duty4 ,according to the will of ,god as ,king and ,lord1 #hc ,obedience to ,christ as possessed of all power in heaven and in earth1 #hc ,believers engage in it as under law to ,christ1 #hd ,covenanting in an ecclesiastical capacity1 obedience1 #hf ,covenanting in an ecclesiastical and in a national capacity1 obedience1 #hh ,commanded in the ,moral ,law1 #ib ,in the first three precepts of the decalogue1 #ib ,in statutes that illustrate these1 #id commands to glorify ,god1 #id to worship ,god1 #ie enjoining faith1 #if forbidding federal transactions with what is evil1 #if ,enjoining the vowing of the vow1 #ih ,explanation of ,deut4 xxiii4 #bb1 #ajj of ,eccles4 v4 #e1 #ajb inculcating the swearing of the oath1 #ajc ,the duty of swearing the oath not abrogated1 #ajd enjoining the exercise in all its parts1 #ajf ,the exercise inculcated in threatenings of ,divine judgment against such as disregard it1 #ajf ,personal ,covenanting commanded1 #ajh ,social-- #aji in an ecclesiastical capacity1 #aaj in a national capacity1 #aab ,nations whose constitutions are immoral and unscriptural1 called to the duty1 #aah ,nations that have not heard the gospel1 not guiltless for not ,covenanting1 #aai in various capacities1 #abj ,assemblies for the investigation of ,divine truth1 #abb ,bible societies1 #abb ,missionary ,societies1 #abe ,none may be excused for not engaging in ,covenanting1 #abh ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,covenant ,,duties4 ,covenanting ought to embrace present and permanent duty1 #aca ,duties to each one's self1 #acb ,the cultivation of personal religion1 #acc ,sobriety and temperance1 #acd ,the cultivation of the various powers of the soul1 #ace ,the proper application of every capacity1 #acf ,all such different from restraints imposed by human authority1 #acg ,duties to society in general1 #ach ,to families1 #aci ,to civil communities1 #ada ,owing by masters and servants1 #adb ,lawful civil governors and the people under them1 #adc ,duty of the civil magistrate1 #add ,duties of the people in regard to the choice of their civil rulers1 #ade --and to their obedience to them1 #adh ,duty of people living under civil governments not sanctioned by ,god's authority1 #aea ,the doctrine evil1 that so long as any law exists it ought to be obeyed1 #aee ,to promote the real welfare of civil society1 the duty of nil1 #aef ,to classes of men1 of whatever kind1 #aeg ,to the ,church of ,christ1 #aeh ,to abide by all the ordinances of divine grace1 #aei ,to support the ordinances of religion1 where enjoyed1 #aei ,to maintain the rights and privileges of the ,church1 #afj ,to unite the various ,churches of ,christ1 #afa ,to enlarge the ,church1 #afc --through ,bible ,societies1 #afc ,missions1 at home1 #afd --to the heathen1 #afe --to the ,jews1 #afg ,to the ,mediator1 as ,lord of all1 #afh ,to declare the glory of ,god1 #afi ,to maintain the truth1 by profession and practice1 #afi --of ,god's character1 #agj --of ,god's government1 #aga --of the relations of the persons of the ever-blessed ,trinity in the ,everlasting ,covenant1 #aga --of the mediatorial character and glory of ,christ1 #aga --of the influences of his word and ,spirit1 #agb --of the atonement and intercession of ,christ1 #agb --of the ,headship of ,christ1 #agb over the ,church1 #agb over the nations1 #agc --of man's depravity and inability to restore himself1 #age ,covenanting should engage all to every former good attainment1 #agf --to cleave to new correct views of truth and duty1 #agg --to abandon the evil in the vow unobserved at the making of it1 #agh ,covenanting does not shackle inquiry1 #agi ,,chapter ,v4 ,,covenanting ,,confers ,,obligation4 ,covenanting confers obligation by the authority of ,god1 #aha ,personal and social--on the ,covenanting parties1 #ahb ,such are represented as bound--are said to be joined to the ,lord--to take hold of his covenant--to cleave to him1 #ahc ,god enjoins obedience as the fulfilment of ,covenant duties1 #ahd --that the vow be paid1 #ahf ,difficulty considered1 #ahg ,he threatens those who keep not his covenant1 #ahg ,social ,covenanting entails obligation on the society till the end of the covenant be attained1 #ahi ,because by it1 ,covenants are made in the name of posterity1 #ahi ,because the ,church is one in all ages1 #aij ,because of the ,church's social character1 #aib ,every adult member of the ,church engaged to its privileges and duties1 #aic ,children of church members are members of the ,church1 and therefore under obligation1 #aic ,the privileges enjoyed by children show them to be under obligation1 #aid ,social ,covenanting entails obligation on the society till the end of the covenant be attained-- ,because ,social ,covenanting1 approved in ,scripture1 conferred obligation1 #aif ,because the ends of such covenants may not be attained during the lives of those who entered into them1 #aig ,because the people of ,god view themselves bound by anterior engagements of his ,church1 #aih ,because the ,lord himself views his ,church as bound by these1 #aii ,covenanting entails obligation even on the unbeliever who vows and swears1 #bja ,even those in the ,church who do not formally ,covenant are under obligation1 #bjc ,a minority in a church or nation are bound by ,covenant engagements1 though the others cast them off1 #bjd ,covenanting does not implicate conscience1 #bje ,that men are bound by previous engagements is no reason why they should not ,covenant1 #bjg ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,covenanting ,,provided ,,for ,,in ,,the ,,everlasting ,,covenant4 ,,section ,i4 ,in regard to sinners1 the exercise provided for in the ,covenant of ,redemption1 #baj ,that covenant considered1 #baj ,in that1 ,christ represented the elect1 #baa ,in that1 the promises accepted in ,covenanting made to the ,surety1 #bab ,the people of ,god ,covenant on the ground of the righteousness of ,christ--the condition of that ,covenant1 #bad ,believers given to ,christ in that ,covenant1 #bae ,the elect chosen in ,christ1 that in union to him they might perform the duty1 #baf ,,section ,,ii4 ,covenanting1 under every dispensation1 provided for1 #bah ,exhibitions of ,christ the chief blessings of the ,covenant1 common to all of them1 #bai ,the erection and continuance of the ,church in the world flows from that1 #bbj ,true religion represented as a covenant with ,god1 #bba ,revelation of the will of ,god termed a covenant1 #bbc ,in the ,everlasting ,covenant1 provision made for ,covenanting under the patriarchal and levitical dispensations1 #bbd ,the acknowledgments and conduct of believers in those times illustrate this1 #bbd ,provision made through promises1 #bbf ,provision made through types1 #bbf --typical persons1 #bbg --places1 #bbg --things1 #bbh --seasons1 #bbh --acts1 #bbi --miracles1 #bcj --teaching of prophets1 #bcb --whole of ,old ,testament1 #bcb ,designations1 #bcb ,terms1 #bcc ,reconciliation and atonement1 #bcc ,provision made for ,covenanting under last dispensation1 #bcf ,this acknowledged by believers in the apostolic age1 #bcf ,provision made through injunctions of last inspired writers1 #bcg --whole of ,new ,testament1 #bch ,new ,testament contains same kind of expressions as the ,old in reference to ,covenant1 #bch ,covenant of ,god a testament1 #bda ,covenanting not a mere ,jewish thing1 #bdd ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,covenanting ,,adapted ,,to ,,the ,,moral ,,constitution ,,of ,,man4 ,adapted to that1 when in innocence1 #bdf according to scripture account of that constitution1 #bdf ,because the law of ,god to him in innocence1 of a covenant form1 #bdh ,to ,adam1 as an individual1 #bdh --as representative of his posterity1 #bej ,adapted to that1 when in a state of grace1 #bea ,inasmuch as gracious capacities lead to acquiescence in what ,god requires1 #bea --as invitations to accede to it are accepted by the regenerate1 #bed ,the ,covenant of ,works a reality1 #bef ,the wicked alone not in covenant1 #bei ,those who are in covenant with ,god make and keep covenant engagements1 #bfc ,state of those not in covenant with ,god dreadful1 #bfe ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,covenanting ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,purposes ,,of ,,god4 ,argument for ,covenanting1 from the ,divine purposes1 stated1 #bfh ,system of things pre-determined in order to ,covenanting1 ,creation1 #bfh ,arrangements of an ordinary providence1 #bfh ,covenant of ,god ordained by him1 #bga ,that was ,appointed1 #bga established1 #bgb and therefore according to his purpose1 #bgc commanded1 #bgd stands according to a sovereign decree1 #bge ,a people were foreordained to make solemn vows1 #bgg were formed1 #bgg were appointed1 #bhj were written in the book of life1 #bhb ,the people of ,god an elect people1 #bhc were elected from transgressors and their works1 #bhc were chosen in ,christ1 #bhd were elected to covenant obedience1 #bhe were elected to privileges that belong only to those in covenant with him1 #bhf ,theirs is the heavenly calling1 #bhf the blessing of ,justification1 #bhh the adoption of sons1 #bhi the blessing of sanctification1 #bia ,to them belong the benefits of ,redemption1 #bib assurance of ,god's love1 #bic peace of conscience1 #bic joy in the ,holy ,ghost1 #bid increase of grace1 #bif perseverance in grace1 #big eternal glory1 #bih ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,covenanting ,,sanctioned ,,by ,,the ,,divine ,,example4 ,explanation of the argument1 #cjj ,god himself has entered into covenant engagements1 #cjj in the covenant of ,redemption1 #cja with man in innocence1 #cjb with men in ,christ1 #cjb ,the ,lord ,jesus on earth illustrated in his practice the duty of ,covenanting1 #cjb ,the ,lord1 in entering into covenant1 provided an example for imitation1 #cjc ,it is possible1 after some manner1 to imitate ,god in ,covenanting1 #cjd ,it is desirable1 #cjd ,it is a duty1 #cje ,shown from the fourth commandment1 #cjf various other injunctions1 #cjf ,the exercise of following the ,divine example in ,covenanting important1 #cjh ,to follow that example in this1 obligatory through life1 and in all ages1 #cji ,,chapter ,x4 ,,covenanting ,a ,,privilege ,,of ,,believers4 ,a spiritual privilege what1 #caa ,evidence that ,covenanting is so1 #caa ,believers a people near to ,god1 #caa --in the gracious presence of ,god1 #cab ,they ,covenanting1 see ,god1 #cac --know ,god and are known of ,him1 #cae ,to those ,covenanting1 the ,lord is favourable1 #caf ,those ,covenanting1 enjoy communion with ,god1 #cag ,by his love the ,lord constrains his people to take hold on his covenant1 #cah ,the observing of the other duties of the ,covenant1 as well as the taking hold of it1 a privilege1 #cai ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,covenanting ,,enforced ,,by ,,the ,,grant ,,of ,,covenant ,,signs ,,and ,,seals4 ,design of the gracious grant of ,covenant signs and seals1 #cbj ,,signs4 ,the ,rainbow1 #cba a sign that the benefits of ,god's ,covenant should be conferred1 #cba explicitly referred to in ,scripture as a sign1 #cbb presented before the prophet ,ezekiel in vision1 at his entrance upon an important mission1 #cbd displayed in vision introducing prophetic part of the book of ,revelation1 #cbe presented in vision which exhibited the two ,witnesses who should prophesy in sackcloth1 #cbf encouraging sign1 #cbg ,circumcision-- instituted1 #cbg introductory to other privileges1 #cbh enjoined under greatest penalty1 #cbi seal of ,covenant1 #ccj ,baptism-- under ,new ,testament dispensation1 what circumcision was under the former1 #ccj ,the ,sabbath-- instituted from the beginning1 #ccc observed to the enjoyment of all religious privileges1 #ccc has afforded calls for engaging in the practice of vowing to ,god1 #ccd affords provision for the observance of every religious service1 #ccd kept1 to the attainment of the most varied and extensive good1 #ccf ,the ,priesthood-- a people in ,covenant with ,god1 #ccf what among the ,israelites1 #ccg a living sign1 #cch a sign1 as set apart to wait on the ordinances of grace1 #cci ,term1 a denomination of ,god's ,covenant people1 #cci ,those faithful to the ,covenant of the priesthood approved1 and the desecrators thereof condemned1 #cdj ,the priesthood recognised in all ages1 #cda ,difficulty in reference to priesthood under the law made without an oath considered and obviated1 #cdb ,the priesthood dependent on the priesthood of ,christ1 #cdd ,the ,new ,heart-- being a ,new ,covenant blessing1 is a ,new ,covenant sign1 #cde contrasted with the unrenewed heart subjected to various changes1 #cdf presented under the aspect of a circumcised heart1 #cdg a perfect heart1 #cdg one heart contrasted with the double heart1 #cdh among the people of ,god in a social capacity1 #cdh ,christ-- a sign of the fact of the ,everlasting ,covenant1 #cej a sign of the ,covenant's ratification1 #cea a sign of the dispensation of its blessings1 #ceb a sign by which the ,covenant should be had in remembrance1 #cec a sign of the performance of its duties1 #ced a transcendently glorious sign1 #ced ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,covenanting ,,performed ,,in ,,former ,,ages ,,with ,,approbation ,,from ,,above4 ,general remarks1 #ceh ,the ,lord approved of engagements made in ,personal ,covenanting1 #ceh --in ,social ,covenanting1 #cei ,we have encouragement to make vows1 the engagements of which are lawful1 #cfc ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,covenanting ,,predicted ,,in ,,prophecy4 ,nature of the argument exhibited1 #cfd ,force of it depends on the manifestation of ,god's will1 #cfe ,predicted in reference to ,old ,testament times1 #cff ,predicted in reference to ,new ,testament times1 #cfh ,important to attend to such prophetic intimations1 #cfh ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,covenanting ,,recommended ,,by ,,the ,,practice ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,,church4 ,argument unfolded1 #cfi ,practice recommended by the example of the ,church1 #cfi --by the manifestation of ,divine favour made in enabling the ,church to act to the fulfilment of his designs1 #cgj ,the practice of the ,church in the first three centuries after the apostolic age1 recommends the duty1 #cgj ,also that of the ,churches of the ,reformation1 #cga --of the ,churches abroad1 #cgb --of the ,church in ,britain and ,ireland1 #cgc ,example in this1 to be imitated1 #cgf ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,seasons ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,never unsuitable1 #cgg ,special seasons1 #cgh ,times of hazard and distress1 #cgh ,when religion is low1 and error1 and vice1 and ungodliness1 prevail1 #cgh ,times of reviving1 #cgh ,when the friends of truth unite for its maintenance1 either in an incorporate1 or other cooperative capacity1 #cgh ,,conclusion4 ,the exercise important1 #cgi advantageous1 #cgi necessary1 #cgi ,it should therefore be observed1 #chj ,,appendix4 ,a1 #cha ,b1 #chc ,c1 #cia ,d1 #cic ,,the ,,ordinance ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,,introduction4 ,to illustrate the nature and present the claims of an observance so carefully kept by many of the best of our race as religious ,covenanting1 is an attempt so inviting as to seem not unworthy of the application of the greatest diligence and care1 and the most varied and extensive resources of the human mind4 ,what the word of ,god unfolds concerning it1 is addressed to the most resolute consideration of all1 and is capable of engaging the most extensive and prolonged investigation4 ,and yet1 though none have found this subject1 like all ,god's judgments1 else than a great deep1 still in meditating upon it1 the ignorant have been brought to true knowledge1 and the wise have increased in wisdom4 ,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear him2 and he will shew them his covenant4#a ,impressions of its importance have universally continued to appear on the heart of man2 but with that varied indistinctness which may1 and ought to be remedied1 those have been marked4 ,in the ,scriptures alone1 its precise character is drawn4 ,mutual federal engagements1 concerning things religious and civil1 whether entered into merely by simple promise1 or confirmed by solemn oath1 have been made from the highest antiquity to the present4 ,the hostility to some such engagements1 and also the proud disregard for their obligations1 which have been evinced by some in all ages1 demand a most careful examination into their nature and design4 ,and the delightful approval of conscience awarded to right-heartedness in making and fulfilling such of these as were warranted1 gives a reason for the careful study of their character1 the most pleasing and satisfactory4 ,furnished with the key of ,scripture1 approaching the subject1 we are enabled to open the mysteries in which ignorance and prejudice had shut it up2 and equipped with the armour of light shooting forth its heavenly radiance1 in safety to ourselves we assail the darkness thrown around it1 and behold the instant flight of the spirits of error which that darkness contains4 ,standing alone in beauteous attractions descended from heaven upon it1 this service beckons us to approach it1 and engages to connect extensive good with a proper attention to its claims4 ,the observance1 under various phases1 is described in ,scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality4 ,there1 its nature and the manner of performing it are defined2 its character as a duty1 the compass of its matter1 and the obligation entailed by engaging in it are exhibited2 the provision made for the continuance of it1 its adaptations1 sovereign appointment1 sanction1 and character as a privilege1 and powerful motives to engage in it afforded in its signs1 are presented2 and its history1 anterior and prospective1 its recommendations found in the practice of the church in gospel times1 its advantages1 and claims1 are distinctly revealed4 ,along with kindred institutions1 all claiming an origin essentially ,divine1 but distinguished from them1 it demands a regard at least not less than what they share4 ,embodying in itself all the others1 in some aspects of its character it presents these united in a singular and beauteous whole4 ,by reason of the light broken by error falling upon it1 many who contemplate its features apprehend not the individuality it displays1 but1 reflecting on each part separately1 connect them so as not to be impressed by the object presented in the union of all4 ,like the distinct objects which make up the entire landscape1 when each one is examined by itself1 the various religious exercises which enter into this1 if each be recognised alone1 leave no impression of the whole as it would appear if contemplated at once4 ,prayer and the offering of praise are universally admitted to be duties of religion4 ,the ,scriptures announce a place among these for the exercise of solemn ,covenanting4 ,nay1 as including these services and others1 though as different from each of them1 they give its delineation4 ,to enable those who ponder the scriptural representation of it to answer suitably the ,divine demand1 ,understandest thou what thou readest8 prayer for heavenly illumination upon it is not merely desirable1 but necessary2 and by all who have felt its advantages1 supplication for this in greater measure will be habitually offered4 ,in order to a proper investigation of the subject1 care must be taken to avoid two extremes2--that minute analysis of it that would annihilate the observance itself1 by resolving it into its constituent parts2--and that slight examination of it which would result in an estimate of itself and its elements1 alike vague and undefined4 ,what ,god hath joined let not man put asunder4 ,and efforts should be made1 and supplications offered1 to obtain guidance on this point into all truth4 ,like a refracting medium which presents disjointed parts--each also deformed1 instead of one beauteous image of a resplendent scene1 prejudice1 on the one hand1 instead of displaying the exercise with the fulness and splendour of unmarred truth1 has obtruded its ideal misrepresentations of it1 alike inconsistent with themselves and with its real character2 while1 like rapid motion preventing minute discovery1 on the other a mere glance bestowed1 where careful observation was requisite1 insufficient for apprehending the whole as an inviting complex object of research1 and much more unfitted to discover the admitted excellence of the duties it includes1 has led to an exhibition of it also alike derogatory of the one and the other4 ,there is but one situation where1 like ,mount ,nebo affording to the man of ,god a view of the promised land1 we can rightly examine it4 ,if on the mount of ,divine revelation with the eye of faith1 which1 like the eye of ,moses1 with age waxes not dim1 we explore it1 in its fairest proportions1 like the land of ,canaan1 will we apprehend it2 and like that distinguished patriarch1 who was destined to enjoy blessings of ,god's covenant more valuable by far than a temporal rest1 we will attain to extensive spiritual1 and1 in due time1 eternal good4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,psalm xxv4 #ad4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,nature ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,a covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions4 ,it may be made between superiors and inferiors1 or between equals4 ,the sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of ,scripture4 ,parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances1 are there introduced4 ,there1 covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation1 and between man and man1 in some respects1 each respectively1 independent of the other1 but also between master and servant1 and between rulers and their subjects4 ,there too is described an engagement between ,god1 and ,adam as the representative of the human race1 which1 to say the least1 cannot without the most obvious perversion of language be represented as other than a covenant4 ,it is alluded to in the words1 ,they1 like men 7or1 ,adam71 have transgressed the covenant4#b ,and was it not in reality a covenant8 ,there is revealed the ,covenant of ,redemption--that covenant which from the days of eternity was made between the ,father and the ,son1 with the concurrence of the ,holy ,ghost1 for the salvation of the elect4 ,there too1 that covenant is made known as established with men1 that is1 made with them or dispensed to them4 ,under this last aspect1 it appears--,the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,and there1 are men encouraged to enter into covenant with ,god by taking hold of this covenant4 ,the conditions of a covenant1 or the stipulation on the one hand1 and the re-stipulation on the other1 are the things promised in the covenant by the parties to one another4 ,these may be mutual services1 as is sometimes the case among men2 or1 obedience and good unmerited through ,god's favour bestowed1 as in the case of man in innocence2 or1 obedience and sufferings1 and a high reward for these exemplified in the ,covenant of ,redemption alone2 or1 the righteousness of ,christ on the one hand1 as in the last case1 and free grace on the other1 in the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,sinners redeemed are in covenant with ,god4 ,the term covenant designating their relation to him as a people is not figuratively applied to it4 ,were it so1 there should be no ground for admitting the fact of any covenant even among men4 ,true1 the term is put to denote the ordinances of the material universe4#c ,but to maintain that it is in precisely the same manner used to denominate any mutual relation among moral beings1 is to prefer an assumption manifestly gratuitous1 and completely at variance with the obvious truth1 that for a race interested in the blessings of the ,covenant of ,grace1 these ordinances after the sin of man were continued4#d ,though it was ordained that men should enter into covenant1 the covenant is not like the laws of the lower creation1 an absolute appointment taking effect without regard to the resolutions of men4 ,as assuredly as the ordinances of the material heavens and the earth will be conducive to the accomplishment of the ends contemplated by infinite wisdom in their appointment1 will the covenant with ,god entered into by those accepted of him be made to fulfil its design4 ,but this it will be employed to do in the character of a sovereign arrangement suited not to unintelligent creation1 but to the moral agent man4 ,as far above the interference of man as is the government of the external universe1 is that designated the covenant1 as ordained4 ,but adapted completely to him as a creature exercising volition1 and in a state of responsibility1 is every such relation in its essential character4 ,this relation is marked by features which distinguish it from a mere law4 ,the expressions1 to pass into1 to enter into1 employed in the one case1 are totally inapplicable in the other4 ,the covenant is often represented as forsaken both as a covenant and as a law2 but is exhibited as gone into only as a covenant4 ,men are represented as joining themselves to the ,lord in an everlasting covenant4 ,but none are so spoken of in regard to the law4 ,the ,lord said unto ,abraham1 ,i will establish my covenant between me and thee1#e in terms which refer not to the covenant as if it were exclusively a law4 ,nor does the ,lord promise to make with any a law1 though he has given his promise to make with his chosen ones a covenant4 ,this relation with ,god1 as a covenant1 has parties4 ,both by the ,lord and by his people in ,christ1 it is as a covenant mutually entered into4 ,i will say1 ,it is my people2 and they shall say1 ,the ,lord is my ,god4#f ,besides having parties1--one essential of a covenant in its proper acceptation1 this relation with ,god has conditions4 ,on the part of the ,high and ,holy ,one1 these are the promises of good for believers made in the ,covenant of ,redemption1 and made known in the revelation of the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,like the light of heaven continually beaming down upon our world2 like the sound of many waters falling on the ear1 these continuously are fully and freely addressed in the gospel4 ,and like the beams of the sun appropriated and reflected by the dew of the morning1 and the rain and snow that come down from heaven drunk in by the earth prepared for it1 these are accepted2 and thence shines forth the beauty of holiness1 and appear those fruits of righteousness which are by ,jesus ,christ unto the glory and praise of ,god4 ,incline your ear1 and come unto me2 hear1 and your soul shall live2 and ,i will make with you an everlasting covenant1 even the sure mercies of ,david4#g ,on the part of the believer1 his faith and imperfect obedience1 though necessary1 are not a condition4 ,his title to acceptance is founded on the perfect righteousness of ,christ4 ,in reference1 not merely to the actual righteousness wrought in him1 but also to the condition of that covenant on which he lays hold1 which was fulfilled on behalf of all the children thereof1 he says1 ,in the ,lord have ,i righteousness and strength4#h ,this relation is the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,it was revealed as ,god's covenant4 ,it is that covenant which ,god established with ,noah1 which he made with ,abraham1 sware unto ,isaac1 confirmed unto ,jacob for a law1 and to ,israel for an everlasting covenant4 ,it is none other than that covenant which was confirmed of ,god in ,christ1 of which ,jesus is the ,mediator1 and which has been commanded for ever4 ,covenanting in civil life is the exercise of entering into a covenant engagement1 or of renewing it4 ,the term is almost wholly confined to ,covenanting with ,god1 and shall be so used4 ,in the ordinary intercourse of men the practice is common3 in religion it is essential4 ,covenanting is the exercise of either entering1 in an individual or a social capacity1 solemnly and formally in to the ,covenant of ,grace1 or of renewing it4 ,from the definition it follows1 that by ,covenanting men do make a covenant with ,god4 ,the renovation of a covenant is not less a covenant than was the original bond4 ,in ,covenanting is given that acquiescence in the conditions of the ,covenant of ,grace which is an essential of a covenant1 and the free offer to enter into it being continued1 acceptance in the service is enjoyed4 ,as certainly1 therefore1 as that called the ,covenant of ,grace1 is in reality a covenant1 is every lawful engagement entered into by solemnly ,covenanting with ,god possessed of the character of a covenant4 ,but such a covenant is not distinct from the ,covenant of ,redemption1 nor from the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,it is dependent on that covenant as made with the ,mediator1 and consistent with it as established with men4 ,in all the three cases1 the ,god of grace is one of the contracting parties4 ,in the ,covenant of ,redemption1 the ,redeemer himself1 as the surety of the elect1 was the other4 ,in the ,covenant of ,grace1 the people of ,god united to ,christ1 and drawing near to ,god through him1 are the other party4 ,and in the case of personal or social covenanting1 that party may be an individual or a joint number1 approaching in dependence on the grace of ,christ4 ,the promise of the ,covenant of ,redemption was1 a people elected to the blessings of time and eternity1 these blessings themselves1 and all the countenance which the surety should receive in fulfilling his work of righteousness1 and all the glory that should come to him as the ,mediator--,god and man--in obtaining for his people and bestowing upon them the benefits of the great salvation4 ,in all the three cases1 that promise in all its extent is exhibited4 ,in the ,covenant of ,redemption1 that promise was made to the ,redeemer himself4 ,in the ,covenant of ,grace1 and in every covenant with ,god into which his people by taking hold upon that covenant may enter1 it is an object of their faith4 ,the blessings of time and eternity constitute the part of the promise offered to believers1 through ,christ4 ,but in taking hold upon that covenant1 they testify to their satisfaction with that part of the promise that peculiarly belongs to the ,saviour1 and accept of the benefits offered to themselves4 ,in all the three cases1 the righteousness of ,christ is the sole ground on which a title to the promise can rest4 ,in the first case1 it is that righteousness as wrought out by him4 ,in the others1 it is that righteousness imputed through grace to each believer4 ,in all1 obedience to the law of ,god is required4 ,in the first1 ,christ gave that perfect obedience infinitely meritorious1 which1 along with his sufferings of infinite value1 constituted his work of righteousness4 ,in the ,covenant dispensed1 all duty is incumbent on those under it1 to be discharged so as to afford not a ground of merit before ,god1 but at least a testimony to the perfection of his laws4 ,and all duty may be frequently engaged to1 and special duties in given circumstances1 as they present themselves1 may be made the subject of a solemn covenant promise to ,god4 ,hence1 a covenant made in the exercise of ,covenanting1 is a covenant not essentially new4 ,as members of one glorious body united to ,christ1 the ,head1 all believers are in the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,but their exercises in regard to that covenant1 though in spirit essentially one1 do in their number1 and variety1 and form1 greatly differ4 ,and of these exercises1 none are more distinguished from one another than their solemn covenant engagements4 ,some with greater or less blame renew these seldom4 ,others faultily refrain altogether from renewing them in their social capacities4 ,but when these are made and renewed with due care1 there is1 according to circumstances1 a great diversity in their character4 ,each engagement has its own peculiar features2 though each is associated with all the others in presenting some aspect of none other ,covenant than that of ,grace4 ,god's covenant is the ,covenant of ,redemption2 or the ,covenant of ,grace2 or a covenant with ,god1 made in the actual exercise of ,covenanting4 ,a covenant with ,god is a form of expression that will be applied only to the last of these cases4 ,it must be admitted that the formal exercise of ,covenanting is not indispensably necessary in order to the attainment of an interest in the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,through ,god's free favour1 and not because of any service1 however dutiful1 that could be performed1 are any brought into this relation4 ,many go the whole round of religious services1 and yet remain uninterested in the benefits of salvation2 while others1 whose external privileges are by no means so abundant as the privileges enjoyed by those1 may be enabled to cleave to ,god's covenant4 ,it is ,god's prerogative to make efficacious what means of grace he will2 and when and in what measure he will1 to give them effect4 ,the types and symbols of a former period were blessed to the souls of men1 as well as the fuller revelations of succeeding times4 ,and ordinances which in due time were to pass away1 were1 during the term of their appointment1 to be acknowledged by the extension of his grace to those who waited on them1 as well as the institutions to follow in their room4 ,and sinners in every variety of circumstances have been brought into covenant with ,god4 ,when the gospel is preached to the young--unfitted to apprehend for the time being the nature or design of some institutions of ,divine grace--the ,spirit of ,god may lead them to accept of the offered ,saviour4 ,or when the glad tidings of salvation are proclaimed1 not merely to those favoured by the advantages of education and christian society1 but even to the most untutored and degraded of the family of man1 a willing mind may be vouchsafed from above to rely upon him4 ,then the blessings of his covenant are apprehended and accepted4 ,and though many who profess to seek these good things1 may1 by reason of unbelief1 fail to obtain them1 they will afford to such objects of sovereign mercy1 as the chosen of ,god1 increasing reasons of gratitude and joy4 ,only they who are without ,christ1 are aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel and strangers from the covenants of promise4 ,all who are in him1 though once like those1 who were sometimes afar off1 are made nigh by his blood4 ,it is by faith in ,christ that men become the children of ,god4 ,while waiting on any of the means of grace1 elect souls may1 for the first time1 be enabled to exercise it2 and then1 even at that time1 becomes theirs the inheritance of the promise4 ,god's covenant may1 for the first time1 be entered into in the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,it cannot be entered into at any time but by faith--an element essential in covenanting4 ,but it may be primarily laid hold upon in some instances in the formal performance of that exercise4 ,an individual may wait on the ordinances of ,divine grace1 not being in covenant4 ,he may have been plied by the expostulations of the servants of ,christ1 because of continuing regardless of the offers of mercy1 not having acceded to them4 ,the exercise of entering into covenant with ,god may have been pressed upon his attention4 ,he is doubtful whether or not he has received the ,lord ,jesus4 ,in reality he has not acted faith upon him4 ,he studies the subject of ,covenanting1 endeavours to examine the claims which the exercise has upon him4 ,he is convinced of sin1 but has not been converted4 ,he feels himself acted on by the fear of wrath1 and drawn by the desire of good to cast himself upon the care of the ,redeemer4 ,he essays the work of preparation4 ,god is leading him on by the common operations of his ,spirit1 though still he is in darkness4 ,he endeavours to bring himself up to the resolution of giving himself away to ,god4 ,corruption within1 however1 opposes his purpose4 ,yet he is urged forward to an exercise which1 if performed in a proper spirit1 would be accepted1 but which1 of himself1 in his present condition1 notwithstanding all his fears and desires1 he cannot enter upon aright4 ,he attempts to pray and make supplication--yea1 even he endeavours to perform the service4 ,strength is given him to do it with acceptance2 and1 through marvellous grace1 he stands among the children of the ,covenant6 ,he might have been still left to himself2 his promises might have been insincere1 and the covenant which he professed to make with his lips he might have profaned4 ,but though at the commencement of his exercises there was no gracious emotion felt by him1 he was led by an overruling ,providence to adopt means of seeking ,divine favour which ,god should bless4 ,he was brought from the dream of desire to the reality of enjoyment2 from the state of one in darkness1 groping his way1 to the light to which1 by his own efforts1 he could not have come2 from the paralysis of moral imbecility to the strength which enabled him to stretch out his hand and take hold on ,god's ,covenant4 ,or1 when the people of ,god may direct their faces to the work of renewing their covenant engagements with him1 some who might formerly have been far from ,god may be led to the use of preparatory means1 and1 when the time of ,covenanting arrives1 find themselves1 for the first1 gifted with strength to pledge themselves to his service1 and thereafter feel themselves associated by ties indissoluble to his people1 and blessed with the covenant heritage of those who fear his name4 ,such are not mere suppositions4 ,they are consistent with the ordinary procedure of ,god in extending grace to those who wait upon his ordinances1 however unworthy they may have been before4 ,they are in harmony with the spirit of the expression to take hold upon the ,covenant of ,god--which obviously implies1 according to the state of those to whom it is applied1 one or other of two things3--to engage to the service of the ,lord by covenant2 or to renew such an engagement2 and are warranted by such statements as the exhortation1 ,come and let us join ourselves to the ,lord in an everlasting covenant1 never to be forgotten4 ,such an address may be made either to the wicked or to the righteous4--,to the wicked1 that they may1 with their whole heart and soul1 depart from the evil of their doings1 and give themselves to the ,lord2 to the righteous1 that they may so give themselves again2 to the wicked1 that they may prepare their hearts to seek ,god--but not by any effort of their own in a legal spirit1 to commend themselves to him1 and then to enter into his covenant2 and to all1 that in a becoming frame of mind they may take hold upon it4 ,whether or not many are brought to ,god in such circumstances it may not be easy to decide2 yet it cannot be affirmed that none in this manner are joined unto him4 ,to engage in the exercise of ,covenanting with the hope of being converted1 is to act under a misapprehension of its design2 but who can say that ,god does not1 when this is practised1 bring to himself8 ,none could have any encouragement to perform the service1 were they satisfied that they would not act sincerely in it2 but to perform it they are not the less called to make preparation4 ,none can be accepted in the exercise but the covenant children1 but the most abundant reasons there are why all should attempt it2 and who can tell what ,god will do in a season of grace8 ,in ,covenanting1 if ,god's covenant has been laid hold on before1 it is then again solemnly acceded to or renewed4 ,it is the people of ,god1 not the wicked1 who covenant4 ,unto the wicked1 ,god saith1 ,what hast thou to do to declare my statutes1 or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth8#i ,the wicked1 as in the former case1 may be brought1 in the use of means1 to attempt the exercise1 but if in that they are accepted1 in the character of new creatures they perform it2 but if the change produced upon the state and character does not take place at the moment of ,covenanting1 but before it1 then the exercise is a renewal of the covenant4 ,when1 therefore1 those who have been1 for a period long or short1 the people of ,god1 engage in this1 they transact a renovation4 ,the young believer who performs the exercise does this1 though his age in grace may not exceed a few days or hours of the blessed life4 ,this1 the ,christian who has long been in progress towards the inheritance above promised in the covenant1 going into that performance1 effects4 ,this renewal all the saints of ,god do make1 when in any circumstances they draw near to him to consecrate themselves and all that concerns them to his service4 ,,the ,,vow4 ,a vow falls to be considered in connection with the subject of ,covenanting4 ,a vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath1 and ought to be made with the like religious care1 and to be performed with the like faithfulness4 ,it is not to be made to any creature1 but to ,god alone2 and that it may be accepted1 it is to be made voluntarily1 out of faith and conscience of duty1 in way of thankfulness for mercy received1 or for the obtaining of what we want2 whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties1 or to other things1 so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto4#aj ,a vow is made to ,god alone4 ,in various passages of ,scripture1 it is said explicitly to be made to the ,lord4 ,david vowed unto the mighty ,god of ,jacob4#aa ,israel vowed a vow unto the ,lord4#ab ,in others it is manifest from the connection that the vow was made to the ,lord4 ,jacob vowed a vow1 saying1 ,if ,god will be with me1 and will keep me in this way that ,i go1 and will give me bread to eat1 and raiment to put on1 so that ,i come again to my father's house in peace1 then shall the ,lord be my ,god3 and this stone1 which ,i have set for a pillar1 shall be ,god's house3 and of all that thou shalt give me1 ,i will surely give the tenth unto thee4#ac ,hannah addressed him to whom she vowed1 ,o ,lord of ,hosts4#ad ,in only one passage of ,scripture are any represented as vowing to another than ,god himself1#ae but there the judgments of ,god are threatened on them--vowing vows to the queen of heaven1 as guilty of idolatry4 ,and even some who had been idolaters1 so soon as they were taught the claims of ,jehovah upon their obedience1 made vows unto him4#af ,a vow is a solemn promise to ,god4 ,it is explicitly described as such4 ,that which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform3 even a free-will-offering1 according as thou hast vowed unto the ,lord thy ,god1 which thou hast promised with thy mouth4#ag ,it is of the like nature with a promissory oath4 ,if a man vow a vow unto the ,lord1 or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond2 he shall not break his word1 he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth4#ah ,and from the fact that vows1 by sacrifice and thanksgiving and otherwise1 were paid to the ,lord1 this appears4 ,o ,judah1 keep thy solemn feasts1 perform thy vows4#ai ,so will ,i sing praise unto thy name forever1 that ,i may daily perform my vows4#bj ,a vow is to be made voluntarily4 ,the verb 7,hebrew3 nador7 translated to vow1 in its literal acceptation means to beat out grain from the sheaf on the thrashing-floor3 hence1 as the corn is thus scattered1 it came to signify to scatter1 or to be liberal2 and thence1 finally1 to offer willingly and freely4 ,the noun 7,hebrew3 neder7 accordingly is put to denote the act of offering1 or of making a promise1 to ,god1 and also what in this is spontaneously offered or promised4 ,moreover1 in a passage formerly quoted1 it is described as a free-will-offering4 ,the vow is sometimes made in a spontaneous effusion of gratitude4 ,thus ,david sware unto the ,lord1 and vowed unto the mighty ,god of ,jacob1 after the ,lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies4#ba ,often it is made in order to obtain some benefit4 ,i will go into thy house with burnt-offerings2 ,i will pay thee my vows1 which my lips have uttered1 and my mouth hath spoken1 when ,i was in trouble4#bb ,and like that of ,jacob at ,bethel1 who was overpowered with the vision of the ladder1 and desirous of obtaining the promise there made to him1 a vow may not unfrequently proceed from both gratitude and hope4 ,a vow must not be inconsistent with the requirements of the ,divine law4 ,what the ,lord hath forbidden1 he will not accept4 ,cursed be the deceiver1 which hath in his flock a male1 and voweth1 and sacrificeth unto the ,lord a corrupt thing4#bc ,to promise to him what is beyond our power1 is to mock him4 ,some vows of females and children were not accepted1 because such interfered with services due by them to their families1 over which1 in things lawful1 their husbands and fathers had supreme power4 ,a vow is never made but in the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,the vow which ,jacob vowed at ,bethel was made upon the reception of ,god's gracious covenant promise there tendered to him4 ,again1 ,israel vowed a vow unto the ,lord1 and said1 ,if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand1 then ,i will utterly destroy their cities4#bd ,in this manner at ,hormah1 they testified that they agreed to that promise of the ,covenant that had been made at ,sinai1 which is expressed in the words1 ,behold1 ,i drive out before thee the ,amorite1 and the ,canaanite1 and the ,hittite1 and the ,perizzite1 and the ,hivite1 and the ,jebusite1#be and thus made a covenant4 ,from the words1 ,if a man vow a vow unto the ,lord1 or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond1 it may be concluded that either a vow taken1 or an oath1 binds the soul4 ,that the former binds the soul is most manifest from the language1 ,every vow of a widow1 and of her that is divorced1 wherewith they have bound their souls1 shall stand against her4#bf ,the bond is a covenant bond1 for it is said1 ,i will cause you to pass under the rod1 and ,i will bring you into the bond of the covenant4#bg ,the word 7,hebrew3 masoreth7 for bond1 in the later prophet is a co-derivate with that 7,hebrew3 issar7 for bond1 used by ,moses1 and has the same import4 ,,the ,,oath4 ,the ,,oath also claims consideration as related to ,covenanting4 ,a lawful oath is a part of religious worship1 wherein1 upon just occasion1 the person swearing solemnly calleth ,god to witness what he asserteth or promiseth2 and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth4 ,the name of ,god only is that by which men ought to swear1 and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence3 therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name1 or to swear at all by any other thing1 is sinful1 and to be abhorred4#bh ,to ,,swear is to give or use an oath4 ,the men said unto her1 we will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear4#bi ,i will perform the oath which ,i sware unto ,abraham4#cj ,and to make1 or to enter into an oath1 being the same as to give it1 each of these is also to swear4 ,it is by the ,lord1 or by the name of the ,lord1 and by him alone that all ought to swear4 ,one of the verbs 7,hebrew3 aloh7 in the ,hebrew which denote to swear1 would seem to be derived from a word 7,hebrew3 ,el7 which signifies ,god1 and accordingly refers to the making of an affirmation by using the name of ,god4#ca ,and the corresponding noun 7,hebrew3 alah7 for oath1 in like manner bears literally a meaning expressive of a means of calling on that holy name4 ,both occur in the sacred original of the passage4 ,if any man trespass against his neighbour1 and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear1 and the oath come before thine altar in this house3 then hear thou in heaven4#cb ,and where a verb of a different origin is employed1 the same is manifest4 ,abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house1 ,i will make thee swear by the ,lord1 the ,god of heaven and the ,god of the earth4#cc ,the ,lord himself said1 ,ye shall not swear by my name falsely4#cd ,and explicit is the injunction1 ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him1 and shalt swear by his name4#ce ,nor is an oath to be made by the name of any other4 ,men verily swear by the greater2 and therefore lawfully by ,god alone4 ,the names of the gods of the heathen were not even to be mentioned2 and hence were not to be used in making an oath4 ,nay1 the ,israelites were explicitly forbidden to swear by them4 ,nor by any creature1 and consequently not by the name of such ought any one to swear4 ,swear not at all3 neither by heaven2 for it is ,god's throne3 nor by the earth2 for it is his footstool3 neither by ,jerusalem2 for it is the city of the great ,king4 ,neither shalt thou swear by thy head1 because thou canst not make one hair white or black4#cf ,the expression1 the ,lord liveth1 is a form of the oath4 ,though they say1 ,the ,lord liveth2 surely they swear falsely#cg ,thou shalt swear1 ,the ,lord liveth1 in truth1 in judgment1 and in righteousness4#ch ,an oath is sworn with the lifting up of the right hand4 ,in vision presented before ,daniel1 the man clothed in linen held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven1 and sware by him that liveth for ever4#ci ,john declares1 the angel which ,i saw stand upon the sea1 and upon the earth1 lifted up his hand to heaven1 and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever4#dj ,the right hand is principally used among men in general2 and accordingly1 as when neither hand is specifically mentioned in any case1 the right is understood1 so we may conclude that the oath was made by the angel while he held up his right hand4 ,the ,lord sware by his right hand1 and by the arm of his strength4#da ,he sometimes speaks of his promise to give the children of ,israel the land of ,canaan1 as being made by swearing1 and at others1 as made by the lifting up of his hand4#db ,and accordingly1 like ,abraham1 who in lifting up his hand in reference to the goods that had belonged to the king of ,sodom1 unquestionably sware an oath1 all who warrantably swear1 make oath with the right hand lifted up towards heaven4 ,the swearing of an oath is a devotional exercise4 ,every act performed in holding intercourse with ,god is religious2 and therefore this4 ,the performance of it is introduced along with that of other actions that certainly imply the rendering of religious homage4 ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him1 and shalt swear by his name4 ,it is included in the exercises that embody the worship of ,god4 ,parallel to the last quoted passage is this which follows4 ,him shall ye fear1 and him shall ye worship1 and to him shall ye do sacrifice4 ,to swear by his name is not to do sacrifice2 and is therefore to perform another part of his worship4 ,the oath was wont to come before the altar of the ,lord1 where sacred services alone should be performed4 ,as a form of calling on the name of ,god1 it was associated with the exercise of giving thanks to him1 and is regarded as a tender of devout obedience to him by him who said1 ,unto me every knee shall bow1 every tongue shall swear4 ,in the oath is implied a condensed adoration4 ,it is made to ,god as distinguished from every creature1 and recognises the whole revealed glory of his character4 ,whatever be the warranted form of the oath1 it is made to the same all-glorious ,being1 and presents to him one celebration of his infinitely transcendent excellence4 ,declaring to him that the ,lord liveth1 it owns his wondrous self-existence4 ,offered to ,him that liveth for ever and ever1 it celebrates his eternal pre-existence and existence to eternal ages4 ,presented to him as ,god1 it acknowledges that infinitude of perfection which none can by searching find out1 but all moral creatures are bound to adore--the incomprehensible ,spirit whom1 though infinite in being1 no man hath seen1 nor can see4 ,addressed to him as the ,god of heaven and of the earth1 it hails with reverence the overwhelming display of might omnipotent1 wisdom boundless1 goodness unlimited1 and sovereignty absolute1 made in the creation and upholding of matter and immortal spirits--and the holiness1 justice1 goodness1 and truth evolved in the constitution of all created things4 ,made by his name as ,lord of all1 it gives acknowledgment to his infinitely wise and sovereign allotments to angels and men--to his undivided sovereignty over the numerous hosts of creation--to his title to the universal homage and continued obedience of all--to the glory of the adorable ,lawgiver to heaven and earth1 the present witness and future judge of his moral1 though rebellious subjects--and to the unimpeachable rectitude of an administration that comprehends heaven1 and earth1 and hell1 and extends from the origin of creatures to eternity4 ,sworn to him as the ,amen1 his truth and faithfulness keeping mercy and truth from generation to generation with gratitude it proclaims4 ,and however used1 it recognises him as the avenger of the oppressed1 the friend of those who keep the truth1 and the just ,god taking vengeance upon those who dishonour his name1 or otherwise transgress his commands4 ,but1 above all1 it gives honour to him as the ,god of salvation4 ,to his sovereign mercy in providing deliverance for men from the days of eternity2 to his sovereign kindness in proclaiming himself as a ,saviour1 and holding intercourse with men in order to their recovery from a state of condemnation2 to his wondrous grace displayed in the government of all things for the good of his church1 and in affording means of a reverential appeal to himself in the duties of religion1 and especially in swearing by his name1 it gives testimony in a manner peculiar to itself4 ,heaven1 earth1 and hell--the past1 the present1 and the future--the time that now is1 the final audit1 and an endless eternity--and above all1 ,god himself1 who can be compared with none other1 at once it recognises as present4 ,how solemn the performance of the act6 ,god it invokes in every aspect of his character4 ,more fully than any other exercise1 his perfections and administration it contemplates1 and in a manner all-important shows forth his praise4 ,the oath is a solemn appeal to ,god1 invoked as witness1 that some statement made is true4 ,the declaration may be an assertion concerning fact1 or a promise4 ,no creature1 besides the being that gives the oath1 may know certainly whether the statement be true or false2 but ,god always knows1 and he is called upon in this1 as knowing the truth4 ,in every case in which it is used1 whether in secret or in public1 it is the most complete evidence that can be afforded of the sincerity of those who swear2 and in public1 it is the highest satisfaction concerning any averment that men could demand4 ,it is used to give the weight of ,god's testimony to show that a given statement is made in truth4 ,in the swearing of a lawful oath1 a covenant with ,god is made by the party that swears4 ,whatever be the nature of the responsibility connected with the act engaged in by whomsoever1 it cannot be doubted that an unregenerate person cannot be accepted in it2 but a true ,christian in making oath lawfully1 will be approved before ,god4 ,to swear in suitable circumstances is the duty of all2 but it is the privilege of those only who are in covenant with ,god4 ,when the oath is given to confirm an assertion1 it is sworn in confirmation of a covenant with ,god4 ,first1 when used1 not in giving evidence before men1 but in religious exercises strictly personal1 the oath is never sworn but to confirm truth4 ,an assertion made before ,god in giving adherence to truth1 is an acquiescence in it1 and being uttered in accordance with the requirement that truth be spoken1 and implying an engagement to abide by it1 is a solemn declaration of obligation to ,god4 ,the ,covenant of ,grace presented under some aspect is thus agreed to2 a covenant is made1 and the swearing of the oath is its ratification4 ,in these words1 ,israel were invited to take hold on ,god's ,covenant4 ,if thou wilt return1 ,o ,israel1 saith the ,lord1 return unto me2 and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight1 then shalt thou not remove4#dc ,and the oath prescribed for them on returning was explicitly an averment of truth4 ,thou shalt swear1 ,the ,lord liveth1 in truth1 in judgment1 and in righteousness4 ,likewise1 to swear at any time devotionally1 the ,lord liveth1 is most solemnly to acquiesce in the injunctions to believe upon him which his word contains1 and thus to accede to his ,covenant4 ,and what is true regarding such an acknowledgment of him as the ever-living ,one1 obtains regarding the act of swearing to him for the purpose of attesting any other important truth4 ,to swear to the truth of any declaration1 is to swear to him as the ,god of truth1 and accordingly by covenant to take hold upon him as such4 ,secondly1 when the oath given to confirm an assertion is required by men having a right to claim it1 those call upon the party to be sworn1 to promise to them to speak the truth1 and to invoke ,god to witness that the truth is spoken4 ,the juror agrees to the demand1 he accepts the condition1 that his word and oath will be relied on1 and he in giving his oath at once comes under a covenant obligation to man to speak the truth1 and confirms his promise by an appeal to the ,god of truth4 ,thus1 in a court of justice1 or before a church court1 a witness makes in reality a compact with the lawful authority that requires his oath1 and swears in confirmation of his engagement4 ,it is of equal consequence to the present argument whether he swear to the truth of a statement made before the taking of his oath1 or first give his oath1 and then make his promised representation4 ,in the latter case1 which is the most common1 there is most manifestly made a covenant transaction between the witness and those in authority2 but in the former1 there is constituted an engagement not less really of a covenant character4 ,although1 as in the case of giving an affidavit1 the assertion may seem to precede the oath1 yet1 in reality1 that is not accepted1 and therefore is not completely made till the oath be given3 and consequently1 as in the other case1 the assertion is that which is promised in the oath4 ,in each1 the witness comes under an engagement to speak the truth4 ,it is one indeed generally of a short period1 yet not on that account the less an engagement4 ,in giving his testimony1 he fulfils his covenant promise2 and its effects in settling controversies1 or leading to the execution of justice1 may not be less important than those of a covenant1 the fulfilment of the conditions of which might occupy a much longer time4 ,nor1 when an oath is claimed and received by those in authority1 is there a covenant made merely among men2 but also by the juror1 a covenant is made with ,god4 ,the law of ,god requires the fulfilment of every lawful promise made by man to man2 a simple promise to man1 however1 though ,god may be acknowledged in it1 is not strictly a promise to ,him4 ,but by the appending of an oath1 ,god is at once appealed to as a witness and judge1 and as a party to a covenant between the juror and himself2 and an obligation to ,god1 as well as an engagement to men1 is explicitly constituted4 ,were it not so1 how could the addition of the oath by the juror increase the security given in the simple promise1 and the ,lord be called to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he might swear8#dd ,under one aspect1 the engagement with men entered into by swearing to the truth of an assertion1 is different from the relation to ,god into which by swearing the juror is brought4 ,viewed as a covenant among men1 ,god is not properly a party to it1 but a witness4 ,but those who require the oath being possessed of power deputed to them from above1 the same engagement may be also considered as a covenant made with ,god by him who swears4 ,the engagement viewed in the former light1 appears as affording the matter of a covenant between the juror and ,him by whom he swears2 but1 contemplated in the latter1 stands forth as one made with ,god1 through the instrumentality of his servants4 ,the oath is sworn to himself2 but ,he1 and those whom he hath vested with office1 will demand the fulfilment of it4 ,when the oath usually represented as promissory is sworn1 a covenant with ,god is thereby made4 ,when such an oath is sworn to confirm a vow to ,god1 made not before men1 most manifestly a covenant with ,him is constituted2 but no less is a covenant with ,him entered into when such an oath is given to men4 ,by this species of oath is generally understood that which is used in reference to obligation to be fulfilled in the more or less distant future4 ,it has been shown1 that even the oath given to confirm an assertion1 belongs to this class4 ,accordingly1 all kinds of oaths are generally promissory4 ,but while both species may not be implemented in some cases till the far distant future1 some of an assertory nature may be performed at the time when they are sworn4 ,evidence has been given1 that the latter kind of oaths1 viewed as promissory1 brings under an engagement to ,god4 ,that both do so1 even when taken by men1 moreover farther appears4 ,a vow is essentially a promise made to ,god1 but to none other2 and the fulfilment of the vow is required1 at least in virtue of the making of it4#de ,but not less does ,god require what is promised to another by oath1 than what is vowed to himself4 ,the vow binds the soul with a bond which cannot be else than the bond of a covenant with ,god2 but that bond also which is made by swearing an oath to bind the soul being spoken of in the same manner as the bond made by the vow1 cannot be another than the bond of a covenant with him4#df ,god is properly a party to the covenant made in vowing to ,him4 ,when an oath is sworn at the desire of men1 they are a party to the covenant that is entered into by him who swears2 but ,god is party to a covenant that is also thereby made2 and when the oath is sworn in secret to ,god1 ,he alone is a party to the covenant into which the juror enters4 ,in all the cases ,god is a party to a covenant to which he who swears is the other4 ,again1 though ,christ forbade unlawful swearing1 yet when he says1 ,again1 ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time1 ,thou shalt not forswear thyself1 but shalt perform unto the ,lord thine oaths3 but ,i say unto you1 ,swear not at all1#dg he does not teach that the oath1 when properly sworn1 is not to be performed to ,god1 but rather intimates1 that when ,he is properly appealed to in swearing1 he is thereby contemplated as having addressed to him a solemn promise or vow1 the fulfilment of which he will demand4 ,a severe penalty followed the non-payment of the vow1#dh and the punishment due to the non-performance of an oath sworn1 even to men1 is represented as incurred by failing to fulfil a covenant obligation to ,god himself4 ,the children of ,reuben1 and the children of ,gad1 and the half tribe of ,manasseh1 sware thus to their brethren of the children of ,israel1 ,the ,lord ,god of gods1 the ,lord ,god of gods1 he knoweth1 and ,israel he shall know1 if it be in rebellion1 or if in transgression against the ,lord1 7save us not this day17 that we have built us an altar to turn from following the ,lord1 or if to offer thereon burnt-offering1 or meat-offering1 or if to offer peace-offerings thereon4 ,and testifying to their conviction that a failure in the fulfilment of their promise would be a breach of an engagement to ,god himself1 they said1 ,let the ,lord himself require it4#di ,accordingly1 the giving of the oath for confirmation1 whether of a statement of fact or of a promise to be fulfilled in the future1 is in every case a taking hold on the covenant of ,god4 ,there is every possible variety in the matter of the engagements made by oath1 but not one of them is disconnected from a covenant with him4 ,as the hand given among men was in every age a pledge of friendship--the maintenance of which is so palpably a design of a covenant1 and betokened always an accession to conditions of peace2 as when the hand was given on the occasion of swearing an oath1 a covenant was wont to be made1#ej so when the hand1 which1 when lifted up in devotion1 points out always reconciliation with ,god1 in swearing is held up towards heaven1 a sign that a covenant is being made with him is thereby given4 ,hence1 when men1 in making a league or covenant with one another1 lawfully vow or swear to the ,lord1 they ,covenant with him--and this is1 moreover1 corroborated by the ,scripture account of some such covenants4 ,the covenant between ,jonathan and ,david1 made by swearing unto ,god1 is denominated a covenant of the ,lord4#ea ,the covenant of marriage1 made by vowing or swearing to the ,lord1 is recognised as the covenant of ,god4#eb ,a covenant between ,god and each of these different parties must therefore have been made4 ,one reason of these designations of such covenants is1 that they were according to ,god's appointment2 but it would be absolutely gratuitous to deny that there is this other reason--that those who sware in each case1 by swearing came under an engagement to the glorious ,object of all worship to fulfil the promises made by them to each other4 ,though marriage be not a sacrament1 yet it is universally admitted to be solemnised either by the making of vows or by swearing to ,god2 and if this covenant1 and all others that are ratified by oath1 afford not the matter of covenants with ,god entered into by the parties1 there is not afforded by the scriptural forms of transactions with ,god concerning things essentially religious1 that are ratified by oath1 the least evidence of their being covenant engagements to him4 ,a covenant transaction among men concerning lawful things civil1 if ratified by oath1 has the solemnity of an exercise that carries along with it an engagement1 of its own nature1 to ,god1 not less than an exercise of ,covenanting concerning things civil and religious1 or concerning things exclusively religious4 ,nor is it any valid objection to the sentiment that every covenant--not excluding those that are civil--which is ratified by an oath1 is to be fulfilled1 in virtue of an engagement or vow to ,god made by the oath1 that the designation of a covenant of ,god was applied to covenants confirmed by swearing1 which were not kept1 and probably had not been made in sincerity4#ec ,the transactions with ,god in such cases are designated by what they professed to be1 and ought to have been3 and with those who dishonoured ,god in conducting them it became ,him to deal accordingly4 ,from the foregoing statements regarding the oath1 there may be deduced the two following conclusions3-- ,first1 ,that the civil or moral use of the oath1 in the intercourse of society depends wholly upon its spiritual character4 ,the oath of an atheist or unbeliever is not necessarily of any value4 ,the individual who cherishes no sense of responsibility to ,god for his actions will not always1 if at any time1 scruple to swear falsely4 ,when a witness is not impressed with the fear of ,god1 his oath is of no more value than his simple affirmation3 both may be true1 but no security is afforded by his character that both are not wrong4 ,in civil and moral life1 the presumption that a witness is competent is based at least upon the profession which he makes of a regard to ,divine truth3 and though many1 even while they tell the truth1 swear without reverential feelings to ,him whose dread name they use1 their evidence or engagement of whatever kind is estimated as trust-worthy1 only because it is supposed to be accompanied with the oath religiously employed4 ,second1 ,that the oath is distinct from the vow4 ,the vow is a solemn promise to ,god4 ,he is properly a party to the covenant entered into in making it2 and it may be made either on occasions of entering into engagements with men1 or in other circumstances4 ,the oath is an appeal to ,god2 it may be made on occasions of covenanting1 whether he be properly the party or not1 and is an invocation of him1 that he may witness and judge concerning a transaction entered into either with himself1 or with himself and also with others4 ,the vow is essentially a promise1 but is made to ,god1 who must be viewed necessarily as a witness to a transaction with himself2 and1 consequently1 though the name of ,god may not be used in making it1 as it is employed in the act of swearing an oath1 yet1 when it is made1 the exercise of swearing is implied2 or1 every vow to ,god implies the giving of an oath1 or the act of swearing by his name4 ,the swearing of an oath always brings under obligation to ,god1 and therefore always includes the making of a vow4 ,when men covenant with one another1 and appeal to ,god by oath1 they come under an engagement to him1 and also an engagement to one another2 or1 they vow and swear to ,god1 and promise and swear to one another4 ,when men in secret swear to ,god1 what they swear to do1 or the matter of their oath1 is a vow2 and their oath is sworn in formally calling on him to witness the making of their vow1 and to judge them should they not fulfil it4 ,when men covenant with one another and vow also to ,god1 their vow carries along with it an oath1 or the calling of ,god to act as witness and judge4 ,the apprehension that ,god will punish for not making fulfilment to him accompanies equally the oath and the vow4 ,in both is implied what may be denominated not properly an imprecation1 but rather an acknowledgment of the justice of ,god's procedure in punishing should the engagement not be fulfilled4 ,both the vow and oath are made to ,god4 ,the oath1 besides1 is made in the use of the name of ,god4 ,when an oath is enjoined1 so is a vow2 for that which is promised to ,god in the oath is a vow4 ,and as every vow is addressed to ,god--who is necessarily a witness and judge of the transaction and the offerer--every command enjoining it includes a mandate to use the oath4 ,,confession4 ,the term ,,confess1 and the corresponding word ,,confession1 are employed in reference to the subject of ,covenanting4 ,the former of these is sometimes used in regard to ,god as an object1 and sometimes in reference to men4 ,to confess to ,god1 or to the name of ,god1 means to perform services which include among them the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,in more than one passage of the prayer of ,solomon1 at the dedication of the temple1 it denotes to ,covenant4 ,he said1 ,when thy people ,israel be smitten down before the enemy1 because they have sinned against thee1 and shall turn again to thee1 and confess thy name1 and pray1 and make supplication unto thee in this house3 then hear thou in heaven1 and forgive the sin of thy people ,israel1 and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers4#ed ,the sin to which the people of ,israel were peculiarly exposed was that of idolatry4 ,for that they were afterwards carried away from the land that had before been promised in covenant to their fathers4 ,in practising that they transgressed the covenant4#ee ,when they should be restored they would take into their mouth1 instead of the names of idols1 the name of ,god1 and that by taking hold upon his covenant4#ef ,besides1 the passage is parallel to the following3--,in those days1 and in that time1 saith the ,lord1 the children of ,israel shall come1 they and the children of ,judah together1 going and weeping3 they shall go1 and seek the ,lord their ,god4 ,they shall ask the way to ,zion1 with their faces thitherward1 saying1 ,come1 and let us join ourselves to the ,lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten4#eg ,both passages refer to the same event--the restoration of ,israel4 ,the exercise of confessing the name of ,god1 corresponds to that of joining to him in a perpetual covenant4 ,the verb 7,hebrew3 yadoh--,greek3 exomologeomai7 in the ,hebrew1 when connected with the name of ,god in different other passages1 has the same import4 ,an instance from the ,psalms is found in these words3--,save us1 ,o ,lord our ,god1 and gather us from among the heathen1 to give thanks 7confess7 unto thy holy name4#eh ,the ground of the ,psalmist's encouragement to utter this prayer was1 that the ,lord remembered for his people his covenant2 and it could not be for less than that they should1 after their recal1 take hold on that covenant1 that he made supplication that they should be gathered from the heathen4 ,the verb in the ,greek by which the ,seventy translate the ,hebrew term1 we should conclude1 must therefore sometimes have the same force4 ,but that it frequently has in the ,new ,testament that signification1 is manifest from the connections in which it stands in portions of it that shall now be considered4 ,we read1 ,now ,i say that ,jesus ,christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of ,god1 to confirm the promises made unto the fathers2 and that the ,gentiles might glorify ,god for his mercy2 as it is written1 ,for this cause ,i will confess to thee among the ,gentiles2#ei and conclude that the vow here quoted from the ,psalms1 which should be adopted by the people of ,god in the presence of the ,gentiles1 was1 that they would ,covenant with him4 ,it was the promises of that covenant1 of which circumcision was a sign1 that ,christ came to confirm4 ,the ,gentiles could not glorify ,god for his mercy without cleaving to it2 and it was by believers making manifestations of attachment to that covenant1 of which ,covenanting was one1 that the ,gentiles should be brought1 in a manner more or less explicit1 to adhere unto it4 ,before proceeding farther1 we take the record of the infamous transaction between the chief priests and captains1 and ,judas1--,and they were glad1 and covenanted to give him money4 ,and he promised ,greek3 exomologese4#fj ,and we consequently infer that the word which designates ,judas' conduct in completing his treacherous bargain1 when used in a good sense1 bears the construction to ,covenant4 ,again1 we read1 ,god also hath highly exalted him1 and given him a name which is above every name3 that at the name of ,jesus every knee should bow1 of things in heaven1 and things in earth1 and things under the earth2 and that every tongue should confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father4#fa ,and we remark1 that to confess that ,jesus ,christ is ,lord1 from this appears to be tantamount to an oath1 and accordingly includes in it1 to ,covenant4 ,the passage is a manifest application to the ,redeemer of the prophetic words1 ,unto me every knee shall bow1 every tongue shall swear4#fb ,the last words that remain to be considered are another quotation of the same ,scripture3--,for it is written1 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 every knee shall bow to me1 and every tongue shall confess to ,god4#fc ,they follow the statement1 ,for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ2 but they do not refer exclusively to the final judgment4 ,as the expression1 every knee shall bow to me1 cannot be confined to that alone1 so neither can that which immediately follows4 ,they appear to be used to show that he to whom such homage by men shall be paid1 will preside at the future judgment2 and accordingly intimate1 that throughout all time that homage shall be given4 ,there is no reason afforded in the whole passage to conclude1 that the homage will include in it less than all the services connected with the use of the oath4 ,another verb 7,greek3 omologeo7 in the ,greek of the ,new ,testament is also rendered to confess4 ,it is that from which the former1 by the addition of a prefix1 which gives emphasis to the meaning1 is derived4 ,it is used in the passage which describes the wicked promise of ,herod to ,herodias--,whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask4#fd ,it therefore designates the act by which one enters into an agreement or a covenant with another4 ,it has that import in classic writers among the ,greeks4 ,it is used by the ,apostle in writing to the ,hebrews and to others1 in such circumstances as to preclude the idea that that meaning he did not attach to it4 ,one case may be selected4 ,by him therefore1 let us offer the sacrifice of praise to ,god continually1 that is1 the fruit of our lips1 giving thanks 7confessing7 to his name4#fe ,confessing here is manifestly parallel to the offering of the sacrifice of praise4 ,the vow was frequently a sacrifice2 and is the making of the vow not included in confessing to his name8 ,when either of these terms in the ,greek1 without limitation1 is employed1 and ,god is the object1 it bears the meaning to ,covenant4 ,in the cases supposed1 each must be viewed as capable1 severally1 of every interpretation that it bears in specific connections1 and1 consequently1 of the import that is contended for4 ,the former1 in these cases1 sometimes means to confess sins--at others1 to confess gratitude1 or to give thanks--at others1 to covenant2 and at others1 considered apart from its connection1 it may not appear to intimate specifically any one of these in preference to the others4 ,when thus indefinitely used1 it must be understood as designed to bear individually each signification4 ,thus1 the passages1 ,i will confess to thee among the ,gentiles1 ,every tongue shall confess unto ,god1 each intimate the acknowledgment of sin1 the giving of ,god thanks1 and the exercise of ,covenanting with him4 ,the latter of the terms is used indefinitely only when ,god is the object3 it is in the passage1 giving thanks 7or confessing7 to his name1 the signification of which from the context1 has been considered4 ,when the object of confession in any passages is not adverted to1 and the subject of confession is not stated1 to confess there means1 to ,covenant4 ,that object must be either ,god1 or men1 or both4 ,in those passages it must be severally both2 and1 consequently1 such bring before us1 not only the making of acknowledgments to men1 but the making of confession1 according to its most diversified character1 to ,god4 ,this is the case in the passage1 ,with the mouth confession is made to salvation4 ,to confess ,christ signifies to ,covenant4 ,its import is1 to confess him to men1 and also to confess him to ,god4 ,and the passage last quoted1 according to the interpretation given of it1 proves that the latter is to ,covenant4 ,when confession with the mouth is made to salvation1 it is ,christ that is confessed4 ,if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt believe in thine heart that ,god hath raised him from the dead1 thou shalt be saved2 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness1 and with the mouth confession is made to salvation4#ff ,to make confession is to confess4 ,the form of expression occurs twice in the ,english version of the ,old ,testament1 and the passages1 according to what has been shown1 describe at once the exercises of confessing sin1 and of ,covenanting4 ,and that the former of the passages records the latter of these exercises1 moreover1 is manifest2 from the expressed resolution of king ,hezekiah1 of which that passage recounts the fulfilment4 ,he said1 ,now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 that his fierce wrath may turn away from us4#fg ,and the accomplishment was1 ,and the children of ,israel that were present at ,jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness3 and the ,levites and the priests praising the ,lord day by day1 singing with loud instruments unto the ,lord4 ,and ,hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the ,levites that taught the good knowledge of the ,lord3 and they did eat throughout the feast seven days1 offering peace-offerings1 and making confession to the ,lord ,god of their fathers4#fh ,the other passage states the character of an exercise in which ,daniel as an individual engaged1 and from its very structure1 independently of the conclusion to which we have otherwise come1 manifests him as taking hold on ,god's covenant1 as well as acknowledging sin4 ,i prayed unto the ,lord my ,god1 and made my confession1 and said1 ,o ,lord1 the great and dreadful ,god1 keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him1 and to them that keep his commandments4#fi ,the phrase ,,to ,,profess1 is1 when used in connection with godliness or true religion1 in the ,new ,testament1 equivalent to that to ,confess4 ,it is a translation of one of the verbs 7,greek3 omologeo71 which is rendered also by the latter4 ,to profess either the knowledge of ,god1 or godliness1 or a good profession1 or faith1 or subjection to the gospel1 corresponds to the act of professing ,christ4 ,if performed to ,god1 it is1 according to the import of the expression confessing to him1 to ,covenant4 ,if performed to men1 it is to bear testimony to the truth4 ,if not represented as performed either to him or to them1 it is to be understood as being1 according to their respective characters1 performed to both2 and1 accordingly1 to be interpreted as not merely to testify to the truth of ,god before the world1 but also to engage in the solemn exercise of ,covenanting4 ,the exercise of ,covenanting is accordingly to be understood as referred to in these scripture declarations3--,whiles by the experiment of this ministration1 they glorify ,god for your professed subjection unto the gospel of ,christ4#gj ,they profess that they know ,god2 but in works they deny him4#ga ,women professing godliness4#gb ,and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses4#gc ,let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering2 for he is faithful that promised4#gd ,the term ,,profession1 when used in the same connection1 is equivalent to the term confession2 and hence includes in its import the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,the proof of this which is obviously deducible from the meaning of the word confession is corroborated by the representation which is given in the epistle to the ,hebrews1 of ,christ as the high priest of our profession4 ,in this aspect of his character1 the ,redeemer was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of ,god1 to confirm the promises made unto the fathers2 and under this1 taught the people to manifest in every possible manner their attachment to ,god's ,covenant--duties which they would not have performed1 if in making confession to ,god they had not confessed their acquiescence in that ,covenant4 ,,personal ,,covenanting ,is an ,,act ,,of ,,adherence to ,god's ,covenant4 ,it is the definite exercise of giving acquiescence to that ,covenant in its whole character4 ,it is not simply acquiescing in that ,covenant in the heart1 but signifying that acquiescence in a positive service4 ,the ,covenanting believer1 like the people of ,israel with ,josiah their king1 in this exercise1 stands to the ,covenant4#ge ,that party in this exercise takes hold upon the ,covenant1 and cleaves to it2 that is1 not merely performs other services required in the ,covenant1 but absolutely engages to it4 ,and here1 uses such language as the words of ,jacob1 ,the ,lord shall be my ,god4 ,but particularly1 ,first1 ,this is a solemn act approving of the way of salvation through ,jesus ,christ4 ,in every religious exercise an approval of this method of restoration to the favour of ,god is implied2 in this it is specially intimated4 ,to make that approval in this act there is afforded encouragement4 ,it was to ,israel represented as about to engage in ,covenanting individually1 that ,he who described himself1 ,the ,lord1 the ,king of ,israel1 and his ,redeemer the ,lord of ,hosts1 made the appeal1 ,ye are even my witnesses4 ,is there a ,god beside me8 ,yea1 there is no ,god1 7literally1 rock47 ,i know not any4#gf ,this approval has been explicitly declared in this exercise4 ,to invite to the performance of this act1 there were used the words1 ,return1 ye backsliding children1 and ,i will heal your backslidings4 ,and in ,covenanting individually1 not less than socially1 accepting the invitation1 these said1 ,behold1 we come unto thee1 for thou art the ,lord our ,god4 ,truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills1 and from the multitude of mountains2 truly in the ,lord our ,god is the salvation of ,israel4#gg ,the making of this approval has been commemorated4 ,certainly not less in taking hold on ,god's ,covenant did ,david express his satisfaction in it1 than in the pleasing record given by him in these words1 ,he hath made with me an everlasting ,covenant1 ordered in all things and sure3 for this is all my salvation1 and all my desire4#gh ,and in all those circumstances in which1 by performing this act1 the believer will declare himself to be on the ,lord's side1 this approval will be made4 ,then said ,jesus unto the twelve1 ,will ye also go away8 ,then ,simon ,peter answered him1 ,lord1 to whom shall we go8 ,thou hast the words of eternal life4#gi ,secondly4 ,this is a solemn act of accepting ,christ and all his benefits4 ,it has been performed by many who had previously known the grace of ,god4 ,the nation of ,israel1 when about to enter the promised land1 were generally a people who feared ,god4#hj ,they had heard of the promise made to ,abraham1 ,in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed1 and by faith must have been looking forward to the ,messiah thus foretold4 ,but on the occasion of their renovation of ,god's ,covenant in the land of ,moab1 they were exhorted through ,moses to make a choice of ,him as their life1 and of that life which comes by ,him alone4 ,therefore choose life1 that both thou and thy seed may live3 that thou mayest love the ,lord thy ,god1 and that thou mayest obey his voice1 and that thou mayest cleave unto him2 7for he is thy life1 and the length of thy days27 that thou mayest dwell in the land which the ,lord sware unto thy fathers1 to ,abraham1 to ,isaac1 and to ,jacob1 to give them4#ha ,david illustrating the practice of many1 in special exercises performed this4 ,take his record of one of these4 ,o my soul1 thou hast said unto the ,lord1 ,thou art my ,lord4--,their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god3 their drink-offerings of blood will ,i not offer1 nor take up their names into my lips4 ,the ,lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup3 thou maintainest my lot4#hb ,the vow here is emphatic1 being made against swearing to another god1 and intimating that the ,lord1 being his ,lord1 and the portion of his inheritance and of his cup1 had been received by him according to a choice to which he still adhered4 ,when ,jesus appeared in the flesh1 some who had believed in a ,messiah to come1 and who were accordingly true believers1 in acts of ,covenanting received ,jesus as a ,saviour that was come4 ,john1 the forerunner1 was sanctified from the womb2 but after ,jesus had commenced his public ministry1 that distinguished individual on one occasion1 seeing ,him coming unto him1 said1 ,behold the ,lamb of ,god1 which taketh away the sin of the world4#hc ,and this act of appropriation1 as well as of bearing testimony1 he afterwards repeated4 ,nathaniel was a believing expectant of the ,messiah4 ,of him ,jesus made honourable mention when he said1 ,behold an ,israelite indeed1 in whom is no guile2 and he1 immediately on perceiving proofs of his ,divine character1 professed his acceptance of him4 ,nathaniel answered and saith unto him1 ,rabbi1 thou art the ,son of ,god2 thou art the ,king of ,israel4#hd ,and ,thomas and ,peter1 as instances of those who have received him1 testifying in the exercise of ,covenanting to their cordial acceptance of him1 said in the solemn act of confessing his name1 the one1 ,my ,lord and my ,god2#he and the other1 in language implying the same avouchment1 ,lord1 thou knowest all things2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4#hf ,they receive the ,father as a ,god in ,covenant1 who receive the ,son2 and they receiving the ,son receive the ,holy ,spirit--the ,spirit of promise4 ,the acceptance of the ,redeemer therefore is the acceptance of a ,three-one-,god1 as a ,covenant ,god4 ,in ,covenanting1 that acceptance is made by the saints4 ,and all things are theirs1 and they are ,christ's1 and ,christ is ,god's4 ,of the ,father as reconciled unto them1 as having drawn them to himself1 and justified them1 and adopted them into his family1 they accept in that exercise4 ,in that1 too1 they accept of the ,redeemer as their prophet and king1 and acquiesce in his priesthood held on their behalf4 ,and in that1 the ,holy ,spirit1 as the ,spirit of ,christ1 the ,remembrancer1 the glorious ,agent who brings from death to life1 who illuminates the understanding1 who gives comfort and consolation1 and who sanctifies1 and proves the earnest of the purchased possession1 they solemnly accept4 ,and1 accordingly1 all that sovereign mercy has done for them1 or wrought in them1 or will accomplish on their behalf1 in that they solemnly receive4 ,thirdly4 ,this is a solemn act of renouncing the claims of the devil1 the world1 and the flesh1 upon the heart and life4 ,when ,christ is received1 ,satan is cast out2 actually by ,divine power1 and resolutely by the subjects of ,divine grace4 ,and the resolution to abandon ,satan and his cause enters into the covenant engagement4 ,o ,lord our ,god1 other lords beside thee have had dominion over us2 but by thee only will we make mention of thy name4#hg ,take away all iniquity1 and receive us graciously3 so will we render the calves of our lips4 ,asshur shall not save us2 we will not ride upon horses2 neither will we say any more to the work of our hands1 ,ye are our gods4 ,ephraim shall say1 ,what have ,i to do any more with idols8#hh ,what agreement hath the temple of ,god with idols8 for ye are the temple of the living ,god2 as ,god hath said1 ,i will dwell in them1 and walk in them2 and ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,wherefore1 come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord1 and touch not the unclean thing2 and ,i will receive you1 and will be a ,father unto you1 and ye shall be my sons and daughters1 saith the ,lord ,almighty4#hi ,the injunction1 ,be ye separate1 inculcates not merely the performance of the act of separating from what is evil1 but the exercise of ,covenanting to accomplish it4 ,the corresponding command in prophecy is1 ,be ye clean4 ,and the verb in the ,hebrew is that rendered by the term purge in the passage1 ,i will cause you to pass under the rod1 and ,i will bring you into the bond of the covenant4 ,and ,i will purge out from among you the rebels1 and them that transgress against me4#ij ,the ,lord purged out the heathen from among the ,jews who returned to ,jerusalem1 and who1 under ,nehemiah1 entered into a covenant with ,god4 ,these ,jews themselves1 at ,god's command1 and to the accomplishment of his purpose1 separated themselves from those heathens1 not merely actually1 but also by solemn covenant4 ,in like manner1 the ,nazarite separated himself from certain things1 not merely in reality1 but likewise by vow4 ,and since the separation was one1 though the terms in the sacred original denoting that of the ,nazarite and of the returned ,jews were each different from that used in the prophets1 we are warranted to conclude that the injunction of the ,apostle1 ,be ye separate1 implies not less than the covenant engagement to separate1 which those other cases of separation include4 ,fourthly4 ,this solemn act includes voluntary self-dedication to ,god4 ,it is a willing acknowledgment of the right which ,god1 by creation and redemption1 has in the whole man2 it harmonizes with the claim1 ,thus saith the ,lord that created thee1 ,o ,jacob1 and he that formed thee1 ,o ,israel1 ,fear not2 for ,i have redeemed thee1 ,i have called thee by my name2 thou art mine2#ia and is expressed in the language1 ,lord1 ,i am thine1 save me4#ib ,it is the cheerful offer of perpetual obedience to his law4 ,it is thus required1 ,now therefore fear the ,lord1 and serve him in sincerity and in truth1#ic and is thus tendered1 ,o ,lord1 truly ,i am thy servant2 ,i am thy servant1 and the son of thy handmaid4#id ,take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth2 for ,i have hoped in thy judgments4 ,so shall ,i keep thy law continually for ever and ever4#ie ,i will abide in thy tabernacle for ever2 ,i will trust in the covert of thy wings4 ,selah4 ,for thou1 ,o ,god1 hast heard my vows3 thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name4#if ,both to the world and to ,god himself1 in vowing to him1 ,one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's2 and of many1 individually as well as collectively1 it might be declared1 as of those of ,macedonia1 that they gave their ownselves to the ,lord4#ig ,these were saints2 and1 accordingly1 this testimony was not borne to their first subjection to the gospel1 but to an act of self-surrender to ,god1 on the occasion of their making1 in the spirit of true benevolence1 provision for his poor4 ,finally4 ,this is a solemn act in which is made to ,god a promise to perform certain specific duties4 ,there is no exercise that would be acceptable to ,god1 that should not come within the range of a promise made in such a service4 ,abstinence from besetting sins1 increased diligence in the use of the means of grace1 positive benevolent or religious services1 the exercise of all the christian graces1 and whatever observance the enlightened mind may apprehend as peculiarly incumbent1 in this act may be engaged to4 ,illustrations of this are afforded by the vow of ,jacob at ,bethel1 the vow of ,hannah1 the vow and oath of ,david to provide a place for the ark of the ,lord1 the vow of the ,nazarite1 the vows paid by offerings laid on the altar of ,god1 and all offerings of obedience acceptable through ,jesus ,christ4 ,,social ,,covenanting1 ,like that which is ,personal1 is an act of acquiesence in ,god's ,covenant4 ,they who are accepted in it are the saints4 ,all invited to join in it are required to have regard to all the institutions of religion4 ,when an injunction to engage in the service is delivered1 the ,covenant of ,god is exhibited2 and the blessings of that ,covenant are promised to those who will properly perform the exercise1 and fulfil their obligations4 ,first4 ,this act is performed by the ,christian church in a collective ecclesiastical capacity4 ,one in opinion regarding her doctrine1 worship1 discipline1 and government1 her members1 having one origin1 upheld by the same grace1 designed for one end1 called to the same privileges1 enjoined to perform the same duties1 expectants of the same glorious consummation1 and harmonious in their sentiments regarding special incumbent duties1 and concerning the manner of performing them1 come forward1 and as one body in this unite4 ,unity of existence is necessary to the body confederated in the social covenant4 ,those who hold the truth cannot enter into it with the infidel1 the unbeliever1 the erroneous or profane4 ,all who unite in it must have the same motives1 and contemplate the same ultimate end4 ,all must have the same sentiments of a ,covenant ,god1 and harmonize in their views of the means to be employed in order to the attainment of that end4 ,there is no church so free from imperfection as not to need an enlargement or correction of its views4 ,yet no body of professing ,christians are warranted in uniting in covenant with those who hold not the truth4 ,the unity of the ,spirit is necessary in the bond of peace4 ,no church1 in entering into ,covenant1 includes so much in her engagements as the word of ,god requires4 ,and1 hence1 a standing of ,christian profession higher than has yet been attained to by any1 has to be aspired at4 ,to secure that1 a closer regard to what should be the character of the true church than has been paid1 is requisite4 ,to unite with the people of ,god is good2 but to unite with any elsewhere than on the basis of truth1 is not to be desired4 ,unions among ,sections of the visible church may possibly be effected at the expense of deviations on either hand from the direct line from each to the perfection of the church's character on earth4 ,and though1 after confederation is effected1 tolerable approximation to it may be made1 the sacrifice required may often not be excused4 ,but when each party aims at the truth1 the more they advance1 the more they will approach each other2 and happy will they be and honoured who will arrive there4 ,deviations from the path of rectitude made by any ,section of the church are not reckoned as trivial by ,him who witnesses the conduct of all2 and it is1 notwithstanding these1 7but not as if he disregarded them7 that he continues to make1 to those chargeable with them1 manifestations of his favour4 ,if some are nearer the consummation of ,christian character and profession than many around them1 let them not go back or wait on the others1 but invite these to follow and unite1 that all in due time may together go on to perfection4 ,secondly4 ,this act is performed by ,christians in a national capacity4 ,acknowledging the law of ,god as the basis of legislation--ecclesiastical and civil2 recognising themselves as individually and jointly called to obey it2 as put in possession of common benefits arising from the dispensation of the law of ,christ1 in things civil as well as religious2 and as called to promote the interests of the kingdom of ,him who is king in ,zion1 the ,governor among the nations1 and ,lord of all--as one body they engage in this4 ,the members of ,christ's church are members of civil society1 of which1 too1 he is the ,head2 and a reason not less substantial than that for vowing in an ecclesiastical capacity1 they therefore have for engaging as members of a civil community in the exercise of ,covenanting with ,god4 ,only such a covenant as corresponds with his will is acceptable to ,him4 ,but there are reasons why all in a ,christian nation should collectively enter into such4 ,were some whose sentiments or practice might not correspond with the ,covenant1 to seek to enter it1 there would be every reason why the federal union with these should not be completed4 ,such individuals are not fitted to have a charge or trust in the ,state committed to them4 ,till they would exhibit signs of repentance and reformation1 they should not be received4 ,were a party in power1 or desiring it1 possessed of such a character1 even apparently disposed to enter into such covenants1 wisdom would say1 ,enter not into confederacy with them4 ,thirdly4 ,various communities may be confederated together in one solemn ,covenant with ,god4 ,by this it is not intended that different churches holding many conflicting sentiments1 and entertaining different plans of attaining even to a good end1 may warrantably so unite in an ecclesiastical capacity4 ,what prevents different churches from adopting the same standards1 and holding communion with one another in waiting on all the ordinances of divine grace1 is sufficient to prevent them from associating in league in this manner4 ,nor is it intended that by such a federal union merely a testimony against error should be given1 without a solemn declaration of adherence to specified truths4 ,it is not the fact of a given ,section of the visible church adhering to a definite system that invests it with a right to ,covenant by itself1 exclusively of every other--for that system might be very imperfect--but because that it holds the truth1 and is bound to go on to perfection4 ,its own imperfections are drawbacks upon its avowal of the truth2 by uniting with others1 who would refuse to give the truth which it might hold the desired prominence1 it should not suffer that truth to be inadequately exhibited1 or concealed4 ,but the people of ,god in different states or kingdoms1 or in different communities or churches in the same kingdom1 may enter into various species of solemn covenants with one another1 to carry into effect the design of the exhibition of the truth4 ,it is the variety of opinion that exists among organised churches that prevents these from co-operating together in various benevolent or religious schemes1 and that is sufficient to prevent some who maintain the duty of ,covenanting1 from associating with others in discharging it4 ,because of the church's imperfection1 none of her procedures harmonize completely1 either with one another1 or with the truth4 ,but individual communities are not therefore warranted in being content with proceeding to bear a testimony for it on a principle of approximative expediency4 ,what different bodies could do together better than singly without sacrificing the cause of the truth on either hand1 they are warranted to unite in solemn ,covenant to effect4 ,what each body could do for the interests of ,christ's kingdom with more effect alone1 let its members among themselves strengthen their obligations to perform4 ,were there to be formed federal unions that would lead to the investigation and discovery of the mind of ,god contained in his word1 and to the diffusion of truth agreed upon1 as well as to the reprobation of acknowledged evils1 those who form them might by degrees be drawn so closely together1 not merely in love and zeal1 but also in sentiment1 that1 instead of being distinguished by so many differences as they now exhibit1 they would appear as but one church united in a single consentaneous doctrinal and practical profession of the truth as it is in ,jesus4 ,fourthly4 ,this act implies all that is included in personal ,covenanting4 ,the community as a body engage in it4 ,but without the concurrence of each individual the transaction cannot be the deed of the whole4 ,the whole accept of the promise by each receiving it4 ,the whole engage to duty by each entering into an engagement4 ,between ,god and each individual a covenant is made when the whole ,covenant4 ,the work of acceding to the covenant conditions on the part of each is personal4 ,the provision on which all as a body lay hold is accepted by each in particular4 ,the promise may be one which is not suited to each individually1 but adapted to a whole1 made up of individuals1 each of whom is interested in it4 ,the services promised1 one might not of himself have been able to perform2 but1 in order to the performance of them1 each1 with the others1 might be called to unite4 ,what is not required of all individually1 may not be conjoined to form one demand on all4 ,and what is not promised to men personally1 cannot be offered to a community in general4 ,the act of the ,covenanting ,society is complex1 and is the aggregate of the actings of all who compose it4 ,and the responsibility of the whole is a responsibility which each bears4 ,each1 as a ,christian1 as interested in the prosperity of ,christ's kingdom1 as a voluntary agent engaged in promoting the truth1 as called to endeavour to seek the welfare of men1 and as seeking the advancement of the glory of ,god1--each associates with the others in the transaction1 and gives it its ,covenant character4 ,fifthly4 ,this act is1 on the part of the ,covenanting community as a body1 the acceptance of the benefits of ,god's ,covenant in general1 and of special benefits of it1 in particular4 ,it is a reception of the benefits1 the attainment of which the ,covenant as a mean contemplates4 ,these benefits are offered in exhibitions of ,divine grace4 ,in the ,covenant they are laid hold on by acquiescence and acceptance4 ,the enjoyment of them may belong to a period near1 or even long posterior1 and may be attained to through the use of other means besides2 but in ,covenanting they are solemnly apprehended and appropriated4 ,in reference to his repeated acceptance of the promises of ,god in this act1#ih there is borne to the father of the faithful1 the testimony1 ,by faith ,abraham1 when he was tried1 offered up ,isaac3 and he that received the promises offered up his only begotten son4#ii ,and as a people1 the ,israelites in this act received the promises4 ,who are ,israelites2 to whom pertaineth the adoption1 and the glory1 and the covenants1 and the giving of the law1 and the service of ,god1 and the promises4#ajj ,the ,covenants must have been the different dispensations of the same ,covenant--the former dispensations1 or the ,old ,covenant1 and the last1 or the ,new ,covenant4 ,it was at a renovation of the ,covenant under the former dispensation1 that the people of ,israel received the law2 and certainly not less the promises4 ,are the benefits contemplated in the exercise of ,covenanting1 individual or general reformation in religion or in practice1 or the preservation of peace and truth1 or any other blessings spiritual or temporal8 ,these are included in ,god's ,covenant promise1 and in this act they are consequently accepted as thus embodied4 ,sixthly4 ,in this act the ,covenanting community vow to ,god to render general and specified obedience4 ,in that is expressed or implied the offer of obedience to the whole law of ,god1 and to particular obvious requirements included in it4 ,when the ,covenant was made at ,sinai1 the people said1 ,all that the ,lord hath said will we do1 and be obedient4#aja ,and at ,shechem1 before ,joshua1 this was their language1 ,the ,lord our ,god will we serve1 and his voice will we obey4#ajb ,at the return from the captivity1 the oath taken included the promise to discharge specific demands of ,god's law2 and every vow should be made1 and every oath sworn1 in order to perform some service required4 ,seventhly4 ,this act is a solemn federal transaction among the members of the ,covenanting community4 ,the fact of the public social character of the act shows that the engagements of a ,covenant with ,god1 have a reference to the relations to one another of those who ,covenant4 ,the reception of good from the hand of ,god1 through the means of ,covenanting1 necessarily supposes that that good1 at least in part1 will come to each in some manner by those associated in the exercise4 ,the promise of obedience to ,god by vow or oath1 includes a promise of certain services to each member of the confederation4 ,when a vow or an oath to ,god1 to accept of good from one another1 or to perform mutual services among themselves is made1 a corresponding engagement to each other is thereby made among them4 ,the two engagements are distinct in themselves2 but the latter flows from1 or is constituted by1 the former2 nay1 in so far as the former has a regard to mutual relations among the parties themselves1 it was made that the latter might obtain4 ,the vow or oath to ,god is not an engagement to men2 but what is by vow or oath promised to ,god to be performed to men1 constitutes the reality or substance of an engagement thereby made to them4 ,covenanting with ,god is the laudable means employed to bring parties together1 to promise in the most solemn manner to accept of specified good from each other1 and to render certain services in correspondence therewith to each4 ,it is by engaging to ,god1 that they engage to one another4 ,and therefore conversely1 it may be added1 that their own engagement to one another1 as well as their engagement to ,god1 by which that engagement was made1 is1 according to the general definition of ,covenanting that has been given1 a taking hold upon the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,the engagement to ,god is always substantial1 whether by vow or oath1 or by both2 as is the engagement among the ,covenanting parties4 ,but one or other of the engagements may be either expressed or understood4 ,the recognition of their engagement to one another may be implied1 but not expressed1 whilst the ,covenant of the ,lord to whom they vow or swear to give obedience1 is explicitly adhered to4 ,this was the case with the people of ,israel when they engaged in the act1 along with ,josiah their king4 ,and the king stood in his place1 and made a covenant before the ,lord1 to walk after the ,lord1 and to keep his commandments1 and his testimonies1 and his statutes1 with all his heart1 and with all his soul1 to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book4 ,and he caused all that were present in ,jerusalem and ,benjamin to stand to it4 ,and the inhabitants of ,jerusalem did according to the covenant of ,god1 the ,god of their fathers4#ajc ,again1 these mutual engagements1 in some cases1 may be expressed1 while the ,covenant of ,god is implicitly renewed4 ,zedekiah1 and the people of ,israel1 at once1 in express terms1 entered into an engagement to set free their servants who were of their brethren1 and before the ,lord thus in covenant with him implicitly engaged to a duty which1 on the occasion of the ,covenanting at ,sinai had been enjoined4#ajd ,in other cases1 both the engagement to ,god1 and the engagement of those who ,covenant to one another1 may be explicit4 ,jehoiada made a ,covenant between the ,lord and the king and the people1 that they should be the ,lord's people2 between the king also and the people4#aje ,eighthly4 ,this act is a public acceptance of the truth of ,god1 and a renunciation of error4 ,it is a public confession to ,god of a heartfelt approbation of his holy oracles1 and of the doctrines and precepts revealed in them--a testimony to the perfection of his word and ordinances1 and an abandonment of all that is inconsistent with them4 ,it is the act of a witnessing body1 appointed to bear testimony in that exercise for him4 ,in reference to their ,covenant engagements1 the ,lord says to his people1 ,ye are even my witnesses4#ajf ,in this act1 they confess him before men4 ,in vowing1 or swearing to give obedience to his law1 is implied an approbation of his holy oracles2 and that approval in the act is also declared4 ,they who keep his ,covenant1 keep his testimonies2 and they who cleave to the one1 adhere to the other4 ,i have chosen the way of truth2 thy judgments have ,i laid before me4#ajg ,thy testimonies have ,i taken for an heritage for ever3 for they are the rejoicing of my heart4#ajh ,they who take the ,covenant of ,god into their mouth1 declare his statutes2#aji and if worthy1 their resolution in sincerity is thus expressed1 ,i will meditate in thy precepts1 and have respect unto thy ways4 ,i will delight myself in thy statutes3 ,i will not forget thy word4#aaj ,lastly4 ,this act is performed in the name of those who engage in it1 and in the name of posterity4 ,the ,lord made a ,covenant at once with ,noah1 and with his descendants4 ,the ,lord made a ,covenant with ,abraham as the father of many nations4 ,in the land of ,moab1 the ,israelites and their seed after them1 at once entered into such a relation4 ,neither with you only do ,i make this ,covenant and this oath2 but with him that standeth here with us this day before the ,lord our ,god1 and also with him that is not here with us this day4#aaa ,and when the former did so1 they were encouraged to choose life1 that they and their seed might live4#aab ,the ,covenant of the priesthood made with ,phinehas1 was not entered into merely with himself1 but also with his posterity who should exist to far distant times2 and at ,sinai1 when ,israel engaged to be for the ,lord1 in the second commandment they had addressed to them a reason of obedience1 implying that their engagement was not merely on their own1 but also on their children's behalf4 ,i the ,lord thy ,god am a jealous ,god1 visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me2 and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me1 and keep my commandments4#aac ,,permanent ,,means ,,of ,,covenant ,,ratification4 ,it has been shown that whenever a vow is made1 or an oath is sworn1 a covenant with ,god is made4 ,it now remains to be proved that every covenant with ,god is ratified by oath4 ,though the oath is frequently exhibited without explicit reference to the ,covenant1 and the ,covenant in like manner is spoken of without mention being made of the oath1 yet since in no passage either explicitly or implicitly is evidence afforded that the one is ever dissociated from the other1 and1 since the two occur so frequently together1 it may be warrantably concluded1 that when the one alone is adverted to1 the other is implied4 ,in many passages are the ideas of oath and covenant so associated together1 that the strongest presumption is afforded that the one is essential to the other2 and1 accordingly1 that when a covenant with ,god is made1 it is in the use of the oath4 ,what on this point could be more conclusive than the language1--,thus saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i will even deal with thee as thou hast done1 which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant8#aad ,a verb 7,hebrew3 shavoa71 signifying to swear1 and two corresponding nouns are derived from a word for the number seven4 ,that was a sacred number1 or a number of perfection1 not merely among the ,israelites1 but among other nations1 and was used for the purpose of signifying an oath4 ,a present of seven vouchers sometimes accompanied the act of swearing4 ,abraham took sheep and oxen1 and gave them unto ,abimelech3 and both of them made a covenant4 ,and ,abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves4--,and he said1 ,for these seven ewe-lambs shalt thou take of my hand1 that they may be a witness unto me that ,i have digged this well4 ,wherefore he called that place ,beer-sheba2 because there they sware both of them4#aae ,the design of thus using the number being to give confirmation1 such also must have been the end of using the oath4 ,it is not improbable that the number seven may have been employed because that in seven days1 according to the pattern set in the period of creation1 and consequent sabbath1 there are included the six days appointed for labour and the sabbath of rest4 ,but1 however that may be1 we have the testimony of an inspired writer1 that what was suggested in symbol by the number is the design of the oath4 ,an oath for confirmation is--an end of all strife4 ,finally1 a covenant with ,god1 whether made in secret or in public1 from its very nature cannot be entered into without an oath4 ,sometimes the vow and oath were used together4 ,david sware unto the ,lord1 and vowed unto the mighty ,god of ,jacob4 ,mutual promises among men1 though they confer obligation1 do not always stand connected with a covenant with ,god1 for they are made sometimes without a vow or an oath4 ,but a promise made to ,god must be made either by vow or oath1 or by both2 and since no covenant with ,him can be made without a promise1 it follows that every covenant with ,him is ratified by oath in its most explicit form1 or by the oath implied in the vow4 ,,footnotes3 #b ,hosea vi4 #g4 #c ,jer4 xxxiii4 #bj-be4 #d ,gen4 viii4 #bb4 ,see also ,hosea ii4 #ah4 #e ,gen4 xvii4 #g4 #f ,zech4 xiii4 #i4 #g ,isa4 lv4 #c4 #h ,isa4 xlv4 #bd4 #i ,ps4 l4 #af4 #aj ,confession of ,faith1 chap4 xxii4 #e1 #f4 #aa ,ps4 cxxxii4 #b4 #ab ,num4 xxi4 #b4 #ac ,gen4 xxviii4 #bj-bb4 #ad #a ,sam4 i4 #aa4 #ae ,jer4 xliv4 #be1 #bf #af ,jonah i4 #af4 #ag ,deut4 xxiii4 #bc4 #ah ,num4 xxx4 #b4 #ai ,nahum i4 #ae4 #bj ,ps4 lxi4 #h4 #ba ,compare ,ps4 cxxxii4 #b1 #c1 and #b ,sam4 vii4 #a-c4 #bb ,ps4 lxvi4 #ac1 #ad4 #bc ,mal4 i4 #ad4 #bd ,num4 xxi4 #b4 #be ,exod4 xxxiv4 #aa4 #bf ,num4 xxx4 #i4 #bg ,ezek4 xx4 #cg4 #bh ,confession of ,faith1 xxii4 #a1 #b4 #bi ,joshua ii4 #ag4 #cj ,gen4 xxvi4 #c4 #ca ,gesen4 ,lex4 ,heb4 et ,chald4 #cb #a ,kings viii4 #ca4 #cc ,gen4 xxiv4 #c4 #cd ,lev4 xix4 #ab4 #ce ,deut4 vi4 #ac4 #cf ,mat4 v4 #cd-cf4 #cg ,jer4 v4 #b4 #ch ,jer4 iv4 #b4 #ci ,dan4 xii4 #g4 #dj ,rev4 x4 #e1 #f4 #da ,is4 lxii4 #h4 #db ,exod4 xxxiii4 #a2 ,ezek4 xx4 #bh4 #dc ,jer4 iv4 #a1 #b4 #dd #b ,chron4 vi4 #bb1 #bc4 #de ,deut4 xxiii4 #ba1 #bb4 #df ,num4 xxx4 #b4 #dg ,mat4 v4 #cc1 #cd4 #dh ,eccl4 v4 #d-f4 #di ,josh4 xxii4 #ba-bc4 #ej ,ezek4 xvii4 #ah4 #ea #a ,sam4 xx4 #h4 #eb ,prov4 ii4 #ag4 #ec ,ezek4 xvii4 #af-ai4 #ed #a ,kings viii4 #cc1 #cd--,see also ver4 #ce1 #cf4 #ee ,josh4 xxiii4 #af4 #ef ,zech4 xiii4 #i--,see ver4 #b4 #eg ,jer4 i4 #d1 #e4 #eh ,ps4 cvi4 #dg1 #de--,see also ,ps4 xviii4 #di4 #ei ,rom4 xv4 #h1 #i4 #fj ,luke xxii4 #e1 #f4 #fa ,phil4 ii4 #i-aa4 #fb ,is4 xlv4 #bc4 #fc ,rom4 xiv4 #aa4 #fd ,matt4 xiv4 #g4 #fe ,heb4 xiii4 #ae4 #ff ,rom4 x4 #i1 #aj4 #fg #b ,chron4 xxix4 #aj4 #fh #b ,chron4 xxx4 #ba1 #bb4 #fi ,dan4 ix4 #d4 #gj #b ,cor4 ix4 #ac4 #ga ,titus i4 #af4 #gb #a ,tim4 ii4 #aj4 #gc #a ,tim4 vi4 #ab4 #gd ,heb4 x4 #bc4 #ge #b ,kings xxiii4 #c4 #gf ,is4 xliv4 #h2 see v4 #f4 #gg ,jer4 iii4 #bb1 #bc4 #gh #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #e4 #gi ,john vi4 #fg1 #fh4 #hj ,jer4 ii4 #b1 #c4 #ha ,deut4 xxx4 #ai1 #bj4 #hb ,ps4 xvi4 #b-d1 #e4 #hc ,john i4 #bi4 #hd ,john i4 #di4 #he ,john xx4 #bh4 #hf ,john xxi4 #ag2 see also ,deut4 vi4 #e4 #hg ,is4 xxvi4 #ac4 #hh ,hosea xiv4 #b1 #c1 #h4 #hi #b ,cor4 vi4 #af-ah4 #ij ,ezek4 xx4 #cg1 #ch4 #ia ,is4 xliii4 #a4 #ib ,ps4 cxix4 #id4 #ic ,josh4 xxiv4 #ad4 #id ,ps4 cxvi4 #af4 #ie ,ps4 cxix4 #dc1 #dd4 #if ,ps4 lxi4 #d1 #e4 #ig #b ,cor4 viii4 #e4 #ih ,rom4 iv4 #bj-bb4 #ii ,heb4 xi4 #ag4 #ajj ,rom4 ix4 #d4 #aja ,exod4 xxiv4 #g4 #ajb ,josh4 xxiv4 #bd4 ,see also1 v4 #be4 #ajc #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 #ca1 #cb4 #ajd ,jer4 xxxiv4 #h-ah2 see also ,exod4 xxi4 #b4 #aje #b ,kings xi4 #ag4 #ajf ,isa4 xliv4 #h4 #ajg ,ps4 cxix4 #cj4 #ajh ,ps4 cxix4 #aaa4 #aji ,ps4 l4 #af4 #aaj ,ps4 cxix4 #ae1 #af4 #aaa ,deut4 xxix4 #ad1 #ae4 #aab ,deut4 xxx4 #ai4 #aac ,exod4 xx4 #e1 #f4 #aad ,ezek4 xvi4 #ei4 #aae ,gen4 xxi4 #bg1 #bh1 #cj1 #ca4 ,see ,gesen4 ,lex4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,manner ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of ,covenanting1 the consideration of ,god's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard4 ,of the manner in which the great ,supreme as ,god acts1 as well as of ,himself1 our knowledge is limited4 ,yet though even of the effects on creatures of ,his doings we know little1 we have reason to rejoice that1 in ,his word ,he has informed us1 and in ,his providence illustrated by that word1 he has given us to see that ,he does act in wondrous condescension to his saints4 ,being an infinite1 glorious ,spirit1 ,he does not perform the deeds of men clothed with flesh and blood1 but being the upholder of all things1 and the glorious fountain of all the means of operation which men employ1 with them ,he can and does hold communication4 ,in the ordinances of ,his grace ,he has made his chosen ones to know him4 ,proofs of ,his gracious regard to them ,he has in all ages given4 ,in the earlier part of the history of time1 their bodily senses he addressed3 in all time their souls1 by the inhabitation of his ,holy ,spirit1 experienced the goodness of ,his grace4 ,what ,he records of ,his transactions with ,his people is after the manner of beings possessed of material qualities1 as well as gifted with undying spirits4 ,though not possessed of bodily organs1 ,he spake to men2 though not material1 ,he hears and sees them2 and ,he testifies to their deeds and thoughts4 ,unchanging1 ,he acts not nor thinks as men do4 ,but through the illimitable resources of ,his perfect character ,he has dealt with them as if ,he were possessed of the faculties not merely of an infinite1 but of a perfect material1 being4 ,and what in the language of metaphor ,he has taught1 or what ,he has presented before the bodily organs and minds of all1 they are called to receive as bearing the character of truth4 ,when ,his people1 in vowing or swearing to ,him1 take hold on ,him1 ,he covenants with them4 ,receiving their various services offered to ,him1 ,he acknowledges them as covenant children4 ,they vow unto ,him2 ,he made promises to them4 ,they swear unto ,him2 ,he has sworn unto them4 ,they avouch ,him to be their ,god2 ,he avouches them to be ,his people4 ,on occasions of ,covenanting1 ,god has actually made promises1 and sworn to men4 ,to ,noah1 to ,abraham1 to ,isaac1 to ,jacob2 to the whole people of ,israel at ,sinai2 to ,david and others in these circumstances ,he spake4 ,to ,noah once and again with enlargement the promise of ,his covenant ,he uttered4 ,abraham had addressed to ,him the promise on various occasions of this nature1 by the ,lord holding converse with him as a friend4 ,with the people of ,israel the ,lord talked face to face in the ,mount1 out of the midst of the fire4 ,to ,jacob he spake in a vision of the night at ,bethel4 ,and a covenant of royalty with ,david he made in like manner4 ,and the oath of ,god at such seasons was given4 ,he sware to ,noah4 ,though the first inspired historian does not mention the fact1 it is recorded4 ,this is as the waters of ,noah unto me3 for as ,i have sworn that the waters of ,noah should no more go over the earth2 so have ,i sworn that ,i would not be wroth with thee1 nor rebuke thee4#aaf ,to ,abraham he sware1--,for when ,god made promise to ,abraham1 because he could swear by no greater1 he sware by himself1 saying1 ,surely blessing ,i will bless thee1 and multiplying ,i will multiply thee4#aag ,the oath of ,god was made to ,isaac4#aah ,to ,israel at ,sinai3 when the ,lord brought them out of ,egypt ,he lifted up ,his hand4#aai ,it is because not merely that with ,his finger ,he wrote the law on two tables of stone1 but that in lifting up his hand in swearing to them there1 while giving the law1 that it is said1--,from his right hand went a fiery law for them4#abj ,and to ,david also1 in making a covenant with him1 the ,lord sware4 ,the ,lord hath sworn in truth unto ,david2 he will not turn from it2 of the fruit of thy body will ,i set upon thy throne4#aba ,even in those ordinary cases in which1 on ,covenanting1 communion with ,god is enjoyed1 ,he ,covenants with them4 ,this is implied in the very designation of the exercise2 but it is otherwise obvious4 ,we have no reason to believe that when ,israel ,covenanted in the land of ,moab such manifestations of ,god's presence as were vouchsafed at ,sinai were made4 ,but then the ,lord made an oath to his people1 and thereby ,covenanted with them4 ,that thou shouldst enter into covenant with the ,lord thy ,god1 and into his oath1 which the ,lord thy ,god maketh with thee this day4#abb ,yea there1 after whatever manner1 ,he avouched them to be ,his people4 ,thou hast avouched the ,lord this day to be thy ,god1 and to walk in his ways1 and to keep his statutes1 and his commandments1 and his judgments1 and to hearken unto his voice3 and the ,lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people1 as he hath promised thee1 and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments4#abc ,yea1 except the contrary be stated or implied somewhere1 we should not be warranted in maintaining that the oath of ,god was not always given on occasions of ,covenanting1 before the ,canon of ,scripture was closed4 ,in the historic record of ,jacob's life no account is given of ,god's making an oath to him4 ,yet we are certain that ,he covenanted with him4 ,and that he actually sware to him1 is one of the conclusions that may be legitimately drawn from the words1 ,as he hath sworn unto thy fathers1 to ,abraham1 to ,isaac1 and to ,jacob4#abd ,and that ,he1 under this last dispensation1 always ,covenants with believers1 when they vow and swear to ,him1 is manifest from those declarations in which he promises to make a covenant with them4 ,whether or not on these occasions he absolutely makes an oath1 is not revealed4 ,that we should know whether or not he does so1 is not necessary1 else the book of ,divine revelation had not been completed4 ,but even though1 as under the law1 when the sons of ,aaron on entering on the priesthood1 took vows upon them to fulfil its duties1 he should not actually make a new oath1 the vows and oaths of ,his people came up before ,him as formerly they did from before his altar1 and the oaths which ,he had sworn before1 even on their behalf1 are made available to them4 ,thus ,israel were enjoined1 ,that thou shouldest enter into covenant with the ,lord thy ,god1 and into his oath1 which the ,lord thy ,god maketh with thee this day2 that he may establish thee to-day for a people unto himself1 and that he may be unto thee a ,god1 as he hath said unto thee1 and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers1 to ,abraham1 to ,isaac1 and to ,jacob4 ,neither with you only do ,i make this covenant and this oath2 but with him that standeth here with us this day before the ,lord our ,god1 and also with him that is not here with us this day4#abe ,and thus were encouraged those who should succeed these in drawing near to ,god4 ,the sons of the stranger1 that join themselves to the ,lord1 to serve him1 and to love the name of the ,lord1 to be his servants1 every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it1 and taketh hold of my covenant2 even them will ,i bring to my holy mountain2 and make them joyful in my house of prayer2 their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar3 for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people4#abf ,now1 ,covenanting must be engaged in intelligently4 ,not merely must there be a desire to perform the service2 but there must be an enlightened apprehension of its nature4 ,it is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy1 and after vows to make inquiry4#abg ,applicable to the intellectual discernment that true faith includes1 as well as to that grace in its spiritual character1 is the declaration1 ,he that cometh to ,god must believe that he is1 and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him4#abh ,the ,covenant children of ,god are taught of him1 and draw near to him as if ,he were not unknown1 but revealed to them in his grace4 ,though none can by searching find out ,god1 nor find out the ,almighty unto perfection1 yet those whom ,he saves know whom they worship4 ,according to the instructions delivered in his word1 must be the performance of every service of religion2 and the character of ,god as revealed1 is that which must be apprehended in the discharge of each4 ,it was according to a ,divine warrant and direction that the saints of old entered into ,covenant2 and every lawful approach to him by vow or oath requires a just appreciation of his character4 ,the ,lord shall be known to ,egypt1 and the ,egyptians shall know the ,lord in that day1 and shall do sacrifice and oblation2 yea1 they shall vow a vow unto the ,lord1 and perform it4#abi ,this shall be the covenant that ,i will make with the house of ,israel2 ,after those days1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will put my law in their inward parts1 and write it in their hearts2 and will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour1 and every man his brother1 saying1 ,know ye the ,lord3 for they shall all know me1 from the least of them unto the greatest of them1 saith the ,lord4#acj ,secondly4 ,covenanting must be engaged in cordially4 ,that is not religious homage which comes not from the heart4 ,for an intelligent being in any case to utter any thing that is inconsistent with the thoughts of the mind is sinful2 but in this case it is peculiarly foolish and daring4 ,if the affections of the heart be sanctified1 they will be elevated to ,god in every religious exercise1 and especially in this4 ,those who value their own souls1 will not be devoid of intense concern for their salvation1 when before ,god they engage in testifying to their acceptance thereof4 ,they who seek to glorify ,god1 will in this draw near to him with their mouth1 and with their lips do honour to him1 but not remove their hearts far from him4 ,if a transaction that concerns only a limited part of this world's good is often important1 how much more that which concerns the enjoyment of ,god as a portion6 ,if an engagement that concerns a few years' enjoyment is often found to engross all the feelings of the mind1 how absorbent of all the best exercises of the heart should be a transaction for communion with ,god to eternity6 ,the men of ,judah1 on a solemn occasion1 afforded an important pattern in this4 ,all ,judah rejoiced at the oath3 for they had sworn with all their heart4#aca ,and wherever the ,covenant of ,god will be taken hold upon by men returning to him1 the whole heart will be engaged4 ,i will give them an heart to know me1 that ,i am the ,lord2 and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god3 for they shall return unto me with their whole heart4#acb ,thirdly4 ,covenanting must be engaged in with deliberation4 ,to avow the resolution1 to abandon the service of satan and to fight under the banner of ,christ1 is an exercise that entails momentous consequences4 ,and corresponding to its importance should be the fixedness of heart called to its performance4 ,in it a solemn attestation and adherence to a choice of ,god as a ,lord and ,master1 is made before him4 ,joshua's patriotic and pious address at ,shechem was delivered1 not that ,israel should all choose ,god as if none of them had chosen him before1 but that those who had not cleaved to his ,covenant should then cleave to it1 and that those who had taken hold upon it before1 should again adhere to it4 ,he said1 ,if it seem evil unto you to serve the ,lord1 choose you this day whom you will serve2 whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood1 or the gods of the ,amorites1 in whose land ye dwell3 but as for me and my house1 we will serve the ,lord4 ,and all attempting such an exercise1 should possess a devotedness such as that evinced by the answer returned by the people1--,god forbid that we should forsake the ,lord1 to serve other gods1 for the ,lord our ,god1 he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of ,egypt1 from the house of bondage4#acc ,fourthly4 ,covenanting should be engaged in with sincerity1 and with a resolution to perform the engagement made4 ,dreadful are the denunciations uttered against such as swear falsely4 ,the ,lord swears in truth3 he will not turn from it4 ,and how daring on the part of any is it to swear falsely in making a covenant6 ,in an oath given falsely1 ,god is defied1 his power to punish is challenged1 and the stroke of his indignation is impiously invoked to descend upon the guilty juror's head4 ,if any man trespass against his neighbour1 and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear1 and the oath come before thine altar in this house3 then hear thou in heaven1 and do1 and judge thy servants1 condemning the wicked1 to bring his way upon his head2 and justifying the righteous1 to give him according to his righteousness4#acd ,the people of ,god swear1 ,the ,lord liveth1 in truth1 in righteousness1 and in judgment4 ,with ,david they can declare1 ,i have sworn1 and ,i will perform it1 that ,i will keep thy righteous judgments4#ace ,each of them may be denominated1 ,he that hath clean hands1 and a pure heart2 who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity1 nor sworn deceitfully4#acf ,and firm will be their purpose to keep their pledge given in vowing unto ,god--,thine are we1 ,david1 and on thy side1 thou son of ,jesse4#acg ,fifthly4 ,in the first ages1 the exercise was accompanied by sacrifice4 ,the phrase 7,hebrew3 karath b'rith71 which is most commonly employed to designate the making of a covenant1 consists of two terms1 each of which conducts us to the sacrificial rite4 ,the latter of these1 7,hebrew3 b'rith1 a covenant17 would appear to be derived from a verb which1 according to circumstances1 bears the significations1 to cut1 to choose1 to eat4 ,the connection between all these and an expression which means to purify1 is not obscure1 nor is their relation to a word 7,hebrew3 bar71 with which that so rendered is intimately connected1 difficult to be traced4 ,that which is eaten is made choice of for its purity1 or because that by cutting1 it is separated from what is less fitted for food1 or even during the process of eating is cut4 ,it is an opinion held by one class of commentators1 that the reason why that term is put to signify a covenant1 is1 that it may be deduced from the verb bearing the meaning to choose1 and to which there would appear no objection1 provided that that meaning were reckoned to be secondary to the signification to eat4 ,the idea implied in the verb to choose is essentially abstract4 ,not so is that included in either the verb to cut1 or the verb to eat4 ,from one of these1 which may be considered as collateral primary meanings1 it must therefore be deduced4 ,and since it cannot be deduced from the one without the other1 it must consequently be derived from the latter4 ,but since1 on the occasion of entering into covenant1 feasts were wont to be kept1 and since the flesh of animals slain for sacrifice was not seldom partaken of by those associated to present them1 there is reason to conclude that food eaten on the occasion of solemn ,covenanting included the flesh of sacred victims1 and that while this term for ,covenant may be considered as derived immediately from an expression signifying to choose1 it is to be viewed as tracing its origin to the same expression viewed as denoting to eat1 because the flesh of sacrifice afforded to the federal parties a means of convivial entertainment in the accustomed friendly feast4 ,the other of these terms 7,hebrew3 karoth7 means literally to cut4 ,it is used in describing the operation of cutting in twain the animal sacrificed at the ratification of a covenant4 ,i will give the men that have transgressed my covenant1 which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me1 when they cut the calf in twain1 and passed between the parts thereof4 ,the princes of ,judah1 and the princes of ,jerusalem1 the eunuchs1 and the priests1 and all the people of the land1 which passed between the parts of the calf2 ,i will even give them into the hand of their enemies1 and into the hand of them that seek their life3 and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven1 and to the beasts of the earth4#ach ,the practice of so dividing the victim was evidently in accordance with the operation performed by ,abraham1 when the ,lord made a covenant with him4#aci ,indeed1 in the record given of that transaction1 a different term 7,hebrew3 bathor7 is used to denote the performance of the division1 but this the more establishes its fact4 ,and though ,god's covenant is before spoken of as having been established1 and though ,noah1 on the occasion of his adhering to that covenant immediately after the flood1 offered sacrifice1#adj yet1 it is in the account given of that with ,abraham1 and as if the practice of cutting the victim in twain had originated when it was entered into1 that the phrase connecting the two terms or their modifications is first used4 ,thereafter1 however1 in reference to every variety of solemn ,covenant engagements1 the phrase is adopted4 ,it is employed to describe the entering into covenant of men with men before the ,lord1 and consequently of both parties with him4 ,the cases of ,david and the elders of ,israel at ,hebron1#ada and of ,jehoash and his people1#adb afford instances4 ,another such case is found in the account of the league between ,joshua and the princes of the congregation1 and the ,gibeonites4#adc ,in the commands forbidding ,israel to enter into covenant with the ,canaanites1 or their gods1 the phrase is used4#add ,it is used when men are represented as making a covenant with ,god4 ,the record of that of ,israel1 under ,ezra1 gives an illustration4#ade ,and it is the form of expression by which the ,lord himself is represented as entering into covenant with men4 ,the records of the transactions at ,sinai and ,moab1 of his covenant with ,david1 and of his purposes to enter into covenant with his people1 as those appear in his precious word of promise1 as well as other passages1 contain it4 ,yea1 sometimes even where that word of the phrase which means covenant is omitted1 the meaning of the other is most manifestly the same as that of the whole4#adf ,the bisection of the victim symbolized ,christ slain and affording access to ,god through himself4 ,the act pointed out precisely what was represented by the rending of the vail of the temple1 when ,jesus suffered on the cross4 ,both signified his death1 and the opening up thereby of a way of access to ,god4 ,the act of passing between the parts of the sacrifice was an emblem of the exercise of holding communion with ,god1 as made known in ,christ1 reconciling the world unto himself4 ,as when the vail was rent the most holy place was no longer concealed1 but might be approached with safety2 so when ,jesus suffered there was presented the reality of that provision for communion with ,god1 which was typified by the cutting of the calf in twain and passing between the parts thereof4 ,and the believing ,covenanter employed in performing that exercise enjoyed substantially the blessedness which is in reserve for those who1 in contemplation of the exercise of renewing their vows to ,god1 are enabled with an apostle to say1--,having therefore1 brethren1 boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of ,jesus1 by a new and living way1 which he hath consecrated for us1 through the vail1 that is to say1 his flesh2 and having an high priest over the house of ,god2 let us draw near with a true heart1 in full assurance of faith1 having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience1 and our bodies washed with pure water2 and being strengthened with ,divine grace1 after engaging in it1 he would feel disposed to do as these in similar circumstances in ages long future urged3--,let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering 7for he is faithful that promised47#adg ,the act of swearing by the name of ,god was wont to be symbolized by the offering of sacrifice4 ,it has been shown that the number seven was an emblem of the oath4 ,one of the things1 therefore1 denoted by the offering of seven sacrifices was the swearing of it4 ,once1 and again and again1 did ,balak at ,balaam's suggestion build seven altars1 and offer a bullock and a ram on every altar4#adh ,and whether we believe the religious homage presented on each occasion to have been in ignorance addressed to the true ,god1 or to some idol1 there is reason to conclude that the injunction of the false prophet was suggested by the practice of the people of ,god1 and that the service was an emblematical representation of the religious worship offered in the swearing of the oath4 ,besides1 was not his design to curse ,israel either by the true ,god1 or by some gods of the heathen8 ,and was it not in imitation of some such practices1 as that which he attempted1 that ,goliath cursed ,david by his gods8 ,but offerings of this kind were presented when federal transactions were ratified by the worshippers of ,god4 ,after the three friends of ,job had uttered all their hard speeches against him1 the ,lord addressed to them a command which included not less than the injunction1 to enter into an amicable compact with the afflicted character whom they had so much misrepresented1 and also to accompany it with a religious service4#adi ,the duty enjoined embodied likewise a confession of sin and an appeal to ,god for the truth of their acknowledgments4 ,the covenant promise made to them was1 that ,god would accept them through the intercession of ,job1--not as if that were of itself meritorious1 but approved through the great ,mediator4 ,the offering of seven bullocks and seven rams was a confirmation of their friendly ,covenant1 and could not be less than an emblem of their oath to the ,most ,high4 ,finally4 ,in the first year of his reign1 ,hezekiah declared1 ,now it is in mine heart to make a ,covenant with the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 that his fierce wrath may turn away from us4 ,that ,he1 the priests and ,levites1 the rulers of ,jerusalem1 and as many of the congregation of ,israel as were present1 carried his design into effect1 for the first time1 on the occasion of the solemnities which took place in the first month1 appears from his command1 uttered when he declared his devout intention4 ,he said1--,my sons1 be not now negligent3 for the ,lord hath chosen you to stand before him1 to serve him1 and that ye should minister unto him and burn incense 7or1 offer sacrifice74#aej ,that all ,judah and ,israel were enjoined to accede to the ,covenant1 in the second month1 is manifest from the ,king's command to them--,now be ye not stiff-necked1 as your fathers were1 but yield yourselves unto the ,lord1 and enter into his sanctuary1 which he hath sanctified for ever2 and serve the ,lord your ,god1 that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you4#aea ,that such of them as came up to the passover1 at the ,king's command1 by the word of the ,lord1 gave their adherence to what had been done before at ,jerusalem1 appears from the account given of them engaging in making confession to the ,lord ,god of their fathers4 ,and whether or not the keeping of the feast1 for the accustomed seven days1 and other seven days besides1 symbolized the act of swearing to the ,lord1 with a cordiality which the repetition denoted1 sacrifices were offered1 both on the occasion of the making of the ,covenant and on that of the people's latter acquiescence in it1 and on the former when sacrifices were presented for ,israel1 the sin-offering--testifying to the oaths that were then sworn1 was offered by sevens4 ,it is explicitly said1 that a ,covenant with ,god was made by sacrifice4 ,it is not obscurely intimated in ,scripture that the people of ,israel1 who fell into idolatry by offering sacrifice on high places1 made a ,covenant with idols instead of ,god himself4 ,the practice must have been a corruption of the worship of ,god4 ,the vow was made frequently not merely to offer sacrifice1 but by the offering of oblation4 ,gather my saints together unto me2 those that have made a ,covenant with me by sacrifice4#aeb ,and ,covenants were ratified by the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifice4 ,a full account is given of the practice in the record of the ,covenant transaction at ,sinai4 ,moses sent young men of the children of ,israel1 which offered burnt-offerings1 and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the ,lord4 ,and ,moses took half of the blood1 and put it in basons2 and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar4 ,and he took the book of the ,covenant1 and read in the audience of the people3 and they said1 ,all that the ,lord hath said will we do1 and be obedient4 ,and ,moses took the blood1 and sprinkled it on the people1 and said1 ,behold the blood of the covenant1 which the ,lord hath made with you concerning all these words4#aec ,the blood sprinkled on the altar testified to the ,lord's acceptance of the sacrifice and of the people who presented it1 and to the ,father's acquiescence in and approval of the great propitiation that should be made for sin4 ,the sprinkling of the blood upon the people signified the application of the blood of ,christ for pardon1 pacification1 and cleansing1 to the consciences of a ransomed community4 ,the ,lord ,jesus being that sacrifice that was slain for the confirmation of the everlasting ,covenant1 his blood is represented as the blood of the ,covenant4 ,and the blood of sacrifice that was sprinkled was a type of his4 ,to that sacrifice1 the ancient covenanter1 presenting his oblation1 looked forward4 ,to look to him so1 in taking hold upon his ,covenant1 before his incarnation1 there was given the encouragement--,as for thee also1 by the blood of thy covenant ,i have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water4#aed ,and now1 though oblation is no more offered in the same spirit in which ,covenant was made by sacrifice1 the ,covenanting believer vowing to ,god comes to ,jesus the mediator of the new covenant1 and to the blood of sprinkling1 that speaketh better things than that of ,abel4#aee ,sixthly4 ,in all ages1 the exercise is performed by faith4 ,as without faith it is impossible to please ,god1 so in this act it is not less requisite than in any other4 ,in order to the right performance of it1 faith in ,god1 as having given it his warrant1 and as having made precious promises to be laid hold on in engaging in it1 and dependence on ,divine grace for strength to accomplish it1 is necessary4 ,it is by faith that the way of salvation through ,christ is approved2 by faith1 ,christ and all his benefits are received2 by faith1 ,god1 as a ,god in covenant1 is recognised2 by faith1 are renounced the claims of the devil1 the world1 and the flesh2 by faith1 is the whole man dedicated to the service of ,god2 and by faith1 every promise of obedience1 that ,god may be glorified1 is made4 ,of ,abraham taking hold on ,god's covenant by accepting of the promise1 it is said1 ,he believed in the ,lord1 and he counted it to him for righteousness4#aef ,swearing to the ,lord in faith1 ,surely1 shall one say1 ,in the ,lord have ,i righteousness and strength4#aeg ,and all who have properly engaged in this exercise will testify1 ,i trusted in thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,i said1 ,thou art my ,god4#aeh ,with the heart man believeth unto righteousness2 and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation4 ,and as in the first actings of faith1 so in this solemn act1 the ,redeemer is received as able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto ,god by him1 seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them4 ,faith in him as the one foundation laid in ,zion1 in preference to every other1 the believer endeavours habitually to cherish1 and especially at seasons of solemn self-surrender to ,god1 or of public vowing to him1 seeks to have in vigorous exercise4 ,at these1 the mind is brought more than is usual to deal with the object of faith4 ,the ,lord ,jesus in his exceeding glory1 often speaks to the heart1 and the whole faculties of the soul respond4 ,so that1 especially applicable to the believer's exercises1 then1 is what1 in the following language of an eminent writer1 is said concerning the universal tendency of faith in the righteousness of ,christ3--,when he discovers his own guilt and misery1 and the absolute perfection and ineffable excellencies of this righteousness1 the believer requires no force nor compulsion to embrace it4 ,when the avenger of blood was at his heels1 did the manslayer require any violence to urge him on to the asylum where he might lodge secure8 ,when the deluge of wrath was descending1 and all around becoming one watery waste1 was any force necessary to shut ,noah up in the ark1 where he might abide in safety amidst the wreck and horrors of a sinking world8 ,and when conscience writes bitter things against him1 and makes him possess the iniquities of his youth2 when the heavens are gathering blackness1 and before him he sees1 at the opening into eternity1 the piercing eyes of ,omniscience looking fully on him through the terrors of insulted1 incensed omnipotent justice3 does the believer need any compulsion to drive him out of his own lying refuges1 and constrain him to betake himself to the ,divine and ,all-sufficient righteousness of ,immanuel8 ,no4 ,he repairs to it with eagerness1 and clings to it with a tenacity that time cannot relax1 nor all the agonies of death dissolve4 ,we speak of trust1 dependence1 and reliance1 on this righteousness4 ,these however are terms far too feeble to express the affection towards it1 which the believer feels4 ,he prefers it to his chief joy2 glories in it as all his salvation and all his desire1 and determines to know nothing else4 ,divinely precious and infinitely perfect as it is1 there is no part of it with which he can dispense4 ,less than this cannot reach his wretched case1 nor impart the blessings that he wants4 ,his polluted and never-dying soul needs it all3 and1 therefore1 he embraces it wholly1 and rests on it alone#aei4 ,seventhly4 ,the exercise requires that it be engaged in devotionally4 ,it is a part of religious worship1 and claims that solemnity of mind that is due to every religious service4 ,every part of it is an exercise of religion1 and the frame of mind that should be brought to each of them ought to be sustained in waiting on the whole4 ,all things that could give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout character4 ,the claims of its glorious ,object1 its own essential nature1 and its design1 all conspire in this4 ,it was performed in the solemn assemblies of the people of ,god4 ,the oaths of his people were wont to come up before his altar4 ,the people of ,judah and ,jerusalem1 both under ,jehoash and ,josiah1 and those of ,judah1 besides many of the kingdom of ,israel1 observed the exercise in the temple4 ,when performed not in religious edifices1 but where the ,lord himself approved1 it was not the less observed in his presence1 nor the less sacred a service4 ,what gives to a religious assembly all its solemnity1 is the gracious presence of ,god4 ,and this1 which gave to the house of ,god its holy character1 confers on every place where his people meet1 whether in houses built with hands or under the canopy of heaven1 the character of a scene for the time set apart to his service4 ,the scene and the nature of the services correspond4 ,by the scene where this observance was kept1 whether in the desert of ,sinai1 in the fruitful land of ,moab1 in the temple at ,jerusalem in its earlier periods1 in ,jerusalem surrounded with ruins1 but to be rebuilt1 in houses erected for the worship of ,god1 or in the fruitful vallies1 or on the barren heath1--a scene of communion with ,god1 its character1 as an exercise essentially devotional1 is defined4 ,it is a holy exercise4 ,both in the ,old ,testament and in the ,new1 the ,covenant of ,god is declared to be holy4 ,he himself is holy1 and he requires that his people be holy too4 ,and dissuading ,israel from confederating with the heathen1 and in language addressed to all1 calling them to the exercise of ,covenanting embodied in fearing his name1 he commands them to approach him as holy4 ,say ye not1 ,a confederacy1 to all them to whom this people shall say1 ,a confederacy2 neither fear ye their fear1 nor be afraid4 ,sanctify the ,lord of hosts himself2 and let him be your fear1 and let him be your dread4#afj ,it should be performed with godly fear and reverence4 ,the ,lord was made known not merely as the ,god of ,abraham1 and the portion of ,jacob1 but to intimate the same ,covenant relation which these designations pointed out1 as also the fear of ,isaac4 ,and as ,isaac1 in ,covenanting with ,him whom he acknowledged as his fear1 could not but cherish towards him a holy awe1 so all possessed of an interest in that covenant into which ,isaac was taken1 in vowing to the ,lord1 fear his holy name2 and giving intimation of the reverential feelings that prevail in their minds while performing the exercise1 in their practice they will verify the prediction1 ,unto me every knee shall bow1 every tongue shall swear4 ,the exercise requires to be accompanied by confession of sin4 ,it is as sinners seeking forgiveness that men1 however much they may have enjoyed the blessings of the ,covenant1 perform it4 ,because of neglect or forgetfulness of ,covenant engagements1 because of imperfections numerous and great attaching to obedience rendered in fulfilling them1 because of misapprehensions of their nature and design1 and the want of that holy ardour that should never cease to urge to duties voluntarily engaged to1 because of innumerably varied infirmities manifested even while in a ,covenant state1 confession behoves to be made4 ,the ,covenant of ,grace was revealed after the breach of that of ,works4 ,for removing the curse entailed by sin1 its revelation was designed4 ,a right apprehension of its design is accompanied by a sense of sin4 ,when its terms are accepted1 hatred to all iniquity is professed2 and1 because of the power of corruption in leading to disobedience1 shame must be felt1 and acknowledgment be made before ,god4 ,on these occasions a sin-offering was wont to be cut4#afa ,the practice of making confession1 then1 was fully illustrated in the conduct both of ,ezra and ,nehemiah1 and of ,israel with them4 ,concerning ,israel--attempting the service1 it is said1 ,they shall come with weeping1 and with supplications will ,i lead them3 ,i will cause them to walk by the rivers of water in a straight way1 wherein they shall not stumble2 for ,i am a father to ,israel1 and ,ephraim is my first-born4#afb ,and the ,gentiles1 being not less chargeable with sin than the seed of ,abraham in the same circumstances1 will not be less called than those to acknowledge it2 so that to them1 as sons of the spiritual ,zion1 may be applied the prophetic description of duty contained in the words uttered concerning the other1--,in those days1 and in that time1 saith the ,lord1 the children of ,israel shall come1 they and the children of ,judah together going and weeping3 they shall go1 and seek the ,lord their ,god4 ,they shall ask the way to ,zion with their faces thitherward1 saying1 ,come1 and let us join ourselves to the ,lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten4#afc ,and1 the vow is made in the exercise of prayer4 ,the term 7,greek3 euche7 by which the ,seventy render the word for a vow in the ,old ,testament original1 is used in the ,greek of the ,new ,testament to denote1 now a vow and then a prayer4 ,in the former sense it is employed in the original of the passage1 ,do therefore this that we say unto thee3 ,we have four men which have a vow on them4#afd ,and in the latter acceptation it is used in that of the following3--,the prayer of faith shall save the sick1 and the ,lord shall raise him up4#afe ,were the vow not made in the act of offering prayer we should be unable to account for this twofold use of the term4 ,again1 taking prayer in its most comprehensive signification1--as including adoration1 confession1 petition1 and thanksgiving1--no address to ,god1 except the song of praise1 can be made otherwise than in this exercise4 ,the vow accordingly1 as well as the oath--which embodies an adoration1 is made by prayer4 ,and1 finally1 this receives corroboration from the fact that the manner according to which1 in vowing1 prayer should be made is revealed4 ,in this and in similar passages1 not merely ,israel after the flesh1 but the whole visible church of ,god1 are instructed how at once they should vow and pray4--,o ,israel1 return unto the ,lord thy ,god2 for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity4 ,take with you words1 and turn to the ,lord3 say unto him1 ,take away all iniquity1 and receive us graciously3 so will we render the calves of our lips4#aff ,eighthly4 ,this exercise is sometimes engaged in with the living voice4 ,whatever argument can be employed to establish the propriety of engaging vocally in any religious service is here available4 ,the tongue is the glory of man2 and with it the praise of ,god is proclaimed4 ,in his temple doth every one speak of his glory4 ,that thought concerning ,god1 which may not in some circumstances be expressed1 may not be entertained4 ,and if some features of his glorious character or administration are celebrated with the lips1 so may all4 ,holy thoughts and affections unexpressed are sometimes like a fire shut up in the bones4 ,why should not these burst forth in the holy act of vowing and swearing to ,god1 even as a flame1 to the diffusion of a love and zeal for ,him and his cause that would spread widely around8 ,this the saints of ,god have felt when called to the service4 ,in the land of ,moab ,israel avouched the ,lord to be their ,god2 and presenting an animating example1 the kingdom of ,judah1 with ,asa their king1 sware unto the ,lord with a loud voice4#afg ,lastly4 ,a ,covenant with ,god is sometimes confirmed by subscription4 ,probably in imitation of the practice of the people of ,god1 covenants among idolaters were written4 ,your covenant with death shall be disannulled1#afh 7that is1 covered or blotted out1 as if it had been written47 ,the application of the seal was equivalent to the signature of the hand4 ,it must have been made on occasions of federal ratification1 and it might then have accompanied the subscription of the name4 ,there is reason to believe that ,nehemiah referred to an imitation of an ancient practice when he said1 ,and because of all this1 we make a sure covenant1 and write it3 and our princes1 ,levites1 and priests1 seal unto it4#afi ,but to whatever extent the practice may have obtained in the earlier times1 it possesses the highest warrant during every period that should succeed4 ,one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's2 and another shall call himself by the name of ,jacob2 and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the ,lord4#agj ,hence1 in the first place1 religious ,covenanting is an exercise distinct from every other4 ,the vow cannot be mistaken for anything else2 and the swearing of the oath is marked by a character of its own4 ,every religious act is1 or ought to be1 performed with a solemn regard to ,covenant obligation4 ,but each one of these is not ,covenanting4 ,the spirit of ,covenanting enters into praise and prayer1 and every other exercise of a devotional kind2 but the exercise itself1 performed in an explicit and solemn manner1 is a part of worship different from all these4 ,to argue that it is not1 as some who are opposed to the explicit performance of it do1 would be to go to the extreme of maintaining that ,covenanting should be engaged in1 not merely personally on one occasion1 but habitually in the discharge of every religious duty2 and thus to lead to a very frequent1 and1 we might add1 therefore unwarrantable performance of the service1 instead of discountenancing it altogether4 ,to perform a vow is not to vow a vow4 ,to vow to do one thing is not to vow to perform another that is distinct from it4 ,to vow to do duty that might have been clearly apprehended before1 is not to engage by vow to do duty for the first time now unfolded before the mind4 ,prayer includes praise2 but to pray is not to sing praise4 ,covenanting may include in it every religious exercise4 ,but to perform any or all of these1 excepting the use of the seals of the ,covenant1 may not be formally to ,covenant4 ,indeed1 the exercise is the sum of all others of a religious description2 and as embodying not merely the spirit1 but the observance of the spiritual services performed in all of them1 ought with due solemnity on meet occasions formally to be engaged in4 ,sacrifice accompanied vowing in former times2 but sacrifice was offered on other occasions besides4 ,sacrifice was presented frequently in order that the vow might be paid2 but sacrifice was not the making of the vow4 ,faith is always in exercise when ,covenanting is engaged in aright2 but it is also in operation when ,covenant engagements are not made1 but in some measure fulfilled4 ,covenanting is performed with holy fear and reverence2 but are these feelings never in exercise except when the oath is sworn or the vow is made8 ,the people of ,god fear him habitually1 even though not engaged in positive religious services4 ,covenanting is engaged in along with confession of sin2 but the exercise itself is not the confession of sin4 ,sin is sometimes acknowledged before ,god when no new positive engagement is made4 ,covenanting is engaged in by prayer2 but prayer is of a varied character1 and though every vow is made in prayer1 yet every prayer is not offered in entering into ,covenant4 ,but1 in the second and last place1 hence also appears the error of the opinion1 that seeing this exercise is performed in certain acknowledged duties1 therefore by itself it is unnecessary4 ,it is not denied that the oath is used to confirm civil obligations4 ,but no one is therefore warranted in maintaining that to apply it so1 is to use it in things religious4 ,it is one thing to admit that vowing is a part of the duty implied in receiving the sacrament of baptism and the ,lord's supper2 it is another to maintain that the vow or oath should not be used in other circumstances4 ,the vow is defined in ,scripture1 but the things to be vowed1 and the cases in which it should be made are also in general pointed out4 ,to declare that the vow should be made1 for example1 merely on sacramental occasions1 would be to assume1 that a part adopted by men should stand for the whole appointed by ,god4 ,is it said1 that in these two sacramental exercises there is made a general engagement1 that comprehends every duty that could possibly be performed1 and therefore it is unnecessary to engage in formal ,covenanting8 ,on the same principle it might be said1 that the sinner who has received ,christ at first has no need to act faith upon him again2--that the believer has even no need to receive the ordinance of baptism for his children1 or that of the ,lord's supper for himself2--that the individual who has believed should not ,covenant personally in an explicit manner2 yea1--that he who has sworn to the ,lord1 in attending to the ordinance of baptism or of the supper1 has no need in any case1 even in reference to matters civil1 to swear again4 ,it might as well be said1 that1 in receiving the ordinance of baptism1 vows are taken on1 which include every case that could occur1 and that1 therefore1 after that there is no necessity for waiting on the ordinance of the supper2--or that the waiting on that ordinance on one occasion would afford a reason for neglecting both the dispensation of it and of the ordinance of baptism ever thereafter4 ,in one word1 it might be answered1 that the opinion makes no provision for the believer's growth in grace1 but by dealing with him as if he were perfect in all respects1 rather tends to keep him from attaining to perfection4 ,one approved exercise is not to be sacrificed to others4 ,on the same principle that ,covenanting might be given up because vows are made to ,god in receiving the sacrament1 might praise be given up because ,god is thanked in prayer2 or prayer be discontinued because ,he is adored and thanked1 and presented with confession of sin1 and supplications for mercies1 in songs of praise4 ,but1 besides1 as the ,lord's supper ought not to be substituted for baptism1 nor baptism for the ,lord's supper1 so neither ought either or both to take the place of various other specific exercises of vowing to ,god4 ,the vow made on the reception of baptism is suited especially to the occasion4 ,other vows are not less suitable to other circumstances than that is to its own4 ,the vow made at the ,lord's table may include the sum of all duty2 but where is the evidence that it ought not in other circumstances also to be made8 ,at that holy communion each believer swears individually to a profession of his faith with his brethren1 and to specific exercises consistent with his own condition2 but that is no reason why the oath to perform certain requirements of ,god's law should not be explicitly and openly sworn4 ,apart from the sacramental symbols1 the exercise of explicit ,covenanting may embody the making of vows to perform every duty1 and include every part of religious worship4 ,and as it was attended to under the ,old ,testament economy1 when neither the rite of circumcision nor some other observances of the ,levitical dispensation had been instituted1 nay1 even when that rite after its institution was not being applied1 so under the present dispensation it may be engaged in when the seals of the ,covenant are or are not dispensed4 ,the magnitude1 and variety1 and demands of the objects embraced by it1 define the times necessary for engaging in it4 ,changes in providence should lead1 and in some measure direct in observing it4 ,it is in certain occurrences in providence1 ordinary though they be1 that we are presented with the season meet for every other religious act4 ,the morning and evening1 and the times of partaking of the necessaries and comforts of life for the nourishment of the body1 especially afford opportunities for offering supplication and thanksgiving4 ,deliverances from afflictions1 and support under them when vouchsafed1 call for the acknowledgment of the great goodness and tender compassion of ,god4 ,the suffering of individual and social distress1 and the pangs of bereavement1 call for the recognition of his holy sovereignty with the deepest humility and resignation2 and not less should the changes for evil or good that take place in society1 and the obvious necessities that attach to our own spiritual condition1 and the wants of our fellow-creatures around us and over the habitable earth1 urge us to those exercises of special solemn ,covenanting with ,god1 which are peculiarly fitted to meet their demands4 ,,footnotes3 #aaf ,isa4 liv4 #i4 #aag ,heb4 vi4 #ac1 #ad4 #aah ,ps4 cv4 #i4 #aai ,ezek4 xx4 #e4 #abj ,deut4 xxxiii4 #b4 #aba ,ps4 cxxxii4 #aa4 #abb ,deut4 xxix4 #ab4 #abc ,deut4 xxvi4 #ag1 #ah4 #abd ,deut4 xxix4 #ac4 #abe ,deut4 xxix4 #ab-ae4 #abf ,is4 lvi4 #f1 #g4 #abg ,prov4 xx4 #be4 #abh ,heb4 xi4 #f4 #abi ,is4 xix4 #ba4 #acj ,jer4 xxxi4 #cc1 #cd4 #aca #b ,chron4 xv4 #ae4 #acb ,jer4 xxiv4 #g4 #acc ,josh4 xxiv4 #ae-ag4 #acd #a ,kings viii4 #ca1 #cb4 #ace ,ps4 cxix4 #ajf4 #acf ,ps4 xxiv4 #d4 #acg #a ,chron4 xii4 #ah4 #ach ,jer4 xxxiv4 #ah-bj4 #aci ,gen4 xv4 #h-ah4 #adj ,gen4 ix4 #aa4-viii4 #bj4 #ada #b ,sam4 v4 #c4 #adb #b ,kings xi4 #d4 #adc ,josh4 ix4 #f1 #g4 #add ,exod4 xxiii4 #cb4 #ade ,ezra x4 #c4 #adf #b ,chron4 vii4 #ah4 #adg ,heb4 x4 #ai-bc4 #adh ,num4 xxiii4 #adi ,job xlii4 #g-i4 #aej #b ,chron4 xxix4 #aj1 #aa4 ,see also1 v4 #bj-bd4 #aea #b ,chron4 xxx4 #h4 #aeb ,ps4 l4 #e4 #aec ,exod4 xxiv4 #e-h4 #aed ,zech4 ix4 #aa4 #aee ,heb4 xii4 #bd4 #aef ,gen4 xv4 #f4 #aeg ,is4 xlv4 #bd4 #aeh ,ps4 xxxi4 #ad4 #aei ,the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,hamilton1 late of ,strathblane1 ,on the ,assurance of ,salvation4 #b;d edition4 pp4 #abb1 #abc4 #afj ,is4 viii4 #ab1 #ac4 #afa #b ,chron4 xxix4 #ba4 #afb ,jer4 xxxi4 #i4 #afc ,jer4 l4 #d1 #e4 #afd ,acts xxi4 #bc4 #afe ,james v4 #ae4 #aff ,hos4 xiv4 #a1 #b4 #afg #b ,chron4 xv4 #ad4 #afh ,hebrew3 kupar ,is4 xxviii4 #ah4 #afi ,neh4 ix4 #ch4 #agj ,is4 xliv4 #e4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,covenanting ,a ,,duty4 ,the exercise of ,covenanting with ,god is enjoined by ,him as the ,supreme ,moral ,governor of all4 ,that his ,covenant should be acceded to1 by men in every age and condition1 is ordained as a law1 sanctioned by his high authority1--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men1 as a statute decreed by him1 and in virtue of his underived sovereignty1 promulgated by his command4 ,he hath commanded his covenant for ever4#aga ,the exercise is inculcated according to the will of ,god1 as ,king and ,lord of all4 ,being a part of his worship1 it is thus urged1--,the ,lord is a great ,god1 and a great ,king above all gods4--,o come1 let us worship and bow down3 let us kneel before the ,lord our ,maker4 ,for he is our ,god2 and we are the people of his pasture1 and the sheep of his hand4 ,to-day if ye will hear his voice4#agb ,and explicitly1 in the same connection are the various observances included in it presented in precept4 ,behold1 the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the ,lord's thy ,god1 the earth also1 with all that therein is4--,for the ,lord your ,god is ,god of gods1 and ,lord of lords1 a great ,god1 a mighty and a terrible1 which regardeth not persons1 nor taketh reward4--,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god2 him shalt thou serve1 and to him shalt thou cleave1 and swear by his name4#agc ,the observance is a debt of obedience to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 as possessed of all power in heaven and in earth4 ,he is ,king of ,zion1 the ,governor among the nations1 and ,head over all things to the church1 which is his body4 ,as all are called to honour the ,son1 even as they honour the ,father1 the service that is due to ,god1 as the righteous ,ruler of all1 is due to the ,son--holding a universal mediatorial dominion which shall not pass away4 ,the law of ,god is the law of ,christ1 and obedience to ,christ is subjection to ,god4 ,the ,lord ,jesus commands the performance as duty to himself4 ,hearken1 ,o daughter1 and consider1 and incline thine ear2 forget also thine own people1 and thy father's house2 so shall the ,king greatly desire thy beauty2 for he is thy ,lord2 and worship thou him4#agd ,in terms applicable in every age1 as their ,lord and ,master1 he said to his disciples1 ,whosoever therefore shall confess me before men1 him will ,i confess also before my ,father which is in heaven4 ,but whosoever shall deny me before men1 him will ,i also deny before my ,father which is in heaven4#age ,and he having both died and risen1 and revived1 that he might be the ,lord both of the dead and living1 claims the individual parts of the exercise as homage to his name4 ,we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of ,christ4 ,for it is written1 ,as ,i live1 saith the ,lord1 every knee shall bow to me1 and every tongue shall confess to ,god4#agf ,believers engaging in personal ,covenanting1 act as being not without law to ,god1 but under law to ,christ4 ,as the servants of ,god they thus transact with him4 ,jacob1 as well as others who have vowed to ,god without being condemned1 being represented as ,god's servant1#agg must in such acts have served him4 ,addressed individually as well as collectively in these terms1 ,yet now hear1 ,o ,jacob my servant2 and ,israel1 whom ,i have chosen1 those yield obedience1 when in their practice is fulfilled the prophecy1 itself a command1 ,one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's2 and another shall call himself by the name of ,jacob2 and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the ,lord1 and surname himself by the name of ,israel4 ,that the churches of ,macedonia ,covenanted with ,god is manifest from the words1--,this they did1 not as we hoped1 but first gave their ownselves to the ,lord1 and unto us by the will of ,god4#agh ,but in writing to the ,thessalonians--one of those churches1 an apostle describes them1 as in that1 and in consequent performances1 serving ,god4 ,they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you1 and how ye turned to ,god from idols1 to serve the living and true ,god4#agi ,nor without entertaining an enlightened apprehension that in that exercise he served ,god1 could the ,psalmist performing it say1--,o ,lord1 truly ,i am thy servant2 ,i am thy servant1 and the son of thy handmaid4#ahj ,moreover1 every believer is a good soldier of ,jesus ,christ4 ,each one of them is called by ,his authoritative command1 as well as by the effectual influences of his ,spirit4 ,he is ,lord of lords1 and ,king of kings3 and they that are with him are called1 and chosen1 and faithful4#aha ,each1 like the governors and people of ,israel1 who1 on a memorable occasion1 at ,god's command1 offered themselves willingly--each made willing in a day of his power1 resolving and vowing to follow the ,lord fully1 does obedience to the ,lord of ,hosts3 bows to the mandate1 ,incline your ear1 and come unto me3 hear1 and your soul shall live2 and ,i will make an everlasting covenant with you1 even the sure mercies of ,david3#ahb and dutifully engages by covenant and oath to serve him--given for a leader and commander to the people4 ,besides1 each one who lawfully vows to ,god1 in vowing discharges a function of a loyal subject of ,god's government4 ,in the vow ,god is invoked as ,king4 ,hearken unto the voice of my cry1 my ,king1 and my ,god3 for unto thee will ,i pray4#ahc ,as the swearing of allegiance to an earthly monarch is an act of obedience to law2--as when all the princes and the mighty men1 and all the sons1 likewise1 of ,king ,david1 submitted themselves1#ahd--or by oath promised fidelity to ,solomon1 the king1 they performed an act of subjection to his authority2 so in vowing or swearing to ,god there is paid to him a tribute of duty4 ,and1 finally1 in this service the ,lord is obeyed as ,god4 ,the titles of1 a master1 a lord1 a captain1 a king1 among men1 are valid only when held in subjection to the ,king and ,lord of all4 ,the highest supremacy that belongs to creatures is limited1 and exercised only by deputation from ,him who is over all and blessed for ever4 ,and as the claims of those in power1 because armed with ,his authority1 cannot without rebellion against him be set aside2 much more1 his1 without aggravated hostility to him1 cannot be disputed4 ,accordingly1 his power and authority--unspeakably glorious--extending immeasurably beyond the province of every creature2 his dominion and all-wise determinations1 they who invoke his dread name1 in vowing to him acknowledge and approve4 ,the refusal of his enemies to call upon him manifests their rebellion4 ,his people avouching him to be their ,god obey him4 ,it is in compliance with the mandate1--,obey my voice1 and ,i will be your ,god1 and ye shall be my people1#ahe that men take hold on his covenant1 and in commemoration of their act1 in terms recording the highest deed of appropriation1 with the ,psalmist say1 ,i trusted in thee1 ,o ,lord3 ,i said1 ,thou art my ,god4#ahf ,social ,covenanting engaged in by the ,church of ,god1 in an ,ecclesiastical capacity1 is an act of obedience to his word4 ,that community1 in its organization and laws essentially distinct from civil society1 one throughout every age1 and embracing the saints of every land1 as one body1 ,he designates1 ,my ,servant4 ,whatsoever1 therefore1 is practised by the church in her collective capacity1 however denominated1 and without rebuke1 is performed by her in this character4 ,and hence1 whether introduced as ,israel1 or ,jacob1 or ,my ,people1 or as bearing any other honourable epithet1 and vowing or swearing to the ,lord1 she appears under the aspect of a chosen society performing duty2 and each promise and prophecy delivered concerning this1 as well as each other allowable exercise1 assumes the features of a precept1 and each performance of it in truth1 the marks of a warranted service4 ,and the church1 in this1 is said to serve ,god4 ,at ,horeb1 before the mission of ,moses to ,egypt1 for the deliverance of ,israel1 the ,lord1 with regard to the solemnities of ,covenanting that were there to occur1 said to him1 ,when thou hast brought forth the people out of ,egypt1 ye shall serve ,god upon this mountain4#ahg ,commanding and exhorting to engage in solemn covenant renovation1 ,hezekiah said to ,israel1--,now be ye not stiff-necked1 as your fathers were1 but yield yourselves 7margin1 give the hand7 unto the ,lord1 and enter into his sanctuary1 which he hath sanctified for ever2 and serve the ,lord your ,god1 that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you4#ahh ,and not less1 than under a former dispensation1 is the exercise represented as an act of obedience in ,new ,testament times4 ,there is no reason for maintaining that the apostle enjoined not the exercise of social1 but merely that of personal ,covenanting1 when he thus addressed the ,church of ,god at ,rome1--,i beseech you there-fore1 brethren1 by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service4#ahi ,the exercise of ,social ,covenanting with ,god1 performed by his ,church both in an ,ecclesiastical and a ,national capacity1 is a part of his service4 ,being a religious observance1 this cannot be performed by the members of the ,church collectively1 whether united ecclesiastically or otherwise1 if not associated as the ,church of ,god4 ,but also when1 united both ecclesiastically and in a national capacity1 they address themselves to it1 they discharge an obligation incumbent upon them4 ,the ,lord ,jesus is ,king of saints4#aij ,ruled by his laws1 these1 not merely in their ecclesiastical1 but also in their civil relations1 do homage to him4 ,under two aspects in their social capacity they appear4 ,first1 in subjection to ,him as ,king of ,zion4 ,united to ,christ their spiritual ,head1 and to one another in him1 they are members of one glorious body4 ,and being members of his ,church--which he has distinguished by the ministry of reconciliation1 by his oracles1 and by special ordinances1 they are under ,him1 as its sole ,head1 and ,lawgiver1 and ,governor1 and ,king4 ,as one community1 in their faith1 their worship1 their discipline1 their government1 and communion1 they are under his authority4 ,judges1 and magistrates1 and kings1 having power in civil society1 are recognised with divine approbation4 ,but there is no human head of the ,church4 ,there are who rule therein2 but over his house1 ,he alone is ,head and ,king4 ,in civil life1 there are who sway the sceptre among men4 ,he1 the ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords1 rules over these4 ,but in his house there is none other than ,himself1 who is ,lord or ,king4 ,he is the head of the body1 the ,church3 who is the beginning1 the first-born from the dead2 that in all things 7or rather1 among all7 he might have the pre-eminence4#aia ,the apostles of our ,lord were among those who1 in the council held at ,jerusalem several years after his ascension1 acted as rulers in his ,church by enacting a law which applied to the ,christians at ,antioch and elsewhere4 ,and applicable to their conduct on such an occasion1 and to that of all others exercising authority in the ,church of ,god1 were his words addressed to them before his death1--,be ye not called ,rabbi3 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ2 and all ye are brethren4 ,and call no man your father upon the earth3 for one is your ,father1 which is in heaven4 ,neither be ye called masters3 for one is your ,master1 even ,christ4#aib ,the jurisdiction of the rulers in the ,church is distinct from that of civil rulers4 ,the powers of the former are spiritual1 and with these powers the latter have no right to interfere4 ,each class of rulers have a sphere of their own2 and only at their peril do those of the one class invade the authority of the other4 ,by men the laws of a nation may be altered without being made contradictory to one another1 or to oppose the law of ,god4 ,but the laws of the ,church were enacted by ,christ himself4 ,suited to the circumstances of the ,church has been their character in every age1 and the changes that have been produced on these were made by ,him alone4 ,it is from a special revelation of his will that the precise character of the laws by which his ,church ought to be ruled is obtained2 and those ordinances for the government of his house1 which are not revealed as ,his1 are without authority4 ,since the close of the ,canon of ,scripture1 no new light concerning the things of religion has been1 or can be1 given2 and the laws of the ,new ,testament ,church are therefore fixed beyond the influence of change4 ,there are various forms of civil government1 all of which are consistent with the immutable law of ,god2 and any one of which1 accordingly1 may warrantably be adopted according to circumstances4 ,but in the ,church of ,god1 only one form of government is of ,divine right3 every other is an invention of man1 and destitute of authority4 ,in the course of providence1 the institutions of the ,church1 like the doctrines of religion1 will receive accessions of rich illustration2 but1 like these heavenly doctrines--beyond the resolutions of men1 they are1 according to the will of ,god1 to stand4 ,next1 as members of civil society1 under ,him as ,king of nations1 they appear4 ,distinct from the organization of the ,church1 but also under ,christ1 is the constitution of civil society4 ,in order to promote communion with ,god1 were the ordinances of the former appointed4 ,in order that ,god might be obeyed by men in their mutual intercourse with one another1 the laws of the latter were decreed4 ,that ,god might be glorified immediately1 the former was constituted2 that he might be glorified mediately1 the latter was founded4 ,the erection and government of the ,church originated in ,divine grace4 ,the whole structure of civil government is derived from ,god as the moral ,governor of the universe1 but is put under ,christ as the ,mediator4 ,the laws of the ,church of ,god remain immutable1 amid the changes that overtake the various communities of men4 ,the laws of civil society may vary with the course of providence1 and yet be still consistent with the perfect standard of moral procedure4 ,the laws of the house of ,god are applicable to men of every clime4 ,like all the commandments of the decalogue--which1 indeed1 they embody1 they are binding on men in all possible circumstances and conditions2 but1 according to the state of society1 may civil enactments vary in their absolute character1 without transgressing the limits fixed by the moral law4 ,the facts occurring in providence1 enlarge not the compass of those laws that were promulgated by the ,king of ,zion to her communion1 but demand their application4 ,the laws of civil society ought never to conflict with the principles of eternal righteousness2 but with observation and discovery1 and every change else in providence1 it behoves them to keep pace4 ,in the former1 the ,lord ,jesus is recognised as the immediate lawgiver2 in the latter1 too1 he is acknowledged as supreme lawgiver1--and1 as having given to men civil power to be exercised1 not otherwise than agreeably to the revelations of his will1--which unfold the mutual obligations1 of nations and their rulers to one another1 and of both to himself4 ,not less than as members of his ,church1 are men1 as worthy members of civil society1 the servants of ,christ4 ,now1 that in vowing and swearing to ,god in both capacities they serve him1 appears from various considerations4 ,repeatedly are the people of ,israel represented in ,scripture as a nation1 and as in their national character engaging in ,covenanting4 ,both on the occasion of the solemnities at ,sinai and in the land of ,moab they are so designated4 ,that they sustained this character under the kings of ,david's line is also manifest4 ,that the whole people will1 in gospel times1 be united in such a relation the voice of prophecy would seem to indicate4#aic ,that1 in whatever civil incorporations they may stand1 they will be subject to ,messiah1 ,king of nations1 is certain4 ,under the theocracy1 they ,covenanted as a nation1 at ,horeb1 in the land of ,moab1 and at ,shechem4 ,under ,asa1 and also under ,josiah1 the people in their civil capacity with their rulers ,covenanted too4 ,as a nation1 after the return from ,babylon1 under ,nehemiah1 the whole people and their rulers also entered into covenant with ,god4 ,on all these occasions the ,church of ,god engaged to obey his law1 not only regarding things ecclesiastical1 but also things civil4 ,under the theocracy1 ,israel1 in things civil and religious were called to obey ,god as their king4 ,under the kings of ,judah1 they were no less called in all relations to acknowledge ,god as their ,lord4 ,after their restoration1 they will acknowledge ,messiah at ,god's right hand as in all things their sovereign ,lord4 ,my servant ,david shall be their prince for ever4#aid ,and the ,gentile nations1 in due time1 will all do homage to ,him as the ,prince of the kings of the earth4 ,now1 it has been shown before1 that in ,covenanting at ,horeb ,israel served ,god4 ,if1 then1 they served him there in that exercise1 they must have served him when again they engaged in it under the patriarch who led them1 and also when they performed it under ,joshua his successor4 ,and as on such occasions1 as a church and nation recognising ,god as their king1 they obeyed him1 so1 not ceasing to recognise ,him as in all relations their ,lord and ,master1 the house of ,jacob1 under kings ruling in ,his fear1 or judges acting according to his commandment1 whether before or after a first or succeeding restoration2 and the ,gentile nations in gospel times1 in vowing and swearing to ,him in their ecclesiastical and national characters2 must be viewed as willing servants obeying his commands4 ,covenanting is commanded in the ,moral ,law4 ,in the ten commandments1 containing a summary of that law1 and in other passages that variously unfold its import1 the exercise is presented as a duty4 ,it is enjoined in the first three precepts of the decalogue4 ,the manner of injunction is prohibitory of contrary practices2 and accordingly intimates1 with great force1 that the duty is to be so steadfastly performed that departure from it1 even in one instance1 is not to be attempted4 ,the first precept--forbidding all respect to other gods before ,god1 implies1 that ,he1 before whom all things are manifest1 claims not merely the misdirected homage paid to his creatures1 but all the devout obedience of men2 and that1 demanding that adoring thoughts be entertained of ,him alone1 ,he commands that ,he be accepted and served as the only true ,god4 ,to prefer ,god to others is not merely to cast them and their services off1 but to acknowledge and reverence ,him as the object of supreme regard4 ,man cannot be without some thoughts of a divinity4 ,even among those who would seem to have fallen most from the knowledge of ,god1 something about their own characters or circumstances virtually usurps ,his place4 ,the law of the ten commandments1 written at first on the heart of man1 and afterwards proclaimed by the voice of ,god1 contemplated and anticipated every departure from the service due to ,him that should occur throughout all time4 ,originating in the perfect nature of ,god1 it is perfect4 ,it reproves the rebellion of those who would worship the creature instead of the ,creator1 and is directed alike against the polytheist and him who1 worshipping himself1 says1--no ,god4 ,the first commandment condemns the idolater1 of whatever class2 includes that1 instead of ,covenanting with the gods of the heathen1 as many in early times did1 men1 in every age1 should make that acknowledgment of himself which entering into covenant with him essentially implies2 and is obeyed when1 like ,joshua and all ,israel ,covenanting at ,shechem1 they choose the ,lord to serve him4#aie ,in the second commandment is implied an injunction to serve ,god4 ,the fact that vowing and swearing to ,god are a part of his service is manifest1 as we have seen from sundry passages of ,scripture4 ,consistent1 therefore1 with the commands implied in these portions of the ,sacred ,volume1 but distinct from them1 is the injunction embodied in this precept1 that men enter into covenant with him2 and the performance of every part of that service1 as exhibited throughout the whole of ,divine revelation1 according to circumstances1 it enjoins4 ,the third commandment--forbidding the irreverent use of ,god's name1 and threatening those who take it in vain1 authoritatively inculcates the holy use of it in ,covenanting4 ,there is no passage of ,scripture in which it is said or implied1 that to vow or swear1 in every case is to take ,god's name in vain4 ,the saints1 in calling upon his name1 have vowed and sworn to him4 ,in commands to call upon his name1 swearing by him is not forbidden4 ,the oath and vow1 therefore1 in calling upon him1 may be made lawfully2 the abuse of them only in this precept is condemned1 and the use of them receives the highest sanction from this4 ,it is enjoined in statutes of perpetual moral obligation1 that illustrate the ten precepts of the law4 ,these statutes are1 ,commands to glorify ,god4 ,god is glorified when the perfections of his nature1 and his execution of his purposes in the works of creation and providence1 are celebrated4 ,the ,scriptures contain the most abundant and full representations of the excellence of his character and administration1 and the confession of which1 in an adoring frame of mind1 is glorifying to him4 ,obeying the precept1 give unto the ,lord the glory due unto his name1 worship the ,lord in the beauty of holiness1 his saints have this said of them1--,in his temple doth every one speak of his glory4 ,if every spiritual act of worship is glorifying to ,god1 then all of them are glorifying to him also2 and ,covenanting with him1 including them all1 is not less glorifying to his name2 and if the exercises of vowing and swearing to him are glorifying1 certainly when he commands that his name be glorified1 these are not excluded4 ,does the ,lord claim the subjection of every capacity of man8 ,does he command1--,whether ye eat or drink1 or whatsoever ye do1 do all to the glory of ,god8#aif ,does he say to his people1 as well as to his ,anointed1 ,thou art my servant1 ,o ,israel1 in whom ,i will be glorified8 ,has he appointed that the heavens should declare his glory2 and that the earth should be filled with the knowledge thereof8 ,and when he commands that his most gifted creatures on earth1--whom he has formed for the purpose of displaying most widely that glory1 do proclaim it1 does he not call upon them to do so in those exercises of avouching him to be their ,god1 and pledging themselves to his service1 in which all their spiritual capacities are most devoutly engaged1 and all the institutions of his grace by being used are most honoured8 ,the people of ,god accordingly interpret in this manner these commands4 ,was it said1--,ye that fear the ,lord1 praise him3 all ye the seed of ,jacob1 glorify him2 and fear him1 all ye the seed of ,israel8 ,in obedience to the requirement which the ,psalmist as an instrument was employed to declare in these terms1 did he make the vow1--,my praise shall be of thee in the great congregation3 ,i will pay my vows before them that fear him4#aig ,commands to worship ,god4 ,religious homage was paid with the bowing of the head1 the inclining of the body1 or the bending of the knee4 ,the term 7,hebrew3 shachoh71 employed to designate the act of one offering worship1 means literally1 to bow himself down4 ,the position was a token of the intentness of the mind2 and those terms that pointed that out1 came accordingly to have a spiritual application4 ,when therefore it is said1--,unto me every knee shall bow1 every tongue shall swear1 we are taught that the act of swearing to ,god should be performed1 not always in kneeling1 but in that religious frame of mind which is indicated by the bowing of the knee1 but which1 in some circumstances1 was also denoted by the worshipper bowing the head1 or falling down in deep prostration4 ,and as the act of bowing before the ,lord sometimes accompanied and indicated the exercise of swearing by his name2 so when attention to his worship is urged by his authority1 no part of religious duty is uninculcated1 but1 like every service thereof in its due season1 that of ,covenanting with him in times suited to its performance1 is enjoined4 ,commands enjoining faith4 ,in every variety of circumstances is the duty of believing on ,god incumbent4 ,without faith it is impossible to please him4 ,in every general command to exercise that grace1 we are warranted to read an injunction laid upon us--in every part of obedience to act under its influence4 ,vowing and swearing to ,god cannot be properly performed without faith2 and when faith is commanded without special reference to some duties1 it is inculcated with respect to all1 and therefore regarding ,covenanting4 ,how would the believer be straitened were he uncertain of the circumstances in which a command to look unto ,god with confidence should be obeyed6 ,and how comforting to his heart is the sound conclusion of his understanding1 that every encouragement to cherish confidence as well as hope in ,god1 and love to him1 when circumstances are not named1 is available to him in situations of every character6 ,his soul1 therefore1 can1 to the extent of its happy experience of advantage from cherishing such a conviction1 answer1 to the glory of ,god1 his appeal1--,have ,i been a wilderness unto ,israel8 a land of darkness8#aih ,commands forbidding federal transactions with what is evil4 ,the ,israelites were forbidden to enter into treaty with the ,canaanites or their gods4 ,thou shalt make no ,covenant with them1 nor with their gods4 ,and the reason was1 that1 had they done so1 they would have fallen from the service of ,god as a people who regarded not his ,covenant4 ,they shall not dwell in thy land1 lest they make thee sin against me3 for if thou serve their gods1 it will surely be a snare1 unto thee4#aii ,joshua and the princes of ,israel did not violate the statutes that were of this description1 when they made a league with the ,gibeonites4 ,to whatever extent the ,israelites may have sinned by believing the false reports that were made to them1 and acting precipitately in the whole matter1 and however culpable might have been the conduct of these ,hivites in making an imposing misrepresentation of their case1 the compact entered into was valid3--the ,lord himself1 long afterwards1 punished for the violation of it4 ,the ,covenant that was made did not provide for1 nor countenance the worship of the gods of ,canaan1 but brought the supplicating people into a state of subjection to the nation of ,israel that was inconsistent with the maintenance of idolatry1 yea1 which appears to have resulted in their employment1 under the name of ,nethinims1 though in a subordinate capacity1 about the sanctuary and the temple4 ,these had misapprehended the nature of the statute forbidding alliance with the heathen1 by supposing that it forbade a compact even on terms of submission to the ordinances of ,god4 ,their punishment was1 that they should stand in a state of great subjection2 through the mercy of ,god1 however1 it would appear to have terminated in good4 ,but again1 at a later period of their history1 the people of ,israel were thus warned1 ,say ye not1 ,a confederacy1 to all them to whom this people shall say1 ,a confederacy2 neither fear ye their fear1 nor be afraid4 ,and to show that disobedience to this command would have led away from the exercise of avouching the ,lord himself as a ,covenant ,god1 it is added1 ,sanctify the ,lord of hosts himself2 and let him be your fear1 and let him be your dread4 ,the spirit of these commands has descended to ,new ,testament times4 ,be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers3 for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness8 and what communion hath light with darkness8 ,and what concord hath ,christ with ,belial8 or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel8 ,and what agreement hath the temple of ,god with idols8 ,the reason why the sacred writer here dissuades from associations with the heathen1 is evidently1 that their worship was idolatrous1 and calculated to lead from obedience to ,god4 ,and treaties1 of whatever kind with the enemies of ,god1 that are condemned1 are to be shunned as a snare to the soul4 ,wherever they are forbidden1 there is implied an exhibition of the duty of adhering to ,his service2 and even independently of abundant evidence otherwise1 that they include express mandates to observe the exercise of vowing and swearing to ,him1 is substantiated in the beautiful language of the ,apostle used in confirmation of his declaration on this subject4--,for ye are the temple of the living ,god2 as ,god hath said1 ,i will dwell in them1 and walk in them2 and ,i will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,wherefore1 come out from among them1 and be ye separate1 saith the ,lord1 and touch not the unclean thing2 and ,i will receive you1 and will be a ,father unto you1 and ye shall be my sons and daughters1 saith the ,lord ,almighty4#bjj ,commands1 enjoining the vowing of the vow4 ,there is only one passage in ,scripture in which the vow is commanded in the most explicit form2 but along with others1 in which precepts1 inculcating the exercise1 are implied1 that one is sufficient as a rule to guide our practice4 ,that passage1--,vow1 and pray unto the ,lord your ,god1 which commanded obedience under a former dispensation1 no less commands it now4 ,as there is no evidence in ,scripture that the injunction has been abrogated1 those who would proceed1 as if it were1 would act an unwise part4 ,though the things vowed1 in some cases1 under the present economy1 may differ from those vowed under the preceding1 no such change has been produced on the circumstances of men by the transition from the one to the other1 as could render the vow itself unnecessary or unlawful4 ,changes1 in the matter of the vow1 even in the first ages1 were continually being produced in the course of ,divine providence2 yet the performance of it continued to be obligatory4 ,the changes that have occurred in the circumstances of the ,church of ,god1 by the abolition of the ,levitical typical institutes1 have been no more effective than the other1 in changing or taking away its obligation2 nor will all the vicissitudes that can occur in the ,church's condition1 till the consummation of all things4 ,the principles on which the vow is made1 are immutable2 and while the ,church is on earth1 it will continue to be obligatory4 ,as well might it be said that prayer and praise1 and meditation on ,god's word1 which were obligatory in the earlier times1 are not duties incumbent now1 as that the vow should not be made2 or that any service essentially spiritual1 necessary for the perfection of the saints1 in a former period1 is not requisite in this2 or that a dispensation1 confessedly not less spiritual1 but as1 in regard to the want of many types and symbols1 and to the more abundant effusion of the ,spirit1 more spiritual than any that had gone before1 should not be favoured with the use of so many spiritual means of grace1 as were vouchsafed under these4 ,the two passages of ,scripture that represent the exercise of vowing1 as not obligatory in certain cases1 may be explained in perfect consistency with the general command enjoining it4 ,these do not imply that the neglect of the vow may be in general allowable2 nor do they teach1 that it may be vowed1 solely1 or at all1 according to caprice4 ,they manifestly admit that vowing is lawful in certain cases1 and is therefore enjoined1 but show1 that given circumstances may be unfavourable to some species of the exercise4 ,even as the other religious observances are not obligatory at every season1 vowing should not be engaged in to the exclusion of any incumbent duty4 ,circumstances might occur1 in which there would be no warrant from ,scripture or providence for making a given vow4 ,if it be impossible to make performance1 the engagement is not required2 and hence1 if made1 it would not be valid1 but involve the party to it in sin4 ,the first of the passages referred to1 is the following--,if thou shalt forbear to vow1 it shall be no sin in thee4#bja ,the statement does not give scope to a disregard of the vow1 but implies that the law of ,god does not enforce it where it would prove oppressive1 or otherwise injurious4 ,it does not in the smallest abate the claim of the law enjoining an engagement by vow to perform every definite duty2 but teaches that it is not sinful to abstain from vowing in some circumstances vows that ought to be vowed in others4 ,some duties are so definite and so constantly obligatory that they ought to be vowed by all2 others1 obligatory only on some in certain circumstances1 ought by such1 in these circumstances alone1 to be engaged to4 ,thus1 in all times and conditions1 it is dutiful for all to vow to keep the sabbath4 ,it is dutiful for some to give themselves to the work of the ministry1 and to vow to do its duties2 but not dutiful for all4 ,it is dutiful for the parties entering into the marriage covenant to vow to fulfil the obligations of that relation2 but it is not incumbent on those who are not called in providence to enter into that relation1 to vow to perform its duties4 ,under the law1 some things were1 by ,his express appointment1 holy to the ,lord4 ,as he had an explicit claim upon them1 these might not be devoted to him in the same manner as some other things were1 but they behoved to be offered4 ,those other things depended on the peculiar circumstances of the people1 and accordingly were of a changing amount1 and had a great variety of character2 but not less than the things that might be vowed according to circumstances1 were those that were denominated1 holy to the ,lord1 vowed to him4 ,israel1 at ,sinai1 vowed to present the first-born of their males and their first-fruits to the ,lord2 and that vow they homologated when they ,covenanted again4 ,on such occasions they could not vow specific offerings to the ,lord2 but their engagements then made implied in general that they would vow to the ,lord thereafter according to the showings of his providence4 ,at other times the specialities of providence called for the explicit vows1 which could not have been made when their circumstances were not anticipated4 ,the vows of the people1 on occasions of public solemn ,covenanting1 and also in secret1 implied obligations to perform the duties of the various relations into which they might enter2 but they did not embody an explicit engagement to perform the special duties of many of these4 ,these public vows included1 for example1 that such of the people as should be called to the priest's office1 should enter into the covenant of the priesthood1 and keep it1 and that such of them as had in providence a call to become a ,nazarite1 should take the requisite vow at the proper season1 and thereafter perform it4 ,but on the former occasions referred to1 it was not incumbent to swear the oaths that were probably requisite on an entrance to the priest's office2 nor was it required1 nor even possible1 thus to take the vow of the ,nazarite4 ,the priesthood were devoted to the ,lord1 and when the time appointed came1 such of them as were qualified for their office entered upon it4 ,the ,nazarites1 also1 were devoted to the ,lord1 but according to a different arrangement4 ,the priest had no alternative but to enter upon his office4 ,the individual who was more qualified for becoming a ,nazarite than to act in any other sphere1 was no less called to enter upon his functions1 than the sons of ,aaron were to enter on theirs4 ,the call addressed to the former was so explicit1 as to be easily apprehensible by all2 that tendered to the latter1 was not less solemn nor emphatic1 nor obligatory1 though presented through a providence which was not so very capable of being interpreted as that which gave transmission to the claims laid upon the other4 ,it is only when the making of the vow would be at variance with the requirements of duty1 that forbearing to vow would be no sin4 ,all are called to vow to abstain from all sin1 and to perform all duty2 but as providence makes varied provision for men in different circumstances1 so in regard both to the absolute amount of service to ,god1 and to the nature and the time of it1 there ought necessarily to be a variety in the making of the vow4 ,the second passage is1 ,better is it that thou shouldest not vow1 than that thou shouldest vow and not pay4#bjb ,the declaration does not bear1 that if one were not inclined to pay1 it would not be sinful to omit vowing2 but means that it is sinful to make a vow falsely1 and omit the performance of what should have been sincerely vowed4 ,it is the paying of the vow--the performance of some duty1 that the language is employed to inculcate4 ,when the heart of any one is opposed to duty1 he cannot vow sincerely4 ,that he is not disposed to vow when the duty presents itself is his sin4 ,and to vow falsely--else than which he could not do in his circumstances1 would also be sin in him4 ,he is1 therefore1 called upon1 not to do a sinful act1 but1 in the use of means1 to endeavour to obtain a disposition to vow with cordiality1 and then to perform the duty4 ,it is better for him to supplicate ,god to change his heart1 than to insult him by promising to do what he is unwilling to perform4 ,it is better for him not to attempt to change his own heart--for that he cannot do--but to pray to ,god to carry on a good work within him1 and along with that1 to yield himself to ,him4 ,duties should be performed in a certain order2 and those who transgress the arrangement for these laid down in the ,scriptures1 act culpably1 as well as those who do not perform them at all4 ,the statement refers to the order in which the duties1 among which stands the exercise of vowing1 should be performed4 ,the observance is incumbent on an individual in a certain condition2 but his heart is against it4 ,two duties at least are1 therefore1 obligatory on him then2--to seek a disposition willingly to vow1 and then to make the vow4 ,he would sin were he to do the latter without the former1 or before it4 ,both are obligatory at the same instant of time1 and both might possibly be performed in one moment4 ,but the order of first acquiescing in the call to vow and then vowing1 must be observed1 and cannot be inverted without transgression4 ,commands inculcating the swearing of the oath4 ,these are of two classes4 ,first1 those which in general terms explicitly enjoin it4--,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him1 and shalt swear by his name4#bjc ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god2 him shalt thou serve1 and to him shalt thou cleave1 and swear by his name4#bjd ,and next1 that which1 in addition1 thus enjoins the manner of swearing4--,thou shalt swear1 ,the ,lord liveth in truth1 in judgment1 and in righteousness4#bje ,since the oath is never disconnected from a covenant with ,god1 therefore1 when it is enjoined1 the duty of ,covenanting with him in a formal manner1 is enjoined4 ,every command that sanctions it1 sanctions every exercise of ,covenanting in which it is used4 ,when the oath is commanded1 ,covenanting with ,god concerning things civil is commanded4 ,when the oath is commanded1 ,covenanting with ,god concerning things religious is inculcated by his authority4 ,yea1 the exercise concerning things both civil and religious1 in such a case1 is enjoined4 ,lawful oaths between nations1 or between a people and their sovereign1 bind all parties1 not merely to one another1 but also in solemn engagement to the ,most ,high4 ,oaths taken in courts of judicature1 civil or religious1 and the marriage oath1 bind the parties in like manner4 ,the vows made on entering into church fellowship1 which include an oath1 and the explicit oaths which1 in different ages of the ,church1 have been sworn in such a case1 as well as the vows or oaths made by a minister at his ordination1 or by a parent receiving baptism for his child1 or by believers at the ,lord's table1 do1 in each case1 confirm a covenant with ,god4 ,and oaths are sworn1 ratifying covenants with ,god1 made either in secret1 or in a public1 social manner4 ,when the oath is enjoined1 ,covenanting is enjoined1--not merely concerning some duties1 but in reference to all1--concerning not merely things civil1 but also things religious1--concerning not merely the less1 but also the greater1--regarding not only apart1 but the whole1--regarding not merely some things important1 but all that is so1--yea1 in reference to every possible case1 the exercise is enjoined4 ,the duty of swearing the oath has not been abrogated1 and therefore that of ,covenanting is of perpetual obligation4 ,with comparatively few exceptions1 it is generally admitted that the use of the oath is lawful in things civil2 and on the grounds on which this rests1 it must be concluded that swearing is obligatory in those also that are religious4 ,the ,lord himself1 in an extraordinary manner1 called ,abraham once and again1 formally to enter into ,covenant with him1 and accordingly to swear2 but after the resurrection--the dawn of the present dispensation--the ,redeemer addressed ,peter in terms warranting him to reply in the use of the oath--,lord1 thou knowest all things2 thou knowest that ,i love thee4#bjf ,in ,his instructions1 ,he did not condemn the use of the oath on every occasion4 ,he said1 ,i say unto you1 ,swear not at all3 neither by heaven2 for it is ,god's throne3 nor by the earth2 for it is his footstool3 neither by ,jerusalem2 for it is the city of the great ,king4 ,neither shalt thou swear by thy head1 because thou canst not make one hair white or black4 ,but let your communication be1 ,yea1 yea2 ,nay1 nay3 for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil4#bjg ,but in these words he does not forbid every use of the oath4 ,the passage1 along with another#bjh of kindred import1 must not be considered as condemnatory of swearing by the name of ,god in some cases2 for that holy name is not mentioned among those things that may not be used in swearing2 but may be viewed as reproving the practice of swearing irreligiously in common conversation1 as well as the idolatry of swearing by the creature in any case1 with or without the intention of thereby appealing to ,god4 ,the oath1 therefore1 coeval with other institutes of religious worship1 with them1 through every age1 shall continue to be observed4 ,it stands enjoined among those precepts that are inculcated for every dispensation4 ,till the consummation of all things1 the law enjoining it will not be fulfilled2 nor before that period will it pass away2 and with it the exercise of ,covenanting will endure4 ,in every age there will be found those who1 entering into explicit engagements with the ,lord by oath1 will obey his words1--,let him take hold of my strength1#bji that he may make peace with me2 and he shall make peace with me4#baj ,finally1 ,commands enjoining the exercise in all its parts4 ,that such have been promulgated1 there is distinct evidence4 ,he hath commanded his ,covenant for ever4 ,that ,he delivered statutes1 enjoining the keeping of his ,covenant1 these words imply4 ,one of the duties of this ,covenant was ,covenanting4 ,incline your ear1 and come unto me3 hear1 and your soul shall live2 and ,i will make an everlasting ,covenant with you1 even the sure mercies of ,david4 ,they indicate1 therefore1 that this was enjoined4 ,and of these statutes1 like the foregoing1 this other is explicit1 ,be ye mindful always of his ,covenant1 the word which he commanded to a thousand generations4#baa ,the exercise is inculcated in threatenings of ,divine judgment uttered against such as disregard it4 ,in language peculiarly strong1 it is said1 ,the uncircumcised man-child1 whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised1 that soul shall be cut off from his people2 he hath broken my covenant4 ,and if it was culpable and dangerous to refuse a sign of the ,covenant1 is it not peculiarly so to refuse to accede to it in actually taking hold upon it8 ,hence1 neglect of the duty has been denounced4 ,the ,lord said unto me1 ,a conspiracy is found among the men of ,judah1 and among the inhabitants of ,jerusalem4 ,they are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers1 which refused to hear my words2 and they went after other gods to serve them3 the house of ,israel and the house of ,judah have broken my covenant1 which ,i made with their fathers4 ,therefore thus saith the ,lord1 ,behold1 ,i will bring evil upon them1 which they shall not be able to escape2 and though they shall cry unto me1 ,i will not hearken unto them4#bab ,among the observances engaged to by ,israel at ,sinai1 were those of vowing and swearing4 ,but for disobeying the words of that ,covenant1 and consequently1 for not observing the exercise of ,covenanting1 many were threatened with a curse4 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 ,cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant1 which ,i commanded your fathers in the day that ,i brought them forth out of the land of ,egypt1 from the iron furnace1 saying1 ,obey my voice1 and do them1 according to all which ,i command you3 so shall ye be my people1 and ,i will be your ,god4#bac ,to show that the sin of refusing to engage in this exercise is corresponding to that of breaking the ,covenant of ,god1 and consistent with it1 those who have broken their vows1 and those who have not in vowing sought the ,lord1 are classed and threatened together4 ,i will also stretch out mine hand upon ,judah1 and upon all the inhabitants of ,jerusalem2 and ,i will cut off 444 them that are turned back from the ,lord2 and those that have not sought the ,lord1 nor enquired for him4#bad ,the sin of refusing to ,covenant1 when found in the visible ,church1 is the breach of an anterior ,covenant obligation to engage in the service1 and is punishable as a breach of ,covenant4 ,and finally1 what a powerful motive to perform the duty is afforded in the ,saviour's denunciation1--,he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of ,god6 ,and1 it is also commanded in those denunciations that are uttered against such as do not perform it aright4 ,were it not lawful declarations concerning the manner of doing it would not be made4 ,in the ,scriptures there is no such thing as the condemnation of insincerity in making an evil engagement2 but every such compact is forbidden4 ,when1 therefore1 as in many passages1 swearing falsely is denounced with a heavy curse1 swearing properly is virtually enjoined1 and consequently1 there is in like manner enjoined1 every species of ,covenanting in which the oath is applicable4 ,personal ,covenanting is commanded4 ,every individual1 willing or unwilling1 is a moral subject of the ,mediator4 ,on every one1 therefore1 as an individual1 obedience to his law is obligatory4 ,to every one ,he says1 ,thou shalt worship the ,lord thy ,god1 and him only shalt thou serve4 ,these words were indeed addressed at first to the ,israelites2 and they imply the existence of a ,covenant relation between ,god and them4 ,but they address a command to engage in ,covenanting to all to whom they are known4 ,on the same principle1 that the application of them would be confined to the people of ,god1 might every precept of the moral law be reckoned obligatory on believers alone4 ,but even as the epistles of the inspired servants of ,christ1 though addressed to saints1 commanded the attention of all who were in the churches that received them1 and invited the regard of them as under an obligation to sustain in reality the character which they professed1 so those precepts which were addressed to the ,church of ,god in every age1 not merely commanded obedience to the duties inculcated in them1 but enjoined all to endeavour to attain to the character of the ,covenant people to whom they were first delivered4 ,the saints of ,god alone can render acceptable obedience2 but all are commanded to obey4 ,commands enjoining ,covenanting must be obligatory on men1 in an individual1 or in a social capacity1 or in both4 ,but they cannot be obeyed by men in an incorporate condition1 without being obeyed by each member as an individual4 ,the whole engage1 only by each giving consent4 ,if the whole society were reduced to one1 the moral duties engaged to by the whole1 ought1 according to his circumstances1 to be engaged to by that one alone4 ,and as the duties frequently incumbent on a given person could not be explicitly engaged to by a society1 so he himself is called to ,covenant to discharge these duties2 and each precept1 enjoining the service in general1 may be considered as addressing each one as an individual4 ,social ,covenanting is commanded4 ,the exercise is acknowledged in the ,scriptures as a fact1 and stands there uncondemned4 ,and seeing that the law of ,god ought to be viewed as extending its authority to every exercise that may be performed1 those commands that inculcate the service in general1 should be interpreted as enjoining the performance of this4 ,besides1 though each of these commands is delivered to all individually1 yet many of them are addressed to men in an incorporate relation1 and cannot be understood as enjoining duty merely upon them singly4 ,again1 social duties1 not less than duties of a personal character1 are sanctioned in the ,divine law1 and no reason can be given for vowing to perform those of the latter class1 that does not countenance the exercise of socially ,covenanting to discharge those of the other4 ,and1 finally1 this view is beautifully illustrated by the designation of the people of ,god as his witnesses1 ,ye are my witnesses1 saith the ,lord1 and my servant whom ,i have chosen4#bae ,their witnessing for him is a part of his service1 and is therefore commanded4 ,the witness testifies not unfrequently by the oath2 and a testimony in its most general acceptation must be considered as accompanied by the use of it4 ,the people of ,god testify for him in the use of the oath4 ,it is not singly alone1 but also in their social capacity1 that they do so2 nor is it merely in secret1 but likewise before the eyes of the world4 ,even as the witness swears to the truth of his deposition2 even as various witnesses by oath testify to the same facts observed by them2 the people of ,god1 by ,covenanting1 harmoniously testify to ,his precious truth in swearing by his name4 ,to this they are called by his high authority2 their oath sworn in their social capacity is prescribed by his command4 ,but particularly1 ,covenanting1 in an ,ecclesiastical capacity1 is commanded4 ,the visible ,church of ,christ is a moral subject4 ,the ,redeemer gives it existence1 organises1 incorporates1 and purchases it1--confers upon it interesting properties--accomplishes important ends by it--institutes its ordinances--prescribes the qualification of its members--appoints1 qualifies1 and invests its office-bearers--renders its administration effectual1 and diffuses and perpetuates it4#baf ,individual churches1 sound in the faith1 having a lawful and regular ministry1 and enjoying the ordinances of grace properly dispensed1 being ,sections of the true ,church1 are each accordingly subject to the ,mediator2 and the precepts prescribed to the whole1 they receive as addressed to themselves4 ,all the laws that enjoin the exercise of ,covenanting1 were delivered to the ,church4 ,her members1 in an individual capacity1 are bound by all these4 ,these laws demand1 too1 the obedience of the whole ,church in her associate capacity1 and consequently that of each of her ,sections4 ,possessing a constitution essentially distinct from that of every other community1 she is under peculiar obligations2 and because of her subjection1 and of the delivery of ,divine statutes to her1 in her proper character she is called to vow and swear to fulfil these4 ,there is no ,section of the ,church but ought to attempt the service4 ,if ,sections of the true ,church simultaneously exist in the same land1 and accordingly be in one class of circumstances1 each of these ought to renounce its dross and tin1 and endeavouring to the utmost to maintain the ,lord's testimony1 unite with the others1 in one enlarged ,section of the ,church1 in displaying a banner for the whole truth1 and confirm their union by entering into solemn ,covenant engagement with the ,lord4 ,while these ,sections1 however1 separately exist1 not one of them1 if consistent with its own profession1 can say that the others have separately a right to engage in ,covenanting1 or in any other exercise1 according to those views of any of these others which are a ground of difference between it and them1 but are warranted in affirming that it is their duty to engage in the exercise in that way which1 as to its manner1 and by the nature and extent of its engagements1 is right4 ,what would justify each of such ,sections of the ,church in approving of every ,covenant engagement of all the others1 would not merely warrant but demand1 a union in one ecclesiastical body among all of them1 and their vows as one society dedicated to the ,lord4 ,and this might be extended even overall the earth4 ,though the circumstances of a ,section of the ,church in one land1 might not precisely correspond with those of ,sections of it elsewhere2 though1 for example1 a testimony might have to be borne1 principally against paganism in one case1 against mohammedanism in another1 against popery in a third1 and so on2 yet as all ought1 generally1 to testify against all error1 and to maintain all truth1 all might be united in one ecclesiastical connection4 ,were the churches to see eye to eye1 there might be adopted1 by solemn oath1 a testimony so universal in the exhibition of truth1 and condemnation of error1 as would suit the exigencies of the ,church in every land2 and these1 submitting to one form of government1 holding the same doctrine1 abiding by the same worship and discipline1 and carrying their final appeals to one general council1 instead of being reckoned merely sister churches1 would appear as one church1 by solemn ,covenant explicitly devoted to the ,lord1 and jointly witnessing for ,him4 ,and wherever such a federal union would take place in some lands1 what encouragement would be afforded that it would be extended to all6 ,and how would the general confederation testify to a glorious work of reformation6 ,and how might the whole visible society1 though imperfect still1 be expected to proceed from strength to strength6 ,societies1--such as ,socinian and ,popish1 that hold not the truth1 ought not to be reckoned as a part of the ,church of ,god4 ,any change for good among such would be to their dissolution and reconstruction on principles which they do not now hold4 ,they cannot be reformed1 but are to be destroyed4 ,were the members of them to receive the truth1 and jointly to cleave to it1 these societies would thereby perish4 ,having become corrupt1 they are under the curse entailed on those who break ,god's covenant1 and not one privilege of the true ,church do they enjoy4 ,it is the duty of all connected with them to mourn for the sin of their breach of ,god's covenant1 to give up all connection with these1 to join themselves to the ,church of ,christ1 and thereafter to act under impressions of solemn ,covenant engagement to be for the ,lord1 and for none other4 ,covenanting in a ,national capacity is commanded4 ,nations are moral subjects4 ,the ,mediator is1 the ,governor among the nations1 higher than the kings of the earth1 ,king of nations1 ,prince of the kings of the earth1 ,king of kings1 and ,lord of lords4 ,he gives nations their origin4 ,civil government is an ordinance of ,god1 as well as an ordinance of man4 ,by me kings reign and princes decree justice3 by me princes rule1 and nobles1 even all the judges of the earth4 ,the ,providence of ,god that relates to nations is directed by the ,mediator4 ,he counteracts their disobedience1 and causes it to be overruled for good4 ,he punishes them for sin4 ,he has made known his law for the direction of men as individuals2 and as the rule of the conduct of subjects1 of rulers in their official capacity1 and of nations in their public collective capacity4#bag ,in the laws that enjoin the duty of ,covenanting they are not excluded4 ,in their public character they owe to ,god obedience1 which cannot be rendered in any other4 ,and in these laws they are called to pledge themselves to that obedience by entering into ,covenant with ,him4 ,be wise now1 therefore1 ,o ye kings2 be instructed1 ye judges of the earth4 ,serve the ,lord with fear1 and rejoice with trembling4 ,kiss the ,son1 lest he be angry1 and ye perish from the way1 when his wrath is kindled but a little4 ,blessed are all they that put their trust in him4 ,it has been shown that ,covenanting is described as a part of the service of ,god4 ,in the words1 serve the ,lord1 it is therefore enjoined4 ,to kiss a sovereign is to acknowledge his dominion1 and submit to his authority4 ,this is done in ,covenanting4 ,the command1 ,kiss ye the ,son1 therefore enjoins the service4 ,in the passage1 kings and judges of the earth are commanded to do this2 and none without making an arbitrary assumption can say that they are not thus enjoined in their official capacity4 ,nor are the people under their authority1 here unaddressed4 ,that they are specially intended1 too1 appears from the promise1--,blessed are all they that put their trust in him2 and moreover1 from the language that precedes the passage4--,ask of me1 and ,i shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance1 and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession4#bah ,the threatenings appended1 show the danger of refusing4 ,but the same is taught besides in another passage4 ,let the people praise thee1 ,o ,god2 let all the people praise thee4 ,o let the nations be glad1 and sing for joy2 for thou shalt judge the people righteously1 and govern the nations upon earth4#bai ,the sacred original corresponding to the first part of this portion of ,scripture is not wrong rendered here1 but it might have been otherwise rendered4 ,the verb 7in ,hiphil1 ,hebrew3 yodeh7 under the modification here employed1 meaning literally1 to declare with the outstretched hand1 imports1 in its most general acceptation1 to confess4 ,it is so rendered in the passage1 ,when thy people ,israel be smitten down before the enemy1 because they have sinned against thee1 and shall turn again to thee1 and confess thy name1 and pray1 and make supplication to thee in this house3 then hear thou in heaven4#bbj ,to praise1 is included in the expression1 to confess4 ,but more is included in the latter besides4 ,to have translated the passage from the ,psalms in this manner1 would have been more in accordance with the extensive signification of the verb1 and in order to unfold the full scope of the text had been requisite4 ,the verse ought therefore to run1--,let the people confess thee1 ,o ,god1 let all the people confess thee4 ,and hence is enjoined1 in the whole passage1 on the people of ,israel1 and on all nations on the earth1 the exercises of confessing sin1 and praising ,god1 and the duty of entering into ,covenant with him with the hand extended in swearing by his name4 ,and that the exercise of ,covenanting is specially intended there1 moreover appears from the end to be accomplished by the shining of ,god's face upon his people1 one of the means of attaining to which is that special method of confessing his name4 ,god be merciful unto us1 and bless us2 and cause his face to shine upon us4 ,selah4 ,that thy way may be known upon earth1 thy saving health among all nations4#bba ,thus it is manifest1 that nations in their organised capacity are called to engage in this service4 ,rulers1 both in church and state1 in their official capacity are bound to do so4 ,the people themselves collectively are called to this2 and laws1 civil and ecclesiastical1 sanctioning the exercise should be made1 so that the contravention of the ends of the ,covenant entered into should be condemned1 and that those who would be hostile to the design of it1 should be kept from places of power and trust1 both in church and state4 ,the enactment of such laws1 and the carrying of them into effect1 would not be persecution4 ,rulers should not compel any man to take the ,covenant2 but they should punish the man who would obstruct its fulfilment1 as they would punish the transgressor of any civil statute4 ,being entered into by the whole nation1 the ,covenant would be eventually national3 and even1 as the whole nation consider every man bound by the laws of the nation1 so they ought to consider every one1 whether willing or unwilling1 as bound by the ,covenant4 ,were the matter of the ,covenant against the law of ,god1 it would not be obligatory on any one2 and rulers would punish the frustration of it only at their peril4 ,were the matter of it right1 the people would all be under obligation to adhere to it1 both in consequence of the ,divine law enjoining it1 and also of their voluntary engagement as a people to perform it4 ,the individual who would fail in attaining to any place of influence1 because of not acceding to the stipulations of the ,covenant1 would have no more reason to complain of being persecuted1 than those who1 because of being under allegiance to a foreign hostile power1 might in vain seek authority in the land2 or than those who1 manifesting by their breach of the laws of the land that they contemn them1 in vain seek the protection and privileges secured to those alone who respect and keep them4 ,were a nation voluntarily to enter into such engagements of this nature as are lawful1 the whole people would be bound by them1 and in the eye of the law would be under obligation2 nor would disobedience to the law enjoining the fulfilment of these1 any more than to any other statute1 be reckoned as the right of any4 ,for any to seek power in the land without submitting to the obligations come under by such covenants1 would be for them to set at defiance the law1 and thus to take means to introduce rebellion1 if not revolution4 ,such as would not cheerfully aid in carrying the scheme of the ,covenant into effect1 while aspiring at influence1 would be using endeavours to obtain power in order to counteract its operation2 and therefore should not be put in possession of the desired trust4 ,ecclesiastical authority cannot compel any to perform the duties of religion and morality2 but it can subject to discipline those who neglect them1 and can hinder such from exercising the power belonging to the office-bearers1 or other members1 of the ,church4 ,in like manner1 civil rulers cannot compel men to perform various duties of a civil and religious character2 but they can1 and ought to1 restrain those who are guilty of violating the commandments of the moral law that regard our duty to ,god1 as well as those who transgress those that relate to the obligations of men to men2 they ought to keep from exercising authority those who live in open disregard of all or any of them2 and having enacted laws for the purpose of carrying into effect a lawful ,covenant engagement with ,god1 they should visit with a penalty those who break them4 ,it remains for those who maintain that the magistrate should not legislate against the breach of some statutes in the first table of the law1 to show why he is warranted in punishing1 in any manner1 the crime of perjury2 and how some species of penalty may be attached to the refusal to swear a lawful oath in certain circumstances1 and also to the breach of its engagement3 while an individual who might object to engage in the exercise of ,covenanting when invited to it in some cases1 or would act in opposition to what a whole nation1 either by themselves or by their representatives1 properly sware to perform1 might not be reckoned as unworthy of the valuable civil or religious privileges of the community4 ,but whatever difficulties may be connected with its application1 the truth1 that men in their national capacity are by the law of ,god called to ,covenant1 is manifest4 ,nations1 as the moral subjects of ,messiah the ,prince1 are under obligation to recognise his rightful authority over them1 by swearing allegiance to him4 ,it is the duty of a subject to swear allegiance to his lawful sovereign2 at least he must stand prepared to do so when required4 ,so is it with nations4 ,not only are the inhabitants of a nation1 as occasion calls for it1 to enter into sacred confederation with one another1 in order to secure and defend their valued rights and privileges2 but the nation1 as such1 through the medium of its authorized functionaries and by its usual forms of legal enactment1 ought publicly to avow its attachment to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ as its ,king and ,prince1 to recognise his legal authority1 and to bind itself to his service by an oath4#bbb ,they cast contempt on an ordinance of ,god1 who do not1 both in an ecclesiastical and a civil capacity1 enter into ,covenant with him4 ,the ,mediator is1 at once1 ,king of ,zion and ,king of nations4 ,the people of ,god are members of his ,church1 and also of civil society1--over which1 as well as over the ,church1 he rules4 ,for an individual1 merely as a member of his ,church1 to acknowledge ,god1 is to do his duty but in part4 ,when the rulers in a nation as rulers1 and the people as subjects1 do not ,covenant1 they appear regardless of a part of character which1 for the glory of ,god1 they should maintain not less tenaciously than their ecclesiastical relations2 they fail of availing themselves of the benefit of a most powerful system of motives to serve ,god1 as his willing creatures1 in a relation in which1 as well as in the fellowship of the ,church1 they are called to obey him2 and though they even attempt to honour him as ,king of ,zion1 yet1 in failing to testify to the utmost of their capacities to his dominion1 refusing to acknowledge him in this exercise as ,governor among the nations1 dishonour him in both1 and tend to rob him of the glory which belongs to him as ,head over all things to the ,church1 which is his body4 ,nations1 whose constitutions are immoral and unscriptural1 are commanded to perform the duty4 ,by such are intended those which have the truth diffused in them1 but have not had the frame-work of their civil polity modelled according to the law of the ,mediator2 and likewise those that may have had their constitutions in whole1 or in part1 based on scriptural principles1 but who have changed them1 so that to these they are now in opposition4 ,nations of this character are in an attitude of defiance to the power and authority of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,those who approve of their polity countenance what is hostile to his government1 and thus act as his enemies4 ,those who swear to support them1 do1--unwittingly1 the spirit of charity would claim for many1 swear to maintain what he has threatened to destroy4 ,those nations1 as such1 have not a right to enter into ,covenant with ,god2 but it is their duty to do so4 ,when a mind1 willing to reform every discovered abuse1 and a resolution to change their whole constitutions to conformity with the will of ,god1 are infused into them1 they will have a right to discharge the service1 and will be accepted in it4 ,those who1 having the truth among them1 did never in things civil submit to the law of ,christ1 and those who1 in their political procedures1 have apostatized from his service1 are both under his rebuke2--the one for refusing to hear his voice calling them to acknowledge him as ,lord2--the other for breaking their engagements to him4 ,both are exposed to his wrath2 both on grounds of opposition to him--but each of the classes according to the manner and aggravations of its manifestation of that opposition to his authority2 both are called to repentance1 are threatened with judgment in case of continued disobedience1 and are commanded to acknowledge the ,mediator as their sovereign ,lord1 by renouncing severally their wicked constitutions1 framing each a new civil organization1 according to his law1 and swearing allegiance to him4 ,nations that have not yet heard the gospel1 are not guiltless for not ,covenanting4 ,these are regulated in part by the light of nature4 ,of the law of nature1 made known at first to man1 but also made known in revelation1 they are in various degrees greatly ignorant4 ,seeing that in that law the exercise is enjoined1 if any of these possess so much of the light of nature as may contain a command to engage in it1 they will feel themselves in some measure urged to give obedience4 ,in reference to this1 as well as to any other matter inculcated upon them1 their consciences will either approve or condemn them4 ,none of these1 however have adequate ideas of the ,saviour2 all of them are under the dominion of satan2 and for neglecting this duty1 as well as for their disregard of various requirements of the law besides1 they will be dealt with according to the arrangements of ,him who ruleth over all4 ,their sin1 indeed1 not being committed under gospel light1 is not so aggravated as that of others2 but is still displeasing in the sight of ,god4 ,when the gospel is sent to them1 the statutes that enjoin the service will exhibit to them their obligations2 and power from on high will urge many to obey4 ,they1 even they that dwell in heathen nations1 shall in the day of spiritual illumination be enabled to confess to ,god2 and many in the times of reviving that shall yet come forth from the presence of the ,lord1 will thus be delivered from the wrath to be poured out on the heathen that know not1 nor call upon his name4 ,should not the state of those who are perishing for lack of knowledge1 move to sympathy for them those who know the obligations on men of the service of avouching ,god to be their ,god1 and the sin and danger in which all who do not perform this are involved8 ,all are commanded1 and believers are encouraged to unite in various capacities in ,covenanting4 ,for some purposes1 men may unite in this1 though they be in different ecclesiastical communions4 ,scripture warrants for the service do not recognise the position of any section of the visible ,church as absolutely perfect2 but refer to duty to be performed by the people of ,god individually and socially4 ,a ,section of the visible ,church ,covenants because the ,church of ,god1 in her organised capacity1 is called to do so4 ,the ,church of ,god1 in a national capacity1 ,covenants because it is the duty of men in their civil relations to acknowledge ,him4 ,a ,church ,covenants1 believing that she sees the truth in part1 and is disposed to accede to it4 ,so does a nation4 ,were it necessary1 in order to the ,church exercising the rights conferred upon her by her ,head1 that her outward state should be fashioned by men1 then her members could not act socially for the glory of ,god in any other capacity than as standing in a public connection with that communion which1 because of human constitution1 might arrogate to itself the character of being alone the true ,church4 ,but while the outward state of the ,church of ,god1 in so far as that corresponds with his will1 is from his hand alone1 and is therefore infinitely more sacred than the work of any creature2 and while there are certain things that cannot be performed by believers socially except as members of the ,church in her constituted capacity2 still1 owing to the imperfections of men1 some things that might be done by her members in any capacity1 cannot be performed by them so efficiently in any distinct ecclesiastical standing as otherwise2 and ,covenanting1 for some purposes1 seems to be one of these4 ,neither is any ,church nor nation perfect4 ,neither can accomplish all the good they might intend4 ,they find that to do good is incumbent upon them1 but that in some cases they cannot1 by themselves1 accomplish their design so efficiently as they would in union with others1 who1 seeking to promote the glory of ,god1 contemplate the same end4 ,they know that certain parts of duty1 such as communicating in receiving ,baptism or the ,lord's ,supper1 can be performed only in a strictly ecclesiastical capacity1 but that others can be done either by individual efforts of the members of the ,church1 or by communities of ,christians associated in church fellowship1 or on a more general principle4 ,hence1 by engaging in ,covenanting in the more general capacity in which those who hold the truth can associate1 they do not disregard the ,church as a constituted body called to duty in her organised condition1 but endeavour to perform some duties which may be done by them in a variety of relations1 but which may be best performed by many in a collective state4 ,to the anticipation1 though not to the loss1 of a part of the argument contained in the succeeding chapter1 two or three illustrations may be given of the principle here stated4 ,and first1 it may be remarked that general assemblies called not necessarily either by civil or ecclesiastical authority1 but by general consent1 for the purpose of arriving at unanimity of sentiment regarding the doctrines of ,scripture1 may be formed in the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,it is a ground of humility to each ,section of the visible ,church that every other1 in some things1 differs from it4 ,deliberation among deputations from all of these1 in order that they may be of one mind1 is therefore greatly to be desired1 if means of arriving at harmony of sentiment be afforded in an assembly where truth is discussed in a becoming manner4 ,to attend to what may be stated there for an important end1 and to weigh it1 is a duty4 ,to state and maintain truth there is obligatory1 and to promise and vow to do so1 in certain circumstances1 would be not merely allowable1 but incumbent4 ,thus1 those who are not altogether of one mind may meet to implore ,divine illumination1 in order to the investigation of truth1 for the advancement of true religion2 and together to vow and swear1 individually or collectively1 to endeavour faithfully to attain the object of their meeting1 that the ,churches may be united1 not merely in affection1 but in opinion4 ,the sentiment is not new4 ,it was acted on to effect in a memorable period of the history of the ,church in ,britain4 ,were there more of the spirit of ,christ poured down on the ,churches1 it might be reduced to practice again4 ,secondly1 it is presumed that ,bible ,societies should engage in ,covenanting4 ,to circulate the pure word of life1 unaccompanied by the traditions of men1 is among the noblest objects of ,christian philanthropy4 ,collectively1 ,christians can give diffusion to it with an efficiency vastly beyond the sum of all their insulated efforts4 ,as to the end1 all such are agreed4 ,that it is a duty1 they are satisfied4 ,as to the means1 there can be but little if any variety of opinion that can greatly perplex2 and as to the manner1 information abundant and easily explicable is found in the ,scriptures4 ,if the duty of ,covenanting is obligatory on an individual1 on a church1 or on a nation1 it is incumbent on the members of a ,bible ,society in their associate capacity4 ,the ,lord gave the word2 great was the company 7that is1 army1 and therefore sworn17 of those that published it4#bbc ,and it is practicable4 ,prayer for success to the endeavours made1 is habitually offered2 and the praises of ,god are also celebrated on occasions when the objects of such a society are attended to and promoted4 ,in order to carry into effect their design1 the members come under mutual obligations to one another4 ,why should they not jointly come under explicitly avowed obligations to ,god8 ,it is not enough that in their secret vows these engage to promote the spread of the word1 as well as all other interests of the kingdom of ,christ4 ,why should not ,he1 whose are the silver and the gold1--whose are the hearts of those called to the high duty of giving the word diffusion1--yea1 whose is that precious word itself1--why should not he be acknowledged by all of them in vowing and swearing to ,him1 that they shall use faithfully the means of attaining the high end contemplated by them1 which he has put into their hands to be employed for him8 ,how have not the efforts of these societies been accompanied by this method of recognising the ,author of inspiration8 ,how have not the ,churches of ,christ gone into this exercise1 as called to feel and acknowledge the vast solemnity of their endeavours8 ,how have the contributions of the faithful1 for this end1 been merely offered to men1 but not vowed openly to ,god8 ,even the contributions of the ,macedonian ,churches1 given for the poor saints at ,jerusalem1 were offered in this manner4#bbd ,how have their prayers--moving heaven to pour down the ,spirit to accompany the reading of the word1 not been accompanied by the vow or oath to the ,most ,high ,god1 binding themselves to bestow with their hand the means of sending it that are or that may be in their power1 and to continue to beseech ,him for his blessing1 until he cause the knowledge of ,his glory to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea8 ,would that we could add as an additional illustration a reference to all existing ,missionary ,societies1 supported even by those who belong to the true ,church of ,christ2 and that grounds identical with those which separate those ,sections as ecclesiastical bodies from one another1 did not exist to make it unwarrantable for them to associate in such a general missionary enterprise as has sometimes heretofore been conducted4 ,it is not competent to the design of the reference that is here made to this subject1 to show in detail how different ,sections of the visible ,church appear not to be justified in supporting in common missions directed by missionaries holding some scriptural views of various denominations1 without concurring in their sentiments on church government and other matters4 ,suffice it to remark1 that differences in regard to these things1 are by no means unimportant4 ,the principle adopted in the constitution of the most influential of such societies1 that the peculiar views of no given sect1 but the evangelical sentiments entertained by all1 should be inculcated1 however1 is perhaps best fitted to promote the ends of an institution calling into operation such a variety of missionaries as it employs4 ,yet it provides not for diffusing the whole truth4 ,it may perhaps be unnecessary here to say1 that it is the desire that such an institution should be improved and become more and more efficient1 which has led to make the foregoing reference to it4 ,the end of its praiseworthy projectors and supporters should command the admiration of all2 the piety and devotedness of its missionaries have attained for them in the hearts of true ,christians an enduring place2 and the success of its endeavours1 by the blessing of ,god1 due not to its imperfections but to its excellencies1 leads to the hope that it and others may come to possess a character in all things unobjectionable4 ,it is not beyond the reach of hope that these societies may1 by changes occurring in the views of their members1 come to possess each a constitution becoming increasingly more perfect2 and that their improvement in all things1 and their influence for good may greatly increase1 must be the cordial wish and prayer of all who are right-hearted4 ,missionary ,societies connected with given churches are not exposed to the same kind of objection as that applicable to the others4 ,though each ,section of the ,church may not acquiesce in the means employed by any other1 they may view those of every other as conscientiously1 though not unobjectionably1 giving diffusion to the views of the truth which those entertain4 ,and what is wanting in such is principally the rectification of their views3 their endeavours are harmonious and consistent4 ,but to proceed4 ,were ,missionary ,societies1 contemplating the exalted end of evangelising the heathen1 to employ warranted means for accomplishing their purpose1 they1 as well as other societies1 ought by ,covenanting to engage to the use of these4 ,such societies would present each a decided community of ,christians banded together for a purpose worthy the most sacred devotedness of all the noble energies of man4 ,will not the people of ,god yet come forward to send the glad tidings of salvation to the ends of the earth1 by not merely promising to one another and praying to the ,lord1 but in ,covenanting with ,him1 swearing by his name8 ,what prosperity might be expected to accompany missions1 were such a course to be followed8 ,how can the utmost success be expected to follow a partial use of the means of ,divine grace8 ,god will not fully mark with his blessing a system of means which is defective4 ,all the institutions of religion ought to be acknowledged4 ,covenanting with ,him will draw down ,his blessing on missionary institutions1 because it is1 not meritorious1 but sanctioned by his authority4 ,and it may not be too much to affirm1 that the prosperity of these will be in some measure proportionate to the spirit of that exercise that may be infused into them4 ,how is so much justly expected from the prayers of saints on behalf of missions1 and apparently so little from solemn ,covenant engagements that might be made at least once1 or occasionally1 to carry them into effect8 ,do not men do but a part of their duty when they promise to one another1 but do not ,covenant with ,god8 ,is it not ,he who in ,his word unfolded the missionary chart1 and by ,his own finger pointed out where they should be sent2 who told that nations should be born at once2 and the isles should wait for his law2 and who made known1 that out of ,zion should go forth that law8 ,he established a testimony in ,jacob1 and appointed a law in ,israel1 which he commanded our fathers1 that they should make them known to their children2 that the generation to come might know them1 even the children which should be born1 who should arise and declare them to their children4#bbe ,and as to his people ,israel1 engaged by ,covenant to obey him1 he thus spake3 ,he says to his servants1 ,covenanted to his service1 ,praise ye the ,lord4 ,praise1 ,o ye servants of the ,lord2 praise the name of the ,lord4 ,blessed be the name of the ,lord1 from this time forth and for evermore4 ,from the rising of the sun1 unto the going down of the same1 the ,lord's name is to be praised4#bbf ,an elegant and powerful writer1 in a work on ,missions1 wherein1 among other important collateral duties1 entire consecration to the missionary enterprise is urged by the highest motives1 remarks regarding the work in reference to ,missions1 that would seem to have been allotted to the ,christian communities in ,britain1--,but ,christianity had marked the island for its own4 ,and although its lofty purposes are yet far from being worked out on us1 from that eventful moment to the present1 the various parts of the social system have been rising together4#bbg ,and in responding to this1 may it not be asked1 ,has there not been1 on the part of the ,churches in these lands and elsewhere1 as to kindred objects of ,christian exertion1 especially to the missionary enterprise1 an injurious want of solemn ,covenant devotedness8 ,could resolutions to prosecute this be embodied so well as in a solemn ,covenant engagement with ,god8 ,in this manner might there not be made arrangements regarding missions1 more solemn than has heretofore been attempted8 ,to many causes may the comparative smallness of success that has attended these be attributed4 ,but it is little less than certain1 that it is on account of the want of that resolute heroic ,christian spirit which ,covenanting calls forth and embraces1 that our missionaries are not even now diffused over all the earth1 and our nation is not1 by a reflex hallowed influence1 throughout all its extent1 as the garden of the ,lord4 ,hence1 in conclusion1 ,none may be excused for not engaging in ,covenanting4 ,those who perform the duty in secret1 are called to discharge it on some occasions in public4 ,to vow in secret1 is but partially to do duty4 ,secret prayer is not a sufficient substitute for that which is public4 ,the doing of duty to our neighbour and to ourselves1 cannot be reckoned as the fulfilment of our obligations to ,god4 ,and vowing to ,him in an individual capacity1 will not be accepted for vowing and swearing to ,him in a public associate character4 ,again1 those who vow neither in secret nor in public1 are called to do both4 ,is it urged1 that it is a dreadful thing by the vow or oath to come under obligations that might not be fulfilled8 ,it is answered1 ,is it a fearful thing to do what ,god commands8 ,what ought to be vowed ought to be fulfilled1 whether vowed or not2 and if duty be vowed falsely1 or not vowed at all1 sin is committed4 ,is it not a dreadful thing1 by refusing to do this duty1 to rebel against ,him who said1 ,vow and pay unto the ,lord your ,god8 ,he is guilty and degraded who breaks an oath2 but low indeed is the moral state of him who1 lest he should not perform his obligation1 refuses to swear4 ,and how wretched is the condition of those who will neither vow nor swear1 lest they might1 as they certainly would1 be thereby bound to duty6 ,the swearing of an oath is a solemn act4 ,to disregard it1 whether by refusing to take it when called to it1 or by not performing it when lawfully taken1 is highly criminal and dangerous4 ,the doom of the impenitent and ,covenant breaker is awful2 but those who do not1 in one way or other1 truly vow to ,god1 have no hope4 ,refraining from vowing to him1 man sustains a character no higher than the wicked who restrain prayer before ,god4 ,it is not the right of any one1 according to his pleasure1 to abstain from entering into ,covenant with ,god4 ,it is a duty to obey ,god's law2 ,covenanting is one of the duties of that law2 it is therefore a duty to engage in its performance4 ,no man has a right to refuse to do so4 ,it is our duty to serve ,god4 ,it is our duty to promise to serve him4 ,in certain cases1 it is our duty to vow and swear to serve him4 ,what it is our duty to do1 it is our duty to engage by ,covenant with ,him to do4 ,if men neither serve ,god nor vow to serve him1 they are chargeable with two classes of sins2--that of disregarding the duty of ,covenanting with ,god1--and that of refusing to perform duties1 one of which is the performance of that exercise4 ,if men vow to serve ,god1 but do it not1 they greatly sin2 being chargeable with an omission of duty1 in one case at least1 they have rebelled4 ,if they do not vow to serve ,god1 whatever may be the nature of their obedience1 that1 by being deficient as to ,covenanting1 is imperfect4 ,to hope to be more safe from condemnation by not vowing than by vowing1 is to cherish a love to sin1 and to betray the workings of a heart which regards not how ,god may be dishonoured1 provided the sinner can escape with impunity4 ,they who vow and swear falsely1 or who perform not their oath1 are exposed to an appalling curse2 but dreadful also is the condemnation that hangs over those who vow not1 because they do not desire to pay4 ,all who love the ,lord1 desire to show to the utmost that they delight to honour him4 ,in order to direct and encourage them to do so1 he has vouchsafed the institutions of his house2 and among them1 the exercise of ,covenanting1 as enjoined on all by his high authority1 and engaging the observance of his people1 stands acknowledged an ,ordinance of ,god4 ,,footnotes3 #aga ,ps4 cxi4 #i4 #agb ,ps4 xcv4 #c1 #f1 #g4 #agc ,deut4 x4 #ad1 #ag1 #bj4 #agd ,ps4 xiv4 #aj1 #aa4 #age ,mat4 x4 #cb1 #cc4 ,see also v4 #be4 #agf ,rom4 iv4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 #agg #a ,chron4 xvi4 #ac4 #agh #b ,cor4 viii4 #e4 #agi #a ,thess4 i4 #i4 #ahj ,ps4 cxvi4 #af4 #aha ,rev4 xvii4 #ad4 #ahb ,isa4 lv4 #c1 #d4 #ahc ,ps4 v4 #b4 #ahd #a ,chron4 xxix4 #bd4 ,literally1 gave the hand under4 #ahe ,jer4 vii4 #bc4 #ahf ,ps4 xxxi4 #ad4 #ahg ,exod4 iii4 #ab4 #ahh #b ,chron4 xxx4 #h4 #ahi ,rom1 xii4 #a4 #aij ,rev4 xv4 #c4 #aia ,col4 i4 #ah4 #aib ,mat4 xiii4 #h-aj4 #aic ,ezek4 xxxvii4 #bb4 #aid ,ezek4 xxxvii4 #be4 #aie ,jos4 xxiv4 #ad-bc4 #aif #a ,cor4 x4 #ca4 #aig ,ps4 xxii4 #bc-be4 #aih ,jer4 ii4 #ca4 #aii ,exod4 xxiii4 #cc4 #bjj #b ,cor4 vi4 #ad-ah4 #bja ,deut4 xxiii4 #bb4 #bjb ,eccles4 v4 #e4 #bjc ,deut4 vi4 #ac4 #bjd ,deut4 x4 #bj4 #bje ,jer4 iv4 #b4 #bjf ,john xxi4 #ag4 #bjg ,mat4 v4 #cd-cg4 #bjh ,mat4 xxiii4 #ah-bb4 #bji ,hebrew3 ,ma'oz1 a rad4 ,hebrew3 'azoz1 firmus fuit4 ,there is a striking connection between the import of this word1 and that of ,hebrew3 ,el1--that name of ,god1 which literally means robur1 strength1 and from which comes ,hebrew3 alah1 an oath4 #baj ,is4 xxvii4 #e4 #baa #a ,chron4 xvi4 #ae4 #bab ,jer4 xi4 #i-aa4 #bac ,jer4 xi4 #c1 #d4 #bad ,zeph4 i4 #d1 #f4 #bae ,is4 xliii4 #aj4 #baf ,see the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,william ,symington1 on ,the ,mediatorial ,dominion of ,jesus ,christ1 chap4 vii4--a work of acknowledged high merit1 which cannot1 at any time1 be too extensively known4 #bag ,med4 ,dom4 chap4 viii4 #bah ,ps4 ii4 #aj-ab4 #h4 #bai ,ps4 lxvii4 #c1 #d4 #bbj #a ,kings viii4 #cc1 #cd4 #bba ,ps4 lxvii4 #a1 #b4 #bbb ,med4 ,dom41 second edition1 pp4 #bid1 #bie4 #bbc ,ps4 lxviii4 #aa4 ,see margin4 #bbd #b ,cor4 viii4 #a-e4 #bbe ,ps4 lxxviii4 #e1 #f4 #bbf ,ps4 cxiii4 #a-c4 #bbg ,great ,commission1 p4 #aic4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,covenant ,,duties4 ,it is here proposed to show1 that every incumbent duty ought1 in suitable circumstances1 to be engaged to in the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,the law and covenant of ,god are co-extensive2 and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other4 ,the proposals of that ,covenant include its promises and its duties4 ,the former are made and fulfilled by its glorious ,originator2 the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man4 ,the duties of that ,covenant are ,god's law2 and the demands of the law are all made in the revelation of the ,covenant4 ,it was unlawful for the ,israelites to make a ,covenant1 either with the gods of the heathen1 or for the purpose of rendering to them any service4 ,in like manner1 it is still unlawful for any one to make a ,covenant either with or for what is evil1 in such a manner as to give it countenance or support4 ,of two words in the ,greek language1 employed each to denote a ,covenant1 the one is applied to the cases where the parties are in some respects on a level4 ,the other 7,greek3 diatheche7 is used where the parties are represented as in the relations of superiors and inferiors4 ,its etymology points out that the conditions of the ,covenant were dictated in some manner2 and the use of it shows1 that to have been as the issuing of a command4 ,by it is the principal term for ,covenant in the ,old ,testament rendered by the ,seventy4 ,one example may suffice3--,will he make a ,covenant 7,hebrew3 b'rith1 ,greek3 diathecheu7 with thee8 wilt thou take him for a servant for ever8#bbh ,the book of the ,covenant of ,god1 was the book of the law4 ,the curses of the ,covenant were written in the book of the law4#bbi ,in that book1 too1 the promises of the ,covenant were contained4 ,the statutes and ,covenant of ,god are conjoined1 and both are commanded2--the one that they might be obeyed1 the other1 that it might be taken hold upon1 and that its duties contained in those statutes might be observed4 ,wherefore the ,lord said unto ,solomon1 ,forasmuch as this is done of thee1 and thou hast not kept my ,covenant1 and my statutes1 which ,i have commanded thee1 ,i will surely rend the kingdom from thee1 and will give it to thy servant4#bcj ,and that which is made known as the everlasting ,covenant1 is given as a law4 ,he hath remembered his covenant for ever1 the word which he commanded to a thousand generations3 which covenant he made with ,abraham1 and his oath unto ,isaac2 and confirmed the same unto ,jacob for a law1 and to ,israel for an everlasting covenant4#bca ,covenanting1 whether ,personal or ,social1 ought to embrace present and permanent duty4 ,the ,ten ,commandments are of perpetual obligation on all2 and so is every moral precept included in them4 ,and not less than these1 is every positive statute which is applicable to this last dispensation4 ,but the words of the ,covenant of ,grace were written on the tables of the ,covenant4 ,and he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant1 the ten commandments4#bcb ,hence1 every ,divine statute1 obligatory on men1 being in accordance with the decalogue1 or forming a part of it1 every duty that can be performed1 whether at present or afterwards1 is incumbent1 and ought to be engaged to as a ,covenant duty4 ,certain observances1 not merely because they were signs of the ,covenant of ,god1 but were also duties of it1 were denominated a covenant2 and their continuance during an appointed term1 was enjoined4 ,and if circumcision and the seventh-day sabbath being thus denominated1 and commanded for specified periods1 were duties of the ,covenant1 ought not all services1 decreed by ,divine authority1 even as they were1 not merely to be performed because enjoined in the ,divine law1 but also to be preceded by solemn ,covenant engagement to discharge them aright8 ,in reference1 not merely to one statute of the ,divine law1 but likewise to each1 is uttered1 therefore1 to all in the ,church of ,god1 the command which1 with respect to the keeping of the second commandment1 was delivered to ,israel--,take heed unto yourselves1 lest ye forget the covenant of the ,lord your ,god1 which he made with you4#bcc ,and in remembering that the saints vow and endeavour constantly to keep all these commands1 thus the ,psalmist vowed1 ,so shall ,i keep thy law continually for ever and ever4#bcd ,and thus the people of ,god1 as a nation of kings and priests1 chosen1 and called1 and consecrated1 to his service1 have the covenant of an everlasting priesthood4 ,all that ,god requires of man1 is commanded as the keeping of his ,covenant4 ,there is no statute of inspiration concerning faith or practice1 which might not1 in innumerable ways1 be shown to be included in its appointments4 ,all the exhibitions of ,divine truth1 are representations of the provisions and duties of it4 ,and however they may be described in the sacred volume1 the statutes ordained for the regulation of the conduct of men1 embody completely its demands4 ,to unfold the dictates of the ,divine law1 is to present the claims of that covenant2 and to endeavour to obey those dictates1 is to use means to satisfy these claims4 ,i4 ,a covenant with ,god ought to engage all to duties to each one's self4 ,the ,divine law inculcates upon men1 not selfishness1 but love to themselves4 ,the evils forbidden therein none should perpetrate1 either on others or on himself4 ,the good to all that is there represented as due1 ought to be done not less to the individual who obeys1 than to others4 ,in the command1 ,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself1 it is implied that men ought to love themselves4 ,calculated to show at once the duty of all1 and the practice of those who fear ,god1 is the declaration1 ,no man ever yet hated his own flesh2 but nourisheth and cherisheth it1 even as the ,lord the ,church4#bce ,those who do not make use of all the means which ,god has appointed for promoting the true happiness of all individually1 do not love themselves4 ,aware of this1 the believer1 entering into a ,covenant engagement with ,god1 vows to perform to himself the duties which correspond to his condition4 ,these are1 ,the cultivation of personal religion4 ,vowing and swearing to ,god in secret are a part of this4 ,that1 and the other observances of it1 are incumbent1 and behove to be kept2 and as they ought to be regarded1 they ought to be promised in covenant4 ,i will call upon the ,lord1 who is worthy to be praised4#bcf ,self-examination should be ,covenanted4 ,not less was it obligatory to vow that duty than to exhort to the performance of it in these terms1 ,let us search and try our ways1 and turn again to the ,lord4#bcg ,religious meditation should be vowed4 ,i will meditate also of all thy work4#bch ,i will meditate in thy precepts1 and have respect unto thy ways4 ,i will delight myself in thy statutes3 ,i will not forget thy word4#bci ,so should prayer4 ,as for me1 ,i will call upon ,god2 and the ,lord shall save me4 ,evening1 and morning1 and at noon1 will ,i pray1 and cry aloud2 and he shall hear my voice4#bdj ,so also should godly fear4 ,at midnight ,i will rise to give thanks unto thee1 because of thy righteous judgments4 ,i am a companion of all them that fear thee1 and of them that keep thy precepts4#bda ,and the glad offering of praise should be vowed4 ,i will extol thee1 my ,god1 ,o ,king2 and ,i will bless thy name for ever and ever4 ,every day will ,i bless thee1 and ,i will praise thy name for ever and ever4#bdb ,in one word1 to the whole worship of ,god the soul that clings to ,his ,covenant will cordially bind itself in his dread presence4 ,as for me1 ,i will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy2 and in thy fear will ,i worship toward thy holy temple4#bdc ,i will praise thee with my whole heart2 before the gods will ,i sing praise unto thee4 ,i will worship toward thy holy temple1 and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth3 for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name4#bdd ,sobriety and temperance4 ,these are to be distinguished from austerities devised by men1 and are commanded in the ,scriptures4 ,they are maintained when this world is used so as not to be abused2#bde and are cherished when the causes of sin are altogether avoided1 and its occasions are shunned to the utmost limit compatible with duty4 ,along with other excellencies of character1 they are inculcated in the command1 ,ye shall be holy3 for ,i the ,lord your ,god am holy4 ,the force of habit alone is insufficient to keep them1 at all times1 safe from invasion2 much less is the momentary tumultuous resolution to resume these1 that may be made by those who have suffered by falling from them4 ,divine grace alone can enable to adhere to them in an acceptable manner4 ,to be distinguished by them is not beneath the resolution of the most free from the corruptions of the world4 ,in order to be observed1 they must be vowed4 ,thus1 the sin that doth most easily beset is to be laid aside2 thus1 the purity of heart and life that adorns the ,christian is to be assumed4 ,let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body1 that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof4 ,neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin3 but yield yourselves unto ,god1 as those that are alive from the dead1 and your members as instruments of righteousness unto ,god4#bdf ,the cultivation of the various powers of the soul4 ,when these are directed to good objects1 and are wisely employed1 they are healthfully expanded1 and rendered capable of enlarged application for good4 ,it is the bounden duty of men1 gifted with such a precious boon1 to improve it4 ,keep thy heart with all diligence2 for out of it are the issues of life4 ,the heart1 in the ,scriptures1 means1 in addition to the bodily organ known by that name1 the soul2 the seat of the various affections2 the understanding2 the seat of the will3 and it has attributed to it the functions of an active1 voluntary intelligence1 and accordingly1 the faculty of conscience approving or reproving1 as the case may be4 ,the injunction1 ,my son1 give me thine heart1 claims the surrender of all these to ,god1 not in an enfeebled and inactive state1 but in their utmost2 vigour2 and demands the promise1 by vow1 that2 they shall be so called into dutiful operation as that they may become efficient4 ,it is obeyed when there are used1 the words of the ,psalmist's engagement1 ,i will love thee1 ,o ,lord1 my strength4#bdg ,it is bowed to where any other like noble application of the intellectual or moral faculties is vowed2 and is honoured when that purity of heart1 which cannot be attained to without the direction of the exercises thereof to ,god1 is aspired at in the act of drawing nigh unto him in ,covenanting4 ,draw nigh to ,god1 and he will draw nigh to you4 ,cleanse your hands1 ye sinners2 and purify your hearts1 ye double-minded4#bdh ,the proper application of every capacity4 ,each is given that it may be employed4 ,the gift demands the voluntary use of it for the end intended2 and the ,giver requires that the gift be consecrated to him4 ,by setting every attainment1 whether natural or acquired1 apart to his service1 all are called to glorify ,god with their bodies and spirits1 which are his4 ,without making thus a resolution to serve ,him by the legitimate use of every capacity1 there cannot fail to be incurred the charge preferred against some who1 either by neglecting the duty of vowing to ,god1 or by disregarding their solemn obligations1 voluntarily accepted1 had sinned so as to have it said of them1 ,their heart was not right with him1 neither were they steadfast in his covenant4#bdi ,the ,apostle does not mean less than that there should not merely be an acknowledgment of incumbent obligations to serve ,god1 but1 by the exercise of ,covenanting1 a strengthening of engagements to duties specified1 when he says1 ,therefore1 my beloved brethren1 be ye steadfast1 unmovable1 always abounding in the work of the ,lord1 forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the ,lord4#bej ,and the ,covenant engagements of those faithful servants who1 having improved the talents committed to them by their ,lord1 were commended of him1 are a pattern for all4 ,being servants1 they were engaged by ,covenant to obey him4 ,that they should occupy till he would come1 they had therefore solemnly promised4 ,others1 who are denominated citizens1 hated him1 and sent a message after him1 saying1 ,we will not have this man to reign over us4 ,these had either refused to ,covenant to obey him1 or had promised to him deceitfully4 ,their end was destruction4 ,it was not merely because that the faithful servants performed the service laid upon them1 but because that they had engaged to do it1 and while others declared their resolution to rebel1 kept their promise of fidelity1 that they were ultimately approved4 ,as their obedience without their engagement would have been deficient1 so the use of every talent committed to man is insufficient without the exercise of vowing that use2 and equally with the one is the other required4#bea ,all such vows are widely different from those restraints which have no higher recommendation than human authority4 ,popish monastic vows of perpetual single life1 professed poverty1 and regular obedience1 are so far from being degrees of higher perfection1 that they are superstitious and sinful snares1 in which no ,christian may entangle himself4#beb ,the latter are countenanced by no class of vows lawfully made1 either in ,old ,testament times or in a later period4 ,the vows of the ,nazarite were dutiful under the former dispensation4 ,there is no good ground for the statement made in reference to that class of vows1 that they are merely arbitrary1 prior to the making of them4 ,had not ,providence1 by the light of the word1 with a precision not less complete than the tenor of any definite precept1 dictated the service vowed1 it had been unlawful to vow it1 or to keep the vow4 ,when the vows of the ,nazarite were made lawfully1 their matter was not indifferent4 ,and even as these were acceptably made when duty presented itself1 vows may be made with acceptance still1 when duty by whatever means is made manifest4 ,no more did there exist under the former dispensations a class of services that might or might not be performed1 than there does under the present4 ,and though there may be no evidence that the things vowed by the ,nazarite are incumbent in these last times1 yet the laws that enjoin the duties of vowing and paying1 were not less applicable to the observances1 which1 on the mistaken ground that they were obligatory only according to the will of men1 have been improperly denominated indifferences1 than they are to every duty1 however exhibited1 that is obligatory now4 ,if certain things which may be done by some in given circumstances1 but not in others1 may be denominated indifferent1 then those things which should be performed only by some in given stations in the ,church or in civil society1 may be called indifferent too4 ,the manner of representation is altogether objectionable4 ,nothing is indifferent4 ,men may err in their sentiments concerning duty1 and call some things indifferent either in regard to time or to matter2 others not4 ,but there is nothing which ought to be done1 that is strictly indifferent4 ,there is nothing which men ought to do merely of their own good pleasure4 ,what ,god makes known1 and that alone1 should be vowed and performed4 ,,ii4 ,covenanting should engage all to duties to society in general4 ,imperative upon all is the command1 ,as we have therefore opportunity1 let us do good unto all men1 especially unto them who are of the household of faith4#bec ,the constitution of the various relations of human society1 and the law and varied providential arrangements of the ,most ,high--all require that mutual regard for the welfare of one another1 should be cherished by all4 ,and as those who love not their brother give no evidence that they love ,god1 so they who fear ,him ought to manifest their love to ,him by using all those means1 of which ,covenanting is one1 by which the utmost efficiency for good may be given to their resolution to serve the ,lord1 and to their interest in the prosperity of their neighbour4 ,these duties--that ought not merely to be performed but vowed1 are owing1 ,first1 to ,families4 ,the relations of the domestic circle are of ,divine appointment4#bed ,to be mutual helpers to one another1 husband and wife are associated by marriage2 and the duties of parents to their children1 and of these to their parents1 are numerous and definite4 ,the common obligation of all of them to ,god1 behoves in vowing to ,him to be acknowledged1--not merely as individuals1 but as members of families1 ought all to perform the duty in secret1 and in a public social capacity4 ,at the same time1 saith the ,lord1 will ,i be the ,god of all the families of ,israel1 and they shall be my people4#bee ,each member of a family in secret ought to ,covenant as a member of the family with ,god1 and the whole family on warranted occasions of public solemn ,covenanting1 even though there might be no more associated in the service than themselves1 ought to engage to duties not merely to others1 but to themselves in their domestic capacity4 ,the wrath of ,god is threatened on those families which1 not calling on the name of ,god1 do not vow to ,him4 ,pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not1 and upon the families that call not on thy name4#bef ,noah and his family in their associate capacity ,covenanted with ,god4 ,and by their families did ,israel in the land of ,moab1 taking hold upon his ,covenant1 present themselves before him4#beg ,in the marriage covenant husband and wife bind themselves in the presence of ,god to the duties of that relation4 ,but though that engagement may not be repeated1 these are called on suitable occasions to vow the performance of definite duties that may be incumbent upon them in their associate capacity4 ,submission to one another in the fear of the ,lord1 which is manifested in the service of vowing to him1 is inculcated upon them4 ,submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of ,god4 ,wives1 submit yourselves unto your own husbands1 as unto the ,lord4 ,husbands1 love your wives1 even as ,christ also loved the ,church1 and gave himself for it4#beh ,and to support1 and govern1 and bring up their families in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord1 is incumbent on them1 and ought to be the subject of solemn vows4 ,the children of believing parents are the ,lord's4 ,children are an heritage of the ,lord4 ,they are his gift4 ,in them he possesses a ,covenant right4 ,he has his eye upon them for good4 ,they ought to be set apart to himself4 ,in baptism they are dedicated to him2 and even as the reception of any other gift of ,god1 brings under an obligation not merely to improve it for his service1 but also to vow to do so2 the inheritance of children demands that solemn ,covenant engagements in reference to them1 should be habitually made to the ,most ,high4 ,the people of ,israel ,covenanted to obey the command1--,these words which ,i command thee this day1 shall be in thine heart3 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children4#bei ,and the following words of the ,psalmist1 speaking the language at once of inspiration and of believers1 must be considered both as a promise and a vow which should be adopted by all4 ,i will open my mouth in a parable1 ,i will utter dark sayings of old2 which we have heard and known1 and our fathers have told us4 ,we will not hide them from their children1 showing to the generation to come1 the praises of the ,lord1 and his strength1 and his wonderful work1 that he hath done4 ,for he established a testimony in ,jacob1 and appointed a law in ,israel1 which he commanded our fathers1 that they should make them known to their children2 that the generation to come might know them1 even the children which should be born1 who should arise and declare them to their children3 that they might set their hope in ,god1 and not forget the works of ,god1 but keep his commandments4#bfj ,not less than the performance of the duties of parents to their children ought the obedience of children to their parents or guardians to be ,covenanted4 ,when the duties of the moral law are promised in covenant1 these are vowed4 ,the performance of the duties of the fifth commandment is due to parents4 ,that and the service of vowing to discharge these duties all owe to ,god4 ,obedience to parents in the ,lord cannot be fully performed without the resolution to render it solemnly expressed to the ,lord4 ,in one word1 the various duties to one another obligatory on members of families ought to be performed1 by being specially ,covenanted1 in and to the ,lord4 ,whatsoever ye do1 do it heartily1 as to the ,lord1 and not unto men4#bfa ,what a blessedness would reign in families1 were they thus consecrated to the ,lord6 ,then love in the midst of them would not be an impulse that might be neutralised by selfishness or any other evil propensity1 but a flame kindled and sustained by the grace of ,god1 and diffusing an influence for lasting good2 fanned by every fresh breath of ,divine influence drawn in by the soul living on the provision of ,god's covenant1 sanctified by the word and prayer--including the solemn vow1 intense as the flame on ,god's altar kindled from above1 holy because from the ,holy ,spirit of promise1 it would go out on the members of the hallowed circle1 subduing as the power of an ever active principle1 ennobling as all the gifts of ,god1 and as the bond of a glorious union1 that may not be broken in life1 beyond the dissolving power of death1 to survive to eternity4 ,secondly1 to civil communities4 ,honour all men1#bfb is an injunction imperative on all4 ,it includes that the duties owing to all in their various relations1 should be discharged because of ,god's appointment4 ,masters should honour their servants by recognising the just claims which these have upon them4 ,servants should honour their masters by showing that respect1 and rendering that obedience1 which they owe to them4 ,rulers should honour their subjects1 by recognising them as the channel through which in the providence of ,god their just title to reign was transmitted1 and by acting towards them as in possession of rights committed to them by the ,moral ,governor of the universe1 which rulers deputed by him are bound to acknowledge and preserve entire4 ,and nations are called to honour lawful civil rulers by rendering to them all that homage and subjection which is consistent with the dictates of the ,divine law2 and all should honour all men by vowing to perform the duties owing to them4 ,if men do not vow unto ,god in a secret and in a public manner to fulfil to the various lawful civil communities with which they may be connected1 their obligations1 by reckoning those as unworthy of the solemn promise to ,god to obey them1 they do not honour them1 and thus by disobeying ,his command1 they dishonour ,god4 ,the duties of masters and servants to one another1 are duties which each respectively owe to ,christ4 ,servants1 be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh1 with fear and trembling1 in singleness of your heart1 as unto ,christ2 not with eye-service1 as men-pleasers2 but as the servants of ,christ1 doing the will of ,god from the heart2 with good-will1 doing service1 as to the ,lord1 and not to men2 knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth1 the same shall he receive of the ,lord1 whether he be bond or free4 ,and1 ye masters1 do the same things unto them1 forbearing threatening3 knowing that your ,master also is in heaven2 neither is there respect of persons with him4#bfc ,and if one duty to ,christ ought to be vowed1 ought not all1 and consequently those8 ,a master and his servant by promises come under mutual obligations to one another4 ,and seeing that ,god has made promises to men1 and at the same time enjoined duties1 ought not they to accept of these promises1 and engage to perform these duties8 ,and if at all1 why not in special deliberate solemn ,covenanting8 ,equally therefore1 with every other class of duties to which men should engage1 should the respective duties of masters and servants to one another be vowed to ,god1 as obedience to the ,lord ,jesus ,christ4 ,the duties of lawful civil governors and of the people under them owing by these classes respectively to one another ought to be vowed4 ,they are duties to ,god4 ,god is the ,king of all the earth4#bfd ,they are therefore included in the oath of allegiance which both kings and subjects ought to swear to ,him4 ,the people of ,israel set an example in this1 which should be imitated in these and all succeeding times4 ,jehoiada made a covenant between the ,lord and the king and the people1 that they should be the ,lord's people2 between the king also and the people4#bfe ,if a civil constitution be according to the word of ,god1 if the rulers who carry its ordinance into effect be men fearing ,god and hating covetousness1 and if they dispense in a righteous manner its just laws1 obedience is due by the people1 and ought to be vowed to ,god4 ,submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the ,lord's sake3 whether it be to the king1 as supreme2 or unto governors1 as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers1 and for the praise of them that do well4#bff ,that cannot be done completely for the ,lord's sake1 which is not vowed to him4 ,whatever is done for ,his sake1 is done in obedience to ,him1 as having required the discharge of duty and solemn engagements to himself to perform it4 ,and1 what kings and others in power in civil society ought to swear to the people1 and in joining with their people on occasions of public ,covenanting1 ought to vow and swear to the ,lord1 is to rule according to the law of ,christ4 ,what was addressed to ,joshua concerning the books written by ,moses is1 in reference to all the precepts of ,god's law permanently obligatory1 applicable to all who rule4 ,this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth2 but thou shalt meditate therein day and night1 that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein3 for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous1 and then thou shalt have good success4 ,have ,i not commanded thee8#bfg ,and lawful civil rulers are represented as the ministers of ,god1 and consequently as acting in the capacity of servants1 voluntarily devoted to ,his service1 not merely in their personal1 but also in their public character4 ,for rulers are not a terror to good works1 but to the evil4 ,wilt thou then not be afraid of the power8 do that which is good1 and thou shalt have praise of the same3 for he is the minister of ,god to thee for good4 ,but if thou do that which is evil1 be afraid2 for he beareth not the sword in vain3 for he is the minister of ,god1 a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil4#bfh ,it is the duty of the civil magistrate to legislate against all evil denounced in the ,scriptures4 ,he may not assume to himself the authority of sitting lord over the consciences of men1 nor legislate where no human law ought to extend2 but he ought to forbid all vice and impiety1 and encourage every excellence4 ,he should not consider himself to be called upon to prohibit only some practices clearly evinced to be sinful4 ,he is called to interpose his authority1 on behalf of civil society1 against those who invade its just rights2 but is not at at liberty to disregard1 in his administration1 what man owes to ,god4 ,while he should enforce the observation of the duties of the second table of the law1 he ought to inculcate the observance of those of the first4 ,for the suppression of evil human laws requires penal sanctions2 these penalties also must be regulated by the word of ,god2 and1 in inflicting them1 the ,divine will be consulted in opposition to the vague or biassed judgment of man4 ,nor must the supposed comparatively innoxious effect of any evil upon civil society ever lead to wink at or slightly punish it1 if branded with the mark of ,divine displeasure1 and threatened with awful vengeance4 ,the protection due by a civil government to the people under it is extensive and varied4 ,to its care natural1 and civil1 and religious rights all belong4 ,besides preserving external peace and concord1 administering justice1 defending and encouraging such as are and do good1 the civil magistrate should be found promoting the interests of true religion2 not by dictating to the ,church of ,god1 or legislating in it1 but by countenancing with his civil sanction all its ordinances1 by exerting his influence in her outward support and defence against all external enemies1 and by keeping from places of power and trust in the nation all hostile to her interests4 ,he should employ his power on its behalf2 and not on any account should the principle of expediency in any cases1 whether of legislation or jurisprudence1 be adopted to give scope to measures denounced in the word of ,god4 ,the people1 both in regard to the choice of rulers and to obedience to them1 have important duties to perform4 ,as to the first--between the character of a law and the qualifications of those who dispense it1 there ought obviously to be an intimate correspondence4 ,of no law1 however excellent1 could the benefits be extended1 were individuals either ignorant of its nature or opposed to its precepts engaged in its administration4 ,while an irreligious or immoral governor would pervert the course of justice in the administration of laws truly excellent1 he would be utterly incompetent to the improvement of those that might be defective4 ,the acts of the best of civil governments--even those founded upon the statutes of ,divine truth--from the very nature of society1 require frequently to be modified4 ,and1 since the modelling and increase of laws1 as well as their dispensation1 are very much dependent upon the agency of rulers1 how important would it be to have supreme and subordinate authority committed to those who1 having learned from the source of all true wisdom1 and having been rightly impressed with the great responsibility connected with the situation of those who1 by the authority of ,god1 judge between man and man1 and legislate for his declarative glory1 alone are fitted to bear rule over mankind6 ,every human system is liable to change for the better or worse4 ,to admit then into the councils of a nation1 or to the administration of its laws1 men opposed to their salutary spirit1 would be not merely to show no regard for its welfare1 but to employ means for its destruction4 ,those who suppose that the votaries of false religions1 and error of whatever kind1 however liberal might be their professions1 would pay respect to institutions favourable to truth1 are ignorant of that unholy zeal with which the abettors of delusive systems1 carry into effect their designs4 ,and they who would imagine that men1 uninfluenced by any moral or religious feeling1 would promote in their administration the distribution of justice1 are sufficiently blinded to conceive that error is equally with truth worthy of support1 or that false systems are unproductive of evil4 ,different from the sentiments of such were those which dictated the advice of ,jethro1 delivered in critical circumstances to the ,hebrew lawgiver4 ,moreover1 said that wise adviser to ,moses1 moreover1 thou shalt provide out of all the people able men1 such as fear ,god1 men of truth1 hating covetousness1 and place such over them1 to be rulers of thousands1 and rulers of hundreds1 rulers of fifties1 and rulers of tens3 and let them judge the people at all seasons3 and it shall be1 that every great matter they shall bring unto thee1 but every small matter they shall judge4#bfi ,and with that advice1 which from its adoption would appear to have been confirmed by a ,divine warrant1 harmonize the words of ,david1 ,the ,god of ,israel said1 the ,rock of ,israel spake to me4 ,he that ruleth over men must be just1 ruling in the fear of ,god4#bgj ,if it is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness1 and if the throne be established in righteousness1 can that nation be prosperous in which the wicked walk on every side1 the vilest men being exalted8 ,shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee1 which frameth mischief by a law8#bga ,in regard to the choice of rulers1 the duty of a people enlightened with the knowledge of ,divine truth1 is clear and plain4 ,when the qualities demanded by the law of ,god are not possessed1 no right to rule1 on the footing that ancestors1 in the providence of ,god1 had reigned1 or on any other ground1 can be claimed4 ,like that of wealth1 the possession of power depends solely upon the sovereign will of ,god3 even just rulers1 without the express promise of ,god1 have no reason to expect that their power will be continued exclusively to their families4 ,the distribution of the gifts of ,god is sovereign2 and when because of sin1 in chastisement or judgment1 ,he leads to the transference of royal dignities from one house to another1 the claims of hereditary or other privilege will be of little avail4 ,on no account can a people who yield subjection to the ,king of ,zion and the ,lord of all1 commit into the hands of men1 unqualified by irreligion or otherwise1 the reins of a government framed1 as each ought to be1 according to the standards of ,divine truth4 ,although1 as after the invasion of property1 when sometimes time appears to give a right to possession1 the usurpation of royal prerogatives1 in the course of years1 by a degraded and servile people1 may be not merely submitted to1 but acknowledged as lawful2 yet1 as the thief or the robber1 though his heirs to the third and fourth generation may possess the fruits of his spoil1 cannot fail to stand chargeable with crime before ,god's throne1 so the ruler1 whose throne is founded on iniquity1 or ascended through cruelty or injustice1 though millions applaud his government and confirm to his descendants the power that may be unjustly claimed by him1 cannot1 but in the eye of the ,eternal1 be viewed as a usurper4 ,and concerning those who submit willingly to his authority1 the ,lord will say1 ,they set up kings1 but not by me2 they have made princes1 and ,i knew it not4#bgb ,next1 as to the obedience which a people owe to their civil rulers4 ,the nature and extent thereof are defined in the word of ,god4 ,to the law of ,god1 all mankind are under permanent obligations2 and all1 in their peculiar relations1 are bound to render obedience to those rulers who are vested with authority from ,him4 ,between rulers and the people under them1 the compact ought to be mutual and voluntary2 and wherever a just title to sovereign power can be shown1 there obedience can be claimed4 ,for the government of mankind in things civil1 ,god has been pleased to appoint the ordinance of magistracy2 and ,he himself1 in his providence1 calls to the exercise of its supreme and subordinate functions4 ,this call is addressed through the people1 who alone possess the right to raise to power and trust over them those possessed of qualifications for office4 ,when the attainments of those chosen to rule accord in some measure with the requirements of the ,divine law1 the power communicated is of ,divine authority1 and obedience as unto ,god is due by the people2 but when the compact between the ruler and the people is opposed to the doctrines of ,divine truth1 there is no obligation upon either party4 ,both are chargeable with sin for entering into their engagements2 but the people are free from their promised allegiance1 and the ruler is destitute of authority4 ,this we may say in general1 without condescending upon the precise limits1 transgressing which1 power on the one hand is null and void1 and obedience on the other is not obligatory2 or1 inquiring what in systems of government1 partly good and partly evil1 is essential to their authority4 ,we can conceive of some civil governments as originating from the obscure intimations of the light of nature concerning sin and duty1 and as under the superintendence of men possessed of qualities compatible with the views of those whom they rule over or govern4 ,here the compact1 though very imperfect1 would be mutual and consistent1 and the duties recognised by each party completely obligatory on both4 ,an increase of knowledge1 however1 would demand reformation2 and so far as such would not be attempted when manifestly necessary1 so far would the law of ,god be disregarded1 and so far would the government be opposed to ,his authority4 ,kings and others in power are required1 as the light of duty breaks in upon them1 to conform their public procedure to its exhibitions2 and the people under their dominion are called to obey4 ,if reformation1 however1 begin not with those in possession of power1 subjects1 perceiving its necessity1 are not warranted to abstain from attempting it4 ,those attempts1 however1 should be of such a character as not to endanger1 unnecessarily1 the peace of communities4 ,the duty of rulers should be perseveringly set before them1 and the minds of all assiduously called to reflection4 ,and while obedience should be given to no unjust law1 and no recognition of any unlawful institution should be made1 the utmost care should be taken to bring all to a sense of obligation1 so that1 if possible1 there might be averted the crisis when the voice of a people1 enlightened by ,divine truth1 having been altogether disregarded1 there ought to be taken the final step of expelling from the seat of power those who1 by contemning alike the law of ,god and the sentiments of their subjects1 declare themselves unworthy of supreme authority4 ,but to rulers possessed of scriptural qualifications1 cordial obedience is due4 ,let every soul be subject to the higher powers4#bgc ,also1 in the acknowledgment of their lawful authority1 that their persons may be blessed1 their governments may be established1 and prosperity may distinguish their reign1 prayer must be made to ,god on their behalf4 ,i exhort therefore1 that1 first of all1 supplications1 prayers1 intercessions1 and giving of thanks1 be made for all men2 for kings1 and for all that are in authority2 that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty4#bgd ,and whilst1 agreeably to the injunction1 ,honour the king1 respect1 far transcending that homage which evaporates in hacknied expressions of loyalty employed in reference to majesty1 is due1 the defence and support of rulers in the due exercise of their power--a support even extended to the making of every lawful sacrifice on behalf of the interests of truth and righteousness1 devolves on all placed under a ,christian government4 ,and in order that such subjection be properly maintained1 a salutary fear1 not merely of the wrath of man1 but of the wrath of ,god1 and a conscientious regard to duty1 must be cherished4 ,wherefore ye must needs be subject1 not only for wrath1 but also for conscience' sake4#bge ,when the fear of the sanction annexed to the transgression of any law is the only motive to obedience1 that obedience cannot be genuine4 ,not merely the lower1 but also the higher principles of our nature1 must lead to that course of conduct which is estimable in the sight of men1 and what is more important by far1 acceptable to ,god4 ,the moral being whom the fear of punishment alone would deter from doing evil1 by threats would be equally hindered1 and perhaps more so1 from doing good4 ,and he whom a sense of duty would not urge to right conduct1 would not always be led to it by a view of the consequences resulting from doing evil4 ,they who love the law of ,god will obey it1 because of his holy will2 and his authority will be recognised in the commands of those who rule for him1 according to its manifestation1 not less than in the express dictates of his word4 ,all the institutions of ,god1 and all the means which he has appointed for the promotion of his own glory and for the good of men1 are dear to his people2 and while they seek to declare the glory of ,god1 and endeavour to promote the best interests of men1 at once they will fear and hate to sin4 ,the people of ,god1 however1 have not always1 nay have seldom1 in ,his providence1 been privileged to live under civil governments1 sanctioned by ,his high authority4 ,in their unfavourable circumstances how ought they to conduct themselves towards those who rule over them8 ,ought they to join themselves with the people of the lands wherein they dwell1 in supporting thrones of iniquity8 or1 are they to uphold the authority of those who rule not for ,god8 ,since the enjoyment of outward privileges--such as the protection of life and character1 and property1 brings under obligations1 which may be acknowledged1 without the recognition of any attribute of a government1 nay even with a dissent from its enactments and constitution of evil1 these obligations1 in living at peace with all men1 in giving scope wisely and consistently to every good law1 and in the paying of dues lawful in themselves1 they ought to acknowledge2 even in cases where the imposts of such a government are so combined1 as that it may be difficult or impossible to distinguish between what is required for lawful1 and what for unlawful purposes1 within certain limits1 they will not withhold their contributions1 but protest against the sinful uses to which the revenues of the nation may be put4 ,but when1 by direct contribution or otherwise1 they are required to support or countenance measures palpably sinful1 or to give a pledge of loyalty by oath1 or otherwise1 to systems immoral or unscriptural1 accounting it better to obey ,god rather than men1 this they ought at all hazards to refuse4 ,and when privileges1 ensnaring in their nature1 and in the acceptance of which is implied an acknowledgment of such governments1#bgf are held out to them1 reflecting that the oaths sworn and the various other public actions performed by the representatives of the people1 are accepted in the name of the one and the other1 and are attributable to both1 and that those who bear rule1 are in general viewed as pledged to promote the system for which they act1 these they ought conscientiously to reject2#bgg--pondering the question addressed to ,jehoshaphat1--,shouldest thou help the ungodly1 and love them that hate the ,lord8#bgh ,to systems of government1 therefore1 under which the unlawful authority of the rulers is homologated by the servile acquiescence of a majority of the people1 a minority are not bound to yield subjection4 ,the laws of a nation1 only when accordant with the statutes of the ,eternal1 confer obligation2 and no acts of men can annul the demands of statutes formed according to ,his word1 and consequently deriving their authority from ,him4 ,when will ,zion be built up if her children testify not against the principle of those rulers who1 divided as to means1 but united in design1 assail1 as it were1 with axes and hammers the institutions of religion1 like the carved work of ,god's sanctuary1 and defile the same by attempting to cast them to the ground8 ,let the voice of a distinct testimony for the prerogatives of ,messiah the ,prince1 be resolutely lifted up4 ,and though it would not1 nay could not1 in many cases be faithfully uttered in the councils of a nation1 nor amid the shouts of many who1 praising civil power1 and a ,church so degraded as to act as its creature1 cry out in the spirit of the men of ,ephesus1 who said1 ,great is ,diana of the ,ephesians1 would for a time be not much heard through some portions of the land3 yet by the blessing of ,god it would be the means of exhibiting the nature of true reformation1 and1 if accompanied by uprightness of deportment1 would be productive of benefits that should be enjoyed1 when the works of the abettors of tyranny would have for ever perished4 ,rulers greatly miscalculate when they reckon as obedience the apparent submission which without hypocrisy is given to their laws1 by those who deny their power to legislate to be of ,divine authority4 ,that quiescence possesses neither of the features which together constitute an act an offering of genuine obedience4 ,it proceeds neither from wrath1 that is1 from the fear of their wrath1 nor from a conscientious sense of obligation to obey them4 ,to do what unqualified rulers command1 is one thing2 to do that from a regard to their pretended authority may be another4 ,the sentiment is wrong1 that a thing may be done for wrath1 which cannot be done for conscience' sake4 ,the acts done under incompetent rulers1 by those who disapprove of their claims1 come from neither4 ,their observance of good laws administered by such rulers1 is not maintained either from a dread of the power of those to inflict a penalty1 or from an approving regard of their claims to authority1 but proceeds from the fear of the wrath of ,god1 and from conscience of duty to ,him4 ,wicked commands cannot be obeyed at all4 ,an act performed for wrath1 is not lawfully done if not done for conscience' sake also2 and no service that men do under an unlawful government should proceed from either of these1 in reference to those in power4 ,such rulers act as if the doing of what they require were obedience to them2 but1 when their demands are lawful in themselves1 the performance of them should neither be made nor received as obedience to them1 but rendered as service to ,god3 when they are unlawful1 they should be wholly disregarded4 ,the doctrine is evil1 that so long as any law exists1 it ought to be obeyed4 ,if a law be good1 what it requires ought certainly to be done4 ,but though rulers demand obedience to every existing law1 whether it be good or bad1 yet when they give effect to those that are bad1 they are chargeable with crime1 and the people who yield are culpable4 ,it is true1 that bad laws should be changed3 but most erroneous1 that till they be regularly removed they should be obeyed4 ,it is criminal voluntarily to support1 for a single hour1 laws which are immoral1 unscriptural1 and anti-christian2 and an oath promising such support cannot but be sinful4 ,it is a grievous error to maintain1 that it is a duty to obey and support any law1 however wicked1 so long as it remains in the statute-book4 ,there is a law above all the laws of men1 the authority of which remains for ever unchangeable2 and when any human laws are in opposition to the divine1 it is our duty to obey ,god rather than man4 ,laws framed by men in opposition to the will of ,god1 ought to receive no countenance or support1 in any form whatever1 from the followers of the ,lamb4#bgi ,there is the same reason for discontinuing to obey a bad law as there is for annulling it and substituting for it a better4 ,difficulties that might arise in consequence of a people refusing to obey an evil law before its abolition1 afford no reason why it should be observed till removed in what is termed a constitutional way1 but are chargeable on those who made it and gave it scope4 ,to promote the real welfare of the civil communities to which they belong1 is the duty of all4 ,those who wink at the evils connected with them do not do so4 ,those who obey their unjust laws do not do so4 ,those who do not take means to reform them do not do so4 ,those who would seek to overthrow their good institutions are malignant enemies not merely of their country1 but also of all mankind4 ,those who1 from revenge1 or envy1 or selfishness1 or any other evil principle1 or all combined1 would attempt to change their institutions1 are the bane of society1 and a curse to their race4 ,only those who fear ,god are the true friends of civil society4 ,those are called1 and feel urged1 in greater or less measure according to their attainments1 to many varied duties1 all of which tend to the one end of improving it4 ,the diffusion of information regarding1 the scriptural constitution of civil society1 the duties of all ranks within it to ,god and to one another1 the qualifications of rulers1 and the obligation of the law of ,christ in regard to all its concerns2 the protection of its good institutions at once from the effects of tyranny and anarchy1 whether from within or from without2 the resistance of its laws that may be in opposition to the revealed will of ,god1 and consequently to the best interests of the community2 the reformation of its institutions that are evil1 but that may be improved1 and the destruction of those that are essentially corrupt2 the adoption of new measures suited to the progress of the development1 physical1 intellectual1 moral1 and religious1 of the society2 and above all1 the countenance and support of the ,church of ,god in the enjoyment of all her privileges2 are objects claiming the devoted attention of every one who has the least claim to be considered a worthy member of civil society1 and which1 from the very nature of society1 according to the law of ,god1 are incumbent on every one who enjoys its privileges4 ,to classes of men of whatever kind4 ,every one ought to promote the welfare of his neighbour4 ,am ,i my brother's keeper8 is1 in every age1 the motto only of the murderer4 ,the wretchedness or guilt of our neighbour ought not to repel us from1 but rather to attract us to him1 to alleviate his sufferings1 or administer admonition1 or give direction1 or encouragement1 or assistance1 of whatever nature4 ,from those who are members of evil confederations we should not be kept back1 but1 while avoiding the means of temptation to sin1 be led to urge them to dissociate themselves from societies that would lead them to ruin1 and to connect with others that tend to happiness and peace and honour4 ,the ignorant we ought to instruct and endeavour to reform2 the irreligious we ought to warn1 and1 in a spirit of true compassion1 to use means to turn from the error of his way2 and the obstinately wicked we ought to mourn over1 and beseech to seek unto ,god4 ,he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death1 and shall hide a multitude of sins4#bhj ,and our enemies we ought to forgive1 and by kindness seek to reclaim4 ,to the good we should be drawn1 not merely for our own advantage1 but for theirs4 ,their excellencies we ought to imitate1 and to endeavour1 if possible1 to increase and render more effective2 and their society1 in order to the advancement of the interests of truth1 we should cultivate4 ,to the intelligent and wise we should be drawn1 that we may be wise1 and their influence for good may be reflected back to the utmost1 even though in measure small1 upon themselves2 and to the religious1 that1 encouraged in prosecuting the way to the eternal inheritance1 they may have1 in increasing measure1 the happiness of being accompanied and followed by many who will be helpers of their joy4 ,as we have therefore opportunity1 let us do good unto all men1 especially unto them who are of the household of faith4#bha ,these various duties of the members of civil society are proper matter of solemn ,covenant engagement4 ,that they have but little entered into vows on the part of many who have bound themselves to other services1 also required1 is no reason why they should not be ,covenanted4 ,that they are enjoined in the law of ,christ1 obedience to which is the keeping of ,god's ,covenant1 is the reason why they should be distinctly described1 and introduced into secret and public social solemn vows4 ,thirdly1 to the ,church of ,christ4 ,these are of high importance2 by the authority of ,god they are inculcated1 and to the highest of all ends they directly tend4 ,not enjoined by the authority of man1 even deputed to him from above1 but by ,christ himself1 they bind the conscience by a bond that men could neither have imposed nor relaxed4 ,they are vowed in ,baptism1 engaged to in the ,lord's ,supper1 and ought to be the matter of solemn engagements of an explicit public nature4 ,these are1-- ,to abide by all the ordinances of ,divine grace4 ,these are the appointment of the ,redeemer1 and tend to the good of his ,church4 ,the relations of the members of the ,church to one another1 originating in his sovereign appointment1 call them to these special duties to one another2 and his explicit commands give definiteness to their obligations4 ,to wait on these ordinances1 is at once a duty to ,god and to his ,church4 ,to keep the ,sabbath1 to celebrate the sacraments1 to hear and preach the gospel1 to engage in the reading of the word of ,god1 and in praise and prayer1 to make and keep secret and social vows1 to associate with his people1 and to attend to whatever observances of discipline he has made known1 are indispensable services4 ,i am like a green olive-tree in the house of ,god3 ,i trust in the mercy of ,god for ever and ever4 ,i will praise thee for ever1 because thou hast done it3 and ,i will wait on thy name2 for it is good before thy saints4#bhb ,to support the ordinances of religion where they are enjoyed4 ,the ,lord gave to ancient ,israel the institutions of his house as a trust4 ,who are ,israelites2 to whom pertaineth the adoption1 and the glory1 and the covenants1 and the giving of the law1 and the service of ,god1 and the promises4#bhc ,and to all his people he has given the promise of a heart to observe his statutes for their own good1 and the good of their children4 ,and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god2 and ,i will give them one heart1 and one way1 that they may fear me for ever1 for the good of them1 and of their children after them4#bhd ,even the promise of outward support to the ordinances of religion1 should enter into solemn vows4 ,it is by the contributions of the people of ,god that these are to be continued4 ,for offering to ,him the lame and the blind1 the ,lord was displeased with ,israel2 but his blessing was promised to those who devoted liberally of their substance to ,him4 ,will a man rob ,god8 ,yet ye have robbed me4 ,but ye say1 ,wherein have we robbed thee8 ,in tithes and offerings4 ,ye are cursed with a curse3 for ye have robbed me1 even this whole nation4 ,bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse1 that there may be meat in mine house1 and prove me now herewith1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 if ,i will not open you the windows of heaven1 and pour you out a blessing1 that there shall not be room enough to receive it4#bhe ,to maintain the rights and privileges of the ,church4 ,these are a part of the charge committed to her by her ,head2 but they are also an inheritance which her members are bound by their relation to her to preserve and transmit4 ,against two classes of enemies1 in particular1 it is necessary to defend these4 ,the abettors of corrupt systems of religion1 by weapons of every character1 assail them4 ,these claiming for communities that were once distinguished by the truth1 but who have greatly1 or nearly altogether relinquished it1 the character of the true ,church of ,god1 are not scrupulous to represent societies that do hold the ,head as not entitled to the ,church's immunities2 and consequently at once they tyrannically attempt to blind men1 and to prevent them from uniting with those who have the light among them4 ,against such1 as cruel and tyrannical usurpers who would bring the ,church of ,god into bondage1 and deny that her privileges are valid1 those who are in her communion are called to testify4 ,prelacy and ,popery are both corrupt systems1 though not equally4 ,both claim for those who adhere to them the character of being the only members of the true ,church4 ,both deny that any in societies not in communion with them1 have a right to be reckoned the ministers of religion1 or to dispense any of its ordinances4 ,both having attempted to rob the ,church of ,christ of her privileges1 the latter consummates the impiety of one who sitteth in the temple of ,god1 showing himself that he is ,god2 and the former1 by giving to an earthly monarch the place over ,his ,church which belongs to ,christ alone1 being an accomplice in crime1 approves4 ,against these systems1 that the blinded who are attached to them may be delivered from their bondage1 that the truly pious who are within them may be brought out of them1 and that their invasions of the privileges of those who hold the truth may be limited1 the rights of ,god's people behove to be held forth by testimony and maintained4 ,a regard to the claims of the house of ,god on each of its members1 should lead to the duty2 and1 in consequence of engagements by vow and oath1 that should be performed4 ,but next--many civil rulers form another class which exacts upon the privileges of the ,church4 ,assuming for civil authority a supreme power over all causes1 ecclesiastical and civil1 they practically attempt to deny to the ,church of ,christ her privileges1--those rights which no mere civil society is competent to sustain1 which the ,lord himself purchased for and bestowed upon her1 which she is bound by her allegiance to ,him to keep entire and perpetuate1 which she is destined to use for extensive good in the promotion of true religion1 for which she is answerable to ,him alone1 which the rulers of this world--which no creature can give or take away1 which her ,lord will conserve1 even to the overthrow of every system--whether civil or ecclesiastical1 that will persevere to dispute them or use means to wrest them from her hands2 and thus they give occasion to her members1 in virtue of their communion with one another and common obligations to ,christ1 to testify by oath and otherwise against their pretensions as1 rebellion against ,him1 and injustice and tyranny to the society of which ,he alone is the ,head4 ,to unite the various ,churches of ,christ4 ,that these will be incorporated in millennial times1 we have reason to believe4 ,that different ,churches have been brought into one1 is matter of history4 ,that the ,lord in his providence has overruled outward circumstances for associating his people1 in order that they might act for ,him1 is a truth worthy of careful consideration4 ,on the ground that the illuminating and sanctifying agency of ,god's ,spirit is altogether independent of the condition of men1 we are forced to conclude1 that many who by reason of the imperfections of the human heart have heretofore been but little disposed to make joint efforts on behalf of religion1 may by means other than those of outward distresses1 or along with these1 be brought to co-operate1 if not ultimately to incorporate1 with one another1 toward the high end contemplated in common by them4 ,it is good to maintain sound views of the declarations of the word of ,god4 ,it is proper to examine others4 ,it is good for all to endeavour rightly to apprehend the sentiments of those who may differ from them in opinion concerning ,divine truth2 and necessary to exhibit such sentiments in their true character4 ,it is desirable that mutual communications regarding the truth should be interchanged among those who desire1 but are unable yet to see eye to eye2 and to be greatly wished1 that all such1 in what measure and manner is competent to them1 would strengthen each other's hands to give diffusion to their common views4 ,the different communities of the ,church should not stand in intrenchments inaccessible to each other4 ,they are each a place of greater or less strength raised for defence1 not against the others1 but against a common foe4 ,they cannot yet hold free communion2 but various means of communication may be employed by them1 without laying themselves open to the inroads of enemies4 ,by encouraging some kinds of intercourse among themselves1 they would not expose themselves to any assault1 but secure1 or rather alter for good1 their positions4 ,in order to the overthrow of the enemy1 without giving him inadvertently even an inch of advantage1 mutual aids might be communicated among them4 ,were proper means taken1 their various positions1 by being subjected to improvements1 might ultimately come to be one system1 within the lines of which no enemy would penetrate1 and all whose parts acting in concert would present the reality of an outward ,zion--emblem of that which is spiritual1 fortified with walls and bulwarks4 ,so long as there are even two communities of the people of ,christ1 whose sentiments regarding various things are not in harmony1 so long is a loud call addressed to all who fear ,him1 to take means to lead to unity1 and to come under common solemn obligations thus to build up1 even as the walls of ,jerusalem1 the walls and bulwarks of ,zion4 ,to enlarge the ,church4 ,in the providence of ,god1 the truth is widely diffused through the operation of many outward causes4 ,according to the provisions of his grace1 it is intended for dissemination through the voluntary agency of those who love it4 ,enlarge the place of thy tent1 and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations3 spare not1 lengthen thy cords1 and strengthen thy stakes3 for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left2 and thy seed shall inherit the ,gentiles1 and make the desolate cities to be inhabited4 ,fear not2 for thou shalt not be ashamed3 neither be thou confounded2 for thou shalt not be put to shame3 for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth1 and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more4 ,for thy ,maker is thine husband2 the ,lord of hosts is his name2 and thy ,redeemer the ,holy ,one of ,israel2 the ,god of the whole earth shall he be called4#bhf ,through ,bible ,societies4 ,the fact is singular1 that the operation of these is the first great exemplification made in the last times1 as it is among the highest applications1 of the principle of co-operation on the part of many for good4 ,it shows that ,god in his providence1 in a wondrous manner1 leads men to do what he has enjoined in his word2 honours his own institutions2 and teaches the lesson1 that in accordance with the facilities presented by him1 should be the dutiful energetic endeavours of all towards the exhibition of his truth4 ,was it dutiful for fathers to teach their children the law of ,god8 ,was it dutiful for the priests to read it to the people of ,israel assembled at their solemn feasts8 ,it is dutiful for all who have the whole word of ,god1 to use every lawful means in their power to make others know it4 ,was it dutiful to make use of one copy of the law for instructing the people1 when only one could be obtained8 ,it is dutiful so to make use of as many copies of the ,scriptures as can be found1 nay1 to aid in producing copies of them to the utmost limits of our ability1 that they may be sent to those who are in darkness4 ,to the greatest extent of the capacities of all1 it is dutiful for them to obtain and distribute copies of the blessed word4 ,every member of the ,church of ,christ1 from the days of infancy to those of extreme old age1 should be a member of a ,bible ,society2 and1 till the many millions of the human family have the word in their hands1 that it may take possession of their hearts1 it should be distributed4 ,every discovery in science1 every acquisition in literature1 every improvement or invention in art1 should be devoted to the multiplication1 in all languages1 at the least possible expense1 and accordingly to the utmost extent1 of copies of the word4 ,and all should give themselves to aid in the dutiful effort4 ,contributions of money2 devotion of talent1 and energy1 and time2 and prayer to ,god3 for this1 should all be made1 and1 in solemn individual and public vows1 be offered to ,god4 ,through ,missions4 ,first1 at home4 ,the claims of countrymen perishing for lack of knowledge1 on those who know the truth1 are strong4 ,the claims of the whole ,church upon each of her members for devotedness to her interests1 are the strongest that society can put forth1 and when made on behalf of those who are united by many near ties1 harmonize with the former4 ,every one should nourish and cherish his own body4 ,the duty is common to an individual and to the ,church of ,christ4 ,that community which does not improve in the region where the means of healthful increase are afforded1 is in an unhealthy state4 ,when a portion of the visible ,church does not1 by affording to those around it who are in a state of corruption the means of life1 assimilate them to itself1 it is not in vigorous action2 its members sustain not the character of living ones2 and except it be restored1 its decay cannot be far distant4 ,to lead the communities of the faithful to invade the ignorance and sin and misery that surround them1 the voice of humanity1 a sense of obligation to the calls of duty1 the delightful prospect of good to many who will either receive or give instruction1 and of glory to ,god by the salvation of sinners1 do all unite4 ,before the appeals of these the insensibility and even opposition of those who are in degradation and guilt1 should be esteemed as no ground of discouragement2 but1 in the spirit of devotedness to a great work which cannot lose its gracious reward1 should1 with resolution and prayer in consequence of solemn devotedness on the part of one and all1 be perseveringly and patiently1 though even painfully1 encountered4 ,secondly1 to the heathen4 ,to use endeavours that a system which tends but to good be developed to the utmost1 is not to manifest ambition1 but to display the working of true benevolence4 ,to seek the increase of the ,church's power--essentially benignant in the world--is to aspire at what has been reserved for her1 and to aim at what each of her members is under obligation to favour4 ,her enemies alone tend to hinder her advancement4 ,the providence of ,god is directed to her welfare4 ,the designs of satan are overruled for her good4 ,the ,lord himself watches over her1 and leads her forth to her high destination4 ,and ought not her children1 by making and keeping solemn vows1 to enlighten the subjects of darkness1 to promote her prosperity8 ,when the number of the faithful is increased1 so is their efficiency2 the enemies of truth are diminished and discouraged by all brought to receive it2 and the communion of saints1 by the addition of every believer1 is swelled to the pleasing anticipation1 the grateful remembrance1 and substantial satisfaction in the enjoyment of present good1 of every one therein4 ,who that loves the prosperity of ,zion1 does not desire to see her communion extended8 ,who that has an interest in her welfare1 does not joyfully anticipate and pray for1 and endeavour to use other means1 that men may see the glorious things said in prophecy concerning her8 ,who that is a worthy member of her communion1 does not feel himself urged1 by a sense of obligation to her1 to add to the joy of each of her faithful ones1 by being instrumental in leading the heathen nations to the truth8 ,how glorious a thing it would be to see those nations associated1 by the strong ties of fellowship1 and a common relation to one glorious ,lord1 to his other believing people6 ,how delightful to think of the many who had not known ,god being brought to a substantial and eternal union to others made to enjoy his favour6--to meditate upon the heathen brought1 through the instrumentality of men1 to do homage to that ,lord whom all his saints delight to see honoured6--to know of the heathen that had been given to ,him for an inheritance1 being taught willingly to receive and acknowledge him1 and by special ,covenanting1 to give themselves away unto ,him1 taking hold upon him as given for a ,covenant of the people1 and presenting the fulfilment of the precious words1 ,he shall not fail nor be discouraged1 till he have set judgment in the earth3 and the isles shall wait for his law4#bhg ,thirdly1 to the ,jews4 ,their fathers first brought the glad tidings of salvation to the ,gentiles4 ,the ,apostles1 and others of them1 proclaimed the truth in every nation under heaven4 ,from the ten tribes in captivity in the east went forth missionaries to ,india1 and ,china1 and to other nations around them4 ,the ancient ,israelites at ,sinai1 at ,horeb1 and elsewhere1 ,covenanted to afford the means of grace to those of other nations of the world4 ,in the covenant made with ,abraham1 provision was made for the introduction of the stranger into the visible ,church of ,god1 by granting to him the privilege of circumcision4 ,the people of ,israel were the children of that ,covenant1 and recognised its engagements as obligatory upon them4 ,among them1 accordingly1 every circumcised person1 not excluding the stranger1 had a right to eat of the passover4 ,in the decalogue1 the stranger dwelling among them is recognised4 ,in the covenant made at ,sinai1 express provisions1 besides1 were made for such4 ,the stranger that dwelleth with you1 shall be unto you as one born among you1 and thou shalt love him as thyself4#bhh ,in that it is said to the priests1 ,that ye may teach the children of ,israel all the statutes which the ,lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of ,moses4#bhi ,these were therefore to teach it to the stranger also4 ,in all these things ,israel1 by ,covenanting1 acquiesced1 when they were first proposed1 and also at succeeding times when the covenant of ,sinai was renewed4 ,the ,church is therefore under a debt to their descendants which should be paid in kind4 ,in order to confer upon her the honour of fulfilling the high obligation1 her members should make and keep ,covenant engagements to send missionaries to all the remnants of ,israel4 ,to her and to each other1 individually1 they owe it thus to use means to add to the communion of saints1 the descendants of ,jacob1--whose restoration will be so advantageous1--,for if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world1 what shall the receiving of them be1 but life from the dead8#bij ,how pleasing to think of ,israel again graffed into their own olive tree6--to reflect upon the fulfilment of the promise1 ,and so all ,israel shall be saved2 as it is written1 ,there shall come out of ,sion the ,deliverer1 and shall turn away ungodliness from ,jacob3 for this is my covenant unto them1 when ,i shall take away their sins6#bia--;and to look forward to that universal joy which shall be expressed1 when1 the fulness of the ,gentiles having been brought in1 and all ,israel gathered1 the kingdom shall universally be acknowledged to be the ,lord's6 ,,iii4 ,covenanting should engage all to duties to the ,mediator as ,lord of all4 ,it is by ,god that all live1 and move1 and have their being2 and to him all are called to live4 ,for none of us liveth to himself1 and no man dieth to himself4 ,for whether we live1 we live unto the ,lord2 and whether we die1 we die unto the ,lord3 whether we live1 therefore1 or die1 we are the ,lord's4 ,to seek the ,lord1 and to walk after the ,lord1 are the sum of all the obedience to ,him which he requires2 and are the substance of what all are required to vow and swear to perform4 ,and they entered into a covenant to seek the ,lord ,god of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul4#bib ,and the king stood by a pillar1 and made a covenant before the ,lord1 to walk after the ,lord1 and to keep his commandments1 and his testimonies1 and his statutes1 with all their heart1 and all their soul1 to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book3 and all the people stood to the covenant4#bic ,these duties to ,god ought to be performed to ,christ2 for he hath said1 ,all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth2#bid and it is the will of ,god1 that all men should honour the ,son1 even as they honour the ,father4#bie ,these duties are1 it maybe remarked1 in general1 ,to declare the glory of ,god4 ,all the duty that ,he requires of man is included in this4 ,every thing that occurs1 independently of the will of moral creatures1 is glorifying to ,god4 ,every evil thing is overruled for the manifestation of his glory4 ,the willing services of unfallen angels and redeemed men1 directly tend to display that glory4 ,all that ,god requires of man1 and consequently the use of all means appointed for glorifying his name1 ought to be vowed4 ,by commands to all2 by promises1 by invitations and encouragements1 to his people2 by denunciations and warnings addressed to his enemies2 he urges men to show forth his glory4 ,to vow and swear to do so is therefore obligatory upon them4 ,the obligation is acknowledged in the ,psalmist's vow1--,i will praise thee1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 with all my heart2 and ,i will glorify thy name for evermore4#bif ,and as a consequence of offering worship to ,god1 and therefore1 in some instances at least1 of vowing to ,him1 the glorifying of ,god's name is predicted4 ,all nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee1 ,o ,lord2 and shall glorify thy name4#big ,but particularly1 ,to maintain the truth by the profession and practice of it4 ,idolatry1 or the whole of false religion and all its practical consequences1 is represented both as a withholding from ,god of the glory due to him1 and as a surrender of the truth4#bih ,christ is the ,truth2 and accordingly those who receive him cleave to his truth by vow and consequent obedience4 ,the ,spirit of promise is the ,spirit of ,truth4 ,they who1 by ,covenanting1 receive him in the former character1 accept of him as sent to lead into all truth4#bii ,the ,lord is a ,god of ,truth4 ,all who take him as their ,god accede to his truth4 ,it is to the truth of ,god that those devoted servants1 whom he denominates ,my ,witnesses1 give testimony1 in their profession1 and life1 and conversation4 ,it is to his truth that they testify in the same manner1 when they act as his ,messenger4#cjj ,the truth of ,god was committed to his people in the charge which1 from time to time1 they accepted in ,covenanting4#cja ,the ,redeemer commands that it be held fast4 ,remember therefore how thou hast received and heard2 and hold fast1 and repent4#cjb ,the ,covenant people of ,god are the righteous nation which keepeth the truth4#cjc ,each of them declares1 ,i have chosen the way of truth3 thy judgments have ,i laid before me4#cjd ,and each adopts the vow1 ,i will walk in thy truth4#cje ,the truth of ,god's character ought to be maintained4 ,that his name might be glorified1 he was pleased to make himself known4 ,that men might in some measure apprehend him1 he revealed himself4 ,that they might not forget but hold communion with him1 he appointed the ordinances of his grace4 ,that they might be led to celebrate his greatness1 he gave them command and afforded them facilities to pledge themselves to his service4 ,they are called to contemplate with wonder and admiration1 the transcendent excellencies of his nature1 and to speak of them with reverence and awe4 ,and ,himself1 whose being and attributes are all infinite1 they are created and preserved to praise and adore4 ,the distinct personality of the ,father1 of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost2 the divinity of each of these glorious persons2 the unity of the ,godhead2 and the essential glory of the ,three-,one-,god2 are truths implied in the very nature of solemn ,covenant engagement2 and in order to the keeping of these1 require to be held4 ,the truth of ,god's government ought to be maintained4 ,the underived majesty of the ,eternal2 the power and authority of the ,father1 of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost1 extending over all creatures from the beginning to everlasting2 the reality and nature of ,god's purposes1 and their fulfilment in creation and providence2 in opposition to the atheist1 the fatalist1 the deist1 the sceptic1 and every other who does not believe in the truth of ,divine revelation2 are made known1 and claim to be contended for and professed4 ,the relations of the persons of the ever-blessed ,trinity in ,unity1 confederated in the everlasting ,covenant for the salvation of man1 behove to be maintained4 ,in the ,scriptures1 the ,father is represented as having given his ,son to be a propitiation for the sins of his people1 accepted of his work1 and conferred upon him a glorious reward2--as the ,god of grace1 calling1 justifying1 adopting1 sanctifying1 and receiving to glory1 his people2--the ,holy ,ghost is exhibited as given to the ,redeemer1 as renewing1 illuminating1 sanctifying1 and comforting his elect1 as a ,spirit of grace and supplication1 as dwelling in their hearts1 as given to them as an earnest of the purchased possession1 as the ,comforter1 the ,remembrancer1 the ,spirit of promise2--and the ,redeemer is presented as the great ,mediator between ,god and men4 ,to the faith of ,god's elect1 such manifestations are made4 ,they must be confessed4 ,the mediatorial character and glory of ,christ ought to be maintained4 ,the revelation of ,divine truth is due to ,him as the great ,prophet of his ,church4 ,he is the great ,high ,priest of his people's profession4 ,he is their ,king1 and ,head over all4 ,the illuminating influences of the word and ,spirit of ,christ have been felt by all his people4 ,they are taught in the ,scriptures2 they proceed from him as the great ,teacher sent from ,god2 they require to be proclaimed4 ,the atonement and intercession of ,christ lie at the foundation of the sinner's hope of acceptance and enjoyment of the favour of ,god4 ,being distinctly revealed1 like all other doctrines of ,god's word1 they should enter into a testimony for the truth4 ,the ,headship of ,christ is a most important part of the truth1 to which testimony must be borne4 ,the ,father hath put all things under his feet1 and gave him to be head over all things to the church1 which is his body1 the fulness of him that filleth all in all4#cjf ,his ,headship over the ,church is real in every age4 ,in all time1 however1 by some it has been disputed4 ,it could not be disproved1 though it has often been disregarded4 ,so often as the ordinances of ,divine grace have been undervalued or misimproved2 so often as men have taken upon them to make changes in the worship of ,god2 so often as there have been taught for doctrines the commandments of men2 so often as the government which ,christ instituted in his house has not been observed2 so long as the ordinance of discipline has been neglected or improperly administered2 so often as rites and ceremonies in the worship of ,god have been added or modified according to the caprice of men2 so often as men unqualified have assumed to themselves the functions of the ministering servants of ,christ2 so often as the ministers of religion have acted as lords over ,god's heritage2 so often as one individual in it has sat as head of the ,church2 so often as one has sat in the temple of ,god showing himself that he was ,god2 so often as civil rulers have stept out of their own sphere to legislate in the ,church1 to overrule the proceedings of its courts1 to visit with restrictions1 whether by pains1 or penalties1 or otherwise1 those who used a lawful power and authority therein2 so often and so long as an earthly sovereign has sat as head of any department of ,his ,church2 so often and so long1 ignorantly or otherwise1 has the ,redeemer1 as ,king and ,head of his ,church1 been dishonoured4 ,for his glory so set at nought1 his people1 in protesting against the opposition thereby shown to his just claim1 and in maintaining all these claims1 are called to testify by vow and oath4 ,the ,headship of ,christ over the nations is taught in ,divine revelation not less clearly than that over the ,church2 not less than that1 it has been misapprehended and disputed1 and often practically denied4 ,but equally with the other1 being true1 the doctrine has stood unshaken amidst every assault4 ,it is manifest from all the references of ,divine truth to civil matters3--from its delineations of the duties of the civil magistrate1 and of those under his authority1 to ,christ and to one another2 of the qualifications of lawful civil rulers2 of nations as called into existence by the ,mediator1 under his cognizance1 and at his disposal2 of the duties of nations to the ,church of ,christ1--to establish the true religion1 restrain ungodliness1 and otherwise aid in the promotion of her interests3 and appears from designations representing ,him as possessed of all power and authority over men4 ,but1 even as his authority over the ,church1 it has been set at nought by many4 ,civil constitutions not framed according to his law1 nor under the care of those impressed with the fear of ,god2 that give equal countenance to error and truth2 that support delusive systems1 while they do not encourage the spread of truth2 that attempt to subordinate the ,church to the civil power2 that seek the alliance of any idolatrous system of religion to support their authority2 that seek the continuance of power by attempting to bring the nations to which they belong1 at the risk of the exterminating penalty of poverty or destitution1 under the yoke of ignorance1 to be fastened on by the educating or training of the young of the lower classes by the priesthood or other agents of the mystery of iniquity alone2 or that seek to secure their influence by any means at variance with the law of ,christ2 are all in opposition to his revealed will1 are unpossessed of authority from him1 are the voluntary agents of the ,prince of the power of the air1 and cannot be countenanced without rebellion against ,him who is the ,governor among the nations4 ,whosoever there may be that fear ,god among those who rule or govern in connection with such constitutions1 by being connected with them and putting forth their claims1 are not in the path of duty4 ,the obligation incumbent on such1 nay1 on all--whether in power or not1 who support them1 is either to give up their adherence to them1 or to change them so as to bring them up to the scriptural standard4 ,with the supporters of such constitutions unamended1 some who disapprove of them1 have in some respects to co-operate4 ,but never can any act1 without sin1 along with these1 in such a manner as to recognise the claims of the power maintained by these constitutions1 to be the ordinance of ,god4#cjg ,joint procedure with such can be warrantable only when directed to an end good in itself1 and when accompanied by an expressed or understood disapproval of the character and authority of the civil power4 ,against such1 that they may be modified for good1 or succeeded by what is glorifying to ,god1 a substantial testimony ought to be lifted up4 ,in order to the extension of the acknowledgment of the ,mediatorial power over all the kingdoms of the world1 an exhibition of the prerogatives and claims upon these of the ,redeemer1 should explicitly be made in testifying for him1 by a scriptural profession1 and practical observance of his commands4 ,and in solemn ,covenanting such attestations required to be embodied4 ,i will set no wicked thing before mine eyes3 ,i hate the work of them that turn aside2 it shall not cleave to me4 ,a froward heart shall depart from me2 ,i will not know a wicked person4 ,mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land1 that they may dwell with me3 he that walketh in a perfect way1 he shall serve me4#cjh ,i will extol thee1 my ,god1 ,o ,king2 and ,i will bless thy name for ever and ever4 ,i will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty1 and of thy wondrous works4 ,all thy works shall praise thee1 ,o ,lord2 and thy saints shall bless thee4 ,they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom1 and talk of thy power2 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts1 and the glorious majesty of his kingdom4 ,thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom1 and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations4#cji ,and the truth of the depravity of man and his inability to restore himself to ,god's favour ought to be maintained4 ,the entire corruption of the human nature by sin1 original sin1 the dominion of sin in the unconverted1 the power of sin even in the people of ,god1 are all made known as by a sunbeam in the ,divine word1 consistent with the conduct of men1 necessary to be admitted in order to the acceptance of the blessings of the great salvation1 the subject of solemn confession to ,god1 and a ground of humiliation in his sight4 ,these should enter into a solemn profession of the truth4 ,i will declare mine iniquity2 ,i will be sorry for my sin4#caj ,who can understand his errors8 cleanse thou me from secret faults4 ,keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins2 let them not have dominion over me4#caa ,to testify against error and its consequences4 ,heathenism it is necessary to denounce according to the word of ,divine truth4 ,it is desirable to condemn it1 as originating in the corruption of true religion1 making progress by assimilating to itself the corruptions of the human heart under the influence of satan1 and tending towards the ruin of the soul4 ,the manner in which it is described in the sacred volume1 and represented there as certainly to be dissipated1 should be made known by those who come in contact with it4 ,and the glorious truth of ,god1 in contrast with it in its character and tendencies1 should be displayed4 ,in like manner1 should infidelity--whether ,jewish or ,gentile1 ,mahommedanism and ,socinianism on the one hand1 and ,popery and ,prelacy on the other1 and every other false system1 be dealt with4 ,to assault such by the exhibition of the truth of ,god1 and to vow to do so1 his people have every warrant and encouragement4 ,they fear him1 and under his banner as his ,covenanted servants1 are called to the duty4 ,thou hast given a banner to them that feared thee1 that it may be displayed because of the truth4#cab ,hence1 in conclusion1 ,first1 ,covenanting should engage all to every former good attainment4 ,the obligation of a permanent duty cannot be dissolved2 but the observance of it may and ought to be vowed successively4 ,for a reason1 the same as1 or similar to1 that for which it was vowed at first1 it may1 on some occasions1 be promised by vow and oath again4 ,the ,divine law holds every moral being bound to duty2 yet it admits1 nay1 commands1 the making of promises in ,covenanting to do it4 ,as the original command to obey1 does not render the vow unnecessary1 so neither does one vow remove the necessity for another4 ,it is in vain to object1 that as the vow or oath of marriage need not be repeated by the parties1 so neither need any other4 ,though on account of the esteemed and real solemnity of that original covenant1 it is not requisite that it should be renewed in the formal manner in which it was made at first1 it is1 nevertheless1 manifest from ,scripture1 inculcating the use of the vow1 that the parties may thereafter vow to ,god to continue to fulfil their first engagements4 ,were one duty that was formerly obligatory not to be engaged to in ,covenanting1 then might none other4 ,hence1 only duties becoming incumbent at present could be vowed1 and accordingly1 as all the duties of the moral law were incumbent before1 none of these could be vowed at all1 and therefore1 in no circumstances whatever1 could the vow be made4 ,the absurdity of the conclusion is sufficiently manifest4 ,we are warranted to maintain that what was ,covenanted before1 no less than it should be performed1 should be vowed again4 ,nevertheless1 whereto we have already attained1 let us walk by the same rule1 let us mind the same thing4#cac ,secondly4 ,in ,covenanting1 there should be made engagements to cleave to new correct views of truth and duty4 ,the apprehensions of men are subject to continual change4 ,nor are those of the people of ,god exempted from this4 ,nay those should alter to improve4 ,no new aspect of truth can any one warrantably disregard4 ,every increase made in the knowledge of ,god demands a corresponding acknowledgment4 ,according to each1 ought new vows to be made4 ,when one enemy of his kingdom appears1 vows should be made to resist and overthrow his influence4 ,when many foes appear new vows of an appropriate kind should be entered into against them4 ,when duty presents itself ,covenant engagements should be made to perform it4 ,with the enlargement of the field of duty1 should proceed the enlargement of ,covenant promises1 in dependence on ,divine aid to overtake it4 ,according to the display of ,god's glorious goodness and mercy1 should be the solemn engagements of his people to give it celebration4 ,if one view of his glory calls to the exercise1 every one brighter will invite to it1 till both engagements and their fulfilment merge into eternal unbroken obedience in heaven4 ,thirdly4 ,in ,covenanting1 there should be made engagements to abandon whatever evil unobserved there may be in the vow made1 or whatever may be inconsistent with its lawful parts4 ,a vow may sometimes be sinful1 notwithstanding the use of the utmost care to make it in consistency with the calls of duty4 ,the sinful parts are due to the imperfection of the individual who makes it2 the lawful part alone is obligatory4 ,the making of the good part of a vow ought not to be refrained from on account of a dread of associating with that a part that might be evil4 ,were an evil part to be introduced under the apprehension of its enormity1 daring crime would be committed1 to which we could not conceive of an illuminated individual being accessory4 ,vowed in ignorance even1 evil involves in sin4 ,when discovered in its true character1 it ought to be discarded4 ,when the vow is made1 there should be included in it the engagement1 to refrain1 so soon as it is discovered1 from performing any part of it1 which1 having been sinful1 and therefore possessed of no obligation1 ought not to have entered into it4 ,nothing1 indeed1 but a sense of propriety can hinder men from claiming the performance of engagements1 even of an evil character1 that are made to them4 ,but ,god who commands that only what is good be vowed1 disapproves of such a demand1 as well as of the engagement on which it is based4 ,finally4 ,covenanting does not shackle inquiry4 ,it is a wrong interpretation of the words1 ,it is a snare after vows to make inquiry1 that represents them as condemning every endeavour made1 after vowing1 to increase in knowledge1 even in reference to the vow4 ,the passage would seem only to designate as sinful1 the practice of endeavouring to make inquiry1 for the purpose of evading an engagement made by a vow of a lawful nature4 ,were a vow perfect1 it would not need revisal1 and would therefore be altogether independent of the increase in knowledge of the party under its obligation4 ,an imperfect vow1 on account of its imperfection1 would require correction4 ,the least discovery of imperfection in such1 should lead to its improvement4 ,correct views of a vow1 as altogether wrong1 should lead to its abandonment1 or a total reconstruction of it4 ,to engage absolutely to perform any act1 is not obligatory4 ,it is only when the ,lord will1 that even duty can be done1 and a vow should be made to perform it1 only if he will enable4 ,moreover1 it is only what he requires that should be done1 whether vowed or not4 ,accordingly1 a ,covenant engagement1 in which there is promised more than what is dutiful1 is not lawful4 ,in order to lead to duty alone1 an engagement by vow should be made4 ,it is alike foreign to the nature and to the end of a covenant1 for those who enter into it to make their engagement independently of a reference to circumstances that may be unforeseen4 ,not to vow to engage in duty is evil4 ,to vow to accomplish an act1 whether it may be found afterwards to be sinful or not1 is also evil4 ,to vow to do what appears to be dutiful1 instead of committing to a given course1 independently of the light of duty that may break in1 is rather to engage to the use of means to discover whether or not the performance vowed be lawful1 and to the duty that may be obvious at the period of fulfilment1 and which1 in that season1 ought to be done4 ,,footnotes3 #bbh ,job xli4 #d #bbi ,deut4 xxix4 #ba4 #bcj #a ,kings xi4 #aa4 #bca ,ps4 cv4 #h-aj4 #bcb ,ex4 xxxiv4 #bh4 #bcc ,deut4 iv4 #bc4 #bcd ,ps4 cxix4 #dd4 #bce ,eph4 v4 #bi4 #bcf ,ps4 xviii4 #c4 #bcg ,lam4 iii4 #dj4 #bch ,ps4 lxxvii4 #ab4 #bci ,ps4 cxix4 #ae1 #af4 #bdj ,ps4 lv4 #af1 #ag4 #bda ,ps4 cxix4 #fb1 #fc4 #bdb ,ps4 cxlv4 #a1 #b4 #bdc ,ps4 v4 #g4 #bdd ,ps4 cxxxviii4 #a1 #b4 #bde #a ,cor4 vii4 #ca4 #bdf ,rom4 vi4 #ab1 #ac4 #bdg ,ps4 xviii4 #a4 #bdh ,jas4 iv4 #h4 #bdi ,ps4 lxxviii4 #cg4 #bej #a ,cor4 xv4 #eh4 #bea ,luke xix4 #ab-bg4 #beb ,confess4 xxii4 #g4 #bec ,gal4 vi4 #aj4 #bed ,ps4 lxviii4 #f4 ,ps4 cvii4 #da4 #bee ,jer4 xxxi4 #a4 #bef ,jer4 x4 #be4 #beg ,deut4 xxix4 #ah4 #beh ,eph4 v4 #ba1 #bb1 #be4 #bei ,deut4 vi4 #f1 #g4 #bfj ,ps4 lxxviii4 #b-g4 #bfa ,col4 iii4 #bc4 ,see also ver4 #ah-ba4 #bfb #a ,pet4 ii4 #ag4 #bfc ,eph4 vi4 #e-i4 #bfd ,ps4 xlvii4 #g4 #bfe #b ,kings xi4 #ag4 #bff #a ,pet4 ii4 #ac1 #ad4 #bfg ,josh4 i4 #h4 #bfh ,rom4 xiii4 #d4 #bfi ,exod4 xviii4 #ba1 #bb4 #bgj #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #c4 #bga ,ps4 xciv4 #bj4 #bgb ,hos4 viii4 #d4 #bgc ,rom4 xiii4 #a4 #bgd #a ,tim4 ii4 #a1 #b4 #bge ,rom4 xiii4 #e4 #bgf ,such as1 in the ,british dominions1 so long as the civil constitution is not scripturally reformed1 the use of the ,elective ,franchise1 or the office of a ruler1 or legislator4 #bgg ,in order to direct attention to the duties of civil society favoured with the word of ,god1 especially to the obligations of the members of every community existing under an immoral and unscriptural civil constitution1 we beg leave to refer1 in addition to the ,mediatorial ,dominion1 before noticed1 to the ,claims of the ,divine ,government applied to the ,british ,constitution1 and the use of the ,elective ,franchise4 ,thomas ,neilson1 and ,charles ,zeigler1 ,edinburgh2 and ,john ,keith1 and ,william ,marshall1 ,glasgow--#ahdc4--;,a pamphlet1 the argument of which from ,scripture is clearly and powerfully brought out2 and the perusal of which is earnestly recommended1 particularly to all who love the prosperity of their country1 and cherish the desire that all ranks within it would perceive duty incumbent upon them1 and be led to the advantages and true honour arising from performing it1 especially in a day when civil power is put forth to cherish various ungodly systems1 to extend the dominion1 not merely of prelacy1 but of popery under its darkest aspects1 and to rob the true ,church of the blood-bought privileges bestowed upon her by her ,lord4 #bgh #b ,chron4 xix4 #b4 #bgi ,claims of the ,divine ,government1 c41 p4 #ec4 #bhj ,jas4 v4 #bj4 #bha ,gal4 vi4 #aj4 #bhb ,ps4 lii4 #h1 #i4 #bhc ,rom4 ix4 #d4 #bhd ,jer4 xxxii4 #ch1 #ci4 #bhe ,mal4 iii4 #h-aj4 #bhf ,is4 liv4 #b-e4 #bhg ,is4 xlii4 #d4 #bhh ,lev4 xix4 #cd4 #bhi ,lev4 x4 #aa4 #bij ,rom4 xi4 #ae4 #bia ,rom4 xi4 #bf1 #bg4 #bib #b ,chron4 xv4 #ab4 #bic #b ,kings xxiii4 #c4 #bid ,mat4 xxviii4 #ah4 #bie ,john v4 #bc4 #bif ,ps4 lxxxvi4 #ab4 #big ,ps4 lxxxvi4 #i4 #bih ,rom4 i4 #ba1 #bc4 #bii ,john xvi4 #ac1 #ad4 #cjj ,is4 xlii4 #ai4 #cja ,deut4 xi4 #a4 #cjb ,rev4 iii4 #c4 #cjc ,is4 xxvi4 #b4 #cjd ,ps4 cxix4 #cj4 #cje ,ps4 lxxxvi4 #aa4 #cjf ,eph4 i4 #bb1 #bc4 #cjg ,appendix ,a4 #cjh ,ps4 ci4 #c1 #f4 #cji ,ps4 cxlv4 #a1 #e1 #aj-ac4 #caj ,ps4 xxxviii4 #ah4 #caa ,ps4 xix4 #ab1 #ac4 #cab ,ps4 lx4 #d4 #cac ,phil4 iii4 #af4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,covenanting ,,confers ,,obligation4 ,as it has been shown that all duty1 and that alone1 ought to be vowed to ,god in covenant1 it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of ,god is enjoined in the moral law1 and1 because of the authority of that law1 ought to be performed as a duty4 ,but it is now to be proved that what is promised to ,god by vow or oath1 ought to be performed also because of the act of ,covenanting4 ,the performance of that exercise is commanded1 and the same law which enjoins that the duties thereby engaged to be discharged1 finds the ,covenanter1 or the ,covenanting community1 bound by the deed itself to fulfil them2 and thus1 by the service1 the party under original obligation to obey1 is brought under one that is superadded4 ,the ,covenanting party1 not as independent1 but as under the authority of ,god1 by means of the exercise binds itself to duty4 ,he commands to vow1 that men may be brought under additional obligation2 and when they obey1 he recognises them as voluntarily engaged1 and1 according to his will1 additionally called to fulfil4 ,the obligation arises entirely from the act of the creatures1 using a divine ordinance1 by vowing unto ,god1 and covenanting with him1 whereby they bind their souls with a bond to serve the ,lord4#cad ,it is wrong to imagine that the obligation comes solely from the will of those who vow4 ,were not the exercise of vowing commanded1 nor the law of ,god to hold those who engage in it bound by their own act1 these should not be under obligation4 ,by vowing1 they bind themselves1 not as by themselves1 but by the authority of ,god4 ,or1 by vowing1 they submit to a requirement of his law1 in yielding obedience to which they become bound1 not by themselves but by his authority1 to perform the duties vowed4 ,,section ,i4 ,personal and ,social ,covenanting both entail obligation on the ,covenanting parties4 ,first4 ,various general representations exhibit this4 ,several scriptures present such as bound4 ,in reference to the truth that a wicked ruler is destitute of right to claim the allegiance of his subjects by oath1 or in any other manner1 it is asked1 ,shall even he that hateth right govern 7bind78#cae ,reproaching his servants1 ,saul said to them1 ,all of you have conspired 7bound yourselves7 against me1 and there is none that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of ,jesse4#caf ,the ,psalmist said1 ,thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence1 from the pride1 7or rather the binding1 that is1 conspiracy17 of man4#cag ,and concerning an oath or vow1 thus it is written1 ,if a man vow a vow unto the ,lord1 or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond2 he shall not break his word1 he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth4#cah ,to show how essentially the idea of binding is connected with that of ,covenant engagement1 it may be remarked that in the original of each of these passages1 the verb signifying to bind1 is different from that in the original of each of the others1 and that all of the verbs are emphatic4#cai ,and what should be most carefully observed here1 the binding spoken of in each of these cases is connected with the voluntary actions of the parties brought under obligation4 ,again1 other scriptures point out1 that in ,covenanting men are joined to the ,lord4 ,they shall ask the way to ,zion with their faces thitherward1 saying1 ,come1 and let us join ourselves to the ,lord1 in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten4#cbj ,they imply not less than that the covenants made should be adhered to4 ,the same is expressed in passages1 in one of which some are said to take hold of the ,lord's strength1 in the other1 of his covenant4#cba ,a covenant is designated as sure4 ,that of ,nehemiah and ,israel is so represented4#cbb ,and finally1 those who engage in the exercise are said to cleave to the ,lord4 ,that is represented by ,moses as the design of the discharge of the duty4 ,that thou mayest love the ,lord thy ,god1 and that thou mayest obey his voice1 and that thou mayest cleave unto him4#cbc ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god2 him shalt thou serve1 and to him shalt thou cleave1 and swear by his name4#cbd ,by the emblem of the girdle which cleaves permanently to the loins1 the truth of the appointment of ,covenanting as a means of securing devotedness to the ,lord is taught4 ,for as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man1 so have ,i caused to cleave unto me the whole house of ,israel1 and the whole house of ,judah1 saith the ,lord4#cbe ,the girdle which the prophet had been commanded to hide1 in process of time was marred2 it was profitable for nothing4 ,it represented not the faithful in ,israel who clave to the ,lord1 but those who1 having vowed and sworn to him deceitfully1 fulfilled not their obligations4 ,and ,david said1 ,my soul followeth hard 7cleaveth7 after thee3 thy right hand upholdeth me4 ,it was in the exercises of vowing to ,god and fulfilling his obligations that he did so1 for he said1 ,but the king shall rejoice in ,god2 every one that sweareth by him shall glory4#cbf ,secondly4 ,god enjoins obedience as the fulfilment of ,covenant duties4 ,he gives command to do the words of his covenant4 ,hear ye the words of this covenant1 and do them4#cbg ,by his authority he calls on men to keep the words of his covenant4 ,keep therefore the words of this covenant1 and do them1 that ye may prosper in all that ye do4#cbh ,the obedience thus inculcated was not merely made known by the glorious ,lawgiver1 but acknowledged as obligatory by men4 ,in two channels1 from one source1 its claims proceeded4 ,first1 directly through the promulgation of the ,divine law to men2 and next1 through the acknowledgment1 by ,covenant engagement1 of that law as holy1 just1 and good4 ,had obedience been claimed to the duties inculcated1 as if they had been merely requirements of the law1 they had not been spoken of as performed in fulfilment of ,covenant engagement4 ,because the words of the ,covenant are done or kept when those are performed1 they are incumbent on account of the making of the ,covenant4 ,by submitting to the rite1 every one that received circumcision became a debtor to do the whole law4 ,and in like manner1 by ,covenanting1 each one who vows to ,god becomes bound1 by ,his command1 to keep or do the words of his law as the words of his ,covenant4 ,and finally1 the ,lord commands that his ,covenant be kept as a charge4 ,that which is kept1 or to be kept1 is a charge4 ,that his law and covenant are a charge is manifest from his words1 ,if thy children will keep my covenant1 and my testimony that ,i shall teach them1 their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore4#cbi ,but his charge1 or his law and covenant1 as a trust1 he explicitly gives his people commandment to keep4 ,therefore thou shalt love the ,lord thy ,god1 and keep his charge1 and his statutes1 and his judgments1 and his commandments1 alway4#ccj ,but that which ye have already1 hold fast till ,i come4 ,and he that overcometh1 and keepeth my works unto the end1 to him will ,i give power over the nations4#cca ,in such injunctions1 it is implied that two things1 or the same thing under two aspects1 should be kept4 ,the statutes of ,god are at once the commands of his law and the dictates of his covenant4 ,these are kept as his law1 when obeyed1 because of his authority as righteous moral ,governor of all4 ,they are kept as the requirements of his covenant when recognised as not merely issued according to his sovereign will1 but as having received the acquiescence of the heart1 and been acceded to by solemn oath and vow4 ,that the acceptance of them in ,covenanting brings under obligation is therefore most manifest4 ,they are permanently the ,lord's charge4 ,his law remains so1 whether or not it be obeyed by men4 ,it remains so when presented1 and acceded to in its covenant form4 ,but when it is accepted in vowing to ,god1 it is so conveyed over to the believer1 that at once he is called to keep it sacred to the ,lord's service1 and to stand chargeable in his sight for the use he makes of the precious trust4 ,if he fail to draw upon the blessings promised therein1 he is liable to rebuke2 if he obey not the duties enjoined in it1 he is exposed to chastisement4 ,both evils he is commanded and encouraged to avoid4 ,that he may not dishonour the ,god of his salvation1 by making little progress in the use of precious means of spiritual improvement1 and that he may not be found unfaithful1 he endeavours to manifest the deep-felt sense cherished by him of the reality of his obligation acknowledged1 when he says1 ,thy testimonies have ,i taken as an heritage for ever3 for they are the rejoicing of my heart4#ccb ,thirdly4 ,the ,lord commands that the vow be paid4 ,a lawful promise to men binds to performance2 and why not a vow to ,god8 ,if the vow made1 whether in the use of the oath implicitly or explicitly1 be not paid1 the truth will not have been spoken2 and accordingly1 not merely the ninth1 but the third precept of the moral law will have been transgressed4 ,the command enjoining that truth be spoken1 and that forbidding that ,god's name be taken in vain1 both inculcate1 therefore1 the fulfilment of the vow4 ,but various explicit statutes enjoin the same4 ,such are these--,vow1 and pay unto the ,lord your ,god4#ccc ,when thou vowest a vow unto ,god1 defer not to pay it2 for he hath no pleasure in fools3 pay that which thou hast vowed4#ccd ,when thou shalt vow a vow unto the ,lord thy ,god1 thou shalt not slack to pay it3 for the ,lord thy ,god will surely require it of thee2 and it would be sin in thee4#cce ,from such dictates there can be no appeal4 ,even were we altogether ignorant of the reason why they were uttered1 we should1 because of the authority of ,god1 willingly acquiesce in them4 ,but the ground of them he has been pleased to make known4 ,were it not in order that the service promised in vowing might be performed1 the vow had not been enjoined4 ,without the paying of the vow1 the vowing of the vow were unnecessary1 nay1 sinful4 ,a disruption of ends from means1 grosser than the separation of the fulfilment of the vow from the making of it1 could not be perpetrated4 ,the vow is nothing2 yea1 worse than nothing2 injurious to those who make it1 and dishonouring to ,god1 if it be not performed4 ,nor1 because under the law1 a commutation for some vows was accepted1 are we to conceive that the passages in which the payment of the vow is commanded are not to be interpreted according to the utmost force of their obvious import4 ,it is true that some things vowed might have been withheld1 but not without the offering of a definite sum of money4 ,these might have been redeemed by the payment of a price exceeding by one-fifth part of it1 their value estimated by the priest1 or when the parties were poor1 by the giving of the amount at which the priest might value them4#ccf ,by whichever of the two methods that might be adopted1 the vow was virtually paid4 ,the payment actually of the vow1 or that of the compensation1 was commanded2 and either the one or the other behoved to be made4 ,nor when either of them was resorted to1 seeing that any one of them was warranted1 was the vow left unpaid4 ,this variety of manner in the payment of vows1 was suited to the circumstances of the ,church under the ,levitical institutes4 ,by using any one of the methods1 the vow was substantially fulfilled1 not merely according to the will of man1 but agreeably to the express appointment of ,god4 ,as1 had there been only one way then of fulfilling the obligation of the vow1 it had been incumbent to proceed by that alone2 so1 under the present dispensation1 the single method of implementing ,covenant engagements that has been inculcated1 because that no other is of ,divine appointment1 must be adopted4 ,even as under the law there were some things which1 having been devoted to ,god under a curse1 could not1 because of the manner of their dedication1 be redeemed1#ccg so under the gospel1 what is vowed to the ,lord cannot without sacrilege be kept back4 ,fourthly4 ,the ,lord threatens those who keep not his ,covenant4 ,temporal and spiritual deprivations enter into his denunciations on such4#cch ,cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant1 which ,i commanded your fathers in the day that ,i brought them forth out of the land of ,egypt1 from the iron furnace1 saying1 ,obey my voice1 and do them1 according to all which ,i command you3 so shall ye be my people1 and ,i will be your ,god4 ,nay1 even eternal ruin awaits the impenitent violator of ,covenant engagements4 ,covenant-breakers1 444 who1 knowing the judgment of ,god1 that they which commit such things are worthy of death1 not only do the same1 but have pleasure in them that do them4#cci ,were not the acceptance of the law of ,god in its covenant form to entail obligation1 the breach of it would not be denounced as a breach of covenant2 nor would his wrath descend on men as unsteadfast in his covenant1 or as having broken it1 but as having violated his holy law4 ,substantially then1 by their own act1 must they be brought under solemn obligation to ,god1 who1 having vowed to him1 by failing to perform their promise1 would become exposed to the stroke of his just vengeance4 ,where there is guilt there is sin1 and where there is sin there was obligation1 and where there is punishment1 there were all4 ,shall not the judge of all the earth do right8 ,the people of ,god acknowledge themselves as bound by their oaths and vows4 ,what was uttered by ,jephthah regarding a vow which was unlawful1 must have been employed by the fearers of ,god in reference to vows of which ,he approved1--,i have opened my mouth unto the ,lord1 and ,i cannot go back4 ,the ,psalmist said1 ,so will ,i sing praise unto thy name for ever1 that ,i may daily perform my vows4#cdj ,i will pay my vows unto the ,lord now in the presence of all his people4#cda ,i have sworn1 and ,i will perform it1 that ,i will keep thy righteous judgments4#cdb ,the language was dictated by the ,spirit of inspiration4 ,it was therefore lawful to use it4 ,it ought to be used by all4 ,the principle that vows and oaths require that they be fulfilled1 is implied in it4 ,that was therefore held by the saints in former times4 ,because of the words of ,god from which they drew it1 it ought to be universally maintained4 ,,section ,,ii4 ,social ,covenanting entails obligation on the ,covenanting society1 even throughout its continued existence1 till the end of the ,covenant be attained4 ,first4 ,because such covenants are made1 not merely in the name of the individuals who enter into them1 but also in the name of posterity4 ,on recorded occasions of warranted ,covenanting1 such was the manner of entering into the engagements made4 ,in addition to what has been said before in proof of this1 merely the language employed at one of these seasons will here be quoted4 ,neither with you only do ,i make this covenant and this oath2 but with him that standeth here with us this day before the ,lord our ,god1 and also with him that is not here with us this day4 ,however1 it may be necessary to add the explanation1 that1 by those who are represented as not present1 we are to understand the descendants of the congregation of ,israel2 inasmuch as in reference to the duties then performed by the assembled people1 it was said1 ,therefore choose life1 that both thou and thy seed may live4 ,hence1 whatever1 in consequence of entering into such federal engagements1 is incumbent on those who make them1 is binding on their successors2 and since a covenant transaction binds the parties to the making of it1 it therefore binds all those1 though not present1 whom these parties represent1 and for whom also it was made4 ,whatever reason the transaction affords for binding the former1 it supplies for holding the latter bound4 ,the engagement made by and for the living ,covenanters1 is not less explicit than that thereby made by them for those who shall succeed to their privileges and duties4 ,and as it is the engagement which binds1 the latter are1 not less than the former1 brought under obligation by it4 ,the federal compact could not be made without constituting an obligation4 ,that could not be entered into without conferring that obligation on all the parties represented at its formation4 ,and from its acknowledged nature1 those to whom the functions of the ,covenanters should descend1 are included among those1 and those therefore are thereby bound4 ,secondly4 ,because the ,church is one in all ages4 ,her glorious ,head is one4 ,all her true members are spiritually united to him4 ,all of them are united in love to one another4 ,the ,church is distinct from the world4 ,by the ordinances given to her by the ,lord ,jesus1 she is distinguished from civil society4 ,she possesses a real incorporate character4 ,the ,church consists not of a limited number of those who at any time fear ,god1 but of all of them4 ,the individual members of the ,church from day to day are changing2 but she remains one4 ,some are constantly being added1 others are removed from her communion on earth1 but her characteristic absolute identity remains4 ,under the ,patriarchal1 ,levitical1 and ,christian dispensations1 she is one4 ,as one body enduring from generation to generation by her ,lord1 she is spoken of1 and is recognised by her members4 ,to ,jeremiah was given the commission1 ,go1 and cry in the ears of ,jerusalem1 saying1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,i remember thee1 the kindness of thy youth1 the love of thine espousals1 when thou wentest after me in the wilderness1 in a land that was not sown4 ,israel was holiness unto the ,lord4 ,for of old time ,i have broken thy yoke1 and burst thy bands2 and thou saidst1 ,i will not transgress4#cdc ,in days long posterior to the time of ,israel's deliverance from ,egypt1 the ,church sang1 ,he turned the sea into dry land3 they went through the flood on foot3 there did we rejoice in him4#cdd ,the ,church1 posterior to the advent of ,christ1 is represented as a house in which ,moses had served1 but which ,christ had built1 and over which1 as well in the days of the patriarch as in the last times1 ,he ruled as a ,son4#cde ,and to the ,church existing in all times1 unquestionably belongs the inimitably beautiful description1--,christ also loved the ,church1 and gave himself for it2 that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word1 that he might present it to himself a glorious ,church1 not having spot1 or wrinkle1 or any such thing2 but that it should be holy and without blemish4 ,since the ,church1 then1 is a body1 her standing is independent of the individual members who may be in her communion2 as a responsible agent1 even as an individual1 she may come under obligation and fulfil it2 and through every age of her existence1 be held bound to duty by her engagements4 ,the same principle which is applicable to the ,church as a whole1 behoves to be contemplated by every ,section of her in given circumstances4 ,if the whole ,church might enter into covenant engagements1 as in ,abraham1 which would entail obligation throughout successive ages1 ought not every community thereof1 as a part of the whole1 to bind itself before the ,lord to services to be performed by its successors8 ,if a whole society may ,covenant1 ought not an individual of that society to do so singly8 ,and if the obligations come under by the one person1 not less than those of the whole body1 ought to be discharged1 ought not those of a given ,section of the visible ,church to be fulfilled by it1 as a body forming a part of the general community1 even as the covenant duties of the whole4 ,thirdly4 ,because of the ,church's social character4 ,as it is not merely in their individual1 but also in their social capacity1 that her members enjoy privileges1 so in both they are called to duty4 ,the actions of an individual are not those of any society to which he may belong1 except he act for them1 and according to their appointment4 ,but the deeds of a society are those of every member thereof1 who does not disapprove of them2 nay1 of every one who1 because of these deeds1 does not leave its communion4 ,the engagements of society are understood to be acceded to by every member of it existing when these are made1 and of every one who may become connected with it before they be fulfilled4 ,every one who joins a society is understood by his act of joining it1 to approve of its organization1 to accept of its privileges1 and become engaged to its duties4 ,it would be impossible for society to continue1 were obligation to cease so soon as the individuals who may have come under it should leave it1 by death1 or otherwise4 ,were the duties of social bodies to cease in this manner1 it might be held that these communities should be re-constructed on the death of every individual member of them1 and also on the accession of each one who might become connected with them4 ,what accomplishes the same end which such practices would lead to1 is secured in a far better manner by the whole body coming under1 and fulfilling1 obligations which do not become void either by the increase or the diminution of its members4 ,every individual capable of making a choice1 who1 by receiving the ordinances of ,baptism and the ,lord's ,supper1 becomes connected with the ,church1 engages to accept its privileges1 and to perform its duties4 ,in the most solemn manner1 by vow before ,god1 this is done4 ,all that is incumbent on each member of the ,church1 then1 devolves also on him4 ,the obligations that bind it1 may have been conferred ages before2 but when he makes his profession1 even then1 by his own act1 they descend upon him4 ,the representation given of such a one1 shews that formerly he was a heathen1 or else one living in a ,christian land1 without the pale of the true ,church4 ,before making his solemn acknowledgment1 he was under obligation to become connected with the ,church1 and the evils that are threatened against those who are far from ,god hung over him4 ,by entering the communion of the ,church1 he becomes an integral part of her society1 and whatever advantage or responsibility attaches to membership within her1 is extended to him4 ,the children of ,church members1 are members of the ,church1 and are therefore under obligation4 ,because of their relation to their parents1 children are in possession of the peculiar privileges of the families to which they belong2 and to perform the duties of these1 they are under obligation4 ,every child of a citizen1 or free member of civil society1 in consequence of its birth1 is entitled to the protection and other privileges of that society1 and is viewed as bound by the laws of that community4 ,in like manner1 every child born of those in communion with the ,church1 is viewed as the care of the ,church1 and as under the obligations of its members4 ,in the providence of ,god1 children are cast upon the care of parents and of civil communities2 and are they not committed to the regard of the society of the faithful8 ,duties are incumbent upon them1 in consequence of their civil relations2 and are none obligatory on them because of their relation to the ,church8 ,the ,lord himself recognises the children of believing parents as the members of his ,church4 ,in order to manifest his claim upon them1 and acceptance of them as such1 ,he instituted the ordinance of circumcision in a former period1 and that of baptism to be obligatory in the present4 ,children are1 therefore1 bound by the obligations of the ,church4 ,is that moral obligation which binds the father1 not binding on the son8 ,if the parent1 by ,covenanting1 ought to vow to observe a system of moral duties1 ought not the offspring8 ,is what is good for the one1 bad for the other8 ,would it be consistent for a father1 after having willingly engaged to duty for himself1 to say such may or may not1 according to his pleasure1 and in either case1 too1 without any blame1 be done by my son8 ,certainly the earlier that an obligation to do good can be conferred1 the better4 ,and if a parent can lawfully act for his child in any other matter1 why not in performing this8 ,the privileges enjoyed by the children of those in communion with the ,church1 manifest them to be under obligation4 ,duty and privilege are universally connected2 and hence1 where the one is awanting1 the other cannot be found4 ,in the beneficent arrangements of ,divine love to the young1 the latter is first extended4 ,the enjoyment of it by them is a palpable evidence that obligation rests upon them4 ,it is an adage among men1 that what one inherits from his ancestors he owes to his descendants2 and it is also manifest1 that along with privilege1 duty is hereditary4 ,in regard to the things of religion1 both of these things are most obvious4 ,would not that parent deal unjustly with his child1 who1 instead of bequeathing to him some privilege for his acceptance1 would say1 ,i do not know whether or not he will conform to the duties connected with it1 and therefore ,i will sacrifice it or leave it to another8 ,and would a child to whom some peculiarly valuable privilege has been bequeathed1 and of the fruits of which he may have largely partaken1 be warranted in reckoning as unlawful an entailed obligation to corresponding duty8 ,do not the laws of a nation find an individual bound so soon as he opens his eyes on the light of the sun8 ,and ought not moral obligations1 entered into willingly by ,covenanting parents and ancestors1 also1 to hold the rising race completely bound8 ,the privileges of civil society are available to youth long before they are able of themselves to take an active part in its public affairs2 and thus these are brought under an obligation to support its good laws so soon as they voluntarily and effectively can4 ,the privileges of a ,christian community are1 to a certain extent1 enjoyed by its youth long before they can exert themselves actively for its interests2 they are1 therefore1 under obligation1 and so soon as they can perceive the importance of its voluntary ,covenant engagements1 they ought explicitly1 to accede to them4 ,would it be cruel to cut off children from the privileges of civil society because of their feebleness8 and would it not be cruel to deprive them of the advantages of covenants made for a defence to ourselves1 which they equally need8 ,would it be hideously wicked to expose them to the knife of the murderer8 and would it not be unspeakably criminal1 by disregarding their education and failing to make engagements to instruct them1 to abandon them to be poisoned by infidelity1 superstition1 error1 or immorality8 ,and if1 by ,covenanting and the fulfilment of the solemn engagements made on their behalf1 the best privileges that could be bequeathed to youth1 are conveyed to them1 are they warranted to cast off the pleasing yoke of obligation1 so gently laid upon them1 and by resolving to neglect duty1 to manifest themselves as unworthy of all the care that had been employed on their behalf8 ,but it cannot be3 all who have enjoyed the positive spiritual blessings that are conferred1 in the mercy of ,god1 on those who have entered into public solemn ,covenants with him1 will acknowledge themselves as his servants1 and1 far from reckoning themselves as under no descending obligation to duty1 will rejoice1 give thanks to him for laying a claim upon them by these1 and gladly take hold on his ,covenant again in their social capacity1 that others to succeed them1 even as they did1 may gladly confess themselves to be devoted to him4 ,fourthly4 ,because ,social ,covenanting1 approved in ,scripture1 conferred descending obligation4 ,abimelech required ,abraham to enter into a covenant with him1 which the patriarch would keep1 by not dealing falsely with himself1 nor with his son1 nor with his son's son4#cdf ,and accordingly that engagement1 which was ratified by oath1 was viewed by both parties1 and unquestionably properly1 as binding on all the individuals specified4 ,by oath1 the children of ,israel made with ,joseph a covenant1 by which their descendants in fulfilling it1 acknowledged themselves as engaged to carry up his bones from ,egypt4#cdg ,the covenant made by ,joseph and the princes of the congregation of ,israel with the ,gibeonites1 was kept by the descendants of both parties3 and the breach of it on one occasion by ,saul1 was followed by tokens of ,divine displeasure4#cdh ,the covenant of the ,rechabites1 and that of ,david with ,hiram--which obtained also between that individual and ,solomon1 are other illustrations4 ,such covenants were lawful4 ,the sentiments entertained concerning the descending nature of their obligations1 being uncondemned1 were correct4 ,a disregard for these obligations in one case having been followed by punishment1 they must have been complete4 ,there was nothing about any of these covenants that gave to their engagements a claim to continuance beyond those of other covenants1 in which the welfare of posterity is contemplated4 ,the obligation of such1 therefore1 even as those of the covenants specified1 behove to continue4 ,fifthly4 ,because the ends of such covenants may not be attained during the existence on earth of those who entered into them4 ,nothing is more common in the providence of ,god1 than for one to begin1 and another to finish4 ,indeed the grand end of the ,church's continuance in the world1 is aspired at by the efforts of all her true members4 ,guided by ,divine teaching1 the fearers of ,god adopt means for declaring ,his glory4 ,in ,his providence1 however1 their lawful purposes are in general carried only partially into effect4 ,the work which he gives countenance to some to undertake1 according to his own good pleasure1 he commits to others4 ,hence his people are employed in filling up what others had designed1 and also in arranging what their own successors may complete4 ,a glorious ,lord rules over every occurrence in the ,church's history4 ,schemes of reformation set on foot by his servants he acknowledges4 ,when he will1 they are enabled to complete them2 otherwise they are wound up by others4 ,to resolve to use means to bring the ,church to a state of excellence1 to which1 according to the promise of ,god1 she will yet come on earth1 is obligatory on them who fear him4 ,to vow to use those means1 they are under obligation4 ,though they may not live to fulfil all that they intended1 yet they will be preserved till the work assigned to them be accomplished4 ,their removal does not manifest their ,lord's displeasure at them1 but his intention to bestow upon them a gracious reward4 ,nor does the blank left in the ,church by their decease1 manifest that the works which they had undertaken1 behoved not to be fulfilled4 ,others1 the ,lord of all1 will call to the service1 and accept of the obedience rendered by them as the fulfilment of obligations to obey him1 which had been made by others1 not merely on their own behalf1 but on behalf of such as he might employ to serve him4 ,what his people lawfully vow to him1 he will afford means to perform4 ,and in carrying his purposes into effect1 he will make them at once to serve him1 and to accomplish what others in dependence on ,divine grace had pledged themselves to use every means in their power to perform4 ,sixthly4 ,because the people of ,god view themselves as bound by anterior engagements of his ,church4 ,in the land of ,moab ,moses said1 ,the ,lord our ,god made a covenant with us in ,horeb4 ,the ,lord made not this covenant with our fathers1 but with us1 even us1 who are all of us here alive this day4#cdi ,many of those whom he addressed in these words were not then born4 ,the obligations of their fathers must1 therefore1 have descended to them4 ,in many passages of ,scripture do the saints acknowledge themselves as included in the covenant made with ,abraham1 and1 consequently1 as brought under its obligations4#cej ,by a prophet of the ,lord ,israel are exhibited as recognising themselves to have been represented in the covenant transaction of ,bethel4 ,he found him in ,bethel1 and there he spake with us4#cea ,the words of ,peter to the people of ,israel on this point are explicit1--,ye are the children of the prophets1 and of the covenant which ,god made with our fathers1 saying unto ,abraham1 ,and in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed4#ceb ,expressing the sentiment1 that their fathers had entered into ,covenant engagements with ,god1 in which they were recognised1 ,moses1 and all ,israel1 on the shores of the ,red ,sea1 thus sang1--,the ,lord is my strength and song1 and he is become my salvation3 he is my ,god1 and ,i will prepare him an habitation2 my father's ,god1 and ,i will exalt him4#cec ,and in language acknowledging explicitly obligation to obedience that had been transmitted by the deeds of parents or ancestors engaged to ,god's service1 the ,psalmist offers praise--,o ,lord1 truly ,i am thy servant2 ,i am thy servant and the son of thy handmaid3 thou hast loosed my bonds4 ,i will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving1 and will call upon the name of the ,lord4 ,i will pay my vows unto the ,lord now in the presence of all his people4#ced ,finally4 ,because the ,lord himself always views his ,church as bound by the ,covenant engagements thereof1 competent to its circumstances1 made in all earlier periods4 ,by the covenant which he made with his servant ,abraham1 and once and again renewed to him1 he held his people bound4 ,at the ratification of that covenant the scene was impressive4 ,it is thus described1--,i am the ,lord that brought thee out of ,ur of the ,chaldees1 to give thee this land to inherit it4 ,and he said1 ,lord ,god1 whereby shall ,i know that ,i shall inherit it8 ,and he said unto him1 ,take me an heifer of three years old1 and a she-goat of three years old1 and a ram of three years old1 and a turtle-dove1 and a young pigeon4 ,and he took unto him all these1 and divided them in the midst1 and laid each piece one against another3 but the birds divided he not4 ,and when the fowls came down upon the carcases1 ,abram drove them away4 ,and when the sun was going down1 a deep sleep fell upon ,abram2 and1 lo1 an horror of great darkness fell upon him4444 ,and it came to pass1 that1 when the sun went down1 and it was dark1 behold1 a smoking furnace1 and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces4 ,in the same day the ,lord made a covenant with ,abram4#cee ,the lamp of fire was an emblem of ,god's gracious presence as a ,covenant ,god4 ,the smoking furnace symbolized the people of ,israel who were to be tried in the iron furnace of affliction in ,egypt4 ,these were not then born4 ,yet in ,abraham they were present4 ,by the lamp of fire passing between the parts of the sacrifice1 the ,lord's ratification of the covenant was denoted4 ,and by the smoking furnace also1 proceeding between the parts1 it was pointed out1 that they even then were taken into covenant with him4 ,that covenant the ,lord kept with the whole house of ,israel1 even as if they had all of them been then present4 ,thou art the ,lord the ,god1 who didst choose ,abram1 and broughtest him forth out of ,ur of the ,chaldees1 and gavest him the name of ,abraham3 and foundest his heart faithful before thee1 and madest a covenant with him1 to give the land of the ,canaanites1 the ,hittites1 the ,amorites1 and the ,perizzites1 and the ,jebusites1 and the ,girgashites1 to give it1 ,i say1 to his seed1 and hast performed thy words2 for thou art righteous4#cef ,and the duties of the covenant1 as if all ,israel had been before him when it was made1 he enjoined on them4 ,and ,god said unto ,abraham1 ,thou shalt keep my covenant1 therefore1 thou and thy seed after thee1 in their generations4#ceg ,moreover1 he commands all to keep his covenant as made1 not merely with his people at any given period1 but as entered into by the faithful who went before them4 ,he hath commanded his covenant for ever4 ,we have seen that these words inculcate the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,it is manifest1 also1 that they intimate that a covenant with ,god by each one1 should be kept by those who make it4 ,but the full scope of the passage is not brought out1 if we do not view it as inculcating1 not merely that the duty of ,covenanting should be performed throughout every age1 but that1 until all the engagements of the people of ,god1 made in every period1 be implemented1 they confer obligation on their successors4 ,and he is angry with1 and threatens those who keep not the covenants of those who represented them1 as if they had broken a covenant with him made by themselves4 ,they are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers1 which refused to hear my words2 and they went after other gods to serve them3 the house of ,israel and the house of ,judah have broken my covenant which ,i made with their fathers4 ,therefore thus saith the ,lord1 ,behold1 ,i will bring evil upon them1 which they shall not be able to escape2 and though they shall cry unto me1 ,i will not hearken unto them4#ceh ,hence1 in conclusion1 ,first1 ,covenanting entails obligation even on the unbeliever who vows and swears4 ,were it not to do so1 then no command of ,god would be binding on the wicked2 the moral unfitness of man in a state of nature1 would shield him from the claims of ,god's law1 and any ordinance of ,god might be abused with impunity4 ,but1 ,god will not be mocked4 ,whosoever attempts duty will be either accepted or found guilty4 ,divine institutions must be respected4 ,every law of ,god contemplates an immediate and an ultimate end4 ,if a vow be made in sincerity1 ,god will give grace to fulfil it in some measure2 and if neglect in the supposed case follow1 chastisement will be inflicted4 ,if a vow be made deceitfully--otherwise than which the wicked cannot make it--a double obligation is contracted3--an obligation to punishment for dealing falsely with ,god2 and a debt of obedience because of submitting1 though feignedly1 to an ordinance appointed by him4 ,the law of ,god1 enjoining the duty of ,covenanting1 is founded on ,his own nature2 the imperfections of man1 therefore1 cannot abate its claims4 ,even as the observation of the other ordinances of ,god brings under special obligations1 so the exercise of attending to this confers one peculiar to itself4 ,it is lawful to pray1 but it is sinful to do so without sincerity4 ,god will not answer the supplication that is not presented in faith2 but he will demand the obedience which the grace prayed for1 if asked aright1 would afford strength to perform4 ,it is necessary to read the word of ,god1 but sinful to peruse it thoughtlessly1 or in an irreverent frame of mind4 ,but1 however it may be read1 he will call for the duty which a proper reading of that word by ,his blessing would afford a resolution to perform4 ,thus1 also1 ,god will not accept the vows of the wicked2 but ,he will claim what they vow1 and will punish them if they do not make it good4 ,thus ,israel1 though many of them did not enter into it with sincerity1 were charged with breaking the covenant with ,god which they professed to make in the wilderness at ,sinai1 and punished for the sin thereby contracted4#cei ,thus1 also1 ,zedekiah suffered for breaking the covenant which he made with the king of ,babylon by oath4#cfj ,indeed1 it is the wicked alone who break the covenant of ,god4 ,they never sincerely have entered into it1 but their disregard of it1 after having professed to accede to it1 is represented as a violation of it2 and over such impends a fearful woe4 ,the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof1 because they have transgressed the laws1 changed the ordinance1 broken the everlasting covenant4 ,therefore hath the curse devoured the earth1 and they that dwell therein are desolate4#cfa ,how dreadful1 then1 is it for sinners to speak to ,god perfidiously6 ,and how important1 according to his commandment1 to draw near unto him in making solemn vows1 in dependence on that grace which it is his to give1 in order that the vow may be acceptably made1 and also performed6 ,secondly4 ,though some connected with the visible church do not engage in the duty of formal ,covenanting1 they are not therefore free from covenant obligation4 ,all who are not in the communion of the true ,church1 are exposed to the wrath threatened against those who are far from ,god4 ,a connection with that ,church brings under obligation4 ,the vows of ,god are upon all1 received by ,baptism or the ,lord's ,supper into its communion1 whether worthy members or not4 ,the spiritual blessings promised to ,abraham and to his seed--even to all the faithful--belong to the people of ,god therein2 and all the duties incumbent on those to whom great and precious promises have been made1 devolve on them4 ,till it be paid1 every vow made by a member of the ,church1 whatever be his character1 he is under obligation to perform4 ,till they be paid1 all the vows vowed by those in the ,church of ,god who represented him in all past time1 are upon him4 ,the vows made1 and that should have been made lawfully by the ,church in all past time since the days of the ,apostles--those vowed at that distinguished period1 and those entered into in all preceding eras1 even up till the time when the ,covenant was revealed1 in so far as their matter was not peculiar to given dispensations1 but adapted to all1 unite to bring him under one obligation4 ,through every age that was gathering weight4 ,viewed as accumulating and being transmitted through the voluntary agency of man1 it is manifestly mighty2 contemplated as conferred by the authority of ,god1 it appears to be infinite4 ,divine grace alone can enable to pay the debt of duty4 ,happy they who look by faith for that6 ,thus1 in proportion to her acquaintance with the covenant transactions of the past1 the ,church ought to feel herself under obligation4 ,with her progress her real responsibility will increase4 ,like the force of gravitation towards a central orb1 the force of obligation propelling her1 will increase with time2 and with a celerity due to all her solemn covenant engagements1 she will enter the latter-day glory1 responsive to the almighty call of ,him who draws his people to himself1 and who having given them to enjoy on earth such a foretaste of the future1 will introduce them to the scene where the ,lord himself will be their everlasting light1 and the days of their mourning shall be ended4 ,thirdly4 ,a minority in a church1 or that in a nation1 are bound by the lawful public vows made by the whole body1 even though the community as a whole1 may have cast them off4 ,though a nation1 or a body professing to be a church1 after having come under obligations to duty1 were to resolve that truth is error1 or that duty is sin1 yet such a resolution could not bind the community4 ,no authority whatsoever will dissolve the obligation of an oath4 ,hence1 when lawful covenant engagements are disregarded by a community1 the excellence which gave it an attractive power is gone4 ,then the glory is departed4 ,and the degraded society1 like the robe which once covered the living body1 but is afterwards cast off1 is faded and corrupt4 ,the living principle embodied in some members of such a community1 behoves to become separate from it1 and to show that1 indeed1 that body which came under obligations that are not exhausted1 is in succeeding times to exist in a new but glorious sphere4#cfb ,it is not the invelopement1 but the living faithful body1 that is the care of the covenant4 ,each member owes a debt of covenant duty4 ,and though apostasy may paralyze the body1 so that by it as a whole1 that obligation may not be felt1 let that which lives1 therefore1 act in fulfilling it1 even through a disruption and consequent re-organization4 ,devotedness to duty will be visited with an energy which will increase in the face of every difficulty4 ,to flee individually from obligation1 is to shun the wholesale ruin of the whole unfaithful mass1 but in order to be taken and fall--each one personally for his iniquity4 ,fourthly4 ,covenanting does not implicate conscience4 ,by this1 it is intended that the exercise does not bring under any obligation to do what is evil1 or to abstain at any future time from modifying the engagement made1 so as to render it more and more perfect4 ,it is admitted1 nay1 contended for1 that the exercise brings under obligation3 but that is only to duty4 ,the duty is not to be abandoned because it cannot be properly performed4 ,if it were1 then1 for the same reason1 every other might be disregarded4 ,no covenant engagement is perfect4 ,either in its matter or manner1 each of these may have many defects4 ,indeed1 were one to vow all the duty unfolded in the ,scriptures1 the engagement would be sound4 ,every believer virtually does that4 ,but special vows are necessary4 ,the former1 exclusively1 is competent only to a period of the ,church's future history1 when her attainments will far exceed those heretofore made by her4 ,but in order that such a step as that may be taken1 by vowing habitually and performing1 the ,church ought to make assiduous preparation4 ,men ought to enter into ,covenant as duty presents itself4 ,if we perceive that we have vowed to sin1 let us not perform1 but pray to ,god for forgiveness1 and engage to what is lawful4 ,it is foreign to the scope of the ordinance to give countenance to sin4 ,none1 however1 on that account1 can excuse himself for not coming under and fulfilling a good obligation4 ,though we cannot do other duties perfectly1 we would not be warranted in refusing to perform these4 ,we have no might in ourselves to do any good thing3 nay1 even the services of the saints1 performed in faith1 are all imperfect2 but we are1 nevertheless1 called to duty4 ,the dread of doing evil ought not to prevent from making efforts to perform what is good4 ,one may be left to enter into a wrong engagement2 but he is not on that account to abstain from endeavours to engage and perform aright4 ,man has a claim upon his brother in consequence of his engagements made with him4 ,if one1 however1 promise what is evil1 and another demand fulfilment1 both are faulty1--the one for engaging to do evil1 the other for urging an unwarranted claim4 ,covenant engagements should not1 however1 be neglected1 but be wisely made and kept4 ,by ,covenanting to do duty1 we are neither foolishly nor sinfully committed4 ,god will require what is right1 and that alone4 ,we ought to make every lawful effort to perform duty4 ,our best efforts to serve ,god are but approximations4 ,they ought1 however1 to be continued4 ,are we to abandon any one means of doing good1 because the improper use of it would do injury8 ,the bond of a covenant with ,god is a holy bond3 it cannot come in contact with what is evil4 ,with various condemnation1 it allows all such to pass2 but it constrains to good4 ,the evil in a bond professing to sustain that high character mars it4 ,better that were changed1 by the removal of the evil1 than to remain imperfect because of the continuance thereof4 ,the evil impairs its dignity and excellence1 nay1 tends to make it void4 ,evil confers no obligation4 ,the admission of it into any engagement is sinful4 ,the good part of every compact accords not with it1 but demands its expulsion4 ,let those who acknowledge themselves to be called to obedience not refrain from vowing3 but in doing this duty1 let them be cautious1 and endeavouring to perform1 let them fear to break1 their engagement to duty1 and also to keep what they ought not to have promised4 ,to neglect either of these things is sinful4 ,to vow1 however1 notwithstanding the dreadful consequences of sinfully doing so1 and of not performing1 is indispensable4 ,to do so1 is to use an appointed means of arriving at the knowledge of ,god1 to make progress towards spiritual perfection1 and to prepare to attain at last to the great end of all his arrangements for sinners--even complete conformity to the will of ,god1 and the promotion of ,his glory4 ,finally4 ,that men are bound by previous descending ,covenant obligations1 is no reason why they should not themselves engage in ,covenanting4 ,have not all the chosen of ,god to be brought successively nearer and nearer to him8 ,and ought not this exercise1 designed for facilitating this1 to be carefully had recourse to8 ,are not the ,scriptures to be read8 ,are not all the means of grace to be used for this8 ,covenanting is a means of the restoration of men to ,him from every imperfection1 whether in an unconverted or converted state4 ,engaging in it1 they are described as returning to ,god4#cfc ,by it1 all ought to return from every departure from him4 ,throughout their lives1 believers will be imperfect1 and will be called to use this means of attaining their expected end4 ,the obligations entailed from the past bind to the duty4 ,the very first obligation1 voluntarily accepted by personally or socially discharging it1 binds additionally to it4 ,every new performance thereof adds to the motive to engage in it again2 so that1 instead of the obligation to ,covenant being diminished by the doing of the duty1 it is rather increased4 ,and as the believer goes on to perform it1 his call to the service will wax indefinitely great4 ,his is the state of mind cherished by the ,psalmist declaring himself cordially bound1 when he vowed in these words1--,thy vows are upon me1 ,o ,god4 ,i will render praises unto thee4#cfd ,,footnotes3 #cad ,p4 #cg of ,observations on the ,public ,covenants betwixt ,god and the ,church1 by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,mason1 late of ,wishawtown1--a work presenting a rich scriptural view of the subject4 #cae ,job xxxiv4 #ag4 #caf #a ,sam4 xxii4 #h4 #cag ,ps4 xxxi4 #bj4 #cah ,numb4 xxx4 #b4 #cai ,these are1 ,hebrew3 chavosh1 kashor1 rakhosh1 asor4 #cbj ,jer4 l4 #e2 see also ,is4 lvi4 #c2 and ,zech4 ii4 #aa4 #cba ,is4 xxvii4 #e2 and lvi4 #d-f4 #cbb ,nehem4 ix4 #ch4 #cbc ,deut4 xxx4 #bj4 #cbd ,deut4 x4 #bj4 #cbe ,jer4 xiii4 #aa2 see also ver4 #a-aj4 #cbf ,ps4 lxiii4 #h1 #aa4 #cbg ,jer4 xi4 #f4 #cbh ,deut4 xxix4 #i4 #cbi ,ps4 cxxxii4 #ab4 #ccj ,deut4 xi4 #a4 #cca ,rev4 ii4 #be1 #bf4 #ccb ,ps4 cxix4 #aaa4 #ccc ,ps4 lxxvi4 #aa4 #ccd ,eccl4 v4 #d4 #cce ,deut4 xxiii4 #ba4 #ccf ,lev4 xxvii4 #a-be4 #ccg ,lev4 xxvii4 #bh1 #bi4 #cch ,jer4 xi4 #c1 #d2 see also v4 #aj-ab2 ,deut4 xxix4 #ah-ba2 ,jer4 xxxiv4 #ah-bj2 ,ezek4 xvii4 #ah1 #ai4 #cci ,rom4 i4 #ca1 #cb4 #cdj ,ps4 lxi4 #h4 #cda ,ps4 cxvi4 #ad4 #cdb ,ps4 cxix4 #ajf4 #cdc ,jer4 ii4 #b1 #c1 #bj4 #cdd ,ps4 lxvi4 #f4 #cde ,heb4 iii4 #b1 #f4 #cdf ,gen4 xxi4 #bc4 #cdg ,exod4 xiii4 #ai4 #cdh ,jos4 ix4 #ae1 and #b ,sam4 xxi4 #a1 #b4 #cdi ,deut4 v4 #b1 #c4 #cej ,some of these are1 ,ps4 xlvii4 #i2 ,is4 xiii4 #af2 ,luke i4 #gb-gd2 ,gal4 iii4 #g4 #cea ,hos4 xii4 #d4 #ceb ,acts iii4 #be4 #cec ,exod4 xv4 #b4 #ced ,ps4 cxvi4 #af-ah4 #cee ,gen4 xv4 #h-ab1 #ag1 #ah4 #cef ,neh4 ix4 #g1 #h4 #ceg ,gen4 xvii4 #i4 #ceh ,jer4 xi4 #aj1 #aa4 #cei ,deut4 xxxi4 #af1 #ag4 #cfj ,ezek4 xvii4 #ah1 #ai4 #cfa ,is4 xxiv4 #e1 #f4 #cfb #b ,cor4 vi4 #ag1 #ah4 #cfc ,as one of many passages which show this1 see ,jer4 iv4 #ab4 #cfd ,ps4 lvi4 #ab4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,covenanting ,,provided ,,for ,,in ,,the ,,everlasting ,,covenant4 ,the duty of ,covenanting is founded on the law of nature2 but it also stands among the arrangements of ,divine mercy made from everlasting4 ,the promulgation of the law1 enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty1 was due to ,god's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power4 ,the revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin1 arose from his unmerited grace4 ,in the one display1 we contemplate the authority of the righteous moral ,governor of the universe2 in the other1 we see the claims of that law which cannot be abrogated1 put forth along with manifestations of sovereign good-will to men4 ,had ,god dealt with men according to their iniquities1 that law which1 in the first of men1 they had violated1 would have demanded their final punishment2 and they1 unable1 because unwilling to give obedience1 and unprovided with the means of deliverance1 had fallen to ruin4 ,in order that his mercy might be manifested1 the ,lord1 from the days of eternity1 secured to sinners a fitness for duty1 to stand as a substitute for that spiritual strength which they should lose by transgression1 and acceptance through a great ,mediator1 which else had not been enjoyed4 ,on man1 in a state of innocence1 and also in a state of sin1 the duty of ,covenanting was enjoined4 ,by reason of sin1 strength given to him at first to perform it1 was for ever forfeited4 ,but to many1 by a wondrous scheme of ,divine love1 it is given to enjoy1 from engaging in it1 benefits which cannot be lost4 ,,section ,i4 ,in regard to sinners1 the exercise was provided for in the ,covenant of ,redemption4 ,this was made from the days of eternity4 ,it is described as the ,everlasting ,covenant4#cfe ,the phrase cannot mean less than that it extends from eternity to eternity4 ,in adoration of the ,lord1 made known as a covenant ,god1 it is said1 from everlasting to everlasting1 thou art ,god4#cff ,the ,mediator was set up from everlasting3#cfg--necessarily by entering into covenant4 ,thus1 his goings forth have been from of old1 from everlasting4#cfh ,the covenant is a reality4 ,i have made a covenant with my chosen1 ,i have sworn unto ,david my servant4--,my mercy will ,i keep for him for evermore1 and my covenant shall stand fast with him4#cfi ,when was the ,father's servant covenanted to him1 if he stood not engaged to him from eternity8 ,the conditions and promise of the covenant are recorded4 ,yet it pleased the ,lord to bruise him2 he hath put him to grief3 when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin1 he shall see his seed1 he shall prolong his days1 and the pleasure of the ,lord shall prosper in his hand4 ,he shall see of the travail of his soul1 and shall be satisfied3 by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many2 for he shall bear their iniquities4 ,therefore will ,i divide him a portion with the great1 and he shall divide the spoil with the strong2 because he hath poured out his soul unto death3 and he was numbered with the transgressors2 and he bare the sin of many1 and made intercession for the transgressors4#cgj ,and the mutual satisfaction of the ,father and ,son with the conditions and fulfilment of the covenant1 is also revealed4 ,the ,lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake2 he will magnify the law1 and make it honourable4#cga ,he shall see of the travail of his soul1 and shall be satisfied4 ,first4 ,in the ,covenant of ,redemption1 ,christ1 represented all the elect4 ,even as the faithful descendants of ,abraham were comprehended in the covenant which ,god established with him1 but in a far higher sense1 the elect were included in that which was made with the ,redeemer4 ,and as ,adam was the representative of the human family1 so ,christ became the ,head of all who should be saved4#cgb ,it was on account of the people who were given to ,him that the covenant was made4 ,by an electing decree they were chosen in ,him4 ,and the covenant was entered into with him as their legal representative4 ,from eternity1 therefore1 by a legal1 though not an actual union to ,christ1 they are a covenant people4 ,and even then the blessings of the covenant were provided for them4 ,till they be joined to ,christ1 the elect are not entitled to the blessings provided for them4 ,but still they were contemplated in the covenant4 ,that gave them the privilege of being joined to the ,redeemer4 ,god1 the ,father1 made with ,christ1 for each of his people1 an everlasting covenant4 ,they are therefore bound to ,covenant4 ,do the deeds of our ancestors bind us to enter into covenant8 ,that high deed in this takes precedence4 ,the law of nature imposes the obligation2 the forbearance of ,god affords opportunities for fulfilling it2 the ,covenant of ,redemption1 from which even the forbearance of ,god proceeds1 leads to the duty by a claim infinitely strong4 ,the elect were all taken into covenant2 in their name1 the ,surety engaged that they would enter into covenant2 on their behalf ,he promised an obedience which none other than himself could give2 but he promised also the obedience that they should render--not necessary nor required for fulfilling the conditions of the covenant1 but requisite1 to show1 to the glory of ,god1 the certainty of the fulfilment of these2 and the ,father accepted the offer4 ,covenanting1 according to ,god's immutable law1 is included in the obedience4 ,it is therefore provided for in the covenant4 ,how high then are the motives to the observation of this8 ,it was ,covenanted1 not by the chosen of ,god themselves2 not by ,abraham1 or the ,church1 or any mere man2 yea1 not by any creature4 ,rising above all such transactions engaged in by men1 though in accordance with them1 the covenant in which it was secured was entered into by the ,three-,one ,god1 and ratified by ,christ4 ,they who will not perform the duty are none of his4 ,he represented each of his people4 ,each is therefore called individually to ,covenant4 ,he represented his people in their associate capacity as his ,church4 ,in that they are called to enter into covenant with ,god4 ,he represented them in all their approved social relations4 ,in all these they are bound by his engagement to take hold on ,god's covenant4 ,secondly4 ,all the promises accepted in ,covenanting were made to the ,surety in the ,covenant of ,redemption4 ,in a promise including that of every benefit which those should enjoy through him1 a seed was presented to him4 ,the promise of the ,spirit1 and all ,his glorious effects through the word1 was made not merely to the ,church but to ,christ himself1 and therefore to him in the everlasting covenant4 ,as for me1 this is my covenant with them1 saith the ,lord2 my ,spirit that is upon thee1 and my words which ,i have put in thy mouth1 shall not depart out of thy mouth1 nor out of the mouth of thy seed1 nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed1 saith the ,lord1 from henceforth and for ever4#cgc ,to ,noah1 to ,abraham1 to ,israel under ,moses1 and to the ,church in succeeding ages1 the ,lord gave the promise that he would establish his covenant with his people4#cgd ,and a promise equivalent to this he made when he engaged to establish his called and chosen1 as a holy people to himself4#cge ,but a promise including each of these was given to ,christ4 ,in a passage where the very same verb 7,hebrew3 kom1 to establish17 that occurs in the portions quoted1 is employed1 it is found4 ,i will preserve thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 to establish the earth1 to cause to inherit the desolate heritages4#cgf ,and in another1 where a verb 7,hebrew3 kon7 of a kindred import1 but from a different origin1 is used1 it is recorded4#cgg ,it is the promise of ,god that is laid hold on in ,covenanting4 ,he commands to draw near to him in the exercise4 ,he has prescribed the matter of vows which he will accept4 ,but in order to give encouragement to perform the duty and fulfil its engagements1 he has also made promises of good4 ,to the sinner these could not otherwise come than through ,christ4 ,to ,him at first they were made1 and that for men4 ,when the saints accept them1 they cleave to what comes to them as not standing alone1 but interested in the work of the great ,surety2 and accordingly1 as the children of a covenant appointed to sanction1 among other practices glorifying to ,god1 a service by which the once-rebellious should1 from age to age1 testify1 against the sin of refusing the offers of ,divine favour1 and to the justice of the claims which the ,giver of all good has upon the most solemn resolutions to serve him1 which men can present as a tribute to his honour4 ,thirdly4 ,it is on the ground of the righteousness of ,christ1 by which he fulfilled the obligations of the everlasting covenant contracted by him1 that his people ,covenant with ,god4 ,from among many passages in which this is taught1 that may be familiar to every careful reader of the ,scriptures1 the following may be selected for illustration3--,their children also shall be as aforetime1 and their congregation shall be established before me1 and ,i will punish all that oppress them4 ,and their nobles 7,,noble ,,one7 shall be of themselves1 and their ,,governor shall proceed from the midst of them2 and ,i will cause him to draw near1 and he shall approach unto me3 for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me8 saith the ,lord4 ,and ye shall be my people1 and ,i will be your ,god4#cgh ,the ,,noble ,,one here mentioned is ,christ4 ,he is also the ,governor who should proceed from the midst of ,israel4 ,the description given of him is not applicable to any earthly ruler of the house of ,jacob4 ,it corresponds to ,him alone1 who1 in other prophecies1 is denominated ,my servant ,david1#cgi and in the ,psalms is celebrated as the ,governor among the nations4#chj ,in fulfilling all righteousness1 obeying the law of ,god1 and suffering and dying for his people1 and in making intercession for them1 he approached unto ,god4 ,to that1 he was engaged when the prophecy was uttered2 he had been so from eternity4 ,to his drawing near and making an approach unto ,god1 the establishment of the congregation of the ,lord before him1 ,his recognition of them as his people1 and their acknowledgment of ,him as their ,god1 are manifestly attributed in the passage4 ,it was by faith in him1 that the saints1 in early times1 while they offered sacrifice by ,covenanting1 acknowledged the ,lord to be their ,god4 ,it was by faith in him1 that all to succeed them should in this manner avouch the ,lord4 ,he is the way unto the ,father4 ,by ,him his people have access unto the grace wherein they stand4 ,he drew near to present an acceptable sacrifice2 and as a priest1 he makes intercession4 ,it is by ,him that his people draw near4 ,while they profess their faith in him1 it is by ,him that they draw nigh in the full assurance of faith4#cha ,it was by his sufferings and death that the everlasting covenant was ratified4 ,and when he died1 the way to all duty and privilege was opened to all who should believe upon him2 and the title of the saints who had gone before to the enjoyment of the eternal inheritance1 and who had ,covenanted to accept its blessings1 was shown to be secure4 ,fourthly4 ,believers1 as a people who would ,covenant and fulfil their obligations1 were given to the ,mediator in the everlasting covenant4 ,as a covenant people1 the heathen were given to ,him for an inheritance4#chb ,according to an interpretation of an apostle1 ,he himself says1 ,behold1 ,i1 and the children whom ,god hath given me--4#chc ,and that such were promised as a people who should discharge the duty of ,covenanting1 and the other engagements of the covenant1 appears from the words1 ,how shall ,i put thee among the children1 and give thee a pleasant land1 a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations8 ,and ,i said1 thou shalt call me1 my ,father2 and shalt not turn away from me4#chd ,he received also the promise--implying1 that a people in serving ,him should habitually take hold on him in ,covenanting1--,a seed shall serve him2 it shall be accounted to the ,lord for a generation4#che ,these1 and corresponding declarations1 teach how intimately connected with the gift of a people to the ,redeemer was the provision made for the obedience to be claimed and accepted at their hands4 ,they mercifully intimate that one of the reasons for which they were given to him1 was that they should obey ,god in taking hold of his covenant4 ,it was in the everlasting ,covenant that they were promised by the ,father1 and accepted by the ,son4 ,on the condition here specified1 they were received4 ,they are1 therefore1 urged to the duty1 in consequence of that infinitely glorious compact2 and1 by the offer of the ,father1 the acceptance of the ,son1 the ,covenanted aid of the ,spirit1 by the bowels of ,divine love1 to this1 and consequently to all its engagements1 they are bound4 ,finally4 ,the elect were chosen in ,christ that1 in union to him1 they might perform this duty4 ,to all that is included in holiness1 these were chosen in him4 ,according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world1 that we should be holy and without blame before him in love4#chf ,it is in that spiritual union to him1 which was secured by their election and the gift of them in the everlasting ,covenant1 that they discharge every duty4#chg ,it was because of the sovereign love of ,god that his ,church was chosen1 and united to ,christ in the character of his ,covenanted ,spouse4 ,in consequence of that love1 which is manifested even by the infliction of chastisement1 being branches of ,him--the true vine--they are purged that they may bring forth more abundantly those fruits of righteousness1 among which stands the act of taking hold on ,god's covenant4#chh ,these fruits include not merely the obedience of the life1 but the homage of the heart expressed by the lip4 ,and by the lip1 fruit is brought forth when ,god's name is called upon in vowing and swearing to him4 ,by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to ,god continually1 that is1 the fruit of our lips1 giving thanks 7confessing7 to his name4#chi ,the elect are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the ,spirit and belief of the truth2#cij and consequently to ,covenanting1 as well as every other act in which faith is exercised4 ,by faith they vow and swear2 and that is connected with union to ,christ4 ,whatever view of the ,spirit's procedure in the day of regeneration may be entertained1 union to ,christ is then effected1 faith is given1 and the believer proceeds to endeavour after obedience4 ,some have maintained that faith precedes union to the ,redeemer2 others1 that union to ,him anticipates that grace4 ,and1 accordingly1 though both classes maintain that these occur simultaneously1 yet they entertain opposite opinions regarding the relative order in which they take place1 or what is denominated the order of nature1 in reference to this4 ,if it were necessary to admit that an order of nature is observed here1 the latter supposition would seem to have the better claim4 ,but though in many things connected with the believer's progress there is unquestionably an order of nature1 perhaps there is no necessity for introducing that idea in reference to this particular case4 ,by maintaining that such an order obtains here1 there is manifested a tendency1 as if to represent the two things as proceeding like two points in a straight line1 which moves in the direction of its length1 and so to conceive that one of them must necessarily be first2 while1 by abandoning the notion of such an order1 we might compare the two to two points1 both of which are carried by the line moving only in a direction perpendicular to itself1 and so conceive that at any instant both would be first4 ,and the latter supposition1 indeed1 seems to correspond with the circumstances of the facts4 ,at the same moment that ,divine power is put forth in order to conversion1 both union to ,christ1 and the faith which recognises that union1 are at once vouchsafed4 ,then indeed a new life is begun1 and the manifestations of life necessarily begin to appear4 ,lastly1 the faith of the believer is exercised by him in resting on ,christ as the one foundation laid in ,zion2 and reposing on him1 he habitually takes hold on the ,covenant of ,god1 instead of a refuge of lies--the covenant with death and hell1 which shall be swept away4#cia ,it is to the glory of ,god that ,christ is confessed4#cib ,it is in union to ,christ as the true foundation that this is done4#cic ,the glory of ,god as a strength is spoken of as being founded4 ,out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength 7founded glory74#cid ,where there is ,divine power and ,majesty1 there is glory4 ,strength and beauty 7glory7 are in his sanctuary4#cie ,resting on the one foundation1 as a temple to the glory of ,god1 the ,church engaging in the act of confessing ,him in ,covenanting1 and otherwise keeping his ,covenant1 will therefore realize the promise1 ,i bring near my righteousness2 it shall not be far off1 and my salvation shall not tarry3 and ,i will place salvation in ,zion for ,israel my glory4#cif ,,section ,,ii4 ,covenanting1 under every dispensation of ,divine ,grace1 was provided for4 ,in the scheme of ,redemption1 all the means by which it should be carried into effect were provided4 ,from that proceeded the means of grace adapted to the circumstances of the ,church in every period of history4 ,from that followed those arrangements that were suited to the ,patriarchal1 ,levitical1 and later times2 and from that arose all the various dispensations themselves4 ,exhibitions of ,christ1 the chief blessing of the ,covenant1 were common to all of them4 ,nay1 to make these exhibitions1 all of them were devised4 ,the world was adapted to man1 whether in a state of innocence1 or in a state in which he should be invited to return to ,god4 ,according to the wondrous plans of ,him who foresaw and arranged all things1 the world1 after trangression1 behoved not to be lost1 but to be made the scene of events glorifying to ,god4 ,to suppose that the earth was formed for the purpose of carrying into effect the plan of salvation is allowable4 ,to imagine that that plan was being carried into effect in ,eden1 even before the sin of man1 is in opposition to the spirit of the declaration that ,christ came to call not the righteous1 but sinners to repentance--to the truth that the salvation of man1 was a salvation from sin1 and that the ,god of salvation is ,he who pardoneth iniquity1 nay1 to the whole tenor of ,scripture4 ,to admit1 however1 that the world was a scene on which man in innocence1 throughout whatever period ,god might have willed1 might have enjoyed good1 the wisdom of ,him who arranges not1 nor commands what may not be fulfilled1 requires4 ,but the sentiment that the ,covenant of ,works secured the continuance of man upon the earth1 even after the fall1 is not merely gratuitous1 but in direct opposition to the consideration that the world was destroyed by the flood on account of the sin of man1 and that ,god's covenant with ,noah secured those outward advantages of which not merely the righteous but the wicked were to partake4 ,it seems inconsistent with the sentiments which we should entertain of the wisdom and other attributes of ,god1 to suppose that the world was created either for man in a state of innocence exclusively1 or for him exclusively in a state of sin4 ,even facts show that the world was adapted to both4 ,that the facts of providence upon our world1 however1 which have occurred in consequence of a system of forbearance1 which depends on the arrangements of the ,covenant of ,redemption1 and others that show his grace1 flow directly from these1 is most manifest4 ,the erection and continuance of the ,church in the world1 directly flow from that covenant4 ,faith in ,god in every age1 interests in ,christ the surety1 and through him in all the blessings of the covenant4 ,even before some of its signs were given1 those to whom it was given to believe upon ,him1 were taken into covenant4 ,we say that faith was reckoned to ,abraham for righteousness4 ,how was it then reckoned8 when he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision8 ,not in circumcision1 but in uncircumcision4 ,and in every age1 they who believe are the children of the covenant4 ,in the first ages of the world1 we find a righteous ,abel1 an ,enoch who walked with ,god1 men who had the name of ,god called upon them1 the sons of ,god1 and ,noah1 a preacher of righteousness4 ,and we find that all who1 like ,abraham1 believe in ,god1 have their faith counted to them for righteousness3 ,and he received the sign of circumcision1 a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had1 yet being uncircumcised2 that he might be the father of all them that believe1 though they be not circumcised2 that righteousness might be imputed unto them also4#cig ,it was in the acceptance of ,god's promise to him of a seed of whom ,christ should come1 that ,abraham believed ,god4 ,it was1 therefore1 in the exercise of ,covenanting4 ,it was as the representative of a ,covenant seed that ,abraham was the father of all them that believe4 ,the ,covenant made with ,abraham1 as the father of the faithful1 endures4 ,that the blessing of ,abraham might come on the ,gentiles through ,jesus ,christ2 that we might receive the promise of the ,spirit through faith4 ,brethren1 ,i speak after the manner of men2 ,though1 it be but a man's covenant1 yet1 if it be confirmed1 no man disannulleth1 or addeth thereto4#cih ,the covenant which ,god made with ,noah1 even as that which he made with ,abraham1 he designates ,my ,covenant4 ,all1 therefore1 who believe1 in whatever time1 are interested in one covenant with ,god4 ,that was confirmed of ,god in ,christ4#cii ,its ratification by the death of ,christ1 the testator1 was the ratification of the ,covenant of ,redemption4#djj ,the blessings of it are the blessings of the ,covenant of ,redemption4 ,that covenant--the ,covenant of ,grace--is1 therefore1 the ,covenant of ,redemption revealed and dispensed to man4 ,the latter flows from and was provided by the other2 and this appears also from the fact1 that the true ,church in the world is characterized by her adherence to ,god's covenant4 ,true religion1 and all its institutions1 are represented in ,scripture as a covenant with ,god4 ,the different dispensations of ,divine grace are each denominated a covenant--the first dispensation1 the ,old ,covenant--the last dispensation1 the ,new ,covenant4 ,promises made1 duties inculcated1 and signs given for the direction of the faith of ,god's people1 are each exhibited as a covenant4 ,these facts can be explained only on the principle that all of these things so presented1 proceed from the covenant of ,god--which was from eternity1 but was made known to man--and take their common designation from their connection with that ,everlasting ,covenant4 ,the adoption of this obvious rule of interpretation would have saved the many vain attempts that have been made to deny the existence of the ,everlasting ,covenant1 and to misrepresent the true nature of those different dispensations of ,divine grace1 which have been denominated from it4 ,it would have prevented from absurdly maintaining that what is represented as ,god's covenant with his people1 is not1 in reality1 a covenant1 but merely a law4 ,by tracing all the dispensations of grace to one great source1 it would have acknowledged them1 as they are presented in the sacred record1 to be consistent with one another1 and would have prevented all the spiritual poverty that arises from refusing to accept of the flood of light which the ,old ,testament record casts forth towards the illustration of that of the ,new2 and would have shown1 that while some services of a former period1 having served their purpose1 have indeed passed1 others1 and1 among the rest1 that of ,covenanting with ,god1 which have1 along with those1 been by many consigned to abolition1 are indeed among those institutes which1 till heaven and earth pass1 shall not pass away4 ,but to proceed4 ,the revelation of the will of ,god is in ,scripture represented as a covenant4 ,a term1 7,hebrew3 chazuth71 meaning literally a vision1 and consequently a revelation1 is put also to denote a ,covenant or agreement4 ,in various passages it occurs in the first acceptation4#dja ,in the last1 it is employed in the original of the following3--,and your covenant with death shall be disannulled1 and your agreement with hell shall not stand4#djb ,now1 though this passage does not refer to a covenant with ,god1 yet it alludes to a transaction of a covenant character2 and1 consequently1 may be understood as containing1 in reference to what is evil1 a form of expression that might be employed regarding a covenant with ,god4 ,indeed1 from various representations of ,scripture1 made in different terms1 the act of ,covenanting would seem to be compared to a seeing of ,god2#djc and1 also1 to what corresponds with that--a seeking of his face4#djd ,it therefore follows1 that the revelation of ,divine truth is the revelation of the ,everlasting ,covenant2 that men1 in holding communion with him1 learn concerning that ,covenant2 and that1 in ,covenanting with him1 they take hold upon it as dispensed to men1 and on it alone4 ,by keeping the ,sabbath1 by receiving circumcision1 by performing1 besides1 the other duties of the law of ,god1 by recognising the obligations of the ,church imposed in former times1 and by entering into solemn engagements on their own behalf1 and on behalf of their children1 believers at every time1 under former dispensations1 acknowledged the ,church's federal character2 while1 by recognising the ,lord as their ,god1 and acting faith in a ,saviour then yet to come1 they acknowledged that the ,covenant into which they were taken1 was that revealed and dispensed by him1 and which was a manifestation of that to which ,he had acceded1 who said1 ,lo1 ,i come3 in the volume of the book it is written of me1 ,i delight to do thy will1 ,o my ,god2 yea1 thy law is within my heart4#dje ,and after the work of ,him who came to make reconciliation for iniquity1 and to bring in everlasting righteousness1 was accomplished1 the people of ,god1 by observing the ordinances of ,baptism and the ,lord's ,supper1 by vowing and swearing to him1 and by attending to the other institutions of his grace1 continue to acknowledge their faith in him1 as the ,mediator of the ,new ,testament1 and as the one ,mediator1 in whom the ,covenant was confirmed with ,abraham1 and who was present with his people in ,sinai2#djf and to manifest their decided conviction1 that the appointment of all the means of grace1 flowed from that glorious transaction concerning which it is said1 ,as for thee also1 by the blood of thy covenant ,i have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water4#djg ,first4 ,in the ,everlasting ,covenant1 provision was made for ,covenanting under the ,patriarchal and ,levitical dispensations4 ,the acknowledgments and conduct of believers in those times illustrate this4 ,these showed an acquaintance with the subject peculiarly striking4 ,where the engagements into which ,noah and his family were brought are spoken of1 no hint is dropped that the nature or design of the duty was new to them4 ,the terms in which the covenant of ,god was made known to him1 would appear to have been quite familiar to him2 and the alacrity with which he engaged in performing the rite of sacrifice1 would seem to indicate that neither he nor his family were strangers to that1 as an accompaniment of ,covenanting4 ,the manner in which certain distinguished individuals1 who lived anterior to the ,mosaic economy1 employed and desired the oath1 showed that the information concerning it1 which must have been communicated by ,noah and his family1 had been1 by some at least1 carefully preserved4 ,not merely ,abraham1 who may have received special information from above concerning the exercise1 but some of his contemporaries in the region of ,canaan would appear to have known well the character and tendency of covenant obligation4 ,at the death of ,joseph1 his brethren manifested a complete acquaintance with the subject2 nor were their descendants1 two hundred years after1 when emerging from bondage1 unwilling to acknowledge the debt of duty which1 by the oath of their fathers1 was imposed upon them4 ,at the solemnities of ,sinai1 ,israel would appear to have recognised the obligation of vowing and swearing to ,god1 as well as that of any other requirement of his law4 ,it does not appear that any one of the ,hebrews of those ages ever thought of calling in question the duty of attending to1 and acquiescing in1 every declaration made to them through an appointed channel from heaven4 ,that they were a rebellious people is beyond a doubt2 but that fact is not inconsistent with the conclusion that1 in consequence of the force of habit or example1 they might give a verbal acquiescence to requirements1 the importance and necessity of obeying which they might not feel4 ,as others are1 they were assailed from without and within with temptations to fail in their duty2 and before those they fell4 ,most of them were under unbelief1 and they would not obey2 but when addressed by ,moses1 or any other servant of the ,lord1 while a wonder or miracle was wrought and duty was enjoined1 testifying to the duty of giving obedience when ,god commands1 however soon they might forget1 they said1 ,all that the ,lord hath said will we do1 and be obedient4#djh ,there is only one principle on which this intimate acquaintance with the claims of the service can be accounted for4 ,the obligation of the duty must have been taught to man from the beginning4 ,that is implied in the law which was written on his heart in innocence4 ,the duty incumbent on him as a sinner must have been revealed to him immediately after the fall4 ,there is no reason to suppose that1 seeing that sacrifice and covenanting for a vast length of time1 were observed together1 they were not coeval4 ,but however that may be1 equally with the one1 the other1 in the first ages1 was known2 and to one fact both are to be traced4 ,the duties co-ordinate in their bearings--the one pointing to the great propitiation1 the other rocognising the claims of the ,author of that salvation which the ,one ,sacrifice was to secure1 both have their origin in that one glorious ,covenant1 by which the method in which it should be bestowed was arranged4 ,provision was made through promises4 ,some of these were that the duty would be engaged in2#dji others of them1 that the keeping of engagements made would be followed with good2#daj others1 that all the blessings of the covenant would be bestowed4#daa ,the passages belonging to each of these classes are numerous4 ,containing a proposal of conditions on ,god's part1 they lead directly to the duty4 ,what is wanting1 is the acceptance of them on the part of man4 ,so often as they are read or meditated on1 or pressed on sinners in the preaching of the gospel1 the sinner is invited to take hold in ,god's covenant4 ,the invitations addressed through them are made by the ,redeemer as the ,prophet of his ,church1 and as the ,lord of all4 ,they exhibit the will of the ,father1 that his people should acknowledge him as the ,god of grace4 ,they testify to the love of the ,spirit1 whose work it is to lead to accept of them4 ,they unfold the purposes which were of old4 ,they are the echo of the promises of the ,everlasting ,covenant1 made to the great ,mediator between ,god and man4 ,through types4 ,covenanting itself is not a type or shadow1 but a substantial reality4 ,with many other things1 however1 which in some aspects of their character were types of good things to come1 under other of their features it may be associated in presenting an emblem of what is spiritual4 ,thus1 every institution of ,divine grace may be understood as testifying to the excellence and necessity of every other1 and to the reality of the exercises of the heart which ought to accompany their outward observance4 ,many things connected with the former dispensations1 accordingly1 vouch for the high origin1 and nature1 and claims of ,covenanting4 ,we contemplate them doing so1 not as types of good things which had no existence when they occurred1 but as emblems of good connected with vowing and swearing to ,god1 which was common to every era of the history of the ,church4 ,by these1 not less explicitly than by the voice of speech1 instruction is addressed2 and not less than the most explicit tender of good or obligation are their dictates to be received4 ,enoch1 who clave to ,god2 ,noah and ,abraham1 each a covenant head2 ,aaron and ,phinehas1 each the representative of a ,covenanted priesthood2 and ,david1 the federal head of a royal posterity2 as individuals1 were emblems of many devoted personally and socially by ,covenant to the ,lord4 ,the ,israelites1 servants of ,god3 the first-born among these1 dedicated to the ,lord3 the ,goel1 or1 ,kinsman-redeemer1 under a descending obligation to interpose in behalf of a relative3 the voluntary bondservant1 who1 from love to his master and family1 explicitly engaged himself to his service through life3 sojourning strangers1 not ,canaanites1 allowed and encouraged by the ,israelites to wait on all the ordinances of religion3 the ,hebrew kings of ,david's family vested with rule according to a perpetual covenant3 the ,nazarites1 peculiarly set apart to the service of ,god3 the ,aaronic priesthood1 under the bond of an enduring covenant3 and the ,nethinims1 a people employed about the sanctuary1 descendants of the ,gibeonites1 who1 though like ,jacob they did not do well in the choice of means to obtain the blessing1 were taken into covenant with ,god3--these were classes of persons who symbolized many explicitly engaged by covenant to the service of the ,lord4 ,the cities of refuge#dab--,kedesh1 a holy place3 ,hebron1 society1 friendship1 the end of a covenant3 ,shechem1 a part or portion1 as the lot of a covenant inheritance3 ,bezer1 cut off and broken1 as the sinner is from all vain confidences3 ,golan1 exile1 as separation from every visitation of vengeance3 and ,ramoth1 eminences1 or high places1 as the stronghold provided in the covenant to prisoners of hope2 true to their designations1 as emblems point out the facts of a covenant made on behalf of many1 who by sin are exposed to ruin4 ,canaan1 a land of inheritance promised in covenant3 ,jerusalem1 the vision of peace1 and city of ,god3 the tabernacle1 the temple1 and ,mount ,zion1--places where manifestations were made of the presence of ,god in covenant3--all denoted scenes1 where his people1 in every age1 in giving themselves to the ,lord1 cleave unto him4 ,the ,ark prepared by ,noah was entered by him and his house1 betokening the accession of men1 in all ages1 to the covenant of ,god by faith in the ,redeemer4 ,the ,ark of the ,covenant1 containing the book of the law3 the table of shew-bread1 representing the means of exhibiting ,christ1 the bread of life3 the altar of incense1 from which arose offerings1 as of the praises and supplications of ,god's people1 perfumed with the sweet incense of ,christ's intercession3 the golden candlestick1 shedding forth light1 as of the influences of ,god's ,spirit3 the laver1 for washing1 representing the means of purification from all defilement3 the altar of burnt-offering1 from which arose the flame of sacrifice1 that betokened the offering of ,him who made his soul a propitiation for sin2 were sacred utensils1 all of which referred to the ratification of ,god's covenant1 and the dispensation of its blessings to those who are enabled to lay hold upon it4 ,the ,sabbath1 returning every seventh day3 the periodic feast of unleavened bread for seven days1 following upon the ,passover3 the ,sabbatic year1 completing an interval reckoned by seven3 the year of jubilee1 occurring always after seven times seven years were completed2 were all seasons that pointed out times of waiting upon the ordinances of that ,covenant which was ratified by the oath--represented by the number of perfection that should be waited on in ages most remote4 ,typical purifications2 the ordeal for freeing from the imputation of murder1 conducted by slaying the heifer1 and washing the hands over it1 while there was made a protestation of innocence1 that embodied an oath3#dac the means of removing ceremonial defilement of various kinds3 and the bitter water which1 according to the innocence or guilt of the party to whom it was administered1 acted innocuously1 so as to denote the effects of a lawful oath1 or as the oath which1 by being sworn falsely1 is converted into a curse2 were all of the nature of an appeal to ,god4 ,oblations in general2 the sin and trespass offerings1 which were never merely voluntary3 the burnt-offering3 the peace-offerings1 that were wont to be presented when vows were paid3 in particular1 the offering of salt1 the symbol at once of communion and friendship1 of durability and incorruption1 and of sincerity of mind1 and which was commanded to be presented with every offering--the emblem of an enduring covenant3#dad the pascal lamb1 which represented ,christ slain1 the blood of which was sprinkled1 as his blood was1 for defence from wrath1 and the flesh of which was eaten1 so as to afford a vigour symbolizing that of those who1 having eaten of his flesh1 like the hosts of ,israel from ,egypt1 go forth from bondage to liberty and peace2 the ,covenant sacrifice of ,abraham1 consisting of the red heifer1 whose ashes were for purification2 the she-goat of three years1 for a sin-offering2 the ram for a burnt-offering2 the turtle-dove and the young pigeon1 for a purification sacrifice and for a sin-offering1 intimating that not merely did he1 as a covenant-head1 represent the rich who should present of their flocks and herds to the ,lord1 but of the poor1 who of their poverty should present offerings absolutely less valuable1 but not the less acceptable2--these offerings pointed out that the ,covenant of ,god should be laid hold upon when the shadows which preceded the glorious reality of the ,one ,sacrifice that had been foreordained would have come to an end1 and there should succeed sacrifices spiritual in their stead1 acceptable to ,god through ,jesus ,christ4 ,and circumcision1 prefiguring ,christ given for a covenant of the people1 who1 in the nature of man shedding his blood1 should ratify ,god's covenant2 and marking the people of ,god1 sealing to them the ,covenant of ,grace1 and pointing out their newness of life1 regeneration1 and deliverance from the vileness of sin1 testified to the claims of obedience to the mandate of ,god in ,covenant1 which none could1 but at the greatest peril1 disregard4 ,these types and others all pointed to the ,redeemer4 ,to the work which he had1 from the days of eternity1 ,covenanted to perform1 they gave prospective testimony4 ,but of the effects of his mighty working upon the hearts of men1 in leading them to keep his ,covenant1 they were not the less appointed symbols1 nor were they less designed to teach that1 but for the arrangements of that ,covenant which had been made with him1 there had not been made such manifestations of the power of his grace4 ,through miracles4 ,these were wrought in order to declare how near the chosen of ,god1 as a people1 were brought unto him1 and how great was the covenant provision that had been made for them4 ,the flame of fire which appeared on many solemn occasions1 held a signal place among these4 ,the flaming sword1 or the flame that dries up1 or that which burns1 displayed between the cherubim at the east of the garden of ,eden2 the flame of fire in which the ,angel of the ,lord appeared unto ,moses out of the midst of a bush1 when ,he made himself known to him as the ,god of ,abraham1 the ,god of ,isaac1 and the ,god of ,jacob2 the flame of fire which appeared on the top of ,mount ,sinai when the ,lord made a covenant with ,israel2 the pillar of fire by night1 which accompanied ,israel during their journeyings in the wilderness2 the fire which was wont to descend and consume1 in token of the acceptance of them1 the sacrifices laid on ,god's altar--all testified to the gracious nearness of ,god to his covenant people4 ,the cherubim1 emblems of the ministry of reconciliation1 first displayed immediately after the sin of man1 represented afterwards in the act of looking upon the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle and temple1 presented in vision before ,ezekiel about to be sent to the rebellious house of ,israel1 and which1 though denominated seraphim1 were in like manner seen by ,isaiah1 when about to go forth to proclaim messages to the same people2 through many ages pointed out that the servants of ,god in his house1 by his appointment were set apart to unfold the truths of his ,covenant4 ,the dividing of the waters of the ,red ,sea1 and the passage of ,israel through the midst of it2 and the presence of the cloud1 in which1 as well as in the sea1 they were baptised2#dae and the cutting off of the waters1 and the passing over of ,jordan on dry ground1 after the feet of the priests that bare the ark rested in its stream--manifested the almighty power of ,him who had ,covenanted to bring his people to a land of inheritance4 ,the provision of bread from heaven1 and water from the rock in the wilderness1 showed in part how great were the resources of ,him who had promised to his people1 but not in vain4 ,and the miracles wrought by the ,redeemer in our world1 from the over-ruling of external nature1 to the feeding of the hungry with food1 the healing of diseases1 the casting out of devils1 the raising of the dead1 and his own resurrection1 taught that ,he had come to manifest his power1 to give that eternal life that was promised in the ,everlasting ,covenant to all who were ordained to it4 ,the subject of the import of the miracles that were wrought by ,him and by the ,holy ,spirit1 is exhaustless4 ,yet all of them are to be viewed as having been performed in order to the accomplishment of the ,covenant's design4 ,through the teaching of the prophets4 ,that was addressed in the name of the ,lord as ,god in ,covenant3 to ,israel as a covenant people1 it was extended3 and it embodied only the revelations of the ,covenant4 ,it included sketches of the history of the ,covenant alone2 under imagery1 the most varied and expressive1 as well as by direct explicit statements1 it unfolded the relations subsisting between ,god and his privileged people2 and1 in like manner1 presented the future history of the ,church1 incorporated by solemn confederation4 ,through the whole of the ,old ,testament ,scriptures4 ,the scope of these in general1 and of many representations of them in particular1 illustrates the bearing of every fact in the history of the ,church upon the ,covenant4 ,as illustrations1 some designations both of ,christ and his people1 may be adverted to4 ,he is introduced as a ,husband1#daf and1 consequently1 as the ,head of his people1 engaged to him by vow4#dag ,he is exhibited as the ,captain of the ,lord's host1 and as a ,leader and ,commander to the people4#dah ,that he might be presented as at once of the lineage of ,david according to the flesh1 as the author of everlasting righteousness1 as allied in the capacity of the ,first-born among many brethren to the ,church redeemed by his blood1 and as the ,builder and the ,head thereof1 and ,head over all things to it1 he is denominated the ,branch4#dai ,as the ,covenant of the people he is revealed1 to denote that he is the ,mediator of the ,covenant1 and that in that capacity he received the gift of the people of the ,covenant1 fulfilled its conditions by obeying the law and presenting himself as a covenant sacrifice1 appeared as a sign of the ,covenant1 and was to carry into final effect the whole scheme of it4 ,as the ,days-,man1#dbj he is made known1 to intimate that1 by ,him alone1 and only in a covenant relation1 men chargeable with sin can hold communion with ,god4 ,as the ,ladder1#dba he is spoken of1 to point him out as1 in the natures of ,god and man1 the only means of communication between earth and heaven4 ,as a ,witness#dbb to the people1 he is described to be given by the ,father1 and consequently according to his own voluntary engagement4 ,and as ,shiloh1 he was promised1 and his people thus received him as their ,peace--provided in the ,covenant4#dbc ,and his ,church is denominated his portion1 and the lot of his inheritance4 ,in various passages she is described as peaceable or perfect1 and is thus presented as in ,covenant4#dbd ,and as ,israel1 the loved of the ,lord1 she appears under his promised protection4 ,and1 to give and conclude with one illustration more belonging to this place1 reference may be made to two terms4 ,first1 atonement 7,hebrew3 kaper--,greek3 chatallage47 ,the idea that seems to be expressed by this word1 is that of averting some dreaded consequence by means of a substitutionary interposition4 ,it thus fitly denotes the doctrine of salvation from sin and wrath1 by a ransom of infinite worth4 ,secondly1 reconciliation4 ,this term occurs in both the ,old and ,new ,testaments several times4 ,but it is generally1 if not always1 used as a translation of the original words above explained4 ,indeed1 as has already been remarked1 it is quite synonymous with the term atonement1 involving the same ideas and serving the same purposes4 ,it supposes bringing into a state of good agreement parties who have had cause to be at variance1 as is the case with ,god and his sinful creature man4#dbe ,the two terms1 therefore1 manifestly stand connected with the representations given of a covenant state4 ,the ,hebrew term of which each of them is a translation1 accordingly means both the ground of covenant privilege1 and also that privilege enjoyed by men4 ,the term cannot be interpreted independently of a reference to the ,covenant of ,god4 ,but for that ,covenant1 there had been no atonement4 ,with the forgiveness of sin1 atonement is indissolubly connected4 ,the latter is never presented in ,scripture without reference to the former4 ,it was not alone the slaying and offering of sacrifice1 but also the sprinkling of blood that made atonement4 ,where the blood was not sprinkled1 sin was not put away1 and no atonement was made4 ,where the blood was sprinkled1 and accordingly sin was representatively put away1 atonement was always effected4 ,only the following passage will be referred to here in corroboration of this4 ,if there be a messenger with him1 an interpreter1 one among a thousand1 to show unto man his uprightness2 then he is gracious unto him1 and saith1 ,deliver him from going down to the pit2 ,i have found a ransom 7an atonement74#dbf ,the reason for giving deliverance therefore was1 that an atonement was found4 ,had the atonement been found for two1 accordingly two would have been delivered4 ,had it been found for all1 all would in like manner have been delivered4 ,but all will not be delivered4 ,an atonement1 therefore1 was not made for all4 ,indeed1 the atonement was devised and effected in order to the deliverance of the elect alone4 ,had it not been for them1 there would have been no atonement4 ,but for them1 there had been no ,everlasting ,covenant4 ,and only for the ratification of that ,covenant1 the atonement was designed4 ,the atonement cannot exceed the comprehension of the covenant for the ratification of which it was effected4 ,as no soul will be saved that was not given to ,christ in covenant1 so no soul that was not thus given to him has an interest in the great atonement4 ,the ,scriptures represent the divine persons as entering into a federal agreement for the salvation of men4 ,in this covenant of peace1 the ,father is the representative of the ,godhead1 and the ,son representative of those who are to be redeemed4 ,he is1 on this account1 called the ,mediator and the ,surety of the covenant4 ,whatever he did as ,mediator or ,surety1 must1 therefore1 have been done in connection with the covenant4 ,his death was the condition of the covenant4 ,it was stipulated1 as the condition of his having a seed to serve him1 that he should make his soul an offering for sin2 that he should bear their iniquities2 that he should pour out his soul unto death4 ,in reference to this1 the blood of the ancient sacrifices was called the blood of the covenant1 while of his own1 the ,saviour testifies1 this cup is the new testament in my blood4 ,the blood of ,christ was not shed by accident1 it was not poured out at random or on a venture4 ,no3 he laid down his life by covenant4 ,the terms of the covenant must1 therefore1 define the designed extent of the objects of his death4 ,if all mankind are included in the covenant1--if the ,surety of the covenant represented1 in this eternal transaction1 the whole human race1 then the atonement of ,christ must have been indefinite4 ,but if the children of the covenant1 as is admitted1 are only a given specified number of the human family1 then must the atonement of the ,mediator be restricted to them4 ,there seems no evading this inference4 ,to give the designed objects of the ,saviour's atonement a greater extension than the covenant of grace1 is to nullify its character as the stipulated condition of the covenant1 and to render nugatory and unavailing the consolatory address by which the heart of many an awakened sinner has been soothed4 ',behold the blood of the covenant4'#dbg ,secondly1 and lastly4 ,in the ,everlasting ,covenant1 provision was made for ,covenanting under the last or present dispensation4 ,this was practically acknowledged by believers in the apostolic age4 ,the common fund that was raised from the contributions of the ,church assembled and addressed by ,peter on the day of ,pentecost1 was devoted by solemn vows4 ,from what was said by that ,apostle to ,ananias and ,sapphira his wife1 this appears4 ,ananias1 why hath ,satan filled thine heart to lie to the ,holy ,ghost1 and to keep back part of the price of the land8 ,while it remained1 was it not thine own8 and after it was sold1 was it not in thine own power8 ,why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart8 thou hast not lied unto men1 but unto ,god4 ,how is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the ,spirit of the ,lord8#dbh ,if a promise or vow to ,god to give up their substance had not been made1 the language of reproof addressed to them would have been inapplicable4 ,it is true1 that when one lies to men1 he disobeys ,god4 ,but the language1 thou hast not lied unto men1 but unto ,god1 must intimate that the possession of the two individuals had been1 either publicly before their brethren1 or secretly1 or in both ways1 vowed to ,god4 ,the conclusion is corroborated by the obvious consideration1 that the practice of acting in this manner1 although not to such an extent1 was quite in accordance with that of vowing things to ,god under the dispensation that had then been brought to a close2 and especially by the very language of ,peter1 ,whilst it remained1 was it not thine own8 and after it was sold1 was it not in thine own power8 precisely agreeing with the words of the ,old ,testament record1 ,but if thou shalt forbear to vow1 it shall be no sin in thee4 ,again1 the practices of making confession1 and of professing1 which we have found to be in reality the making of ,covenant engagements1 would appear from the references made to them by the inspired writers1 to have been ordinary occurrences of their times4 ,and1 lastly1 the conduct of the ,macedonian ,churches1 in giving themselves to the ,lord1 to which we have had occasion to refer1 is worthy of being remembered as an authenticated source of ,covenanting in those times1 that had been performed by many1 in one of the spheres where the truth had most manifestly taken effect4 ,the practice was provided for through the direct injunctions of the last inspired writers4 ,these1 dissuading from idolatry1#dbi taught the necessity of the practice1 the reverse of that1 of recognising ,god and acknowledging him by vowing and swearing to him as a covenant ,god4 ,teaching the necessity of faith and other graces1 they showed that it is dutiful to engage in that and those other exercises in which these are requisite4 ,they explicitly enjoin the exercise of ,covenanting4#dcj ,inculcating the holding fast of the ,christian profession1#dca an apostle teaches that such a profession should not merely be adhered to1 but also made4 ,and delivering the express words of the ,redeemer1 the last of the apostles1 teaching the duty of entering into covenant engagements1 and keeping them till ,christ should come1 tendered the command1 ,but that which ye have already1 hold fast till ,i come4#dcb ,the practice was provided for through the whole of the ,new ,testament writings4 ,the ,new ,testament contains the same kinds of expression in reference to the ,covenant of ,god as the ,old1 and employs them for the same purpose as that for which those statements of that ,testament are used4 ,it makes use of figurative and other language of the same origin as that of the ,old ,testament1 for the purpose of inculcating nothing else than the keeping of the ,covenant4 ,by an apostle1 there is strikingly brought into view the truth taught in the prophets1--that the ,lord created1 or formed1 or fore-ordained1 a people1 to enter into ,covenant with him1 and by obedience also1 otherwise to keep it4#dcc ,the imagery of the foundation#dcd employed in prophecy to point out ,christ1 and the sureness and continuance of the ,covenant1 is also used by two apostles for the same purpose4 ,their references to it illustrate the doctrine1 that1 in the ,new ,testament1 types1 though realized in ,christ1 and also partly illustrated in the blessings at any time bestowed by ,him1 are not to be disregarded but studied1 that the good things prefigured by them1 but as yet unattained1 may be enjoyed4 ,the designation of the ,holy ,spirit1 as the ,spirit of promise1#dce teaches that ,he was given in consequence of the arrangements of the ,covenant of ,god2 and consequently1 that all the benefits bestowed on believers1 not merely in ,old but also in ,new ,testament times1 were to come to them in connection with the acceptance of the gift of the ,spirit1 as included in the promise of the ,covenant4 ,the idea of reconciliation1 dwelt on by the apostles1 necessarily implies the notion of a covenant agreement1 as being not merely made but maintained1 between ,god and men--once exposed to his curse1 but afterwards put in possession of an interest in the atonement of ,christ4 ,references made by the apostles to purification cannot be explained independently of the principle of1 a covenant ratified by the blood of ,christ being the channel of the communication of faith and the other graces1 and of sanctification--that results from the implantation1 support1 and direction of these by the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the sprinkling1 whether of blood or of water1 referring to the operation of the ,spirit1 is introduced by an apostle as enjoyed by those who take hold on ,god's covenant4#dcf ,even as circumcision was1 baptism is1 a sign and seal of the ,covenant of ,grace4#dcg ,in the ,lord's ,supper1 the bread is a symbol of the body of ,christ--broken in the sufferings endured by him on behalf of his people2 and the wine is a symbol of his blood--shed for the remission of their sins4 ,commemorating the ,redeemer's dying love1 and receiving a seal of all the benefits of his death1 by partaking of these elements according to his command1 they signify the actings of their faith on him in an act of ,covenanting4#dch ,preaching peace1 ,christ1 and after him his apostles and other servants in the ministry of the gospel1#dci proclaimed the ,covenant of ,peace1 and urged the duty of acceding to it2 and speaking peace to his disciples1#ddj ,he declared it to be his prerogative to bestow on all his people the blessings of that ,covenant4 ,the ,redeemer1 foretelling his address to be delivered at the day of judgment to his enemies of all ages of the world1--,i never knew you3 depart from me1 intimated that he would not recognise them as covenant children2 and declaring of his people1--,i am the good ,shepherd1 and know my sheep1 and am known of mine1 he taught that they know him1 as they alone do who take hold on ,god's covenant4#dda ,allusions to the seal imply the doctrine of ,covenanting4 ,the declaration1--,he that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that ,god is true1#ddb refers to a solemn covenant attestation to the truth4 ,the people of ,god designating the ,redeemer1 as the ,high ,priest of our profession1#ddc recognise him as bestowing grace upon them1 to take hold on ,god's covenant1 and to continue to cleave to it4 ,in the ,epistles1 there is distinctly brought into view an inheritance which is not else than the blessings provided in ,god's covenant1 and appropriated in adhering to it4#ddd ,the designations1--,children of the kingdom1#dde ,followers of ,god as dear children1#ddf ,friends 7of ,christ71#ddg ,heirs of ,god1#ddh ,god's heritage1#ddi the bride1 the ,lamb's wife1#dej ,perfect1#dea or possessed of integrity1 healthful1 safe1 willing1 complete1 sanctified1 are all calculated to point out the covenant relation and privileges1 and duties1 of the people of ,god2 and1 accordingly1 to show that by special explicit engagements they should devote themselves to him2 and the representation of the ,church as the ,pillar and ground 7stay7 of the truth1#deb teaches that her duty is to make an unequivocal and steadfast public profession of ,divine truth4 ,the ,covenant of ,god1 from the last dispensation being introduced as the ,new ,covenant1 and as one of the covenants of promise1#dec is represented by the last inspired writers as extended1 both in regard to its blessings and its duties1 to the latest times4#ded ,and1 by some of the evangelists and apostles1 the ,covenant of ,god is exhibited as a testament4 ,by them the dispensations of ,divine mercy to men1 are represented as being each both a covenant and a testament4 ,by them are applied such representations to each of the dispensations--both to the former dispensations1 and to the last of them4 ,the conclusion1 therefore1 to which we are brought by them is1 that each1 as a testament1 is essentially an exhibition of a corresponding covenant1 or a given dispensation of one covenant4 ,the truth is1 that the ,covenant of ,god1 under each dispensation1 includes in it a testament1 or that every dispensation of grace1 whether in former times1 or in the last times1 viewed as a testament1 is a covenant4 ,every testament is a covenant1 and each of those dispensations is at once a testament and the ,covenant of ,god4 ,take first the present dispensation4 ,a testament1 like every covenant1 has a stipulation1 or promise and demand2 in both1 good is offered1 and duty required4 ,in this dispensation1 the blessings of ,god's favour are offered1 and obedience to the law of ,christ is required2 it has1 therefore1 one character1 both of a covenant and of a testament4 ,a testament1 like every covenant1 when acceded to1 has a re-stipulation1 or engagement corresponding to the stipulation4 ,in the present dispensation1 when the overtures of ,divine grace are acceded to1 there is tendered an acceptance of ,christ and all his benefits1 and the promise of obedience in dependence on his strength4 ,it has1 therefore1 another mark common to both a testament and a covenant4 ,a testament and a covenant have alike a seal or ratification4 ,the seal of the testament is not valid till the death of the testator2 the overtures of ,divine mercy were ratified or sealed by the death of ,christ4 ,the present dispensation has1 therefore1 the third and last mark both of a testament and of a covenant4 ,it has1 consequently1 all the characteristics of a testament1 and of a dispensation of the ,covenant of ,grace4 ,it must1 therefore1 now appear how the idea of the present dispensation being a covenant is contemplated in the ,new ,testament1 even while it is described as a testament4 ,the coincidence between a covenant1 and a testament as a particular case of it1 explains how the ,greek term ,greek3 dichtheche capable of being rendered sometimes by the word testament1 and1 at others1 by the word covenant2 and shews the error of the insinuation1 so derogatory of the inspiration of the ,scriptures1 that the ,apostle ,paul1 finding that this ,greek term1 which is used for covenant1 meant1 in some connections1 a testament1 therefore proceeded to unfold the covenant of ,god as a testament4 ,the reason why the apostle1 guided by inspiration1 exhibited the ,covenant of ,god as a testament1 was1 that it is in reality a testament4 ,yea1 the fact that that covenant is a testament1 must have been the reason why1 even before the days of the apostle1 even that ,greek word had1 from direct or indirect communication between the ,greeks and the ,israelites1 acquired the twofold import4 ,hence1 besides1 it is doing no service to the interpretation of the ,scriptures1 to attempt to shew that in the passage of the ,epistle to the ,hebrews1#dee where the covenant is represented as a testament1 either that the term ,greek3 diatheche there1 must have only the meaning testament1 or that it must be rendered covenant exclusively throughout4 ,in some parts of the passage it means the one1 in others the other1 in others both4 ,it means both in the original of the passage1 ,and for this cause he is the ,mediator of the ,new ,testament1 that by means of death1 for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament1 they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance4 ,it means a testament in that of the following1 ,for where a testament is1 there must also of necessity be the death of the testator4 ,for a testament is of force after men are dead3 otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth4 ,in the original of the words1 ,whereupon neither the first 7testament understood7 was dedicated without blood1 it means properly a covenant ratified by the blood of sacrifice1 and1 consequently1 a testament4 ,and it means both in the original of the words that follow1 ,this is the blood of the testament which ,god hath enjoined unto you4 ,the parallelism between the death of the testator and the shedding of the blood of the covenant1 is beautiful1 and it cannot be destroyed4 ,in the case of the death of ,christ1 it becomes an identity4 ,the death of the testator is there the shedding of the blood of the covenant6 ,we have seen that the last dispensation is both a covenant and a testament2 but so was the former4 ,the blood of sacrifice was typical at once of the blood of the ,mediator1 and of his death as the great ,testator4 ,the blessings of his purchase in the first ages were1 even as in the last1 testamentary4 ,they were not reversionary1 but no less by bequest and no less sure than they had been had he1 whose death by sacrifice was continually pointed out antecedently1 really died4 ,in conclusion1 from the whole1 ,it is manifest1 that to represent ,covenanting as a mere ,jewish thing1 is an error4 ,it was engaged in before the father of the ,hebrew race was called4 ,it was practised when the ,levitical economy was on the verge of dissolution1 and attended to in the apostolic age by churches that were not subjected to its peculiar institutes4 ,it was provided for the ,church1 whether existing in ,old or ,new ,testament times4 ,it was independent of the peculiarities of the former dispensations1 though it attracted to itself the performance of their characteristic observances4 ,it was by ,covenanting that the ,church was incorporated2 by it the ,church has been hitherto kept distinct from the world2 and by it1 throughout all time1 she will prove herself to be the heir of the ,covenant promise of ,god1 made from eternity1 and to be bestowed in time and eternity to come4 ,,footnotes3 #cfe ,heb4 xiii4 #bj4 #cff ,ps4 xc4 #b4 #cfg ,prov4 viii4 #bc4 #cfh ,mic4 v4 #b4 #cfi ,ps4 lxxxix4 #c1 #bh4 #cgj ,is4 liii4 #aj-ab4 #cga ,is4 xlii4 #ba4 #cgb ,rom4 v4 #ae-ai4 #a ,cor4 xv4 #dg-di4 #cgc ,is4 lix4 #ba4 #cgd ,gen4 vi4 #ah2 xvii4 #g2 ,lev4 xxvi4 #i2 ,ezek4 xvi4 #fb4 #cge ,deut4 xxviii4 #i2 xxix4 #ac4 #cgf ,is4 xlix4 #h4 #cgg ,ps4 lxxxix4 #d4 #cgh ,jer4 xxx4 #bj-bb4 #cgi ,ezek4 xxxiv4 #bd2 xxxvii4 #bd1 #be4 #chj ,ps4 xxii4 #bh4 #cha ,heb4 x4 #ai-bc4 #chb ,compare ,ps4 ii4 #h1 and ,deut4 xxxii4 #i4 #chc ,is4 viii4 #ah1 and ,heb4 ii4 #ac4 #chd ,jer4 iii4 #ai4 #che ,ps4 xxii4 #cj4 #chf ,eph4 i4 #d4 #chg ,jer4 xxxi4 #c4 #chh ,john xv4 #e4 #chi ,heb4 xiii4 #ae4 #cij #b ,thess4 ii4 #ac4 #cia ,is4 xxviii4 #ae-ah1 and #a ,pet4 ii4 #f-aj4 #cib ,phil4 ii4 #aa4 #cic ,col4 ii4 #f1 #g4 #cid ,ps4 viii4 #b1 and ,matt4 xxi4 #af4 #cie ,ps4 xcvi4 #f4 #cif ,is4 xlvi4 #ac4 #cig ,rom4 iv4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 #cih ,gal4 iii4 #ad1 #ae4 #cii ,gal4 iii #ag4 #djj ,compare ,heb4 xiii4 #bj1 and ,is4 liii4 #aj-ab4 #dja ,see ,is4 xxi4 #b2 xxix4 #aa4 ,in the latter of these passages it may mean both a revelation and a covenant4 #djb ,is4 xxviii4 #ah4 #djc ,is4 xxxiii4 #ag4 #djd ,ps4 xxvii4 #h4 #dje ,ps4 xl4 #g1 #h4 #djf ,compare ,ps4 lxiii4 #ag1 #ah1 with ,eph4 iv4 #h4 #djg ,zech4 ix4 #aa4 #djh ,exod4 xxiv4 #g4 #dji ,ezek4 xvi4 #fj1 #fb4 #daj ,ps4 xix4 #aa4 #daa ,gal4 iii4 #ah4 #dab ,job xx4 #g1 #h4 #dac ,deut4 xxi4 #d-h4 #dad #b ,chron4 xiii4 #e4 #dae #a ,cor4 x4 #a1 #b4 #daf ,is4 liv4 #e4 #dag ,jer4 xxxi4 #cb4 #dah ,josh4 v4 #ae2 ,is4 lv4 #d4 #dai ,zech4 iii4 #h2 vi4 #ab1 #ac2 ,jer4 xxiii4 #e1 #f4 #dbj ,job ix4 #cc4 #dba ,gen4 xxviii4 #ab4 #dbb ,is4 lv4 #d4 #dbc ,eph4 ii4 #ad4 #dbd ,is4 xxxii4 #ah2 ,is4 xlii4 #ai4 #dbe ,the ,atonement and ,intercession of ,jesus ,christ4 ,by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,william ,symington4 #b;d ,ed41 pp4 #i1 #aj1 #aa4 #dbf ,job xxxiii4 #bc1 #bd4 #dbg ,atonement and ,intercession1 pp4 #beg1 #beh4 #dbh ,acts v4 #c1 #d1 #i4 #dbi #a ,cor4 x4 #ad2 #a ,john v4 #ba4 #dcj ,rom4 xii4 #a2 ,rom4 vi4 #ac4 #dca ,heb4 iv4 #ad2 x4 #bc4 #dcb ,rev4 ii4 #be4 #dcc ,compare ,eph4 ii4 #aj1 with ,is4 xliv4 #b4 #dcd ,eph4 ii4 #bj1 #ba2 #a ,pet4 ii4 #e-aj4 #dce ,eph4 i4 #ac4 #dcf ,heb4 x4 #bb4 #dcg ,rom4 iv4 #aa1 and ,col4 ii4 #aa1 #ab4 #dch #a ,cor4 xi4 #bd1 #be4 #dci ,eph4 ii4 #ag1 and ,rom4 x4 #ae4 #ddj ,john xiv4 #bg4 #dda ,is4 xix4 #ba4 #ddb ,john iii4 #cc4 #ddc ,heb4 iii4 #a4 #ddd ,col4 iii4 #bd1 and #a ,pet4 i4 #d1 #e4 #dde ,mat4 xiii4 #ch4 #ddf ,eph4 v4 #a4 #ddg ,john xv4 #ad4 #ddh ,rom4 viii4 #ag4 #ddi #a ,pet4 v4 #c4 #dej ,rev4 xxi4 #i4 #dea ,philip1 iii4 #ae4 #deb #a ,tim4 iii4 #ae4 #dec ,heb4 viii4 #ac2 ,eph4 ii4 #ab #ded ,heb4 ix4 #ae4 #dee ,heb4 ix4 #ae-bj4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,covenanting ,,adapted ,,to ,,the ,,moral ,,constitution ,,of ,,man4 ,the law of ,god originates in his nature1 but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty4 ,the former is1 accordingly1 to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government1 and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the ,divine nature1 are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment4 ,hence1 also1 the law of ,god is independent of his creatures1 though made known on their account2 but the operation of their attributes behove to be regulated according to that law4 ,the principles of eternal holiness1 embodied in the law1 necessarily existed because of the eternity and infinite glory of ,god2 but would not have been made the basis of a law had creatures not been formed4 ,the constitution of creatures who should be called to give obedience1 was wholly due to the will of ,god1 but in perfect harmony with the spirit of his commands4 ,moral creatures having been formed1 the law of ,god speaks one language to all of them4 ,they1 possessed of different characteristic attributes1 alike recognise its appeals4 ,angels have a constitution which distinguishes them from man1 yet with him they apprehend the authority of the one moral law4 ,over a range1 therefore1 of infinite extent1 the principles of eternal rectitude are maintained4 ,man1 in innocence1 recognised them4 ,man1 redeemed1 cleaves to them according to his attainments in grace4 ,angels1 possessed of a nature different from that of man1 acknowledge their obligation upon them4 ,and ,god himself1 distant from his highest moral offspring by a difference that is infinite1 exhibits them as a manifestation of his holiness1 and the principles according to which he acts towards his creatures4 ,much1 therefore1 in common belongs to the constitution of the moral natures of angels and men1 and necessarily proceeds from and accords with the nature of ,god4 ,his law1 we have seen1 inculcates the duty of ,covenanting4 ,from what has been said1 we would1 therefore1 conclude that the constitution of man was fitted to that exercise4 ,that it was so appears1 moreover1 from other considerations now to be adduced4 ,covenanting was adapted to the moral constitution of man in innocence4 ,first4 ,from the ,scripture account of that constitution this appears4 ,in this manner he is there represented--,god created man in his own image1 in the image of ,god created he him4#def ,god hath made man upright4#deg ,these declarations imply that man was created at least in knowledge1 righteousness1 and holiness1 and accordingly1 in conformity with the will of ,god1 as to his intellect1 his affections1 his conscience1 and will4 ,when brought into existence1 his intellectual and moral powers were full grown1 and his knowledge was suited to the state of a creature fitted to hold communion with ,god4 ,his intellect was fitted completely to survey1 according to its capacity1 the whole scene of natural and moral existence presented before it1 from the lowest stage of dependent being to what it was competent to him to know of ,god4 ,his affections1 in a flame alike pure and ardent1 glowed at the prospect of moral excellence which appeared in the works of ,god1 and above all1 in ,himself4 ,his conscience1 tender as the perfection of a delicate spiritual organisation worthy the creative energy of a ,being of spotless infinite holiness1 was in perfect sympathy with the awards of that perfection of judgment which1 from eternity to eternity1 is unchanged4 ,and his will1 the mighty gift1 emblem of the volition of the ,giver1 approved what ,he decreed4 ,with such capacities1 accompanied with corresponding knowledge of the external world and the internal man1 and with a perfect acquaintance with the nature and demands of ,god's law1 the favoured creature man could not but acquiesce in it4 ,to the claims of its glorious ,author1 put forth by it1 he was led by the most sure1 and yet most gentle and delightful constraints1 to give his acquiescence4 ,what it demanded as duty to ,god1 and duty to man1 as if bound1 yet free1 he joyously proffered and endeavoured to give4 ,what it forbade1 he1 in the same spirit1 desired not to attain to1 but resolved to reject4 ,that law required1 in its first command1 the avouchment of ,god as a ,god in ,covenant2 in its second1 it demanded the same1 in anticipation of whatever evil--such as the inroads of satan1 might tempt to lead from him2 in its third1 it claimed the fulfilment of the duty of solemn appeal to the ,i ,am by oath2 in its ninth1 it required the speaking of truth to man1 and consequently1 the public avouchment of ,god as a ,god in ,covenant before others2 and in entering into ,covenant with him1 the favoured creature man1 to all these and the other statutes of that law1 from his holy nature1 gave his adherence4 ,in his nature1 as a living personification of finite excellence1 designed to transact with ,god1 and rendered fit to adhere to his engagements1 and true to the constitutional character of his existence1 in the presence of his glorious ,lord he stood a being in ,covenant with him4 ,had there even not been a representative phase of character provided for ,adam1 he had1 therefore1 necessarily1 from his very constitution1 been in ,covenant with ,god4 ,a law was made known to him by the great ,creator and ,ruler2 a willingness to accept of it as a guide to duty1 manifested by receiving it1 was given to him4 ,to the formation of a covenant1 though any other condition that ,god should propose might be added1 nothing more was necessary4 ,the covenant due to this was embodied in that which1 as we shall presently see was1 at his creation1 in sovereignty made with him4 ,secondly4 ,this appears from the fact1 that the law of ,god to man in innocence1 was given in a covenant form4 ,from the very origin of his existence1 ,adam was placed under law to ,god1 both as an individual1 and as the representative head of the human family4 ,under both aspects of his condition he was1 accordingly1 amenable to that law2 nay1 more1 to that law in a covenant form4 ,to him1 as an individual1 it was promulgated1 not merely as a law but as a covenant4 ,it could not have been proclaimed to him as the federal head of others1 had it not conferred obligation upon him as a moral agent1 responsible for his own actions4 ,now1 the law that was given to him in his twofold character was1 in reality1 a condition of a covenant4 ,both the positive precept and the statutes of the decalogue unfolded what was designed as a covenant claim4 ,the command to obey1 implying the command to agree to obey1 is an injunction to enter into covenant1 and1 therefore1 itself the condition of a covenant1 to be constituted in the acquiescence of the creature addressed4 ,the giving of any command to man1 therefore1 in a state of innocence1 was a recognition of him as a creature on his constitution designed1 and1 in the providence of ,god1 to be called1 to enter into covenant with him4 ,but this conclusion is corroborated by the very matter of the moral law itself4 ,we have seen that several of the precepts of that law require the observance of entering into covenant4 ,these commands could not have been obeyed as the dictates of ,god's laws1 had the duty of ,covenanting not been performed4 ,and that duty could not have been performed otherwise than in the recognition of the commands of the law as the conditions of a ,covenant4 ,from other considerations this also appears4 ,we are warranted to maintain that the covenant of ,god dispensed to men is in reality a covenant4 ,but the positive precept forbidding man to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil1 is inculcated in the very same terms in which the ,covenant of ,god is enjoined4 ,both are spoken of as commanded4 ,and the ,lord ,god commanded 7,hebrew3 yetzav7 the man1 saying1 ,of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat3 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil1 thou shalt not eat of it4#deh ,he hath commanded 7,hebrew3 tzivah7 his covenant for ever4#dei ,a law1 when promulgated1 cannot but be commanded4 ,a covenant when revealed1 as we here see1 is commanded4 ,we should1 therefore1 take an unwarrantably circumscribed view of the law given to man at first1 were we to view it as given as a law1 but not as a covenant4 ,even as the matter of the law revealed at ,sinai was an exhibition of the provisions of the ,covenant of ,grace1 so that of the law given to man in innocence was the condition of the ,covenant of ,works4 ,it was not merely by the promise1 but also by the gift of life1 that the positive law was converted into the nature of a covenant4 ,by that promise1 indeed1 the ,covenant of ,works was distinguished2 that showed the unspeakably beneficent design of the great ,creator1 and formed the most powerful motive to obedience4 ,but the making of that promise was not essential to the existence of a covenant between the parties4 ,by the giving of that promise1 ,god indeed became1 by explicit intimation1 engaged to man2 but by giving to his creature capacities for enjoying good1 and desiring it1 he virtually engaged to give him what was to be beneficial for him1 so long as ,he should choose4 ,adam was in the enjoyment of good when ,god revealed to him his law4 ,god addressed him1 not as one who might be doubtful whether or not he should receive good from his hand1 but as one in possession of powers and capacities even then appropriating extensive benefits4 ,his delighting himself in ,god--the highest good that he could enjoy1 though no explicit promise of good had been made to him1 would have been a token to him that he was in covenant4 ,but the promise in which that good was implied rendered the anticipation of it definite1 both as to time and duration4 ,again1 the law of ,god was given both as a law and as a covenant to ,adam1 as the representative of the human race4 ,though the giving of the positive precept put him into a covenant state as a federal head1 and though by breaking it he fell1 and in consequence of his sin they fell in him1 yet it is unwarrantable to maintain that the duty of abstaining from the tree of life was the only condition of the covenant to be observed by him as the public covenant head of his descendants4 ,what would have been his condition had he neglected any other duty incumbent on him8 ,would he not have been depraved as an individual personally guilty8 and accordingly seeing that he that offends in one point is guilty of all1 would he not have been unworthy of representing his posterity1 or in consequence of his depravity would he not have resolved to eat of the tree of life1 and thus have exposed himself to the stroke of ,divine indignation1 and have been cut off8 ,as1 had he existed alone1 he would from the very constitution of his nature have been under covenant obligation to perform whatever duties his ,creator might have made known to him1 so in his public character1 his obedience to the law of ,god on his own behalf and towards the fulfilment of the peculiar duties connected with his relation to his descendants1 was due as required by covenant4 ,as one with his posterity he was bound by requirements that would have brought them under obligation4 ,feeling himself commanded to obey on behalf of many of whom he himself was one1 no less than as if he had acted in an individual capacity1 did he or could he recognise his obligations to acquiesce in duty prescribed1 nor less was he called and urged solemnly by covenant to engage to them4 ,accordingly1 man in his original condition1 was1 from his constitution1 engaged in covenant to ,god by his law4 ,by a twofold bond1 the obligation laid upon him was imposed4 ,the authority of ,god requiring obedience was one of the bonds4 ,the authority of ,god requiring fulfilment of an engagement made according to his command was the other4 ,the giving of the law implied the disposition of the constitution of man to respond to its appeal1 and demonstrated that both were of ,god4 ,seeing that ,he determined to create moral subjects on earth1 his arrangements provided that he should make them disposed to acquiesce in that law2 and hence1 so long as man continued to possess the moral standing in which he was placed at first1 he must have had an impression that by the constitution which had been given him1 ,god was engaged to bestow good upon him1 which he was brought under obligation by ,covenanting to accept4 ,covenanting is adapted to the moral constitution of man in a state of grace4 ,first4 ,inasmuch as gracious capacities lead to acquiescence in what ,god requires4 ,all the powers of man1 either directly or indirectly1 were injured and misdirected by the fall4 ,the range of the intellect was circumscribed1 and its power was diminished4 ,the affections were deadened1 and subjected to unholy influence2 the conscience became callous1 and unfit to testify for ,god as it had formerly done2 and the will was exercised to do only evil1 and that continually4 ,from the moral nature of man proceeded all the evils that overtook his constitution in consequence of sin4 ,that suffered the taint of a depravity that exposed the sinner to ruin2 and the curse of the broken law went out through it1 to mar and destroy4 ,man by nature is degraded1 because he is chargeable with original and actual sin1 and because he wills not to obey ,god4 ,of every characteristic of a creature in covenant with him1 he is destitute4 ,between the tendencies of his nature1 and the demands of the ,divine law1 there is no correspondence4 ,the carnal mind is enmity against ,god2 for it is not subject to the law of ,god1 neither indeed can be4#dfj ,but in the day of effectual calling1 a complete change is produced upon the moral tendencies of the soul4 ,before that1 there was applicable to it the description1 ,ye will not come to me1 that ye might have life4#dfa ,afterwards it uses the language1 ,it is good for me to draw near to ,god3 ,i have put my trust in the ,lord ,god1 that ,i may declare all thy works4#dfb ,men in sin have addressed to them the mandate1 ,hear1 ye deaf2 and look1 ye blind1 that ye may see4#dfc ,men renewed1 do each say1 ,i will hear what ,god the ,lord will speak3 for he will speak peace unto his people2#dfd ,i will look unto the ,lord1 ,i will wait for the ,god of my salvation2 my ,god will hear me4#dfe ,to the wicked is addressed the reproof1 ,o ye sons of men1 how long will ye turn my glory into shame8 how long will ye love vanity1 and seek after leasing8#dff ,to the righteous belongs the description1 that join themselves to the ,lord1 to serve him1 and to love the name of the ,lord4#dfg ,of unbelievers1 it is declared1 ,even their mind and conscience is defiled4#dfh ,but of those who live by faith1 it is said1 ,how much more shall the blood of ,christ1 who through the eternal ,spirit offered himself without spot to ,god1 purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living ,god8#dfi ,of those who1 though professedly the people of ,god1 were but hypocrites1 the record is given1 ,but my people would not hearken to my voice3 and ,israel would none of me4#dgj ,but concerning those who had submitted to him1 an apostle gave the testimony1 ,it is ,god which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure4#dga ,thus1 those who are born again1 are rendered fit to lay hold upon the proposals of ,god's goodness and mercy through ,christ4 ,such are a people made willing in a day of power4 ,corruption continues within them1 but it is subdued4 ,they delight in the law of ,god after the inward man4 ,to the requirement of a covenant like that of works1 their resolutions and endeavours are alike inadequate4 ,under the dispensations of ,divine grace1 however1 no proposals of any covenant designed to confer life through their own obedience is made to them4 ,it is on a covenant1 the conditions of which were fully satisfied by ,one infinitely qualified for his work1 that they are invited to take hold1 and the powers conferred upon them correspond to the exercise4 ,imperfection marks the nature of the ,christian1 even throughout all his earthly career2 but the means to be employed by him in making covenant engagements to the ,lord1 do not less accord to his new covenant relation to him1 than those made by him in innocence1 did to his first covenant state2 and not less are his gracious powers and faculties suited to the one1 than the original gifts conferred upon him1 were adapted to the other4 ,secondly4 ,inasmuch as the invitations to accede to the ,covenant of ,grace are tendered to sinners1 and through the operation of the ,spirit are accepted by those who are born again4 ,the offering of free favour to man must imply the possibility of him1 aided in some manner1 accepting it4 ,had the rational nature of man been destroyed by the fall1 then a re-organization of him must have preceded the reception on his part of the benefits offered4 ,but regeneration1 and not re-organization1 is experienced by him when he is enabled to lay hold of ,god's ,covenant4 ,the former1 not less wondrous1 perhaps more wondrous than the latter would have been1 brings the sinful creature from the state of one exposed to the curse of the law1 as both a covenant and a law1 to that of one engaged to the duties of a permanent covenant4 ,by regeneration1 the intellectual character of the human mind is not changed1 nor thereby are changed the conscience and affections and capacity to will4 ,by that the personal identity of the sinner is not altered2 for it is the same being that sinned who is saved4 ,but by that the tendencies of the moral nature are changed1 and modifications most important are produced upon the operation of the powers of the whole man2--in one word1 the heart in being brought under gracious influence is renewed1 and thus is made to possess the character of a new heart4 ,thus1 the understanding that was formerly darkened and misdirected is enlightened2 those affections that were sinful are sanctified2 the conscience is made tender2 and the will which was opposed to ,god is made to acquiesce in his2 the enmity in the heart1 like a foreign substance which had not annihilated the nature1 but which had assumed dominion over the whole man1 and exercised a power for which he was answerable1 is displaced2 and corruption1 though not altogether removed1 is gradually bereft of its influence1 and doomed to extermination4 ,it is not as if man in sin were altogether ignorant of what ,god requires1 but because he is unwilling to obey1 that he does not yield it4 ,his disobedience is not as if that requirement were inconsistent with his natural powers1 but as opposed by their tendency4 ,it is not as if obedience were foreign to his nature1 but because it is repugnant to his will4 ,but when the sinner is renewed1 the requirement of the duty takes effect4 ,the result upon the man proclaims the adaptation of the claim to his state2 and the nature of that claim shows that he is prepared for the exercise which it urges4 ,the law of ,god demands of all what all ought to give1 but what man1 in consequence of sin1 because he is unwilling1 is unable to give4 ,that law demands of all what believers are desirous to render1 but which of themselves they are unable to implement1 and the part of which that is accepted they are enabled by ,divine grace alone to perform4 ,calls to the exercise of ,covenanting addressed to men1 whether in a state of sin or in a state of grace1 though differently apprehended by them1 being in a varied manner understood by both1 must be in accordance with what is common to the nature of each1 and also to that of man in innocence4 ,the wicked show that they know what these calls imply2 for they often refuse to attend to them after any manner1 and when they attempt to act according to them1 they aim at an end that is not elevated above deliverance merely from the effects of sin1 not to say comprehensive of the glory of ,god4 ,and the righteous do in measure understand them4 ,after some manner they obey them4 ,they arrive at their full import progressively4 ,their feelings are inadequate to them1 not in kind1 but in measure4 ,as they make progress in holiness they will be more thoroughly conformed to them in fact4 ,when about to enter upon the heavenly inheritance of the promise itself1 their conformity with these will be complete4 ,hence1 ,first4 ,the reality of the ,covenant of ,works appears4 ,it was not unworthy of ,god to enter into covenant with man in innocence4 ,he was the workmanship of his own hands4 ,the constitution given to him admitted of intercourse on his part with his ,creator4 ,it was not unbecoming the dignity of ,god's character to give to man a law4 ,it was becoming his character to give him a moral constitution that would lead him to obey it4 ,it was equally becoming the glory of his nature to accept of obedience to it4 ,his entering into covenant with him was the accepting of ,covenanting--a part of that obedience1 and was therefore in perfect consistency with the excellency of ,his being4 ,it is not allowable to suppose that in order to a covenant relation between ,god and his creatures1 these should be able to give something of their own which might be esteemed as a meritorious condition of a covenant2 nor is it warrantable to maintain that because man in innocence was unable to make such a communication1 therefore he was not in that state taken into covenant4 ,neither man in innocence1 nor man in a state of grace1 was required to make such a tender2 nay1 no creature is able to afford it4 ,if it is admitted1 then1 that a covenant exists between ,god and man redeemed on the footing of the merits of the ,saviour1 how can it be denied that man in innocence could be taken into a covenant with ,god on account of the merit or worth of ,himself as the ,creator and righteous moral ,governor of all8 ,in the case of the ,covenant of ,grace1 the merit on account of which man is accepted was displayed in a manifestation of the mercy of ,god in the obedience and sufferings of ,christ4 ,in the case of what is rightly held to have been a covenant between ,god and ,adam as the representative of the human family1 the merit for which man was accepted was not his own1 but the merit or worth of the ,divine character exhibited1 in giving him a constitution fitting him for acquiescing in what the ,divine law required1 and in affording him every facility for glorifying ,god by yielding obedience to all his commands4 ,and1 besides1 various are the considerations that tend to show1 that from the constitution of man there is reason to conclude that the representative character and state that are attributed to ,adam as a covenant head1 and therefore also what is called the ,covenant of ,works1--though in a certain sense a covenant of grace--but not of grace through a mediator1 are not inconsistent with the glory of the ,divine character4 ,it would not have been inconsistent with the glory of ,god to have made any one of the human family its representative head4 ,no one of them would have refused to represent their race4 ,and since therefore ,adam would not have refused1 it is not warrantable1 on the assumption that he would have refused1 to deny that he was commanded to undertake the duties of a federal head4 ,the interests of men were better provided for on the principle of representation than they would have been1 had it been given to every member of the human family individually to undergo a trial1 on which would have pended their eternal condition4 ,had the whole human family been together when sin entered into the world1 they had all been as liable to seduction by the enemy as the first of men4 ,but the resistance of him by ,adam would have been equal to the resistance of the whole human race4 ,had all the human family at once been present in the very circumstances of temptation in which ,adam was placed1 would they have acted differently from what he did8 ,they could have done so2 but what evidence have we that they would8 ,god did not vouchsafe an extraordinary power in order to keep ,adam from falling3 such would have interfered with his state as a free moral responsible being4 ,would he have done so1 then1 to the whole human race1 had they been then present together8 ,but had ,adam continued for an appointed period to obey1 life to all his posterity would have been the result1 and thus benefits through one as a representative would have come to the many with certainty1 without all having individually1 by being put into a state of probation1 in the midst of temptation1 to endeavour to secure a title to life for themselves4 ,it is sinful for men to arraign the procedure according to which men come into the world in a state of condemnation1 or to deny it4 ,the ,scriptures reveal it1 and it is a necessary effect of the operation of ,divine justice4 ,had it not been right1 ,god would not have instituted such a relation between ,adam and his descendants as would have admitted of the fact2 nay1 had not that arrangement in itself been preferable to every other1 ,divine wisdom would not have made it4 ,it therefore has a reason for it the most satisfactory1 however little we may be able to apprehend it4 ,nothing that we know is inconsistent with that arrangement1 but it may be but a small part of its reason that we yet observe4 ,man was not doomed1 but permitted to fall4 ,it was not necessary that he should be prevented from sinning1 and his fall was the necessary effect of his transgression4 ,is it urged--,is it not dreadful to think of man being brought into existence in a state of sin and misery8--of a nature being given to him which never had the power to make one endeavour to live for ever8 ,it is answered1 ,god did not create men in a state of condemnation1 but sin invaded them1 and in one all fell4 ,god is righteous1 and his justice finds every one of the family of man guilty4 ,the rectitude of ,god's character did not require that he should create any one with a title to eternal life2 but because of sin1 it forbade that any of the children of fallen man represented by him should come into existence in a state of acceptance with him4 ,the case of the sinner coming into the world under condemnation1 is not worse than that of him1 who1 first having had power to stand1 was tempted1 and sinned1 and fell4 ,no less consistent with the excellence of the character of ,god and the sovereignty of his procedures1 is the state of one fallen even at the very origin of his being1 than that of one who had had an opportunity to avoid falling1 but after a short trial really fell4 ,adam at first had not a right1 independently of the sovereign gift of ,god1 to come into existence in a state of acceptance4 ,he had not a right to continue in it when he sinned4 ,and in like manner1 no sinner can say that he had a claim upon the ,creator to be brought into being free from the curse4 ,the same argument that would suffice to establish that men should not be implicated in the rebellion of ,adam1 would go to prove that he should not have been allowed himself to fall4 ,and hence the repugnance of men to the doctrine of original sin is unwarranted1 and affords no proper ground on which to deny the ,covenant of ,works4 ,secondly4 ,the wicked1 whether individuals or communities1 and these alone1 are not in covenant4 ,man in innocence was never under the law of ,god merely as a law4 ,the will of ,god1 promulgated as the terms both of a covenant and a law1 had the sacredness of a law2 acceded to by man1 it had all the sanctity of a covenant4 ,the will of ,god was propounded as a law1 to be received both as a law and as a covenant2 the acceptance of it engaged man to it as possessed of both characters4 ,because of ,god's authority dictating it as a law1 his will revealed conferred obligation4 ,because of ,god's will and providential arrangements as to the constitution of man1 he acquiescing in the requirement of the law came besides under a covenant obligation to fulfil it4 ,at the very origin of his being he came under both obligations4 ,under both he was placed according to the appointment of the ,most ,high1 and by his authority4 ,at his fall the whole human family became exposed to the curse at once of a broken law and a violated covenant4 ,then and thereafter the law was a broken covenant4 ,it had been propounded as a law1 and offered as the condition of a covenant4 ,as a law and as a covenant it had been acquiesced in1 and thus stood as a covenant2 but by reason of apostacy it passed from the rank of a law and a covenant to that of a mere law2 and as a law proceeded to put forth on the unregenerate the claims for punishment1 of a law that should still continue1 but also of a covenant that had been broken1 and could never again exist in its original state4 ,to the ungodly still it is a law demanding obedience to it1 and punishment for past transgression of it as a law1 and requiring also not obedience to it as a covenant1 but punishment for the breach of it as a covenant4 ,what was the ,covenant of ,works is not now a covenant to any2 to the wicked it is a law which by reason of their sin tends to their ruin4 ,the work of the law is written upon the hearts of men in sin1 but not as if it were now a covenant law2 for now the ,covenant of ,works as a covenant1 has no demand of obedience to it on men4 ,the tendency that there is in the unrenewed heart to seek life by the works of the law shows1 not that the law is there written as a covenant1 but that there is there an attachment inconsistent with the will of ,god1 to the law as a covenant1 which1 while there is not felt the desire either of good flowing from a covenant relation to ,god or of willingness conscientiously to obey his commands1 leads vainly to seek1 merely exemption from punishment1 or undefined good4 ,certainly the blinded heathen have not that law which was broken proposed to them as the terms of a covenant2 and so neither have others4 ,the will of ,god revealed to men in a state of sin1 has the character of a law1 but not of a covenant4 ,the law is not made for a righteous man1 but for the lawless and disobedient4#dgb ,the impenitent transgressor continues under the curse of the law4 ,if not subdued by ,divine grace1 he will continue to feel here the effects of the wrath of ,god revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men1 who hold the truth in unrighteousness2 and in the future state will experience the effects of the curse in everlasting destruction from the presence of the ,lord1 and from the glory of his power4 ,the law of ,god addressed to corrupt ecclesiastical societies1 is not a covenant1 but essentially a law4 ,a national compact between rulers and people1 when violated1 affords an analogy here4 ,the laws1 or institutions1 or ordinances1 of a nation1 according to which the sovereign reigns1 the other rulers govern1 and the people voluntarily give obedience1 is a covenant2 but against those who violate them1 whatever may be their rank1 they act not as a covenant but as a law1 punishing for breach of covenant4 ,but to proceed4 ,when ,israel were holiness to the ,lord1 his law was to them a covenant4 ,when any of them fell off into idolatry1 that covenant was dispensed to those solely as a law taking vengeance for the breach of it as a covenant and as a law4 ,to the true ,israel receiving spiritual blessings1 it was dispensed as a covenant4 ,but only as a law demanding punishment and obedience1 it extended1 to many in the mountains of the ,east1 and on the plains of ,babylon1 and afterwards in every part of the world1 to the descendants of the unbelieving ,jews4 ,when the ,christian ,church was pure1 the law of ,god was to her a covenant4 ,when1 by the removal of the truth1 and opposition to it1 she degenerated into ,antichrist1 it continued not a covenant to her1 but acted against her as a law4 ,and before its blighting curse she fell plagued4 ,the judgments poured out on the seat of the ,beast were its effects2 and to that curse will be due1 the accomplishment of the prediction--,i will stretch out mine hand upon thee1 and roll thee down from the rocks1 and will make thee a burnt mountain4 ,and they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner1 nor a stone for foundations2 but thou shalt be desolate for ever1 saith the ,lord2#dgc and the realization of the fearful doom proclaimed by an angel come down from ,heaven--,babylon the great is fallen1 is fallen1 and of the woe uttered by a mighty angel1 that took up a stone like a great millstone1 and cast it into the sea1 saying1 ,thus with violence shall that great city ,babylon be thrown down1 and shall be found no more at all4#dgd ,even the offers of mercy to the unrenewed are made as the requirements of a mere law4 ,so long as they are unaccepted1 they possess the same character4 ,they are tenders of what1 when acceded to1 would be a covenant2 but are not the requirements of a covenant till they be appropriated4 ,when received1 they are the duties of both a law and a covenant4 ,for example1 the injunction to believe on ,jesus1 addressed to one in a state of sin1 is the command of a law1 but not of a covenant1 to that individual4 ,if not accepted1 it binds to punishment for disregard of it as a law1 and the non-acceptance of it is a proposed covenant command4 ,if perfidiously received1 it binds to punishment for not obeying it1 and for deceitfully professing1 by vow or oath1 to receive it4 ,accepted in sincerity and truth1 and consequently not by the wicked1 but by one born again1 it is laid hold on at once as a law and a covenant command2--as a requirement of the immutable law of ,god1 and as a duty of the ,everlasting ,covenant4 ,commands addressed to believers are at once1 even while inculcated1 a law and a covenant requirement4 ,they have acceded to these4 ,thereafter1 such therefore remain not merely a law1 but a covenant duty1 and as enforcing covenant obligation1 fall to be habitually observed4 ,thirdly4 ,those who are in covenant with ,god will1 as individuals and communities1 in some measure make and keep covenant engagements with him4 ,every believer1 that is1 every one in covenant with ,god1 will after some manner practise such duties4 ,covenanting is an exercise of the renewed nature1 and is an essential manifestation of it4 ,from gravitation come the movement of the moon in her orbit1 that of the planets round the sun1 and perhaps a progress of the whole solar system through space2 from the living energy of the plant cherished by the moisture and heat of heaven proceed1 the expanding of the leaf1 and the putting forth of the flower and fruit2 from the laws of molecular attraction1 come the beautiful forms of the mineral1 vegetable1 and animal creation2 from the principle of love to ,god comes the habit of delighting in him2 from hope come the stimulating anticipations of eternal good2 from faith comes the exercise of believing2 from the heart1 whose energies delivered from the dominion of sin by grace1 are1 from their native constitution and by the claims of the ,god of salvation1 engaged to him in covenant1 proceeds the habitual exercise of ,covenanting4 ,where there is motion1 there and there only force prevails2 where organic effort is made1 there only life exists2 where ,covenanting is engaged in1 there only a covenant relation and title can be found4 ,every incorporate community that forms a part of the true ,church of the living ,god1 with greater or less frequency1 or more or less explicitly1 recognises its covenant obligations by acknowledging and endeavouring to keep them4 ,where no attention is paid to covenant obligations1 there is no covenant relation4 ,the body that does not attract iron1 or possess polarity1 is not magnetic4 ,that which does not transmit light or sound1 is not elastic4 ,that which does not distribute heat is without life4 ,if a society bind not others to itself by religious ,covenanting after some manner1 it belongs not to the ,church of ,god4 ,from the law of ,covenanting comes all the consistency of the union of believers--the family that is named in heaven4 ,that family1 by displaying ,god's covenant1 invites to its communion many who would have perished4 ,the invisible ,church cannot have associated to it any thing dissimilar to itself1 but it binds to it those who are congenial to it4 ,it is to the fellowship of the ,church visible that the members of the ,church of the first-born are drawn4 ,god prepares men for the communion of saints4 ,it is by the power of the ,spirit accompanying the means of grace dispensed in the assemblies of the faithful1 that a transforming effect is produced on the natural man1 and that he is drawn4 ,it is the power and glory of ,god that draws and unites2 and the whole body1 like the virgin gold or silver in the veins of the rocks1 which is composed of what were grains scattered through contiguous strata1 and by a galvanic power continues to accumulate1 has its affinities for each of the precious family of grace4 ,the law by which these are drawn is not merely moral1 but gracious4 ,the communion of saints was confederated1 that1 by attracting others to it1 it might grow4 ,as a covenant society1 and in the use of ,covenanting1 it attracts4 ,it has a tendency to give utterance to its intention1 and that by professing the truth1 that sinners may be won4 ,as it is written1 ,i believed1 and therefore have ,i spoken2 we also believe1 and therefore speak4#dge ,then will ,i teach transgressors thy ways2 and sinners shall be converted unto thee4#dgf ,by taking the ,covenant of ,god publicly in their mouth1 his people in measure fulfil the ,redeemer's mandate1--,have salt in yourselves1 and have peace one with another2#dgg and the corresponding duty1--,let your speech be alway with grace1 seasoned with salt4#dgh ,it is a serious mark of a ,church's imperfection for it to recognise only implicitly or virtually its covenant obligations4 ,the greater the living energy that inhabits the society1 the more regard its obligations receive4 ,finally4 ,how dreadful is the condition of those who are not in covenant with ,god6 ,it is degraded4 ,man was in covenant with ,god at first4 ,with all accepted moral beings1 and these alone1 ,he deals by way of covenant4 ,thus1 after some manner1 he dealt with angels in glory4 ,thus he dealt with man unfallen4 ,thus he deals with sinners redeemed4 ,for sustaining the dignity of a covenant relation to him1 inanimate and unintelligent creation are not adapted2 but for not standing in that1 they are not dishonoured4 ,angels in light1 acquiescing in ,god's law1 were at least virtually in covenant with him4 ,some of them proudly sinned1 and fell from their high confederation4 ,they took counsel together thereafter1 but it was against the ,lord4 ,in hell they appear his foes combined in everlasting league against him1 but delivered over forever to the terrors of his wrath4 ,to their case alone1 that of the wicked even on earth can be compared4 ,but the case of rebellious sinners here1 is1 if possible1 more revolting4 ,sinners under condemnation receive outward good here1 designed to lead them to repentance4 ,all the good diffused around1 comes through the arrangements of a gracious covenant4 ,they receive temporal good themselves indirectly from a covenant on which they will not take hold4 ,they despise the word of him who ordained that good the most extensive should come to sinners through that covenant4 ,their degradation is extreme4 ,attempting to go in opposition to all the arrangements of the ,most ,high1 and yet kept in the enjoyment of some good1 and in the prospect of the greatest1 they are an anomaly in the universe4 ,they confederate with one another1 but against ,god4 ,they will not take ,him into their counsels4 ,they are1 therefore1 destitute of his favour1 and of all the honour of co-operating with him4 ,the change to which1 by sin1 they subjected themselves1 is more humbling than that produced on any other class of creatures1 even on fallen angels themselves2 for these resist not offers of mercy4 ,the inanimate creation responds to ,god's command4 ,he enjoins1 and it obeys4 ,there the ,divine mandate has the sure counterpart of obedience4 ,in the world of unfallen intelligences1 the word of the ,lord is fulfilled willingly by all4 ,in the world of perdition1 however1 it is set at nought4 ,but on earth1 where benefits are dispensed1 it is spurned by the wicked also4 ,the twofold curse of a broken law and covenant pursues sinners1 yet they are invited to escape it2 but they will not submit4 ,a covenant of life and peace is made known4 ,its blessings great and precious are freely offered to them4 ,yet they cherish the enmity of their hearts against ,god1 and they will not yield4 ,with no sinless creature of ,god have they communion4 ,they are voluntarily alone in the universe1 at war with all ,god's creatures1 and lowest among them4 ,they are most unworthy4 ,every arrangement of his providence tends to restore them to his favour4 ,neglecting the duty of ,covenanting1 they set all these at nought4 ,the beasts that perish are not degraded1 but these are4 ,they are worthy to be ranked with apostate angels4 ,in the rage of their rebellion1 they are bent on enduring all the terrors of a broken law and covenant in the place of final woe4 ,let not sinners persevere in their obstinacy4 ,even yet1 there is good largely offered to them1 which1 if they accept it1 they will abundantly receive4 ,,footnotes3 #def ,gen4 i4 #bg4 #deg ,eccl4 vii4 #bi4 #deh ,gen4 ii4 #af1 #ag4 #dei ,ps4 cxi4 #i4 #dfj ,rom4 viii4 #g4 #dfa ,john v4 #dj4 #dfb ,ps4 lxxiii4 #bh4 #dfc ,is4 xlii4 #ah4 #dfd ,ps4 lxxxv4 #h4 #dfe ,mic4 vii4 #g4 #dff ,ps4 iv4 #b4 #dfg ,is4 lvi4 #f4 #dfh ,tit4 i4 #ae4 #dfi ,heb4 ix4 #ad4 #dgj ,ps4 lxxxi4 #aa4 #dga ,phil4 ii4 #ac4 #dgb #a ,tim4 i4 #i4 #dgc ,jer4 li4 #be1 #bf4 #dgd ,rev4 xviii4 #ba4 #dge #b ,cor4 iv4 #ac4 #dgf ,ps4 li4 #ac4 #dgg ,mark ix4 #ej4 #dgh ,col4 iv4 #f4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,covenanting ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,purposes ,,of ,,god4 ,since every revealed purpose of ,god1 implying that obedience to his law will be given1 is a demand of that obedience1 the announcement of his ,covenant1 as in his sovereignty decreed1 claims1 not less effectively than an explicit law1 the fulfilment of its duties4 ,a representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the ,covenant might be discharged2 various exhibitions of the ,covenant as ordained2 and a description of the children of the ,covenant as predestinated to peculiar privileges and services1 make that announcement2 and consequently1 preferring the claim of submission to covenant requirements1 urge1 not less than to the others of these requisitions1 a dutiful regard to the exercise of solemn ,covenanting4 ,many things in creation and providence were appointed for this1 as well as for other ends1 that men might make and fulfil solemn vows to ,god4 ,the work of creation itself is cited to lead men to acts of religious homage4 ,the ,lord is a great ,god1 and a great ,king above all gods4 ,in his hand are the deep places of the earth2 the strength of the hills is his also4 ,the sea is his1 and he made it2 and his hands formed the dry land4 ,o come1 let us worship and bow down3 let us kneel before the ,lord our ,maker4 ,for he is our ,god2 and we are the people of his pasture1 and the sheep of his hand4#dgi ,the work of creation was performed1 that on earth a people might be sustained to serve the ,lord4 ,they shall be ashamed1 and also confounded1 all of them3 they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols4 ,but ,israel shall be saved in the ,lord with an everlasting salvation3 ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end4 ,for thus saith the ,lord that created the heavens1 ,god himself that formed the earth1 and made it2 he hath established it1 he created it not in vain1 he formed it to be inhabited2 ,i am the ,lord1 and there is none else4#dhj ,in anticipation of bestowing good on his people1 even during their continuance on earth1 the ,surety of sinners1 when the creation of all things was decreed1 rejoiced4 ,the ,lord possessed me in the beginning of his way1 before his works of old4 ,i was set up from everlasting1 from the beginning1 or ever the earth was4 ,when he prepared the heavens1 ,i was there3 when he set a compass upon the face of the depth3 when he established the clouds above3 when he strengthened the fountains of the deep3 when he gave to the sea his decree1 that the waters should not pass his commandment3 when he appointed the foundations of the earth3 then ,i was by him1 as one brought up with him2 and ,i was daily his delight1 rejoicing always before him2 rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth2 and my delights were with the sons of men4#dha ,hence of them as the heirs of a comprehensive ,covenant blessing1 it is said in language in substance not unfrequently occurring1 ,the meek shall inherit the earth1 and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace4#dhb ,god's covenant with every living creature1 revealed to ,noah1 was an appointment to confer the means of life on men in order to the attainment of the end of their creation4 ,other arrangements1 conducive to the same object1 are thus described1--,he shall deliver thee in six troubles2 yea1 in seven there shall no evil touch thee4 ,in famine he shall redeem thee from death2 and in war from the power of the sword4 ,thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue2 neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh4 ,at destruction and famine thou shalt laugh3 neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth4 ,for thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field2 and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee4 ,and thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace4#dhc ,that the land of ,canaan was granted to the ,israelites1 not merely by promise1 but by a sovereign decree1 is implied in the words1 ,neither will ,i any more remove the foot of ,israel from out of the land which ,i have appointed for your fathers2 so that they will take heed to do all that ,i have commanded them4#dhd ,israel1 fallen from the service of the ,lord1 is thus addressed1--,and it shall be at that day1 saith the ,lord1 that thou shalt call me ,ishi 7my husband71 and shalt call me no more ,baali4 ,for ,i will take away the names of ,baalim out of her mouth1 and they shall no more be remembered by their name4 ,protection1 as ordained in connection with their being taken into covenant with ,god1 is thus promised1--,and in that day will ,i make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field1 and with the fowls of heaven1 and with the creeping things of the ground3 and ,i will break the bow1 and the sword1 and the battle1 out of the earth1 and will make them to lie down safely4 ,and ,i will betroth thee unto me for ever2 yea1 ,i will betroth thee unto me in righteousness1 and in judgment1 and in loving-kindness1 and in mercies3 ,i will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness2 and thou shalt know the ,lord4 ,support1 too1 as in like manner provided for them--crying unto the ,lord for the supply of their wants1 is promised1--,and it shall come to pass in that day1 ,i will hear1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will hear the heavens1 and they shall hear the earth2 and the earth shall hear the corn1 and the wine1 and the oil2 and they shall hear ,jezreel4 ,and not merely reclaimed ,israel1 but the ,gentiles1 as by sovereign ordination interested in all their outward and spiritual blessings1 are objects of the promise1--,and ,i will sow her unto me in the earth2 and ,i will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy2 and ,i will say to them which were not my people1 ,thou art my people2 and they shall say1 ,thou art my ,god4#dhe ,secondly4 ,the covenant of ,god1 as ordained by him1 manifests that the exercise of vowing unto him was also ordained4 ,that was appointed4 ,in statements regarding the sovereign arrangements of providence is this taught4 ,these were brought into view1 and their continuance promised1 in the covenant made with ,noah4 ,in that covenant it was secured that the waters of another flood should not overflow the earth4 ,in that too it was promised1 that summer and winter1 seed-time and harvest1 should not cease4 ,the covenant1 therefore1 as well as these ordinances1 its results1 was ordained4 ,and accordingly was ordained1 all connected with its dispensations4 ,from the use of a term employed in prophecy in reference to the waters of the sea1 this1 moreover1 appears4 ,fear ye not me8 saith the ,lord3 will ye not tremble at my presence1 which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea1 by a perpetual decree1 that it cannot pass it4#dhf ,the term here rendered placed1 in this passage means appointed2 and in the two following passages is applied to the covenant4 ,the statement1 ,he appointed a law in ,israel1#dhg hence declares the institution of his law as a decree4 ,and the demands of the covenant being those of the law1 even as his law1 the covenant it intimates as ordained1 not merely by his high authority1 but according to his sovereign will4 ,and thus too are expounded ,david's last words1--,he hath made with me1 or rather appointed for me1 an everlasting covenant1 ordered in all things and sure1#dhh as intimating not merely his cleaving to ,god's covenant1 but his recognition of that covenant as according to his good pleasure1 in all things decreed4 ,that covenant was established4 ,god said unto ,noah1 ,this is the token of the covenant1 which ,i have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth4#dhi ,in such terms--literally applicable to intelligent and moral beings--but in figure transferable to the lower creation too1 ,god spake of good intended for living creatures of every kind4 ,that all the latter could apprehend his benevolent purposes1 the words cannot intimate1 but they do declare that by a beneficent ordination he had made provision for all4 ,the beasts of the field1 and the fowls of heaven1 in common with man1 enjoy the benefits of an animal life4 ,with him they are subjected to the operation of causes acting according to the sovereign purposes of ,god1 and with him1 they are employed by the ,lord of all in their varied spheres to fulfil his will4 ,but he1 by his great ,creator1 favoured highly above them1 is called to obedience in a way to them unknown4 ,yet not less determinate than the laws and dispositions of the material world are all ,his arrangements1 especially his covenant provisions made with regard to man4 ,the lower creatures of ,god1 though they know him not1 obey his word4 ,moral agents on earth are subject wholly to his control4 ,the decrees of his providence affect his intelligent and moral creatures not less than those that know not to resolve4 ,all things continue according to his ordinances--the material creation and his immortal offspring4 ,his statutes bind the heavens and the earth2 and by his appointment1 the relations unto him into which men are brought1 are constituted and sustained4 ,whatever may be the character of a solemn covenant with him1 to his appointment it is due1 and by his will continues4 ,if to them that fear ,god will be verified the declaration1 ,thou shalt decree a thing1 and it shall be established unto thee1#dij will not all his own holy purposes stand8 ,and was not all that he established--was not the covenant which he established1 decreed8 ,his purposes and their fulfilment are alike sure4 ,there are many devices in a man's heart2 nevertheless1 the counsel of the ,lord1 that shall stand4#dia ,to some who had disregarded his covenant were directed his words1--,because ye have said1 we have made a covenant with death1 and with hell are we at agreement3 when the overflowing scourge shall pass through1 it shall not come unto us3 for we have made lies our refuge1 and under falsehood have we hid ourselves4 ,therefore1 thus saith the ,lord ,god1 444 ,the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies1 and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place4 ,and your covenant with death shall be disannulled1 and your agreement with hell shall not stand4 ,but revealing the ,mediator of his covenant1 and1 consequently1 making known that covenant1 as to obtain1 instead of the covenant with death1 which was to be swept away1 at the same time he says1 ,behold1 ,i lay in ,zion for a foundation1 a stone1 a tried stone1 a precious corner stone1 a sure foundation3 he that believeth shall not make haste4 ,judgment also will ,i lay to the line1 and righteousness to the plummet4 ,regarding both the threatening and the promise1 are his words1--,this also cometh forth from the ,lord of hosts1 which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working4#dib ,and may there not also be applied to both his own averment1--,the ,lord of hosts hath sworn1 saying1 ,surely as ,i have thought1 so shall it come to pass2 and as ,i have purposed1 so shall it stand4#dic ,the covenant was commanded4 ,when ,god said1 ,i have made the earth1 and created man upon it3 ,i1 even my hands1 have stretched out the heavens1 and all their host have ,i commanded1 ,he spake of that omnipotent word by which he commanded all their hosts1 at least into existence4 ,and1 accordingly1 we are to understand the testimony1 ,he hath commanded his covenant for ever1#did as implying not merely that it should endure for ever1 but that to his almighty mandate are its origin and continuance due4 ,this the ,psalmist celebrates when he sings of ,zion1 ,there the ,lord commanded the blessing1 even life for evermore4#die ,and this1 too1 in addressing the children of ,zion1 and the ,god of ,zion1 he records4 ,thy ,god hath commanded thy strength3 strengthen1 ,o ,god1 that which thou hast wrought for us4#dif ,in like manner1 are the blessings of that covenant thus announced3--,the ,lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses1 and in all that thou settest thine hand unto2 and he shall bless thee in the land which the ,lord thy ,god giveth thee4 ,and is thus declared1 that obedience to its requirements was ordained1 ,he hath remembered his covenant for ever1 the word which he commanded to a thousand generations3 which covenant he made with ,abraham1 and his oath unto ,isaac2 and confirmed the same unto ,jacob for a law1 and to ,israel for an everlasting covenant4 ,by the ,lord of all1 obedience to his law is enjoined4 ,but what is requisite that duty be performed1 is from him4 ,and all needful aid he ordained4 ,his law exhibits what he demands4 ,the allotments of his providence illustrate the necessity of submission to him2 and the pre-determinations of his will secure the services which he accepts4 ,his laws are perfect4 ,with the arrangements of his providence they harmonize4 ,on the absolute perfection of his nature they are founded4 ,all who obey them declare their approval of his purpose4 ,to encourage such1 his purposes are revealed4 ,because his covenant was commanded1 it was made known4 ,its revelation1 with its other provisions1 leads to the attainment of its end4 ,and it shall continue4 ,its benefits will be confessed1 and its obligations respected and fulfilled4 ,contemplating its demands as promulgated by the authority of ,god1 these they will endeavour to satisfy in accordance with his sovereign decrees4 ,the wicked disobey his commandments1 but cannot alter the determination of his will4 ,the others make not the purposes of ,god the rule of duty1 but endeavouring to fulfil his revealed will1 they are employed with honour to execute his counsel4 ,let all the earth fear the ,lord2 let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him4 ,for he spake1 and it was done2 he commanded1 and it stood fast4 ,the counsel of the ,lord standeth for ever1 the thoughts of his heart to all generations4 ,blessed is the nation whose ,god is the ,lord2 and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance4#dig ,and the covenant of ,god stands according to a sovereign decree4 ,in virtue of his high authority the ,lord imposed the regulations of his material and intelligent kingdoms1 and the laws by which his moral creatures are governed4 ,hence1 terms strictly applicable only to the government of the one1 are metaphorically applied to the control of the other4 ,and his dispensations to some are employed as symbols of his operations towards the rest4 ,thus1 in language primarily used in reference to the firmness or security of a building1 his word1 and1 consequently1 his covenant1 the arrangements of which it embodies1 are represented as decreed4 ,concerning thy testimonies1 ,i have known of old that thou hast founded them forever4#dih ,as ordained or decreed1 to the appointments of the material universe it is compared4 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,if ye can break my covenant of the day1 and my covenant of the night1 and that there should not be day and night in their season2 then may also my covenant be broken with ,david my servant1 that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne2 and with the ,levites the priests1 my ministers4--,thus saith the ,lord1 ,if my covenant be not with day and night1 and if ,i have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth2 then will ,i cast away the seed of ,jacob1 and ,david my servant4#dii ,and especially is that true religion through which covenant engagements are made and kept1 according to ,god's decree4 ,where shall wisdom be found8 and where is the place of understanding8--,god understandeth the way thereof1 and he knoweth the place thereof4 ,when he made a decree for the rain1 and a way for the lightning of the thunder2 then did he see it1 and declare it2 he prepared it1 yea1 and searched it out4 ,and unto man he said1 ,behold1 the fear of the ,lord1 that is wisdom2 and to depart from evil is understanding4#ejj ,were the rain1 and the lightning1 and the thunder decreed8 ,then no less was decreed the fear of the ,lord4 ,to vow unto the ,lord was to manifest that fear4 ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him1 and shalt swear by his name4#eja ,and hence1 also1 not less than every other effect of that true wisdom which consists in the fear of the ,lord1 and of that understanding which is to depart from evil1 was ordained the service of vowing and swearing to him4 ,thirdly4 ,a people were foreordained to make solemn vows unto ,god4 ,representations are given of his people as formed for his service4 ,according to some of these1 the expression1 to form1 means to fashion1 or to bring into existence4 ,i will say to the north1 give up2 and to the south1 keep not back3 bring my sons from far1 and my daughters from the ends of the earth2 even every one that is called by my name3 for ,i have created him for my glory1 ,i have formed him2 yea1 ,i have made him4 ,this people have ,i formed for myself2 they shall shew forth my praise4#ejb ,remember these1 ,o ,jacob and ,israel2 for thou art my servant3 ,i have formed thee2 thou art my servant4#ejc ,and hence1 because whatever is formed1 is formed according to ,god's purpose1 his servants1 to his service in all its parts1 were foreordained by him4 ,but besides1 the meaning of the said expression1 cannot1 even in the foregoing passages1 nor in others1 be limited to its literal import4 ,it is employed to intimate that ,god pre-determined what his enemies should accomplish4 ,hast thou not heard long ago1 how ,i have done it2 and of ancient times1 that ,i have formed it8 now have ,i brought it to pass1 that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps4#ejd ,in reference to a ,covenant people to be continued to discharge their peculiar duties1 and to provisions of grace1 described in terms most beauteous1 it is applied4#eje ,thus saith the ,lord1 the maker thereof1 the ,lord that formed it1 to establish it2 the ,lord is his name4#ejf ,and since the purposes of ,god secure their fulfilment1 and so his arrangements concerning his people secure their creation1 regeneration1 and continued support1 does not the expression1 kindred to others1 ,thus saith the ,lord that made thee1 and formed thee from the womb1 which will help thee2 fear not1 ,o ,jacob1 my servant1 explicitly advert to them as predestinated to obedience1 and especially the obedience thus described1 ,one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's2 and another shall call himself by the name of ,jacob2 and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the ,lord1 and surname himself by the name of ,israel8#ejg ,reasonings on the sovereignty of ,god exercised in setting apart a limited number to the benefits of salvation1 illustrate and assert the truth4 ,nay but1 ,o man1 who art thou that repliest against ,god8 ,shall the thing formed say to him that formed it1 ,why hast thou made me thus8 ,hath not the potter power over the clay1 of the same lump1 to make one vessel unto honour1 and another unto dishonour8 ,what if ,god1 willing to show his wrath1 and to make his power known1 endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction3 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy1 which he had afore prepared unto glory1 even us1 whom he hath called1 not of the ,jews only1 but also of the ,gentiles4#ejh ,in such terms is ,god described as not merely having created all things1 but as having predestinated some to eternal life1 and decreed that others should be left to perish4 ,the mode of expression embodying the image of the potter agrees with the words of the ,old ,testament ,scriptures1--,surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay3 for shall the work say of him that made it1 he made me not8 or shall the thing framed 7formed7 say of him that framed 7formed7 it1 he had no understanding8#eji ,what is taught by the use of such language must therefore be implied in those declarations of the prophets1 where corresponding terms are employed4 ,in the language of the ,old ,testament1 the potter is literally1 he who forms4 ,according to the ,apostle1 the potter symbolizes him who predestinates4 ,hence1 since1 as in the words1--,woe unto him that striveth with his ,maker6 ,let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth4 ,shall the clay say to him that fashioneth 7formeth7 it1 what makest thou8 or thy work1 he hath no hands1#eaj he is compared to the potter1 ,he is to be recognised as the sovereign ,disposer of the final conditions of all4 ,and forasmuch as1 at a given period1 concerning the existing house of ,jacob1 framed by him1 he says in regard to their descendants1 also formed by him1 ,but when he seeth his children1 the work of mine hands1 in the midst of him1 they shall sanctify my name1 and sanctify the ,holy ,one of ,jacob1 and shall fear the ,god of ,israel1#eaa depicting all of them in the character of those who avouch him to be their ,god1 the true ,israel he acknowledges as formed for1 or set apart to1 that high distinction by himself2 and that the ,apostle had this in view1 his quotations from the prophets here given declare4 ,it was of a people who should be objects of this promise1 ,and it shall be at that day1 saith the ,lord1 that thou shalt call me ,ishi1 and shalt call me no more ,baali1#eab and on whom the privileges thereafter described should be conferred1 that was predicted the blessedness1 ,i will call them my people1 which were not my people2 and her beloved1 which was not beloved4 ,and it shall come to pass that in the place where it was said unto them1 ,ye are not my people2 there shall they be called the children of the living ,god4#eac ,it is of those1 to whom ,covenanting#ead with ,god1 refers the promise1 ,the remnant of ,israel1 and such as are escaped of the house of ,jacob1 shall no more again stay upon him that smote them2 but shall stay upon the ,lord1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 in truth4 ,the remnant shall return1 even the remnant of ,jacob1 unto the mighty ,god1#eae that ,esaias also crieth1 ,though the number of the children of ,israel be as the sand of the sea1 a remnant shall be saved4#eaf ,and it was of those who1 heirs of ,abraham's faith1 which was counted to him for righteousness1 were1 as he was1 taken into covenant with ,god1 and like whom none remained in the cities of the plain when these were overthrown1 that ,esaias said before1 ,except the ,lord of ,sabaoth had left us a seed1 we had been as ,sodoma1 and been made like unto ,gomorrha4#eag ,the ,covenant people of ,god are an appointed people4 ,even as a law was appointed in ,israel2 even as an everlasting ,covenant1 ordered in all things and sure1 was appointed2 so were they4 ,and who1 as ,i1 shall call1 and shall declare it1 and set it in order for me1 since ,i appointed the ancient people8 and the things that are coming1 and shall come1 let them shew unto them4#eah ,the same term1 denoting to appoint1 in each of the three cases is used4 ,it is used in original of the passage1 ,he gave 7appointed7 to the sea his decree2 and in this acceptation of it signifies1 in sovereignty to ordain4 ,the ancient people included first the people of ,israel2#eai and they are the ,covenant people of all nations1 and of every age1 members of that church whose date is of ancient days4 ,by the prophet who speaks of their appointment1 their practice as ,covenanters vowing to the ,lord1 in a familiar passage is explicitly described4#ebj ,from others it may be concluded4 ,many evils overtook apostate ,israel4 ,the earth mourneth1 and fadeth away2 the world languisheth1 and fadeth away2 the haughty people of the earth do languish4 ,the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof1 because they have transgressed the laws1 changed the ordinance1 broken the ,everlasting ,covenant4 ,therefore hath the curse devoured the earth1 and they that dwell therein are desolate4 ,but to many1 good was to follow4 ,and if1 for the neglect of making and keeping ,covenant engagements1 such calamities were poured out1 will not a strict regard to these duties be paid when desolations shall cease1 and there shall have arrived the time1 when the ,lord of hosts shall reign in mount ,zion1 and in ,jerusalem1 and before his ancients gloriously4#eba ,many were appointed or left to disobedience and condemnation4 ,and were not others appointed to obedience and life8 ,of the former1 the ,apostle ,peter writes1--,but unto them which be disobedient1 the stone which the builders disallowed1 the same is made the head of the corner1 and a stone of stumbling1 and a rock of offence1 even to them which stumble at the word1 being disobedient3 whereunto also they were appointed4 ,but to the others1 in terms certainly implying1 that to every privilege and duty of the ,covenant they were no less--yea1 assuredly appointed1 ,he says1 ,ye also1 as lively stones1 are built up a spiritual house1 an holy priesthood1 to offer up spiritual sacrifices1 acceptable to ,god by ,jesus ,christ4 ,wherefore also it is contained in the scripture1 ,behold1 ,i lay in ,sion a chief corner stone1 elect1 precious3 and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded4 ,unto you therefore which believe he is precious4 ,the chief corner stone laid in ,sion is presented as aground of trust1 instead of the ,covenant with death and hell which should not stand4 ,all founded on him are therefore a ,covenant people1 and hence1 in that character1 they were appointed4 ,and hence1 in terms from the ,old ,testament1 bearing on ,covenant relations and duties1 he continues his address1 ,but ye are a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 an holy nation1 a peculiar people2 that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light3 which in time past were not a people1 but are now the people of ,god3 which had not obtained mercy1 but now have obtained mercy4#ebb ,the people of ,god1 as a ,covenant people1 were written in the book of life4 ,of the holy ,jerusalem the ,spirit testifies1 ,there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth1 neither whatsoever worketh abomination1 or maketh a lie3 but they which are written in the ,lamb's book of life4#ebc ,whosoever enters therein1 therefore1 will not rank among those who1 refusing to act as the children of the ,covenant1 are denominated the uncircumcised and the unclean4 ,concerning the beast1 it is said1 ,all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him1 whose names are not written in the book of life of the ,lamb slain from the foundation of the world4#ebd ,the sin of those is idolatry4 ,hence1 neither are written in the book of life any others1 who impenitently refraining from the obedience of a covenant people1 virtually persevere in the service of any idols1 till death arrests them4 ,it was to ,israel as a people who had voluntarily in covenant dedicated themselves to his service1 that was addressed the message1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,i remember thee1 the kindness of thy youth1 the love of thine espousals1 when thou wentest after me in the wilderness1 in a land that was not sown4 ,israel was holiness unto the ,lord4#ebe ,and applicable to all who1 such as they were1 being in covenant are sanctified1 is the promise1 ,and it shall come to pass1 that he that is left in ,zion1 and he that remaineth in ,jerusalem1 shall be called holy1 even every one that is written among the living in ,jerusalem4#ebf ,the saints of ,god are come to the general assembly and church of the first-born1 which are written in heaven2 but they are also come to ,jesus1 the mediator of the new covenant1 and to the blood of sprinkling1 that speaketh better things than that of ,abel4 ,and according to their distinguished destination they endeavour to reduce to practice the exhortation1 ,wherefore we1 receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved1 let us have grace1 whereby we may serve ,god acceptably with reverence and godly fear4#ebg ,the ,covenant people of ,god are an elect people4 ,they were chosen to be separated from the wicked and from their works4 ,thus ,israel were separated from the heathen4 ,thus all who believe are separated from those that know not nor obey the ,lord4 ,thou art an holy people unto the ,lord thy ,god3 the ,lord thy ,god hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself1 above all people that are upon the face of the earth4#ebh ,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god1 and serve him1 and shalt swear by his name4 ,ye shall not go after other gods1 of the gods of the people which are round about you4#ebi ,the answer of ,god to the lamentation of ,elijah concerning the defection of ,israel1 is applied to believers of ,new ,testament times1 as a people in covenant chosen from the wicked4 ,god hath not cast away his people which he foreknew4 ,wot ye not what the scripture saith of ,elias8 how he maketh intercession to ,god against ,israel1 saying1 ,lord1 they have killed thy prophets1 and digged down thine altars3 and ,i am left alone1 and they seek my life4 ,but what saith the answer of ,god unto him8 ,i have reserved to myself seven thousand men1 who have not bowed the knee to the image of ,baal4 ,even so then at this present time also1 there is a remnant according to the election of grace4#ecj ,the apostle does not quote the words of the prophet1--,the children of ,israel have forsaken thy covenant2#eca but he states the evidence for the fact which these words announce1 ,they have killed thy prophets1 and digged down thine altars4 ,the seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to the image of ,baal1 were steadfast in ,god's ,covenant4 ,all believers are so4 ,as thus steadfast1 all of them in every time are a remnant1 according to the election of grace4 ,the people of ,god were chosen in ,christ before the foundation of the world4 ,hence a visible church was erected therein4 ,hence ,israel1 as a people1 were endowed with peculiar privileges4 ,hence the ordinances of ,divine grace are dispensed in every age4 ,but all are not elect who wait on the institutions of religion4 ,israel was chosen from among the heathen2 but all of them were not chosen in ,christ4 ,the members of the visible church1 by profession1 are separated from the world2 but all of them do not enjoy the privileges1 and do not discharge the duties of ,god's elect4 ,all are not ,israel who are of ,israel4 ,when the ,lord entered into covenant with his people ,israel1 he chose them from among idolaters4 ,he did so because of his choice of them from everlasting4 ,why the ,lord will have mercy on ,jacob1 and will yet choose ,israel1 is1 that he chose them from eternity4 ,and the ,lord will have mercy on the ,gentiles as a covenant people1 set apart from the wicked1 according to his eternal sovereign good will4 ,the ,lord did not set his love upon you1 nor choose you1 because ye were more in number than any people2 for ye were the fewest of all the people2 but because the ,lord loved you4--#ecb ,israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for2 but the election hath obtained it1 and the rest were blinded4#ecc ,when ,paul and ,barnabas preached at ,antioch in ,pisidia1 the ,jews spake against those things which were spoken by ,paul1 contradicting and blaspheming4 ,these apostles thereupon expressed their resolution to turn to the ,gentiles4 ,and their warrant they declare1 ,for so hath the ,lord commanded us1 saying1 ,i have set thee to be a light of the ,gentiles1 that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth4 ,nor was he1 who1 that he might be a light of the ,gentiles1 was given for a covenant of the people1#ecd then preached in vain4 ,when the ,gentiles heard this1 they were glad1 and glorified the word of the ,lord3 and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed4#ece ,the people of ,god were elected to covenant obedience4 ,israel were frequently represented both as his elect and as his servants4 ,for ,jacob1 my servant's sake1 and ,israel mine elect1 ,i have even called thee by thy name4#ecf ,the elect are spoken of as formed and ordained to good works4 ,for we are his workmanship1 created in ,christ ,jesus unto good works1 which ,god hath before ordained that we should walk in them4 ,and those good works include the keeping of the covenant1 by ,covenanting and fulfilling the engagements made4 ,wherefore1 remember1 that ye being in time past ,gentiles in the flesh1 who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands2 that at that time ye were without ,christ1 being aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel1 and strangers from the covenants of promise1 having no hope1 and without ,god in the world3 but now in ,christ ,jesus1 ye who sometimes were far off1 are made nigh by the blood of ,christ4#ecg ,the saints are described as elect--unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of ,jesus ,christ4#ech ,as the sprinkling of blood1 signifying the application of the efficacy of ,christ's death by the ,spirit of ,god1 was wont to accompany the exercise of ,covenanting by sacrifice1 so1 under the last dispensation1 the obedience of the people of ,god1 according to election1 is to spring from their acceptance of ,christ and his benefits1 and dedication to ,god in the various acts of personal and social ,covenanting4 ,finally1 they are introduced at once as his witnesses1 his servant1 and his chosen4 ,ye are my witnesses1 saith the ,lord1 and my servant whom ,i have chosen4#eci ,they were therefore chosen to serve him1 by vowing and swearing to him in secret1 by testifying to his truths by oath before the world1 and by adhering faithfully to his testimony4 ,the people of ,god were elected to privileges that can be enjoyed only by those in covenant with him4 ,theirs is the heavenly calling2 and this they enjoy1 that the purpose of ,god1 according to election1 might stand1 not of works1 but of him that calleth4#edj ,all the saints being called1 and chosen1 and faithful1 ,abraham had been a partaker of this calling when ,god delivered to him the command to leave his native land1 which the patriarch obeyed4 ,that effectual call led him to obey the special mandate to go forth to ,canaan1 and to believe the precious promise that had been made to him4 ,when the ,covenant of ,god was established with him by that call1 he laid hold upon it1 testifying to his acquiescence in it1 by believing in the ,lord1 by sacrificing unto him1 and by receiving circumcision as a covenant sign4 ,and that1 as the promise of that covenant was to the ,jews who were called1 so its seasonable duties1 and consequently the exercise of engaging to it1 were incumbent upon them1 appears from the record of the specially momentous day of ,pentecost4 ,manifestly keeping in view the ,covenant1 by inculcating on the people a regard to baptism--its sign1 ,peter said unto them1 repent1 and be baptised every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4 ,for the promise is unto you1 and to your children1 and to all that are afar off1 even as many as the ,lord our ,god shall call4#eda ,not merely to the ,jews was its precious promise of the seed1 ,christ1 but to the ,gentiles also4 ,and faith in him1 and the duty of keeping and of entering into covenant with him1 under the latter dispensation1 are obligatory on all4 ,the ,scripture1 foreseeing that ,god would justify the heathen through faith1 preached before the gospel unto ,abraham1 saying1 ,in thee shall all nations be blessed4 ,so then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful ,abraham4#edb ,and the gospel is preached1 that men receiving the external call may be called effectually1 and thus brought to receive the promise1 and fulfil the duties required4 ,like the ,israelites1 who1 after ,his manifestation in the flesh1 believed in ,jesus1 all the people of ,god feel and acknowledge their covenant obligations1 that they should show forth the praises of ,him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light4 ,to the condition of a people keeping covenant1 the seed of ,jacob yet to be reclaimed1 as chosen of ,god will be called4 ,blindness in part is happened to ,israel1 until the fulness of the ,gentiles be come in4 ,and so all ,israel shall be saved3 as it is written1 ,there shall come out of ,sion the ,deliverer1 and shall turn away ungodliness from ,jacob3 for this is my covenant unto them when ,i shall take away their sins4 ,as concerning the gospel1 they are enemies for your sakes3 but as touching the election1 they are beloved for the fathers' sakes4 ,for the gifts and calling of ,god are without repentance4#edc ,and all whom he had before prepared unto glory1 even those whom he hath called1 not of the ,jews only1 but also of the ,gentiles1 as a people in covenant acting faith on ,christ will lay hold on the covenant promise4 ,for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament 7covenant71 that by means of death1 for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament 7covenant71 they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance4#edd ,to the elect people of ,god belongs the blessing of justification4 ,whom he did predestinate1 them he also called3 and whom he called1 them he also justified4#ede ,abraham believed ,god1 and it was counted unto him for righteousness4 ,it was when1 in the exercise of ,covenanting1 he accepted of the promise of ,god1 that he was thus blessed4 ,all who believe are the children of ,abraham1 and1 being in covenant1 are1 by being justified1 blessed with him4 ,in the ,lord shall all the seed of ,israel be justified1 and shall glory4 ,they are those concerning whom the ,lord hath sworn1 saying1 ,unto me every knee shall bow1 every tongue shall swear4 ,surely1 shall one say1 ,in the ,lord have ,i righteousness and strength4#edf ,the ,lord ,jesus1 exalted a ,prince and a ,saviour1 is made of ,god unto his people1 righteousness4 ,being justified by faith1 they have the covenant blessing of peace with ,god1 through ,christ4 ,and to the glory of the ,redeemer1 and to the manifestation of the solemn covenant relations to ,god in which they stand1 making mention of his righteousness1 they will vow and swear to him4 ,under the auspicious reign of ,messiah1 seated at ,god's right hand1 the people of ,israel1 restored to their own land1 will do so4 ,in his days ,judah shall be saved1 and ,israel shall dwell safely2 and this is his name whereby he shall be called1 ,the ,lord our ,righteousness4 ,therefore1 behold1 the days come1 saith the ,lord1 that they shall no more say1 ,the ,lord liveth1 which brought up the children of ,israel out of the land of ,egypt2 but1 ,the ,lord liveth1 which brought up1 and which led the seed of the house of ,israel out of the north country1 and from all countries whither ,i had driven them4#edg ,and this duty the ,gentile nations also shall perform4 ,thou shalt swear1 ,the ,lord liveth1 in truth1 in judgment1 and in righteousness2 and the nations shall bless themselves in him1 and in him shall they glory4#edh ,the ,lord hath chosen his people to the adoption of sons4 ,having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by ,jesus ,christ to himself1 according to the good pleasure of his will4#edi ,in that character they individually1 and also in a social capacity1 vow to the ,lord1 and keep his covenant4 ,to manifest that that relation recognises the necessity of self-dedication unto him1 he says to each one called to his service1 ,my son1 give me thine heart4#eej ,that ,israel might be led into the wilderness1 and thence to ,canaan1 not merely to give continual obedience to his law1 but at certain seasons1 as a people1 to enter into solemn covenant with ,god1 ,pharaoh had addressed to him the message1 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,israel is my son1 even my first-born3 and ,i say unto thee1 let my son go1 that he may serve me4#eea ,in terms which describe the everlasting covenant between the ,father and the ,surety of sinners1 the covenant of royalty which ,god made with ,david is also commemorated4#eeb ,in that covenant ,solomon was interested1 and1 standing in such a relation1 was the object of the promise1 ,i will be his father1 and he shall be my son4#eec ,jacob1 described as the ,lord's servant1 and ,israel as his elect1 and who are represented as vowing and swearing to the ,lord1 are acknowledged as his sons4 ,thus saith the ,lord1 the ,holy ,one of ,israel1 and his ,maker1 ,ask me of things to come concerning my sons1 and concerning the work of my hands command ye me4#eed ,israel1 by falling into idolatry1 manifestly disregarding the solemn covenant obligations that had descended upon them1 were reminded of their sin1 by a representation of that filial relation to ,god in which their fathers stood1 but to which many1 notwithstanding their professions1 through unbelief1 never attained4 ,when ,israel was a child1 then ,i loved him1 and called my son out of ,egypt4 ,as they called them1 so they went from them3 they sacrificed unto ,baalim1 and burned incense to graven images4#eee ,in the character of his sons1 will ,israel be reclaimed from their apostacy1 and voluntarily enter into solemn engagements with ,god as his covenant people4 ,they shall come with weeping1 and with supplications will ,i lead them3 ,i will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way1 wherein they shall not stumble2 for ,i am a ,father to ,israel1 and ,ephraim is my first-born4#eef ,in the character of children1 too1 they shall enjoy the benefits of ,god's covenant2#eeg and1 like them1 all the chosen of ,god will hear his gracious invitation1 ,return1 ye backsliding children1 and ,i will heal your backsliding2 and with them cheerfully coming under obligation to serve him1 they will say1 ,behold1 we come unto thee2 for thou art the ,lord our ,god4#eeh ,both ,jews and ,gentiles are interested in the apostle's declaration1 ,ye are all the children of ,god by faith in ,christ ,jesus4444 ,and if ye be ,christ's1 then are ye ,abraham's seed1 and heirs according to the promise4#eei ,the elect people of ,god are a sanctified people4 ,we are bound to give thanks alway to ,god for you1 brethren beloved of the ,lord1 because ,god hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the ,spirit1 and belief of the truth4#efj ,and as a holy people they draw near to vow to him4 ,as separated from the heathen1 and called to the service of ,god1 ,israel appeared a holy people4 ,abstaining from certain practices in which idolaters engaged1 they were ceremonially holy4 ,under both aspects1 they appeared a symbol of the true ,israel among them1 and of all else who are sanctified by the ,spirit1 and dedicated to the ,lord4 ,the people entered into a covenant with the ,lord at ,sinai4 ,but that they might be prepared for acceding to it1 and for the accompanying solemnities1 they1 as a holy people1 required to make progress in sanctification1 were previously to be sanctified4 ,the ,lord said unto ,moses1 ,go unto the people1 and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow4#efa ,in order to wait upon ,god1 whether making miraculous displays of his omniscience or power1 or manifesting himself in the dispensation of the ordinances of his grace1 the people of ,israel were commanded to sanctify themselves4 ,the place of his gracious presence1 where his people1 besides engaging in other exercises1 sware in ,covenanting with him1 was his sanctuary4 ,his covenant with his people1 as that with ,abraham1 is a holy covenant4 ,that his people may enter into covenant renewedly1 the ,lord himself will sanctify them4 ,his ,sabbath1 the sign of his covenant1 he gave them1 that they might know this4#efb ,this they will continue to experience4 ,many sware by those that were no gods1 but to his own people as swearing by his name he promises1 ,hold thy peace at the presence of the ,lord ,god2 for the day of the ,lord is at hand3 for the ,lord hath prepared a sacrifice1 he hath bid 7sanctified7 his guests4#efc ,in this1 ruin may be threatened to his enemies2 but in it1 certainly1 is implied his gracious procedures to his saints4 ,by the ,holy ,ghost they are sanctified1 that they may dedicate themselves to ,god1 and thereafter serve him4 ,putting you in mind1 because of the grace that is given to me of ,god1 that ,i should be the minister of ,jesus ,christ to the ,gentiles1 ministering the gospel of ,god1 that the offering up of the ,gentiles might be acceptable1 being sanctified by the ,holy ,ghost4#efd ,this offering up or oblation of the ,gentiles1 was that urged in these terms1--,i beseech you therefore1 brethren1 by the mercies of ,god1 that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice1 holy1 acceptable unto ,god1 which is your reasonable service4#efe ,and by the blood of the ,everlasting ,covenant are such set apart to this4 ,wherefore1 ,jesus also1 that he might sanctify the people with his own blood1 suffered without the gate4 ,by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to ,god continually1 that is1 the fruit of our lips1 giving thanks to 7or confessing7 his name4 ,but to do good1 and to communicate1 forget not3 for with such sacrifices ,god is well pleased4#eff ,to them belong the benefits of redemption that accompany and flow from acceptance with ,god4 ,these are1 ,assurance of ,god's love4 ,all believers may not enjoy this blessing2 few may attain to it in any comforting or satisfactory measure2 yet it is attainable4 ,he that believeth on the ,son of ,god hath the witness in himself4#efg ,ourselves also1 which have the first-fruits of the ,spirit4#efh ,he that loveth me shall be loved of my ,father1 and ,i will love him1 and manifest myself to him4 ,if a man love me1 he will keep my words3 and my ,father will love him1 and we will come unto him1 and make our abode with him4#efi ,it is provided4 ,it is vouchsafed as a provision of the ,everlasting ,covenant4 ,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear him2 and he will show them his covenant4#egj ,those who enjoy it know that to it they were elected4 ,knowing1 brethren beloved1 your election of ,god4#ega ,and from the invitation to enter upon eternal life1 that will be given to the righteous by the glorious ,judge of all on his high throne1 it is manifest that from the days of eternity1 that blessing1 preparatory for the final glory1 was secured to them4 ,he will say1 ,come1 ye blessed of my ,father1 inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world4#egb ,among the benefits introductory to the final glory1 which1 not less than that glory1 were laid up for them1 appears the earnest of the ,spirit4 ,in whom ye also trusted1 after that ye heard the word of truth1 the gospel of your salvation3 in whom also1 after that ye believed1 ye were sealed with that ,holy ,spirit of promise1 which is the earnest of our inheritance4#egc ,peace of conscience4 ,it is according to the purpose of ,god that faith is exercised4 ,unto you it is given in the behalf of ,christ1--to believe on him4#egd ,and by that faith1 through which justification1 a fruit itself of the ,divine counsels1 is bestowed1 and which is in exercise in ,covenanting1 peace with ,god is enjoyed4 ,therefore1 being justified by faith1 we have peace with ,god through our ,lord ,jesus ,christ4#ege ,righteousness and peace and joy in the ,holy ,ghost are all vouchsafed to the believer2 all of them are covenant blessings4 ,the arrangements of ,divine mercy secure righteousness1 and therefore all of these4 ,the new creature1 born from above1 ranks among the ,israel of ,god1 who are by covenant engaged to his service2 and on such the peace of ,god is invoked4 ,for in ,christ ,jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing1 nor uncircumcision1 but a new creature4 ,and as many as walk according to this rule1 peace be on them1 and mercy1 and upon the ,israel of ,god4#egf ,god1 in covenant1 is the ,god of peace4 ,believers say concerning ,christ1 ,he is our peace4#egg ,the ,covenant of ,god is a covenant of peace2--peace of conscience3 peace with ,himself3 peace in all its manifestations4 ,and that peace1 which ,christ came to secure1 which he preached1 and which he commanded1 as his best blessing1 to descend upon his people1 proceeded from that counsel whence came all the displays of ,god's love--the ,counsel of ,peace4 ,joy in the ,holy ,ghost4 ,the kingdom of ,god is not meat and drink2 but righteousness1 and peace1 and joy in the ,holy ,ghost4#egh ,every one that sweareth truly by ,him shall rejoice in ,god1 and shall glory4#egi ,joy in ,god is essential to the exercise properly conducted4 ,let the saints testify from their own experience to the perfect correspondence to their feelings of these words1 dictated by his own ,spirit1--,i the ,lord love judgment1 ,i hate robbery for burnt-offering2 and ,i will direct their work in truth1 and ,i will make an everlasting covenant with them4444 ,i will greatly rejoice in the ,lord1 my soul shall be joyful in my ,god3 for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation1 he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness1 as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments1 and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels4#ehj ,supplication may be made for joy in vowing and swearing by his name4 ,rejoice the soul of thy servant3 for unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 do ,i lift up my soul4#eha ,the ,church of ,god1 yea1 many nations1 are commanded to rejoice1 performing this service4 ,sing and rejoice1 ,o daughter of ,zion3 for lo1 ,i come1 and ,i will dwell in the midst of thee1 saith the ,lord4 ,and many nations shall be joined to the ,lord in that day1 and shall be my people3 and ,i will dwell in the midst of thee3 and thou shalt know that the ,lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee4#ehb ,on a solemn occasion1 all ,judah rejoiced at the oath which they had sworn4#ehc ,promises are made1 that1 engaging in this exercise1 many will rejoice4 ,those who shall take bold on the ,covenant of ,god will be joyful in his house of prayer4#ehd ,as he did on a former occasion1#ehe when the ,lord turns the captivity of ,israel1 and takes them into covenant with himself1 he will cause them to rejoice4 ,and the ,gentile nations1 in like manner1 engaged as they were1 shall be filled with joy4 ,now ,i say that ,jesus ,christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of ,god1 to confirm the promises made unto the fathers2 and that the ,gentiles might glorify ,god for his mercy2 as it is written1 ,for this cause ,i will confess to thee among the ,gentiles1 and sing unto thy name4444 ,now the ,god of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing1 that ye may abound in hope1 through the power of the ,holy ,ghost4#ehf ,and the rejoicing thus variously represented is according to ,divine ordination4 ,it is said1 ,behold1 my servant shall sing for joy of heart1 but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart1 and shall howl for vexation of spirit4 ,and ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen3 for the ,lord ,god shall slay thee1 and call his servants by another name4 ,that he who blesseth himself in the earth1 shall bless himself in the ,god of truth2 and he that sweareth in the earth1 shall swear by the ,god of truth2 because the former troubles are forgotten1 and because they are hid from mine eyes4 ,but concerning these words1 as well as others that precede them1 it is said by ,him whose ,spirit dictated them1 ,behold it is written before me4#ehg ,how elevated is the rejoicing of ,god's ,covenant people6 ,theirs is a joy which the world cannot give nor take away4 ,with it a stranger cannot intermeddle2 it is unspeakable and full of glory6 ,it is the joy of the ,lord6 ,increase of grace4 ,the ,covenant people are a remnant according to the election of grace4#ehh ,to that grace1 therefore1 which comes from the free favour of ,god they were chosen by him4 ,they are heirs of the grace of life2#ehi and1 consequently1 in ,god's purposes1 according to his ,covenant1 they were set apart to the enjoyment of grace that should be progressive4 ,they are planted in the house of ,god1 and grow up and flourish in his courts2 and there they still bring forth fruit in old age4 ,they are the planting of the ,lord2 and according to his purpose1 as well as to his actual disposal of them and their own engagements to be for ,him1 they stand there4 ,passing towards the heavenly temple1 they go on from strength to strength4 ,in taking hold on him1 in vowing and swearing to him1 they do so1 and find that the ,lord indeed is their strength4 ,and as they find thus that the ,lord ordains strength for them1 they know that he had so ordained at first4 ,to them that fear the name of the ,lord1 and accordingly avouch him to be their ,god1 is made the promise1 ,but unto you that fear my name shall the ,sun of ,righteousness arise with healing in his wings2 and ye shall go forth1 and grow up as calves of the stall4#eij ,that promise1 as well as every other1 is due to his immutable counsel4#eia ,finally1 the command is given1 ,grow in grace1 and in the knowledge of our ,lord and ,saviour ,jesus ,christ4#eib ,to grow in grace is1 therefore1 co-ordinate with increase in the knowledge of ,christ--even of that knowledge which is attained to in cleaving to his ,covenant4 ,and he himself teaches1 that fitness to do so was provided according to his purpose4 ,ye have not chosen me1 but ,i have chosen you1 and ordained you1 that ye should go and bring forth fruit1 and that your fruit should remain3 that whatsoever ye shall ask of the ,father in my name1 he may give it you4#eic ,perseverance in grace4 ,god's ,covenant with his people shall not be broken4 ,i will never break my covenant with you4#eid ,the ,lord will not cast off his people1 neither will he forsake his inheritance4#eie ,he will give grace to cleave to it continually4 ,i will make an everlasting covenant with them1 that ,i will not turn away from them to do them good2 but ,i will put my fear in their hearts1 that they shall not depart from me4#eif ,believers were given to ,christ1 and therefore they cannot be lost4 ,and ,i give unto them eternal life2 and they shall never perish1 neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand4 ,my ,father1 which gave them me1 is greater than all2 and no man is able to pluck them out of my ,father's hand4#eig ,trusting in him1 therefore1 his people rejoice to say1 ,nevertheless the foundation of ,god standeth sure1 having this seal1 ,the ,lord knoweth them that are his4#eih ,and eternal life4 ,this consummation unspeakable is indissolubly connected with the purpose of ,god1 and the believer's exercises of adhering to the ,covenant4 ,on the promise of eternal life the heirs of it lay hold in ,covenanting2 and to this they were chosen4 ,they cleave to the covenant as an ,everlasting ,covenant1 well ordered in all things and sure3 that is all their salvation1 and all their desire4 ,and to that final salvation they were chosen4 ,whom he did predestinate1 them he also called3 and whom he called1 them he also justified3 and whom he justified1 them he also glorified4#eii ,who can describe that life8 and who can sufficiently tell of the grace of ,him who hath secured it to men8 ,and who should not feel amazed at the backwardness of sinners to prepare for it--so free and beneficently offered8 ,truly the glory of ,god is great in his salvation6 ,the redeemed through eternity will find the glad work of declaring that glory undone4 ,would that sinners now1 by accepting of the great salvation1 would begin here1 and finally be prepared to celebrate with all others of their race redeemed to ,god1 that glory6 ,in conclusion4 ,as in every case the purposes of ,god harmonize with his precepts1 so the manifestation of those in reference to the keeping his ,covenant1 unites with express injunctions of his law in urging to discharge that duty4 ,the law of ,god conspires with his revealed purposes to lead the sinner to obedience2 and his purposes revealed illustrate the import of his law4 ,both consist with his nature4 ,what in his providence accords with both1 at once acknowledges the high claim which he has upon the willing exertions of men to serve him1 and his right to appoint1 independently of a specified statute1 what shall be carried into effect4 ,the law of ,god is the rule according to which men act2 and that is illustrated by his purposes revealed4 ,his purpose is the rule according to which he acts1 and that is consistent with his law4 ,accompanied by the sanction of both1 ,covenanting is revealed2 and not less than as dictated in his law1 it appears1 as according to his purpose1 an ,ordinance of ,god4 ,,footnotes3 #dgi ,ps4 xcv4 #c-g4 #dhj ,is4 xlv4 #af-ah4 #dha ,prov4 viii4 #bb1 #bc4 #bg-ca4 #dhb ,ps4 xxxvii4 #aa4 #dhc ,job v4 #ai-bd4 #dhd #b ,chron4 xxxiii4 #h4 #dhe ,hos4 ii4 #af-bc4 #dhf ,jer4 v4 #bb4 #dhg ,ps4 lxxviii4 #e4 #dhh #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #e4 #dhi ,gen4 ix4 #ag4 #dij ,job xxii4 #bh4 #dia ,prov4 xix4 #ba4 #dib ,is4 xxviii4 #ae1 #af1 #ag1 #ah1 #bi4 #dic ,is4 xiv4 #bd4 #did ,ps4 cxi4 #i4 #die ,ps4 cxxxiii4 #c4 #dif ,ps4 lxviii4 #bh4 #dig ,ps4 xxxiii4 #h1 #i1 #aa1 #ab4 #dih ,ps4 cxix4 #aeb4 #dii ,jer4 xxxiii4 #bj1 #ba1 #be4 #bf4 #ejj ,job xxviii4 #ab1 #bc1 #bf-bh4 #eja ,deut4 vi4 #ac4 #ejb ,is4 xliii4 #f1 #g4 #ba4 #ejc ,is4 xliv4 #ba4 #ejd ,is4 xxxvii4 #bf4 #eje ,jer4 xxxiii4 #ejf ,jer4 xxxiii4 #b4 #ejg ,is4 xliv4 #b1 #e4 #ejh ,rom4 ix4 #bj-bd4 #eji ,is4 xxix4 #af4 #eaj ,is4 xlv4 #i4 #eaa ,is4 xxix4 #bc4 #eab ,hos4 ii4 #af4 #eac ,rom4 ix4 #be1 #bf4 #ead ,jer4 l4 #d1 #e4 #eae ,is4 x4 #bj1 #ba4 #eaf ,rom4 ix4 #bg4 #eag ,is4 i4 #i2 ,rom4 ix4 #bi4 #eah ,is4 xliv4 #g4 #eai ,is4 xlvii4 #f4 #ebj ,is4 xliv4 #e4 #eba ,is4 xxiv4 #d1 #f1 #bc4 #ebb #a ,pet4 ii4 #g1 #h1 #e1 #f1 #i1 #aj4 #ebc ,rev4 xxi4 #bg4 #ebd ,rev4 xiii4 #h4 #ebe ,jer4 ii4 #b1 #c4 #ebf ,is4 iv4 #c4 #ebg ,heb4 xii4 #bc1 #bd1 #bh4 #ebh ,deut4 vii4 #f4 #ebi ,deut4 vi4 #ac1 #ad2 see also ,ezek4 xx4 #e-g4 #ecj ,rom4 xi4 #b-e4 #eca #a ,kings xix4 #aj4 #ecb ,deut4 vii4 #g1 #h4 #ecc ,rom4 xi4 #g4 #ecd ,is4 xlii4 #f4 #ece ,acts xiii4 #de-dh4 #ecf ,is4 xlv4 #d2 see also ,is4 xli4 #h1 #i2 and ,ps4 cv4 #f4 #ecg ,eph4 ii4 #aj1 #aa-ac4 #ech #a ,pet4 i4 #b4 #eci ,is4 xliii4 #aj4 #edj ,rom4 ix4 #aa4 #eda ,acts ii4 #ch1 #ci4 #edb ,gal4 iii4 #h1 #i4 #edc ,rom4 xi4 #be-bi4 #edd ,heb4 ix4 #ae4 #ede ,rom4 viii4 #cj4 #edf ,is4 xlv4 #be1 #bc1 #bd4 #edg ,jer4 xxiii4 #f-h4 #edh ,jer4 iv4 #b4 #edi ,eph4 i4 #e4 #eej ,prov4 xxiii4 #bf4 #eea ,exod4 iv4 #bb1 #bc4 #eeb ,ps4 lxxxix4 #c-bh4 #eec #b ,sam4 vii4 #ad4 #eed ,is4 xlv4 #d1 #bc-be1 #aa4 #eee ,hos4 xi4 #a1 #b4 #eef ,jer4 xxxi4 #i2 see also ver4 #ca-cg4 #eeg ,jer4 iii4 #ah1 #ai4 #eeh ,jer4 iii4 #bb4 #eei ,gal4 iii4 #bf1 #bi4 #efj #b ,thess4 ii4 #ac4 #efa ,exod4 xix4 #aj4 #efb ,exod4 xxxi4 #ac4 #efc ,zeph4 i4 #g4 #efd ,rom4 xv4 #ae1 #af4 #efe ,rom4 xii4 #a4 #eff ,heb4 xiii4 #ab1 #ae1 #af4 #efg #a ,john v4 #aj4 #efh ,rom4 viii4 #bc4 #efi ,john xiv4 #ba1 #bc4 #egj ,ps4 xxv4 #ad4 #ega #a ,thess4 i4 #d4 #egb ,matt4 xxv4 #cd4 #egc ,eph4 i4 #ac1 #ad2 see also #b ,cor4 i4 #bb2 v4 #e4 #egd ,phil4 i4 #bi4 #ege ,rom4 v4 #a4 #egf ,gal4 vi4 #ae1 #af4 #egg ,eph4 ii4 #ad4 #egh ,rom4 xiv4 #ag4 #egi ,ps4 lxiii4 #aa4 #ehj ,is4 lxi4 #h-aj4 #eha ,ps4 lxxxvi4 #d4 #ehb ,zech4 ii4 #aj1 #aa4 #ehc #b ,chron4 xv4 #ae4 #ehd ,is4 lvi4 #f1 #g4 #ehe ,neh4 xii4 #dc4 #ehf ,rom4 xv4 #h1 #i1 #ac4 #ehg ,is4 lxv4 #ad1 #af1 #f4 #ehh ,rom4 xi4 #e4 #ehi #a ,pet4 iii4 #g4 #eij ,mal4 iv4 #b4 #eia ,heb4 vi4 #ag4 #eib #b ,pet4 iii4 #ah4 #eic ,john xv4 #af4 #eid ,judg4 ii4 #a4 #eie ,ps4 xciv4 #ad2 see also ,is4 liv4 #i1 #aj4 #eif ,jer4 xxxii4 #dj4 #eig ,john x4 #bh1 #bi4 #eih #b ,tim4 ii4 #ai4 #eii ,rom4 viii4 #cj4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,covenanting ,,sanctioned ,,by ,,the ,,divine ,,example4 ,god's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty4 ,that is made known for many reasons2 among which must stand this1--that it may be observed and followed as an example4 ,that1 being perfect1 is a safe and necessary pattern to follow4 ,the law of ,god proclaims what he wills men as well as angels to do4 ,the purposes of ,god show what he has resolved to have accomplished4 ,the constitutions of his moral subjects intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily accomplished by some of them4 ,his own example presents what must be willingly done4 ,it affords a complete reason for doing what is besides variously urged4 ,the law of ,god is his will diffused among his moral subjects4 ,his revealed purposes are his determinations to be carried into effect by means1 many of which are beyond the sphere of the willing endeavours of his creatures4 ,the constitutions of his obedient subjects are an instrumentality worthy of the glorious moral character of ,him who1 though independent of all1 acts according to the principles of eternal rectitude1 and who in infinite wisdom can cause immortal beings1 bound by immutable laws1 to act so as freely to perform his holy will4 ,his own example is the direct operation1 not of creatures1 nor of laws1 nor of dispositions1 but of the ,i ,,am himself1 as the infinite1 eternal1 and unchangeable ,spirit1 presented to the creatures of his power1 for their guidance and direction4 ,i4 ,god himself has entered into ,covenant engagements4 ,the dispensations of ,god in ,covenant are peculiar to ,himself4 ,no change whatever is produced on him when he transacts with his creatures1 or on their behalf4 ,his relations to them are constituted wholly by his doings that affect them2 ,he himself is immutable in his being and purposes4 ,when he acts1 he is not moved2 when he accepts1 no transformation of character is produced upon him2 any new relation in which he stands comes wholly from the effect accomplished on the creature4 ,he makes known his will1 not as due to the present1 but as the same from eternity4 ,he acts in creation and providence2 but his creatures alone are affected4 ,he becomes engaged to some of them1 not by any alteration being produced upon his views or enjoyments1 or state or character1 but by the manifestation of what he is4 ,he accepts of those as united to ,him--viewed by them through his grace as possessed of a certain glorious character4 ,from eternity his sovereign purposes regarding the salvation of man1 were1 but not by any change in the ,trinity1 or in the ,unity of the ,godhead1 defined in ,covenant4 ,first4 ,the ,eternal ,three-in-,one entered into confederation in the ,covenant of ,redemption4 ,we are warranted from ,scripture to receive this ,covenant as a fact4 ,it might not have been2 but according to ,god's will1 it was4 ,the purpose of ,god to save sinners is from eternity4 ,the covenant is due to that4 ,in an order of nature wonderful to contemplate1 the former precedes the latter4 ,god willed that the ,father should be the ,god of grace4 ,god willed that the ,son should be the ,mediator between ,god and men4 ,god willed that the ,holy ,ghost should dispense his influences for carrying into effect the purposes of mercy4 ,these purposes stand from eternity--the fruit of the ,divine sovereignty--the conscious resolutions of the ,eternal--the conditions of a sure ,covenant4 ,the reasons for the fulfilment thereof are the sovereign purposes1 and the purposes approved of by each person of the adored ,godhead1 in an economic character4 ,secondly4 ,god entered into covenant with man in innocence4 ,the ,divine character was made known to the gifted immortal4 ,the will of ,god claiming obedience and the offer of definite good were presented before his mind4 ,he acquiesced1 and ,god was engaged to him and to all his posterity in covenant4 ,one ground on which ,he was to bestow the blessings of the ,covenant was his own purpose2 ,his making1 before his creature1 and by and before ,himself1 a promise to confer it1 was1 according to the principle of eternal righteousness1 the other4 ,thirdly4 ,god enters into covenant with men in ,christ4 ,he says to them1--,i am the ,lord thy ,god4#fjj ,believers are taken into ,god's covenant4#fja ,he made with his people a covenant that shall endure4#fjb ,all the promises of ,god are offers made on ,,his part to enter into covenant with sinners4 ,now to ,abraham and his seed were the promises made4#fjc ,and1 therefore1 when these are accepted by men1 the ,lord is to them a ,god in covenant4 ,the ,lord hath on some occasions sworn to his people1 and by his oath made a covenant with them4#fjd ,the ,lord brings sinners into the bond of his covenant1#fje and accordingly makes with them a covenant4 ,and he keeps1 and hence he must have entered into1 covenant with his people4 ,finally4 ,the ,lord ,jesus on earth illustrated in his practice the duty of ,covenanting4 ,in such a manner as none other than ,god himself could do1 he gave it recommendation4 ,possessed of the nature of man1 and being true ,god1 he ,covenanted with men1 as the ,head of the ,church of ,god himself1 and also as a member thereof2 and as the ,father's servant1 in ,covenanting acknowledged ,him4 ,he recognised his disciples as his friends and servants2 he spake peace to them1 and explicitly ,covenanting with them1 saying1 ,verily1 verily1 ,i say unto you1 to them he made precious promises1 which he gave them grace to receive4#fjf ,waiting on the ordinances of religion at ,jerusalem1 about the close of the ,old ,testament dispensation1 unquestionably along with the people of ,israel1 he engaged in various exercises of vowing1 and especially in the use of the ,psalms1 so full of holy vows to ,god2 and after the last supper with his disciples1 two of whom1 by the ,spirit that dwelt in all of them1 enjoined the exercise of singing these precious compositions1#fjg singing a hymn or psalm1 he at once sanctioned their use in the worship of ,god1 and gave countenance to the devout making of the ,covenant engagements which they contain4 ,and in those exercises of religion in which none of his people could hold communion with him1 prayer to his ,father was accompanied with his own recognition of his engagement to fulfil his will4 ,the psalm1#fjh a part of which1 at least1 we know he repeated on the ,cross1 and which is prophetic of his exercises there1 and his intercessory prayer1 contain at least one instance of the making or renewing of ,covenant engagement on his part1 not to be forgotten4#fji ,,ii4 ,the ,lord1 in entering into ,covenant1 provided an example for imitation4 ,by this it is not intended that any are called to engage in acts of this nature precisely corresponding with those in which he engaged4 ,it would be impossible1 as well as impious1 for men to imitate the making of the ,covenant of ,redemption1 or of that of ,works4 ,nor is it meant that men1 as perfect beings1 are to follow the pattern in this set by the ,most ,high2 but it is to be understood1 that in making a promise of good in truth and sincerity1 and in taking ,himself to witness1 he is to be imitated by his people in ,covenanting1 while they depend on grace afforded by himself4 ,first4 ,it is possible for his people1 after some manner1 to imitate ,god in ,covenanting4 ,they cannot imitate him entering into covenant as a self-existent1 independent ,being2 nor can they imitate him as in this providing benefits which of himself he can bestow2 but in some respects1 by his grace they may4 ,he holds intercourse with those with whom he enters into covenants in truth4 ,his people ought to do so with him4 ,he makes promises4 ,they ought to do so too4 ,he swears by himself4 ,they ought to swear by him4 ,he swears that ,he may give assurance of his intention4 ,they ought to swear for the same reason4 ,because of his hatred to sin he entered into covenant4 ,they should enter into covenant with him in order to show their hatred to it4 ,he necessarily loves himself1 and he loves those with whom he ,covenants4 ,by love to him--the origin of love to all others1 as well as to themselves--they should enter into covenant with him4 ,he promises in order that his people may have the security of good4 ,they are called by ,covenanting to accept his promise1 that they may have the security afforded by believing his word4 ,in entering into ,covenant1 ,god honours his own character4 ,imitating him in ,covenanting all are called1 and they ought1 to glorify his name4 ,secondly4 ,it is desirable to imitate ,god in ,covenanting4 ,he draws near to his people2 and should they not draw near to him8 ,god is waiting on men to take hold on his covenant4 ,he has entered into covenant with others who sought to imitate ,him2 ,he offers to do so with us4 ,he waits1--,infinity waits and draws while waiting1--,excellence waits1 and waiting transforms into excellence1--blessings wait1 and attract while waiting1--,he waits on men4 ,to follow finite good1 is to seek good1 though limited4 ,to imitate finite excellence1 is to aspire at excellence1 even though but in part4 ,to take ,god for an example1 is to prosecute the course to boundless happiness and honour4 ,where he walks1 there is sin rebuked1 evil flees away1 and corruption dies2 there good is seen1 a field of duty without limit stretches out1 happiness immeasurable begins1 and glory eternal opens4 ,it was by his covenant that the scene of heavenly bliss was to be opened to sinners1 and peopled by them4 ,taking hold upon it1 the unnumbered millions for whom it was prepared1 in imitation of him1 make preparation for it4 ,to follow these would be delightful and honouring2 but would be to follow what is merely a copy1 and only finite4 ,what is it then to follow the great ,original1 the provider of glory1 and honour1 and immortality1 to be dispensed to the eternal honour of his character1--,god himself6 ,finally4 ,it is a duty to imitate ,god in ,covenanting4 ,the act of swearing by the name of ,god is holy4 ,the performance of it is inculcated in the decalogue4 ,swearing on the part of the ,most ,high is a manifestation of ,his holiness4 ,swearing on the part of men is at once an imitating of ,him1 and a holy service4 ,when men endeavour to discharge the duties of the ten commandments1 they are exercised to holiness1 and acting in imitation of ,him who only is holy4 ,and accordingly these commandments are injunctions to imitate ,god4 ,enjoining therefore the duty of ,covenanting1 they inculcate that as an imitation of ,him--swearing by himself4 ,again1 even as the exercise of keeping the ,sabbath is enforced by the ,divine example1 so is that of entering into ,covenant with ,god4 ,in the fourth commandment1 the former duty is explicitly enjoined on that ground4 ,for in six days the ,lord made heaven and earth1 the sea1 and all that in them is1 and rested the seventh day3 wherefore the ,lord blessed the ,sabbath-day1 and hallowed it4#faj ,and although the observance of no other of the ten precepts is in the like manner commanded in them1 they may all be viewed as declared obligatory1 because of the example of ,god1 an illustration of which is presented in this4 ,the ,lord set an example in the keeping of the ,sabbath1 and therefore men are called to keep it4 ,but to the knowledge of his creatures1 he acts according to the principles of the other commandments1 and for the same reason that his example in resting on the ,sabbath is to be followed1 is his regard to the other dictates of his law to be made use of as furnishing examples of what to us is duty4 ,he has made1 and he makes and keeps ,covenant engagements3 and as his keeping of the ,sabbath is a reason why his creatures are commanded to sanctify it1 so his engaging in covenant is a ground on which they are called to the duty of vowing and swearing to him4 ,but1 besides1 the exercise along with others1 is unequivocally inculcated from the ,divine example4 ,the ,lord said unto ,moses1 ,speak unto all the congregation of the children of ,israel1 and say unto them1 ,ye shall be holy3 for ,i the ,lord your ,god am holy4#faa ,to be holy1 is to obey the ,divine law in all its parts4 ,the ,lord is known to be holy1 because he acts according to the principles of that law4 ,to ,covenant1 therefore1 is to do a part of the duty commanded in the words1 ,ye shall be holy2 and to do so for the reason1 ,i1 the ,lord your ,god1 am holy1 is to engage in it according to his commands1 because he has entered1 and because he does enter1 into covenant4 ,moreover1 this duty would seem to be emphatically taught in the words--,let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering2 7for he is faithful that promised47#fab ,the holding fast of the profession of faith implies the making of it2 and both are therefore urged on the ground of the faithfulness of ,him that promised2 and ,he is introduced here as faithful1 not merely in order that his people might depend upon him for the good offered1 but as presenting to them an example according to which all should make and keep engagements to their brethren and to ,him4 ,and finally1 this is shown to be incumbent by declarations leading to the imitation of the ,redeemer4 ,he ,himself says1 in one of these--,if any man serve me1 let him follow me4#fac ,the believer cannot follow ,him to imitate him1 as a ,mediator obeying and dying for others4 ,he cannot so follow him as acting in the nature of sinless man1 or as the living and true ,god4 ,he cannot so follow him1 teaching by his ,holy ,spirit to all nations the way of life and peace4 ,he cannot so follow him as a ,priest before the throne on high1 making intercession for sinners4 ,he cannot so follow him in the putting forth of almighty power for the conversion and edification of his people4 ,he cannot so follow him to the throne of the universe1 to rule over all things for the glory of ,god and the good of his people4 ,but in many respects1 he is required1 nay in these words he is enjoined1 to follow him4 ,in general1 in the discharge of all duty1 he is called to follow him4 ,in particular1 to follow him in regarding all the ordinances of religion--unfolding a covenant relation to ,god2--in acknowledging a heavenly ,father1 as a child in covenant alone could do2--and in making a solemn confession of the truth of ,god1 saying with him1 though in circumstances infinitely humbler1 ,to this end was ,i born1 and for this cause came ,i into the world1 that ,i should bear witness unto the truth4#fad ,his people1 were he to bid them1 would follow him to prison and to death4 ,and will they not habitually follow him--who confessed his own ,divine character1 to confess that ,he is ,lord1 to the glory of ,god the ,father8#fae ,hence1 in conclusion1 ,first4 ,how important the exercise of following the ,divine example in ,covenanting6 ,it gives a peculiar elevation to the mind4 ,we are called to duty for the advancement of ,god's glory1 and for our own advantage4 ,and when we contemplate aright the exercise as sanctioned by the procedure of ,god1 how distinctly are these brought before us6 ,was it not for the advantage of men that ,god entered into covenant from the days of eternity8 that he entered into covenant with man in innocence8 that he entered into covenant with so many of our fallen race8--and will it not be for this that ,he will yet enter into covenant with unnumbered millions to come8 ,and as ,god thus sought the advantage of sinners1 will they not in imitation of him seek it too8 ,but higher still1 was it not for his own glory that ,god revealed himself as a ,god in ,covenant8 ,was it not that he might make known what inherently belonged to ,him1 and even the manifestation of which could not add to his essential greatness8 ,was it not that he might teach his creatures gifted by his bounty while in the enjoyment of good to rise above themselves1 so as to give scope to the manifestation of excellence1 lovely because of itself1 and not less lovely because of its tendency to attract others to be transformed into the unfading image of its own loveliness8 ,how then ought all to be drawn by imitating ,god in this1 to the manifestation of the excellence of the truth1 that sinners may behold it1 and being enabled to lay hold upon it1 may drink of that fountain of delight to which it may lead1 and which to eternity1 though drawn upon by each of the redeemed1 will remain alike unfailing and satisfying to all8 ,and how ought all thus to endeavour to manifest that excellence which creatures were brought into existence to contemplate1 were appointed as means to lead each other to examine1 and which was to be displayed1 not merely for ages1 but that holy beings might be brought1 if not in their natures1 at least in their conceptions1 to think in some small measure adequately of ,god1 to eternity6 ,but again1 and finally4 ,to follow the example of ,god in ,covenanting1 is obligatory through life1 and in all ages4 ,the ,lord sware in order to give men an assurance of the immutability of his purposes of mercy4 ,for when ,god made promise to ,abraham1 because he could swear by no greater1 he sware by himself4444 ,wherein ,god1 willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel1 confirmed it by an oath2 that by two immutable things1 in which it is was impossible for ,god to lie1 we might have a strong consolation1 who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us4#faf ,and in order that men may arrive at the assurance of hope1 they ought to have recourse to the use of this1 as well as every other means of grace4 ,the man who attempts prayer but once1 does not give complete evidence of possessing the spirit of prayer2 in order to show this1 he must pray habitually4 ,the individual who attempts to hope1 must repeatedly have recourse to the exercise1 before he have pleasing evidence of the existence within him of the hope that maketh not ashamed4 ,those who would be assured of the love of ,god being shed abroad in their hearts1 must have it in habitual exercise within them2 and those who would have the comforting evidence of their being in covenant with ,god1 must feel themselves drawn by his example1 frequently to acknowledge themselves as devoted to him4 ,it is self-evident1 that every time that the people of ,god take hold on his ,covenant1 he1 after some manner1 makes a covenant with them4 ,every act of ,covenanting1 therefore1 on the part of the saints of ,god1 and especially on the part of the believer himself1 affords an instance of the ,divine example inviting him again to the duty4 ,and since the ,covenant of ,god from eternity1 anticipated all the engagements of time1 to these believers are drawn by the ever-memorable example presented by that4 ,but the example of ,god in former ages1 also extends to all succeeding times4 ,the covenant which he made with ,abraham1 was to include men in the later as well as former ages4 ,and if the swearing of an oath then1 by the ,lord himself1 was to be imitated by his people under any dispensation1 it was to be1 therefore1 imitated during the last4 ,and even as the covenant with ,abraham1 the ,everlasting ,covenant--the origin of that1 afforded the giving of the oath of ,god as an example to be followed throughout the whole lapse of time1 even until those who were given to the ,son should be brought by him to that glorious inheritance to which they were chosen4 ,,footnotes3 #fjj ,exod4 xx4 #b4 #fja ,gen4 xvii4 #b4 #fjb #b ,sam4 xxiii4 #e4 #fjc ,gal4 iii4 #af2 see also ver4 #ae1 #ag #fjd ,luke i4 #gb1 #gc4 #fje ,ezek4 xx4 #cg4 #fjf ,john xvi4 #bc1 #bd4 #fjg ,eph4 v4 #ai4 ,james v4 #ac4 #fjh ,ps4 xxii2 see ver4 #bb4 #fji ,john xvii4 #bf4 #faj ,exod4 xx4 #aa4 #faa ,lev4 xix4 #b4 #fab ,heb4 x4 #bc4 #fac ,john xii4 #bf4 #fad ,john xviii4 #cg4 #fae ,phil4 ii4 #aa4 #faf ,heb4 vi4 #ac1 #ag1 #ah4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,covenanting ,a ,,privilege ,,of ,,believers4 ,whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked1 or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed1 is a spiritual privilege4 ,adoption into the family of ,god is of this character4 ,he came unto his own1 and his own received him not4 ,but as many as received him1 to them gave he power 7margin1 or1 the right2 or1 privilege7 to become the sons of ,god1 even to them that believe on his name4#fag ,and every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise4 ,the evidence besides1 that ,covenanting is a good to which believers1 through the grace of ,god1 are entitled1 is abundant4 ,first4 ,believers ,covenanting are a people near to ,god4 ,to be near to ,god1 is to have special privilege4 ,he also exalteth the horn of his people1 the praise of all his saints1 even of the children of ,israel1 a people near unto him4 ,praise ye the ,lord4#fah ,those who honour him will ,god honour4#fai ,but with the lip1 and consequently in ,covenanting as well as otherwise1 such draw near to honour him4 ,it is the hypocrisy of the ,jews1 who insincerely attempted this becoming service1 that is challenged in the words1--,this people draw near me with their mouth1 and with their lips do honour me1 but have removed their heart far from me1 and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men4#fbj ,while1 therefore1 ,he sets before the wicked their sin1 he honours his own1 or recognises them as gifted with privilege while they draw near to him in the duty4 ,to engage in the idolatry of the ancient heathen1 or otherwise to fail to recognise ,god as a ,god in covenant1 was to be far from him2 while to draw near to him1 and1 consequently1 to acknowledge him in vowing to him or otherwise1 was good for his saints4#fba ,some1 as examples of all who were uninterested in the ,covenant of ,god1 are represented as destitute of what are accounted the privileges of the covenant children2 while the attainments of those after their conversion1 and which1 by being put in contrast with what appertained to them in their former state1 must be viewed as spiritual privileges1 are represented as consisting in this1--that they were made nigh by the blood of ,christ4 ,ye were without ,christ1 being aliens from the commonwealth of ,israel1 and strangers from the covenants of promise1 having no hope1 and without ,god in the world3 but now1 in ,christ ,jesus1 ye who sometimes were far off1 are made nigh by the blood of ,christ4#fbb ,and1 by an apostle1 encouragement to enter into the holiest by the blood of ,jesus1 at once a duty including that of ,covenanting1 and certainly a privilege1 is given in the language--,let us draw near with a true heart1 in full assurance of faith4#fbc ,secondly4 ,these ,covenanting are in the gracious presence of ,god4 ,the want of this on the part of the wicked being a curse1 the enjoyment of it by the righteous is a privilege4 ,cain went out from the presence of the ,lord1 or ceased to attend to the institutions of religion1 and thus manifested that he had neither enjoyed nor valued the presence of ,god reconciled to him4 ,by suffering them to be removed by the ,babylonians from their own land1 and1 consequently1 from the ordinances of his grace dispensed in his temple1 the ,lord cast out the wicked of ,jerusalem and ,judah from his presence1#fbd or deprived them of those opportunities of enjoying his gracious presence which they had not improved4 ,to his people among the heathen1 even though deprived of the public ordinances of ,zion1 ,he himself proved a sanctuary4#fbe ,moses received from the ,lord1 on behalf of ,israel1 the encouragement1 ,my presence shall go with thee1 and ,i will give thee rest4#fbf ,the promise must1 therefore1 have been fulfilled to them throughout their whole journey to ,canaan1 and especially when about its termination they entered into covenant with ,him4 ,the agitation of the earth and heavens1 when the ,lord came down upon ,mount ,sinai1 was a striking intimation that ,israel there enjoyed the presence of ,god4#fbg ,the covenant blessing of peace was to be bestowed1 and1 consequently1 accepted in his gracious presence4 ,the ,lord bless thee1 and keep thee2 the ,lord make his face shine upon thee1 and be gracious unto thee2 the ,lord lift up his countenance upon thee1 and give thee peace4#fbh ,yea1 the upright shall come into his presence1 confessing his name1 and shall continue to enjoy his favouring regard4 ,let us come before his presence with thanksgiving 7confession74#fbi ,surely the righteous shall give thanks 7confess7 unto thy name3 the upright shall dwell in thy presence4#fcj ,thirdly4 ,these ,covenanting1 see ,god4 ,as he is in his essential character1 no man hath seen ,god at any time4 ,even of the ,redeemer himself as ,god1 it is said1 ,who only hath immortality1 dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto2 whom no man hath seen1 nor can see4#fca ,it would appear to have been some such manifestation of ,god--altogether incompatible with the capacities of a creature1 that was denied to ,moses when the ,lord said to him1 ,thou canst not see my face2 for there shall no man see me1 and live4#fcb ,yet1 as ,moses1 though he did not see the glory of ,god according to his desire1 enjoyed the gracious presence of ,god1 all his people receive the light of the knowledge of the glory of ,god in the face of ,jesus ,christ4#fcc ,by faith1 in this manner1 both before and after his incarnation1 ,god was to be seen in ,christ1 and especially on occasions of solemn ,covenanting4 ,it is the blessedness of the pure in heart1 that they shall see ,god4 ,inviting sinners to come unto him1 and even formally to take hold upon his covenant1 the ,lord utters the command1 ,look unto me1 and be ye saved1 all the ends of the earth2 for ,i am ,god1 and there is none else4#fcd ,and lifting up their hand1 and their heart1 and their eyes to him1 his people obey4 ,from a verb 7,hebrew3 chazoh7 that signifies to see1 come two nouns1 one of which 7,hebrew3 chozeh7 signifies1 a prophet and a covenant1 and the other1 7,hebrew3 chazuth7 as we have seen1#fce a vision1 or a revelation1 and a covenant4#fcf ,hence1 a covenant with ,god1 in a sense far higher than what is applicable to an agreement with mere men1 is made in receiving a revelation of his will1 or seeing him in such a manner as is competent to his people4 ,the cherubim of the ,old ,testament1 and the four living creatures of the ,new1#fcg--the one representing the ministers of religion in both periods1 the other symbolizing the ministers of the gospel in the latter1 are both represented as full of eyes4 ,thus described1 they resemble the prophets of old1 denominated seers4 ,the many eyes ascribed to them may point out the enlarged capacities which they should have for apprehending ,divine things1 as well as for rightly observing the dispensations of ,providence1 in order that they might teach the people4 ,but from the prophets1 and rulers1 and seers1 who were unfaithful1 being represented as having had their eyes closed1 and the people to whom a vision or covenant was addressed1 being exhibited as unable to read it1#fch and from those who were guilty of idolatry being spoken of as blind1#fci it would appear that both the ministers of ,god's sanctuary and his other people1 under the former dispensation1 when they drew near to ,him in ,covenanting1 enjoyed a privilege of which the gift of seeing was an emblem4 ,and from the four living creatures and the elders--the one full of eyes1 and the other also capable of contemplating the ,lamb as slain1 around the throne1 saying1 ,thou hast made us unto our ,god kings and priests--1#fdj it would appear that the later saints in the house of ,god on earth were to engage in the exercise of taking hold on his ,covenant1 and as his saints of old1 there to enjoy the vision of ,god as a privilege4 ,yea1 even to the ,gentiles1 enabled to apprehend ,christ as given for a light to them1 it will be vouchsafed as a privilege to attend to this4 ,i the ,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 for a light of the ,gentiles4#fda ,fourthly4 ,these ,covenanting1 know ,god1 and are known of him4 ,the heathen1 worshipping idols1 are represented as not knowing ,god4 ,howbeit then1 when ye knew not ,god1 ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods4 ,and some from among them who had made an insincere profession of religion1 are reproved for turning from services which1 if rightly engaged in1 would have been discharged by them in such a manner as to show that they knew ,god1 but which they had never properly performed4 ,but now1 after that ye have known ,god1 or rather are known of ,god1 how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements1 whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage8#fdb ,to know ,god is1 in reality1 by faith to see ,god4 ,as ,he promised to make himself known in a vision1#fdc so he will give his people to know him in acceding to his ,covenant4 ,the secret of the ,lord is with them that fear him2 and he will shew them his covenant4#fdd ,the privilege thus described implies in it a knowledge of the gracious promise of ,god's covenant1 and consequently1 of the glory of his character1 wrought in them by his ,spirit4 ,and those who will enjoy it are those who fear him1 and consequently1 who will recognise ,him as their ,god4 ,hence it is that the expressions to ,covenant1 and to know ,god1 may often be put1 the one for the other4 ,encouraging his son to cleave to the ,lord in covenant1 ,david said1--,and thou ,solomon1 my son1 know thou the ,god of thy father1 and serve him with a perfect heart1 and with a willing mind4#fde ,the ,egyptians1 described as to enter into ,covenant with ,god1 it is prophesied1 will know him4 ,and hence1 all brought to acknowledge him in this manner are truly blessed4 ,this is life eternal1 that they might know thee1 the only true ,god1 and ,jesus ,christ1 whom thou hast sent4#fdf ,fifthly4 ,to these ,covenanting1 the ,lord is favourable4 ,he extends to them the light of his countenance4 ,offer the sacrifices of righteousness2 and put your trust in the ,lord4 ,there be many that say1 ,who will show us any good8 ,lord1 lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us4#fdg ,and ,he accepts them4 ,i have not spoken in secret1 in a dark place of the earth3 ,i said not unto the seed of ,jacob1 ,seek ye me in vain4#fdh ,sixthly4 ,these ,covenanting1 enjoy communion with ,god4 ,the wicked do not use the name of ,god1 in swearing by him1 with acceptance2#fdi but his people do4#fej ,and then the ,lord speaks to them4 ,i am with you1 saith the ,lord of hosts3 according to the word that ,i covenanted with you when ye came out of ,egypt1 so my ,spirit remaineth among you2 fear ye not4#fea ,the ,lord dwells among his people continually2#feb and hence1 ,he is among them when they engage in vowing and swearing to ,him2 and in the language of prophecy1 new manifestations of his favour to his people are introduced under the representation of the ,lord returning to them while performing the duty4 ,sing and rejoice1 ,o daughter of ,zion3 for1 lo1 ,i come1 and ,i will dwell in the midst of thee1 saith the ,lord4 ,and many nations shall be joined to the ,lord in that day1 and shall be my people3 and ,i will dwell in the midst of thee4#fec ,entering into covenant with him1 they feast before him4 ,the dispensation of all the ordinances of religion is represented as a feast2 and not less than of any other of them is that of ,covenanting4 ,a feast is a token of friendship4 ,special solemnities among the people of ,israel were designated feasts4 ,covenanting with ,god sometimes entered into the religious exercises performed at these4 ,the blessings of salvation are offered as the rich provision of a sumptuous feast1 provided and given1 by the ,lord himself4 ,and the reception of them in this exercise belongs to the privilege of those accepted1 before him4 ,and in this mountain shall the ,lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things1 a feast of wines on the lees1 of fat things full of marrow1 of wines on the lees well refined4 ,and it shall be said in that day1 ,lo1 this is our ,god2 we have waited for him1 and he will save us3 this is the ,lord3 we have waited for him1 we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation4#fed ,finally4 ,by his love the ,lord constrains his people to take hold on his ,covenant4 ,because of the love of ,god1 his chosen are called at once to duty and privilege4 ,duty they perform through the influence of his love shed abroad in their hearts2 and they enjoy privilege by his love extending to them4 ,the ,lord ,jesus said to his disciples1 ,if ye love me1 keep my commandments4 ,the injunction extends to the command regarding the commemoration of his death1--,this do in remembrance of me4#fee ,and his people1 under the influence of love to him1 obey4 ,for the love of ,christ constraineth us2 because we thus judge1 that if one died for all1 then were all dead3 and that he died for all1 that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves1 but unto him which died for them1 and rose again4#fef ,but in drawing near to ,god in the ordinance of the ,supper1 and in other explicit acts of ,covenanting1 they enjoy the manifestations of his love4 ,he brought me to the banqueting house1 and his banner over me was love4#feg ,even as ,jonathan1 after ,david and he had entered into a covenant of the ,lord1 caused ,david to swear again because he loved him1#feh the ,lord causes his people1 whom by his love he had drawn to himself1 to swear by his name4 ,i have loved thee with an everlasting love2 therefore with loving-kindness have ,i drawn thee4#fei ,i drew them with cords of a man1 with bands of love4#ffj ,hence1 ,in conclusion4 ,the observing of the other duties of ,god's ,covenant1 as well as the taking hold of it1 is a privilege4 ,whatever is enjoyed in communion with ,god is inseparably associated with good to follow4 ,as in the keeping of his commandments there is a great reward1 so the blessedness of high privilege is enduring4 ,the strength afforded for duty is a manifestation that privilege has been enjoyed4 ,and the bringing forth of the fruits of righteousness1 no less than the high enjoyment which fitted for causing them to abound1 is a special blessing4 ,if it is a privilege to vow to ,god1 it is a privilege to observe the vow4 ,if his mercy is seen in the giving of a heart to make it1 certainly it is manifest in the granting of spiritual vigour fully to perform its promise4 ,if it is a blessedness to commune with ,him of all that is within the heart1 can it be else to realize1 throughout the whole period of the performance of engagements solemnly made to him1 the promise of his ,covenant1--,i will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go3 ,i will guide thee with mine eye4#ffa ,,footnotes3 #fag ,john i4 #aa1 #ab4 #fah ,ps4 cxlviii4 #ad4 #fai #a ,sam4 ii4 #cj2 see also ,john xii4 #bf4 #fbj ,is4 xxix4 #ac4 #fba ,ps4 lxxiii4 #bg1 #bh4 #fbb ,eph4 ii4 #ab1 #ac4 #fbc ,heb4 x4 #bb2 see also ver4 #ai1 #bc4 #fbd #b ,kings xxiv4 #bj4 #fbe ,is4 viii4 #ad4 #fbf ,exod4 xxxiii4 #ad4 #fbg ,ps4 lxviii4 #h4 #fbh ,num4 vi4 #bd-bf4 #fbi ,ps4 xcv4 #b4 #fcj ,ps4 cxl4 #ac4 #fca #a ,tim4 vi4 #af #fcb ,exod4 xxxiii4 #bj4 #fcc #b ,cor4 iv4 #f4 #fcd ,is4 xlv4 #bb2 see also ver4 #bc1 #bd4 #fce ,page #bbb4 #fcf ,the former occurs in the original of ,is4 xxviii4 #ae1 and the latter in that of ,is4 xxxviii4 #ah4 #fcg ,ezek4 x4 #ac2 and ,rev4 iv4 #h4 #fch ,is4 xxix4 #aj-ab4 #fci ,is4 xlii4 #ag1 #ah4 #fdj ,rev4 v4 #aj4 #fda ,is4 xlii4 #f4 #fdb ,gal4 iv4 #h1 #i4 #fdc ,num4 xii4 #f4 #fdd ,ps4 xxv4 #ad4 #fde #a ,chron4 xxviii4 #i4 #fdf ,john xvii4 #c4 #fdg ,ps4 iv4 #e1 #f4 #fdh ,is4 xlv4 #ai2 see also ,rom4 xii4 #a2 xv4 #af4 #fdi ,jer4 xliv4 #bf4 #fej ,jer4 iv4 #b4 #fea ,hag4 ii4 #e4 #feb ,ps4 cxxxii4 #ad4 #fec ,zech4 ii4 #aj1 #aa4 #fed ,is4 xxv4 #f1 #i2 see also ver4 #g1 #h4 #fee #a ,cor4 xi4 #bd1 #be4 #fef #b ,cor4 v4 #ad1 #ae4 #feg ,song ii4 #d4 #feh #a ,sam4 xx4 #ag2 see also ver4 #af4 #fei ,jer4 xxxi4 #c4 #ffj ,hos4 xi4 #d4--;,cords and bands here correspond to the bond of the ,covenant4 #ffa ,ps4 xxxii4 #h4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,covenanting ,,enforced ,,by ,,the ,,grant ,,of ,,covenant ,,signs ,,and ,,seals4 ,to declare emphatically that the people of ,god are a covenant people1 various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed4 ,the lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs1 affording direction to the mariner1 the husbandman1 and others4 ,miracles wrought on memorable occasions1 were constituted signs or tokens of ,god's universal government4 ,the gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of ,god's covenant with his people1 to urge the performance of its duties1 and to unfold its blessings4 ,of these signs1 some coeval with each one in covenant1 and many enduring like the covenant itself1 even for ever1 all declaring that some are in covenant with ,god1 and that others will yet also be so in covenant1 enforce not less than all other duties1 yea1 especially enforce the duty of ,covenanting itself4 ,a token deemed necessary to a covenant was sometimes freely given3 at other times it was requested4 ,jonathan1 in token of his covenant with ,david1 stripped himself of the robe that was upon him1 and gave it to ,david1 and his garments1 even to his sword1 and to his bow1 and to his girdle4 ,rahab said to the spies from the camp of ,israel1 ,now therefore ,i pray you1 swear unto me by the ,lord1 since ,i have shewed you kindness1 that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house1 and give me a true token4 ,for all in covenant with ,god1 without their entreaty1 have tokens been provided4 ,none attempted to ask them in the depth1 or in the height above4 ,the ,lord himself of his own good pleasure bestowed them4 ,and1 first1 ,the rainbow4 ,god said1 ,this is the token of the covenant which ,i make between me and you1 and every living creature that is with you1 for perpetual generations3 ,i do set my bow in the cloud1 and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth4 ,and it shall come to pass1 when ,i bring a cloud over the earth1 that the bow shall be seen in the cloud3 and ,i will remember my covenant which is between me and you1 and every living creature of all flesh2 and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh4#ffb ,in the provision1 here announced simply as an appointment of providence1 all flesh is interested4 ,noah and his family were interested in the good promised1 as a covenant blessing4 ,with ,noah the ,lord had established his covenant before the flood4 ,and1 behold ,i1 even ,i1 do bring a flood of waters upon the earth1 to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from under heaven2 and every thing that is in the earth shall die4 ,but with thee will ,i establish my covenant4#ffc ,for the benefit of the human family were given the following instructions3--,and thou shalt come into the ark1 thou1 and thy sons1 and thy wife1 and thy sons' wives with thee4 ,and of every living thing of all flesh1 two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark1 to keep them alive with thee2 they shall be male and female4 ,of fowls after their kind1 and of cattle after their kind2 of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind2 two of every sort shall come unto thee1 to keep them alive4 ,and take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten1 and thou shalt gather it to thee2 and it shall be food for thee and for them4#ffd ,after the flood1 by the mandate of heaven1 had retired1 and left them in possession of the first fruits of the gracious federal grant made to him1 ,noah builded an altar unto the ,lord1 and took of every clean beast1 and of every clean fowl1 and offered burnt-offerings upon the altar4 ,and the ,lord smelled a sweet savour3 and the ,lord said in his heart1 ,i will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake2 for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth3 neither will ,i again smite any more every thing living1 as ,i have done4 ,while the earth remaineth1 seed-time and harvest1 and cold and heat1 and summer and winter1 and day and night1 shall not cease4#ffe ,and having blessed ,noah and his sons1 and made sundry new grants to them1 he again declared1 ,i will establish my covenant with you1#fff and gave his announcement of the bow in the cloud as its appointed sign4 ,to mankind alone1 of all flesh1 that could prove a token4 ,for their encouragement alone it was provided4 ,as if ,god had taken sure means that his promise should be fulfilled1 he uses the language1 ,and the bow shall be in the cloud2 and ,i will look upon it1 that ,i may remember the everlasting covenant between ,god and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth4#ffg ,the promise is comprehensive4 ,that a race of living creatures under the dominion of man1 and for his advantage1 should be continued throughout all time1--that the family of man1 unvisited by the waters of another flood1 should increase during succeeding ages1 it implied3 and included that a people in covenant with ,god should be raised up and preserved2 grace to perform the duties of his covenant be granted2 and the acceptance of their most solemn services1 while they should present offerings of righteousness1 be afforded to them4 ,before the deluge1 ,god saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth1 and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually4#ffh ,the term in the original1 which is here rendered imagination1 meaning not merely the conceptions of the mind1 but also the purposes and desires of the heart1 points out the human race swallowed up by the flood's destructive waters1 as unpossessed of the willing mind of ,god's covenant people4 ,as sustaining the character of enemies unto him1 they are represented to have said unto ,god1 ,depart from us4#ffi ,the billows of ,divine wrath threaten all in their condition4 ,contrasted with the state of all such was that of ,noah1 who is described as a just1 or justified man1 and perfect in his generations1 or1 in his generations attained to holiness in measure1 and to covenant peace4 ,to all such as he was1 the bow in the clouds is a pleasing and encouraging sign4 ,that that sign may prove so to all1 all are thus enjoined1--,acquaint now thyself with him--with ,god--and be at peace3 thereby good shall come unto thee4#fgj ,that the end of this sign might not be forgotten or overlooked1 is the occasion of its appointment thus celebrated by the ,psalmist in a tribute of praise3--,who laid the foundations of the earth1 that it should not be removed for ever4 ,thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment3 the waters stood above the mountains4 ,at thy rebuke they fled2 at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away4 ,they go up by the mountains2 they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them4 ,thou has set a bound that they may not pass over2 that they turn not again to cover the earth4#fga ,by a reference to the promise given when this sign was appointed1 and which it was designed in every season to bring again into view1 is the sin of idolatry--a breach of covenant with ,god--thus condemned3--,fear ye not me8 saith the ,lord3 will ye not tremble at my presence1 which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea1 by a perpetual decree1 that it cannot pass it2 and though the waves thereof toss themselves1 yet can they not prevail2 though they roar1 yet can they not pass over it4 ,but this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart2 they are revolted and gone4 ,neither say they in their heart1 ,let us now fear the ,lord our ,god1 that giveth rain1 both the former and the latter1 in his season3 he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest4 ,the practices of the people so addressed are also thus described1--,though they say1 ,the ,lord liveth2 surely they swear falsely4 ,thy children have forsaken me1 and sworn by them that are no gods4 ,and their consequent privations are in like manner introduced4 ,your iniquities have turned away these things1 and your sins have withholden good things from you4#fgb ,that this token was to designate the continuance of a covenant1 the blessings of which were not merely temporal1 but spiritual and eternal too1 and whose duties--incumbent on those who surround the altar of ,god and swear by his name1 should still be performed1 we are taught by his own words1--,this is as the waters of ,noah unto me3 for as ,i have sworn that the waters of ,noah should no more go over the earth2 so have ,i sworn that ,i would not be wroth with thee1 nor rebuke thee4 ,for the mountains shall depart1 and the hills be removed2 but my kindness shall not depart from thee1 neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed1 saith the ,lord that hath mercy on thee4#fgc ,to encourage the prophet ,ezekiel in discharging the duties of his mission to the house of ,israel1 and also that many to whom his messages should be addressed might receive them1 this sign1 in vision1 was presented before him4 ,to expostulate with the rebellious house of ,israel he was sent4 ,the privileges enjoyed by that people he was called1 in these terms1 to describe1 ,yea1 ,i sware unto thee1 and entered into a covenant with thee1 saith the ,lord ,god1 and thou becamest mine2 and for their apostacy1 to deliver to them the warning1 ,thus saith the ,lord ,god1 ,i will even deal with thee as thou hast done1 which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant4#fgd ,he had been commanded to utter the corresponding denunciation1 ,but as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations1 ,i will recompense their way upon their own heads1 saith the ,lord ,god4#fge ,but he had also been charged with the promise1 ,i will give them one heart1 and ,i will put a new spirit within you2 and ,i will take the stony heart out of their flesh1 and will give them an heart of flesh2 that they may walk in my statutes1 and keep mine ordinances1 and do them3 and they shall be my people1 and ,i will be their ,god2#fgf and was enjoined to give the prediction1 ,nevertheless1 ,i will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth1 and ,i will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant4#fgg ,but the glory of the ,god of ,israel meanwhile had appeared--that glory which was seen by him at first1 as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain4#fgh ,that his ministry was undertaken by the authority of a ,god in covenant it signified2 and announced the certain success which should follow his labours1 in the conversion of some to be won by offers of mercy1 and abiding tokens of reconciliation and peace4 ,the prophetic part of the ,book of ,revelation--unfolding the history of the ,church of ,god1 from the days of the apostles till the end of time1 is introduced by a vision presenting this covenant sign--,a throne was set in heaven1 and one sat on the throne4 ,and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone3 and there was a rainbow round about the throne1 in sight like unto an emerald4#fgi ,to the whole period1 therefore1 of the ,church's later history1 that sign was to apply4 ,the four living creatures--emblematical of the ministers of the gospel1 who are also presented in that vision1 by this are encouraged to exclaim1 ,holy1 holy1 holy1 ,lord ,god ,almighty1 which was1 and is1 and is to come2 and by this are they and the four and twenty elders1 as a people in covenant with ,god1 led to adore the ,lamb1 saying1 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof3 for thou wast slain1 and hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood1 out of every kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation2 and to seek to be enabled1 as a race wholly devoted to ,god1 truly to say1 ,thou hast made us unto our ,god kings and priests3 and we shall reign on the earth4#fhj ,and1 finally1 before the witnesses for ,jesus1 ordained to witness a good confession1 and in opposition to ignorance and sin in the world1 to abide by1 yea even to renew1 their confession and wonted vows1 made by all the solemnity of an oath1 the same sign is presented4 ,the promise is made1 ,and ,i will give power unto my two witnesses1 and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days1 clothed in sackcloth4#fha ,the work committed to these witnesses was arduous4 ,nor was the finishing of their testimony1 in the eyes of the world1 enviable4 ,but manifestly great was to be their gracious reward1 when they should ascend up to heaven in a cloud1 and their enemies behold them4 ,the duty to which they were called1 and their high enjoyments to follow1 the little book which ,john was commanded to eat1 contained4 ,it appeared open in the hand of that mighty angel--the angel ,jehovah--come down from heaven1 whose face was as it were the sun1 and his feet as pillars of fire4 ,to assure his servants of the stability of his covenant1 through which is dispensed his all-sufficient grace1 and to prompt them faithfully to perform their high duties1 in vision he was seen clothed with a cloud1 and with a rainbow upon his head4#fhb ,beauteous is the bow in the cloud in the day of rain4 ,more beauteous than what is simply material1 is it to the mind's eye as a ,covenant sign4 ,the colours of that bow1 unfaded throughout all ages1 have continued2 and the security of ,god's covenant is without change4 ,though the waters of another flood will not invade the earth1 the flood of ,divine wrath will swallow up the world of the ungodly4 ,none of ,god's ,covenant signs stir them up to duty2 and as to each ,covenant sign they continue wilfully blind1 to them no final sign of good will appear4 ,but while by them no token of deliverance will be seen1 to the righteous1 the evidence of ,god's purpose to deliver them will be complete4 ,and when his enemies1 like the men of old time1 who1 while the flood's destructive waters advanced1 may have fled to the mountains for safety1 will in vain seek deliverance from ,divine wrath1 his people1 contemplating the evidence of his gracious regard to them1 in triumph will acknowledge1--,truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills1 and from the multitude of mountains2 truly in the ,lord our ,god is the salvation of ,israel4#fhc ,but next was given1 the sign of ,circumcision4 ,this is my covenant1 which ye shall keep1 between me and you1 and thy seed after thee3 every man-child among you shall be circumcised4 ,and ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin2 and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you4 ,and he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you1 every man-child in your generations2 he that is born in the house1 or bought with money of any stranger1 which is not of thy seed4 ,he that is born in thy house1 and he that is bought with thy money1 must needs be circumcised3 and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant4 ,and the uncircumcised man-child1 whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised1 that soul shall be cut off from his people2 he hath broken my covenant4#fhd ,this rite1 thus described1 having been instituted on the occasion of a renewal of ,god's covenant with ,abraham1 signified at least ,god's acceptance of the patriarch in this service1 and the acceptance of all who1 when suitably called to it1 should1 in renewing their engagements to the ,most ,high1 imitate his example4 ,and hence obviously1 all who should submit to this rite or its equivalent1 were encouraged thereby to seek privilege1 by endeavouring individually and socially to renew their vows to the ,lord4 ,benefit was to be enjoyed through the reception of this sign4 ,the reception of it did not imply the attainment of grace2 but as a sign1 it was appointed to denote grace received4 ,abraham received the sign of circumcision1 a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had1 yet being uncircumcised4#fhe ,to the enjoyment of all other privileges of the visible ,church of ,god1 it was introductory and necessary3--,and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee1 and will keep the passover to the ,lord1 let all his males be circumcised1 and then let him come near and keep it2 and he shall be as one that is born in the land3 for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof4#fhf ,to the ,hebrew people1 as an inestimable privilege1 were committed the oracles of ,god4 ,for what nation1 said ,moses to them1 is there so great1 who hath ,god so nigh unto them1 as the ,lord our ,god is in all things that we call upon him for8 ,and what nation is there so great1 that hath statutes and judgments as all this law1 which ,i set before you this day8#fhg ,and to them was delivered the command1 so indicative of good1--,three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the ,lord ,god4#fhh ,thus access to all the means of spiritual advantage was secured1 and opportunities of being fully addressed by the most varied and powerful motives to duty1 were provided4 ,that the efficiency of this rite as a sign might be most complete1 attention to it was enjoined under the greatest penalty4 ,and that the design for which it was given was highly important1 would thus appear4 ,the character of the duties incumbent on the ,israelites moreover illustrate this4 ,every man that was circumcised was debtor to do the whole law4 ,and till the ,mosaic dispensation should come to an end1 throughout life his obligation could not decrease4 ,as a member of the ,church and nation of ,israel1 by the solemn ,covenant engagements of that people to ,god1 and to one another1 he was bound4 ,to fear the ,lord1 to swear by his name1 and to perform his vows1 was required of him4 ,and to testify to the truth of his profession he bare the sign of ,god's covenant upon him4 ,when ,israel under ,joshua1 had entered the promised land1 the use of this sign became peculiarly manifest4 ,at that time the ,lord said unto ,joshua1 ,make thee sharp knives1 and circumcise again the children of ,israel the second time4 ,and ,joshua made him sharp knives1 and circumcised the children of ,israel at the hill of the foreskins4 ,the same individuals were not circumcised twice4 ,the young of the people had not been circumcised in the wilderness4 ,their fathers--who had been circumcised in ,egypt1 with the exception of ,caleb and ,joshua--died before reaching the land of promise4 ,though the people1 while they were in the wilderness1 having no immediate intercourse with the heathen1 neglected that duty without being specially reproved for it2 yet when they came to ,canaan1 where idolaters abounded1 their non-observance of it was not to be permitted4 ,in reference to these heathens the command had been given1 ,thou shalt make no covenant with them1 nor with their gods4#fhi ,and when they came among them1 that they might not associate with them in their idolatrous rites1 but be constantly reminded of their own separation to the service of ,god1 the duty was re-injoined1 and on its performance1 ,the ,lord said unto ,joshua1 ,this day have ,i rolled away the reproach of ,egypt from off you4#fij ,circumcision was given1 not merely as a sign to denote ,god's ,covenant1 but as a seal to give assurance of its benefits1 and also of the performance of its duties4 ,abraham by receiving it as a seal of the righteousness of faith had confirmed to him the promises on which in believing he relied1 and was recognised as permanently set apart to perform the duties of faith and obedience4 ,every blessing promised in the word of ,god as if sealed by ,his own seal1 to him and to his spiritual seed was thus made sure2 and every act of obedience enjoined on them1 and to which by solemn vow they should become engaged1 as secured by the seal of his approbation and acceptance1 thus were they assured1 they should by his grace endeavour to perform4 ,but under the ,new ,testament dispensation1 instead of circumcision as a sign and seal1 has been instituted the ordinance of ,baptism4 ,all that the other was1 as a sign and seal of ,god's ,covenant under the former dispensation1 this is under the present4 ,to these two ordinances1 as symbols each of newness of life1 and of the forgiveness of sin1 the apostle in writing to the ,colossians1 makes the reference1--,in whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands1 in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of ,christ2 buried with him in baptism1 wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of ,god1 who hath raised him from the dead4 ,and you1 being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh1 hath he quickened together with him1 having forgiven you all trespasses4#fia ,and writing to the ,church of the ,romans1 who were not circumcised1 but had been baptized1 he declares of ,abraham1--,he received the sign of circumcision1 a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised2 that he might be the father of all them that believe1 though they be not circumcised2 that righteousness might be imputed unto them also4#fib ,was that enjoined by ,divine authority8 ,so was this4 ,go ye therefore1 and teach all nations1 baptizing them in the name of the ,father1 and of the ,son1 and of the ,holy ,ghost1#fic is the ,saviour's command4 ,was he circumcised according to the law8 ,at the hand of his servant ,john1 he received baptism4 ,and baptism along with repentance and faith was preached by the apostles4 ,to the enjoyment of other outward privileges1 as circumcision was1 this is the first step4 ,when any acceded to the offers of the gospel1 baptism was administered to them4 ,the cases of the ,ethiopian eunuch1 ,lydia and her household1 many of the ,corinthians1 and others1 are instances2 of spiritual blessings in all their extent this is a sign and seal4 ,this the apostle ,peter adverted to1 when he said1 ,repent1 and be baptized every one of you in the name of ,jesus ,christ1 for the remission of sins1 and ye shall receive the gift of the ,holy ,ghost4#fid ,and this truth1 no less emphatically these words declare1--,ye are all the children of ,god by faith in ,christ ,jesus4 ,for as many of you as have been baptized into ,christ have put on ,christ4 ,there is neither ,jew nor ,greek1 there is neither bond nor free1 there is neither male nor female3 for ye are all one in ,christ ,jesus4 ,and if ye be ,christ's1 then are ye ,abraham's seed1 and heirs according to the promise4#fie ,and finally1 of ,covenant duties1 would it thus appear too the sign and seal4 ,the like figure whereunto1 even baptism1 doth also now save us1 7not the putting away the filth of the flesh1 but the answer of a good conscience toward ,god17 by the resurrection of ,jesus ,christ4#fif ,baptism is a sign of the outpouring of the ,spirit of ,christ4 ,his effusion on the day of ,pentecost was in fulfilment of the prophecy1--,and it shall come to pass afterward1 that ,i will pour out my ,spirit upon all flesh2 and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy1 your old men shall dream dreams1 your young men shall see visions4 ,and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will ,i pour out my ,spirit4#fig ,and his influences by another prophet are thus promised1--,i will pour my ,spirit upon thy seed1 and my blessing upon thine offspring4 ,and if1 of such benefits as these1 baptism is an appointed token and security1 can it be less a sign and seal of these their glorious effects1--,they shall spring up as among the grass1 as willows by the water-courses4 ,one shall say1 ,i am the ,lord's2 and another shall call himself by the name of ,jacob2 and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the ,lord1 and surname himself by the name of ,israel8#fih ,but after circumcision1 was appointed as a sign1 ,the ,sabbath4 ,like the rainbow1 the sabbath had been from the beginning4 ,at a period of the world when many habitually disregarded it1 was it given as a ,covenant sign4 ,and the ,lord spake unto ,moses1 saying1 ,speak thou also unto the children of ,israel1 saying1 ,verily my sabbaths ye shall keep3 for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations2 that ye may know that ,i am the ,lord that doth sanctify you4 ,wherefore the children of ,israel shall keep the sabbath1 to observe the sabbath throughout their generations1 for a perpetual covenant4#fii ,that the end of keeping the sabbath was to cherish the conviction that the ,lord sanctified his people1 these words of institution declared4 ,but by taking them into covenant with himself1 and causing them to keep his covenant1 the ,lord sanctified them4 ,the ,lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people1 as he hath promised thee1 and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments2 and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made1 in praise1 and in name1 and in honour2 and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the ,lord thy ,god1 as he hath spoken4#gjj ,to vow unto him singly1 or unitedly1 was a duty of his covenant4 ,to do this his people were sanctified4 ,and hence1 of this1 as well as of each other religious service1 the sabbath was a sign4 ,those who keep the sabbath will enjoy the privileges of ,god's people4 ,if thou turn away from the sabbath1 from doing thy pleasure on my holy day2 and call the sabbath a delight1 the holy of the ,lord1 honourable2 and shalt honour him1 not doing thine own ways1 nor finding thine own pleasure1 nor speaking thine own words3 then shalt thou delight thyself in the ,lord2 and ,i will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth1 and feed thee with the heritage of ,jacob thy father2 for the mouth of the ,lord hath spoken it4#gja ,but ,covenanting is one of the privileges of the heritage of ,jacob4 ,those1 therefore1 who keep the sabbath1 that they may enjoy in full the gracious benefits promised to them1 will have it put into their hearts individually1 and often in a social capacity1 to enter into and renew1 solemn covenant engagements with the ,most ,high4 ,the institution of the sabbath itself has afforded calls for engaging in the practice of vowing to ,god4 ,moved by a sense of duty1 ,nehemiah and others returned to ,jerusalem1 contemplating the evils to which they were exposed from the example of the heathen1 with a zeal worthy the adoption of all in times of abounding sin1 engaged in solemn covenant with ,god to keep the sabbath1 as well as discharge other bounden duties4 ,they clave to their brethren1 their nobles1 and entered into a curse1 and into an oath1 to walk in ,god's law1 which was given by ,moses the servant of ,god1 and to observe and do all the commandments of the ,lord our ,lord1 and his judgment and his statutes2 and that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land1 nor take their daughters for our sons3 and if the people of the land bring ware1 or any victuals1 on the sabbath-day to sell1 that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath1 or on the holy-day4#gjb ,the continuation of the sabbath is a provision for the observance of every religious service4 ,in opposition to the worldliness of men's hearts1 by the arrangements of a beneficent providence1 first the seventh-day sabbath1 and afterwards the ,christian sabbath1 was granted and preserved to the ,church of ,god4 ,that the ordinances of religion should not fail to be dispensed or waited on1 the sabbath was given2 and for this end1 throughout every age1 it will be kept4 ,on that day especially1 the worship of ,god is conducted in his sanctuary1 and through the preaching of the gospel are the blessings of ,god's covenant freely offered1 and its duties illustrated and enjoined4 ,where there is no sabbath1 religion is unknown4 ,where the sabbath is not kept1 the benefits of religion are not enjoyed1 and the law of ,god as a rule of duty is not regarded4 ,the insensibility of conscience that permits to contemn the injunction to keep holy the sabbath1 will not1 because of the authority of ,god1 condemn the breach of any other of his commands4 ,the ungodliness1 and not infrequent immorality of sabbath-breakers1 fearfully show how dangerous it is to trifle with or despise any ,divine precept1 and especially exhibit the evil to which they expose themselves1 who1 refusing to sanctify this day1 are unaddressed by this as a sign of good1 and unsolicited by this or any other ,divine ordinance to resolve to cleave to holiness1 the end of which is life and peace4 ,when the sabbath is not kept1 the ordinary duties of religion are not performed4 ,the sign of ,god's covenant being dishonoured1 no blessing of his covenant can be enjoyed1 nor covenant duty be discharged4 ,as a reason for pouring out his judgments upon the people of ,israel1 the ,lord declared to them1 ,thou hast despised my holy things1 and hast profaned my sabbaths4#gjc ,and when a restoration to the privileges of the sabbath is foretold1 regard to them as a people in covenant is promised4 ,is it said1--,for in mine holy mountain1 in the mountain of the height of ,israel1 saith the ,lord ,god1 there shall all the house of ,israel1 all of them in the land1 serve me3 there will ,i accept them1 and there will ,i require your offerings1 and the first fruits of your oblations1 with all your holy things4 ,i will accept you with your sweet savour1 when ,i bring you out from the people1 and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered2 and ,i will be sanctified in you before the heathen4 ,in connection with this is given the assurance1 ,and ,i will cause you to pass under the rod1--as sheep under the rod of the shepherd--and ,i will bring you into the bond of the covenant4#gjd ,the good promised to those who keep the sabbath1 whether viewed as positive privilege1 or as a disposition and fitness to obey ,divine injunctions1 is most extensive2 while the evil threatened for the desecration of it is appalling indeed4 ,what less than the highest privileges of the saints on earth is offered in the promise1 ,and it shall come to pass1 if ye diligently hearken unto me1 saith the ,lord1 to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the sabbath-day1 but hallow the sabbath-day1 to do no work therein2 then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of ,david1 riding in chariots and on horses1 they1 and their princes1 the men of ,judah1 and the inhabitants of ,jerusalem2 and this city shall remain for ever4 ,and they shall come from the cities of ,judah1 and from the places about ,jerusalem1 and from the land of ,benjamin1 and from the plain1 and from the mountains1 and from the south1 bringing burnt-offerings1 and sacrifices1 and meat-offerings1 and incense1 and bringing sacrifices of praise1 unto the house of the ,lord8 ,and how dreadful the threatening1 ,but if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath-day1 and not to bear a burden1 even entering in at the gates of ,jerusalem on the sabbath-day2 then will ,i kindle a fire in the gates thereof1 and it shall devour the palaces of ,jerusalem1 and it shall not be quenched8#gje ,but as a sign of ,god's covenant1 we are called to contemplate also1 ,the ,priesthood4 ,a people in covenant with ,god1 and a nation of priests are one4 ,now therefore1 if ye will obey my voice indeed1 and keep my covenant1 then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people3 for all the earth is mine4 ,and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests1 and an holy nation4#gjf ,at a period long posterior to the days of ,moses1 and in reference even to gospel times1 was applied the same character1 ,ye shall be named the priests of the ,lord2 men shall call you the ministers of our ,god4#gjg ,the apostle ,peter1 addressing the people of ,israel scattered throughout sundry regions1 thus also describes them1--,ye also1 as lively stones1 are built up a spiritual house1 an holy priesthood1 to offer up spiritual sacrifices1 acceptable to ,god by ,jesus ,christ4444 ,ye are a chosen generation1 a royal priesthood1 an holy nation1 a peculiar people2 that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light4#gjh ,and to this description given by the apostle1 primarily of the dispersion1 but not limited to them1 corresponds that by another apostle of himself and all who believe1 in their grateful adoration1--,unto him that loved us1 and washed us from our sins in his own blood1 and hath made us kings and priests unto ,god and his ,father2 to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever4 ,amen4#gji ,in order to commemorate the deliverance which ,god wrought for ,israel when he slew the first-born of ,egypt1 for a sign he claimed1 as consecrated to himself1 all the first-born of their males1 ,thou shalt set apart unto the ,lord all that openeth the matrix1 and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast2 the males shall be the ,lord's4 ,and it shall be for a token upon thine hands1 and for frontlets between thine eyes3 for by strength of hand the ,lord brought us forth out of ,egypt4#gaj ,the first-born of their sons represented the whole nation as a holy priesthood4 ,princes and heads of families1 whether fathers or eldest sons--succeeding to their fathers' privileges--had performed the duties of priests4 ,such a character1 therefore1 the first-born in ,israel would have come to sustain4 ,when religious services should have been performed by them1 the whole people1 as a nation of priests1 would have worshipped4 ,and of whatever they were the token1 the people at large1 accordingly1 were also the sign4 ,but instead of them1 subsequently the tribe of ,levi was taken1 and the special duties of the priesthood were confined to ,aaron and his sons4 ,hence that appointed priesthood1 and the ,levites their attendants1 conducted public services instead of1 and for the whole nation1 a kingdom of priests4 ,and as the first-born of ,israel were a sign of a great deliverance wrought for them because of his covenant1 the people themselves1 the ordained priesthood among them were1 and all the people of ,god will continue to be1 a ,covenant sign4 ,and according to their character is this holy priesthood as a sign employed4 ,different from the other signs1 their language with theirs is designed to harmonize4 ,as willing ministers of ,god's pleasure1 to other signs they give regard1 proving themselves a living sign4 ,when the rainbow displays its spiritual glories1 by others unperceived1 like ,noah standing by the altar of ,god1 they present sacrifices of thanksgiving1 or vow and swear to him4 ,when the ,sabbath points out a rest from sin1 and deliverance from its consequences1 they seek to sanctify it1 and keep it as a sign and pledge of the rest provided for them in the covenant4 ,and having in baptism had the name of ,god named upon them1 endeavouring to depart from all iniquity1 they manifest themselves as by purchase and conquest1 and their own personal surrender1 truly his4 ,in some respects are all the ordinances of religion a ,covenant sign1 and it is as set apart to wait on these that the holy priesthood displays a like character4 ,to them in all their extent are applicable the words of the ,lord concerning ,phinehas1--,behold1 ,i give unto him my covenant of peace4#gaa ,as lights in the world1 and as a devoted people1 they have verified to themselves the promise1--,they shall teach ,jacob thy judgments and ,israel thy law2 they shall put incense before thee1 and whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar2 being faithful in discharging their solemn obligations1 and thus illustrating the duty of paying the vow1 their conduct1 in vowing and fulfilling their engagements1 receives the approval--they have observed thy word and kept thy covenant2 encouragement from above is vouchsafed to them in their peculiar character1 in the words of prayer1--,bless ,lord1 his substance1 and accept the work of his hands2 and thus1 the assurance that as a sign they shall be preserved1--smite through the loins of them that rise up against him1 and of them that hate him1 that they rise not again4#gab ,god's covenant with his people is the covenant of a priesthood4 ,and to secure the dispensation of the means of grace1 that was given4 ,the ministry of reconciliation and the ,church at large are co-ordinate4 ,where the one is promised1 the other also will be bestowed in due time4 ,where the ministers of the word are1 there1 to a greater or less extent1 will be a ,church4 ,and a ,church will seek to itself the ministering servants of ,christ4 ,where the ordinances of religion are properly dispensed1 there is a ,church2 and there an appointed instrumentality1 in greater or less measure1 presents the mind of ,christ4 ,when his servants dispense the ordinances of his grace1 ,god speaks to his people4 ,and as a people in covenant with ,him1 to his words they are called to assent4 ,his servants are ambassadors for ,christ4 ,as though ,god did beseech by them1 they beseech sinners to be reconciled unto him4 ,like the ,church itself in the world1 the continuance of the ambassadors of ,christ shows that ,god is waiting to be gracious4 ,they who despise their messages declare themselves his enemies4 ,like the recal of an envoy1 which betokens approaching hostilities1 the removal of the servants of ,christ from among a people1 declares that the ,lord is about to deal with them as his foes4 ,when ,churches become corrupt1 this is the case4 ,when the righteous are removed from among them1 and the ecclesiastical constitution is in opposition to his will1 the whole body is out of ,covenant1 and what was the temple of ,god becomes the receptacle of idols4 ,when the ,lord was angry with his professed people1 he suffered a lying spirit to enter the mouth of their prophets4 ,and to the people as a whole1 in token of their rejection1 he said1 ,thou shalt be no priest to me3 seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy ,god1 ,i will also forget thy children4#gac ,but notwithstanding the defections of many such1 the ,lord will raise him up a faithful priesthood4 ,it is expressed in the anticipation1 ,the children of thy servants shall continue1 and their seed shall be established before thee2#gad and pledged in the promise1 ,lo1 ,i am with you alway1 even unto the end of the world4 ,hence the encouragement1 ,i will give you pastors according to mine heart1 which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding2#gae and the duties defined1 ,the priest's lips should keep knowledge1 and they should seek the law at his mouth3 for he is the messenger of the ,lord of hosts4#gaf ,those faithful to the covenant of the priesthood are approved1 while the desecrators thereof are fearfully condemned4 ,how encouraging the approbation1 ,ye shall know that ,i have sent this commandment unto you1 that my covenant might be with ,levi1 saith the ,lord of hosts4 ,my covenant was with him of life and peace2 and ,i gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me1 and was afraid before my name4 ,the law of truth was in his mouth1 and iniquity was not found in his lips3 he walked with me in peace and equity1 and did turn many away from iniquity6 ,and how cheering the promise1 in its ultimate spiritual reference not less applicable to the whole spiritual priesthood than it was primarily to the sons of ,aaron6--,but the priests the ,levites1 the sons of ,zadok1 that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of ,israel went astray from me1 they shall come near to me to minister unto me4#gag ,but denounced are the others thus challenged1 ,ye are departed out of the way2 ye have caused many to stumble at the law2 ye have corrupted the covenant of ,levi1 saith the ,lord of hosts4 ,an apostate priesthood taught the people to swear at once by the ,lord1 and by ,malcham--the abomination of the ,sidonians--a false god4 ,to cut off these1 and the victims of their deceit1 the ,lord stretched out his hand4 ,and to mark the care with which he watched over the faithful dispensation of his own ordinances1 and observed every deviation from them1 as designed to present the privileges and duties of his covenant1 were also uttered his words1 ,cursed be the deceiver1 which hath in his flock a male1 and voweth and sacrificeth to the ,lord a corrupt thing3 for ,i am a great ,king1 saith the ,lord of hosts1 and my name is dreadful among the heathen4#gah ,a priesthood was recognised when ,god entered into covenant with ,noah1 and with ,abraham2 and throughout all time was a priesthood to be approved as a covenant sign4 ,had it not been for the ,everlasting ,covenant1 the rite of sacrifice had not been instituted1 and a priesthood had not been4 ,but that the ratification of that covenant by the glorious ,surety might first be prefigured1 and next had in commemoration1 was given this sign4 ,to intimate the ratification of ,god's covenant with his people1 as at ,horeb1 the blood of sacrifice by the priesthood was sometimes sprinkled2 and1 consequently1 the priesthood1 under the law1 kept up the remembrance of the covenant1 and pointed forward to its final confirmation4 ,the later priesthood1 the people of ,god under the gospel1 in offerings of praise1 record that one sacrifice by which it was rendered sure1 and hence they1 as well as all else of the holy priesthood1 to its special duties of vowing and swearing1 from their peculiar character1 became engaged4 ,although of those who ministered at the altar under a former dispensation1 it is said by an apostle1 those priests were made without the swearing of an oath1#gai we are not to suppose them as not indeed by covenant set apart to the duties of the ,levitical priesthood2 nor are we to suppose that the people of ,god1 as a holy priesthood in general1 whom those priests represented1 do not sustain their character in virtue of ,covenant arrangements4 ,those priests1 on believing1 were entitled to the blessings promised and secured by the oath of ,god to ,abraham's seed4 ,and so were the rest of his ,covenant people4 ,moreover1 the ,lord sware to his people at ,horeb1 when1 in addition to the moral law1 he enjoined all those other laws1 among which stand the statutes regarding the priesthood of ,aaron4 ,to his people then present1 whether priests or not1 and to his people who should descend from them1 throughout the period over which the covenant there made should extend1 his oath was given2 and seeing it was then given1 when his people individually acceded to his covenant1 or his faithful servants to the duties of the sanctuary1 it was not repeated4 ,it was only when a new promise was made1 or an enlargement or an illustration of one formerly made was given1 or when1 for his ,covenant's sake1 he denounced wrath on his enemies1 that the ,lord sware to his people4 ,and the day of conversion1 of entering upon office1 and ordinary seasons of solemn ,covenanting1 could not afford such occasions as these4 ,it is in contrast with ,christ1 the great ,high ,priest of our profession1 that those priests are introduced by the apostle1 as made without an oath4 ,to the covenant of the ,levitical priesthood1 the ,lord did not append a new and separate oath4 ,the nation of ,israel before1 by the oath of ,god1 had been set apart as a nation of kings and priests4 ,and when that priesthood was appointed1 they merely entered on the enjoyment of privileges formerly promised1 and came under renewed obligation to perform appointed duties4 ,but in addition to the oath of ,god to his ,son from eternity1 upon the occasion of his taking upon him--in the nature of ,god-man1 the office of ,his priesthood1 in order to show its speciality ,his oath was also given4 ,there was not the same regard to be paid to the type that belonged to the antitype1--to the priesthood under the law that was due to the priesthood of ,christ4 ,the priests under the law were not appointed to their office as if they had been principals4 ,it was reserved for ,christ to be so appointed4 ,perfection was not by the ,levitical priesthood4 ,those priests were made so after the law of a carnal commandment1 and hence to the duties of the priesthood by ,covenant engagement were pledged4 ,christ on the other hand1 to perform the high functions of his priesthood1 was also in solemn covenant voluntarily engaged2 but that testimony might be borne to the dignity of his character and perfection of his work1 by the oath of ,god again given1 he was made priest4 ,besides1 that oath was sworn to him as not merely a priest1 but as the ,surety and ,mediator of the new covenant4 ,the ,lord sware1 and will not repent1 ,thou art a priest for ever after the order of ,melchizedec4 ,and1 by so much was ,jesus made a surety of a better testament4 ,to none of the priesthood under the law1 did the title of mediator appertain4 ,but now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry1 by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant1 which was established upon better promises4 ,and through ,christ come all the distinguishing features1 and all the high privileges of his people1 as an holy priesthood4 ,to secure blessings spiritual and eternal to the people of ,god1 the ,lord sware to his ,son4 ,in what was promised to him by the oath of ,god1 his people--a nation of kings and priests1 are interested4 ,he is a king2 his people sit down with him on his throne4 ,he is a priest2 his people desire to fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of ,christ in their flesh1 for his body's sake1 which is the ,church2 and while they neither possess nor claim merit on account of their deeds1 rejoice inasmuch as they are partakers of ,christ's sufferings1 that when his glory shall be revealed1 they may be glad also with exceeding joy4 ,and by and through the oath by which he was constituted priest1 were they in general set apart to their functions1--to covenant1 to pray1 to praise1 to present spiritual sacrifices to ,god1 acceptable through himself4 ,because of the priesthood of ,christ1 the priesthood under the law was instituted4 ,because of the priesthood of ,christ1 through which was to be ratified ,god's covenant1 his people--a holy priesthood1 to act as vowers or ,covenanters1 were appointed4 ,their existence1 while they claim an interest in its blessings1 and resolve and endeavour to perform its duties1 testifies to its character and design1 and displays how vast was the glory and blessedness that lay couched in the oath of the ,father to his incarnate ,son4 ,but next1 in accordance with the last sign1 we have promised as a ,covenant sign1 ,the ,new ,heart4 ,behold the days come1 saith the ,lord1 that ,i will make a new covenant with the house of ,israel1 and with the house of ,judah2 not according to the covenant that ,i made with their fathers1 in the day that ,i took them by the hand1 to bring them out of the land of ,egypt2 which my covenant they brake1 although ,i was an husband unto them1 saith the ,lord2 but this shall be the covenant that ,i will make with the house of ,israel2 after those days1 saith the ,lord1 ,i will put my law in their inward parts1 and write it in their hearts2 and will be their ,god1 and they shall be my people4 ,signally contrasted with the hearts of those of whom it is said1 ,yea1 they made their hearts as an adamant stone1 lest they should hear the law1 and the words which the ,lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets1 the heart thus promised as a new covenant blessing1 is essentially a new heart4 ,unlike the adamant stone1 resisting the engraver's chisel1 but made soft to receive impressions of truth1 it sustains the character of an heart of flesh--substituted for the former1 the stony heart4 ,and those blessed with it have had realized to them the promise1 ,i will give them one heart1 and ,i will put a new spirit within you4 ,being a new ,covenant blessing1 the new heart is a new ,covenant sign4 ,a holy priesthood are a people set apart to the service of ,god4 ,a new heart is the distinguishing feature of those so set apart4 ,though not palpable to the men of the world1 it gives evidence of its own existence1 not equivocal2 and diffusing its stores1 makes known the fountain whence it derived them1 and proclaims the end for which its own constitution was given4 ,like hypocrites in every age1 many of the ancient ,israelites brake ,god's covenant1 or1 in other words1 they gave evidence that in his covenant they never had an interest4 ,but the ,lord's covenant could not be allowed to fail4 ,although many disregarded his injunctions1 and did their utmost to discredit that covenant1 yet that covenant was not to be dishonoured2 for in his mercy he should bring again of the ,hebrews many to wait on the ordinances of his grace4 ,under a new dispensation1 he should give fresh prominency to spirituality of mind2 and by his ,spirit1 who1 as formerly to his people1 should write his laws upon their hearts1 cause his impressions to remain when the former system of services should have ceased to exist1 but where the motives to obedience should1 in the preaching of the gospel1 be immediately addressed4 ,various spirits may jointly or successively take possession of those in a state of sin4 ,yea1 the common operations of the ,spirit of the ,lord1 as when the conscience is aroused1 and even sometimes his extraordinary operations1 may be upon them4 ,but to them meanwhile may not be given the one enduring new heart4 ,to some1 as to ,balaam1 for wise purposes1 by the ,spirit it may have been given to see a vision of the ,almighty2 and to others may be given1 as ,god gave to ,saul1 another heart2 and still there may not be bestowed a new heart4 ,to seek this1 however1 that they may live1 and hence1 as a ,covenant people1 serve the ,lord1 all are thus enjoined1--,cast away from you all your transgressions1 whereby ye have transgressed2 and make you a new heart and a new spirit3 for why will ye die1 ,o house of ,israel8#gbj ,under various aspects is the new heart presented as a ,covenant sign4 ,as a heart circumcised is it thus described4 ,to the people of ,israel1 as debtors to the whole law1 ,moses declares1--,only the ,lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them1 and he chose their seed after them1 even you above all people1 as it is this day4 ,circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart4 ,and in illustration of the duty required of them thus commanded to obey1 at the same time he gives the injunction1--,thou shalt fear the ,lord thy ,god3 him shalt thou serve1 and to him shalt thou cleave1 and swear by his name4#gba ,and in like manner1 along with the injunction1 circumcise yourselves to the ,lord1 and take away the foreskins of your heart1 ye men of ,judah and inhabitants of ,jerusalem1 is given the promise1 ,thou shalt swear1 ,the ,lord liveth1 in truth1 in judgment1 and in righteousness2 and the nations shall bless themselves in him1 and in him shall they glory4 ,strangers brought into ,god's sanctuary to pollute it1 and charged by him with having broken his covenant1 are described as uncircumcised in heart and in flesh2#gbb and in an evil age the house of ,israel are classed with the uncircumcised heathen1 as uncircumcised in heart4#gbc ,yea1 to the unbelieving ,jews the martyr ,stephen applies the same character4 ,but of those who are in covenant with ,god1 as the ,jews were1 an apostle furnishes the delineation1--,he is a ,jew1 which is one inwardly2 and circumcision is that of the heart1 in the spirit1 and not in the letter2 whose praise is not of men1 but of ,god4#gbd ,again1 as a perfect heart1 is the new heart obviously a ,covenant sign4 ,the new heart is that which believes4 ,that is the true heart2 and those possessed of it1 like ,hezekiah1 who walk before the ,lord in truth1 manifest an integrity which distinguishes all who1 being at peace with ,god1 are in covenant for ever dedicated to him4 ,thus1 before the ,lord1 ,david walked in integrity of heart2 and of a descendant who sat upon his throne1 and who with his people entered into a covenant to seek the ,lord ,god of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul1#gbe is left the record to his honour1--,asa's heart was perfect with the ,lord all his days4#gbf ,and finally1 as one heart is this sign a ,covenant token4 ,contrasted with the heart in its natural sinful condition1 which is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked1 it is constituted a reprover of those who1 vowing to the ,lord1 swear deceitfully4 ,different from the double heart vainly attempting at once to do homage to ,god and mammon1 it is wholly devoted to the ,lord4 ,and due to the operation of the ,spirit of ,god1 it is disposed to unite with others his like workmanship in faithfully resolving together1 and jointly endeavouring to promote his glory4 ,this the ,lord himself conferred1 when1 upon the occasion of ,hezekiah commanding all ,israel to keep the passover1 it was in his heart to make a covenant with the ,lord ,god of ,israel1 that his fierce wrath might turn away from them4 ,also1 in ,judah1 the hand of ,god was to give them one heart1 to do the commandment of the king and of the princes1 by the word of the ,lord4#gbg ,this the ,lord also promised1 when he said1 ,i will give them one heart1 and one way1 that they may fear me for ever1 for the good of them1 and of their children after them3 and ,i will make an everlasting covenant with them1 that ,i will not turn away from them to do them good2 but ,i will put my fear in their hearts1 that they shall not depart from me4#gbh ,and this he has often made his people to experience1 as on the day of ,pentecost1 when the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul2 and when by casting their effects into one common fund1 they furnished1 of their common interest in one gracious inheritance1 the most affecting emblem that men have given4 ,but1 finally1 ,christ was given for a sign of ,god's ,covenant4 ,a prophet1 by inspiration1 had exclaimed1 ,behold1 ,i and the children whom the ,lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in ,israel from the ,lord of hosts1 which dwelleth in mount ,zion4#gbi ,and by an apostle1 these words are represented as employed by the ,saviour1 having in union with the ,divine nature the nature of man4#gcj ,in mount ,zion1 the ,lord of hosts dwells as a covenant ,god4 ,his children1 a holy priesthood1 are from him as a covenant sign2 and from him also1 as the most distinguished covenant sign1 is his ,son--the great high priest of our profession1 himself sanctified by suffering4 ,that all ends of the earth should see the salvation of ,god had been predicted4 ,on the record of inspiration1 too1 had appeared the promise1 ,i the ,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 for a light of the ,gentiles4 ,that in ,christ both were fulfilled1 was attested by ,simeon1 to whom it was revealed by the ,holy ,ghost1 that he should not see death before he had seen the ,lord's ,christ4 ,he took up the child ,jesus in his arms1 and blessed ,god1 and said1 ,lord1 now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace1 according to thy word3 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation1 which thou hast prepared before the face of all people2 a light to lighten the ,gentiles1 and the glory of thy people ,israel4#gca ,moreover1 in prophecy was delivered the message1 ,the ,lord himself shall give you a sign3 ,behold1 a virgin shall conceive1 and bear a son1 and shall call his name ,immanuel4 ,in ,jesus1 the promised son was recognised4 ,when the birth of his forerunner ,john suggested that ,he should soon appear1 an honoured believer was filled with the ,holy ,ghost1 and prophesied1 saying1 ,blessed be the ,lord ,god of ,israel2 for he hath visited and redeemed his people1 and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us1 in the house of his servant ,david2 as he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets1 which have been since the world began3 that we should be saved from our enemies1 and from the hand of all that hate us2 to perform the mercy promised to our fathers1 and to remember his holy covenant1 the oath which he sware to our father ,abraham4 ,and when he was prosecuting his ministry1 then had been fulfilled the promise1 ,behold1 ,i will send my messenger1 and he shall prepare the way before me3 and the ,lord whom ye seek1 shall suddenly come to his temple1 even the messenger of the covenant1 whom ye delight in3 behold1 he shall come1 saith the ,lord of hosts4 ,of the existence of the ,everlasting ,covenant1 ,jesus was a token4 ,the ,old ,testament economy1 and that of the ,new1 were dispensations of the ,covenant of ,redemption4 ,under the former1 ,christ and his work were typified and predicted4 ,under the latter1 these are commemorated4 ,under both1 these were to be preached4 ,christ1 appearing as the substance of the truth announced under both1 was given a sign of that everlasting ,covenant whence they took their origin4 ,had that covenant been but in theory1 ,christ had not appeared4 ,his appearance declared it fact4 ,as the ,father's ,servant1 and consequently as in covenant with him1 he was promised4 ,his mission1 to fulfil his ,father's will1 declared his obligations4 ,the oath sworn to him1 as a priest after the order of ,melchizedec1 pointed out their nature2 and his manifestation in the flesh1 and the perfect righteousness which he wrought out1 abundantly signified their covenant origin1 and reality1 and design4 ,christ was given as a token of the ,covenant's ratification4 ,in his questions put to the ,jews regarding a prophetic psalm1 the ,redeemer testified to the ,father's oath1 sworn to himself as the new covenant ,surety4 ,the gracious words which he spake gave evidence that the ,father1 in fulfilment of his promise1 had put his ,spirit upon him4 ,his resurrection from the dead and ascension to heaven1 completed the evidence of the ,father's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise of glory and honour made unto him1 which his mediatorial career on earth supplied2 and his bringing of every new son to glory adds to its amount4 ,and that1 as on the part of the ,father of mercies his covenant should be ratified1 so1 on his own part1 it should not fail1 he afforded an all-impressive sign4 ,he magnified the law and made it honourable4 ,he obeyed its precepts2 he poured out his soul unto death4 ,concerning his work existed the prediction1 ,as for thee1 also1 by the blood of thy covenant ,i have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water4#gcb ,he predicted his own sufferings and death4 ,he submitted to the injuries inflicted on him by his enemies2 he bare the load of ,god's wrath2 he laid down his life4 ,of him an inspired apostle writes1 ,now the ,god of peace that brought again from the dead our ,lord ,jesus1 that great ,shepherd of the sheep1 through the blood of the everlasting covenant1 make you perfect in every good work to do his will4#gcc ,in heaven he stands as a ,lamb slain1 and receives the adoration of the four living creatures1 and of the four and twenty elders1 ,thou art worthy to take the book1 and to open the seals thereof3 for thou wast slain1 and hast redeemed us to ,god by thy blood1 out of every kindred1 and tongue1 and people1 and nation2 and hast made us unto our ,god kings and priests4#gcd ,by his people on earth throughout all ages1 by the eye of faith1 thus promised1 and given1 and glorified1 as a sign of his covenant's complete confirmation will he be contemplated2 and by them as such for ever1 with joy unspeakable in the house above4 ,christ was a sign of the dispensation of the blessings of ,god's ,covenant4 ,the ,lord made to ,abraham the promise1 ,in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed2 and this promise1 illustrated by an apostle1 refers to ,christ4 ,now to ,abraham and his seed were the promises made4 ,he saith not1 ,and to seeds1 as of many2 but as of one1 ,and to thy seed1 which is ,christ4#gce ,hence1 when he assumed the nature of man1 it was signified1 that the spiritual experiences of the former saints on earth were not imaginary1 but real2 their entrance into glory thereafter beyond dispute2 and their title to immortal bliss secure4 ,and also was betokened the certain glory in reserve for all others favoured with increased heavenly light1 and enabled to believe4 ,he himself taught the doctrines of a judgment to come1 an everlasting punishment1 and a heavenly rest4 ,his miracles attested the truths which he taught1 and proved him a token of their reality4 ,at his birth1 there was commissioned to announce it an angel1 and with him a multitude of the heavenly host praising ,god1 and saying1 ,glory to ,god in the highest1 and on earth peace1 good will toward men4 ,and signally1 indeed1 had been announced by his appearance1 that peace--his covenant provision4 ,he himself1 the greatest inconceivably of every covenant blessing1 had been given4 ,could a doubt then remain1 when he averred it1 that spiritual blessings had been enjoyed by his saints before1 and that every spiritual blessing in due time should be afforded to all brought to fear him8 ,the greatest of all benefits was freely conferred2 and had there not been1 through him1 and would there not be1 bestowed the less8 ,he that spared not his own ,son1 but delivered him up for us all1 how shall he not with him also freely give us all things4#gcf ,through ,christ the ,everlasting ,covenant was to be made known1 and forever had in remembrance4 ,what events for importance are comparable to the occurrences connected with his sojourn on earth8 ,what a privilege the ,church enjoyed1 when the ,word was made flesh and dwelt among them1 and they beheld his glory1 the glory as of the only begotten of the ,father1 full of grace and truth6 ,nor could that be forgotten1 nor its glorious design4 ,the splendour of the cloud of ,god's promise could not be forgotten2 and could the shades of oblivion cover the advent of ,him who appeared as the brightness of the ,father's glory1 and the express image of his person8 ,by all enabled to behold his glory1 is he received as an enduring token of good1 yea1 as the abiding reality of all good4 ,all his people shall so receive him4 ,in covenant1 the heathen were given to him for an inheritance1 and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession4 ,and the darkness which covers the earth1 the gross darkness that covers the people1 shall be dispelled1 and all ends of the earth shall see the salvation of ,god4 ,the sun was placed in heaven for a sign4 ,the ,sun of ,righteousness has arisen with healing in his beams4 ,as an everlasting sign1 he shall throughout all ages point out his covenant for his people4 ,their sun shall no more go down2 the ,lord shall be their everlasting light4 ,and ,he is a token that the duties of ,god's ,covenant had been performed1 and that1 moreover1 they would still be discharged4 ,he himself fulfilled the conditions of that covenant2 and because of his righteousness alone1 the services of his people in all ages1 are accepted4 ,their acceptance implies that these were enjoined4 ,in faith in a ,saviour to come1 the saints in ,old ,testament times1 while they waited on ,god's ordinances1 or were employed about the things of the world1 endeavoured to give obedience2 and in faith thereafter1 his people looking to him1 still attempt to obey him4 ,his work was approved1 and hence their faith was not in vain2 and these services were received as faithful attempts to perform their obligations4 ,that the ,saviour hath overcome1 is a token to his people that they also shall overcome4 ,and hence1 in imitation of ,him who1 as his ,father's covenanted ,servant1 fulfilled his will1 they put forth their efforts to perform what he requires2 and their conviction is expressed by an apostle1--,i can do all things through ,christ which strengtheneth me4#gcg ,to ,him1 for grace to give obedience1 all are commanded1 and many are privileged1 to look4 ,thus saith the ,lord unto the house of ,israel1 ,seek ye me1 and ye shall live3 but seek not ,beth-el1 nor enter into ,gilgal1 and pass not to ,beer-sheba4#gch ,to seek places where heathen deities were worshipped1 was to sacrifice unto those idols1 and to swear by them4 ,to seek the ,lord1 accordingly1 was to wait upon his ordinances1 whether in presenting offerings unto him1 in vowing or otherwise calling on his name4 ,and hence appears the nature of the exercises to which both ,jews and ,gentiles are called1 when to them is realized the prediction1--,and in that day there shall be a root of ,jesse1 which shall stand for an ensign to the people2 to it shall the ,gentiles seek3 and his rest shall be glorious4444 ,and he shall set up an ensign for the nations1 and shall assemble the outcasts of ,israel1 and gather together the dispersed of ,judah from the four corners of the earth4#gci ,again1 we find the command1 ,seek the ,lord1 and his strength2 seek his face for evermore4 ,and to point out the nature of the duties which it includes1 are those to whom it was first tendered1 thus addressed1--,o ye seed of ,abraham his servant1 ye children of ,jacob his chosen4 ,he is the ,lord our ,god2 his judgments are in all the earth4 ,he hath remembered his covenant for ever1 the word which he commanded to a thousand generations4#gdj ,where a most emphatic promise is made1 that the duty of vowing and swearing to the ,lord shall be discharged1 occurs the declaration1 ,i have not spoken in secret1 in a dark place of the earth3 ,i said not unto the seed of ,jacob1 ,seek ye me in vain4 ,i the ,lord speak righteousness1 ,i declare things that are right4#gda ,and the man who1 seeking ,god1 shall ascend unto the hill of the ,lord1 and stand in his holy place1 is described in language that certainly not merely refers to the oath as given to confirm testimony1 but also as given in vowing other duties to the ,lord1 as ,he that hath clean hands1 and a pure heart2 who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity1 nor sworn deceitfully4 ,for their apostacy1 the ,hebrew people were cast out of the good land that had been covenanted to their fathers2 and for many ages they have been scattered among all nations4 ,but as1 for their breach of covenant1 they were cast off1 and the goodly heritage that had been given them became waste2 so1 at their restoration to the precious privileges which through unbelief they forfeited1 to this glorious ,object they themselves1 and with them the heathen nations1 shall look as to a covenant sign4 ,he said1 ,it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant1 to raise up the tribes of ,jacob1 and to restore the preserved of ,israel2 ,i will also give thee for a light to the ,gentiles1 that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth4 ,thus saith the ,lord1 ,in an acceptable time have ,i heard thee1 and in a day of salvation have ,i helped thee3 and ,i will preserve thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 to establish the earth1 to cause to inherit the desolate heritages4#gdb ,how glorious this sign6--,the ,messenger of the ,covenant1 the ,mediator of the ,new ,covenant1 ,immanuel--,god with us6 ,but for his covenant1 he had remained unseen by the eye of man4 ,to make that known1 he made his fallen creatures see ,god4 ,the universe of material nature is glorious4 ,more glorious is the intelligent creation4 ,both together are tokens of ,god's wisdom1 and goodness1 and power4 ,but what was to be a token of his attributes in all their glory displayed in the salvation of man8 ,the laws which he has given to his creatures are tokens of his will concerning them4 ,but what creatures could sufficiently denote his covenant1 its blessings1 and its duties8 ,the sabbath1 and circumcision1 were each1 at once a privilege and a duty1 and1 as well as other things1 a sign of the ,covenant4 ,but what among the effects of ,jehovah's sovereignty1 could betoken it in all its glory8 ,its effects on creatures being finite1 what is finite might these in some measure point out4 ,but could any dependent being fully designate its glorious origin1 and infinite ,surety8 ,the world is finite1 though due to ,almighty power1 and so are its ordinances2 and a finite being might betoken these4 ,miracles of healing1 raising the dead1 of controlling the material world1 and the actions of angels and men1 and of bringing from spiritual death to life are all finite1 but beyond the might of less than ,almighty power4 ,and all these in some measure by some creature as a token might be signified4 ,but the law of ,god embodied in his covenant is exceeding broad2 its blessings are inconceivably great4 ,god is the author of the ,covenant4 ,god is the mediator of the ,covenant4 ,god in his own nature and in the nature of man1 is the glorious body to which are spiritually united the children of the ,covenant4 ,god1 in the nature of man1 alone could have afforded a manifestation of the ,covenant adequate to its character4 ,behold1 then1 as the most glorious display that has been made of ,god or his ways1 the ,lord ,jesus given to denote the ,covenant that had been made for the people6 ,,footnotes3 #ffb ,gen4 ix4 #ab-ae4 #ffc ,gen4 vi4 #ag1 #ah4 #ffd ,gen4 vi4 #ah-ba4 #ffe ,gen4 viii4 #bj-bb4 #fff ,gen4 ix4 #aa4 #ffg ,gen4 ix4 #af4 #ffh ,gen4 vi4 #e4 #ffi ,job xxii4 #ag4 #fgj ,job xxii4 #ba4 #fga ,ps4 civ4 #e-i4 #fgb ,jer4 v4 #bb-bd1 #b1 #g1 #be4 #fgc ,is4 liv4 #i1 #aj4 #fgd ,ezek4 xvi4 #h1 #ei4 #fge ,ezek4 xi4 #ba4 #fgf ,ezek4 xi4 #ai1 #bj4 #fgg ,ezek4 xvi4 #fj4 #fgh ,ezek4 i4 #bh4 #fgi ,rev4 iv4 #c4 #fhj ,rev4 v4 #i1 #aj4 #fha ,rev4 xi4 #c4 #fhb ,rev4 x4 #a4 #fhc ,jer4 iii4 #bc4 #fhd ,gen4 xvii4 #aj-ad4 #fhe ,rom4 iv4 #aa4 #fhf ,exod4 xii4 #dh4 #fhg ,deut4 iv4 #g1 #h4 #fhh ,exod4 xxiii4 #ag4 #fhi ,exod4 xxiii4 #cb4 #fij ,josh4 v4 #b1 #c1 #i4 #fia ,col4 ii4 #aa-ac4 #fib ,rom4 iv4 #aa4 #fic ,mat4 xxviii4 #ai4 #fid ,acts ii4 #ch4 #fie ,gal4 iii4 #bf-bi4 #fif #a ,pet4 iii4 #ba4 #fig ,joel ii4 #bh1 #bi4 #fih ,is4 xliv4 #c-e4 #fii ,exod4 xxxi4 #ac1 #af4 #gjj ,deut4 xxvi4 #ah4 #gja ,is4 lviii4 #ac1 #ad4 #gjb ,neh4 x4 #bi-ca4 #gjc ,ezek4 xxii4 #h4 #gjd ,ezek4 xx4 #dj1 #da1 #cg4 #gje ,jer4 xvii4 #bd-bg4 #gjf ,exod4 xix4 #e1 #f4 #gjg ,is4 lxi4 #f4 #gjh #a ,pet4 ii4 #e1 #i4 #gji ,rev4 i4 #e1 #f4 #gaj ,exod4 xiii4 #ab1 #af4 #gaa ,num4 xxv4 #ab4 #gab ,deut4 xxxiii4 #i-aa4 #gac ,hos4 iv4 #f4 #gad ,ps4 cii4 #bh4 #gae ,jer4 iii4 #ae4 #gaf ,mal4 ii4 #g4 #gag ,ezek4 xliv4 #ae4 #gah ,mal4 i4 #ad4 #gai ,heb4 vii4 #ba4 #gbj ,ezek4 xviii4 #ca4 #gba ,deut4 x4 #af1 #bj4 #gbb ,ezek4 xliv4 #g4 #gbc ,jer4 ix4 #bf4 #gbd ,rom4 ii4 #bi4 #gbe #b ,chron4 xv4 #ab4 #gbf #a ,kings xv4 #ad4 #gbg #b ,chron4 xxx4 #ab4 #gbh ,jer4 xxxii4 #dj4 #gbi ,is4 viii4 #ah4 #gcj ,heb4 ii4 #ac4 #gca ,luke ii4 #bh-cb4 #gcb ,zech4 ix4 #aa4 #gcc ,heb4 xiii4 #bj1 #ba4 #gcd ,rev4 v4 #i4 #gce ,gal4 iii4 #af4 #gcf ,rom4 viii4 #cb4 #gcg ,phil4 iv4 #ac4 #gch ,amos v4 #d1 #e4 #gci ,is4 xi4 #aj1 #ab4 #gdj ,ps4 cv4 #d1 #f-h4 #gda ,is4 xlv4 #ai4 #gdb ,is4 xlix4 #f1 #h4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,covenanting ,,performed ,,in ,,former ,,ages ,,with ,,approbation ,,from ,,above4 ,that the ,lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of ,covenanting1 it belongs to this place to show4 ,his approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the ,everlasting ,covenant to his people1 while they endeavoured to perform it2 and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises4 ,the special manifestations of his regard1 made to them while attending to the service before him1 belonged to one or other1 or both1 of those exhibitions of his acceptance of them in the discharge of the duty4 ,they afford peculiar illustrations1 brought out by ,him in a wondrous providence1 of the important truths concerning his ,covenant1 which all his other dispensations to his people also present4 ,first4 ,he approved of engagements made in ,personal ,covenanting4 ,the vow of ,jacob at ,bethel1 at the distance of several years1 was followed by a command from ,god to erect there the altar1 which in that he had virtually promised to build4 ,the vow of ,hannah was acknowledged by the gift of a son1 whom the ,lord honoured to be a signal blessing to ,israel4 ,the vow of ,david1--,to find out a place for the ,lord1 an habitation for the mighty ,god of ,jacob1 received the approval1--,it was well that it was in thine heart1 though the duty was made to devolve upon his son4 ,these are examples of ,covenant engagements made by individuals1 to be performed by themselves1 or by others1 according to the will of ,god1 and which he afforded grace to parties chosen by himself to fulfil4 ,secondly4 ,he approved of engagements made in ,social ,covenanting4 ,the ,covenant made with ,noah was dictated by the ,lord himself4 ,the patriarch and his family acceded to it4 ,he and they1 along with the living creatures concerning which he had received instructions1 entered the ark according as ,god had commanded2 and the ,lord shut him in4#gdc ,that ,covenant was renewed with the patriarch by the express words of ,god2 a promise kindred to that delivered to man in a state of innocence1 but which1 containing also the grant of animal food1 and thereby affording an intimation of the exercise of feeding by faith on the flesh of the ,redeemer1 included a gracious grant which the other promise could not contain1 was added at the renovation2 and the bow in the cloud was declared a token that the ,lord would not forget the transaction1 but while that emblem should continue1 even to all ages should fulfil the promise made by ,him1 and accepted in faith by his servants4 ,the ,covenant with ,abraham was graciously proposed by the ,lord himself4 ,and the faith of the patriarch1 called into exercise at the ratification of it1 was encouraged by the appointment of a special sacrifice1 and the wondrous phenomenon of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp4#gdd ,that covenant was ratified a second time1 while the ,lord appointed the ordinance of circumcision as a sign and seal of it1 to be extended to the descendants of the patriarch1 not merely as the progenitor of the ,israelites1 but as the father of many nations4 ,the extension of the privilege to ,ishmael1 the descendants of whom observed the rite1 and to the other males of ,abraham's household1 was a pledge that all the ,gentile nations should in due time become interested1 not merely in the outward advantages1 but also in the spiritual privileges of ,god's covenant1 and was a pleasing illustration of the manner in which the ,lord1 by a special appointment1 is pleased to testify even through many ages1 to the good of many1 to the pleasure which he takes in his servants performing duty in the strength of grace afforded by himself4#gde ,when the ,covenant was about to be ratified for the third time1 the ,lord called his servant to a signal exercise of faith4 ,the giving of an enlarged view of the promise followed upon the provision of a sacrifice1 as a substitute for the once-devoted son2 and united with the oath of ,god1 given for confirmation1 in leading to the renovation of the ,covenant1 as a sign of the ,lord's approval of the vigorous exercise of that faith through which its conditions are accepted4 ,and the new pre-intimation of a ,saviour to come1 that was made in the ram caught in the thicket1 gave to all who believed in ,god--and still more1 the actual offering of the ,lamb of ,god1 gives to all now who follow their faith in ,covenanting1 to use in confidence the patriarch's words1--,jehovah-jireh1 the ,lord will provide4#gdf ,the ,covenant made with ,israel1 like the others made thereafter with the ,church of ,god1 was a renovation of that established with ,abraham4 ,like that1 it was proposed by the ,lord himself1 and besides1 was in token of his enduring favour ratified by his oath4#gdg ,the ,covenant with ,jacob was entered into after that the ,lord1 by anticipating and encouraging the faith of his servant1 graciously presented before him the vision of the ,ladder1 as an emblem of the glorious ,saviour bringing men to communion with ,god1 and in the accomplishment of his work directing the energies of unfallen angels sent forth by him to minister to the heirs of salvation4#gdh ,the ,covenant of ,sinai was confirmed in a manner the most encouraging1 as well as condescending and glorious4 ,by fire1 the ,lord intimated not merely his power to punish1 but also his gracious presence4 ,by the voice of speech1 though the people were afraid1 he afforded in kindness an indisputable evidence of the truth of his gracious intercourse with them4#gdi ,and when it was renewed1 the ,lord added to the tokens which he had given of his regard for his people drawing near to serve him1 while he passed by before his servant ,moses1 and proclaimed1 ,the ,lord1 the ,lord ,god1 merciful and gracious1 long-suffering1 and abundant in goodness and truth4#gej ,that the ,lord approved of ,israel making a vow at ,hormah1 appeared from the fact that ,he granted to them the object of it4#gea ,the ,covenant made on the plains of ,moab was confirmed by the oath of ,god2 and the encouragement of it1 that the ,lord would be unto ,israel a ,god1 afforded additional evidence that their net of laying hold upon it was well-pleasing to him4#geb ,the ,covenant made at ,shechem was shown to be approved of ,god1 not merely by his command to ,israel to enter into it1 but by the strength which he gave to them to serve ,him1 and consequently to keep that covenant all the days of ,joshua1 and all the days of the elders that overlived ,joshua4#gec ,of the ,covenant between ,god and ,israel1 entered into through the instrumentality of ,david1#ged the ,lord testified his approbation1 in fulfilling to the house of ,judah its promise of a race of kings in ,david's line1 which should be consummated in ,him who1 being ,david's ,son and ,david's ,lord1 should reign for ever4 ,the tokens of the ,lord's acceptance of ,israel ,covenanting with him in the reign of ,asa were1 that ,he1 whom they had sought with their whole desire1 was found of them1 and that he gave them rest round about4#gee ,israel ,covenanting with ,god1 in the reign of ,nehemiah1 were visited with special tokens of ,divine favour4 ,the ,lord gave them one heart to perform the service1 and bestowed his blessing afterwards upon them4 ,the hand of ,god was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes1 by the word of the ,lord4#gef ,then the priests the ,levites arose and blessed the people3 and their voice was heard1 and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling-place1 even unto heaven4#geg ,as to ,israel under ,joshua and the elders that overlived him1 so to the people ,covenanting under ,josiah1 the ,lord showed his favour1 by enabling them to keep covenant with him4 ,and all his days they departed not from following the ,lord1 the ,god of their fathers4#geh ,though there is less explicitly said to intimate that the ,covenanting of ,israel under ,ezra was approved of ,god1 than what is recorded in commendation of other like exercises1 yet their work was acceptable to ,him4#gei ,were there nothing else to show this1 the prayerful frame of mind1 corresponding to a former promise1 in which they engaged in it1 were sufficient4#gfj ,the ,covenant between ,god and his ,church1 in the days of ,nehemiah1 was made and followed with signal marks of ,divine favour4 ,the transaction had been predicted4 ,for though thy people ,israel be as the sand of the sea1 yet a remnant of them shall return3 the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness4#gfa ,the consumption here spoken of1 was the destruction of the ,assyrian empire4 ,the returning referred to1 was the restoration of ,israel from ,babylon4 ,and the overflowing with righteousness adverted to1 would appear to have been the exercises of engaging in ,covenanting under ,ezra and under ,nehemiah1 and the consequences thereof4 ,and manifold were the benefits that followed from these engagements4 ,copies of the law of ,god were increased3 the people were accordingly much more abundantly instructed than they had been before2 and they no more returned to idolatry4 ,and what is said by an apostle1 in reference to the ,churches of ,macedonia engaging in the exercise1 we have no reason to suppose to be inapplicable to the other ,churches in the apostolic age1 that performed the duty1--that they did so by the will of ,god4 ,hence1 in conclusion4 ,though the ,canon of ,scripture be now closed1 we have encouragement to make vows1 the engagements of which are lawful4 ,a material difference that obtains between the former and the present dispensation of ,divine grace is1 that what was vouchsafed under the former1 was fitted to afford the principles according to which1 all under the latter should judge of the attainments from the hand of ,god1 made by them in every given exercise4 ,did he1 in former times1 manifestly approve the performance of the duty8 he will substantially do so now4 ,did he favour his people taking hold on his covenant then8 he will do so still4 ,,footnotes3 #gdc ,gen4 vi4 #ag1 #ah4 vii4 #af4 #gdd ,gen4 xv4 #i-ah4 #gde ,gen4 xvii4 #g-ad4 #gdf ,gen4 xxii4 #a-ah4 #gdg ,gen4 xxvi4 #c-e2 and ,ps4 cv4 #i4 #gdh ,gen4 xxviii4 #aa-bb4 #gdi ,exod4 xix4 xx4 #gej ,exod4 xxxiv4 #f2 see also ver4 #aj4 #gea ,num4 xxi4 #b1 #c4 #geb ,deut4 xxix4 #ac4 #gec ,jos4 xxiv4 #be1 #ca4 #ged #b ,sam4 vii4 #aa-bb2 #a ,chron4 xxviii4 #h4 #gee #b ,chron4 xv4 #ae4 #gef #b ,chron4 xxx4 #ab4 #geg #b ,chron4 xxx4 #bg4 #geh #b ,chron4 xxxiv4 #cc4 #gei ,ezra x4 #gfj ,jer4 l4 #d1 #e4 #gfa ,is4 x4 #bb4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,covenanting ,,predicted ,,in ,,prophecy4 ,the fact of ,covenanting1 under the ,old ,testament dispensations1 being approved of ,god1 gives a proof that it was proper then1 which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy1 affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper4 ,the argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar1 and1 though corresponding with evidence from other sources1 is independent4 ,because that ,god willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets1 we should receive it as transmitted by them1 in a manner peculiarly calculated to invite attention4 ,a statute tells what1 according to the authority of ,god1 ought to be done4 ,the revelation of ,god's purposes unfolds precisely the same things as to be done1 but according to his sovereign arrangements made to lead to them4 ,prophecy declares1 indeed1 the purposes of ,god1 but specially the carrying of them into effect in individual cases4 ,in the purposes of ,god1 each fact agreeable to his will is provided for4 ,in prophecy1 such of these facts as he has resolved to make known are presented4 ,the reality of the pre-intimation of these shows their importance1 and points out that preparation ought to be made for them4 ,the assurance that a fact of ,covenanting is predicted is a substantial argument for its lawfulness4 ,the individuals1 to perform it1 may be urged by a variety of motives2 yea1 even by the promise in reference to their doing of it1 without knowing at the time that they were the special objects of the promise4 ,the argument from prophecy derives its value from two things1--that the subject of prophetic intimation1 as provided for by the ,lord himself1 is warranted1 and1 that it is beyond the power of men either to fulfil it otherwise than he has arranged1 or to prevent its accomplishment4 ,prophecy describes1 with precision1 facts that will take place4 ,men are brought into the circumstances to which a prophecy refers1 and they may be ignorant of the fact4 ,afterwards they know it1 and attest the verity of the prediction4 ,the descriptions afforded in prophecy concerning the circumstances of the truth predicted are not given to provide these circumstances1 for that is done according to a sovereign ,divine arrangement2 but are afforded to show1 after the fulfilment1 that the truth was indeed that which had been foretold4 ,prophecies1 that duty will be done1 lead men to it1 not as attracted by its circumstances1 but as directed by the ,divine counsel4 ,prophecy1 therefore1 independently of its fulfilment1 affords a reason for ,covenanting4 ,properly authenticated1 it has the force of an important argument4 ,shown to be prophecy1 both by the circumstances in which it was uttered1 and by the fulfilment1 it is manifestly conducive to the duty4 ,the fulfilment of prophecy is a scriptural test of its truth2 but manifestations made of ,divine approbation to the prophet1 even before what was uttered by him was fulfilled1 also attest that such was of ,god4 ,it is the prophecy1 as authenticated by one or other1 or both of these things1 that gives encouragement to perform the service4 ,did ,god speak by his servants in order to inform men1 that his name should be called upon1 in vowing and swearing unto him8 ,then1 because of such a peculiar manifestation of his will1 the duty behoves to be performed4 ,if the dictation of his will as a law in reference to the service had been sufficient1 he would not otherwise have enjoined it4 ,and if his will manifested in that manner confers obligation1 does not the revelation of it1 in the condescending1 though glorious language of prophecy1 as well as otherwise1 bind to duty8 ,shall he use any means to make his pleasure known1 of which men1 by giving obedience1 will not testify their approbation8 ,shall ,god speak1 and yet men not respond8 ,covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to ,old ,testament times4 ,the prophecies under this head may be divided into those of the earlier prophets1 and those of the later4 ,the first class includes in it1 those of ,jacob and ,moses1 and others1 who were employed to predict the future circumstances of ,israel4 ,referring to the ,church of ,god as a covenant society1 in general they foretold that the exercise of ,covenanting should be performed by its members4 ,as an instance of explicit references made to the duty1 we may advert to the blessing of ,moses on the tribe of ,levi4#gfb ,that prophecy1 though not limited to the periods of the former dispensations1 may be considered as specially including in it a prospective regard to every act of ,covenanting1 in which the ,church and nation of ,israel as such engaged after it was delivered4 ,the predictions of the later prophets in regard to ,covenanting in the former ages1 were fulfilled1 on the return of the ,jews from ,babylon4#gfc ,they were so explicit1 and so soon fulfilled1 as to afford most emphatically an exhibition of the will of ,god in regard to their object4 ,covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to ,new ,testament times4 ,both in the first and in the later ages1 the performance of the duty in these ages was foretold4 ,it was intimated when it was said concerning the ,messiah1--,unto him shall the gathering of the people be4#gfd ,many prophecies uttered concerning the restoration of ,israel1 refer to the present dispensation2 and consequently1 the predicted exercises of ,covenanting which these contain1 to it also belong4#gfe ,corresponding to the prophetic intimation concerning a people who should be created to praise the ,lord1 is that of a new heavens and a new earth2 both are to be fulfilled in gospel times1 and by those who were to be created1 engaging in the duty of taking hold on ,god's covenant4#gff ,the ,saviour was promised for a covenant of the people1 and for a light of the ,gentiles2 and also that he might establish the earth1 to cause to inherit the desolated heritages4#gfg ,the last of the ,old ,testament prophets1 at the same time that he speaks of the covenant of the priesthood having been broken by the ,jews1 who were unbelievers1 uttering the prediction1--,my name shall be great among the ,gentiles1#gfh pre-intimates that all the heathen nations shall use the name of ,god in vowing and swearing unto him4 ,early was uttered the prophecy1--,god shall enlarge ,japheth1 and he shall dwell in the tents of ,shem4#gfi ,an illustration of it is given in these words1--,is he the ,god of the ,jews only8 is he not also of the ,gentiles8 ,yes1 of the ,gentiles also8#ggj ,its reference to ,covenanting is therefore manifest4 ,many passages besides1 from the ,old ,testament prophets1 show that the ,gentiles in their national capacities shall vow and swear to ,god4#gga ,and in the book of ,revelation1 the same is foretold4#ggb ,explicit predictions are made concerning the ,egyptians vowing a vow and performing it1 and concerning the ,assyrians along with them and ,israel being reckoned as the ,lord's people1 which fall to be fulfilled in the later times4#ggc ,and by the voice of prophecy we are assured1 that by ,covenanting1 in the last days1 ,israel and ,judah shall be gathered and united as the ,lord's people4 ,by the breaking of the staff ,beauty1 a prophet was called to signify that the ,lord's covenant with ,israel was broken2 and by the cutting of the other staff1 ,bands1 he was directed to show1 that the brotherhood--certainly one which had been professedly by covenant1 between ,judah and ,israel should be broken4#ggd ,but even an earlier prophet1 by the use of the corresponding emblems1--of one stick for ,judah and ,israel his companions1 and another for ,ephraim and all the house of ,israel his companions1 in joining them into one stick1 was commissioned to testify to their being joined to one another1 in taking the ,lord for their ,god1 in the latter day4#gge ,referring to the words of sacred psalmody1--,therefore will ,i give thanks unto thee1 ,o ,lord1 among the heathen1 and sing praises unto thy name2#ggf as prophetic1 an apostle unfolds the exercise of ,covenanting as incumbent till the latest times4 ,yea1 as a fruit of the resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 the service1 in the loftiest terms1 is foretold4 ,thou hast ascended on high1 thou hast led captivity captive3 thou hast received gifts for men2 yea1 for the rebellious also1 that the ,lord ,god might dwell among them4#ggg ,hence1 in conclusion4 ,how important to attend to such prophetic intimations6 ,they are the word of ,god4 ,they were indeed addressed through men1 but their origin is ,divine4 ,they are addressed to us4 ,in times past ,god spake unto the ,fathers by the prophets2 he still speaks to us in his word4 ,by the authority of the ,lord ,jesus1 we are commanded to search the ,scriptures2--the ,old ,testament as dictated by his ,spirit1 and the ,new as also from ,him4 ,while we read his word1 he speaks to us from heaven4 ,let us not be slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have written4 ,,footnotes3 #gfb ,deut4 xxxiii4 #h-aj4 #gfc ,some of these are contained in ,is4 x4 #bb2 xxviii4 #ae-bb2 ,jer4 l4 #e4 #gfd ,gen4 xlix4 #aj4 #gfe ,see ,jer4 xxxi4 #ca-cd1 and ,heb4 viii4 #h2 ,ezek4 xxxiv4 #be2 xxxvii4 #bf2 as instances4 #gff ,ps4 cii4 #ah-bb2 ,is4 lxv4 #af1 #ag4 #gfg ,is4 xlii4 #f2 xlix4 #h4 #gfh ,mal4 i4 #aa4 #gfi ,gen4 ix4 #bg4 #ggj ,rom4 iii4 #bi4 #gga ,ps4 xxii4 #bg2 ,is4 lii4 #ae2 ,zech4 ii4 #ad4 #ggb ,rev4 xi4 #ae2 xv4 #d4 #ggc ,is4 xix4 #ah-be4 #ggd ,zech4 xi4 #aj1 #ad4 #gge ,ezek4 xxxvii4 #ae-bh4 #ggf ,ps4 xviii4 #di4 #ggg ,ps4 lxviii4 #ah2 see also ,zech4 ii4 #aa4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,covenanting ,,recommended ,,by ,,the ,,practice ,,of ,,the ,,new ,,testament ,,church4 ,the approved practice of the ,church of ,god in ,covenanting1 is recommended to us by these two things1--that it displays a voluntary regard to his will1 and that it exhibits his power accomplishing his purpose4 ,the example of the people of ,god1 while they walk in all his ordinances and commandments blameless1 is a warranted motive to duty4 ,be ye followers of me1 even as ,i also am of ,christ4#ggh ,their practice in the discharge of the duty of ,covenanting1 accordingly1 is worthy of imitation4 ,were we doubtful whether or not their observation of the exercise were according to the will of ,god1 we should not be encouraged by it2 but when assured of its consistency with the ,divine record1 we are called to follow it4 ,their devout performances of the duty1 then1 present a reason for discharging it1 strong in proportion to the force of every warrant which they had for engaging in it1 but though in accordance with these1 different from each of them4 ,true1 we are not to compare the doings of men with the command of ,god2 but when he calls us1 we are under obligation to observe these1 when presented as an illustration of duty1 or as a motive to perform it4 ,on account of the same reasons for which the ,church of ,god in former ages attended to ,covenanting1 we should attend to it2 but we should perform it because of their example besides4 ,did they engage in it because of the manifestations of its obligation upon them1 made in the ,scriptures1 and also on account of the approved practices of their predecessors8 ,we should perform it for the same reasons1 and for this cause besides1 that they themselves engaged in it4 ,we desire 444 that ye be not slothful1 but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises4#ggi ,the practice of the ,church of ,god1 warranting to engage in the duty1 is a manifestation of ,divine favour made by ,him in enabling her to act to the fulfilment of his designs4 ,were his people called to duty according to his command8 ,he vouchsafed the strength requisite that they should obey4 ,were they attracted to it by the anticipation of good from ,him8 ,he afforded the grace by which they were drawn4 ,through them performing the service1 was promise or prophecy regarding it fulfilled8 ,the glory of ,god was displayed by ,him fulfilling his word4 ,because of the displays of ,divine excellence made on its performance by the saints1 contemplating their example1 we are called to the duty4 ,on these two grounds1 the practice of the ,new ,testament ,church1 engaging in ,covenanting1 to which here but merely a slight reference can be made1 invites to the duty4 ,the practice of the ,church of ,god in the ,apostolic age1 in regard to this matter1 has been considered before2#ghj to those cases that were explicitly approved of ,god1 it belongs4 ,the practice of the ,church of ,god in the three centuries immediately succeeding the ,apostolic age recommends the duty4 ,creeds1 ,confessions1 and ,covenants1 obtained in that period2 summaries of ,christian doctrine1 received and adhered to1 are recorded by ,irenaeus1 ,tertullian1 ,origen1 and others4 ,to oppose the manifestation of error1 these would appear to have been made4 ,the primitive ,christians1 in order to the attainment of ,church membership1 were required not merely to assent to such creeds or confessions1 but also to confirm their acquiescence by oath4#gha ,the younger ,pliny represents them as meeting on a certain day--obviously the ,sabbath--and among other exercises1 then engaging in addressing themselves in prayer to ,christ1 binding themselves by a ,solemn ,oath1 to what we know to be duty4 ,justin ,martyr represents ,baptism to adults as given only to those of them who vowed to live according to the confession of their faith4 ,and to the practice of ,covenanting by oath1 on the reception of ,baptism1 ,tertullian and ,jerome also allude4 ,the service1 as authenticated1 continued till the days of ,gregory ,nazianzen4 ,during the period too1 covenants were subscribed2 and at some stages at least of it1 those who had become exposed to the censures of the ,church1 on being restored1 were required explicitly to enter into covenant again4 ,such procedures were1 in measure1 more or less perfect1 according to the statutes of the word of ,god1 enjoining vowing to ,him2 and they have a claim to be regarded as the fulfilment of some of the prophecies regarding the duty of ,covenanting1 that refer to the last times4 ,the beneficial practical consequences of them1 in many cases1 gave corroborative evidence that they were warranted4 ,the federal transactions of the ,churches of the ,reformation recommend the duty4 ,to what extent the practice may have been engaged in by the few in ,europe who held the truth during the dark ages1 we do not well know4 ,that it was much attended to1 we may rather infer1 than use as an argument4 ,but with the dawn of the ,reformation came the practice of ,covenanting4 ,step by step the ,churches proceeded in opposition to ,popery1 by solemn engagements4 ,by them the friends of truth were united together4 ,by them1 where they stood1 successively through grace1 they triumphed1 even when they fell2--they knew not to flee4 ,the history of the ,church's reformation is written in her ,covenants4 ,first4 ,the federal transactions of the ,churches abroad4 ,the ,waldensian and ,bohemian ,churches--the forlorn hope of the ,reformation1 nobly led the way by ,covenanting4 ,two ,confessions of the faith of the ,waldenses are valuable monuments4 ,some ,waldenses who settled in ,bohemia1 are understood to have become the followers of ,john ,huss4 ,these frequently practised ,covenanting4 ,the ,churches of the ,waldenses and of the ,protestants of ,germany1 in ,november1 #aega1 entered into a solemn covenant engagement1 in which was made a profession of their faith1 and a resolution to adhere to the true ,christian ,reformed ,religion4 ,previous to this1 by the famous league of ,smalkald1 renewed in #aecf1 the ,protestant princes and people of ,germany became engaged to maintain together the doctrine and truth of the gospel1 and peace and tranquillity in the empire and ,german nation4 ,in the ,reformed ,churches1 ,covenanting was common4 ,according to ,beza1 on ,july #bj1 #aecg1 the capital articles of the ,christian religion and discipline were ,,sworn by the ,senate and people of ,geneva4 ,berne and ,lausanne also came to be included in the league4 ,the ,churches of ,holland1 and of ,hungary and ,transylvania1 and others on the continent of ,europe1 had recourse in like manner to solemn vows4 ,the tendency to enter into such engagements survived the wreck of the period that has elapsed since the days of the ,reformation2 and was nobly illustrated in recent times1 as when a number in the ,austrian dominions1 when about to be cruelly expatriated for their attachment to the truth1 pledged themselves to adhere to it1 by a ,covenant of ,salt4 ,the practice extended to ,america4 ,there settlers from ,europe1 at ,salem1 in #afbi1 by ,covenanting1 solemnly incorporated themselves into a ,church of ,christ4 ,and afterwards the practice of ,covenanting in the adopted land obtained4 ,secondly1 and lastly4 ,the ,covenant engagements of the ,church in ,britain and ,ireland4 ,scotland was honoured1 early in the ,reformation1 to declare valiantly for the truth4 ,though a ,hamilton1 and a ,wishart1 and other noble confessors and martyrs1 were soon sacrificed1 it pleased ,god to place a safeguard around a ,knox and others1 that the truth might be diffused4 ,and when the rulers of the nation were wholly devoted to ,popery1 in his goodness and mercy ,he saw meet to put it into the hearts of some of the nobles1 and of many of the people1 to offer themselves willingly1 by ,covenanting1 to use means to effect its removal4 ,the first covenant against ,popery was ratified at ,edinburgh1 in ,december1 #aeeg4 ,it was signed by the ,earl of ,argyll1 ,glencairn1 ,morton1 ,archibald ,lord ,lorne1 ,john ,erskine of ,dun1 and others4 ,the next was entered into at ,perth1 in ,may1 #aeei4 ,the third was made at ,stirling1 in ,august of the same year4 ,the fourth1 at ,edinburgh1 in ,april1 #aefj4 ,the ,fifth1 through the exertions of ,john ,knox and ,george ,hay1 at ,ayr1 in ,september1 #aefb4 ,in #aehj1 the ,national ,covenant1 drawn up by ,john ,craig1 and directed against the whole of the ,romish corruptions1 was entered into2 next year1 the ,general ,assembly sanctioned the covenant1 and the ,church received it2 it was renewed in #aeij1 and also in #aeif4 ,on the #bhth of ,february1 #afch1 the covenant1 with an addition that was virtually directed against ,prelacy1 was renewed at ,greyfriar's ,church1 ,edinburgh2 thousands had assembled2 the solemnity was accompanied with prayer and fasting2 and with the most profound emotions1 the covenant was sworn and subscribed4 ,in order to carry into design its effect1 in ,glasgow1 ,november1 of the same year1 sat down the ,assembly--celebrated for overthrowing ,prelacy in ,scotland1 and for its other acts of reformation4 ,and as a manifestation of attachment to the cause of the covenant1 in the consequent ever memorable times1 there appeared on the banners of the ,scottish people1 the memorable motto1 ,for ,christ's ,crown and ,covenant4 ,these covenants are binding still on the people of ,scotland4 ,it is their duty still to declare for their object4 ,making efforts to maintain the kingly authority of ,messiah1 they ought to regard his covenant4 ,only those who see his covenant1 see properly his crown4 ,but to proceed4 ,in consequence of negociations between the people of ,england and those of ,scotland1 the ,solemn ,league ,and ,covenant1 between the three kingdoms1 was entered into4 ,it was directed against ,popery and ,prelacy1 and every other species of error2 it engaged the nations to endeavour to attain to uniformity in religion2 it recognised the duty of obeying civil rulers in the ,lord2 and it was sworn by men of various communities1 but by them as all of one reformed religion4 ,in ,august1 #afdc1 it was approved by the ,scottish ,convention of ,estates1 and by the ,general ,assembly1 on one day4 ,it was sworn thereafter at ,st4 ,margaret's1 ,westminster1 by both ,houses of ,parliament1 the ,assembly of ,divines1 and the ,commissioners from ,scotland4 ,it was afterwards subscribed by both ,houses of ,parliament1 and by the ,assembly of ,divines1 and generally by persons of all ranks in the ,united ,kingdom4 ,it was renewed in ,scotland in #afdh1 and by the ,parliament in #afdi4 ,being scriptural in its matter1 and not yet implemented1 and besides1 having been acquiesced in by the civil power1 it is to this day binding on the nations2#ghb to this day it binds the ,churches in the three kingdoms1--the ,church of ,scotland1 and all those who have seceded from it as an establishment1 as well as those ,presbyterians who never were connected with that ,church since the ,revolution4#ghc ,it is not too much to describe it1 in the language of a most justly esteemed writer1 as a document which we may be pardoned for terming the noblest1 in its essential nature and principles1 of all that are recorded among the international transactions of the world4#ghd ,the ,national ,covenant of ,scotland1 and the ,solemn ,league and ,covenant1 were renewed1 with various additions1 at ,lanark1 before the devoted but disastrous struggle at ,pentland1 in #afff2 at ,lesmahagow1 in #affi2 at ,auchensaugh1 near ,douglas1 on ,july #bd1 #agab2 and at ,crawfordjohn1 in #agde4 ,what was suited to these times in the engagements made on those occasions1 and not yet accomplished1 is binding1 through the deeds of the parties who entered into them1 on those whom these parties represented4 ,it would not savour much of candour to keep out of view1 that by other parties besides1 these covenants have been renewed since the ,revolution2 though it must be declared1 that of the renovations made by such we cannot in all things approve4 ,scotland1 nay ,britain1 we may then say1 was solemnly dedicated to the ,lord4 ,when will the ,covenanted work of ,reformation1 which at present lies under the bann of many wicked acts1 yea1 even under the act confirming the ,union between ,scotland and ,england1 be revived8 ,may there be soon fulfilled to our people again the promise1--,thou shalt be called ,hephzi-bah1 and thy land ,beulah3 for the ,lord delighteth in thee1 and thy land shall be married4 ,it must be admitted that the testimonies of those who opposed the ,romish apostacy were in accordance1 at least in some measure1 with the mind of ,christ2 and it cannot be denied1 that the many to whom we have referred1 delivering those testimonies with all the solemnity of an oath1 appeared1 to the fulfilment of ancient prophecy concerning those who in the last times should testify for him1 as his ,witnesses4 ,besides1 has there not been fulfilled in our own land1 as well as elsewhere1 in those who engaged in ,covenanting1 in part such promises as this1--,he shall not fail nor be discouraged1 till he have set judgment in the earth3 and the isles shall wait for his law4444 ,i the ,lord have called thee in righteousness1 and will hold thine hand1 and will keep thee1 and give thee for a covenant of the people1 for a light of the ,gentiles4 ,that this promise may in due time be fulfilled to all who are in darkness1 let us endeavour to imitate1 in their devotedness of heart to ,god1 those whose conduct we have been led here to consider1 and who enjoyed so abundantly the benefits of that promise4 ,,footnotes3 #ggh #a ,cor4 xi4 #a4 #ggi ,heb4 vi4 #aa1 #ab4 #ghj ,chap4 xii4 #gha ,vitringa4 #ghb ,see ,lectures on the ,principles of the ,second ,reformation4 ,glasgow1 #ahda4 ,lecture ,,vii41 by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,w4 ,symington4 #ghc ,appendix ,b4 #ghd ,history of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,by the ,rev4 ,w4,m4 ,hetherington1 ,a4,m4 ,edin41 #ahdb4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,seasons ,,of ,,covenanting4 ,the duty is never unsuitable4 ,men have frequently1 improperly esteemed the exercise as one that should be had recourse to1 only on some great emergency4 ,but as it is sinful to defer religious exercises till affliction1 presenting the prospect of death1 constrain to attempt them1 so it is wrong to imagine1 that the pressure of calamity principally should constrain to make solemn vows4 ,the exercise of personal ,covenanting should be practised habitually4 ,the patriot is a patriot still2 and the covenanter is a covenanter still4 ,it is not enough that the heart be once given to ,god2 when this has really been done it is a great attainment2 but it must again and again be surrendered in renewed acts of self-dedication1 in order to the maintenance of any thing like fidelity and steadfastness in his service4 ,a daily recognition of our relationship to ,christ1 is full of comfort and encouragement1 and is at the same time invaluable as a means of sanctification4 ,how precious the privilege of being able in all difficulties and dangers1 to speak of the great ,jehovah in the language of ,paul1--',god1 whose ,i am1 and whom ,i serve6'#ghe ,how powerful the argument1 in applying for deliverance from evil of whatever kind1 employed by the ,psalmist1--',i am thine1 save me4'#ghfghg ,and though the exercises of ,social ,covenanting are not practicable so frequently as those of that which is personal1 there is no reason why they1 any more than the other1 should be reckoned as incumbent only on occasions of an extraordinary nature4 ,but special seasons do give peculiar calls to the duty in all its variety4 ,times of hazard and distress1 by displaying in relief1 the vanity of all the aids that mere creatures could afford1 and finding men looking around for comfort and support1 invite1 with a power peculiar to themselves1 to look to ,him who is a present help to his people in every time of need1 and cordially1 by ,covenanting1 to respond to his invitation1--,call upon me in the day of trouble2 ,i will deliver thee1 and thou shalt glorify me4#ghh ,when religion is low1 and error and vice and ungodliness prevail1 the hosts of darkness are successful2 but their clamour is unfit to drown the cry1 so fitted to inspire with holy zeal1 then urging to special devotedness to the ,lord's cause1--,who is on the ,lord's side8#ghi ,in times of reviving1 there are transmitted by every gale from heaven1 the words of the ,redeemer1 inviting his ,spouse--his ,church1 individually and socially to the holy duty of acknowledging ,him as her ,lord1--,rise up1 my love1 my fair one1 and come away4#gij ,when the friends of truth unite for its maintenance1 either in an incorporate or other capacity1 they are called to follow the ,lord1 the ,leader4 ,is it said of the wicked1--,they are confederate against thee 7or1 against thy ,covenant they shall covenant78 ,what ought to be the conduct unitedly of those1 who individually are interested in the ,lord's ,covenant8 ,are they not urged1 to declare most explicitly by formally taking hold upon it1 that they have come up to the help of the ,lord1 to the help of the ,lord against the mighty8#gia ,,footnotes3 #ghe ,acts xxvii4 #bc4 #ghf ,ps4 cxix4 #id4 #ghg ,enter into thy ,closet4 ,by the ,rev4 ,james ,m',gill1 ,hightae1 ,lochmaben4 ,glasgow3 ,david ,bryce1 #ahdc2--;a most valuable work on the secret duties of religion4 #ghh ,ps4 l4 #ae4 #ghi ,exod4 xxxii4 #bf4 #gij ,song ii4 #aj4 #gia ,appendix ,c4 ,,conclusion ,hence the exercise of ,covenanting has powerful claims4 ,it is important4 ,it is unfolded by a flood of light from the page of ,divine truth4 ,it is intimately connected with the manifestation of the glory of ,god4 ,it is related to every other duty incumbent on men4 ,it contemplates the best interests of society at present and to come2--it bears upon the maintenance of the just rights of mankind1 and the glory of the ,church in ,millennial times4 ,and it is an important means of sanctification1 and of perseverance in grace4 ,by means of it1 each one of the glorious community of which ,christ is the ,head is called to manifest attachment to him2 and through it to become more and more like unto him3 so that the whole body of the faithful1 each one having been taken into ,god's ,covenant1 and enabled to abide by it1--the ,church1 as the ,lamb's wife1 may be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy4 ,it is advantageous4 ,preparation for it leads to accurate apprehensions of duty4 ,it tends to cherish a devout solemnity of mind4 ,it leads to the comforts of habitual holy communion with ,god4 ,it impresses with a sense of increased obligation1 that furnishes an ardour of mind1 powerfully impelling to duty4 ,it tends to unite many in affection1 and sentiment1 and zeal for truth4 ,it presents instruction most solemnly to the young and rising race1 led to inquire concerning it1 ,what mean ye by this service8 ,it is calculated to arrest for good the attention of society at large4 ,and it provides benefits the most valuable and extensive1 for generations unborn4 ,it is necessary4 ,it forms a part of the system of means devised by ,jehovah for carrying forward his work2 and it must be observed4 ,his work1 by this and other means1 will be completed4 ,though the evils that have occurred in the world have been permitted1 yet some are chargeable with blame for committing them1 and others are culpable for not having used various means1 of which ,covenanting is one1 in order that they might have been prevented4 ,though the ,romish apostacy was permitted1 yet who can tell how far the ,church of ,god was culpable in not using extensively enough for its prevention1 ,covenanting--one means directly adapted to that purpose8 ,and who can tell what effect the performance of the duty will have in leading to the good in store for the ,church1 even on earth1 and to the prevention of evil which1 if allowed1 would arise8 ,the duty1 therefore1 should be observed4#gib ,it is irreligion that disregards it4 ,superstition and infidelity alike trifle with an oath2 for ,satan hates and tries to discredit this institution of heaven4 ,who1 by not observing the ordinance of ,covenanting would practically say1 that it ought to be abolished8 ,who would say that one flower of the field should cease to exist in the vegetable world1 because that many others emit a fragrance whose elements are the same as those of the sweets which it breathes1 or display tints due to the same colours that afford its glorious hues8 ,and who would say that this part of the glorious system of the means of grace is unnecessary8 ,let this ,ordinance be observed1 that evil1 as a corrupt thing under the atmosphere and sun of heaven1 may perish before it2 that many may enjoy the blessedness of the inheritance of the saints2 and that ,god may be glorified through ,jesus ,christ1 the ,mediator of the ,new ,covenant4 ,,footnotes3 #gib ,appendix ,d4 ,,appendix4 ,a4 ,every species of co-operation with the appointed functionaries of an immoral and unscriptural civil government1 may not imply the recognition of that power to be the ordinance of ,god4 ,to co-operate with these for example1 in the execution of justice1 is not necessarily to acknowledge that the power is of ,god4 ,if the forms of procedure be in themselves proper1 and the laws just1 the carrying of them into effect for the good of society and for the glory of ,god1 is in itself right4 ,but it is one thing to say that justice should be done in society1 and also to aid in the execution of it1 and it may be quite another to acknowledge that the civil rulers of the given society have a right to do so in virtue of authority from ,god4 ,justice should be done1 by a civil power--agreeable to ,god's preceptive will4 ,if no such power exist1 the community are to blame for not originating such a power4 ,and if justice be not done1 they are also culpable2--because of the want of such a power justice is not to be undone4 ,were such to be allowed1 the community would be chargeable with the crimes of both remaining without a proper civil power and permitting evil to be committed with impunity4 ,to co-operate with an unlawful civil power in doing justice1 is therefore to do less evil1 yea more good1 than would be done by refraining from co-operation4 ,the swearing of an oath by those called to testify to truth1 or to act in the weighing of evidence1 as on a jury1 in order to the execution of justice1 does not necessarily imply a recognition of the authority that calls to do so1 to be of ,god4 ,it is the using of a lawful means of giving assurance regarding truth necessary to be ascertained1 but does not essentially imply that the claims of those exercising power to the use of that power1 are good4 ,a lawful constituted authority1 whether civil or ecclesiastical1 has a right to claim an oath for proper purposes4 ,but an oath may be sworn to others besides4 ,it may be sworn for a good end1 even to those whose pretensions to power and authority may not be well founded1 but not as if they had a right to claim it1 but merely because of the giving of it being in itself right4 ,the oath may be sworn for a proper purpose before an individual who has correct impressions of its sacredness1 even though he may be acting for an unwarranted civil authority4 ,it is not easy to conceive1 however1 how one could swear an oath to an infidel1 or to any other who regards not the oath as a solemn religious engagement4 ,the giving of an oath before a judge and jury1 or on a jury before a judge1 under an unscriptural government1 does not include the recognition of those as using a power deputed by ,god2 but contemplates them as ,christian men1 though mistaken as to their power1 yet doing what is in itself right1 and which1 if done by those possessed of authority from ,god1 would be done in all things1 though imperfectly1 according to his will4 ,to swear to do justice1 is not to swear an oath of allegiance to an evil power4 ,the one is a duty2 the other would be sinful4 ,it is because that no better means of doing justice can be employed1 that oaths to do justice in the said circumstances should be given4 ,for the assumption of power which does not belong to them1 those who make it1 but not those who even make oath before them to do what is in itself good1 while they protest against their unlawful claims to authority1 are responsible4 ,a civil government must either be the ordinance of ,god or not4 ,it cannot be viewed as acting1 in some things1 in the character of a power ordained of ,god1 but in others1 as not possessed of authority from him4 ,a good government1 like a true ,christian1 often does what is evil4 ,but a bad government1 like the wicked1 even though it do what in itself is right1 cannot be viewed as in possession of privilege from ,god1 or as acting for his glory4 ,yet the inflicting of a just penalty1 even by an unwarranted power1 is not to be reckoned as injustice1 or--if a capital punishment1 as murder4 ,it is the claim to power which is made1 but not the accomplishment of the deed of retribution--which in itself is just1 that is faulty4 ,take for example the execution of justice on a murderer4 ,murder is not the crime to be laid to the charge of those who1 acting for or under the authority of a power that is not of ,god1 on proper evidence put to death one who has unjustly taken away the life of a fellow creature4 ,if a government not authorised by ,god1 after due investigation put a murderer to death1 they do what in itself is right2 but if they do so as those who in their incorporate capacity act for ,him1 they do what is wrong4 ,by the deed they are chargeable with the sin1 not of murder1 but of assuming to themselves a designation which they do not sustain4 ,no man in society should take upon him by himself to execute justice for the shedding of blood1 whether he live under a good or a bad government1 except the government refuse to defend the lives and properties of subjects1 and even as some1 nay1 many governments have been1 be chargeable with oppression and bloodshed4 ,the reason why none should so interfere1 is1 that it is likely that the whole community would execute justice with more propriety than an individual4 ,yea1 a whole community under an improper civil power should not of itself execute justice1 if there were an accessible power apart from or connected with it1 in which were lodged authority from ,god4 ,those1 however1 who would in such circumstances claim that power1 may often be looked upon with a jealous eye1 as in general they would be found least entitled to the possession of it4 ,those who have most warrantably declaimed against evil constitutions1 have been among those who were least given to assume to themselves a title to power2--they have been found to defend themselves1 but not rashly to usurp authority4 ,if there were but one individual who could avenge bloodshed1 and were his mind in a proper state1 he would seem to have a call addressed to him to do so2 failing to attend to it he would err4 ,were a community under an authority not of ,god1 to fail to execute justice1 they would be chargeable with two sins1--that of letting the murderer go unpunished1 and that of not1 in recognising the law of ,god1 forming a constitution or government gifted with power lawfully to proceed against the criminal4 ,thus were either an individual or a community to avenge bloodshed1 a lawful power being awanting1 such would not be chargeable with murder4 ,were a community to do so without acknowledging themselves to be possessed of authority from ,god1 they would be chargeable with sin1 for not endeavouring to constitute an authority having attributes which ,he would recognise as in accordance with his will4 ,were they to do so as if possessed of that authority1 while destitute of it1 they would be chargeable with the sin essentially of usurpation2 and with them1 because of this1 others acting so as to support their claim1 would be guilty4 ,b4 ,reflecting on the descending obligations of the ,british ,covenants on the people of these lands1 by the current of an eventful providence we are conducted to the consideration of the circumstances of the ,free ,presbyterian ,church of ,scotland4 ,the events in the ,national ,church of ,scotland which have led to the separation from her communion1 of the ,protesting ,church1 and finally1 the disruption itself1 cannot be forgotten4 ,the struggle that was maintained for the rights of the ,christian people1 for the independence of ,christ's house1 and the glory of the ,redeemer as ,king of ,zion and ,king of kings1 is worthy of the most cordial approbation4 ,with those who were employed as the willing and honoured instruments of emancipating the ,church from the tyrannical restraints under which she so long groaned1 and effected a dissolution of a connection with the ,state1 fraught with so many evils as have been long felt by her1 there ought to be but one feeling of ,christian sympathy4 ,a testimony for the truth1 calmly1 and effectively1 and devotedly1 has been borne by her1 to her lasting honour4 ,the ,church has declared that the government has acted a tyrannical and wicked part by interfering with her privileges2 and the people of ,scotland have practically and memorably said1 that it is sinful for the ,church of ,christ to be connected with an anti-christian ,state4 ,the government of the land has been baffled4 ,the rulers were not overborne by the voices of a majority in either ,house of ,parliament2 but by a calm and efficient resolution1 we do not say1 becoming the ,scottish people1 but worthy of ,christian men1 they have been defeated2 and that would be wise policy1 indeed1 which would remove the shame of their overthrow4 ,for the steps of reformation taken1 for the noble sacrifice made by those who gave up their emoluments that they might be faithful1 commendation is due2 and that the ,free ,protesting ,church may come to maintain1 to its utmost extent1 not merely doctrinally but practically1 the testimony of ,christ1 is ardently to be desired4 ,the accession of a great proportion of the youth preparing for the ministry1 and of those engaged as itinerants in preaching the gospel1 is a token for good2 and the devotedness of the people of ,scotland on the great emergency1 in adhering to the ,protesting ,church1 and in yielding of their substance for it1 is peculiarly cheering to the mind4 ,the countenance given by those of the ,presbyterian ,church in ,england who were present1 was encouraging and estimable1 as it might have been expected2 while the approving sentiments expressed by those from the ,presbyterian ,church in ,ireland1 in their circumstances1 were truly honouring to them1 and to that community4 ,it was becoming others that by deputation they testified to their approval of the step taken at the great disruption4 ,and1 though what is here said is asserted on individual responsibility alone1 it is declared1 without fear of being in error1 that another ,community in the land--who consider it to be their duty to adhere to the whole of the ,second ,reformation1 and to the testimonies of the martyrs who suffered after it1 though not present by representation at the memorable secession1 in order to signify their approbation1 do rejoice at the step1 and trust to see it followed by other procedures alike faithful4 ,the importance of the effects that are possible to follow from the disruption1 demands the exercise of great wisdom on the part of the ,protesting ,church4 ,not less than the power to originate the great movement that has taken place1 is requisite ability to direct it aright4 ,the people of ,scotland1 like a mighty mass1 have been brought to act2 much depends upon the plan according to which the moving body may be made to bear4 ,the future interests of the land1 under ,providence1 would seem to be in the hands of those who now guide the ecclesiastical movement4 ,the destinies of ,scotland were in the hands of a few in days of peril4 ,they were not unworthy of the trust committed to them4 ,by the adoption of the same principles which the martyrs practically illustrated1 be it the honour of the ,protesting ,church1 free from persecution1 if the ,lord will1 but still faithfully1 though called to suffering1 to transmit to posterity a legacy1 ennobling and beneficial as that which those left4 ,it is necessary that the ,church of ,christ should proceed on principles laid down in the ,divine word4 ,when it does not do this1 it acts not in character1 but gives the enemies of the truth occasion to load it with reproach4 ,the ,free ,presbyterian ,church sustaining1 as we conceive1 the character of a ,church of ,christ1 should do so in all things4 ,it is ,presbyterian1 and is therefore called to base its attachment to that form of government1 on the principle1 that it is of ,divine right4 ,to maintain1 or admit1 that other forms of ,church government are of ,divine original1 is to surrender a scriptural truth1 to act as if facts in providence could modify the institutes of that society which is essentially spiritual1 to become liable to inefficiency in the maintenance of the truth1 and to give scope to the unworthy suggestions of those who would contend1 that what right even the ,church maintains on an improper ground1 other communities besides could claim as well as she4 ,the state has no right to claim the prerogatives of the ,church1 nor to dictate to her the form of her government1 or prescribe for her in other matters4 ,the ,state has no right to say to the ,church1 that1 because she does not hold presbyterianism on proper grounds1 therefore it might declare that her government shall be prelatic4 ,but1 by holding ,presbytery as alone of ,divine origin1 she would most effectively discountenance such unjust claims4 ,the ,church1 by a noble act1 has thrown off the fetters of erastianism that had for so long been fastened upon her2 let her act so as to be on her guard against every encroachment of that nature that might be proposed by the civil power4 ,the struggle for the independence of the ,church was resolutely maintained1 and the yoke of those who attempted to diminish it1 was dutifully thrown off4 ,let not any overture hereafter1 ranging between complete submission to the ,state1 and the mere use of the veto1 on the part of the civil power1 upon the appointment of a given minister to a congregation1 though made by the ,state in the most attractive manner1 be entertained4 ,but let it be practically shown1 as well as solemnly resolved by her1 that she recognises only one ,master--who is in heaven4 ,during the last few years1 an arduous struggle has been maintained1 in order to secure1 as far as possible1 the rights of the christian people4 ,now1 it is possible to put the people in possession of the unfettered privilege of electing their own office-bearers2 but to put any other party in possession of that right1 would be to do those injury4 ,the claims of lay patrons are without foundation in the word of ,god4 ,the claims of presbyteries1 or any other parties than the members of the ,church themselves1 are alike unsupported there4 ,in order that the ,church may act in character1 her procedure in regard to the election of pastors and elders1 must be scriptural4 ,it is true1 that whether the ,church act scripturally or not1 no civil class are warranted to usurp her rights2 yet1 were her procedure not according to the law of ,christ1 she would act undutifully1 and would give advantage to enemies to declaim against her1 to the diminution of her influence for good4 ,though the ,church were to declare for ,the ,call1 merely on the principle of expediency1 but not as if according to the will of ,christ1 the ,state would have no proper ground for affirming1 that therefore it had a right to use patronage--its principle of expediency2 for a right of the ,church can never be transferred to a civil power2 yet the ,church1 by not legislating on scriptural grounds1 could not act in such a manner as to deserve the recognition of her by the people as proceeding according to her true character4 ,the last few years have added to the ,church of ,scotland a high proportion of godly and devoted ministers4 ,errors1 that would have been winked at in previous periods by some in her ,assemblies1 have been brought to light1 and the laws of ,christ's house have been brought to bear on those who maintained them4 ,purity of doctrine was a jewel among the late reforming majority4 ,the orthodoxy of the ministers in general of the separated ,church is undoubted4 ,she adheres to the ,confession of ,faith4 ,it is requisite that she direct a testimony against unsound doctrine1 including the errors prevalent now in ,churches called ,christian2 and that whatever scheme of co-operation with other ,christians she may embark in1 may be consistent with her regard for the truth4 ,the ,headship of ,christ over the nations is maintained by the ,protesting ,church2 on that is founded the principle of the establishment of religion by the civil magistrate2 that1 was recognised in the late contendings with the civil powers1 and especially in the second series of resolutions made at the ,convocation of ,november2 on that principle these resolutions were carried into effect at the late disruption2--it is desirable that1 in the progress of the newly modelled community the principle be properly applied4 ,the important application of that1 which is now necessary1 is the lifting up of a protest against the civil power1 as immoral and unscriptural1 and a consistent course of procedure in consequence4 ,what justifies the disruption requires a dissent from the civil power1 as a power not of ,god4 ,that ,state with which the ,church could not be connected1 so as to enjoy her own privileges1 cannot be the ordinance of ,god4 ,if the government has been guilty of violating the rights and privileges of the ,presbyterians of ,scotland1 has it not been acting in opposition to the will of ,christ1 and setting at nought his authority8 ,were the civil government possessed of less influence than it really has1 men would likely be disposed to esteem it more agreeably to its true character1 than they really are4 ,is an individual denounced for an act of injustice or oppression8 ,and why should not a government8 ,even is a government1 acting for the time being1 worthy of being denounced for some things1 and yet worthy of approbation1 as if acting for ,god8 ,yea1 is that constitution sound which admits of tyranny over the ,church--injustice of a highly aggravated character1 to be cordially supported by those who complain of its oppression8 ,the same pretensions to power over her1 that were put forth in acts of parliament1#gic when the ,church was disorganised1 and for acting on which the house of the ,stuarts was driven from the ,british throne1 have been of late made in the councils of the nation4 ,can the power that would do so be approved8 ,why should any cling to an oath of allegiance to a power that1 in this particular1 as well as in others1 is anti-christian8 ,all have reason to beware of the attractions of such civil powers4 ,what is it that gives evil governments their influence1 but their power to terrify1 and their wealth and honours to seduce8 ,in one case1 the ministers of the ,community to whom we now direct our thoughts1 have nobly cast the latter aside4 ,it becomes her to act in other matters consistently with this4 ,there are those who would overthrow the institutions of the land1 that are noble1 and plant anarchy where oppression flourished4 ,but her principles1 yea1 the principles of all who hold the truth1 are the reverse4 ,these would wish that good men in power should be brought to see what is duty4 ,they would not refuse to obey laws that in themselves are right4 ,but they should not do so from a regard to the authorities in the land that enjoin them4 ,if the present system of civil government cannot stand of itself1 why should the people of ,scotland1 escaped from the trammels of tyranny1 pledge themselves to support it8 ,they ought not to bring in revolution1 but neither ought they to continue1 by adhering to their oath of allegiance1 to give countenance to an unlawful civil power4 ,let their determination1 and that of their brethren in the other parts of the empire1 prove itself to be of a nobler order than what will be abated by unfavourable circumstances4 ,let it be put forth in leading to abstain from countenancing an evil constitution1 and to raise above the fear of consequences4 ,arising from ,christian principle1 deep hid in the breast1 let it give an energy which opposition would only increase1 and which death itself would not subdue1 but hand over with increased vigour to others4 ,the ,free ,presbyterian ,church of ,scotland should recognise the attainments made during the ,second ,reformation4 ,whatever steps of real reformation have been taken of late1 have been in accordance with some of these4 ,it is desirable that all of them should now be adopted4 ,tho ,revolution ,settlement suffered not the ,church to advance beyond the ,reformation made at #aeib4 ,now that that compact has been abandoned by the ,church herself1 let her occupy fully the ground on which the ,reformers1 between #afch and #afdi1 so honourably stood4 ,by some laws of the land1 indeed1 many of these are condemned4 ,but these laws are monuments of the tyranny and oppression of the government that made them4 ,the ,revolution ,church of ,scotland never recognised1 as a whole the brightest attainments made in the history of the ,church in the land4 ,during the late contest1 indeed1 the ,act of ,assembly1 #afdg1 adopting the ,westminster ,confession1 has been pleaded as the ,act of the ,church of ,scotland at the ,revolution1 which had been made by the same ,church before4 ,but though that could not have been properly maintained without admitting that other laws of the former era1 not ecclesiastically repealed1 were also the law of the ,church at the latter1#gid let the ,church1 now that she is completely unfettered1 by ecclesiastical legislation solemnly adopt all the distinct attainments of the second reforming period1 and thus serve herself an heir to the highest privileges enjoyed by the ,church in our land4 ,it is good that the ,free ,presbyterian ,church contemplates the erection of a ,theological ,seminary for a rising ministry4 ,may it be called into operation1 and greatly prosper2 and may her youth--kept from the chilling influences of error1 evangelically instructed and eminently pious1 prove the means of diffusing widely the truth1 in consequence of a momentous reformation4 ,and1 above all1 it is necessary that the ,free ,presbyterian ,church should have regard to explicit solemn covenant obligations4 ,the vows of ,god1 made by the ,church in this land1 are upon her2 these she ought to acknowledge1 and to endeavour to renew4 ,though these covenants were condemned by the laws of the land1 they are still binding4 ,the act of ,queen ,anne was against the ,revolution ,settlement1 and1 therefore1 the reforming party in the ,church of late declared that it was unconstitutional4 ,the ,revolution ,settlement itself was based upon the overthrow of the whole of the ,covenanted ,reformation2 and no more than the act of ,queen ,anne1 regarding patronage1 ought the sinful parts of it to be regarded4 ,popery exists1 and ,prelacy1 absorbing ,popery1 exists4 ,would that the ,free ,presbyterian ,church1 by recognising the binding obligation of the covenants1 ,national1 and ,solemn ,league and ,covenant1 and by adding to the binding obligations of these1 engagements suited to the times1 were to go forth in opposition to all evil1 in all the gracious vigour of a faithful witness for the whole truth4#gie ,the movement that has been lately made1 contemplated in its highest character1 appears the work of ,god4 ,by a wondrous providence he has shut up the ,church to a course of duty1 and has plainly indicated the necessity to persevere in it4 ,on the other hand1 contemplating the human instrumentality called to accomplish an estimable work1 and approving much of the agents immediately employed1 we should not be forgetful of the corresponding efforts made in time past1 even in the ,national ,church4 ,our heart is to the memory of such as had in their view the objects lately contended for1 and in a day when the rights of the people were trampled on without remorse1 willingly lifted the voice in the ,assembly against patronage1 and otherwise laboured for the removal of its flagrant enormities4 ,there was good principle in the ,national ,church1 but evil caused much of it to be unseen1 though some of it remained manifest4 ,gold may be dissolved by a compound acid1 and for a time may cease to be observed1 but not beyond the power of re-appearing4 ,the gold cannot be decomposed3 let a test be added1 and the indestructible ore will re-appear4 ,by a powerful solvent the noble principle in the ,national ,church became nearly all invisible1 though some of it could not be dissolved4 ,a test has been added1 and the whole has been precipitated1 and nearly all of it has come out4#gif ,the sound principle and piety in the ,church were the gold2 moderatism1 including erastianism and patronage1 was the solvent2 a wondrous providence applied a test2 and the gold of true excellence shines forth4 ,let it be united by ,covenanting1 into one glorious mass1 and be exhibited for beauty1 and glory to ,god4 ,let the ,free ,presbyterian ,church1 remembering the past1 wisely look forward to the future2 and1 reflecting upon what may be the effect of its procedure on other nations of the world1 now act so as to present an example worthy the imitation of all4 ,and it is humbly presumed that the standing of the ,church1 in the days of her greatest glory and efficiency in the land1 in preference to every other1 claims her adoption4 ,the position1 ecclesiastical and civil1 of the friends and followers of the ,second ,reformation1 like an ancient fortress held by comparatively few1 but venerable from its eventful history1 remarkable amid the ruin which time has laid around it1 and displaying a massive grandeur as it rests on its broad and solid foundations1 which had1 during periods not very remote1 been contemplated more as an affecting memorial of the past1 than as a strength which should be available in time to come1 has of late1 while tyranny made progress1 been somewhat approached1 as it stands begirt with its gigantic bulwarks1 surmounted with the banner of the ,covenant1 manifestly high above all other means of defending the ,church2 and it faithfully promises a vantage-ground1 noble from its commanding altitude1 and unassailable within its high defences1 to which all in the land who love the truth should come1 that to whatever outward peril they might be brought1 they might maintain their christian warfare1 to their continued honour and final triumph4 ,c4 ,in order to suggest a good basis1 whereon all in the land who hold the truth might unite in a capacity more or less intimate1 the following observations are humbly presented for consideration4 ,the friends of truth cannot justifiably persevere in supporting the ,british ,constitution as the ordinance of ,god4 ,the government1 in order to its dignity and efficiency1 proclaims itself to be worthy of cordial support4 ,the claims which it puts forth may not be regarded by itself as of a very high order1 yet it views them as indisputable2 and even1 though manifestly not an ordinance of ,god nor friendly to true religion1 it seeks to strengthen its authority by availing itself of the use of a most sacred institution in religion--the oath4 ,the government itself1 though for certain ends it applies the oath1 is not scriptural4 ,and why should good men claim for it the character of an ordinance of ,god1 to which even of itself it does not aspire8 ,what right has an unscriptural civil power1 any more than a corrupt ecclesiastical constitution1--what right has the ,british ,constitution1 any more than the ,church of ,rome1 to claim for itself in things civil1 the title1 such as that usurps in things ecclesiastical1 of an ordinance of ,god8 ,nay1 the very fact of a government in gospel times supporting ,popery1 must cut it off from the title of a power delegated from above4 ,it is simply because bad civil governments have great influence1 that they lead men to pay them a deference which they would not yield to other systems charged with their evils4 ,why is an evil government at one period viewed as the ordinance of ,god1 and at another as worthy of being overthrown8 ,does the character of such change by the accumulation or the long pressure of the very same--not new1 evils8 ,in the former case1 the people who approve1 misapprehend its true character1 while they are able to endure2 in the latter1 they see it clearly1 oppression having opened their eyes4 ,such were the governments of ,charles ,,ii4 and ,james ,,vii4 ,though some approved of them as the ordinance of ,god1 yet1 at the ,revolution1 the nation declared that they were not4 ,and consequently they should never have been acknowledged as such4 ,men acknowledge the ,british ,constitution at present as a power ordained of ,god4 ,if ,puseyism go on till the ,protestantism of the empire be swamped in an inundation of ,popery1 the nation will form right views of the subject4 ,may they soon entertain such views1 lest such an event arrive6 ,the friends of truth under the present government should say to it in such a manner as not to be misunderstood1--,we will obey your good laws1 because they are good2 but by oaths or otherwise we will not recognise your authority as of ,god4--,we will co-operate with you in doing what is good2 but so long as you continue to support evil1 we cannot swear allegiance to you4 ,abolish all oaths of allegiance1 and we will act along with you in every right matter4--,were all those who hold the truth in the united kingdom to do so1 would not the request extort regard8 ,and might not rulers see the propriety of yielding8 ,were such oaths to the present government abolished1 then those who love the truth might enter parliament1 and act without being responsible for the evils of the civil constitution and of the administration1 and at the same time lead to essential political reformation2 and the people could with a clear conscience return to parliament such men as might be possessed of proper character1 and be of known attachment to the truth4 ,were a door opened in this manner for men consistently uttering their voice in the councils of the nation1 then means should be assiduously used1 on the part of the people and on the part of their representatives1 for scripturally reforming the ,state1 and for giving to true religion that external countenance and support which is due to it4 ,the government would not act a weak part in conceding the abolition of the oath in the said cases4 ,it would rather thereby attach to the support of what is good in it1 men who would be equally at least with all others1 amenable to every good law1 but bound to duty by ties far stronger than those which human laws themselves could fasten4 ,a good government should maintain the oath2 but a government such as the ,british1 ought not to claim it for the purpose of securing allegiance4 ,that government seems at present disposed to concede the abolition of that oath to the ,catholics of ,ireland4 ,why should not the friends of truth in the empire1 strive for the abolition of the oaths of allegiance sworn by themselves1 in using which they1 directly or indirectly1 support what is evil1 while ,catholics are unwilling to swear1 because1 that by swearing they are in some measure prevented from giving scope to their own cause8 ,even in order to abolish these oaths1 the going into parliament by swearing any of them1 cannot be recommended4 ,but since legislators in either house1 having sworn oaths of allegiance--even not justifiable1 are in possession of privileges1 for the time being1 of which the ,legislature cannot deprive them1 let such have put into their hands1 memorials on the subject1 by the people1 and let them use their privilege in order to gain their object4 ,it does not appear how any one can act dutifully by remaining in parliament1 except in endeavouring to carry into effect this measure4 ,but should ,popery continue to make progress1 as it has done of late1 and receive more countenance from the civil power1 the friends of truth would find it difficult1 in any way to co-operate with the government1 but would be urged to take higher ground1 in opposition to error1 or even tyranny1 than they have in general lately taken4 ,they may even have to confederate against powers that would seek to rob them of their christian privileges--wherewith the ,lord ,jesus has gifted them4 ,should they have to engage in a struggle for these1 let their efforts be made without hesitation or wavering4 ,let their minds be wholly devoted4 ,under the influence of that faith which makes humble1 but also enables to do all things in the strength of ,christ1 let them enter on duty4 ,having taken up their position1 as if bound by the adamantine chain of necessity1 yet free as the orbs of heaven--under the influence of gravity1 let them1 cordially engaged to one another1 occupy that ground1 there to stand or fall together4 ,let there be taken by them the calm and noble resolution1 which knows not to fail2 which fear cannot agitate1 nor outward evils diminish2 which peril and distress would only display in all its mighty strength2 which1 immovable as the pillars of heaven1 stedfast in the midst of opposition1 as the summit of the mountain on which the thunderbolts are expended in vain1 would sustain undismayed the assault of every foe2 which though pressed to the utmost would not desert the field2 but which1 though like the warrior1 black and weary through the toil of conflict1 it might be misrepresented or not recognised1 would at some era1 more or less remote1 shine forth in the glory of victory1 to be celebrated and employed for good in all time to come4 ,d4 ,the ,reformed ,presbyterian ,church has for some time had in view the performance of the duty of ,covenanting in her social capacity4 ,there are the most abundant reasons why the object should be more and more steadily contemplated1 till it be attained4 ,we profess that ,covenanting is a duty4 ,we have not for a length of time engaged socially in the formal discharge of it4 ,we acknowledge ourselves to be bound by the obligations of the ,church of ,god in past times1 especially of his ,church in these lands2 and should view ourselves1 as by these obligations bound to the duty4 ,an example should be set by us to others who do not entertain the same views of the importance of the duty that we do4 ,the events of the age are arousing4 ,many are making efforts for the maintenance of the truth4 ,the enemies of true religion are on the alert4 ,besides1 within the last few years1 many1 some of whom1 we should trust1 love the truth1 though their views of parts of it would seem to be inadequate1 have acted as if men become engaged to a system of conduct only when they promise to follow it2 and have virtually acted as if their own doings could bind them to a given course4 ,be it ours1 by ,covenanting to testify practically1 that we feel bound to pledge ourselves to the service of ,god1 not by caprice1 but according to his law1--commanding to vow1 and finding those who enter into covenant bound by his authority through their own deed4 ,let us not be undecided4 ,there is duty incumbent on us which we cannot devolve on others4 ,let us be active1 lest even the tide of liberalism1 like a refluent wave1 bring society back to a sea of trouble1 before the glorious work of ,covenanting which will be performed in future times will be begun1 and we who should have used direct means to lead to it will be dishonoured4 ,that some are engaged in making reformation1 is no reason why we should not be diligent4 ,we have our duty to perform2 and in being most active ourselves1 we would most heartily show that we approve of the faithful exertions of these others4 ,our duties are peculiar4 ,if we make no progress1 we encourage not the movements for good1 of society around us4 ,while we rejoice to think of many maintaining truth1 we also ought to advance to duty4 ,we would account it incumbent on us to stand steadfastly by the side of all the lovers of true godliness in the nation1 in defending the interests of truth and righteousness4 ,by doing the service incumbent on us at present1 we would most completely take means to lead to union of purpose and exertion1 the most effective4 ,we ought not to anticipate the good that may be done by others in such a manner as to suppose1 that little will be required at our hands4 ,whatever step of obedience we take will aid in encouraging others2 but1 wherein we may now fail to advance1 when victory will be complete1 we will1 like a squadron on the field1 waiting for the success or aid of a fellow-battalion1 fail of attaining to the true honour that will be shared in the triumph of truth4 ,,footnotes3 #gic ,of the years #affa1 #affb4 #gid ,see a valuable pamphlet1 entitled1 ,the ,revolution ,settlement considered in reference to the independence and present position of the ,church of ,scotland4 ,glasgow3 #ahdj4 #gie ,for a luminous view of what would seem to be the ,church's duty at present1 we refer to an article in the ,scottish ,presbyterian for ,may1 #ahdc1 entitled1 ,friendly ,hints to the projected ,free ,presbyterian ,church of ,scotland4 #gif ,on the subject of the duty of those who still abide by the ,establishment1 see three powerful and seasonable discourses1 entitled1 ,come out and be separate1 by the ,rev4 ,dr4 ,bates4 ,glasgow1 #ahdc4 ,,errata4 ,page #ade1 line #ab1 for requires1 read require4 ,page #afa1 line #ba1 before will persevere1 c41 put that4 ,page #agd1 line #ad1 for unrevealed1 read revealed4 ,page #aih1 line #ag1 for even1 read view2 line #ah1 for are1 read as4 ,page #bje1 line #aa1 for share1 read shun4 ,page #bcg1 line #ag1 for visitors1 read writers4 ,page #cdj1 line #bj1 for his1 read their4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,added footnote marker #fcg after3 four living creatures of the ,new ,added footnote marker #fda after3 for a light of the ,gentiles4 ,removed unnecessary closing quotation mark after3 he might have the pre-eminence4 ,added closing quotation mark after3 sacrifices ,god is well pleased4 ,corrected ,jos to ,job in footnote #dab4 ,the ,errata listed above have been corrected in the text1 except for requires1 which does not occur in the text as indicated4