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diff --git a/25353-0.txt b/25353-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..db1c863 --- /dev/null +++ b/25353-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13815 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Ordinance of Covenanting, by John Cunningham + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ordinance of Covenanting + +Author: John Cunningham + +Release Date: May 6, 2008 [EBook #25353] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING *** + + + + +Produced by Stacy Brown, Jordan and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + +THE + +ORDINANCE + +OF + +COVENANTING. + + +BY + +JOHN CUNNINGHAM, A.M. + + +"HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER." Ps. cxi. 9. + +"THOUGH IT BE BUT A MAN'S COVENANT, YET IF IT BE CONFIRMED, NO MAN +DISANNULETH, OR ADDETH THERETO." Gal. iii. 15. + + + GLASGOW:--WILLIAM MARSHALL. + SOLD ALSO BY JOHN KEITH. + EDINBURGH:--THOMAS NELSON AND JOHN JOHNSTONE. + LONDON:--HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO. + MANCHESTER:-GALT & ANDERSON. + BELFAST:--WILLIAM POLLOCK. + + + + TO + THE REVEREND ANDREW SYMINGTON, D.D., + PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY + IN + THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, + THIS VOLUME + IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +Introduction Page 1 + + +CHAPTER I. +NATURE OF COVENANTING. + +Term Covenant defined, 5 +Sinners Redeemed, are in Covenant + with God, 6 +This relation not a mere law, 7 + has parties, 7 + has conditions, 7 + is the Covenant of Grace, 8 +Term Covenanting defined, 8 +By Covenanting men make a Covenant + with God, 8 +This Covenant not distinct from that + of Redemption, or that of Grace, 9 +The formal exercise of Covenanting + not indispensable to an interest + in the Covenant of Grace, 11 +God's Covenant may, for the first + time, be entered into in the + exercise of Covenanting, 12 +In Covenanting, if God's Covenant + has been laid hold on before, it + is then renewed, 14 + +THE VOW. + +Definition, 15 +Vow made to God alone, 15 + a solemn promise to God, 16 + to be made voluntarily, 17 + must be consistent with duty, 17 + never made but in Covenanting, 17 + +THE OATH. + +Definition, 18 +To swear, to use an oath, 19 +It is by the Lord that all ought + to swear, 19 +Oath sworn with the lifting up of + the right hand, 20 +Swearing a devotional exercise, 21 +In the oath is implied a condensed + adoration, 21 +The oath a solemn appeal to God, 23 +In swearing a lawful oath, a Covenant + with God is made, 23 + whether given to confirm an + assertion, 23 + or given to confirm an explicit + promise, 26 +The civil or moral use of the oath + depends on its spiritual character, 29 +The oath distinct from the vow, 30 + +CONFESSION. + +To confess, to perform services which + include Covenanting, 31 + --in the Old Testament, 32 + --in the New, 33 +To confess Christ, to Covenant, 36 +To profess, sometimes, to confess, 37 +Then, profession equivalent to + confession, 38 + +PERSONAL COVENANTING. + +This an act, of adherence to God's + Covenant, 38 + approving of the way of salvation + through Christ, 39 + of accepting Christ and all his + benefits, 39 + of renouncing satan and sin, 42 + of self-dedication to God, 43 + in which duty is promised to God, 44 + +SOCIAL COVENANTING. + +This also an act of acquiescence in + God's Covenant, 44 +Performed by the Church in an + ecclesiastical capacity, 45 +Performed by Covenanting in a + national capacity, 46 +That may be performed by various + communities in one confederation, 47 +Implying all that is included in + Personal Covenanting, 48 +An act of acceptance of the benefits + of God's Covenant, 49 +Of vowing general and specified + obedience, 50 +Of federal engagement among the + members of the Covenanting + community, 51 +Of public acceptance of the truth + of God and of renouncing error, 52 +Performed in the name of those who + engage in it, and in the name of + posterity, 53 + +COVENANT RATIFICATION. + +By oath, 54 +Oath and Covenant associated, 54 +Oath for confirmation, 55 +Oath essential to a Covenant with + God, 55 + + +CHAPTER II. +MANNER OF COVENANTING. + +Preliminaries, 57 +Intelligently, 61 +Cordially, 62 +Deliberately, 63 +Sincerely, 63 +In the first ages by sacrifice, 64 +Phrase considered, 64 +What intended by the bisection of + the victim, 67 +Swearing symbolized by sacrifice, 67 +Explicit proof, 69 +Covenants ratified by blood of + sacrifice, 70 + In all ages by faith, 71 + Devotionally, 73 + In solemn assemblies, 73 + A holy exercise, 74 + Should be performed with godly + fear and reverence, 74 + With confession of sin, 75 + Vow made in prayer, 76 +Sometimes with the living voice, 77 +Sometimes by subscription, 77 +Covenanting a distinct exercise, 78 +Though entering into other duties, + yet by itself not unnecessary, 79 + + +CHAPTER III. +COVENANTING A DUTY. + +According to the will of God as + King and Lord, 83 +Obedience to Christ as possessed of + all power in heaven and in earth, 83 +Believers engage in it as under law + to Christ, 84 +Covenanting in an ecclesiastical + capacity, obedience, 86 +Covenanting in an ecclesiastical and + in a national capacity, obedience, 88 +Commanded in the Moral Law, 92 + In the first three precepts of the + decalogue, 92 + In statutes that illustrate these, 94 + commands to glorify God, 94 + to worship God, 95 + enjoining faith, 96 + forbidding federal transactions + with what is evil, 96 +Enjoining the vowing of the vow, 98 +Explanation of Deut. xxiii. 22, 100 + of Eccles. v. 5, 102 + inculcating the swearing of + the oath, 103 + The duty of swearing the oath + not abrogated, 104 + enjoining the exercise in all + its parts, 106 +The exercise inculcated in + threatenings of Divine judgment + against such as disregard it, 106 +Personal Covenanting commanded, 108 +Social-- 109 + in an ecclesiastical capacity, 110 + in a national capacity, 112 + Nations whose constitutions are + immoral and unscriptural, + called to the duty, 118 + Nations that have not heard the + gospel, not guiltless for not + Covenanting, 119 + in various capacities, 120 + Assemblies for the + investigation of Divine + truth, 122 + Bible societies, 122 + Missionary Societies, 125 + None may be excused for not + engaging in Covenanting, 128 + + +CHAPTER IV. +COVENANT DUTIES. + +Covenanting ought to embrace + present and permanent duty, 131 +Duties to each one's self, 132 + The cultivation of personal + religion, 133 + Sobriety and temperance, 134 + The cultivation of the various + powers of the soul, 135 + The proper application of every + capacity, 136 + All such different from restraints + imposed by human authority, 137 +Duties to society in general, 138 + To families, 139 + To civil communities, 141 + Owing by masters and servants, 142 + Lawful civil governors and the + people under them, 143 +Duty of the civil magistrate, 144 +Duties of the people in regard to + the choice of their civil rulers, 145 + --and to their obedience to + them, 148 +Duty of people living under civil + governments not sanctioned by + God's authority, 151 +The doctrine evil, that so long as + any law exists it ought to be + obeyed, 155 +To promote the real welfare of + civil society, the duty of nil, 156 +To classes of men, of whatever kind, 157 +To the Church of Christ, 158 +To abide by all the ordinances + of divine grace, 159 +To support the ordinances of + religion, where enjoyed, 159 +To maintain the rights and + privileges of the Church, 160 +To unite the various Churches + of Christ, 161 +To enlarge the Church, 163 + --through Bible Societies, 163 + Missions, at home, 164 + --to the heathen, 165 + --to the Jews, 167 +To the Mediator, as Lord of all, 168 + To declare the glory of God, 169 + To maintain the truth, by + profession and practice, 169 + --of God's character, 170 + --of God's government, 171 + --of the relations of the persons + of the ever-blessed Trinity in + the Everlasting Covenant, 171 + --of the mediatorial character + and glory of Christ, 171 + --of the influences of his word + and Spirit, 172 + --of the atonement and intercession + of Christ, 172 + --of the Headship of Christ, 172 + over the Church, 172 + over the nations, 173 + --of man's depravity and inability + to restore himself, 175 +Covenanting should engage all + to every former good attainment, 176 + --to cleave to new correct views + of truth and duty, 177 + --to abandon the evil in the vow + unobserved at the making of it, 178 +Covenanting does not shackle + inquiry, 179 + + +CHAPTER V. +COVENANTING CONFERS OBLIGATION. + +Covenanting confers obligation by + the authority of God, 181 +Personal and social--on the + Covenanting parties, 182 + Such are represented as bound--are + said to be joined to the + Lord--to take hold of his + covenant--to cleave to him, 183 +God enjoins obedience as the + fulfilment of Covenant duties, 184 + --that the vow be paid, 186 +Difficulty considered, 187 +He threatens those who keep not + his covenant, 187 +Social Covenanting entails obligation + on the society till the end + of the covenant be attained, 189 + Because by it, Covenants are + made in the name of posterity, 189 + Because the Church is one in + all ages, 190 + Because of the Church's social + character, 192 + Every adult member of the + Church engaged to its + privileges and duties, 193 + Children of church members + are members of the Church, and + therefore under obligation, 193 + The privileges enjoyed by + children show them to be + under obligation, 194 +Social Covenanting entails obligation + on the society till the end + of the covenant be attained-- + Because Social Covenanting, + approved in Scripture, + conferred obligation, 196 + Because the ends of such covenants + may not be attained + during the lives of those + who entered into them, 197 + Because the people of God + view themselves bound by + anterior engagements of + his Church, 198 + Because the Lord himself + views his Church as bound + by these, 199 + Covenanting entails obligation + even on the unbeliever + who vows and swears, 201 + Even those in the Church who + do not formally Covenant + are under obligation, 203 + A minority in a church or + nation are bound by Covenant + engagements, though + the others cast them off, 204 + Covenanting does not implicate + conscience, 205 + That men are bound by previous + engagements is no reason why + they should not Covenant, 207 + + +CHAPTER VI. +COVENANTING PROVIDED FOR IN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT. + +SECTION I. + +In regard to sinners, the exercise + provided for in the Covenant of + Redemption, 210 + That covenant considered, 210 + In that, Christ represented the + elect, 211 + In that, the promises accepted + in Covenanting made to the + Surety, 212 +The people of God Covenant on + the ground of the righteousness + of Christ--the condition of that + Covenant, 214 + Believers given to Christ in + that Covenant, 215 +The elect chosen in Christ, that + in union to him they might perform + the duty, 216 + +SECTION II. + +Covenanting, under every + dispensation, provided for, 218 +Exhibitions of Christ the chief + blessings of the Covenant, common + to all of them, 219 +The erection and continuance of + the Church in the world flows + from that, 220 +True religion represented as a + covenant with God, 221 +Revelation of the will of God + termed a covenant, 223 +In the Everlasting Covenant, + provision made for Covenanting + under the patriarchal and levitical + dispensations, 224 +The acknowledgments and conduct + of believers in those times + illustrate this, 224 +Provision made through promises, 226 +Provision made through types, 226 + --typical persons, 227 + --places, 227 + --things, 228 + --seasons, 228 + --acts, 229 + --miracles, 230 + --teaching of prophets, 232 + --whole of Old Testament, 232 + Designations, 232 + Terms, 233 + Reconciliation and atonement, 233 +Provision made for Covenanting + under last dispensation, 236 +This acknowledged by believers + in the apostolic age, 236 +Provision made through injunctions + of last inspired writers, 237 + --whole of New Testament, 238 +New Testament contains same + kind of expressions as the Old + in reference to Covenant, 238 +Covenant of God a testament, 241 +Covenanting not a mere Jewish + thing, 244 + + +CHAPTER VII. +COVENANTING ADAPTED TO THE MORAL CONSTITUTION OF MAN. + +Adapted to that, when in innocence, 246 + according to scripture account + of that constitution, 246 + Because the law of God to + him in innocence, of a covenant + form, 248 + To Adam, as an individual, 248 + --as representative of his + posterity, 250 +Adapted to that, when in a state + of grace, 251 + Inasmuch as gracious capacities + lead to acquiescence in + what God requires, 251 + --as invitations to accede to it + are accepted by the regenerate, 254 +The Covenant of Works a reality, 256 +The wicked alone not in covenant, 259 +Those who are in covenant with + God make and keep covenant + engagements, 263 +State of those not in covenant + with God dreadful, 265 + + +CHAPTER VIII. +COVENANTING ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSES OF GOD. + +Argument for Covenanting, from the + Divine purposes, stated, 268 +System of things pre-determined + in order to Covenanting, + Creation, 268 +Arrangements of an ordinary + providence, 268 +Covenant of God ordained by him, 271 + That was Appointed, 271 + established, 272 + and therefore according to his + purpose, 273 + commanded, 274 + stands according to a sovereign + decree, 275 +A people were foreordained to + make solemn vows, 277 + were formed, 277 + were appointed, 280 + were written in the book of + life, 282 +The people of God an elect people, 283 + were elected from transgressors + and their works, 283 + were chosen in Christ, 284 + were elected to covenant + obedience, 285 + were elected to privileges that + belong only to those in covenant + with him, 286 +Theirs is the heavenly calling, 286 + the blessing of Justification, 288 + the adoption of sons, 289 + the blessing of sanctification, 291 +To them belong the benefits of + Redemption, 292 + assurance of God's love, 293 + peace of conscience, 293 + joy in the Holy Ghost, 294 + increase of grace, 296 + perseverance in grace, 297 + eternal glory, 298 + + +CHAPTER IX. +COVENANTING SANCTIONED BY THE DIVINE EXAMPLE. + +Explanation of the argument, 300 +God himself has entered into + covenant engagements, 300 + in the covenant of Redemption, 301 + with man in innocence, 302 + with men in Christ, 302 +The Lord Jesus on earth illustrated + in his practice the duty + of Covenanting, 302 +The Lord, in entering into covenant, + provided an example for imitation, 303 + It is possible, after some manner, + to imitate God in Covenanting, 304 + It is desirable, 304 + It is a duty, 305 + Shown from the fourth + commandment, 306 + various other injunctions, 306 +The exercise of following the Divine + example in Covenanting important, 308 +To follow that example in this, + obligatory through life, and in + all ages, 309 + + +CHAPTER X. +COVENANTING A PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS. + +A spiritual privilege what, 311 +Evidence that Covenanting is so, 311 + Believers a people near to God, 311 + --in the gracious presence of + God, 312 + They Covenanting, see God, 313 + --know God and are known of Him, 315 +To those Covenanting, the Lord is + favourable, 316 +Those Covenanting, enjoy communion + with God, 317 +By his love the Lord constrains + his people to take hold on his + covenant, 318 +The observing of the other duties + of the Covenant, as well as the + taking hold of it, a privilege, 319 + + +CHAPTER XI. +COVENANTING ENFORCED BY THE GRANT OF COVENANT SIGNS AND SEALS. + +Design of the gracious grant of + Covenant signs and seals, 320 + +SIGNS. + +The Rainbow, 321 + a sign that the benefits of God's + Covenant should be conferred, 321 + explicitly referred to in Scripture + as a sign, 322 + presented before the prophet + Ezekiel in vision, at his entrance + upon an important mission, 324 + displayed in vision introducing + prophetic part of the book of + Revelation, 325 + presented in vision which exhibited + the two Witnesses who should + prophesy in sackcloth, 326 + encouraging sign, 327 +Circumcision-- + instituted, 327 + introductory to other privileges, 328 + enjoined under greatest penalty, 329 + seal of Covenant, 330 +Baptism-- + under New Testament dispensation, + what circumcision was under + the former, 330 +The Sabbath-- + instituted from the beginning, 333 + observed to the enjoyment of all + religious privileges, 333 + has afforded calls for engaging + in the practice of vowing to + God, 334 + affords provision for the + observance of every religious + service, 334 + kept, to the attainment of the + most varied and extensive + good, 336 +The Priesthood-- + a people in Covenant with God, 336 + what among the Israelites, 337 + a living sign, 338 + a sign, as set apart to wait on + the ordinances of grace, 339 + Term, a denomination of God's + Covenant people, 339 +Those faithful to the Covenant of + the priesthood approved, and the + desecrators thereof condemned, 340 +The priesthood recognised in all + ages, 341 +Difficulty in reference to priesthood + under the law made without an + oath considered and obviated, 342 +The priesthood dependent on the + priesthood of Christ, 344 +The New Heart-- + being a New Covenant blessing, + is a New Covenant sign, 345 + contrasted with the unrenewed + heart subjected to various + changes, 346 + presented under the aspect of a + circumcised heart, 347 + a perfect heart, 347 + one heart contrasted with the + double heart, 348 + among the people of God in a + social capacity, 348 +Christ-- + a sign of the fact of the + Everlasting Covenant, 350 + a sign of the Covenant's + ratification, 351 + a sign of the dispensation of its + blessings, 352 + a sign by which the Covenant + should be had in remembrance, 353 + a sign of the performance of its + duties, 354 + a transcendently glorious sign, 354 + + +CHAPTER XII. +COVENANTING PERFORMED IN FORMER AGES WITH APPROBATION FROM ABOVE. + +General remarks, 358 +The Lord approved of engagements + made in Personal Covenanting, 358 + --in Social Covenanting, 359 +We have encouragement to make + vows, the engagements of which + are lawful, 363 + + +CHAPTER XIII. +COVENANTING PREDICTED IN PROPHECY. + +Nature of the argument exhibited, 364 +Force of it depends on the + manifestation of God's will, 365 +Predicted in reference to Old + Testament times, 366 +Predicted in reference to New + Testament times, 368 +Important to attend to such prophetic + intimations, 368 + + +CHAPTER XIV. +COVENANTING RECOMMENDED BY THE PRACTICE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. + +Argument unfolded, 369 +Practice recommended by the example + of the Church, 369 + --by the manifestation of Divine + favour made in enabling the + Church to act to the fulfilment + of his designs, 370 +The practice of the Church in the + first three centuries after the + apostolic age, recommends the + duty, 370 +Also that of the Churches of the + Reformation, 371 +--of the Churches abroad, 372 +--of the Church in Britain and + Ireland, 373 +Example in this, to be imitated, 376 + + +CHAPTER XV. +SEASONS OF COVENANTING. + +Never unsuitable, 377 +Special seasons, 378 +Times of hazard and distress, 378 +When religion is low, and error, + and vice, and ungodliness, + prevail, 378 +Times of reviving, 378 +When the friends of truth unite + for its maintenance, either in + an incorporate, or other cooperative + capacity, 378 + + +CONCLUSION. + +The exercise important, 379 + advantageous, 379 + necessary, 379 +It should therefore be observed, 380 + + +APPENDIX. + +A, 381 +B, 383 +C, 391 +D, 393 + + + + +THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING. + +INTRODUCTION. + + +To illustrate the nature and present the claims of an observance so +carefully kept by many of the best of our race as religious Covenanting, +is an attempt so inviting as to seem not unworthy of the application of +the greatest diligence and care, and the most varied and extensive +resources of the human mind. What the word of God unfolds concerning it, +is addressed to the most resolute consideration of all, and is capable +of engaging the most extensive and prolonged investigation. And yet, +though none have found this subject, like all God's judgments, else than +a great deep, still in meditating upon it, the ignorant have been +brought to true knowledge, and the wise have increased in wisdom. "The +secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his +covenant."[1] Impressions of its importance have universally continued +to appear on the heart of man; but with that varied indistinctness which +may, and ought to be remedied, those have been marked. In the Scriptures +alone, its precise character is drawn. Mutual federal engagements, +concerning things religious and civil, whether entered into merely by +simple promise, or confirmed by solemn oath, have been made from the +highest antiquity to the present. The hostility to some such +engagements, and also the proud disregard for their obligations, which +have been evinced by some in all ages, demand a most careful examination +into their nature and design. And the delightful approval of conscience +awarded to right-heartedness in making and fulfilling such of these as +were warranted, gives a reason for the careful study of their character, +the most pleasing and satisfactory. Furnished with the key of Scripture, +approaching the subject, we are enabled to open the mysteries in which +ignorance and prejudice had shut it up; and equipped with the armour of +light shooting forth its heavenly radiance, in safety to ourselves we +assail the darkness thrown around it, and behold the instant flight of +the spirits of error which that darkness contains. Standing alone in +beauteous attractions descended from heaven upon it, this service +beckons us to approach it, and engages to connect extensive good with a +proper attention to its claims. The observance, under various phases, is +described in Scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality. There, +its nature and the manner of performing it are defined; its character as +a duty, the compass of its matter, and the obligation entailed by +engaging in it are exhibited; the provision made for the continuance of +it, its adaptations, sovereign appointment, sanction, and character as a +privilege, and powerful motives to engage in it afforded in its signs, +are presented; and its history, anterior and prospective, its +recommendations found in the practice of the church in gospel times, its +advantages, and claims, are distinctly revealed. Along with kindred +institutions, all claiming an origin essentially Divine, but +distinguished from them, it demands a regard at least not less than what +they share. Embodying in itself all the others, in some aspects of its +character it presents these united in a singular and beauteous whole. +By reason of the light broken by error falling upon it, many who +contemplate its features apprehend not the individuality it displays, +but, reflecting on each part separately, connect them so as not to be +impressed by the object presented in the union of all. Like the distinct +objects which make up the entire landscape, when each one is examined by +itself, the various religious exercises which enter into this, if each +be recognised alone, leave no impression of the whole as it would appear +if contemplated at once. Prayer and the offering of praise are +universally admitted to be duties of religion. The Scriptures announce a +place among these for the exercise of solemn Covenanting. Nay, as +including these services and others, though as different from each of +them, they give its delineation. To enable those who ponder the +scriptural representation of it to answer suitably the Divine demand, +"Understandest thou what thou readest?" prayer for heavenly illumination +upon it is not merely desirable, but necessary; and by all who have felt +its advantages, supplication for this in greater measure will be +habitually offered. In order to a proper investigation of the subject, +care must be taken to avoid two extremes;--that minute analysis of it +that would annihilate the observance itself, by resolving it into its +constituent parts;--and that slight examination of it which would result +in an estimate of itself and its elements, alike vague and undefined. +What God hath joined let not man put asunder. And efforts should be +made, and supplications offered, to obtain guidance on this point into +all truth. Like a refracting medium which presents disjointed +parts--each also deformed, instead of one beauteous image of a +resplendent scene, prejudice, on the one hand, instead of displaying the +exercise with the fulness and splendour of unmarred truth, has obtruded +its ideal misrepresentations of it, alike inconsistent with themselves +and with its real character; while, like rapid motion preventing minute +discovery, on the other a mere glance bestowed, where careful +observation was requisite, insufficient for apprehending the whole as an +inviting complex object of research, and much more unfitted to discover +the admitted excellence of the duties it includes, has led to an +exhibition of it also alike derogatory of the one and the other. There +is but one situation where, like Mount Nebo affording to the man of God +a view of the promised land, we can rightly examine it. If on the mount +of Divine revelation with the eye of faith, which, like the eye of +Moses, with age waxes not dim, we explore it, in its fairest +proportions, like the land of Canaan, will we apprehend it; and like +that distinguished patriarch, who was destined to enjoy blessings of +God's covenant more valuable by far than a temporal rest, we will attain +to extensive spiritual, and, in due time, eternal good. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Psalm xxv. 14. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +NATURE OF COVENANTING. + + +A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given +terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or +between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between +parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the +testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of +relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations +among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and +nation, and between man and man, in some respects, each respectively, +independent of the other, but also between master and servant, and +between rulers and their subjects. There too is described an engagement +between God, and Adam as the representative of the human race, which, to +say the least, cannot without the most obvious perversion of language be +represented as other than a covenant. It is alluded to in the words, +"They, like men (or, _Adam_), have transgressed the covenant."[2] And +was it not in reality a covenant? There is revealed the Covenant of +Redemption--that covenant which from the days of eternity was made +between the Father and the Son, with the concurrence of the Holy Ghost, +for the salvation of the elect. There too, that covenant is made known +as established with men, that is, made with them or dispensed to them. +Under this last aspect, it appears--"The Covenant of Grace." And there, +are men encouraged to enter into covenant with God by taking hold of +this covenant. + +The conditions of a covenant, or the stipulation on the one hand, and +the re-stipulation on the other, are the things promised in the covenant +by the parties to one another. These may be mutual services, as is +sometimes the case among men; or, obedience and good unmerited through +God's favour bestowed, as in the case of man in innocence; or, obedience +and sufferings, and a high reward for these exemplified in the Covenant +of Redemption alone; or, the righteousness of Christ on the one hand, as +in the last case, and free grace on the other, in the Covenant of Grace. + +Sinners redeemed are in covenant with God. The term _covenant_ +designating their relation to him as a people is not figuratively +applied to it. Were it so, there should be no ground for admitting the +fact of any covenant even among men. True, the term is put to denote the +ordinances of the material universe.[3] But to maintain that it is in +precisely the same manner used to denominate any mutual relation among +moral beings, is to prefer an assumption manifestly gratuitous, and +completely at variance with the obvious truth, that for a race +interested in the blessings of the Covenant of Grace, these ordinances +after the sin of man were continued.[4] Though it was ordained that men +should enter into covenant, the covenant is not like the laws of the +lower creation, an absolute appointment taking effect without regard to +the resolutions of men. 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 appointment, will the +covenant with God entered into by those accepted of him be made to +fulfil its design. But this it will be employed to do in the character +of a sovereign arrangement suited not to unintelligent creation, but to +the moral agent man. As far above the interference of man as is the +government of the external universe, is that designated the covenant, as +ordained. But adapted completely to him as a creature exercising +volition, and in a state of responsibility, is every such relation in +its essential character. + +This relation is marked by features which distinguish it from a mere +law. The expressions, _to pass into_, _to enter into_, employed in the +one case, are totally inapplicable in the other. The covenant is often +represented as forsaken both as a covenant and as a law; but is +exhibited as gone into only as a covenant. Men are represented as +_joining_ themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant. But none +are so spoken of in regard to the law. The Lord said unto Abraham, "I +will establish my covenant between me and thee,"[5] in terms which refer +not to the covenant as if it were exclusively a law. Nor does the Lord +promise to make with any a law, though he has given his promise to make +with his chosen ones a covenant. + +This relation with God, as a covenant, has parties. Both by the Lord and +by his people in Christ, it is as a covenant mutually entered into. "I +will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God."[6] + +Besides having parties,--one essential of a covenant in its proper +acceptation, this relation with God has conditions. On the part of the +High and Holy One, these are the promises of good for believers made in +the Covenant of Redemption, and made known in the revelation of the +Covenant of Grace. Like the light of heaven continually beaming down +upon our world; like the sound of many waters falling on the ear, these +continuously are fully and freely addressed in the gospel. And like the +beams of the sun appropriated and reflected by the dew of the morning, +and the rain and snow that come down from heaven drunk in by the earth +prepared for it, these are accepted; and thence shines forth the beauty +of holiness, and appear those fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus +Christ unto the glory and praise of God. "Incline your ear, and come +unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make with you an +everlasting covenant, even the sure mercies of David."[7] On the part of +the believer, his faith and imperfect obedience, though necessary, are +not a condition. His title to acceptance is founded on the perfect +righteousness of Christ. In reference, not merely to the actual +righteousness wrought in him, but also to the condition of that covenant +on which he lays hold, which was fulfilled on behalf of all the children +thereof, he says, "In the Lord have I righteousness and strength."[8] + +This relation is the Covenant of Grace. It was revealed as God's +covenant. It is that covenant which God established with Noah, which he +made with Abraham, sware unto Isaac, confirmed unto Jacob for a law, and +to Israel for an everlasting covenant. It is none other than that +covenant which was confirmed of God in Christ, of which Jesus is the +Mediator, and which has been commanded for ever. + +Covenanting in civil life is the exercise of entering into a covenant +engagement, or of renewing it. + +The _term_ is almost wholly confined to Covenanting with God, and shall +be so used. In the ordinary intercourse of men the _practice_ is common: +in religion it is essential. + +Covenanting is the exercise of either entering, in an individual or a +social capacity, solemnly and formally in to the Covenant of Grace, or +of renewing it. + +From the definition it follows, that by Covenanting men do make a +covenant with God. The renovation of a covenant is not less a covenant +than was the original bond. In Covenanting is given that acquiescence +in the conditions of the Covenant of Grace which is an essential of a +covenant, and the free offer to enter into it being continued, +acceptance in the service is enjoyed. As certainly, therefore, as that +called the Covenant of Grace, is in _reality_ a covenant, is every +lawful engagement entered into by solemnly Covenanting with God +possessed of the character of a covenant. + +But such a covenant is not distinct from the Covenant of Redemption, nor +from the Covenant of Grace. It is dependent on that covenant as made +with the Mediator, and consistent with it as established with men. In +all the three cases, the God of grace is one of the contracting parties. +In the Covenant of Redemption, the Redeemer himself, as the surety of +the elect, was the other. In the Covenant of Grace, the people of God +united to Christ, and drawing near to God through him, are the other +party. And in the case of personal or social covenanting, that party may +be an individual or a joint number, approaching in dependence on the +grace of Christ. The promise of the Covenant of Redemption was, a people +elected to the blessings of time and eternity, these blessings +themselves, and all the countenance which the surety should receive in +fulfilling his work of righteousness, 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 salvation. In all the +three cases, that promise in all its extent is exhibited. In the +Covenant of Redemption, that promise was made to the Redeemer himself. +In the Covenant of Grace, and in every covenant with God into which his +people by taking hold upon that covenant may enter, it is an object of +their faith. The blessings of time and eternity constitute the part of +the promise offered to believers, through Christ. But in taking hold +upon that covenant, they testify to their satisfaction with that part of +the promise that peculiarly belongs to the Saviour, and accept of the +benefits offered to themselves. In all the three cases, the +righteousness of Christ is the sole ground on which a title to the +promise can rest. In the first case, it is that righteousness as wrought +out by him. In the others, it is that righteousness imputed through +grace to each believer. In all, obedience to the law of God is required. +In the first, Christ gave that perfect obedience infinitely meritorious, +which, along with his sufferings of infinite value, constituted his work +of righteousness. In the Covenant dispensed, all duty is incumbent on +those under it, to be discharged so as to afford not a ground of merit +before God, but at least a testimony to the perfection of his laws. And +all duty may be frequently engaged to, and special duties in given +circumstances, as they present themselves, may be made the subject of a +solemn covenant promise to God. Hence, a covenant made in the exercise +of Covenanting, is a covenant not essentially new. As members of one +glorious body united to Christ, the Head, all believers are in the +Covenant of Grace. But their exercises in regard to that covenant, +though in spirit essentially one, do in their number, and variety, and +form, greatly differ. And of these exercises, none are more +distinguished from one another than their solemn covenant engagements. +Some with greater or less blame renew these seldom. Others faultily +refrain altogether from renewing them in their social capacities. But +when these are made and renewed with due care, there is, according to +circumstances, a great diversity in their character. Each engagement has +its own peculiar features; though each is associated with all the others +in presenting some aspect of none other Covenant than that of Grace. + +God's covenant is the Covenant of Redemption; or the Covenant of Grace; +or a covenant with God, made in the actual exercise of Covenanting. + +A covenant with God is a form of expression that will be applied only to +the last of these cases. + +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 Grace. Through God's free favour, and not because of any +service, however dutiful, that could be performed, are any brought into +this relation. Many go the whole round of religious services, and yet +remain uninterested in the benefits of salvation; while others, whose +external privileges are by no means so abundant as the privileges +enjoyed by those, may be enabled to cleave to God's covenant. It is +God's prerogative to make efficacious what means of grace he will; and +when and in what measure he will, to give them effect. The types and +symbols of a former period were blessed to the souls of men, as well as +the fuller revelations of succeeding times. And ordinances which in due +time were to pass away, were, during the term of their appointment, to +be acknowledged by the extension of his grace to those who waited on +them, as well as the institutions to follow in their room. And sinners +in every variety of circumstances have been brought into covenant with +God. 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 Saviour. +Or when the glad tidings of salvation are proclaimed, not merely to +those favoured by the advantages of education and christian society, but +even to the most untutored and degraded of the family of man, a willing +mind may be vouchsafed from above to rely upon him. Then the blessings +of his covenant are apprehended and accepted. And though many who +profess to seek these good things, may, by reason of unbelief, fail to +obtain them, they will afford to such objects of sovereign mercy, as the +chosen of God, increasing reasons of gratitude and joy. Only they who +are without Christ, are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and +strangers from the covenants of promise. All who are in him, though once +like those, who were sometimes afar off, are made nigh by his blood. It +is by faith in Christ that men become the children of God. While waiting +on any of the means of grace, elect souls may, for the first time, be +enabled to exercise it; and then, even at that time, becomes theirs the +inheritance of the promise. + +God's covenant may, for the first time, be entered into in the exercise +of Covenanting. It cannot be entered into at any time but by faith--an +element essential in covenanting. But it may be primarily laid hold upon +in some instances in the formal performance of that exercise. An +individual may wait on the ordinances of Divine grace, not being in +covenant. He may have been plied by the expostulations of the servants +of Christ, because of continuing regardless of the offers of mercy, not +having acceded to them. The exercise of entering into covenant with God +may have been pressed upon his attention. He is doubtful whether or not +he has received the Lord Jesus. In reality he has not acted faith upon +him. He studies the subject of Covenanting, endeavours to examine the +claims which the exercise has upon him. He is convinced of sin, but has +not been converted. He feels himself acted on by the fear of wrath, and +drawn by the desire of good to cast himself upon the care of the +Redeemer. He essays the work of preparation. God is leading him on by +the common operations of his Spirit, though still he is in darkness. He +endeavours to bring himself up to the resolution of giving himself away +to God. Corruption within, however, opposes his purpose. Yet he is +urged forward to an exercise which, if performed in a proper spirit, +would be accepted, but which, of himself, in his present condition, +notwithstanding all his fears and desires, he cannot enter upon aright. +He attempts to pray and make supplication--yea, even he endeavours to +perform the service. Strength is given him to do it with acceptance; +and, through marvellous grace, he stands among the children of the +Covenant! He might have been still left to himself; his promises might +have been insincere, and the covenant which he professed to make with +his lips he might have profaned. But though at the commencement of his +exercises there was no gracious emotion felt by him, he was led by an +overruling Providence to adopt means of seeking Divine favour which God +should bless. He was brought from the dream of desire to the reality of +enjoyment; from the state of one in darkness, groping his way, to the +light to which, by his own efforts, he could not have come; from the +paralysis of moral imbecility to the strength which enabled him to +stretch out his hand and take hold on God's Covenant. + +Or, when the people of God may direct their faces to the work of +renewing their covenant engagements with him, some who might formerly +have been far from God may be led to the use of preparatory means, and, +when the time of Covenanting arrives, find themselves, for the first, +gifted with strength to pledge themselves to his service, and thereafter +feel themselves associated by ties indissoluble to his people, and +blessed with the covenant heritage of those who fear his name. + +Such are not mere suppositions. They are consistent with the ordinary +procedure of God in extending grace to those who wait upon his +ordinances, however unworthy they may have been before. They are in +harmony with the spirit of the expression _to take hold_ upon the +Covenant of God--which obviously implies, according to the state of +those to whom it is applied, one or other of two things:--to engage to +the service of the Lord by covenant; or to renew such an engagement; and +are warranted by such statements as the exhortation, "Come and let us +join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant, never to be +forgotten." Such an address may be made either to the wicked or to the +righteous.--To the wicked, that they may, with their whole heart and +soul, depart from the evil of their doings, and give themselves to the +Lord; to the righteous, that they may so give themselves again; to the +wicked, that they may prepare their hearts to seek God--but not by any +effort of their own in a legal spirit, to commend themselves to him, and +then to enter into his covenant; and to all, that in a becoming frame of +mind they may take hold upon it. Whether or not many are brought to God +in such circumstances it may not be easy to decide; yet it cannot be +affirmed that none in this manner are joined unto him. To engage in the +exercise of Covenanting with the hope of being converted, is to act +under a misapprehension of its design; but who can say that God does +not, when this is practised, bring to himself? None could have any +encouragement to perform the service, were they satisfied that they +would not act sincerely in it; but to perform it they are not the less +called to make preparation. None can be accepted in the exercise but the +covenant children, but the most abundant reasons there are why all +should attempt it; and who can tell what God will do in a season of +grace? + +In Covenanting, if God's covenant has been laid hold on before, it is +then again solemnly acceded to or renewed. It is the people of God, not +the wicked, who covenant. "Unto the wicked, God saith, What hast thou to +do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in +thy mouth?"[9] The wicked, as in the former case, may be brought, in the +use of means, to attempt the exercise, but if in that they are accepted, +in the character of new creatures they perform it; but if the change +produced upon the state and character does not take place at the moment +of Covenanting, but before it, then the exercise is a renewal of the +covenant. When, therefore, those who have been, for a period long or +short, the people of God, engage in this, they transact a renovation. +The young believer who performs the exercise does this, though his age +in grace may not exceed a few days or hours of the blessed life. This, +the Christian who has long been in progress towards the inheritance +above promised in the covenant, going into that performance, effects. +This renewal all the saints of God do make, when in any circumstances +they draw near to him to consecrate themselves and all that concerns +them to his service. + + +THE VOW. + +A vow falls to be considered in connection with the subject of +Covenanting. + +"A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be +made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like +faithfulness. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone; +and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith +and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or +for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind +ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as +they may fitly conduce thereunto."[10] + +A vow is made to God alone. In various passages of Scripture, it is said +explicitly to be made to the Lord. David "vowed unto the mighty God of +Jacob."[11] "Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord."[12] In others it is +manifest from the connection that the vow was made to the Lord. "Jacob +vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this +way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so +that I come again to my father's house in peace, then shall the Lord be +my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's +house: and of all that thou shalt give me, I will surely give the tenth +unto thee."[13] Hannah addressed him to whom she vowed, "O Lord of +Hosts."[14] In only one passage of Scripture are any represented as +vowing to another than God himself,[15] but there the judgments of God +are threatened on them--vowing vows to the queen of heaven, as guilty of +idolatry. And even some who had been idolaters, so soon as they were +taught the claims of Jehovah upon their obedience, made vows unto +him.[16] + +A vow is a solemn promise to God. It is explicitly described as such. +"That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform: even a +free-will-offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy God, +which thou hast promised with thy mouth."[17] It is of the like nature +with a promissory oath. "If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an +oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall +do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."[18] And from the +fact that vows, by sacrifice and thanksgiving and otherwise, were paid +to the Lord, this appears. "O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy +vows."[19] "So will I sing praise unto thy name forever, that I may +daily perform my vows."[20] + +A vow is to be made voluntarily. The verb (נדר) translated +_to vow_, in its literal acceptation means to beat out grain from the +sheaf on the thrashing-floor: hence, as the corn is thus scattered, it +came to signify to scatter, or to be liberal; and thence, finally, to +offer willingly and freely. The noun (נדר) accordingly is +put to denote the act of offering, or of making a promise, to God, and +also what in this is spontaneously offered or promised. Moreover, in a +passage formerly quoted, it is described as a free-will-offering. The +vow is sometimes made in a spontaneous effusion of gratitude. Thus David +sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob, after the +Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies.[21] Often it +is made in order to obtain some benefit. "I will go into thy house with +burnt-offerings; I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered, +and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble."[22] And like that of +Jacob at Bethel, who was overpowered with the vision of the ladder, and +desirous of obtaining the promise there made to him, a vow may not +unfrequently proceed from both gratitude and hope. + +A vow must not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Divine law. +What the Lord hath forbidden, he will not accept. "Cursed be the +deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth +unto the Lord a corrupt thing."[23] To promise to him what is beyond our +power, is to mock him. Some vows of females and children were not +accepted, because such interfered with services due by them to their +families, over which, in things lawful, their husbands and fathers had +supreme power. + +A vow is never made but in the exercise of Covenanting. The vow which +Jacob vowed at Bethel was made upon the reception of God's gracious +covenant promise there tendered to him. Again, "Israel vowed a vow unto +the Lord, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my +hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities."[24] In this manner at +Hormah, they testified that they agreed to that promise of the Covenant +that had been made at Sinai, which is expressed in the words, "Behold, I +drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, +and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite,"[25] and thus made +a covenant. From the words, "If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear +an oath to bind his soul with a bond," it may be concluded that either a +vow taken, or an oath, binds the soul. That the former binds the soul is +most manifest from the language, "Every vow of a widow, and of her that +is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against +her."[26] The bond is a covenant bond, for it is said, "I will cause you +to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the +covenant."[27] The word (מסרת) for _bond_, in the later +prophet is a co-derivate with that (אסר) for _bond_, used by +Moses, and has the same import. + + +THE OATH. + +The OATH also claims consideration as related to Covenanting. + +"A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just +occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he +asserteth or promiseth; and to judge him according to the truth or +falsehood of what he sweareth. The name of God only is that by which men +ought to swear, and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and +reverence: therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and +dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to +be abhorred."[28] + +To SWEAR is to give or use an oath. "The men said unto her, we will be +blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear."[29] "I will +perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham."[30] And to make, or to +enter into an oath, being the same as to give it, each of these is also +to swear. + +It is by the Lord, or by the name of the Lord, and by him alone that all +ought to swear. One of the verbs (אלה) in the Hebrew which +denote _to swear_, would seem to be derived from a word (אל) +which signifies God, and accordingly refers to the making of an +affirmation by using the name of God.[31] And the corresponding noun +(אלה) for _oath_, in like manner bears literally a meaning +expressive of a means of calling on that holy name. Both occur in the +sacred original of the passage. "If any man trespass against his +neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the +oath come before thine altar in this house: then hear thou in +heaven."[32] And where a verb of a different origin is employed, the +same is manifest. Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, "I +will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the +earth."[33] The Lord himself said, "Ye shall not swear by my name +falsely."[34] And explicit is the injunction, "Thou shalt fear the Lord +thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."[35] Nor is an oath +to be made by the name of any other. "Men verily swear by the greater;" +and therefore lawfully by God alone. The names of the gods of the +heathen were not even to be mentioned; and hence were not to be used in +making an oath. Nay, the Israelites were explicitly forbidden to swear +by them. Nor by any creature, and consequently not by the name of such +ought any one to swear. "Swear not at all: neither by heaven; for it is +God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by +Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou +swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or +black."[36] + +The expression, _the Lord liveth_, is a form of the oath. "Though they +say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely"[37] "Thou shalt swear, +The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness."[38] + +An oath is sworn with the lifting up of the right hand. In vision +presented before Daniel, the man clothed in linen "held up his right +hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for +ever."[39] John declares, "the angel which I saw stand upon the sea, and +upon the earth, lifted up his hand to heaven, and sware by him that +liveth for ever and ever."[40] The right hand is principally used among +men in general; and accordingly, as when neither hand is specifically +mentioned in any case, the right is understood, so we may conclude that +the oath was made by the angel while he held up his right hand. The Lord +sware "by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength."[41] He +sometimes speaks of his promise to give the children of Israel the land +of Canaan, as being made by swearing, and at others, as made by the +lifting up of his hand.[42] And accordingly, like Abraham, who in +lifting up his hand in reference to the goods that had belonged to the +king of Sodom, unquestionably sware an oath, all who warrantably swear, +make oath with the right hand lifted up towards heaven. + +The swearing of an oath is a devotional exercise. Every act performed in +holding intercourse with God is religious; and therefore this. The +performance of it is introduced along with that of other actions that +certainly imply the rendering of religious homage. "Thou shalt fear the +Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name." It is +included in the exercises that embody the worship of God. Parallel to +the last quoted passage is this which follows. "Him shall ye fear, and +him shall ye worship, and to him shall ye do sacrifice." To swear by his +name is not to do sacrifice; and is therefore to perform another part of +his worship. The oath was wont to come before the altar of the Lord, +where sacred services alone should be performed. As a form of calling on +the name of God, it was associated with the exercise of giving thanks to +him, and is regarded as a tender of devout obedience to him by him who +said, "Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." + +In the oath is implied a condensed adoration. It is made to God as +distinguished from every creature, and recognises the whole revealed +glory of his character. Whatever be the warranted form of the oath, it +is made to the same all-glorious Being, and presents to him one +celebration of his infinitely transcendent excellence. Declaring to him +that the Lord liveth, it owns his wondrous self-existence. Offered to +Him that liveth for ever and ever, it celebrates his eternal +pre-existence and existence to eternal ages. Presented to him as God, it +acknowledges that infinitude of perfection which none can by searching +find out, but all moral creatures are bound to adore--the +incomprehensible Spirit whom, though infinite in being, no man hath +seen, nor can see. Addressed to him as the God of heaven and of the +earth, it hails with reverence the overwhelming display of might +omnipotent, wisdom boundless, goodness unlimited, and sovereignty +absolute, made in the creation and upholding of matter and immortal +spirits--and the holiness, justice, goodness, and truth evolved in the +constitution of all created things. Made by his name as Lord of all, 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 earth, the +present witness and future judge of his moral, though rebellious +subjects--and to the unimpeachable rectitude of an administration that +comprehends heaven, and earth, and hell, and extends from the origin of +creatures to eternity. Sworn to him as the Amen, his truth and +faithfulness keeping mercy and truth from generation to generation with +gratitude it proclaims. And however used, it recognises him as the +avenger of the oppressed, the friend of those who keep the truth, and +the just God taking vengeance upon those who dishonour his name, or +otherwise transgress his commands. But, above all, it gives honour to +him as the God of salvation. To his sovereign mercy in providing +deliverance for men from the days of eternity; to his sovereign kindness +in proclaiming himself as a Saviour, and holding intercourse with men in +order to their recovery from a state of condemnation; to his wondrous +grace displayed in the government of all things for the good of his +church, and in affording means of a reverential appeal to himself in the +duties of religion, and especially in swearing by his name, it gives +testimony in a manner peculiar to itself. Heaven, earth, and hell--the +past, the present, and the future--the time that now is, the final +audit, and an endless eternity--and above all, God himself, who can be +compared with none other, at once it recognises as present. How solemn +the performance of the act! God it invokes in every aspect of his +character. More fully than any other exercise, his perfections and +administration it contemplates, and in a manner all-important shows +forth his praise. + +The oath is a solemn appeal to God, invoked as witness, that some +statement made is true. The declaration may be an assertion concerning +fact, or a promise. No creature, besides the being that gives the oath, +may know certainly whether the statement be true or false; but God +always knows, and he is called upon in this, as knowing the truth. In +every case in which it is used, whether in secret or in public, it is +the most complete evidence that can be afforded of the sincerity of +those who swear; and in public, it is the highest satisfaction +concerning any averment that men could demand. It is used to give the +weight of God's testimony to show that a given statement is made in +truth. + +In the swearing of a lawful oath, a covenant with God is made by the +party that swears. Whatever be the nature of the responsibility +connected with the act engaged in by whomsoever, it cannot be doubted +that an unregenerate person cannot be accepted in it; but a true +Christian in making oath lawfully, will be approved before God. To swear +in suitable circumstances is the duty of all; but it is the privilege of +those only who are in covenant with God. When the oath is given to +confirm an assertion, it is sworn in confirmation of a covenant with +God. First, when used, not in giving evidence before men, but in +religious exercises strictly personal, the oath is never sworn but to +confirm truth. An assertion made before God in giving adherence to +truth, is an acquiescence in it, and being uttered in accordance with +the requirement that truth be spoken, and implying an engagement to +abide by it, is a solemn declaration of obligation to God. The Covenant +of Grace presented under some aspect is thus agreed to; a covenant is +made, and the swearing of the oath is its ratification. In these words, +Israel were invited to take hold on God's Covenant. "If thou wilt +return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me; and if thou wilt put +away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not +remove."[43] And the oath prescribed for them on returning was +explicitly an averment of truth. "Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in +truth, in judgment, and in righteousness." Likewise, to swear at any +time devotionally, "the Lord liveth," is most solemnly to acquiesce in +the injunctions to believe upon him which his word contains, and thus to +accede to his Covenant. And what is true regarding such an +acknowledgment of him as the ever-living One, obtains regarding the act +of swearing to him for the purpose of attesting any other important +truth. To swear to the truth of any declaration, is to swear to him as +the God of truth, and accordingly by covenant to take hold upon him as +such. Secondly, when the oath given to confirm an assertion is required +by men having a right to claim it, those call upon the party to be +sworn, to promise to them to speak the truth, and to invoke God to +witness that the truth is spoken. The juror agrees to the demand, he +accepts the condition, that his word and oath will be relied on, and he +in giving his oath at once comes under a covenant obligation to man to +speak the truth, and confirms his promise by an appeal to the God of +truth. Thus, in a court of justice, or before a church court, a witness +makes in reality a compact with the lawful authority that requires his +oath, and swears in confirmation of his engagement. It is of equal +consequence to the present argument whether he swear to the truth of a +statement made before the taking of his oath, or first give his oath, +and then make his promised representation. In the latter case, which is +the most common, there is most manifestly made a covenant transaction +between the witness and those in authority; but in the former, there is +constituted an engagement not less really of a covenant character. +Although, as in the case of giving an _affidavit_, the assertion may +seem to precede the oath, yet, in reality, that is not accepted, and +therefore is not completely made till the oath be given: and +consequently, as in the other case, the assertion is that which is +promised in the oath. In each, the witness comes under an engagement to +speak the truth. It is one indeed generally of a short period, yet not +on that account the less an engagement. In giving his testimony, he +fulfils his covenant promise; and its effects in settling controversies, +or leading to the execution of justice, may not be less important than +those of a covenant, the fulfilment of the conditions of which might +occupy a much longer time. Nor, when an oath is claimed and received by +those in authority, is there a covenant made merely among men; but also +by the juror, a covenant is made with God. The law of God requires the +fulfilment of every lawful promise made by man to man; a simple promise +to man, however, though God may be acknowledged in it, is not strictly a +promise to Him. But by the appending of an oath, God is at once appealed +to as a witness and judge, and as a party to a covenant between the +juror and himself; and an obligation to God, as well as an engagement to +men, is explicitly constituted. Were it not so, how could the addition +of the oath by the juror increase the security given in the simple +promise, and the Lord be called to judge him according to the truth or +falsehood of what he might swear?[44] Under one aspect, the engagement +with men entered into by swearing to the truth of an assertion, is +different from the relation to God into which by swearing the juror is +brought. Viewed as a covenant among men, God is not properly a party to +it, but a witness. But those who require the oath being possessed of +power deputed to them from above, the same engagement may be also +considered as a covenant made with God by him who swears. The engagement +viewed in the former light, appears as affording the matter of a +covenant between the juror and Him by whom he swears; but, contemplated +in the latter, stands forth as one made with God, through the +instrumentality of his servants. The oath is sworn to himself; but He, +and those whom he hath vested with office, will demand the fulfilment of +it. + +When the oath usually represented as promissory is sworn, a covenant +with God is thereby made. When such an oath is sworn to confirm a vow to +God, made not before men, most manifestly a covenant with Him is +constituted; but no less is a covenant with Him entered into when such +an oath is given to men. 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 future. It has been shown, that even the oath given +to confirm an assertion, belongs to this class. Accordingly, all kinds +of oaths are generally promissory. But while both species may not be +implemented in some cases till the far distant future, some of an +assertory nature may be performed at the time when they are sworn. +Evidence has been given, that the latter kind of oaths, viewed as +promissory, brings under an engagement to God. That both do so, even +when taken by men, moreover farther appears. A vow is essentially a +promise made to God, but to none other; and the fulfilment of the vow is +required, at least in virtue of the making of it.[45] But not less does +God require what is promised to another by oath, than what is vowed to +himself. The vow binds the soul with a bond which cannot be else than +the bond of a covenant with God; 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 vow, cannot be another than the bond of a covenant +with him.[46] God is properly a party to the covenant made in vowing to +Him. When an oath is sworn at the desire of men, they are a party to the +covenant that is entered into by him who swears; but God is party to a +covenant that is also thereby made; and when the oath is sworn in secret +to God, He alone is a party to the covenant into which the juror enters. +In all the cases God is a party to a covenant to which he who swears is +the other. Again, though Christ forbade unlawful swearing, yet when he +says, "Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, +Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform _unto the Lord_ thine +oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all,"[47] he does not teach that +the oath, when properly sworn, is not to be performed to God, but rather +intimates, that when He is properly appealed to in swearing, he is +thereby contemplated as having addressed to him a solemn promise or vow, +the fulfilment of which he will demand. A severe penalty followed the +non-payment of the vow,[48] and the punishment due to the +non-performance of an oath sworn, even to men, is represented as +incurred by failing to fulfil a covenant obligation to God himself. The +children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of +Manasseh, sware thus to their brethren of the children of Israel, "The +Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall +know, if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, +(save us not this day,) that we have built us an altar to turn from +following the Lord, or if to offer thereon burnt-offering, or +meat-offering, or if to offer peace-offerings thereon." And testifying +to their conviction that a failure in the fulfilment of their promise +would be a breach of an engagement to God himself, they said, "Let the +Lord himself require it."[49] + +Accordingly, the giving of the "oath for confirmation", whether of a +statement of fact or of a promise to be fulfilled in the future, is in +every case a taking hold on the covenant of God. There is every possible +variety in the matter of the engagements made by oath, but not one of +them is disconnected from a covenant with him. 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 covenant, and betokened always an accession to +conditions of peace; as when the hand was given on the occasion of +swearing an oath, a covenant was wont to be made,[50] so when the hand, +which, when lifted up in devotion, points out always reconciliation with +God, in swearing is held up towards heaven, a sign that a covenant is +being made with him is thereby given. + +Hence, when men, in making a league or covenant with one another, +lawfully vow or swear to the Lord, they Covenant with him--and this is, +moreover, corroborated by the Scripture account of some such covenants. +The covenant between Jonathan and David, made by swearing unto God, is +denominated a "covenant of the Lord."[51] The covenant of marriage, made +by vowing or swearing to the Lord, is recognised as the covenant of +God.[52] A covenant between God and each of these different parties must +therefore have been made. One reason of these designations of such +covenants is, that they were according to God's appointment; but it +would be absolutely gratuitous to deny that there is this other +reason--that those who sware in each case, by swearing came under an +engagement to the glorious Object of all worship to fulfil the promises +made by them to each other. Though marriage be not a sacrament, yet it +is universally admitted to be solemnised either by the making of vows or +by swearing to God; and if this covenant, and all others that are +ratified by oath, afford not the matter of covenants with God entered +into by the parties, there is not afforded by the scriptural forms of +transactions with God concerning things essentially religious, that are +ratified by oath, the least evidence of their being covenant engagements +to him. A covenant transaction among men concerning lawful things civil, +if ratified by oath, has the solemnity of an exercise that carries along +with it an engagement, of its own nature, to God, not less than an +exercise of Covenanting concerning things civil and religious, or +concerning things exclusively religious. Nor is it any valid objection +to the sentiment that every covenant--not excluding those that are +civil--which is ratified by an oath, is to be fulfilled, in virtue of an +engagement or vow to God made by the oath, that the designation of "a +covenant of God" was applied to covenants confirmed by swearing, which +were not kept, and probably had not been made in sincerity.[53] The +transactions with God in such cases are designated by what they +professed to be, and ought to have been: and with those who dishonoured +God in conducting them it became Him to deal accordingly. + +From the foregoing statements regarding the oath, there may be deduced +the two following conclusions:-- + +First, That the civil or moral use of the oath, in the intercourse of +society depends wholly upon its spiritual character. The oath of an +atheist or unbeliever is not necessarily of any value. The individual +who cherishes no sense of responsibility to God for his actions will not +always, if at any time, scruple to swear falsely. When a witness is not +impressed with the fear of God, his oath is of no more value than his +simple affirmation: both may be true, but no security is afforded by his +character that both are not wrong. In civil and moral life, the +presumption that a witness is competent is based at least upon the +profession which he makes of a regard to Divine truth: and though many, +even while they tell the truth, swear without reverential feelings to +Him whose dread name they use, their evidence or engagement of whatever +kind is estimated as trust-worthy, only because it is supposed to be +accompanied with the oath religiously employed. + +Second, That the oath is distinct from the vow. The vow is a solemn +promise to God. He is properly a party to the covenant entered into in +making it; and it may be made either on occasions of entering into +engagements with men, or in other circumstances. The oath is an appeal +to God; it may be made on occasions of covenanting, whether he be +properly the party or not, and is an invocation of him, that he may +witness and judge concerning a transaction entered into either with +himself, or with himself and also with others. The vow is essentially a +promise, but is made to God, who must be viewed necessarily as a witness +to a transaction with himself; and, consequently, though the name of God +may not be used in making it, as it is employed in the act of swearing +an oath, yet, when it is made, the exercise of swearing is implied; or, +every vow to God implies the giving of an oath, or the act of swearing +by his name. The swearing of an oath always brings under obligation to +God, and therefore always includes the making of a vow. When men +covenant with one another, and appeal to God by oath, they come under an +engagement to him, and also an engagement to one another; or, they vow +and swear to God, and promise and swear to one another. When men in +secret swear to God, what they swear to do, or the matter of their oath, +is a vow; and their oath is sworn in formally calling on him to witness +the making of their vow, and to judge them should they not fulfil it. +When men covenant with one another and vow also to God, their vow +carries along with it an oath, or the calling of God to act as witness +and judge. The apprehension that God will punish for not making +fulfilment to him accompanies equally the oath and the vow. In both is +implied what may be denominated not properly an imprecation, but rather +an acknowledgment of the justice of God's procedure in punishing should +the engagement not be fulfilled. Both the vow and oath are made _to_ +God. The oath, besides, is made in the use of the name of God. When an +oath is enjoined, so is a vow; for that which is promised to God in the +oath is a vow. 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 oath. + + +CONFESSION. + +The term CONFESS, and the corresponding word CONFESSION, are employed in +reference to the subject of Covenanting. The former of these is +sometimes used in regard to God as an object, and sometimes in reference +to men. To confess to God, or to the name of God, means to perform +services which include among them the exercise of Covenanting. In more +than one passage of the prayer of Solomon, at the dedication of the +temple, it denotes _to Covenant_. He said, "When thy people Israel be +smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, +and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make +supplication unto thee in this house: then hear thou in heaven, and +forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land +which thou gavest unto their fathers."[54] The sin to which the people +of Israel were peculiarly exposed was that of idolatry. For that they +were afterwards carried away from the land that had before been promised +in covenant to their fathers. In practising that they transgressed the +covenant.[55] When they should be restored they would take into their +mouth, instead of the names of idols, the name of God, and that by +taking hold upon his covenant.[56] Besides, the passage is parallel to +the following:--"In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the +children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, +going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the Lord their God. They +shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, +and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall +not be forgotten."[57] Both passages refer to the same event--the +restoration of Israel. The exercise of confessing the name of God, +corresponds to that of joining to him in a perpetual covenant. The verb +(ידה--εξομολογεομαι) in the Hebrew, when connected +with the name of God in different other passages, has the same import. +An instance from the Psalms is found in these words:--"Save us, O Lord +our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks (confess) +unto thy holy name."[58] The ground of the Psalmist's encouragement to +utter this prayer was, that the Lord remembered for his people his +covenant; and it could not be for less than that they should, after +their recal, take hold on that covenant, that he made supplication that +they should be gathered from the heathen. The verb in the Greek by which +the Seventy translate the Hebrew term, we should conclude, must +therefore sometimes have the same force. But that it frequently has in +the New Testament that signification, is manifest from the connections +in which it stands in portions of it that shall now be considered. We +read, "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision +for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and +that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For +this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles;"[59] and conclude +that the vow here quoted from the Psalms, which should be adopted by the +people of God in the presence of the Gentiles, was, that they would +Covenant with him. It was the promises of that covenant, of which +circumcision was a sign, that Christ came to confirm. The Gentiles could +not glorify God for his mercy without cleaving to it; and it was by +believers making manifestations of attachment to that covenant, of which +Covenanting was one, that the Gentiles should be brought, in a manner +more or less explicit, to adhere unto it. Before proceeding farther, we +take the record of the infamous transaction between the chief priests +and captains, and Judas,--"And they were glad, and covenanted to give +him money. And he promised (εξωμολογησε)."[60] And we +consequently infer that the word which designates Judas' conduct in +completing his treacherous bargain, when used in a good sense, bears the +construction _to Covenant_. Again, we read, "God also hath highly +exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the +name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in +earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess +that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."[61] And we +remark, that to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, from this appears to +be tantamount to an oath, and accordingly includes in it, _to Covenant_. +The passage is a manifest application to the Redeemer of the prophetic +words, "Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear."[62] The +last words that remain to be considered are another quotation of the +same Scripture:--"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every +knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God."[63] They +follow the statement, "For we shall all stand before the judgment-seat +of Christ;" but they do not refer exclusively to the final judgment. As +the expression, "every knee shall bow to me," cannot be confined to that +alone, so neither can that which immediately follows. They appear to be +used to show that he to whom such homage by men shall be paid, will +preside at the future judgment; and accordingly intimate, that +throughout all time that homage shall be given. There is no reason +afforded in the whole passage to conclude, that the homage will include +in it less than all the services connected with the use of the oath. + +Another verb (ομολογεω) in the Greek of the New Testament is +also rendered _to confess_. It is that from which the former, by the +addition of a prefix, which gives emphasis to the meaning, is derived. +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 ask."[64] It therefore designates the act by which one enters into +an agreement or a covenant with another. It has that import in classic +writers among the Greeks. It is used by the Apostle in writing to the +Hebrews and to others, in such circumstances as to preclude the idea +that that meaning he did not attach to it. One case may be selected. "By +him therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, +that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks (confessing) to his +name."[65] Confessing here is manifestly parallel to the offering of the +sacrifice of praise. The vow was frequently a sacrifice; and is the +making of the vow not included in confessing to his name? + +When either of these terms in the Greek, without limitation, is +employed, and God is the object, it bears the meaning _to Covenant_. In +the cases supposed, each must be viewed as capable, severally, of every +interpretation that it bears in specific connections, and, consequently, +of the import that is contended for. The former, in these cases, +sometimes means to confess sins--at others, to confess gratitude, or to +give thanks--at others, to covenant; and at others, considered apart +from its connection, it may not appear to intimate specifically any one +of these in preference to the others. When thus indefinitely used, it +must be understood as designed to bear individually each signification. +Thus, the passages, "I will confess to thee among the Gentiles," "Every +tongue shall confess unto God," each intimate the acknowledgment of sin, +the giving of God thanks, and the exercise of Covenanting with him. The +latter of the terms is used indefinitely only when God is the object: it +is in the passage, "giving thanks (or confessing) to his name," the +signification of which from the context, has been considered. + +When the object of confession in any passages is not adverted to, and +the subject of confession is not stated, _to confess_ there means, to +Covenant. That object must be either God, or men, or both. In those +passages it must be severally both; and, consequently, such bring before +us, not only the making of acknowledgments to men, but the making of +confession, according to its most diversified character, to God. This is +the case in the passage, "With the mouth confession is made to +salvation." + +To _confess_ Christ signifies to Covenant. Its import is, to confess him +to men, and also to confess him to God. And the passage last quoted, +according to the interpretation given of it, proves that the latter is +to Covenant. When confession with the mouth is made to salvation, it is +Christ that is confessed. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord +Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from +the dead, thou shalt be saved; for with the heart man believeth unto +righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation."[66] + +_To make confession_ is to confess. The form of expression occurs twice +in the English version of the Old Testament, and the passages, according +to what has been shown, describe at once the exercises of confessing +sin, and of Covenanting. And that the former of the passages records the +latter of these exercises, moreover, is manifest; from the expressed +resolution of king Hezekiah, of which that passage recounts the +fulfilment. He said, "Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with +the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from +us."[67] And the accomplishment was, "And the children of Israel that +were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days +with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praising the Lord +day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord. And Hezekiah +spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of +the Lord: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering +peace-offerings, and making _confession_ to the Lord God of their +fathers."[68] The other passage states the character of an exercise in +which Daniel as an individual engaged, and from its very structure, +independently of the conclusion to which we have otherwise come, +manifests him as taking hold on God's covenant, as well as acknowledging +sin. "I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my _confession_, and said, +O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to +them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments."[69] + +The phrase TO PROFESS, is, when used in connection with godliness or +true religion, in the New Testament, equivalent to that _to Confess_. It +is a translation of one of the verbs (ομολογεω), which is +rendered also by the latter. To profess either the knowledge of God, or +godliness, or a good profession, or faith, or subjection to the gospel, +corresponds to the act of professing Christ. If performed to God, it is, +according to the import of the expression _confessing to him_, to +Covenant. If performed to men, it is to bear testimony to the truth. If +not represented as performed either to him or to them, it is to be +understood as being, according to their respective characters, performed +to both; and, accordingly, to be interpreted as not merely to testify to +the truth of God before the world, but also to engage in the solemn +exercise of Covenanting. The exercise of Covenanting is accordingly to +be understood as referred to in these scripture declarations:--"Whiles +by the experiment of this ministration, they glorify God for your +_professed_ subjection unto the gospel of Christ."[70] "They _profess_ +that they know God; but in works they deny him."[71] "Women _professing_ +godliness."[72] "And hast _professed_ a good _profession_ before many +witnesses."[73] "Let us hold fast the _profession_ of our faith without +wavering; for he is faithful that promised."[74] + +The term PROFESSION, when used in the same connection, is equivalent to +the term _confession_; and hence includes in its import the exercise of +Covenanting. 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 Hebrews, of Christ as the high +priest of our profession. In this aspect of his character, the Redeemer +was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the +promises made unto the fathers; and under this, taught the people to +manifest in every possible manner their attachment to God's +Covenant--duties which they would not have performed, if in making +confession to God they had not confessed their acquiescence in that +Covenant. + + +PERSONAL COVENANTING + +Is an ACT OF ADHERENCE to God's Covenant. It is the definite exercise of +giving acquiescence to that Covenant in its whole character. It is not +simply acquiescing in that Covenant in the heart, but signifying that +acquiescence in a positive service. The Covenanting believer, like the +people of Israel with Josiah their king, in this exercise, stands to the +Covenant.[75] That party in this exercise takes hold upon the Covenant, +and cleaves to it; that is, not merely performs other services required +in the Covenant, but absolutely engages to it. And here, uses such +language as the words of Jacob, "The Lord shall be my God." But +particularly, + +First, This is a solemn act approving of the way of salvation through +Jesus Christ. In every religious exercise an approval of this method of +restoration to the favour of God is implied; in this it is specially +intimated. To make that approval in this act there is afforded +encouragement. It was to Israel represented as about to engage in +Covenanting individually, that He who described himself, "The Lord, the +King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts," made the appeal, +"Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no +God, (literally, rock.) I know not any."[76] This approval has been +explicitly declared in this exercise. To invite to the performance of +this act, there were used the words, "Return, ye backsliding children, +and I will heal your backslidings." And in Covenanting individually, not +less than socially, accepting the invitation, these said, "Behold, we +come unto thee, for thou art the Lord our God. Truly in vain is +salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; +truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel."[77] The making of +this approval has been commemorated. Certainly not less in taking hold +on God's Covenant did David express his satisfaction in it, than in the +pleasing record given by him in these words, "He hath made with me an +everlasting Covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my +salvation, and all my desire."[78] And in all those circumstances in +which, by performing this act, the believer will declare himself to be +on the Lord's side, this approval will be made. "Then said Jesus unto +the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, +to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life."[79] + +Secondly. This is a solemn act of accepting Christ and all his benefits. +It has been performed by many who had previously known the grace of +God. The nation of Israel, when about to enter the promised land, were +generally a people who feared God.[80] They had heard of the promise +made to Abraham, "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be +blessed," and by faith must have been looking forward to the Messiah +thus foretold. But on the occasion of their renovation of God's Covenant +in the land of Moab, they were exhorted through Moses to make a _choice_ +of Him as their life, and of that life which comes by Him alone. +"Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: that thou +mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and +that thou mayest cleave unto him; (for he is thy life, and the length of +thy days;) that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto +thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."[81] +David illustrating the practice of many, in special exercises performed +this. Take his record of one of these. "O my soul, thou hast said unto +the Lord, Thou art my Lord."--"Their sorrows shall be multiplied that +hasten after another god: their drink-offerings of blood will I not +offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of +mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot."[82] The vow +here is emphatic, being made against swearing to another god, and +intimating that the Lord, being his Lord, and the portion of his +inheritance and of his cup, had been received by him according to a +choice to which he still adhered. When Jesus appeared in the flesh, some +who had believed in a Messiah to come, and who were accordingly true +believers, in acts of Covenanting received Jesus as a Saviour that was +come. John, the forerunner, was sanctified from the womb; but after +Jesus had commenced his public ministry, that distinguished individual +on one occasion, seeing Him coming unto him, said, "Behold the Lamb of +God, which taketh away the sin of the world."[83] And this act of +appropriation, as well as of bearing testimony, he afterwards repeated. +Nathaniel was a believing expectant of the Messiah. Of him Jesus made +honourable mention when he said, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is +no guile;" and he, immediately on perceiving proofs of his Divine +character, professed his acceptance of him. "Nathaniel answered and +saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of +Israel."[84] And Thomas and Peter, as instances of those who have +received him, testifying in the exercise of Covenanting to their cordial +acceptance of him, said in the solemn act of confessing his name, the +one, "My Lord and my God;"[85] and the other, in language implying the +same avouchment, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I +love thee."[86] + +They receive the Father as a God in Covenant, who receive the Son; and +they receiving the Son receive the Holy Spirit--the Spirit of promise. +The acceptance of the Redeemer therefore is the acceptance of a +Three-one-God, as a Covenant God. In Covenanting, that acceptance is +made by the saints. And all things are theirs, and they are Christ's, +and Christ is God's. Of the Father as reconciled unto them, as having +drawn them to himself, and justified them, and adopted them into his +family, they accept in that exercise. In that, too, they accept of the +Redeemer as their prophet and king, and acquiesce in his priesthood held +on their behalf. And in that, the Holy Spirit, as the Spirit of Christ, +the Remembrancer, the glorious Agent who brings from death to life, who +illuminates the understanding, who gives comfort and consolation, and +who sanctifies, and proves the earnest of the purchased possession, they +solemnly accept. And, accordingly, all that sovereign mercy has done for +them, or wrought in them, or will accomplish on their behalf, in that +they solemnly receive. + +Thirdly. This is a solemn act of renouncing the claims of the devil, the +world, and the flesh, upon the heart and life. When Christ is received, +Satan is cast out; actually by Divine power, and resolutely by the +subjects of Divine grace. And the resolution to abandon Satan and his +cause enters into the covenant engagement. "O Lord our God, other lords +beside thee have had dominion over us; but by thee only will we make +mention of thy name."[87] "Take away all iniquity, and receive us +graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. Asshur shall not +save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say any more to +the work of our hands, Ye are our gods." "Ephraim shall say, What have I +to do any more with idols?"[88] "What agreement hath the temple of God +with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I +will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they +shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye +separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will +receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and +daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."[89] The injunction, "Be ye +separate," inculcates not merely the performance of the act of +separating from what is evil, but the exercise of Covenanting to +accomplish it. The corresponding command in prophecy is, "Be ye clean." +And the verb in the Hebrew is that rendered by the term _purge_ in the +passage, "I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you +into the bond of the covenant. And I will purge out from among you the +rebels, and them that transgress against me."[90] The Lord purged out +the heathen from among the Jews who returned to Jerusalem, and who, +under Nehemiah, entered into a covenant with God. These Jews themselves, +at God's command, and to the accomplishment of his purpose, separated +themselves from those heathens, not merely actually, but also by solemn +covenant. In like manner, the Nazarite separated himself from certain +things, not merely in reality, but likewise by vow. And since the +separation was one, 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 prophets, we are warranted to conclude that the +injunction of the Apostle, "Be ye separate," implies not less than the +covenant engagement to separate, which those other cases of separation +include. + +Fourthly. This solemn act includes voluntary self-dedication to God. It +is a willing acknowledgment of the right which God, by creation and +redemption, has in the whole man; it harmonizes with the claim, "Thus +saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O +Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by my +name; thou art mine;"[91] and is expressed in the language, "Lord, I am +thine, save me."[92] It is the cheerful offer of perpetual obedience to +his law. It is thus required, "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve +him in sincerity and in truth,"[93] and is thus tendered, "O Lord, truly +I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid."[94] +"Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in +thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and +ever."[95] "I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever; I will trust in +the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: +thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name."[96] Both +to the world and to God himself, in vowing to him, "One shall say, I am +the Lord's;" and of many, individually as well as collectively, it might +be declared, as of those of Macedonia, that they "gave their ownselves +to the Lord."[97] These were saints; and, accordingly, this testimony +was not borne to their first subjection to the gospel, but to an act of +self-surrender to God, on the occasion of their making, in the spirit of +true benevolence, provision for his poor. + +Finally. This is a solemn act in which is made to God a promise to +perform certain specific duties. There is no exercise that would be +acceptable to God, that should not come within the range of a promise +made in such a service. Abstinence from besetting sins, increased +diligence in the use of the means of grace, positive benevolent or +religious services, the exercise of all the christian graces, and +whatever observance the enlightened mind may apprehend as peculiarly +incumbent, in this act may be engaged to. Illustrations of this are +afforded by the vow of Jacob at Bethel, the vow of Hannah, the vow and +oath of David to provide a place for the ark of the Lord, the vow of the +Nazarite, the vows paid by offerings laid on the altar of God, and all +offerings of obedience acceptable through Jesus Christ. + + +SOCIAL COVENANTING, + +Like that which is Personal, is an act of acquiesence in God's Covenant. +They who are accepted in it are the saints. All invited to join in it +are required to have regard to all the institutions of religion. When +an injunction to engage in the service is delivered, the Covenant of God +is exhibited; and the blessings of that Covenant are promised to those +who will properly perform the exercise, and fulfil their obligations. + +First. This act is performed by the Christian church in a collective +ecclesiastical capacity. One in opinion regarding her doctrine, worship, +discipline, and government, her members, having one origin, upheld by +the same grace, designed for one end, called to the same privileges, +enjoined to perform the same duties, expectants of the same glorious +consummation, and harmonious in their sentiments regarding special +incumbent duties, and concerning the manner of performing them, come +forward, and as one body in this unite. Unity of existence is necessary +to the body confederated in the social covenant. Those who hold the +truth cannot enter into it with the infidel, the unbeliever, the +erroneous or profane. All who unite in it must have the same motives, +and contemplate the same ultimate end. All must have the same sentiments +of a Covenant God, and harmonize in their views of the means to be +employed in order to the attainment of that end. There is no church so +free from imperfection as not to need an enlargement or correction of +its views. Yet no body of professing Christians are warranted in uniting +in covenant with those who hold not the truth. The unity of the Spirit +is necessary in the bond of peace. No church, in entering into Covenant, +includes so much in her engagements as the word of God requires. And, +hence, a standing of Christian profession higher than has yet been +attained to by any, has to be aspired at. To secure that, a closer +regard to what should be the character of the true church than has been +paid, is requisite. To unite with the people of God is good; but to +unite with any elsewhere than on the basis of truth, is not to be +desired. 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 earth. And +though, after confederation is effected, tolerable approximation to it +may be made, the sacrifice required may often not be excused. But when +each party aims at the truth, the more they advance, the more they will +approach each other; and happy will they be and honoured who will arrive +there. 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 +all; and it is, notwithstanding these, (but not as if he disregarded +them) that he continues to make, to those chargeable with them, +manifestations of his favour. If some are nearer the consummation of +Christian character and profession than many around them, let them not +go back or wait on the others, but invite these to follow and unite, +that all in due time may together go on to perfection. + +Secondly. This act is performed by Christians in a national capacity. +Acknowledging the law of God as the basis of legislation--ecclesiastical +and civil; recognising themselves as individually and jointly called to +obey it; as put in possession of common benefits arising from the +dispensation of the law of Christ, in things civil as well as religious; +and as called to promote the interests of the kingdom of Him who is king +in Zion, the Governor among the nations, and Lord of all--as one body +they engage in this. The members of Christ's church are members of civil +society, of which, too, he is the Head; and a reason not less +substantial than that for vowing in an ecclesiastical capacity, they +therefore have for engaging as members of a civil community in the +exercise of Covenanting with God. Only such a covenant as corresponds +with his will is acceptable to Him. But there are reasons why all in a +Christian nation should collectively enter into such. Were some whose +sentiments or practice might not correspond with the Covenant, to seek +to enter it, there would be every reason why the federal union with +these should not be completed. Such individuals are not fitted to have a +charge or trust in the State committed to them. Till they would exhibit +signs of repentance and reformation, they should not be received. Were a +party in power, or desiring it, possessed of such a character, even +apparently disposed to enter into such covenants, wisdom would say, +Enter not into confederacy with them. + +Thirdly. Various communities may be confederated together in one solemn +Covenant with God. By this it is not intended that different churches +holding many conflicting sentiments, and entertaining different plans of +attaining even to a good end, may warrantably so unite in an +ecclesiastical capacity. What prevents different churches from adopting +the same standards, and holding communion with one another in waiting on +all the ordinances of divine grace, is sufficient to prevent them from +associating in league in this manner. Nor is it intended that by such a +federal union merely a testimony against error should be given, without +a solemn declaration of adherence to specified truths. 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 itself, exclusively +of every other--for that system might be very imperfect--but because +that it holds the truth, and is bound to go on to perfection. Its own +imperfections are drawbacks upon its avowal of the truth; by uniting +with others, who would refuse to give the truth which it might hold the +desired prominence, it should not suffer that truth to be inadequately +exhibited, or concealed. But the people of God in different states or +kingdoms, or in different communities or churches in the same kingdom, +may enter into various species of solemn covenants with one another, to +carry into effect the design of the exhibition of the truth. It is the +variety of opinion that exists among organised churches that prevents +these from co-operating together in various benevolent or religious +schemes, and that is sufficient to prevent some who maintain the duty of +Covenanting, from associating with others in discharging it. Because of +the church's imperfection, none of her procedures harmonize completely, +either with one another, or with the truth. But individual communities +are not therefore warranted in being content with proceeding to bear a +testimony for it on a principle of approximative expediency. What +different bodies could do together better than singly without +sacrificing the cause of the truth on either hand, they are warranted to +unite in solemn Covenant to effect. What each body could do for the +interests of Christ's kingdom with more effect alone, let its members +among themselves strengthen their obligations to perform. Were there to +be formed federal unions that would lead to the investigation and +discovery of the mind of God contained in his word, and to the diffusion +of truth agreed upon, as well as to the reprobation of acknowledged +evils, those who form them might by degrees be drawn so closely +together, not merely in love and zeal, but also in sentiment, that, +instead of being distinguished by so many differences as they now +exhibit, they would appear as but one church united in a single +consentaneous doctrinal and practical profession of the truth as it is +in Jesus. + +Fourthly. This act implies all that is included in personal Covenanting. +The community as a body engage in it. But without the concurrence of +each individual the transaction cannot be the deed of the whole. The +whole accept of the promise by each receiving it. The whole engage to +duty by each entering into an engagement. Between God and each +individual a covenant is made when the whole Covenant. The work of +acceding to the covenant conditions on the part of each is personal. The +provision on which all as a body lay hold is accepted by each in +particular. The promise may be one which is not suited to each +individually, but adapted to a whole, made up of individuals, each of +whom is interested in it. The services promised, one might not of +himself have been able to perform; but, in order to the performance of +them, each, with the others, might be called to unite. What is not +required of all individually, may not be conjoined to form one demand on +all. And what is not promised to men personally, cannot be offered to a +community in general. The act of the Covenanting Society is complex, and +is the aggregate of the actings of all who compose it. And the +responsibility of the whole is a responsibility which each bears. Each, +as a Christian, as interested in the prosperity of Christ's kingdom, as +a voluntary agent engaged in promoting the truth, as called to endeavour +to seek the welfare of men, and as seeking the advancement of the glory +of God,--each associates with the others in the transaction, and gives +it its Covenant character. + +Fifthly. This act is, on the part of the Covenanting community as a +body, the acceptance of the benefits of God's Covenant in general, and +of special benefits of it, in particular. It is a reception of the +benefits, the attainment of which the Covenant as a mean contemplates. +These benefits are offered in exhibitions of Divine grace. In the +Covenant they are laid hold on by acquiescence and acceptance. The +enjoyment of them may belong to a period near, or even long posterior, +and may be attained to through the use of other means besides; but in +Covenanting they are solemnly apprehended and appropriated. In reference +to his repeated acceptance of the promises of God in this act,[98] there +is borne to the father of the faithful, the testimony, "By faith +Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that received the +promises offered up his only begotten son."[99] And as a people, the +Israelites in this act received the promises. "Who are Israelites; to +whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the +giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises."[100] The +Covenants must have been the different dispensations of the same +Covenant--the former dispensations, or the Old Covenant, and the last, +or the New Covenant. It was at a renovation of the Covenant under the +former dispensation, that the people of Israel received the law; and +certainly not less the promises. Are the benefits contemplated in the +exercise of Covenanting, individual or general reformation in religion +or in practice, or the preservation of peace and truth, or any other +blessings spiritual or temporal? These are included in God's Covenant +promise, and in this act they are consequently accepted as thus +embodied. + +Sixthly. In this act the Covenanting community vow to God to render +general and specified obedience. In that is expressed or implied the +offer of obedience to the whole law of God, and to particular obvious +requirements included in it. When the Covenant was made at Sinai, the +people said, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be +obedient."[101] And at Shechem, before Joshua, this was their language, +"The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."[102] At +the return from the captivity, the oath taken included the promise to +discharge specific demands of God's law; and every vow should be made, +and every oath sworn, in order to perform some service required. + +Seventhly. This act is a solemn federal transaction among the members of +the Covenanting community. The fact of the public social character of +the act shows that the engagements of a Covenant with God, have a +reference to the relations to one another of those who Covenant. The +reception of good from the hand of God, through the means of +Covenanting, necessarily supposes that that good, at least in part, will +come to each in some manner by those associated in the exercise. The +promise of obedience to God by vow or oath, includes a promise of +certain services to each member of the confederation. When a vow or an +oath to God, to accept of good from one another, or to perform mutual +services among themselves is made, a corresponding engagement to each +other is thereby made among them. The two engagements are distinct in +themselves; but the latter flows from, or is constituted by, the former; +nay, in so far as the former has a regard to mutual relations among the +parties themselves, it was made that the latter might obtain. The vow or +oath to God is not an engagement to men; but what is by vow or oath +promised to God to be performed to men, constitutes the reality or +substance of an engagement thereby made to them. Covenanting with God is +the laudable means employed to bring parties together, to promise in the +most solemn manner to accept of specified good from each other, and to +render certain services in correspondence therewith to each. + +It is by engaging to God, that they engage to one another. And therefore +conversely, it may be added, that their own engagement to one another, +as well as their engagement to God, by which that engagement was made, +is, according to the general definition of Covenanting that has been +given, a taking hold upon the Covenant of Grace. + +The engagement to God is always substantial, whether by vow or oath, or +by both; as is the engagement among the Covenanting parties. But one or +other of the engagements may be either expressed or understood. The +recognition of their engagement to one another may be implied, but not +expressed, whilst the Covenant of the Lord to whom they vow or swear to +give obedience, is explicitly adhered to. This was the case with the +people of Israel when they engaged in the act, along with Josiah their +king. "And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the +Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his +testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his +soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this +book. And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to +stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the +covenant of God, the God of their fathers."[103] Again, these mutual +engagements, in some cases, may be expressed, while the Covenant of God +is implicitly renewed. Zedekiah, and the people of Israel, at once, in +express terms, entered into an engagement to set free their servants who +were of their brethren, and before the Lord thus in covenant with him +implicitly engaged to a duty which, on the occasion of the Covenanting +at Sinai had been enjoined.[104] In other cases, both the engagement to +God, and the engagement of those who Covenant to one another, may be +explicit. "Jehoiada made a Covenant between the Lord and the king and +the people, that they should be the Lord's people; between the king also +and the people."[105] + +Eighthly. This act is a public acceptance of the truth of God, and a +renunciation of error. It is a public confession to God of a heartfelt +approbation of his holy oracles, and of the doctrines and precepts +revealed in them--a testimony to the perfection of his word and +ordinances, and an abandonment of all that is inconsistent with them. It +is the act of a witnessing body, appointed to bear testimony in that +exercise for him. In reference to their Covenant engagements, the Lord +says to his people, "Ye are even my witnesses."[106] In this act, they +confess him before men. In vowing, or swearing to give obedience to his +law, is implied an approbation of his holy oracles; and that approval in +the act is also declared. They who keep his Covenant, keep his +testimonies; and they who cleave to the one, adhere to the other. "I +have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I laid before me."[107] +"Thy testimonies have I taken for an heritage for ever: for they are the +rejoicing of my heart."[108] They who take the Covenant of God into +their mouth, declare his statutes;[109] and if worthy, their resolution +in sincerity is thus expressed, "I will meditate in thy precepts, and +have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I +will not forget thy word."[110] + +Lastly. This act is performed in the name of those who engage in it, and +in the name of posterity. The Lord made a Covenant at once with Noah, +and with his descendants. The Lord made a Covenant with Abraham as the +father of many nations. In the land of Moab, the Israelites and their +seed after them, at once entered into such a relation. "Neither with you +only do I make this Covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth +here with us this day before the Lord our God, and also with him that is +not here with us this day."[111] And when the former did so, they were +encouraged to choose life, that they and their seed might live.[112] The +Covenant of the priesthood made with Phinehas, was not entered into +merely with himself, but also with his posterity who should exist to far +distant times; and at Sinai, when Israel engaged to be for the Lord, in +the second commandment they had addressed to them a reason of obedience, +implying that their engagement was not merely on their own, but also on +their children's behalf. "I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting +the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth +generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of +them that love me, and keep my commandments."[113] + + +PERMANENT MEANS OF COVENANT RATIFICATION. + +It has been shown that whenever a vow is made, or an oath is sworn, a +covenant with God is made. It now remains to be proved that every +covenant with God is ratified by oath. + +Though the oath is frequently exhibited without explicit reference to +the Covenant, and the Covenant in like manner is spoken of without +mention being made of the oath, yet since in no passage either +explicitly or implicitly is evidence afforded that the one is ever +dissociated from the other, and, since the two occur so frequently +together, it may be warrantably concluded, that when the one alone is +adverted to, the other is implied. + +In many passages are the ideas of oath and covenant so associated +together, that the strongest presumption is afforded that the one is +essential to the other; and, accordingly, that when a covenant with God +is made, it is in the use of the oath. What on this point could be more +conclusive than the language,--"Thus saith the Lord God, I will even +deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in +breaking the covenant?"[114] + +A verb (שבע), signifying _to swear_, and two corresponding +nouns are derived from a word for the number _seven_. That was a sacred +number, or a number of perfection, not merely among the Israelites, but +among other nations, and was used for the purpose of signifying an oath. +A present of seven vouchers sometimes accompanied the act of swearing. +"Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech: and both of +them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by +themselves.--And he said, For these seven ewe-lambs shalt thou take of +my hand, that they may be a witness unto me that I have digged this +well. Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they +sware both of them."[115] The design of thus using the number being to +give confirmation, such also must have been the end of using the oath. +It is not improbable that the number _seven_ may have been employed +because that in seven days, according to the pattern set in the period +of creation, and consequent sabbath, there are included the six days +appointed for labour and the sabbath of rest. But, however that may be, +we have the testimony of an inspired writer, that what was suggested in +symbol by the number is the design of the oath. "An oath for +confirmation is--an end of all strife." + +Finally, a covenant with God, whether made in secret or in public, from +its very nature cannot be entered into without an oath. Sometimes the +vow and oath were used together. David "sware unto the Lord, and vowed +unto the mighty God of Jacob." Mutual promises among men, though they +confer obligation, do not always stand connected with a covenant with +God, for they are made sometimes without a vow or an oath. But a +promise made to God must be made either by vow or oath, or by both; and +since no covenant with Him can be made without a promise, it follows +that every covenant with Him is ratified by oath in its most explicit +form, or by the oath implied in the vow. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[2] Hosea vi. 7. + +[3] Jer. xxxiii. 20-25. + +[4] Gen. viii. 22. See also Hosea ii. 18. + +[5] Gen. xvii. 7. + +[6] Zech. xiii. 9. + +[7] Isa. lv. 3. + +[8] Isa. xlv. 24. + +[9] Ps. l. 16. + +[10] Confession of Faith, chap. xxii. 5, 6. + +[11] Ps. cxxxii. 2. + +[12] Num. xxi. 2. + +[13] Gen. xxviii. 20-22. + +[14] 1 Sam. i. 11. + +[15] Jer. xliv. 25, 26 + +[16] Jonah i. 16. + +[17] Deut. xxiii. 23. + +[18] Num. xxx. 2. + +[19] Nahum i. 15. + +[20] Ps. lxi. 8. + +[21] Compare Ps. cxxxii. 2, 3, and 2 Sam. vii. 1-3. + +[22] Ps. lxvi. 13, 14. + +[23] Mal. i. 14. + +[24] Num. xxi. 2. + +[25] Exod. xxxiv. 11. + +[26] Num. xxx. 9. + +[27] Ezek. xx. 37. + +[28] Confession of Faith, xxii. 1, 2. + +[29] Joshua ii. 17. + +[30] Gen. xxvi. 3. + +[31] Gesen. Lex. Heb. et Chald. + +[32] 1 Kings viii. 31. + +[33] Gen. xxiv. 3. + +[34] Lev. xix. 12. + +[35] Deut. vi. 13. + +[36] Mat. v. 34-36. + +[37] Jer. v. 2. + +[38] Jer. iv. 2. + +[39] Dan. xii. 7. + +[40] Rev. x. 5, 6. + +[41] Is. lxii. 8. + +[42] Exod. xxxiii. 1; Ezek. xx. 28. + +[43] Jer. iv. 1, 2. + +[44] 2 Chron. vi. 22, 23. + +[45] Deut. xxiii. 21, 22. + +[46] Num. xxx. 2. + +[47] Mat. v. 33, 34. + +[48] Eccl. v. 4-6. + +[49] Josh. xxii. 21-23. + +[50] Ezek. xvii. 18. + +[51] 1 Sam. xx. 8. + +[52] Prov. ii. 17. + +[53] Ezek. xvii. 16-19. + +[54] 1 Kings viii. 33, 34--See also ver. 35, 36. + +[55] Josh. xxiii. 16. + +[56] Zech. xiii. 9--See ver. 2. + +[57] Jer. i. 4, 5. + +[58] Ps. cvi. 47, 45--See also Ps. xviii. 49. + +[59] Rom. xv. 8, 9. + +[60] Luke xxii. 5, 6. + +[61] Phil. ii. 9-11. + +[62] Is. xlv. 23. + +[63] Rom. xiv. 11. + +[64] Matt. xiv. 7. + +[65] Heb. xiii. 15. + +[66] Rom. x. 9, 10. + +[67] 2 Chron. xxix. 10. + +[68] 2 Chron. xxx. 21, 22. + +[69] Dan. ix. 4. + +[70] 2 Cor. ix. 13. + +[71] Titus i. 16. + +[72] 1 Tim. ii. 10. + +[73] 1 Tim. vi. 12. + +[74] Heb. x. 23. + +[75] 2 Kings xxiii. 3. + +[76] Is. xliv. 8; see v. 6. + +[77] Jer. iii. 22, 23. + +[78] 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. + +[79] John vi. 67, 68. + +[80] Jer. ii. 2, 3. + +[81] Deut. xxx. 19, 20. + +[82] Ps. xvi. 2-4, 5. + +[83] John i. 29. + +[84] John i. 49. + +[85] John xx. 28. + +[86] John xxi. 17; see also Deut. vi. 5. + +[87] Is. xxvi. 13. + +[88] Hosea xiv. 2, 3, 8. + +[89] 2 Cor. vi. 16-18. + +[90] Ezek. xx. 37, 38. + +[91] Is. xliii. 1. + +[92] Ps. cxix. 94. + +[93] Josh. xxiv. 14. + +[94] Ps. cxvi. 16. + +[95] Ps. cxix. 43, 44. + +[96] Ps. lxi. 4, 5. + +[97] 2 Cor. viii. 5. + +[98] Rom. iv. 20-22. + +[99] Heb. xi. 17. + +[100] Rom. ix. 4. + +[101] Exod. xxiv. 7. + +[102] Josh. xxiv. 24. See also, v. 25. + +[103] 2 Chron. xxxiv. 31, 32. + +[104] Jer. xxxiv. 8-18; see also Exod. xxi. 2. + +[105] 2 Kings xi. 17. + +[106] Isa. xliv. 8. + +[107] Ps. cxix. 30. + +[108] Ps. cxix. 111. + +[109] Ps. l. 16. + +[110] Ps. cxix. 15, 16. + +[111] Deut. xxix. 14, 15. + +[112] Deut. xxx. 19. + +[113] Exod. xx. 5, 6. + +[114] Ezek. xvi. 59. + +[115] Gen. xxi. 27, 28, 30, 31. See Gesen. Lex. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +MANNER OF COVENANTING. + + +Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of +Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people +while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in +which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our +knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His +doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He +has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has +given us to see that He does act in wondrous condescension to his +saints. Being an infinite, glorious Spirit, He does not perform the +deeds of men clothed with flesh and blood, but being the upholder of all +things, and the glorious fountain of all the means of operation which +men employ, with them He can and does hold communication. In the +ordinances of His grace He has made his chosen ones to know him. Proofs +of His gracious regard to them He has in all ages given. In the earlier +part of the history of time, their bodily senses he addressed: in all +time their souls, by the inhabitation of his Holy Spirit, experienced +the goodness of His grace. What He records of His transactions with His +people is after the manner of beings possessed of material qualities, as +well as gifted with undying spirits. Though not possessed of bodily +organs, He spake to men; though not material, He hears and sees them; +and He testifies to their deeds and thoughts. Unchanging, He acts not +nor thinks as men do. 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 infinite, but of a perfect material, being. +And what in the language of metaphor He has taught, or what He has +presented before the bodily organs and minds of all, they are called to +receive as bearing the character of truth. When His people, in vowing or +swearing to Him, take hold on Him, He covenants with them. Receiving +their various services offered to Him, He acknowledges them as covenant +children. They vow unto Him; He made promises to them. They swear unto +Him; He has sworn unto them. They avouch Him to be their God; He +avouches them to be His people. + +On occasions of Covenanting, God has actually made promises, and sworn +to men. To Noah, to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob; to the whole people of +Israel at Sinai; to David and others in these circumstances He spake. To +Noah once and again with enlargement the promise of His covenant He +uttered. Abraham had addressed to Him the promise on various occasions +of this nature, by the Lord holding converse with him as a friend. With +the people of Israel the Lord talked face to face in the Mount, out of +the midst of the fire. To Jacob he spake in a vision of the night at +Bethel. And a covenant of royalty with David he made in like manner. And +the oath of God at such seasons was given. He sware to Noah. Though the +first inspired historian does not mention the fact, it is recorded. +"This is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the +waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I +would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee."[116] To Abraham he +sware,--"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by +no greater, he sware by himself, saying, Surely blessing I will bless +thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."[117] The oath of God was +made to Isaac.[118] To Israel at Sinai: when the Lord brought them out +of Egypt He lifted up His hand.[119] It is because not merely that with +His finger He wrote the law on two tables of stone, but that in lifting +up his hand in swearing to them there, while giving the law, that it is +said,--"From his right hand went a fiery law for them."[120] And to +David also, in making a covenant with him, the Lord sware. "The Lord +hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; of the fruit +of thy body will I set upon thy throne."[121] + +Even in those ordinary cases in which, on Covenanting, communion with +God is enjoyed, He Covenants with them. This is implied in the very +designation of the exercise; but it is otherwise obvious. 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 made. +But then the Lord made an oath to his people, and thereby Covenanted +with them. "That thou shouldst enter into covenant with the Lord thy +God, and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this +day."[122] Yea there, after whatever manner, He avouched them to be His +people. "Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk +in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his +judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: and the Lord hath avouched +thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and +that thou shouldest keep all his commandments."[123] Yea, except the +contrary be stated or implied somewhere, we should not be warranted in +maintaining that the oath of God was not always given on occasions of +Covenanting, before the Canon of Scripture was closed. In the historic +record of Jacob's life no account is given of God's making an oath to +him. Yet we are certain that He covenanted with him. And that he +actually sware to him, is one of the conclusions that may be +legitimately drawn from the words, "As he hath sworn unto thy fathers, +to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."[124] And that He, under this last +dispensation, always Covenants with believers, when they vow and swear +to Him, is manifest from those declarations in which he promises to make +a covenant with them. Whether or not on these occasions he absolutely +makes an oath, is not revealed. That we should know whether or not he +does so, is not necessary, else the book of Divine revelation had not +been completed. But even though, as under the law, when the sons of +Aaron on entering on the priesthood, took vows upon them to fulfil its +duties, he should not actually make a new oath, the vows and oaths of +His people came up before Him as formerly they did from before his +altar, and the oaths which He had sworn before, even on their behalf, +are made available to them. Thus Israel were enjoined, "That thou +shouldest enter into covenant with the Lord thy God, and into his oath, +which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day; that he may establish +thee to-day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto thee a +God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, +to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Neither with you only do I make this +covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth here with us this day +before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this +day."[125] And thus were encouraged those who should succeed these in +drawing near to God. "The sons of the stranger, that join themselves to +the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his +servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and +taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain; +and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt-offerings and +their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall +be called an house of prayer for all people."[126] + +Now, Covenanting must be engaged in intelligently. Not merely must there +be a desire to perform the service; but there must be an enlightened +apprehension of its nature. "It is a snare to the man who devoureth that +which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry."[127] Applicable to the +intellectual discernment that true faith includes, as well as to that +grace in its spiritual character, is the declaration, "He that cometh to +God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that +diligently seek him."[128] The Covenant children of God are taught of +him, and draw near to him as if He were not unknown, but revealed to +them in his grace. Though none can by searching find out God, nor find +out the Almighty unto perfection, yet those whom He saves know whom they +worship. According to the instructions delivered in his word, must be +the performance of every service of religion; and the character of God +as revealed, is that which must be apprehended in the discharge of each. +It was according to a Divine warrant and direction that the saints of +old entered into Covenant; and every lawful approach to him by vow or +oath requires a just appreciation of his character. "The Lord shall be +known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and +shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the +Lord, and perform it."[129] "This shall be the covenant that I will make +with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put +my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be +their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more +every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know ye the +Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the +greatest of them, saith the Lord."[130] + +Secondly. Covenanting must be engaged in cordially. That is not +religious homage which comes not from the heart. For an intelligent +being in any case to utter any thing that is inconsistent with the +thoughts of the mind is sinful; but in this case it is peculiarly +foolish and daring. If the affections of the heart be sanctified, they +will be elevated to God in every religious exercise, and especially in +this. Those who value their own souls, will not be devoid of intense +concern for their salvation, when before God they engage in testifying +to their acceptance thereof. They who seek to glorify God, will in this +draw near to him with their mouth, and with their lips do honour to him, +but not remove their hearts far from him. If a transaction that concerns +only a limited part of this world's good is often important, how much +more that which concerns the enjoyment of God as a portion! If an +engagement that concerns a few years' enjoyment is often found to +engross all the feelings of the mind, how absorbent of all the best +exercises of the heart should be a transaction for communion with God to +eternity! The men of Judah, on a solemn occasion, afforded an important +pattern in this. "All Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn +with all their heart."[131] And wherever the Covenant of God will be +taken hold upon by men returning to him, the whole heart will be +engaged. "I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord; and +they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return +unto me with their whole heart."[132] + +Thirdly. Covenanting must be engaged in with deliberation. To avow the +resolution, to abandon the service of satan and to fight under the +banner of Christ, is an exercise that entails momentous consequences. +And corresponding to its importance should be the fixedness of heart +called to its performance. In it a solemn attestation and adherence to a +choice of God as a Lord and Master, is made before him. Joshua's +patriotic and pious address at Shechem was delivered, not that Israel +should all choose God as if none of them had chosen him before, but that +those who had not cleaved to his Covenant should then cleave to it, and +that those who had taken hold upon it before, should again adhere to it. +He said, "If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this +day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that +were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in +whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the +Lord." And all attempting such an exercise, should possess a devotedness +such as that evinced by the answer returned by the people,--"God forbid +that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods, for the Lord our +God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of +Egypt, from the house of bondage."[133] + +Fourthly. Covenanting should be engaged in with sincerity, and with a +resolution to perform the engagement made. Dreadful are the +denunciations uttered against such as swear falsely. The Lord swears in +truth: he will not turn from it. And how daring on the part of any is it +to swear falsely in making a covenant! In an oath given falsely, God is +defied, his power to punish is challenged, and the stroke of his +indignation is impiously invoked to descend upon the guilty juror's +head. "If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid +upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in +this house: then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, +condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying +the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness."[134] The +people of God swear, "The Lord liveth," in truth, in righteousness, and +in judgment. With David they can declare, "I have sworn, and I will +perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments."[135] Each of them +may be denominated, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who +hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully."[136] +And firm will be their purpose to keep their pledge given in vowing unto +God--"Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse."[137] + +Fifthly. In the first ages, the exercise was accompanied by sacrifice. +The phrase (כרת ברית), which is most commonly employed to +designate the making of a covenant, consists of two terms, each of which +conducts us to the sacrificial rite. The latter of these, (ברית, a +covenant,) would appear to be derived from a verb which, +according to circumstances, bears the significations, _to cut, to +choose, to eat_. The connection between all these and an expression +which means _to purify_, is not obscure, nor is their relation to a word +(בר), with which that so rendered is intimately connected, +difficult to be traced. That which is eaten is made choice of for its +purity, or because that by cutting, it is separated from what is less +fitted for food, or even during the process of eating is cut. It is an +opinion held by one class of commentators, that the reason why that term +is put to signify _a covenant_, is, that it may be deduced from the verb +bearing the meaning _to choose_, and to which there would appear no +objection, provided that that meaning were reckoned to be secondary to +the signification _to eat_. The idea implied in the verb _to choose_ is +essentially abstract. Not so is that included in either the verb _to +cut_, or the verb _to eat_. From one of these, which may be considered +as collateral primary meanings, it must therefore be deduced. And since +it cannot be deduced from the one without the other, it must +consequently be derived from the latter. But since, on the occasion of +entering into covenant, feasts were wont to be kept, and since the flesh +of animals slain for sacrifice was not seldom partaken of by those +associated to present them, there is reason to conclude that food eaten +on the occasion of solemn Covenanting included the flesh of sacred +victims, and that while this term for _Covenant_ may be considered as +derived immediately from an expression signifying _to choose_, it is to +be viewed as tracing its origin to the same expression viewed as +denoting _to eat_, because the flesh of sacrifice afforded to the +federal parties a means of convivial entertainment in the accustomed +friendly feast. The other of these terms (כרת) means +literally _to cut_. It is used in describing the operation of cutting in +twain the animal sacrificed at the ratification of a covenant. "I will +give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not +performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when +they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof. The +princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the +priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts +of the calf; I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and +into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall +be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the +earth."[138] The practice of so dividing the victim was evidently in +accordance with the operation performed by Abraham, when the Lord made +a covenant with him.[139] Indeed, in the record given of that +transaction, a different term (בתר) is used to denote the +performance of the division, but this the more establishes its fact. And +though God's covenant is before spoken of as having been established, +and though Noah, on the occasion of his adhering to that covenant +immediately after the flood, offered sacrifice,[140] yet, it is in the +account given of that with Abraham, and as if the practice of cutting +the victim in twain had originated when it was entered into, that the +phrase connecting the two terms or their modifications is first used. +Thereafter, however, in reference to every variety of solemn Covenant +engagements, the phrase is adopted. It is employed to describe the +entering into covenant of men with men before the Lord, and consequently +of both parties with him. The cases of David and the elders of Israel at +Hebron,[141] and of Jehoash and his people,[142] afford instances. +Another such case is found in the account of the league between Joshua +and the princes of the congregation, and the Gibeonites.[143] In the +commands forbidding Israel to enter into covenant with the Canaanites, +or their gods, the phrase is used.[144] It is used when men are +represented as making a covenant with God. The record of that of Israel, +under Ezra, gives an illustration.[145] And it is the form of expression +by which the Lord himself is represented as entering into covenant with +men. The records of the transactions at Sinai and Moab, of his covenant +with David, and of his purposes to enter into covenant with his people, +as those appear in his precious word of promise, as well as other +passages, contain it. Yea, sometimes even where that word of the phrase +which means _covenant_ is omitted, the meaning of the other is most +manifestly the same as that of the whole.[146] + +The bisection of the victim symbolized Christ slain and affording access +to God through himself. The act pointed out precisely what was +represented by the rending of the vail of the temple, when Jesus +suffered on the cross. Both signified his death, and the opening up +thereby of a way of access to God. The act of passing between the parts +of the sacrifice was an emblem of the exercise of holding communion with +God, as made known in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. As +when the vail was rent the most holy place was no longer concealed, but +might be approached with safety; so when Jesus suffered there was +presented the reality of that provision for communion with God, which +was typified by the cutting of the calf in twain and passing between the +parts thereof. And the believing Covenanter employed in performing that +exercise enjoyed substantially the blessedness which is in reserve for +those who, in contemplation of the exercise of renewing their vows to +God, are enabled with an apostle to say,--"Having therefore, brethren, +boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and +living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is +to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let +us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our +hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with +pure water;" and being strengthened with Divine grace, after engaging in +it, he would feel disposed to do as these in similar circumstances in +ages long future urged:--"Let us hold fast the _profession_ of our faith +without wavering (for he is faithful that promised.)"[147] + +The act of swearing by the name of God was wont to be symbolized by the +offering of sacrifice. It has been shown that the number _seven_ was an +emblem of the oath. One of the things, therefore, denoted by the +offering of seven sacrifices was the swearing of it. Once, and again and +again, did Balak at Balaam's suggestion build seven altars, and offer a +bullock and a ram on every altar.[148] And whether we believe the +religious homage presented on each occasion to have been in ignorance +addressed to the true God, or to some idol, there is reason to conclude +that the injunction of the false prophet was suggested by the practice +of the people of God, and that the service was an emblematical +representation of the religious worship offered in the swearing of the +oath. Besides, was not his design to curse Israel either by the true +God, or by some gods of the heathen? And was it not in imitation of some +such practices, as that which he attempted, that Goliath cursed David by +his gods? But offerings of this kind were presented when federal +transactions were ratified by the worshippers of God. After the three +friends of Job had uttered all their hard speeches against him, the Lord +addressed to them a command which included not less than the injunction, +to enter into an amicable compact with the afflicted character whom they +had so much misrepresented, and also to accompany it with a religious +service.[149] The duty enjoined embodied likewise a confession of sin +and an appeal to God for the truth of their acknowledgments. The +covenant promise made to them was, that God would accept them through +the intercession of Job,--not as if that were of itself meritorious, but +approved through the great Mediator. The offering of seven bullocks and +seven rams was a confirmation of their friendly Covenant, and could not +be less than an emblem of their oath to the Most High. Finally. In the +first year of his reign, Hezekiah declared, "Now it is in mine heart to +make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may +turn away from us." That He, the priests and Levites, the rulers of +Jerusalem, and as many of the congregation of Israel as were present, +carried his design into effect, for the first time, on the occasion of +the solemnities which took place in the first month, appears from his +command, uttered when he declared his devout intention. He said,--"My +sons, be not now negligent: for the Lord hath chosen you to stand before +him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him and burn incense +(or, _offer sacrifice_)."[150] That all Judah and Israel were enjoined +to accede to the Covenant, in the second month, is manifest from the +King's command to them--"Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers +were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, +which he hath sanctified for ever; and serve the Lord your God, that the +fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you."[151] That such of them +as came up to the passover, at the King's command, by the word of the +Lord, gave their adherence to what had been done before at Jerusalem, +appears from the account given of them engaging in making confession to +the Lord God of their fathers. And whether or not the keeping of the +feast, for the accustomed seven days, and other seven days besides, +symbolized the act of swearing to the Lord, with a cordiality which the +repetition denoted, sacrifices were offered, both on the occasion of the +making of the Covenant and on that of the people's latter acquiescence +in it, and on the former when sacrifices were presented for Israel, the +sin-offering--testifying to the oaths that were then sworn, was offered +by sevens. + +It is explicitly said, that a Covenant with God was made by sacrifice. +It is not obscurely intimated in Scripture that the people of Israel, +who fell into idolatry by offering sacrifice on high places, made a +Covenant with idols instead of God himself. The practice must have been +a corruption of the worship of God. The vow was made frequently not +merely to offer sacrifice, but by the offering of oblation. "Gather my +saints together unto me; those that have made a Covenant with me by +sacrifice."[152] + +And Covenants were ratified by the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifice. +A full account is given of the practice in the record of the Covenant +transaction at Sinai. Moses "sent young men of the children of Israel, +which offered burnt-offerings, and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen +unto the Lord. And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; +and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of +the Covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All +that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the +blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the +covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these +words."[153] The blood sprinkled on the altar testified to the Lord's +acceptance of the sacrifice and of the people who presented it, and to +the Father's acquiescence in and approval of the great propitiation that +should be made for sin. The sprinkling of the blood upon the people +signified the application of the blood of Christ for pardon, +pacification, and cleansing, to the consciences of a ransomed community. +The Lord Jesus being that sacrifice that was slain for the confirmation +of the everlasting Covenant, his blood is represented as the blood of +the Covenant. And the blood of sacrifice that was sprinkled was a type +of his. To that sacrifice, the ancient covenanter, presenting his +oblation, looked forward. To look to him so, in taking hold upon his +Covenant, before his incarnation, there was given the encouragement--"As +for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy +prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water."[154] And now, though +oblation is no more offered in the same spirit in which Covenant was +made by sacrifice, the Covenanting believer vowing to God comes to +"Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, +that speaketh better things than that of Abel."[155] + +Sixthly. In all ages, the exercise is performed by faith. As without +faith it is impossible to please God, so in this act it is not less +requisite than in any other. In order to the right performance of it, +faith in God, as having given it his warrant, and as having made +precious promises to be laid hold on in engaging in it, and dependence +on Divine grace for strength to accomplish it, is necessary. It is by +faith that the way of salvation through Christ is approved; by faith, +Christ and all his benefits are received; by faith, God, as a God in +covenant, is recognised; by faith, are renounced the claims of the +devil, the world, and the flesh; by faith, is the whole man dedicated to +the service of God; and by faith, every promise of obedience, that God +may be glorified, is made. Of Abraham taking hold on God's covenant by +accepting of the promise, it is said, "He believed in the Lord, and he +counted it to him for righteousness."[156] Swearing to the Lord in +faith, "Surely, shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and +strength."[157] And all who have properly engaged in this exercise will +testify, "I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God."[158] With +the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth +confession is made unto salvation. And as in the first actings of faith, +so in this solemn act, the Redeemer is received as able also to save +them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth +to make intercession for them. Faith in him as the one foundation laid +in Zion, in preference to every other, the believer endeavours +habitually to cherish, and especially at seasons of solemn +self-surrender to God, or of public vowing to him, seeks to have in +vigorous exercise. At these, the mind is brought more than is usual to +deal with the object of faith. The Lord Jesus in his exceeding glory, +often speaks to the heart, and the whole faculties of the soul respond. +So that, especially applicable to the believer's exercises, then, is +what, in the following language of an eminent writer, is said concerning +the universal tendency of faith in the righteousness of Christ:--"When +he discovers his own guilt and misery, and the absolute perfection and +ineffable excellencies of this righteousness, the believer requires no +force nor compulsion to embrace it. When the avenger of blood was at his +heels, did the manslayer require any violence to urge him on to the +asylum where he might lodge secure? When the deluge of wrath was +descending, and all around becoming one watery waste, was any force +necessary to shut Noah up in the ark, where he might abide in safety +amidst the wreck and horrors of a sinking world? And when conscience +writes bitter things against him, and makes him possess the iniquities +of his youth; when the heavens are gathering blackness, and before him +he sees, at the opening into eternity, the piercing eyes of Omniscience +looking fully on him through the terrors of insulted, incensed +omnipotent justice: does the believer need any compulsion to drive him +out of his own lying refuges, and constrain him to betake himself to the +Divine and All-sufficient righteousness of Immanuel? No. He repairs to +it with eagerness, and clings to it with a tenacity that time cannot +relax, nor all the agonies of death dissolve. We speak of trust, +dependence, and reliance, on this righteousness. These however are terms +far too feeble to express the affection towards it, which the believer +feels. He prefers it to his chief joy; glories in it as all his +salvation and all his desire, and determines to know nothing else. +Divinely precious and infinitely perfect as it is, there is no part of +it with which he can dispense. Less than this cannot reach his wretched +case, nor impart the blessings that he wants. His polluted and +never-dying soul needs it all: and, therefore, he embraces it wholly, +and rests on it alone[159]." + +Seventhly. The exercise requires that it be engaged in devotionally. It +is a part of religious worship, and claims that solemnity of mind that +is due to every religious service. Every part of it is an exercise of +religion, and the frame of mind that should be brought to each of them +ought to be sustained in waiting on the whole. All things that could +give solemnity to an observance unite to invest this with a devout +character. The claims of its glorious Object, its own essential nature, +and its design, all conspire in this. + +It was performed in the solemn assemblies of the people of God. The +oaths of his people were wont to come up before his altar. The people of +Judah and Jerusalem, both under Jehoash and Josiah, and those of Judah, +besides many of the kingdom of Israel, observed the exercise in the +temple. When performed not in religious edifices, but where the Lord +himself approved, it was not the less observed in his presence, nor the +less sacred a service. What gives to a religious assembly all its +solemnity, is the gracious presence of God. And this, which gave to the +house of God its holy character, confers on every place where his people +meet, whether in houses built with hands or under the canopy of heaven, +the character of a scene for the time set apart to his service. The +scene and the nature of the services correspond. By the scene where this +observance was kept, whether in the desert of Sinai, in the fruitful +land of Moab, in the temple at Jerusalem in its earlier periods, in +Jerusalem surrounded with ruins, but to be rebuilt, in houses erected +for the worship of God, or in the fruitful vallies, or on the barren +heath,--a scene of communion with God, its character, as an exercise +essentially devotional, is defined. + +It is a holy exercise. Both in the Old Testament and in the New, the +Covenant of God is declared to be holy. He himself is holy, and he +requires that his people be holy too. And dissuading Israel from +confederating with the heathen, and in language addressed to all, +calling them to the exercise of Covenanting embodied in fearing his +name, he commands them to approach him as holy. "Say ye not, A +confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; +neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts +himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread."[160] + +It should be performed with godly fear and reverence. The Lord was made +known not merely as the God of Abraham, and the portion of Jacob, but to +intimate the same Covenant relation which these designations pointed +out, as also the fear of Isaac. And as Isaac, in Covenanting with Him +whom he acknowledged as his fear, could not but cherish towards him a +holy awe, so all possessed of an interest in that covenant into which +Isaac was taken, in vowing to the Lord, fear his holy name; and giving +intimation of the reverential feelings that prevail in their minds +while performing the exercise, in their practice they will verify the +prediction, "Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." + +The exercise requires to be accompanied by confession of sin. It is as +sinners seeking forgiveness that men, however much they may have enjoyed +the blessings of the Covenant, perform it. Because of neglect or +forgetfulness of Covenant engagements, because of imperfections numerous +and great attaching to obedience rendered in fulfilling them, because of +misapprehensions of their nature and design, and the want of that holy +ardour that should never cease to urge to duties voluntarily engaged to, +because of innumerably varied infirmities manifested even while in a +Covenant state, confession behoves to be made. The Covenant of Grace was +revealed after the breach of that of Works. For removing the curse +entailed by sin, its revelation was designed. A right apprehension of +its design is accompanied by a sense of sin. When its terms are +accepted, hatred to all iniquity is professed; and, because of the power +of corruption in leading to disobedience, shame must be felt, and +acknowledgment be made before God. On these occasions a sin-offering was +wont to be _cut_.[161] The practice of making confession, then, was +fully illustrated in the conduct both of Ezra and Nehemiah, and of +Israel with them. Concerning Israel--attempting the service, it is said, +"They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: +I will cause them to walk by the rivers of water in a straight way, +wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim +is my first-born."[162] And the Gentiles, being not less chargeable with +sin than the seed of Abraham in the same circumstances, will not be less +called than those to acknowledge it; so that to them, as sons of the +spiritual Zion, may be applied the prophetic description of duty +contained in the words uttered concerning the other,--"In those days, +and in that time, saith the Lord, the children of Israel shall come, +they and the children of Judah together going and weeping: they shall +go, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion with +their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the +Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."[163] + +And, the vow is made in the exercise of prayer. The term (ευχη) +by which the Seventy render the word for a vow in the Old +Testament original, is used in the Greek of the New Testament to denote, +now a vow and then a prayer. In the former sense it is employed in the +original of the passage, "Do therefore this that we say unto thee: We +have four men which have a _vow_ on them."[164] And in the latter +acceptation it is used in that of the following:--"The _prayer_ of faith +shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up."[165] Were the vow +not made in the act of offering prayer we should be unable to account +for this twofold use of the term. Again, taking prayer in its most +comprehensive signification,--as including adoration, confession, +petition, and thanksgiving,--no address to God, except the song of +praise, can be made otherwise than in this exercise. The vow +accordingly, as well as the oath--which embodies an adoration, is made +by prayer. And, finally, this receives corroboration from the fact that +the manner according to which, in vowing, prayer should be made is +revealed. In this and in similar passages, not merely Israel after the +flesh, but the whole visible church of God, are instructed how at once +they should vow and pray.--"O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for +thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to +the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us +graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips."[166] + +Eighthly. This exercise is sometimes engaged in with the living voice. +Whatever argument can be employed to establish the propriety of engaging +vocally in any religious service is here available. The tongue is the +glory of man; and with it the praise of God is proclaimed. "In his +temple doth every one speak of his glory." That thought concerning God, +which may not in some circumstances be expressed, may not be +entertained. And if some features of his glorious character or +administration are celebrated with the lips, so may all. Holy thoughts +and affections unexpressed are sometimes like a fire shut up in the +bones. Why should not these burst forth in the holy act of vowing and +swearing to God, even as a flame, to the diffusion of a love and zeal +for Him and his cause that would spread widely around? This the saints +of God have felt when called to the service. In the land of Moab Israel +_avouched_ the Lord to be their God; and presenting an animating +example, the kingdom of Judah, with Asa their king, "sware unto the Lord +with a loud voice."[167] + +Lastly. A Covenant with God is sometimes confirmed by subscription. +Probably in imitation of the practice of the people of God, covenants +among idolaters were written. "Your covenant with death shall be +disannulled,"[168] (that is, _covered_ or _blotted_ out, as if it had +been written.) The application of the seal was equivalent to the +signature of the hand. It must have been made on occasions of federal +ratification, and it might then have accompanied the subscription of the +name. There is reason to believe that Nehemiah referred to an imitation +of an ancient practice when he said, "And because of all this, we make +a sure covenant, and write it: and our princes, Levites, and priests, +seal unto it."[169] But to whatever extent the practice may have +obtained in the earlier times, it possesses the highest warrant during +every period that should succeed. "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and +another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall +_subscribe_ with his hand unto the Lord."[170] + +Hence, in the first place, religious Covenanting is an exercise distinct +from every other. The vow cannot be mistaken for anything else; and the +swearing of the oath is marked by a character of its own. + +Every religious act is, or ought to be, performed with a solemn regard +to Covenant obligation. But each one of these is not Covenanting. The +spirit of Covenanting enters into praise and prayer, and every other +exercise of a devotional kind; but the exercise itself, performed in an +explicit and solemn manner, is a part of worship different from all +these. To argue that it is not, as some who are opposed to the explicit +performance of it do, would be to go to the extreme of maintaining that +Covenanting should be engaged in, not merely personally on one occasion, +but habitually in the discharge of every religious duty; and thus to +lead to a very frequent, and, we might add, therefore unwarrantable +performance of the service, instead of discountenancing it altogether. +To perform a vow is not to vow a vow. To vow to do one thing is not to +vow to perform another that is distinct from it. To vow to do duty that +might have been clearly apprehended before, is not to engage by vow to +do duty for the first time now unfolded before the mind. Prayer includes +praise; but to pray is not to sing praise. Covenanting may include in it +every religious exercise. But to perform any or all of these, excepting +the use of the seals of the Covenant, may not be formally to Covenant. +Indeed, the exercise is the sum of all others of a religious +description; and as embodying not merely the spirit, but the observance +of the spiritual services performed in all of them, ought with due +solemnity on meet occasions formally to be engaged in. Sacrifice +accompanied vowing in former times; but sacrifice was offered on other +occasions besides. Sacrifice was presented frequently in order that the +vow might be paid; but sacrifice was not the making of the vow. Faith is +always in exercise when Covenanting is engaged in aright; but it is also +in operation when Covenant engagements are not made, but in some measure +fulfilled. Covenanting is performed with holy fear and reverence; but +are these feelings never in exercise except when the oath is sworn or +the vow is made? The people of God fear him habitually, even though not +engaged in positive religious services. Covenanting is engaged in along +with confession of sin; but the exercise itself is not the confession of +sin. Sin is sometimes acknowledged before God when no new positive +engagement is made. Covenanting is engaged in by prayer; but prayer is +of a varied character, and though every vow is made in prayer, yet every +prayer is not offered in entering into Covenant. + +But, in the second and last place, hence also appears the error of the +opinion, that seeing this exercise is performed in certain acknowledged +duties, therefore by itself it is unnecessary. It is not denied that the +oath is used to confirm civil obligations. But no one is therefore +warranted in maintaining that to apply it so, is to use it in things +religious. 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 supper; it +is another to maintain that the vow or oath should not be used in other +circumstances. The vow is defined in Scripture, but the things to be +vowed, and the cases in which it should be made are also in general +pointed out. To declare that the vow should be made, for example, merely +on sacramental occasions, would be to assume, that a part adopted by men +should stand for the whole appointed by God. Is it said, that in these +two sacramental exercises there is made a general engagement, that +comprehends every duty that could possibly be performed, and therefore +it is unnecessary to engage in formal Covenanting? On the same principle +it might be said, that the sinner who has received Christ at first has +no need to act faith upon him again;--that the believer has even no need +to receive the ordinance of baptism for his children, or that of the +Lord's supper for himself;--that the individual who has believed should +not Covenant personally in an explicit manner; yea,--that he who has +sworn to the Lord, in attending to the ordinance of baptism or of the +supper, has no need in any case, even in reference to matters civil, to +swear again. It might as well be said, that, in receiving the ordinance +of baptism, vows are taken on, which include every case that could +occur, and that, therefore, after that there is no necessity for waiting +on the ordinance of the supper;--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 thereafter. In +one word, it might be answered, that the opinion makes no provision for +the believer's growth in grace, but by dealing with him as if he were +perfect in all respects, rather tends to keep him from attaining to +perfection. One approved exercise is not to be sacrificed to others. On +the same principle that Covenanting might be given up because vows are +made to God in receiving the sacrament, might praise be given up +because God is thanked in prayer; or prayer be discontinued because He +is adored and thanked, and presented with confession of sin, and +supplications for mercies, in songs of praise. But, besides, as the +Lord's supper ought not to be substituted for baptism, nor baptism for +the Lord's supper, so neither ought either or both to take the place of +various other specific exercises of vowing to God. The vow made on the +reception of baptism is suited especially to the occasion. Other vows +are not less suitable to other circumstances than that is to its own. +The vow made at the Lord's table may include the sum of all duty; but +where is the evidence that it ought not in other circumstances also to +be made? At that holy communion each believer swears individually to a +profession of his faith with his brethren, and to specific exercises +consistent with his own condition; but that is no reason why the oath to +perform certain requirements of God's law should not be explicitly and +openly sworn. Apart from the sacramental symbols, the exercise of +explicit Covenanting may embody the making of vows to perform every +duty, and include every part of religious worship. And as it was +attended to under the Old Testament economy, when neither the rite of +circumcision nor some other observances of the Levitical dispensation +had been instituted, nay, even when that rite after its institution was +not being applied, so under the present dispensation it may be engaged +in when the seals of the Covenant are or are not dispensed. The +magnitude, and variety, and demands of the objects embraced by it, +define the times necessary for engaging in it. Changes in providence +should lead, and in some measure direct in observing it. It is in +certain occurrences in providence, ordinary though they be, that we are +presented with the season meet for every other religious act. The +morning and evening, and the times of partaking of the necessaries and +comforts of life for the nourishment of the body, especially afford +opportunities for offering supplication and thanksgiving. Deliverances +from afflictions, and support under them when vouchsafed, call for the +acknowledgment of the great goodness and tender compassion of God. The +suffering of individual and social distress, and the pangs of +bereavement, call for the recognition of his holy sovereignty with the +deepest humility and resignation; and not less should the changes for +evil or good that take place in society, and the obvious necessities +that attach to our own spiritual condition, and the wants of our +fellow-creatures around us and over the habitable earth, urge us to +those exercises of special solemn Covenanting with God, which are +peculiarly fitted to meet their demands. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[116] Isa. liv. 9. + +[117] Heb. vi. 13, 14. + +[118] Ps. cv. 9. + +[119] Ezek. xx. 5. + +[120] Deut. xxxiii. 2. + +[121] Ps. cxxxii. 11. + +[122] Deut. xxix. 12. + +[123] Deut. xxvi. 17, 18. + +[124] Deut. xxix. 13. + +[125] Deut. xxix. 12-15. + +[126] Is. lvi. 6, 7. + +[127] Prov. xx. 25. + +[128] Heb. xi. 6. + +[129] Is. xix. 21. + +[130] Jer. xxxi. 33, 34. + +[131] 2 Chron. xv. 15. + +[132] Jer. xxiv. 7. + +[133] Josh. xxiv. 15-17. + +[134] 1 Kings viii. 31, 32. + +[135] Ps. cxix. 106. + +[136] Ps. xxiv. 4. + +[137] 1 Chron. xii. 18. + +[138] Jer. xxxiv. 18-20. + +[139] Gen. xv. 8-18. + +[140] Gen. ix. 11.-viii. 20. + +[141] 2 Sam. v. 3. + +[142] 2 Kings xi. 4. + +[143] Josh. ix. 6, 7. + +[144] Exod. xxiii. 32. + +[145] Ezra x. 3. + +[146] 2 Chron. vii. 18. + +[147] Heb. x. 19-23. + +[148] Num. xxiii. + +[149] Job xlii. 7-9. + +[150] 2 Chron. xxix. 10, 11. See also, v. 20-24. + +[151] 2 Chron. xxx. 8. + +[152] Ps. l. 5. + +[153] Exod. xxiv. 5-8. + +[154] Zech. ix. 11. + +[155] Heb. xii. 24. + +[156] Gen. xv. 6. + +[157] Is. xlv. 24. + +[158] Ps. xxxi. 14. + +[159] The Rev. Dr. Hamilton, late of Strathblane, "On the Assurance of +Salvation." 2d edition. pp. 122, 123. + +[160] Is. viii. 12, 13. + +[161] 2 Chron. xxix. 21. + +[162] Jer. xxxi. 9. + +[163] Jer. l. 4, 5. + +[164] Acts xxi. 23. + +[165] James v. 15. + +[166] Hos. xiv. 1, 2. + +[167] 2 Chron. xv. 14. + +[168] כפר Is. xxviii. 18. + +[169] Neh. ix. 38. + +[170] Is. xliv. 5. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +COVENANTING A DUTY. + + +The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme +Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in +every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high +authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as +a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, +promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for +ever."[171] + +The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and +Lord of all. Being a part of his worship, it is thus urged,--"The Lord +is a great God, and a great King above all gods."--"O come, let us +worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is +our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his +hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice."[172] And explicitly, in the +same connection are the various observances included in it presented in +precept. "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy +God, the earth also, with all that therein is."--"For the Lord your God +is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty and a terrible, +which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."--"Thou shalt fear the +Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and +swear by his name."[173] + +The observance is a debt of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as +possessed of all power in heaven and in earth. He is King of Zion, the +Governor among the nations, and Head over all things to the church, +which is his body. As all are called to honour the Son, even as they +honour the Father, the service that is due to God, as the righteous +Ruler of all, is due to the Son--holding a universal mediatorial +dominion which shall not pass away. The law of God is the law of Christ, +and obedience to Christ is subjection to God. The Lord Jesus commands +the performance as duty to himself. "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, +and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's +house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord; +and worship thou him."[174] In terms applicable in every age, as their +Lord and Master, he said to his disciples, "Whosoever therefore shall +_confess_ me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which +is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also +deny before my Father which is in heaven."[175] And he having both died +and risen, and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and +living, claims the individual parts of the exercise as homage to his +name. "We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. For it is +written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and +every tongue shall confess to God."[176] + +Believers engaging in personal Covenanting, act as being not without law +to God, but under law to Christ. As the _servants_ of God they thus +transact with him. Jacob, as well as others who have vowed to God +without being condemned, being represented as God's servant,[177] must +in such acts have served him. Addressed individually as well as +collectively in these terms, "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and +Israel, whom I have chosen," those yield obedience, when in their +practice is fulfilled the prophecy, itself a command, "One shall say, I +am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and +another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself +by the name of Israel." That the churches of Macedonia Covenanted with +God is manifest from the words,--"This they did, not as we hoped, but +first gave their ownselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of +God."[178] But in writing to the Thessalonians--one of those churches, +an apostle describes them, as in that, and in consequent performances, +serving God. "They themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we +had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to _serve_ the living +and true God."[179] Nor without entertaining an enlightened apprehension +that in that exercise he served God, could the Psalmist performing it +say,--"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of +thy handmaid."[180] Moreover, every believer is a good _soldier_ of +Jesus Christ. Each one of them is called by His authoritative command, +as well as by the effectual influences of his Spirit. "He is Lord of +lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and +chosen, and faithful."[181] Each, like the governors and people of +Israel, who, on a memorable occasion, at God's command, offered +themselves willingly--each made willing in a day of his power, resolving +and vowing to follow the Lord fully, does obedience to the Lord of +Hosts: bows to the mandate, "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, +and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with +you, even the sure mercies of David:"[182] and dutifully engages by +covenant and oath to serve him--given for a leader and commander to the +people. Besides, each one who lawfully vows to God, in vowing discharges +a function of a loyal _subject_ of God's government. In the vow God is +invoked as King. "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: +for unto thee will I pray."[183] As the swearing of allegiance to an +earthly monarch is an act of obedience to law;--as when all the princes +and the mighty men, and all the sons, likewise, of King David, submitted +themselves,[184]--or by oath promised fidelity to Solomon, the king, +they performed an act of subjection to his authority; so in vowing or +swearing to God there is paid to him a tribute of duty. And, finally, in +this service the Lord is obeyed as God. The titles of, a master, a lord, +a captain, a king, among men, are valid only when held in subjection to +the King and Lord of all. The highest supremacy that belongs to +creatures is limited, and exercised only by deputation from Him who is +over all and blessed for ever. And as the claims of those in power, +because armed with His authority, cannot without rebellion against him +be set aside; much more, his, without aggravated hostility to him, +cannot be disputed. Accordingly, his power and authority--unspeakably +glorious--extending immeasurably beyond the province of every creature; +his dominion and all-wise determinations, they who invoke his dread +name, in vowing to him acknowledge and approve. The refusal of his +enemies to call upon him manifests their rebellion. His people avouching +him to be their God obey him. It is in compliance with the +mandate,--"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my +people,"[185] that men take hold on his covenant, and in commemoration +of their act, in terms recording the highest deed of appropriation, with +the Psalmist say, "I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my +God."[186] + +Social Covenanting engaged in by the Church of God, in an +Ecclesiastical capacity, is an act of obedience to his word. That +community, in its organization and laws essentially distinct from civil +society, one throughout every age, and embracing the saints of every +land, as one body, He designates, "My Servant." Whatsoever, therefore, +is practised by the church in her collective capacity, however +denominated, and without rebuke, is performed by her in this character. +And hence, whether introduced as "Israel," or "Jacob," or "My People," +or as bearing any other honourable epithet, and vowing or swearing to +the Lord, she appears under the aspect of a chosen society performing +duty; and each promise and prophecy delivered concerning this, as well +as each other allowable exercise, assumes the features of a precept, and +each performance of it in truth, the marks of a warranted service. And +the church, in this, is said to serve God. At Horeb, before the mission +of Moses to Egypt, for the deliverance of Israel, the Lord, with regard +to the solemnities of Covenanting that were there to occur, said to him, +"When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall _serve_ +God upon this mountain."[187] Commanding and exhorting to engage in +solemn covenant renovation, Hezekiah said to Israel,--"Now be ye not +stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves (margin, _give +the hand_) unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath +sanctified for ever; and _serve_ the Lord your God, that the fierceness +of his wrath may turn away from you."[188] And not less, than under a +former dispensation, is the exercise represented as an act of obedience +in New Testament times. There is no reason for maintaining that the +apostle enjoined not the exercise of social, but merely that of personal +Covenanting, when he thus addressed the Church of God at Rome,--"I +beseech you there-fore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye +present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which +is your reasonable _service_."[189] + +The exercise of Social Covenanting with God, performed by his Church +both in an Ecclesiastical and a National capacity, is a part of his +service. Being a religious observance, this cannot be performed by the +members of the Church collectively, whether united ecclesiastically or +otherwise, if not associated as the Church of God. But also when, united +both ecclesiastically and in a national capacity, they address +themselves to it, they discharge an obligation incumbent upon them. The +Lord Jesus is King of saints.[190] Ruled by his laws, these, not merely +in their ecclesiastical, but also in their civil relations, do homage to +him. Under two aspects in their social capacity they appear. _First_, in +subjection to Him as King of Zion. United to Christ their spiritual +Head, and to one another in him, they are members of one glorious body. +And being members of his Church--which he has distinguished by the +ministry of reconciliation, by his oracles, and by special ordinances, +they are under Him, as its sole Head, and Lawgiver, and Governor, and +King. As one community, in their faith, their worship, their discipline, +their government, and communion, they are under his authority. Judges, +and magistrates, and kings, having power in civil society, are +recognised with divine approbation. But there is no human head of the +Church. There are who rule therein; but over his house, He alone is Head +and King. In civil life, there are who sway the sceptre among men. He, +the King of kings, and Lord of lords, rules over these. But in his house +there is none other than Himself, who is Lord or King. He is the head of +the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the +dead; that in all things (or rather, _among all_) he might have the +pre-eminence.[191] The apostles of our Lord were among those who, in the +council held at Jerusalem several years after his ascension, acted as +rulers in his Church by enacting a law which applied to the Christians +at Antioch and elsewhere. And applicable to their conduct on such an +occasion, and to that of all others exercising authority in the Church +of God, were his words addressed to them before his death,--"Be ye not +called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are +brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your +Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is +your Master, even Christ."[192] The jurisdiction of the rulers in the +Church is distinct from that of civil rulers. The powers of the former +are spiritual, and with these powers the latter have no right to +interfere. Each class of rulers have a sphere of their own; and only at +their peril do those of the one class invade the authority of the other. +By men the laws of a nation may be altered without being made +contradictory to one another, or to oppose the law of God. But the laws +of the Church were enacted by Christ himself. Suited to the +circumstances of the Church has been their character in every age, and +the changes that have been produced on these were made by Him alone. 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 obtained; and those +ordinances for the government of his house, which are not revealed as +His, are without authority. Since the close of the Canon of Scripture, +no new light concerning the things of religion has been, or can be, +given; and the laws of the New Testament Church are therefore fixed +beyond the influence of change. There are various forms of civil +government, all of which are consistent with the immutable law of God; +and any one of which, accordingly, may warrantably be adopted according +to circumstances. But in the Church of God, only one form of government +is of Divine right: every other is an invention of man, and destitute of +authority. In the course of providence, the institutions of the Church, +like the doctrines of religion, will receive accessions of rich +illustration; but, like these heavenly doctrines--beyond the resolutions +of men, they are, according to the will of God, to stand. _Next_, as +members of civil society, under Him as King of nations, they appear. +Distinct from the organization of the Church, but also under Christ, is +the constitution of civil society. In order to promote communion with +God, were the ordinances of the former appointed. In order that God +might be obeyed by men in their mutual intercourse with one another, the +laws of the latter were decreed. That God might be glorified +immediately, the former was constituted; that he might be glorified +mediately, the latter was founded. The erection and government of the +Church originated in Divine grace. The whole structure of civil +government is derived from God as the moral Governor of the universe, +but is put under Christ as the Mediator. The laws of the Church of God +remain immutable, amid the changes that overtake the various communities +of men. The laws of civil society may vary with the course of +providence, and yet be still consistent with the perfect standard of +moral procedure. The laws of the house of God are applicable to men of +every clime. Like all the commandments of the decalogue--which, indeed, +they embody, they are binding on men in all possible circumstances and +conditions; but, according to the state of society, may civil enactments +vary in their absolute character, without transgressing the limits fixed +by the moral law. The facts occurring in providence, enlarge not the +compass of those laws that were promulgated by the King of Zion to her +communion, but demand their application. The laws of civil society ought +never to conflict with the principles of eternal righteousness; but with +observation and discovery, and every change else in providence, it +behoves them to keep pace. In the former, the Lord Jesus is recognised +as the immediate lawgiver; in the latter, too, he is acknowledged as +supreme lawgiver,--and, as having given to men civil power to be +exercised, not otherwise than agreeably to the revelations of his +will,--which unfold the mutual obligations, of nations and their rulers +to one another, and of both to himself. Not less than as members of his +Church, are men, as worthy members of civil society, the servants of +Christ. + +Now, that in vowing and swearing to God in both capacities they serve +him, appears from various considerations. Repeatedly are the people of +Israel represented in Scripture as a nation, and as in their national +character engaging in Covenanting. Both on the occasion of the +solemnities at Sinai and in the land of Moab they are so designated. +That they sustained this character under the kings of David's line is +also manifest. That the whole people will, in gospel times, be united in +such a relation the voice of prophecy would seem to indicate.[193] That, +in whatever civil incorporations they may stand, they will be subject to +Messiah, King of nations, is certain. Under the theocracy, they +Covenanted as a nation, at Horeb, in the land of Moab, and at Shechem. +Under Asa, and also under Josiah, the people in their civil capacity +with their rulers Covenanted too. As a nation, after the return from +Babylon, under Nehemiah, the whole people and their rulers also entered +into covenant with God. On all these occasions the Church of God +engaged to obey his law, not only regarding things ecclesiastical, but +also things civil. Under the theocracy, Israel, in things civil and +religious were called to obey God as their king. Under the kings of +Judah, they were no less called in all relations to acknowledge God as +their Lord. After their restoration, they will acknowledge Messiah at +God's right hand as in all things their sovereign Lord. "My servant +David shall be their prince for ever."[194] And the Gentile nations, in +due time, will all do homage to Him as the Prince of the kings of the +earth. Now, it has been shown before, that in Covenanting at Horeb +Israel served God. If, then, they served him there in that exercise, +they must have served him when again they engaged in it under the +patriarch who led them, and also when they performed it under Joshua his +successor. And as on such occasions, as a church and nation recognising +God as their king, they obeyed him, so, not ceasing to recognise Him as +in all relations their Lord and Master, the house of Jacob, under kings +ruling in His fear, or judges acting according to his commandment, +whether before or after a first or succeeding restoration; and the +Gentile nations in gospel times, in vowing and swearing to Him in their +ecclesiastical and national characters; must be viewed as willing +servants obeying his commands. + +Covenanting is commanded in the Moral Law. In the ten commandments, +containing a summary of that law, and in other passages that variously +unfold its import, the exercise is presented as a duty. + +It is enjoined in the first three precepts of the decalogue. The manner +of injunction is prohibitory of contrary practices; and accordingly +intimates, with great force, that the duty is to be so steadfastly +performed that departure from it, even in one instance, is not to be +attempted. The first precept--forbidding all respect to other gods +before God, implies, that He, before whom all things are manifest, +claims not merely the misdirected homage paid to his creatures, but all +the devout obedience of men; and that, demanding that adoring thoughts +be entertained of Him alone, He commands that He be accepted and served +as the only true God. To prefer God to others is not merely to cast them +and their services off, but to acknowledge and reverence Him as the +object of supreme regard. Man cannot be without some thoughts of a +divinity. Even among those who would seem to have fallen most from the +knowledge of God, something about their own characters or circumstances +virtually usurps His place. The law of the ten commandments, written at +first on the heart of man, and afterwards proclaimed by the voice of +God, contemplated and anticipated every departure from the service due +to Him that should occur throughout all time. Originating in the perfect +nature of God, it is perfect. It reproves the rebellion of those who +would worship the creature instead of the Creator, and is directed alike +against the polytheist and him who, worshipping himself, says,--"no +God." The first commandment condemns the idolater, of whatever class; +includes that, instead of Covenanting with the gods of the heathen, as +many in early times did, men, in every age, should make that +acknowledgment of himself which entering into covenant with him +essentially implies; and is obeyed when, like Joshua and all Israel +Covenanting at Shechem, they choose the Lord to serve him.[195] In the +second commandment is implied an injunction to serve God. The fact that +vowing and swearing to God are a part of his service is manifest, as we +have seen from sundry passages of Scripture. Consistent, therefore, with +the commands implied in these portions of the Sacred Volume, but +distinct from them, is the injunction embodied in this precept, that +men enter into covenant with him; and the performance of every +part of that service, as exhibited throughout the whole of Divine +revelation, according to circumstances, it enjoins. The third +commandment--forbidding the irreverent use of God's name, and +threatening those who take it in vain, authoritatively inculcates the +holy use of it in Covenanting. There is no passage of Scripture in which +it is said or implied, that to vow or swear, in every case is to take +God's name in vain. The saints, in calling upon his name, have vowed and +sworn to him. In commands to call upon his name, swearing by him is not +forbidden. The oath and vow, therefore, in calling upon him, may be made +lawfully; the abuse of them only in this precept is condemned, and the +use of them receives the highest sanction from this. + +It is enjoined in statutes of perpetual moral obligation, that +illustrate the ten precepts of the law. These statutes are, + +Commands to glorify God. God is glorified when the perfections of his +nature, and his execution of his purposes in the works of creation and +providence, are celebrated. The Scriptures contain the most abundant and +full representations of the excellence of his character and +administration, and the confession of which, in an adoring frame of +mind, is glorifying to him. Obeying the precept, "give unto the Lord the +glory due unto his name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness," +his saints have this said of them,--"In his temple doth every one speak +of his glory." If every spiritual act of worship is glorifying to God, +then all of them are glorifying to him also; and Covenanting with him, +including them all, is not less glorifying to his name; and if the +exercises of vowing and swearing to him are glorifying, certainly when +he commands that his name be glorified, these are not excluded. Does +the Lord claim the subjection of every capacity of man? Does he +command,--"Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the +glory of God?"[196] Does he say to his people, as well as to his +Anointed, "Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified"? +Has he appointed that the heavens should declare his glory; and that the +earth should be filled with the knowledge thereof? And when he commands +that his most gifted creatures on earth,--whom he has formed for the +purpose of displaying most widely that glory, do proclaim it, does he +not call upon them to do so in those exercises of avouching him to be +their God, and pledging themselves to his service, in which all their +spiritual capacities are most devoutly engaged, and all the institutions +of his grace by being used are most honoured? The people of God +accordingly interpret in this manner these commands. Was it said,--"Ye +that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; +and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel?" In obedience to the +requirement which the Psalmist as an instrument was employed to declare +in these terms, did he make the vow,--"My praise shall be of thee in the +great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him."[197] + +Commands to worship God. Religious homage was paid with the bowing of +the head, the inclining of the body, or the bending of the knee. The +term (שחה), employed to designate the act of one offering +worship, means literally, _to bow himself down_. The position was a +token of the intentness of the mind; and those terms that pointed that +out, came accordingly to have a spiritual application. When therefore it +is said,--"Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear," we +are taught that the act of swearing to God should be performed, not +always in kneeling, but in that religious frame of mind which is +indicated by the bowing of the knee, but which, in some circumstances, +was also denoted by the worshipper bowing the head, or falling down in +deep prostration. And as the act of bowing before the Lord sometimes +accompanied and indicated the exercise of swearing by his name; so when +attention to his worship is urged by his authority, no part of religious +duty is uninculcated, but, like every service thereof in its due season, +that of Covenanting with him in times suited to its performance, is +enjoined. + +Commands enjoining faith. In every variety of circumstances is the duty +of believing on God incumbent. Without faith it is impossible to please +him. In every general command to exercise that grace, we are warranted +to read an injunction laid upon us--in every part of obedience to act +under its influence. Vowing and swearing to God cannot be properly +performed without faith; and when faith is commanded without special +reference to some duties, it is inculcated with respect to all, and +therefore regarding Covenanting. How would the believer be straitened +were he uncertain of the circumstances in which a command to look unto +God with confidence should be obeyed! And how comforting to his heart is +the sound conclusion of his understanding, that every encouragement to +cherish confidence as well as hope in God, and love to him, when +circumstances are not named, is available to him in situations of every +character! His soul, therefore, can, to the extent of its happy +experience of advantage from cherishing such a conviction, answer, to +the glory of God, his appeal,--"Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a +land of darkness?"[198] + +Commands forbidding federal transactions with what is evil. The +Israelites were forbidden to enter into treaty with the Canaanites or +their gods. "Thou shalt make no Covenant with them, nor with their +gods." And the reason was, that, had they done so, they would have +fallen from the service of God as a people who regarded not his +Covenant. "They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin +against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare, +unto thee."[199] Joshua and the princes of Israel did not violate the +statutes that were of this description, when they made a league with the +Gibeonites. To whatever extent the Israelites may have sinned by +believing the false reports that were made to them, and acting +precipitately in the whole matter, and however culpable might have been +the conduct of these Hivites in making an imposing misrepresentation of +their case, the compact entered into was valid:--the Lord himself, long +afterwards, punished for the violation of it. The Covenant that was made +did not provide for, nor countenance the worship of the gods of Canaan, +but brought the supplicating people into a state of subjection to the +nation of Israel that was inconsistent with the maintenance of idolatry, +yea, which appears to have resulted in their employment, under the name +of Nethinims, though in a subordinate capacity, about the sanctuary and +the temple. These had misapprehended the nature of the statute +forbidding alliance with the heathen, by supposing that it forbade a +compact even on terms of submission to the ordinances of God. Their +punishment was, that they should stand in a state of great subjection; +through the mercy of God, however, it would appear to have terminated in +good. But again, at a later period of their history, the people of +Israel were thus warned, "Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom +this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be +afraid." And to show that disobedience to this command would have led +away from the exercise of avouching the Lord himself as a Covenant God, +it is added, "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your +fear, and let him be your dread." The spirit of these commands has +descended to New Testament times. "Be ye not unequally yoked together +with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with +unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what +concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth +with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" +The reason why the sacred writer here dissuades from associations with +the heathen, is evidently, that their worship was idolatrous, and +calculated to lead from obedience to God. And treaties, of whatever kind +with the enemies of God, that are condemned, are to be shunned as a +snare to the soul. Wherever they are forbidden, there is implied an +exhibition of the duty of adhering to His service; and even +independently of abundant evidence otherwise, that they include express +mandates to observe the exercise of vowing and swearing to Him, is +substantiated in the beautiful language of the Apostle used in +confirmation of his declaration on this subject.--"For ye are the temple +of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in +them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, +come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch +not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto +you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord +Almighty."[200] + +Commands, enjoining the vowing of the vow. There is only one passage in +Scripture in which the vow is commanded in the most explicit form; but +along with others, in which precepts, inculcating the exercise, are +implied, that one is sufficient as a rule to guide our practice. That +passage,--"Vow, and pray unto the Lord your God," which commanded +obedience under a former dispensation, no less commands it now. As there +is no evidence in Scripture that the injunction has been abrogated, +those who would proceed, as if it were, would act an unwise part. Though +the things vowed, in some cases, under the present economy, may differ +from those vowed under the preceding, no such change has been produced +on the circumstances of men by the transition from the one to the other, +as could render the vow itself unnecessary or unlawful. Changes, in the +matter of the vow, even in the first ages, were continually being +produced in the course of Divine providence; yet the performance of it +continued to be obligatory. The changes that have occurred in the +circumstances of the Church of God, by the abolition of the Levitical +typical institutes, have been no more effective than the other, in +changing or taking away its obligation; nor will all the vicissitudes +that can occur in the Church's condition, till the consummation of all +things. The principles on which the vow is made, are immutable; and +while the Church is on earth, it will continue to be obligatory. As well +might it be said that prayer and praise, and meditation on God's word, +which were obligatory in the earlier times, are not duties incumbent +now, as that the vow should not be made; or that any service essentially +spiritual, necessary for the perfection of the saints, in a former +period, is not requisite in this; or that a dispensation, confessedly +not less spiritual, but as, in regard to the want of many types and +symbols, and to the more abundant effusion of the Spirit, more spiritual +than any that had gone before, should not be favoured with the use of so +many spiritual means of grace, as were vouchsafed under these. + +The two passages of Scripture that represent the exercise of vowing, as +not obligatory in certain cases, may be explained in perfect consistency +with the general command enjoining it. These do not imply that the +neglect of the vow may be in general allowable; nor do they teach, that +it may be vowed, solely, or at all, according to caprice. They +manifestly admit that vowing is lawful in certain cases, and is +therefore enjoined, but show, that given circumstances may be +unfavourable to some species of the exercise. Even as the other +religious observances are not obligatory at every season, vowing should +not be engaged in to the exclusion of any incumbent duty. Circumstances +might occur, in which there would be no warrant from Scripture or +providence for making a given vow. If it be impossible to make +performance, the engagement is not required; and hence, if made, it +would not be valid, but involve the party to it in sin. The first of the +passages referred to, is the following--"If thou shalt forbear to vow, +it shall be no sin in thee."[201] The statement does not give scope to a +disregard of the vow, but implies that the law of God does not enforce +it where it would prove oppressive, or otherwise injurious. It does not +in the smallest abate the claim of the law enjoining an engagement by +vow to perform every definite duty; but teaches that it is not sinful to +abstain from vowing in some circumstances vows that ought to be vowed in +others. Some duties are so definite and so constantly obligatory that +they ought to be vowed by all; others, obligatory only on some in +certain circumstances, ought by such, in these circumstances alone, to +be engaged to. Thus, in all times and conditions, it is dutiful for all +to vow to keep the sabbath. It is dutiful for some to give themselves to +the work of the ministry, and to vow to do its duties; but not dutiful +for all. It is dutiful for the parties entering into the marriage +covenant to vow to fulfil the obligations of that relation; but it is +not incumbent on those who are not called in providence to enter into +that relation, to vow to perform its duties. Under the law, some things +were, by His express appointment, holy to the Lord. As he had an +explicit claim upon them, these might not be devoted to him in the same +manner as some other things were, but they behoved to be offered. Those +other things depended on the peculiar circumstances of the people, and +accordingly were of a changing amount, and had a great variety of +character; but not less than the things that might be vowed according to +circumstances, were those that were denominated, "holy to the Lord," +vowed to him. Israel, at Sinai, vowed to present the first-born of their +males and their first-fruits to the Lord; and that vow they homologated +when they Covenanted again. On such occasions they could not vow +specific offerings to the Lord; but their engagements then made implied +in general that they would vow to the Lord thereafter according to the +showings of his providence. At other times the specialities of +providence called for the explicit vows, which could not have been made +when their circumstances were not anticipated. The vows of the people, +on occasions of public solemn Covenanting, and also in secret, implied +obligations to perform the duties of the various relations into which +they might enter; but they did not embody an explicit engagement to +perform the special duties of many of these. These public vows included, +for example, that such of the people as should be called to the priest's +office, should enter into the covenant of the priesthood, and keep it, +and that such of them as had in providence a call to become a Nazarite, +should take the requisite vow at the proper season, and thereafter +perform it. But on the former occasions referred to, it was not +incumbent to swear the oaths that were probably requisite on an entrance +to the priest's office; nor was it required, nor even possible, thus to +take the vow of the Nazarite. The priesthood were devoted to the Lord, +and when the time appointed came, such of them as were qualified for +their office entered upon it. The Nazarites, also, were devoted to the +Lord, but according to a different arrangement. The priest had no +alternative but to enter upon his office. The individual who was more +qualified for becoming a Nazarite than to act in any other sphere, was +no less called to enter upon his functions, than the sons of Aaron were +to enter on theirs. The call addressed to the former was so explicit, as +to be easily apprehensible by all; that tendered to the latter, was not +less solemn nor emphatic, nor obligatory, 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 other. It is only +when the making of the vow would be at variance with the requirements of +duty, that forbearing to vow would be no sin. All are called to vow to +abstain from all sin, and to perform all duty; but as providence makes +varied provision for men in different circumstances, so in regard both +to the absolute amount of service to God, and to the nature and the time +of it, there ought necessarily to be a variety in the making of the vow. + +The second passage is, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than +that thou shouldest vow and not pay."[202] The declaration does not +bear, that if one were not inclined to pay, it would not be sinful to +omit vowing; but means that it is sinful to make a vow falsely, and omit +the performance of what should have been sincerely vowed. It is the +paying of the vow--the performance of some duty, that the language is +employed to inculcate. When the heart of any one is opposed to duty, he +cannot vow sincerely. That he is not disposed to vow when the duty +presents itself is his sin. And to vow falsely--else than which he could +not do in his circumstances, would also be sin in him. He is, therefore, +called upon, not to do a sinful act, but, in the use of means, to +endeavour to obtain a disposition to vow with cordiality, and then to +perform the duty. It is better for him to supplicate God to change his +heart, than to insult him by promising to do what he is unwilling to +perform. 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 him, and along with that, to yield himself to Him. Duties should +be performed in a certain order; and those who transgress the +arrangement for these laid down in the Scriptures, act culpably, as well +as those who do not perform them at all. The statement refers to the +order in which the duties, among which stands the exercise of vowing, +should be performed. The observance is incumbent on an individual in a +certain condition; but his heart is against it. Two duties at least are, +therefore, obligatory on him then;--to seek a disposition willingly to +vow, and then to make the vow. He would sin were he to do the latter +without the former, or before it. Both are obligatory at the same +instant of time, and both might possibly be performed in one moment. But +the order of first acquiescing in the call to vow and then vowing, must +be observed, and cannot be inverted without transgression. + +Commands inculcating the swearing of the oath. These are of two classes. +First, those which in general terms explicitly enjoin it.--"Thou shalt +fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."[203] +"Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him +shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."[204] And next, that which, in +addition, thus enjoins the manner of swearing.--"Thou shalt swear, The +Lord liveth in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness."[205] Since the +oath is never disconnected from a covenant with God, therefore, when it +is enjoined, the duty of Covenanting with him in a formal manner, is +enjoined. Every command that sanctions it, sanctions every exercise of +Covenanting in which it is used. When the oath is commanded, Covenanting +with God concerning things civil is commanded. When the oath is +commanded, Covenanting with God concerning things religious is +inculcated by his authority. Yea, the exercise concerning things both +civil and religious, in such a case, is enjoined. Lawful oaths between +nations, or between a people and their sovereign, bind all parties, not +merely to one another, but also in solemn engagement to the Most High. +Oaths taken in courts of judicature, civil or religious, and the +marriage oath, bind the parties in like manner. The vows made on +entering into church fellowship, which include an oath, and the explicit +oaths which, in different ages of the Church, have been sworn in such a +case, as well as the vows or oaths made by a minister at his ordination, +or by a parent receiving baptism for his child, or by believers at the +Lord's table, do, in each case, confirm a covenant with God. And oaths +are sworn, ratifying covenants with God, made either in secret, or in a +public, social manner. When the oath is enjoined, Covenanting is +enjoined,--not merely concerning some duties, but in reference to +all,--concerning not merely things civil, but also things +religious,--concerning not merely the less, but also the +greater,--regarding not only apart, but the whole,--regarding not merely +some things important, but all that is so,--yea, in reference to every +possible case, the exercise is enjoined. + +The duty of swearing the oath has not been abrogated, and therefore +that of Covenanting is of perpetual obligation. With comparatively few +exceptions, it is generally admitted that the use of the oath is lawful +in things civil; and on the grounds on which this rests, it must be +concluded that swearing is obligatory in those also that are religious. +The Lord himself, in an extraordinary manner, called Abraham once and +again, formally to enter into Covenant with him, and accordingly to +swear; 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--"Lord, thou knowest all things; thou +knowest that I love thee."[206] In His instructions, He did not condemn +the use of the oath on every occasion. He said, "I say unto you, Swear +not at all: neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth; +for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the +great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not +make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; +Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil."[207] But in +these words he does not forbid every use of the oath. The passage, along +with another[208] of kindred import, must not be considered as +condemnatory of swearing by the name of God in some cases; for that holy +name is not mentioned among those things that may not be used in +swearing; but may be viewed as reproving the practice of swearing +irreligiously in common conversation, as well as the idolatry of +swearing by the creature in any case, with or without the intention of +thereby appealing to God. The oath, therefore, coeval with other +institutes of religious worship, with them, through every age, shall +continue to be observed. It stands enjoined among those precepts that +are inculcated for every dispensation. Till the consummation of all +things, the law enjoining it will not be fulfilled; nor before that +period will it pass away; and with it the exercise of Covenanting will +endure. In every age there will be found those who, entering into +explicit engagements with the Lord by oath, will obey his words,--"Let +him take hold of my strength,[209] that he may make peace with me; and +he shall make peace with me."[210] Finally, + +Commands enjoining the exercise in all its parts. That such have been +promulgated, there is distinct evidence. "He hath commanded his Covenant +for ever." That He delivered statutes, enjoining the keeping of his +Covenant, these words imply. One of the duties of this Covenant was +Covenanting. "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul +shall live; and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the +sure mercies of David." They indicate, therefore, that this was +enjoined. And of these statutes, like the foregoing, this other is +explicit, "Be ye mindful always of his Covenant, the word which he +commanded to a thousand generations."[211] + +The exercise is inculcated in threatenings of Divine judgment uttered +against such as disregard it. In language peculiarly strong, it is said, +"The uncircumcised man-child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not +circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken +my covenant." And if it was culpable and dangerous to refuse a sign of +the Covenant, is it not peculiarly so to refuse to accede to it in +actually taking hold upon it? Hence, neglect of the duty has been +denounced. "The Lord said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men +of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They are turned back +to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; +and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and +the house of Judah have broken my covenant, which I made with their +fathers. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon +them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry +unto me, I will not hearken unto them."[212] Among the observances +engaged to by Israel at Sinai, were those of vowing and swearing. But +for disobeying the words of that Covenant, and consequently, for not +observing the exercise of Covenanting, many were threatened with a +curse. "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Cursed be the man that +obeyeth not the words of this covenant, which I commanded your fathers +in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the +iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which +I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God."[213] +To show that the sin of refusing to engage in this exercise is +corresponding to that of breaking the Covenant of God, and consistent +with it, those who have broken their vows, and those who have not in +vowing sought the Lord, are classed and threatened together. "I will +also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of +Jerusalem; and I will cut off ... them that are turned back from the +Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for +him."[214] The sin of refusing to Covenant, when found in the visible +Church, is the breach of an anterior Covenant obligation to engage in +the service, and is punishable as a breach of Covenant. And finally, +what a powerful motive to perform the duty is afforded in the Saviour's +denunciation,--"He that denieth me before men shall be denied before +the angels of God!" And, it is also commanded in those denunciations +that are uttered against such as do not perform it aright. Were it not +lawful declarations concerning the manner of doing it would not be made. +In the Scriptures there is no such thing as the condemnation of +insincerity in making an evil engagement; but every such compact is +forbidden. When, therefore, as in many passages, swearing falsely is +denounced with a heavy curse, swearing properly is virtually enjoined, +and consequently, there is in like manner enjoined, every species of +Covenanting in which the oath is applicable. + +Personal Covenanting is commanded. Every individual, willing or +unwilling, is a moral subject of the Mediator. On every one, therefore, +as an individual, obedience to his law is obligatory. To every one He +says, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou +serve." These words were indeed addressed at first to the Israelites; +and they imply the existence of a Covenant relation between God and +them. But they address a command to engage in Covenanting to all to whom +they are known. On the same principle, that the application of them +would be confined to the people of God, might every precept of the moral +law be reckoned obligatory on believers alone. But even as the epistles +of the inspired servants of Christ, though addressed to saints, +commanded the attention of all who were in the churches that received +them, and invited the regard of them as under an obligation to sustain +in reality the character which they professed, so those precepts which +were addressed to the Church of God in every age, not merely commanded +obedience to the duties inculcated in them, but enjoined all to +endeavour to attain to the character of the Covenant people to whom they +were first delivered. The saints of God alone can render acceptable +obedience; but all are commanded to obey. Commands enjoining +Covenanting must be obligatory on men, in an individual, or in a social +capacity, or in both. But they cannot be obeyed by men in an incorporate +condition, without being obeyed by each member as an individual. The +whole engage, only by each giving consent. If the whole society were +reduced to one, the moral duties engaged to by the whole, ought, +according to his circumstances, to be engaged to by that one alone. And +as the duties frequently incumbent on a given person could not be +explicitly engaged to by a society, so he himself is called to Covenant +to discharge these duties; and each precept, enjoining the service in +general, may be considered as addressing each one as an individual. + +Social Covenanting is commanded. The exercise is acknowledged in the +Scriptures as a fact, and stands there uncondemned. And seeing that the +law of God ought to be viewed as extending its authority to every +exercise that may be performed, those commands that inculcate the +service in general, should be interpreted as enjoining the performance +of this. Besides, though each of these commands is delivered to all +individually, yet many of them are addressed to men in an incorporate +relation, and cannot be understood as enjoining duty merely upon them +singly. Again, social duties, not less than duties of a personal +character, are sanctioned in the Divine law, and no reason can be given +for vowing to perform those of the latter class, that does not +countenance the exercise of socially Covenanting to discharge those of +the other. And, finally, this view is beautifully illustrated by the +designation of the people of God as his "witnesses," "Ye are my +witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen."[215] +Their witnessing for him is a part of his service, and is therefore +commanded. The witness testifies not unfrequently by the oath; and a +testimony in its most general acceptation must be considered as +accompanied by the use of it. The people of God testify for him in the +use of the oath. It is not singly alone, but also in their social +capacity, that they do so; nor is it merely in secret, but likewise +before the eyes of the world. Even as the witness swears to the truth of +his deposition; even as various witnesses by oath testify to the same +facts observed by them; the people of God, by Covenanting, harmoniously +testify to His precious truth in swearing by his name. To this they are +called by his high authority; their oath sworn in their social capacity +is prescribed by his command. But particularly, + +Covenanting, in an Ecclesiastical capacity, is commanded. The visible +Church of Christ is a moral subject. The Redeemer "gives it existence, +organises, incorporates, and purchases it,--confers upon it interesting +properties--accomplishes important ends by it--institutes its +ordinances--prescribes the qualification of its members--appoints, +qualifies, and invests its office-bearers--renders its administration +effectual, and diffuses and perpetuates it."[216] Individual churches, +sound in the faith, having a lawful and regular ministry, and enjoying +the ordinances of grace properly dispensed, being Sections of the true +Church, are each accordingly subject to the Mediator; and the precepts +prescribed to the whole, they receive as addressed to themselves. All +the laws that enjoin the exercise of Covenanting, were delivered to the +Church. Her members, in an individual capacity, are bound by all these. +These laws demand, too, the obedience of the whole Church in her +associate capacity, and consequently that of each of her Sections. +Possessing a constitution essentially distinct from that of every other +community, she is under peculiar obligations; and because of her +subjection, and of the delivery of Divine statutes to her, in her proper +character she is called to vow and swear to fulfil these. There is no +Section of the Church but ought to attempt the service. If Sections of +the true Church simultaneously exist in the same land, and accordingly +be in one class of circumstances, each of these ought to renounce its +dross and tin, and endeavouring to the utmost to maintain the Lord's +testimony, unite with the others, in one enlarged Section of the Church, +in displaying a banner for the whole truth, and confirm their union by +entering into solemn Covenant engagement with the Lord. While these +Sections, however, separately exist, not one of them, if consistent with +its own profession, can say that the others have separately a right to +engage in Covenanting, or in any other exercise, according to those +views of any of these others which are a ground of difference between it +and them, but are warranted in affirming that it is their duty to engage +in the exercise in that way which, as to its manner, and by the nature +and extent of its engagements, is right. What would justify each of such +Sections of the Church in approving of every Covenant engagement of all +the others, would not merely warrant but demand, a union in one +ecclesiastical body among all of them, and their vows as one society +dedicated to the Lord. And this might be extended even overall the +earth. Though the circumstances of a Section of the Church in one land, +might not precisely correspond with those of Sections of it elsewhere; +though, for example, a testimony might have to be borne, principally +against paganism in one case, against mohammedanism in another, against +popery in a third, and so on; yet as all ought, generally, to testify +against all error, and to maintain all truth, all might be united in +one ecclesiastical connection. Were the churches to see eye to eye, +there might be adopted, by solemn oath, a testimony so universal in the +exhibition of truth, and condemnation of error, as would suit the +exigencies of the Church in every land; and these, submitting to one +form of government, holding the same doctrine, abiding by the same +worship and discipline, and carrying their final appeals to one general +council, instead of being reckoned merely sister churches, would appear +as one church, by solemn Covenant explicitly devoted to the Lord, and +jointly witnessing for Him. And wherever such a federal union would take +place in some lands, what encouragement would be afforded that it would +be extended to all! And how would the general confederation testify to a +glorious work of reformation! And how might the whole visible society, +though imperfect still, be expected to proceed from strength to +strength! + +Societies,--such as Socinian and Popish, that hold not the truth, ought +not to be reckoned as a part of the Church of God. Any change for good +among such would be to their dissolution and reconstruction on +principles which they do not now hold. They cannot be reformed, but are +to be destroyed. Were the members of them to receive the truth, and +jointly to cleave to it, these societies would thereby perish. Having +become corrupt, they are under the curse entailed on those who break +God's covenant, and not one privilege of the true Church do they enjoy. +It is the duty of all connected with them to mourn for the sin of their +breach of God's covenant, to give up all connection with these, to join +themselves to the Church of Christ, and thereafter to act under +impressions of solemn Covenant engagement to be for the Lord, and for +none other. + +Covenanting in a National capacity is commanded. Nations are moral +subjects. The Mediator is, "the Governor among the nations," "higher +than the kings of the earth," "King of nations," "Prince of the kings of +the earth," "King of kings, and Lord of lords." He gives nations their +origin. Civil government is an ordinance of God, as well as an ordinance +of man. "By me kings reign and princes decree justice: by me princes +rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth." The Providence of +God that relates to nations is directed by the Mediator. He counteracts +their disobedience, and causes it to be overruled for good. He punishes +them for sin. He has made known his law for the direction of men as +individuals; and as the rule of the conduct of subjects, of rulers in +their official capacity, and of nations in their public collective +capacity.[217] In the laws that enjoin the duty of Covenanting they are +not excluded. In their public character they owe to God obedience, which +cannot be rendered in any other. And in these laws they are called to +pledge themselves to that obedience by entering into Covenant with Him. +"Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the +earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the +Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is +kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him." +It has been shown that Covenanting is described as a part of the service +of God. In the words, "serve the Lord," it is therefore enjoined. To +kiss a sovereign is to acknowledge his dominion, and submit to his +authority. This is done in Covenanting. The command, "Kiss ye the Son," +therefore enjoins the service. In the passage, kings and judges of the +earth are commanded to do this; and none without making an arbitrary +assumption can say that they are not thus enjoined in their official +capacity. Nor are the people under their authority, here unaddressed. +That they are specially intended, too, appears from the +promise,--"Blessed are all they that put their trust in him;" and +moreover, from the language that precedes the passage.--"Ask of me, and +I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost +parts of the earth for thy possession."[218] The threatenings appended, +show the danger of refusing. But the same is taught besides in another +passage. "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise +thee. O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy; for thou shalt judge +the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth."[219] The +sacred original corresponding to the first part of this portion of +Scripture is not _wrong_ rendered here, but it might have been +_otherwise_ rendered. The verb (in Hiphil, יודה) under the +modification here employed, meaning literally, _to declare with the +outstretched hand_, imports, in its most general acceptation, _to +confess_. It is so rendered in the passage, "When thy people Israel be +smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, +and shall turn again to thee, and _confess_ thy name, and pray, and make +supplication to thee in this house: then hear thou in heaven."[220] "To +praise," is included in the expression, "to confess." But more is +included in the latter besides. To have translated the passage from the +Psalms in this manner, would have been more in accordance with the +extensive signification of the verb, and in order to unfold the full +scope of the text had been requisite. The verse ought therefore to +run,--"Let the people _confess_ thee, O God, let all the people +_confess_ thee." And hence is enjoined, in the whole passage, on the +people of Israel, and on all nations on the earth, the exercises of +confessing sin, and praising God, and the duty of entering into Covenant +with him with the hand extended in swearing by his name. And that the +exercise of Covenanting is specially intended there, moreover appears +from the end to be accomplished by the shining of God's face upon his +people, one of the means of attaining to which is that special method of +confessing his name. "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause +his face to shine upon us. Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, +thy saving health among all nations."[221] Thus it is manifest, that +nations in their organised capacity are called to engage in this +service. Rulers, both in church and state, in their official capacity +are bound to do so. The people themselves collectively are called to +this; and laws, civil and ecclesiastical, sanctioning the exercise +should be made, so that the contravention of the ends of the Covenant +entered into should be condemned, and that those who would be hostile to +the design of it, should be kept from places of power and trust, both in +church and state. The enactment of such laws, and the carrying of them +into effect, would not be persecution. Rulers should not compel any man +to take the Covenant; but they should punish the man who would obstruct +its fulfilment, as they would punish the transgressor of any civil +statute. Being entered into by the whole nation, the Covenant would be +eventually national: and even, as the whole nation consider every man +bound by the laws of the nation, so they ought to consider every one, +whether willing or unwilling, as bound by the Covenant. Were the matter +of the Covenant against the law of God, it would not be obligatory on +any one; and rulers would punish the frustration of it only at their +peril. Were the matter of it right, the people would all be under +obligation to adhere to it, both in consequence of the Divine law +enjoining it, and also of their voluntary engagement as a people to +perform it. The individual who would fail in attaining to any place of +influence, because of not acceding to the stipulations of the Covenant, +would have no more reason to complain of being persecuted, than those +who, because of being under allegiance to a foreign hostile power, might +in vain seek authority in the land; or than those who, manifesting by +their breach of the laws of the land that they contemn them, in vain +seek the protection and privileges secured to those alone who respect +and keep them. Were a nation voluntarily to enter into such engagements +of this nature as are lawful, the whole people would be bound by them, +and in the eye of the law would be under obligation; nor would +disobedience to the law enjoining the fulfilment of these, any more than +to any other statute, be reckoned as the right of any. For any to seek +power in the land without submitting to the obligations come under by +such covenants, would be for them to set at defiance the law, and thus +to take means to introduce rebellion, if not revolution. Such as would +not cheerfully aid in carrying the scheme of the Covenant into effect, +while aspiring at influence, would be using endeavours to obtain power +in order to counteract its operation; and therefore should not be put in +possession of the desired trust. Ecclesiastical authority cannot compel +any to perform the duties of religion and morality; but it can subject +to discipline those who neglect them, and can hinder such from +exercising the power belonging to the office-bearers, or other members, +of the Church. In like manner, civil rulers cannot compel men to perform +various duties of a civil and religious character; but they can, and +ought to, restrain those who are guilty of violating the commandments of +the moral law that regard our duty to God, as well as those who +transgress those that relate to the obligations of men to men; they +ought to keep from exercising authority those who live in open +disregard of all or any of them; and having enacted laws for the purpose +of carrying into effect a lawful Covenant engagement with God, they +should visit with a penalty those who break them. It remains for those +who maintain that the magistrate should not legislate against the breach +of some statutes in the first table of the law, to show why he is +warranted in punishing, in any manner, the crime of perjury; and how +some species of penalty may be attached to the refusal to swear a lawful +oath in certain circumstances, and also to the breach of its engagement: +while an individual who might object to engage in the exercise of +Covenanting when invited to it in some cases, or would act in opposition +to what a whole nation, either by themselves or by their +representatives, properly sware to perform, might not be reckoned as +unworthy of the valuable civil or religious privileges of the community. +But whatever difficulties may be connected with its application, the +truth, that men in their national capacity are by the law of God called +to Covenant, is manifest. "Nations, as the moral subjects of Messiah the +Prince, are under obligation to recognise his rightful authority over +them, by swearing allegiance to him. It is the duty of a subject to +swear allegiance to his lawful sovereign; at least he must stand +prepared to do so when required. So is it with nations. Not only are the +inhabitants of a nation, as occasion calls for it, to enter into sacred +confederation with one another, in order to secure and defend their +valued rights and privileges; but the nation, as such, through the +medium of its authorized functionaries and by its usual forms of legal +enactment, ought publicly to avow its attachment to the Lord Jesus +Christ as its King and Prince, to recognise his legal authority, and to +bind itself to his service by an oath."[222] They cast contempt on an +ordinance of God, who do not, both in an ecclesiastical and a civil +capacity, enter into Covenant with him. The Mediator is, at once, King +of Zion and King of nations. The people of God are members of his +Church, and also of civil society,--over which, as well as over the +Church, he rules. For an individual, merely as a member of his Church, +to acknowledge God, is to do his duty but in part. When the rulers in a +nation as rulers, and the people as subjects, do not Covenant, they +appear regardless of a part of character which, for the glory of God, +they should maintain not less tenaciously than their ecclesiastical +relations; they fail of availing themselves of the benefit of a most +powerful system of motives to serve God, as his willing creatures, in a +relation in which, as well as in the fellowship of the Church, they are +called to obey him; and though they even attempt to honour him as King +of Zion, yet, in failing to testify to the utmost of their capacities to +his dominion, refusing to acknowledge him in this exercise as Governor +among the nations, dishonour him in both, and tend to rob him of the +glory which belongs to him as Head over all things to the Church, which +is his body. + +Nations, whose constitutions are immoral and unscriptural, are commanded +to perform the duty. By such are intended those which have the truth +diffused in them, but have not had the frame-work of their civil polity +modelled according to the law of the Mediator; and likewise those that +may have had their constitutions in whole, or in part, based on +scriptural principles, but who have changed them, so that to these they +are now in opposition. Nations of this character are in an attitude of +defiance to the power and authority of the Lord Jesus. Those who approve +of their polity countenance what is hostile to his government, and thus +act as his enemies. Those who swear to support them, do,--unwittingly, +the spirit of charity would claim for many, swear to maintain what he +has threatened to destroy. Those nations, as such, have not a _right_ to +enter into Covenant with God; but it is their _duty_ to do so. When a +mind, willing to reform every discovered abuse, and a resolution to +change their whole constitutions to conformity with the will of God, are +infused into them, they will have a right to discharge the service, and +will be accepted in it. Those who, having the truth among them, did +never in things civil submit to the law of Christ, and those who, in +their political procedures, have apostatized from his service, are both +under his rebuke;--the one for refusing to hear his voice calling them +to acknowledge him as Lord;--the other for breaking their engagements to +him. Both are exposed to his wrath; 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 authority; both are called +to repentance, are threatened with judgment in case of continued +disobedience, and are commanded to acknowledge the Mediator as their +sovereign Lord, by renouncing severally their wicked constitutions, +framing each a new civil organization, according to his law, and +swearing allegiance to him. + +Nations that have not yet heard the gospel, are not guiltless for not +Covenanting. These are regulated in part by the light of nature. Of the +law of nature, made known at first to man, but also made known in +revelation, they are in various degrees greatly ignorant. Seeing that in +that law the exercise is enjoined, if any of these possess so much of +the light of nature as may contain a command to engage in it, they will +feel themselves in some measure urged to give obedience. In reference to +this, as well as to any other matter inculcated upon them, their +consciences will either approve or condemn them. None of these, however +have adequate ideas of the Saviour; all of them are under the dominion +of satan; and for neglecting this duty, as well as for their disregard +of various requirements of the law besides, they will be dealt with +according to the arrangements of Him who ruleth over all. Their sin, +indeed, not being committed under gospel light, is not so aggravated as +that of others; but is still displeasing in the sight of God. When the +gospel is sent to them, the statutes that enjoin the service will +exhibit to them their obligations; and power from on high will urge many +to obey. They, even they that dwell in heathen nations, shall in the day +of spiritual illumination be enabled to confess to God; and many in the +times of reviving that shall yet come forth from the presence of the +Lord, will thus be delivered from the wrath to be poured out on the +heathen that know not, nor call upon his name. Should not the state of +those who are perishing for lack of knowledge, move to sympathy for them +those who know the obligations on men of the service of avouching God to +be their God, and the sin and danger in which all who do not perform +this are involved? + +All are commanded, and believers are encouraged to unite in various +capacities in Covenanting. For some purposes, men may unite in this, +though they be in different ecclesiastical communions. Scripture +warrants for the service do not recognise the position of any section of +the visible Church as absolutely perfect; but refer to duty to be +performed by the people of God individually and socially. A Section of +the visible Church Covenants because the Church of God, in her organised +capacity, is called to do so. The Church of God, in a national capacity, +Covenants because it is the duty of men in their civil relations to +acknowledge Him. A Church Covenants, believing that she sees the truth +in part, and is disposed to accede to it. So does a nation. Were it +necessary, in order to the Church exercising the rights conferred upon +her by her Head, that her outward state should be fashioned by men, 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 +which, because of human constitution, might arrogate to itself the +character of being alone the true Church. But while the outward state of +the Church of God, in so far as that corresponds with his will, is from +his hand alone, and is therefore infinitely more sacred than the work of +any creature; and while there are certain things that cannot be +performed by believers socially except as members of the Church in her +constituted capacity; still, owing to the imperfections of men, some +things that might be done by her members in any capacity, cannot be +performed by them so efficiently in any distinct ecclesiastical standing +as otherwise; and Covenanting, for some purposes, seems to be one of +these. Neither is any Church nor nation perfect. Neither can accomplish +all the good they might intend. They find that to do good is incumbent +upon them, but that in some cases they cannot, by themselves, accomplish +their design so efficiently as they would in union with others, who, +seeking to promote the glory of God, contemplate the same end. They know +that certain parts of duty, such as communicating in receiving Baptism +or the Lord's Supper, can be performed only in a strictly ecclesiastical +capacity, but that others can be done either by individual efforts of +the members of the Church, or by communities of Christians associated in +church fellowship, or on a more general principle. Hence, by engaging in +Covenanting in the more general capacity in which those who hold the +truth can associate, they do not disregard the Church as a constituted +body called to duty in her organised condition, but endeavour to perform +some duties which may be done by them in a variety of relations, but +which may be best performed by many in a collective state. To the +anticipation, though not to the loss, of a part of the argument +contained in the succeeding chapter, two or three illustrations may be +given of the principle here stated. And first, it may be remarked that +general assemblies called not necessarily either by civil or +ecclesiastical authority, but by general consent, for the purpose of +arriving at unanimity of sentiment regarding the doctrines of Scripture, +may be formed in the exercise of Covenanting. It is a ground of humility +to each Section of the visible Church that every other, in some things, +differs from it. Deliberation among deputations from all of these, in +order that they may be of one mind, is therefore greatly to be desired, +if means of arriving at harmony of sentiment be afforded in an assembly +where truth is discussed in a becoming manner. To attend to what may be +stated there for an important end, and to weigh it, is a duty. To state +and maintain truth there is obligatory, and to promise and vow to do so, +in certain circumstances, would be not merely allowable, but incumbent. +Thus, those who are not altogether of one mind may meet to implore +Divine illumination, in order to the investigation of truth, for the +advancement of true religion; and together to vow and swear, +individually or collectively, to endeavour faithfully to attain the +object of their meeting, that the Churches may be united, not merely in +affection, but in opinion. The sentiment is not new. It was acted on to +effect in a memorable period of the history of the Church in Britain. +Were there more of the spirit of Christ poured down on the Churches, it +might be reduced to practice again. Secondly, it is presumed that Bible +Societies should engage in Covenanting. To circulate the pure word of +life, unaccompanied by the traditions of men, is among the noblest +objects of Christian philanthropy. Collectively, Christians can give +diffusion to it with an efficiency vastly beyond the sum of all their +insulated efforts. As to the end, all such are agreed. That it is a +duty, they are satisfied. As to the means, there can be but little if +any variety of opinion that can greatly perplex; and as to the manner, +information abundant and easily explicable is found in the Scriptures. +If the duty of Covenanting is obligatory on an individual, on a church, +or on a nation, it is incumbent on the members of a Bible Society in +their associate capacity. "The Lord gave the word; great was the company +(that is, _army_, and therefore sworn,) of those that published +it."[223] And it is practicable. Prayer for success to the endeavours +made, is habitually offered; and the praises of God are also celebrated +on occasions when the objects of such a society are attended to and +promoted. In order to carry into effect their design, the members come +under mutual obligations to one another. Why should they not jointly +come under explicitly avowed obligations to God? It is not enough that +in their secret vows these engage to promote the spread of the word, as +well as all other interests of the kingdom of Christ. Why should not He, +whose are the silver and the gold,--whose are the hearts of those called +to the high duty of giving the word diffusion,--yea, whose is that +precious word itself,--why should not he be acknowledged by all of them +in vowing and swearing to Him, that they shall use faithfully the means +of attaining the high end contemplated by them, which he has put into +their hands to be employed for him? How have not the efforts of these +societies been accompanied by this method of recognising the Author of +inspiration? How have not the Churches of Christ gone into this +exercise, as called to feel and acknowledge the vast solemnity of their +endeavours? How have the contributions of the faithful, for this end, +been merely offered to men, but not vowed openly to God? Even the +contributions of the Macedonian Churches, given for the poor saints at +Jerusalem, were offered in this manner.[224] How have their +prayers--moving heaven to pour down the Spirit to accompany the reading +of the word, not been accompanied by the vow or oath to the Most High +God, binding themselves to bestow with their hand the means of sending +it that are or that may be in their power, and to continue to beseech +Him for his blessing, until he cause the knowledge of His glory to cover +the earth as the waters cover the sea? + +Would that we could add as an additional illustration a reference to all +existing Missionary Societies, supported even by those who belong to the +true Church of Christ; and that grounds identical with those which +separate those Sections as ecclesiastical bodies from one another, did +not exist to make it unwarrantable for them to associate in such a +general missionary enterprise as has sometimes heretofore been +conducted. It is not competent to the design of the reference that is +here made to this subject, 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 denominations, without concurring in their sentiments on church +government and other matters. Suffice it to remark, that differences in +regard to these things, are by no means unimportant. The principle +adopted in the constitution of the most influential of such societies, +that the peculiar views of no given sect, but the evangelical +sentiments entertained by all, should be inculcated, however, is +perhaps best fitted to promote the ends of an institution calling into +operation such a variety of missionaries as it employs. Yet it provides +not for diffusing the whole truth. It may perhaps be unnecessary here to +say, that it is the desire that such an institution should be improved +and become more and more efficient, which has led to make the foregoing +reference to it. The end of its praiseworthy projectors and supporters +should command the admiration of all; the piety and devotedness of its +missionaries have attained for them in the hearts of true Christians an +enduring place; and the success of its endeavours, by the blessing of +God, due not to its imperfections but to its excellencies, leads to the +hope that it and others may come to possess a character in all things +unobjectionable. It is not beyond the reach of hope that these societies +may, by changes occurring in the views of their members, come to possess +each a constitution becoming increasingly more perfect; and that their +improvement in all things, and their influence for good may greatly +increase, must be the cordial wish and prayer of all who are +right-hearted. Missionary Societies connected with given churches are +not exposed to the same kind of objection as that applicable to the +others. Though each Section of the Church may not acquiesce in the means +employed by any other, they may view those of every other as +conscientiously, though not unobjectionably, giving diffusion to the +views of the truth which those entertain. And what is wanting in such is +principally the rectification of their views: their endeavours are +harmonious and consistent. But to proceed. Were Missionary Societies, +contemplating the exalted end of evangelising the heathen, to employ +warranted means for accomplishing their purpose, they, as well as other +societies, ought by Covenanting to engage to the use of these. 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 man. Will not the people of God yet come forward to +send the glad tidings of salvation to the ends of the earth, by not +merely promising to one another and praying to the Lord, but in +Covenanting with Him, swearing by his name? What prosperity might be +expected to accompany missions, were such a course to be followed? How +can the utmost success be expected to follow a partial use of the means +of Divine grace? God will not fully mark with his blessing a system of +means which is defective. All the institutions of religion ought to be +acknowledged. Covenanting with Him will draw down His blessing on +missionary institutions, because it is, not meritorious, but sanctioned +by his authority. And it may not be too much to affirm, that the +prosperity of these will be in some measure proportionate to the spirit +of that exercise that may be infused into them. How is so much justly +expected from the prayers of saints on behalf of missions, and +apparently so little from solemn Covenant engagements that might be made +at least once, or occasionally, to carry them into effect? Do not men do +but a part of their duty when they promise to one another, but do not +Covenant with God? Is it not He who in His word unfolded the missionary +chart, and by His own finger pointed out where they should be sent; who +told that nations should be born at once; and the isles should wait for +his law; and who made known, that out of Zion should go forth that law? +"He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, +which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to +their children; that the generation to come might know them, even the +children which should be born, who should arise and declare them to +their children."[225] And as to his people Israel, engaged by Covenant +to obey him, he thus spake: He says to his servants, Covenanted to his +service, "Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord; praise +the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from this time +forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun, unto the going down +of the same, the Lord's name is to be praised."[226] An elegant and +powerful writer, in a work on Missions, wherein, among other important +collateral duties, entire consecration to the missionary enterprise is +urged by the highest motives, remarks regarding the work in reference to +Missions, that would seem to have been allotted to the Christian +communities in Britain,--"But Christianity had marked the island for its +own. And although its lofty purposes are yet far from being worked out +on us, from that eventful moment to the present, the various parts of +the social system have been rising together."[227] And in responding to +this, may it not be asked, Has there not been, on the part of the +Churches in these lands and elsewhere, as to kindred objects of +Christian exertion, especially to the missionary enterprise, an +injurious want of solemn Covenant devotedness? Could resolutions to +prosecute this be embodied so well as in a solemn Covenant engagement +with God? In this manner might there not be made arrangements regarding +missions, more solemn than has heretofore been attempted? To many causes +may the comparative smallness of success that has attended these be +attributed. But it is little less than certain, that it is on account of +the want of that resolute heroic Christian spirit which Covenanting +calls forth and embraces, that our missionaries are not even now +diffused over all the earth, and our nation is not, by a reflex hallowed +influence, throughout all its extent, as the garden of the Lord. + +Hence, in conclusion, + +None may be excused for not engaging in Covenanting. Those who perform +the duty in secret, are called to discharge it on some occasions in +public. To vow in secret, is but partially to do duty. Secret prayer is +not a sufficient substitute for that which is public. The doing of duty +to our neighbour and to ourselves, cannot be reckoned as the fulfilment +of our obligations to God. And vowing to Him in an individual capacity, +will not be accepted for vowing and swearing to Him in a public +associate character. Again, those who vow neither in secret nor in +public, are called to do both. Is it urged, that it is a dreadful thing +by the vow or oath to come under obligations that might not be +fulfilled? It is answered, Is it a fearful thing to do what God +commands? What ought to be vowed ought to be fulfilled, whether vowed or +not; and if duty be vowed falsely, or not vowed at all, sin is +committed. Is it not a dreadful thing, by refusing to do this duty, to +rebel against Him who said, "Vow and pay unto the Lord your God?" He is +guilty and degraded who breaks an oath; but low indeed is the moral +state of him who, lest he should not perform his obligation, refuses to +swear. And how wretched is the condition of those who will neither vow +nor swear, lest they might, as they certainly would, be thereby bound to +duty! The swearing of an oath is a solemn act. To disregard it, whether +by refusing to take it when called to it, or by not performing it when +lawfully taken, is highly criminal and dangerous. The doom of the +impenitent and Covenant breaker is awful; but those who do not, in one +way or other, truly vow to God, have no hope. Refraining from vowing to +him, man sustains a character no higher than the wicked who restrain +prayer before God. It is not the right of any one, according to his +pleasure, to abstain from entering into Covenant with God. It is a duty +to obey God's law; Covenanting is one of the duties of that law; it is +therefore a duty to engage in its performance. No man has a right to +refuse to do so. It is our duty to serve God. It is our duty to promise +to serve him. In certain cases, it is our duty to vow and swear to serve +him. What it is our duty to do, it is our duty to engage by Covenant +with Him to do. If men neither serve God nor vow to serve him, they are +chargeable with two classes of sins;--that of disregarding the duty of +Covenanting with God,--and that of refusing to perform duties, one of +which is the performance of that exercise. If men vow to serve God, but +do it not, they greatly sin; being chargeable with an omission of duty, +in one case at least, they have rebelled. If they do not vow to serve +God, whatever may be the nature of their obedience, that, by being +deficient as to Covenanting, is imperfect. To hope to be more safe from +condemnation by not vowing than by vowing, is to cherish a love to sin, +and to betray the workings of a heart which regards not how God may be +dishonoured, provided the sinner can escape with impunity. They who vow +and swear falsely, or who perform not their oath, are exposed to an +appalling curse; but dreadful also is the condemnation that hangs over +those who vow not, because they do not desire to pay. All who love the +Lord, desire to show to the utmost that they delight to honour him. In +order to direct and encourage them to do so, he has vouchsafed the +institutions of his house; and among them, the exercise of Covenanting, +as enjoined on all by his high authority, and engaging the observance of +his people, stands acknowledged an Ordinance of God. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[171] Ps. cxi. 9. + +[172] Ps. xcv. 3, 6, 7. + +[173] Deut. x. 14, 17, 20. + +[174] Ps. xiv. 10, 11. + +[175] Mat. x. 32, 33. See also v. 25. + +[176] Rom. iv. 9, 10, 11. + +[177] 1 Chron. xvi. 13. + +[178] 2 Cor. viii. 5. + +[179] 1 Thess. i. 9. + +[180] Ps. cxvi. 16. + +[181] Rev. xvii. 14. + +[182] Isa. lv. 3, 4. + +[183] Ps. v. 2. + +[184] 1 Chron. xxix. 24. Literally, _gave the hand under_. + +[185] Jer. vii. 23. + +[186] Ps. xxxi. 14. + +[187] Exod. iii. 12. + +[188] 2 Chron. xxx. 8. + +[189] Rom, xii. 1. + +[190] Rev. xv. 3. + +[191] Col. i. 18. + +[192] Mat. xiii. 8-10. + +[193] Ezek. xxxvii. 22. + +[194] Ezek. xxxvii. 25. + +[195] Jos. xxiv. 14-23. + +[196] 1 Cor. x. 31. + +[197] Ps. xxii. 23-25. + +[198] Jer. ii. 31. + +[199] Exod. xxiii. 33. + +[200] 2 Cor. vi. 14-18. + +[201] Deut. xxiii. 22. + +[202] Eccles. v. 5. + +[203] Deut. vi. 13. + +[204] Deut. x. 20. + +[205] Jer. iv. 2. + +[206] John xxi. 17. + +[207] Mat. v. 34-37. + +[208] Mat. xxiii. 18-22. + +[209] מעז, a rad. עזז, _firmus fuit_. There is a +striking connection between the import of this word, and that of +אל,--that name of God, which literally means _robur_, +strength, and from which comes אלה, _an oath_. + +[210] Is. xxvii. 5. + +[211] 1 Chron. xvi. 15. + +[212] Jer. xi. 9-11. + +[213] Jer. xi. 3, 4. + +[214] Zeph. i. 4, 6. + +[215] Is. xliii. 10. + +[216] See the Rev. Dr. William Symington, on "The Mediatorial Dominion +of Jesus Christ," chap. vii.--a work of acknowledged high merit, which +cannot, at any time, be too extensively known. + +[217] "Med. Dom." chap. viii. + +[218] Ps. ii. 10-12. 8. + +[219] Ps. lxvii. 3, 4. + +[220] 1 Kings viii. 33, 34. + +[221] Ps. lxvii. 1, 2. + +[222] "Med. Dom.," second edition, pp. 294, 295. + +[223] Ps. lxviii. 11. See margin. + +[224] 2 Cor. viii. 1-5. + +[225] Ps. lxxviii. 5, 6. + +[226] Ps. cxiii. 1-3. + +[227] "Great Commission," p. 193. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +COVENANT DUTIES. + + +It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in +suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. +The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in +the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant +include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled +by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on +man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the +law are all made in the revelation of the Covenant. It was unlawful for +the Israelites to make a Covenant, either with the gods of the heathen, +or for the purpose of rendering to them any service. In like manner, it +is still unlawful for any one to make a Covenant either with or for what +is evil, in such a manner as to give it countenance or support. Of two +words in the Greek language, employed each to denote a Covenant, the one +is applied to the cases where the parties are in some respects on a +level. The other (διαθηχη) is used where the parties are +represented as in the relations of superiors and inferiors. Its +etymology points out that the conditions of the Covenant were dictated +in some manner; and the use of it shows, that to have been as the +issuing of a command. By it is the principal term for Covenant in the +Old Testament rendered by the Seventy. One example may suffice:--"Will +he make a Covenant (ברית, διαθηχηυ) with thee? +wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?"[228] The book of the +Covenant of God, was the book of the law. The curses of the Covenant +were written in the book of the law.[229] In that book, too, the +promises of the Covenant were contained. The statutes and Covenant of +God are conjoined, and both are commanded;--the one that they might be +obeyed, the other, that it might be taken hold upon, and that its duties +contained in those statutes might be observed. "Wherefore the Lord said +unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept +my Covenant, and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely +rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant."[230] And +that which is made known as the everlasting Covenant, is given as a law. +"He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded +to a thousand generations: which covenant he made with Abraham, and his +oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to +Israel for an everlasting covenant."[231] + +Covenanting, whether Personal or Social, ought to embrace present and +permanent duty. The Ten Commandments are of perpetual obligation on all; +and so is every moral precept included in them. And not less than these, +is every positive statute which is applicable to this last dispensation. +But the words of the Covenant of Grace were written on the tables of the +Covenant. "And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the +ten commandments."[232] Hence, every Divine statute, obligatory on men, +being in accordance with the decalogue, or forming a part of it, every +duty that can be performed, whether at present or afterwards, is +incumbent, and ought to be engaged to as a Covenant duty. Certain +observances, not merely because they were signs of the Covenant of God, +but were also duties of it, were denominated a covenant; and their +continuance during an appointed term, was enjoined. And if circumcision +and the seventh-day sabbath being thus denominated, and commanded for +specified periods, were duties of the Covenant, ought not all services, +decreed by Divine authority, even as they were, not merely to be +performed because enjoined in the Divine law, but also to be preceded by +solemn Covenant engagement to discharge them aright? In reference, not +merely to one statute of the Divine law, but likewise to each, is +uttered, therefore, to all in the Church of God, the command which, with +respect to the keeping of the second commandment, was delivered to +Israel--"Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the +Lord your God, which he made with you."[233] And in remembering that the +saints vow and endeavour constantly to keep all these commands, thus the +Psalmist vowed, "So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and +ever."[234] And thus the people of God, as a nation of kings and +priests, chosen, and called, and consecrated, to his service, have the +covenant of an everlasting priesthood. + +All that God requires of man, is commanded as the keeping of his +Covenant. There is no statute of inspiration concerning faith or +practice, which might not, in innumerable ways, be shown to be included +in its appointments. All the exhibitions of Divine truth, are +representations of the provisions and duties of it. And however they may +be described in the sacred volume, the statutes ordained for the +regulation of the conduct of men, embody completely its demands. To +unfold the dictates of the Divine law, is to present the claims of that +covenant; and to endeavour to obey those dictates, is to use means to +satisfy these claims. + +I. A covenant with God ought to engage all to duties to each one's +self. The Divine law inculcates upon men, not selfishness, but love to +themselves. The evils forbidden therein none should perpetrate, either +on others or on himself. The good to all that is there represented as +due, ought to be done not less to the individual who obeys, than to +others. In the command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," it +is implied that men ought to love themselves. Calculated to show at once +the duty of all, and the practice of those who fear God, is the +declaration, "No man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and +cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church."[235] Those who do not make +use of all the means which God has appointed for promoting the true +happiness of all individually, do not love themselves. Aware of this, +the believer, entering into a Covenant engagement with God, vows to +perform to himself the duties which correspond to his condition. These +are, + +The cultivation of personal religion. Vowing and swearing to God in +secret are a part of this. That, and the other observances of it, are +incumbent, and behove to be kept; and as they ought to be regarded, they +ought to be promised in covenant. "I will call upon the Lord, who is +worthy to be praised."[236] Self-examination should be Covenanted. Not +less was it obligatory to vow that duty than to exhort to the +performance of it in these terms, "Let us search and try our ways, and +turn again to the Lord."[237] Religious meditation should be vowed. "I +will meditate also of all thy work."[238] "I will meditate in thy +precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy +statutes: I will not forget thy word."[239] So should prayer. "As for +me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and +morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my +voice."[240] So also should godly fear. "At midnight I will rise to give +thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion +of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."[241] +And the glad offering of praise should be vowed. "I will extol thee, my +God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will +I bless thee, and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."[242] In one +word, to the whole worship of God the soul that clings to His Covenant +will cordially bind itself in his dread presence. "As for me, I will +come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy fear will +I worship toward thy holy temple."[243] "I will praise thee with my +whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will +worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy +loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word +above all thy name."[244] + +Sobriety and temperance. These are to be distinguished from austerities +devised by men, and are commanded in the Scriptures. They are maintained +when this world is used so as not to be abused;[245] and are cherished +when the causes of sin are altogether avoided, and its occasions are +shunned to the utmost limit compatible with duty. Along with other +excellencies of character, they are inculcated in the command, "Ye shall +be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy." The force of habit alone is +insufficient to keep them, at all times, safe from invasion; much less +is the momentary tumultuous resolution to resume these, that may be made +by those who have suffered by falling from them. Divine grace alone can +enable to adhere to them in an acceptable manner. To be distinguished by +them is not beneath the resolution of the most free from the corruptions +of the world. In order to be observed, they must be vowed. Thus, the +sin that doth most easily beset is to be laid aside; thus, the purity of +heart and life that adorns the Christian is to be assumed. "Let not sin +therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts +thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness +unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from +the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto +God."[246] + +The cultivation of the various powers of the soul. When these are +directed to good objects, and are wisely employed, they are healthfully +expanded, and rendered capable of enlarged application for good. It is +the bounden duty of men, gifted with such a precious boon, to improve +it. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of +life." The heart, in the Scriptures, means, in addition to the bodily +organ known by that name, the soul; the seat of the various affections; +the understanding; the seat of the will: and it has attributed to it the +functions of an active, voluntary intelligence, and accordingly, the +faculty of conscience approving or reproving, as the case may be. The +injunction, "My son, give me thine heart," claims the surrender of all +these to God, not in an enfeebled and inactive state, but in their +utmost; vigour; and demands the promise, by vow, that; they shall be so +called into dutiful operation as that they may become efficient. It is +obeyed when there are used, the words of the Psalmist's engagement, "I +will love thee, O Lord, my strength."[247] It is bowed to where any +other like noble application of the intellectual or moral faculties is +vowed; and is honoured when that purity of heart, which cannot be +attained to without the direction of the exercises thereof to God, is +aspired at in the act of drawing nigh unto him in Covenanting. "Draw +nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye +sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded."[248] + +The proper application of every capacity. Each is given that it may be +employed. The gift demands the voluntary use of it for the end intended; +and the Giver requires that the gift be consecrated to him. By setting +every attainment, whether natural or acquired, apart to his service, all +are called to glorify God with their bodies and spirits, which are his. +Without making thus a resolution to serve Him by the legitimate use of +every capacity, there cannot fail to be incurred the charge preferred +against some who, either by neglecting the duty of vowing to God, or by +disregarding their solemn obligations, voluntarily accepted, had sinned +so as to have it said of them, "Their heart was not right with him, +neither were they steadfast in his covenant."[249] The Apostle does not +mean less than that there should not merely be an acknowledgment of +incumbent obligations to serve God, but, by the exercise of Covenanting, +a strengthening of engagements to duties specified, when he says, +"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always +abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour +is not in vain in the Lord."[250] And the Covenant engagements of those +faithful servants who, having improved the talents committed to them by +their Lord, were commended of him, are a pattern for all. Being +servants, they were engaged by Covenant to obey him. That they should +occupy till he would come, they had therefore solemnly promised. Others, +who are denominated citizens, hated him, and sent a message after him, +saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. These had either +refused to Covenant to obey him, or had promised to him deceitfully. +Their end was destruction. It was not merely because that the faithful +servants performed the service laid upon them, but because that they had +engaged to do it, and while others declared their resolution to rebel, +kept their promise of fidelity, that they were ultimately approved. As +their obedience without their engagement would have been deficient, so +the use of every talent committed to man is insufficient without the +exercise of vowing that use; and equally with the one is the other +required.[251] + +All such vows are widely different from those restraints which have no +higher recommendation than human authority. "Popish monastic vows of +perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so +far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious +and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself."[252] The +latter are countenanced by no class of vows lawfully made, either in Old +Testament times or in a later period. The vows of the Nazarite were +dutiful under the former dispensation. There is no good ground for the +statement made in reference to that class of vows, that "they are merely +arbitrary, prior to the making of them." Had not Providence, by the +light of the word, with a precision not less complete than the tenor of +any definite precept, dictated the service vowed, it had been unlawful +to vow it, or to keep the vow. When the vows of the Nazarite were made +lawfully, their matter was not indifferent. And even as these were +acceptably made when duty presented itself, vows may be made with +acceptance still, when duty by whatever means is made manifest. No more +did there exist under the former dispensations a class of services that +might or might not be performed, than there does under the present. And +though there may be no evidence that the things vowed by the Nazarite +are incumbent in these last times, yet the laws that enjoin the duties +of vowing and paying, were not less applicable to the observances, +which, on the mistaken ground that they were obligatory only according +to the will of men, have been improperly denominated "indifferences," +than they are to every duty, however exhibited, that is obligatory now. +If certain things which may be done by some in given circumstances, but +not in others, may be denominated "indifferent," then those things which +should be performed only by some in given stations in the Church or in +civil society, may be called indifferent too. The manner of +representation is altogether objectionable. Nothing is indifferent. Men +may err in their sentiments concerning duty, and call some things +indifferent either in regard to time or to matter; others not. But there +is nothing which ought to be done, that is strictly indifferent. There +is nothing which men ought to do merely of their own good pleasure. What +God makes known, and that alone, should be vowed and performed. + +II. Covenanting should engage all to duties to society in general. +Imperative upon all is the command, "As we have therefore opportunity, +let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the +household of faith."[253] The constitution of the various relations of +human society, and the law and varied providential arrangements of the +Most High--all require that mutual regard for the welfare of one +another, should be cherished by all. And as those who love not their +brother give no evidence that they love God, so they who fear Him ought +to manifest their love to Him by using all those means, of which +Covenanting is one, by which the utmost efficiency for good may be given +to their resolution to serve the Lord, and to their interest in the +prosperity of their neighbour. These duties--that ought not merely to +be performed but vowed, are owing, + +First, to Families. The relations of the domestic circle are of Divine +appointment.[254] To be mutual helpers to one another, husband and wife +are associated by marriage; and the duties of parents to their children, +and of these to their parents, are numerous and definite. The common +obligation of all of them to God, behoves in vowing to Him to be +acknowledged,--not merely as individuals, but as members of families, +ought all to perform the duty in secret, and in a public social +capacity. "At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all +the families of Israel, and they shall be my people."[255] Each member +of a family in secret ought to Covenant as a member of the family with +God, and the whole family on warranted occasions of public solemn +Covenanting, even though there might be no more associated in the +service than themselves, ought to engage to duties not merely to others, +but to themselves in their domestic capacity. The wrath of God is +threatened on those families which, not calling on the name of God, do +not vow to Him. "Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, +and upon the families that call not on thy name."[256] Noah and his +family in their associate capacity Covenanted with God. And by their +families did Israel in the land of Moab, taking hold upon his Covenant, +present themselves before him.[257] In the marriage covenant husband and +wife bind themselves in the presence of God to the duties of that +relation. But though that engagement may not be repeated, these are +called on suitable occasions to vow the performance of definite duties +that may be incumbent upon them in their associate capacity. Submission +to one another in the fear of the Lord, which is manifested in the +service of vowing to him, is inculcated upon them. "Submitting +yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves +unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." "Husbands, love your wives, +even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave himself for it."[258] And +to support, and govern, and bring up their families in the nurture and +admonition of the Lord, is incumbent on them, and ought to be the +subject of solemn vows. The children of believing parents are the +Lord's. "Children are an heritage of the Lord." They are his gift. In +them he possesses a Covenant right. He has his eye upon them for good. +They ought to be set apart to himself. In baptism they are dedicated to +him; and even as the reception of any other gift of God, brings under an +obligation not merely to improve it for his service, but also to vow to +do so; the inheritance of children demands that solemn Covenant +engagements in reference to them, should be habitually made to the Most +High. The people of Israel Covenanted to obey the command,--"These words +which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt +teach them diligently unto thy children."[259] And the following words +of the Psalmist, speaking the language at once of inspiration and of +believers, must be considered both as a promise and a vow which should +be adopted by all. "I will open my mouth in a parable, I will utter dark +sayings of old; which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told +us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation +to come, the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful +work, that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and +appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they +should make them known to their children; that the generation to +come might know them, even the children which should be born, who +should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set +their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his +commandments."[260] 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 Covenanted. When the duties of the moral law +are promised in covenant, these are vowed. The performance of the duties +of the fifth commandment is due to parents. That and the service of +vowing to discharge these duties all owe to God. Obedience to parents +_in_ the Lord cannot be fully performed without the resolution to render +it solemnly expressed to the Lord. In one word, the various duties to +one another obligatory on members of families ought to be performed, by +being specially Covenanted, _in_ and _to_ the Lord. "Whatsoever ye do, +do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."[261] What a +blessedness would reign in families, were they thus consecrated to the +Lord! Then love in the midst of them would not be an impulse that might +be neutralised by selfishness or any other evil propensity, but a flame +kindled and sustained by the grace of God, and diffusing an influence +for lasting good; fanned by every fresh breath of Divine influence drawn +in by the soul living on the provision of God's covenant, sanctified by +the word and prayer--including the solemn vow, intense as the flame on +God's altar kindled from above, holy because from the Holy Spirit of +promise, it would go out on the members of the hallowed circle, subduing +as the power of an ever active principle, ennobling as all the gifts of +God, and as the bond of a glorious union, that may not be broken in +life, beyond the dissolving power of death, to survive to eternity. + +Secondly, to civil communities. "Honour all men,"[262] is an injunction +imperative on all. It includes that the duties owing to all in their +various relations, should be discharged because of God's appointment. +Masters should honour their servants by recognising the just claims +which these have upon them. Servants should honour their masters by +showing that respect, and rendering that obedience, which they owe to +them. Rulers should honour their subjects, by recognising them as the +channel through which in the providence of God their just title to reign +was transmitted, and by acting towards them as in possession of rights +committed to them by the Moral Governor of the universe, which rulers +deputed by him are bound to acknowledge and preserve entire. 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 law; and all should honour all men by vowing to perform the +duties owing to them. 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 connected, their obligations, by reckoning those as +unworthy of the solemn promise to God to obey them, they do not honour +them, and thus by disobeying His command, they dishonour God. The duties +of masters and servants to one another, are duties which each +respectively owe to Christ. "Servants, be obedient to them that are your +masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness +of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; +but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; +with good-will, doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing +that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of +the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same +things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also +is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."[263] And if +one duty to Christ ought to be vowed, ought not all, and consequently +those? A master and his servant by promises come under mutual +obligations to one another. And seeing that God has made promises to +men, and at the same time enjoined duties, ought not they to accept of +these promises, and engage to perform these duties? And if at all, why +not in special deliberate solemn Covenanting? Equally therefore, with +every other class of duties to which men should engage, should the +respective duties of masters and servants to one another be vowed to +God, as obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The duties of lawful civil +governors and of the people under them owing by these classes +respectively to one another ought to be vowed. They are duties to God. +"God is the King of all the earth."[264] They are therefore included in +the oath of allegiance which both kings and subjects ought to swear to +Him. The people of Israel set an example in this, which should be +imitated in these and all succeeding times. "Jehoiada made a covenant +between the Lord and the king and the people, that they should be the +Lord's people; between the king also and the people."[265] If a civil +constitution be according to the word of God, if the rulers who carry +its ordinance into effect be men fearing God and hating covetousness, +and if they dispense in a righteous manner its just laws, obedience is +due by the people, and ought to be vowed to God. "Submit yourselves to +every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, +as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the +punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do +well."[266] That cannot be done completely for the Lord's sake, which is +not vowed to him. Whatever is done for His sake, is done in obedience to +Him, as having required the discharge of duty and solemn engagements to +himself to perform it. And, what kings and others in power in civil +society ought to swear to the people, and in joining with their people +on occasions of public Covenanting, ought to vow and swear to the Lord, +is to rule according to the law of Christ. What was addressed to Joshua +concerning the books written by Moses is, in reference to all the +precepts of God's law permanently obligatory, applicable to all who +rule. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou +shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do +according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy +way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not +commanded thee?"[267] And lawful civil rulers are represented as the +ministers of God, and consequently as acting in the capacity of +servants, voluntarily devoted to His service, not merely in their +personal, but also in their public character. "For rulers are not a +terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of +the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the +same: for he is the _minister_ of God to thee for good. But if thou do +that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for +he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that +doeth evil."[268] + +It is the duty of the civil magistrate to legislate against all evil +denounced in the Scriptures. He may not assume to himself the authority +of sitting lord over the consciences of men, nor legislate where no +human law ought to extend; but he ought to forbid all vice and impiety, +and encourage every excellence. He should not consider himself to be +called upon to prohibit only some practices clearly evinced to be +sinful. He is called to interpose his authority, on behalf of civil +society, against those who invade its just rights; but is not at at +liberty to disregard, in his administration, what man owes to God. While +he should enforce the observation of the duties of the second table of +the law, he ought to inculcate the observance of those of the first. For +the suppression of evil human laws requires penal sanctions; these +penalties also must be regulated by the word of God; and, in inflicting +them, the Divine will be consulted in opposition to the vague or biassed +judgment of man. Nor must the supposed comparatively innoxious effect of +any evil upon civil society ever lead to wink at or slightly punish it, +if branded with the mark of Divine displeasure, and threatened with +awful vengeance. The protection due by a civil government to the people +under it is extensive and varied. To its care natural, and civil, and +religious rights all belong. Besides preserving external peace and +concord, administering justice, defending and encouraging such as are +and do good, the civil magistrate should be found promoting the +interests of true religion; not by dictating to the Church of God, or +legislating in it, but by countenancing with his civil sanction all its +ordinances, by exerting his influence in her outward support and defence +against all external enemies, and by keeping from places of power and +trust in the nation all hostile to her interests. He should employ his +power on its behalf; and not on any account should the principle of +expediency in any cases, whether of legislation or jurisprudence, be +adopted to give scope to measures denounced in the word of God. + +The people, both in regard to the choice of rulers and to obedience to +them, have important duties to perform. As to the first--between the +character of a law and the qualifications of those who dispense it, +there ought obviously to be an intimate correspondence. Of no law, +however excellent, could the benefits be extended, were individuals +either ignorant of its nature or opposed to its precepts engaged in its +administration. While an irreligious or immoral governor would pervert +the course of justice in the administration of laws truly excellent, he +would be utterly incompetent to the improvement of those that might be +defective. The acts of the best of civil governments--even those founded +upon the statutes of Divine truth--from the very nature of society, +require frequently to be modified. And, since the modelling and increase +of laws, as well as their dispensation, are very much dependent upon the +agency of rulers, how important would it be to have supreme and +subordinate authority committed to those who, having learned from the +source of all true wisdom, and having been rightly impressed with the +great responsibility connected with the situation of those who, by the +authority of God, judge between man and man, and legislate for his +declarative glory, alone are fitted to bear rule over mankind! Every +human system is liable to change for the better or worse. To admit then +into the councils of a nation, or to the administration of its laws, men +opposed to their salutary spirit, would be not merely to show no regard +for its welfare, but to employ means for its destruction. Those who +suppose that the votaries of false religions, and error of whatever +kind, however liberal might be their professions, would pay respect to +institutions favourable to truth, are ignorant of that unholy zeal with +which the abettors of delusive systems, carry into effect their designs. +And they who would imagine that men, uninfluenced by any moral or +religious feeling, would promote in their administration the +distribution of justice, are sufficiently blinded to conceive that error +is equally with truth worthy of support, or that false systems are +unproductive of evil. Different from the sentiments of such were those +which dictated the advice of Jethro, delivered in critical circumstances +to the Hebrew lawgiver. "Moreover," said that wise adviser to Moses, +"moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as +fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them, +to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, +and rulers of tens: and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it +shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every +small matter they shall judge."[269] And with that advice, which from +its adoption would appear to have been confirmed by a Divine warrant, +harmonize the words of David, "The God of Israel said, the Rock of +Israel spake to me. He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the +fear of God."[270] If it is an abomination for kings to commit +wickedness, and if the throne be established in righteousness, can that +nation be prosperous in which the wicked walk on every side, the vilest +men being exalted? "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with +thee, which frameth mischief by a law?"[271] In regard to the choice of +rulers, the duty of a people enlightened with the knowledge of Divine +truth, is clear and plain. When the qualities demanded by the law of God +are not possessed, no right to rule, on the footing that ancestors, in +the providence of God, had reigned, or on any other ground, can be +claimed. Like that of wealth, the possession of power depends solely +upon the sovereign will of God: even just rulers, without the express +promise of God, have no reason to expect that their power will be +continued exclusively to their families. The distribution of the gifts +of God is sovereign; and when because of sin, in chastisement or +judgment, He leads to the transference of royal dignities from one house +to another, the claims of hereditary or other privilege will be of +little avail. On no account can a people who yield subjection to the +King of Zion and the Lord of all, commit into the hands of men, +unqualified by irreligion or otherwise, the reins of a government +framed, as each ought to be, according to the standards of Divine truth. +Although, as after the invasion of property, when sometimes time appears +to give a right to possession, the usurpation of royal prerogatives, in +the course of years, by a degraded and servile people, may be not merely +submitted to, but acknowledged as lawful; yet, as the thief or the +robber, though his heirs to the third and fourth generation may possess +the fruits of his spoil, cannot fail to stand chargeable with crime +before God's throne, so the ruler, whose throne is founded on iniquity, +or ascended through cruelty or injustice, though millions applaud his +government and confirm to his descendants the power that may be unjustly +claimed by him, cannot, but in the eye of the Eternal, be viewed as a +usurper. And concerning those who submit willingly to his authority, the +Lord will say, "They set up kings, but not by me; they have made +princes, and I knew it not."[272] Next, as to the obedience which a +people owe to their civil rulers. The nature and extent thereof are +defined in the word of God. To the law of God, all mankind are under +permanent obligations; and all, in their peculiar relations, are bound +to render obedience to those rulers who are vested with authority from +Him. Between rulers and the people under them, the compact ought to be +mutual and voluntary; and wherever a just title to sovereign power can +be shown, there obedience can be claimed. For the government of mankind +in things civil, God has been pleased to appoint the ordinance of +magistracy; and He himself, in his providence, calls to the exercise of +its supreme and subordinate functions. This call is addressed through +the people, who alone possess the right to raise to power and trust over +them those possessed of qualifications for office. When the attainments +of those chosen to rule accord in some measure with the requirements of +the Divine law, the power communicated is of Divine authority, and +obedience as unto God is due by the people; but when the compact between +the ruler and the people is opposed to the doctrines of Divine truth, +there is no obligation upon either party. Both are chargeable with sin +for entering into their engagements; but the people are free from their +promised allegiance, and the ruler is destitute of authority. This we +may say in general, without condescending upon the precise limits, +transgressing which, power on the one hand is null and void, and +obedience on the other is not obligatory; or, inquiring what in systems +of government, partly good and partly evil, is essential to their +authority. We can conceive of some civil governments as originating from +the obscure intimations of the light of nature concerning sin and duty, +and as under the superintendence of men possessed of qualities +compatible with the views of those whom they rule over or govern. Here +the compact, though very imperfect, would be mutual and consistent, and +the duties recognised by each party completely obligatory on both. An +increase of knowledge, however, would demand reformation; and so far as +such would not be attempted when manifestly necessary, so far would the +law of God be disregarded, and so far would the government be opposed to +His authority. Kings and others in power are required, as the light of +duty breaks in upon them, to conform their public procedure to its +exhibitions; and the people under their dominion are called to obey. If +reformation, however, begin not with those in possession of power, +subjects, perceiving its necessity, are not warranted to abstain from +attempting it. Those attempts, however, should be of such a character as +not to endanger, unnecessarily, the peace of communities. The duty of +rulers should be perseveringly set before them, and the minds of all +assiduously called to reflection. And while obedience should be given to +no unjust law, and no recognition of any unlawful institution should be +made, the utmost care should be taken to bring all to a sense of +obligation, so that, if possible, there might be averted the crisis when +the voice of a people, enlightened by Divine truth, having been +altogether disregarded, there ought to be taken the final step of +expelling from the seat of power those who, by contemning alike the law +of God and the sentiments of their subjects, declare themselves unworthy +of supreme authority. But to rulers possessed of scriptural +qualifications, cordial obedience is due. "Let every soul be subject to +the higher powers."[273] Also, in the acknowledgment of their lawful +authority, that their persons may be blessed, their governments may be +established, and prosperity may distinguish their reign, prayer must be +made to God on their behalf. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, +supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for +all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead +a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."[274] And +whilst, agreeably to the injunction, "Honour the king," respect, far +transcending that homage which evaporates in hacknied expressions of +loyalty employed in reference to majesty, is due, 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 righteousness, devolves on all placed under a +Christian government. And in order that such subjection be properly +maintained, a salutary fear, not merely of the wrath of man, but of the +wrath of God, and a conscientious regard to duty, must be cherished. +"Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for +conscience' sake."[275] When the fear of the sanction annexed to the +transgression of any law is the only motive to obedience, that obedience +cannot be genuine. Not merely the lower, but also the higher principles +of our nature, must lead to that course of conduct which is estimable in +the sight of men, and what is more important by far, acceptable to God. +The moral being whom the fear of punishment alone would deter from doing +evil, by threats would be equally hindered, and perhaps more so, from +doing good. And he whom a sense of duty would not urge to right conduct, +would not always be led to it by a view of the consequences resulting +from doing evil. They who love the law of God will obey it, because of +his holy will; and his authority will be recognised in the commands of +those who rule for him, according to its manifestation, not less than in +the express dictates of his word. All the institutions of God, and all +the means which he has appointed for the promotion of his own glory and +for the good of men, are dear to his people; and while they seek to +declare the glory of God, and endeavour to promote the best interests of +men, at once they will fear and hate to sin. + +The people of God, however, have not always, nay have seldom, in His +providence, been privileged to live under civil governments, sanctioned +by His high authority. In their unfavourable circumstances how ought +they to conduct themselves towards those who rule over them? Ought they +to join themselves with the people of the lands wherein they dwell, in +supporting thrones of iniquity? or, are they to uphold the authority of +those who rule not for God? Since the enjoyment of outward +privileges--such as the protection of life and character, and property, +brings under obligations, which may be acknowledged, without the +recognition of any attribute of a government, nay even with a dissent +from its enactments and constitution of evil, these obligations, in +living at peace with all men, in giving scope wisely and consistently to +every good law, and in the paying of dues lawful in themselves, they +ought to acknowledge; even in cases where the imposts of such a +government are so combined, as that it may be difficult or impossible to +distinguish between what is required for lawful, and what for unlawful +purposes, within certain limits, they will not withhold their +contributions, but protest against the sinful uses to which the revenues +of the nation may be put. But when, by direct contribution or otherwise, +they are required to support or countenance measures palpably sinful, or +to give a pledge of loyalty by oath, or otherwise, to systems immoral or +unscriptural, accounting it better to obey God rather than men, this +they ought at all hazards to refuse. And when privileges, ensnaring in +their nature, and in the acceptance of which is implied an +acknowledgment of such governments,[276] are held out to them, +reflecting that the oaths sworn and the various other public actions +performed by the representatives of the people, are accepted in the name +of the one and the other, and are attributable to both, and that those +who bear rule, are in general viewed as pledged to promote the system +for which they act, these they ought conscientiously to +reject;[277]--pondering the question addressed to +Jehoshaphat,--"Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate +the Lord?"[278] To systems of government, therefore, under which the +unlawful authority of the rulers is homologated by the servile +acquiescence of a majority of the people, a minority are not bound to +yield subjection. The laws of a nation, only when accordant with the +statutes of the Eternal, confer obligation; and no acts of men can annul +the demands of statutes formed according to His word, and consequently +deriving their authority from Him. When will Zion be built up if her +children testify not against the principle of those rulers who, divided +as to means, but united in design, assail, as it were, with axes and +hammers the institutions of religion, like the carved work of God's +sanctuary, and defile the same by attempting to cast them to the ground? +Let the voice of a distinct testimony for the prerogatives of Messiah +the Prince, be resolutely lifted up. And though it would not, nay could +not, in many cases be faithfully uttered in the councils of a nation, +nor amid the shouts of many who, praising civil power, and a Church so +degraded as to act as its creature, cry out in the spirit of the men of +Ephesus, who said, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," would for a time +be not much heard through some portions of the land: yet by the blessing +of God it would be the means of exhibiting the nature of true +reformation, and, if accompanied by uprightness of deportment, would be +productive of benefits that should be enjoyed, when the works of the +abettors of tyranny would have for ever perished. + +Rulers greatly miscalculate when they reckon as obedience the apparent +submission which without hypocrisy is given to their laws, by those who +deny their power to legislate to be of Divine authority. That quiescence +possesses neither of the features which together constitute an act an +offering of genuine obedience. It proceeds neither from wrath, that is, +from the fear of their wrath, nor from a conscientious sense of +obligation to obey them. To do what unqualified rulers command, is one +thing; to do that from a regard to their pretended authority may be +another. The sentiment is wrong, that a thing may be done for wrath, +which cannot be done for conscience' sake. The acts done under +incompetent rulers, by those who disapprove of their claims, come from +neither. Their observance of good laws administered by such rulers, is +not maintained either from a dread of the power of those to inflict a +penalty, or from an approving regard of their claims to authority, but +proceeds from the fear of the wrath of God, and from conscience of duty +to Him. Wicked commands cannot be obeyed at all. An act performed for +wrath, is not lawfully done if not done for conscience' sake also; and +no service that men do under an unlawful government should proceed from +either of these, in reference to those in power. Such rulers act as if +the doing of what they require were obedience to them; but, when their +demands are lawful in themselves, the performance of them should neither +be made nor received as obedience to them, but rendered as service to +God: when they are unlawful, they should be wholly disregarded. + +The doctrine is evil, that so long as _any_ law exists, it ought to be +obeyed. If a law be good, what it requires ought certainly to be done. +But though rulers demand obedience to every existing law, whether it be +good or bad, yet when they give effect to those that are bad, they are +chargeable with crime, and the people who yield are culpable. It is +true, that bad laws should be changed: but most erroneous, that till +they be regularly removed they should be obeyed. "It is criminal +voluntarily to support, _for a single hour_, laws which are immoral, +unscriptural, and anti-christian; and an oath promising such support +cannot but be sinful. It is a grievous error to maintain, that it is a +duty to obey and support any law, however wicked, so long as it remains +in the statute-book. There is a law above all the laws of men, the +authority of which remains for ever unchangeable; and when any _human +laws_ are in opposition to the _divine_, it is our duty to obey God +rather than man. Laws framed by men in opposition to the will of God, +ought to receive no countenance or support, in any form whatever, from +the followers of the Lamb."[279] There is the same reason for +discontinuing to obey a bad law as there is for annulling it and +substituting for it a better. Difficulties that might arise in +consequence of a people refusing to obey an evil law before its +abolition, afford no reason why it should be observed till removed in +what is termed a constitutional way, but are chargeable on those who +made it and gave it scope. + +To promote the real welfare of the civil communities to which they +belong, is the duty of all. Those who wink at the evils connected with +them do not do so. Those who obey their unjust laws do not do so. Those +who do not take means to reform them do not do so. Those who would seek +to overthrow their good institutions are malignant enemies not merely of +their country, but also of all mankind. Those who, from revenge, or +envy, or selfishness, or any other evil principle, or all combined, +would attempt to change their institutions, are the bane of society, and +a curse to their race. Only those who fear God are the true friends of +civil society. Those are called, and feel urged, in greater or less +measure according to their attainments, to many varied duties, all of +which tend to the one end of improving it. The diffusion of information +regarding, the scriptural constitution of civil society, the duties of +all ranks within it to God and to one another, the qualifications of +rulers, and the obligation of the law of Christ in regard to all its +concerns; the protection of its good institutions at once from the +effects of tyranny and anarchy, whether from within or from without; the +resistance of its laws that may be in opposition to the revealed will of +God, and consequently to the best interests of the community; the +reformation of its institutions that are evil, but that may be improved, +and the destruction of those that are essentially corrupt; the adoption +of new measures suited to the progress of the development, physical, +intellectual, moral, and religious, of the society; and above all, the +countenance and support of the Church of God in the enjoyment of all her +privileges; are objects claiming the devoted attention of every one who +has the least claim to be considered a worthy member of civil society, +and which, from the very nature of society, according to the law of God, +are incumbent on every one who enjoys its privileges. + +To classes of men of whatever kind. Every one ought to promote the +welfare of his neighbour. "Am I my brother's keeper?" is, in every age, +the motto only of the murderer. The wretchedness or guilt of our +neighbour ought not to repel us from, but rather to attract us to him, +to alleviate his sufferings, or administer admonition, or give +direction, or encouragement, or assistance, of whatever nature. From +those who are members of evil confederations we should not be kept back, +but, while avoiding the means of temptation to sin, be led to urge them +to dissociate themselves from societies that would lead them to ruin, +and to connect with others that tend to happiness and peace and honour. +The ignorant we ought to instruct and endeavour to reform; the +irreligious we ought to warn, and, in a spirit of true compassion, to +use means to turn from the error of his way; and the obstinately wicked +we ought to mourn over, and beseech to seek unto God. "He which +converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from +death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."[280] And our enemies we +ought to forgive, and by kindness seek to reclaim. To the good we should +be drawn, not merely for our own advantage, but for theirs. Their +excellencies we ought to imitate, and to endeavour, if possible, to +increase and render more effective; and their society, in order to the +advancement of the interests of truth, we should cultivate. To the +intelligent and wise we should be drawn, that we may be wise, and their +influence for good may be reflected back to the utmost, even though in +measure small, upon themselves; and to the religious, that, encouraged +in prosecuting the way to the eternal inheritance, they may have, in +increasing measure, the happiness of being accompanied and followed by +many who will be helpers of their joy. "As we have therefore +opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are +of the household of faith."[281] + +These various duties of the members of civil society are proper matter +of solemn Covenant engagement. That they have but little entered into +vows on the part of many who have bound themselves to other services, +also required, is no reason why they should not be Covenanted. That they +are enjoined in the law of Christ, obedience to which is the keeping of +God's Covenant, is the reason why they should be distinctly described, +and introduced into secret and public social solemn vows. + +Thirdly, to the Church of Christ. These are of high importance; by the +authority of God they are inculcated, and to the highest of all ends +they directly tend. Not enjoined by the authority of man, even deputed +to him from above, but by Christ himself, they bind the conscience by a +bond that men could neither have imposed nor relaxed. They are vowed in +Baptism, engaged to in the Lord's Supper, and ought to be the matter of +solemn engagements of an explicit public nature. These are,-- + +To abide by all the ordinances of Divine grace. These are the +appointment of the Redeemer, and tend to the good of his Church. The +relations of the members of the Church to one another, originating in +his sovereign appointment, call them to these special duties to one +another; and his explicit commands give definiteness to their +obligations. To wait on these ordinances, is at once a duty to God and +to his Church. To keep the Sabbath, to celebrate the sacraments, to hear +and preach the gospel, to engage in the reading of the word of God, and +in praise and prayer, to make and keep secret and social vows, to +associate with his people, and to attend to whatever observances of +discipline he has made known, are indispensable services. "I am like a +green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for +ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: +and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."[282] + +To support the ordinances of religion where they are enjoyed. The Lord +gave to ancient Israel the institutions of his house as a trust. "Who +are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the +covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the +promises."[283] And to all his people he has given the promise of a +heart to observe his statutes for their own good, and the good of their +children. "And they shall be my people, and I will be their God; and I +will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, +for the good of them, and of their children after them."[284] Even the +promise of outward support to the ordinances of religion, should enter +into solemn vows. It is by the contributions of the people of God that +these are to be continued. For offering to Him the lame and the blind, +the Lord was displeased with Israel; but his blessing was promised to +those who devoted liberally of their substance to Him. "Will a man rob +God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In +tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, +even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, +that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith +the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and +pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive +it."[285] + +To maintain the rights and privileges of the Church. These are a part of +the charge committed to her by her Head; but they are also an +inheritance which her members are bound by their relation to her to +preserve and transmit. Against two classes of enemies, in particular, it +is necessary to defend these. The abettors of corrupt systems of +religion, by weapons of every character, assail them. These claiming for +communities that were once distinguished by the truth, but who have +greatly, or nearly altogether relinquished it, the character of the true +Church of God, are not scrupulous to represent societies that do hold +the Head as not entitled to the Church's immunities; and consequently at +once they tyrannically attempt to blind men, and to prevent them from +uniting with those who have the light among them. Against such, as cruel +and tyrannical usurpers who would bring the Church of God into bondage, +and deny that her privileges are valid, those who are in her communion +are called to testify. Prelacy and Popery are both corrupt systems, +though not equally. Both claim for those who adhere to them the +character of being the only members of the true Church. Both deny that +any in societies not in communion with them, have a right to be reckoned +the ministers of religion, or to dispense any of its ordinances. Both +having attempted to rob the Church of Christ of her privileges, the +latter consummates the impiety of one who sitteth in the temple of God, +showing himself that he is God; and the former, by giving to an earthly +monarch the place over His Church which belongs to Christ alone, being +an accomplice in crime, approves. Against these systems, that the +blinded who are attached to them may be delivered from their bondage, +that the truly pious who are within them may be brought out of them, and +that their invasions of the privileges of those who hold the truth may +be limited, the rights of God's people behove to be held forth by +testimony and maintained. A regard to the claims of the house of God on +each of its members, should lead to the duty; and, in consequence of +engagements by vow and oath, that should be performed. But next--many +civil rulers form another class which exacts upon the privileges of the +Church. Assuming for civil authority a supreme power over all causes, +ecclesiastical and civil, they practically attempt to deny to the Church +of Christ her privileges,--those rights which no mere civil society is +competent to sustain, which the Lord himself purchased for and bestowed +upon her, which she is bound by her allegiance to Him to keep entire and +perpetuate, which she is destined to use for extensive good in the +promotion of true religion, for which she is answerable to Him alone, +which the rulers of this world--which no creature can give or take away, +which her Lord will conserve, even to the overthrow of every +system--whether civil or ecclesiastical, that will persevere to dispute +them or use means to wrest them from her hands; and thus they give +occasion to her members, in virtue of their communion with one another +and common obligations to Christ, to testify by oath and otherwise +against their pretensions as, rebellion against Him, and injustice and +tyranny to the society of which He alone is the Head. + +To unite the various Churches of Christ. That these will be incorporated +in millennial times, we have reason to believe. That different Churches +have been brought into one, is matter of history. That the Lord in his +providence has overruled outward circumstances for associating his +people, in order that they might act for Him, is a truth worthy of +careful consideration. On the ground that the illuminating and +sanctifying agency of God's Spirit is altogether independent of the +condition of men, we are forced to conclude, 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 religion, may by means other +than those of outward distresses, or along with these, be brought to +co-operate, if not ultimately to incorporate, with one another, toward +the high end contemplated in common by them. It is good to maintain +sound views of the declarations of the word of God. It is proper to +examine others. It is good for all to endeavour rightly to apprehend the +sentiments of those who may differ from them in opinion concerning +Divine truth; and necessary to exhibit such sentiments in their true +character. It is desirable that mutual communications regarding the +truth should be interchanged among those who desire, but are unable yet +to see eye to eye; and to be greatly wished, that all such, in what +measure and manner is competent to them, would strengthen each other's +hands to give diffusion to their common views. The different communities +of the Church should not stand in intrenchments inaccessible to each +other. They are each a place of greater or less strength raised for +defence, not against the others, but against a common foe. They cannot +yet hold free communion; but various means of communication may be +employed by them, without laying themselves open to the inroads of +enemies. By encouraging some kinds of intercourse among themselves, they +would not expose themselves to any assault, but secure, or rather alter +for good, their positions. In order to the overthrow of the enemy, +without giving him inadvertently even an inch of advantage, mutual aids +might be communicated among them. Were proper means taken, their various +positions, by being subjected to improvements, might ultimately come to +be one system, within the lines of which no enemy would penetrate, and +all whose parts acting in concert would present the reality of an +outward Zion--emblem of that which is spiritual, fortified with walls +and bulwarks. So long as there are even two communities of the people of +Christ, whose sentiments regarding various things are not in harmony, so +long is a loud call addressed to all who fear Him, to take means to lead +to unity, and to come under common solemn obligations thus to build up, +even as the walls of Jerusalem, the walls and bulwarks of Zion. + +To enlarge the Church. In the providence of God, the truth is widely +diffused through the operation of many outward causes. According to the +provisions of his grace, it is intended for dissemination through the +voluntary agency of those who love it. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, +and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, +lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes: for thou shalt break +forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the +Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Fear not; for +thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt +not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and +shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker +is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the +Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called."[286] + +Through Bible Societies. The fact is singular, that the operation of +these is the first great exemplification made in the last times, as it +is among the highest applications, of the principle of co-operation on +the part of many for good. It shows that God in his providence, in a +wondrous manner, leads men to do what he has enjoined in his word; +honours his own institutions; and teaches the lesson, that in +accordance with the facilities presented by him, should be the dutiful +energetic endeavours of all towards the exhibition of his truth. Was it +dutiful for fathers to teach their children the law of God? Was it +dutiful for the priests to read it to the people of Israel assembled at +their solemn feasts? It is dutiful for all who have the whole word of +God, to use every lawful means in their power to make others know it. +Was it dutiful to make use of one copy of the law for instructing the +people, when only one could be obtained? It is dutiful so to make use of +as many copies of the Scriptures as can be found, nay, to aid in +producing copies of them to the utmost limits of our ability, that they +may be sent to those who are in darkness. To the greatest extent of the +capacities of all, it is dutiful for them to obtain and distribute +copies of the blessed word. Every member of the Church of Christ, from +the days of infancy to those of extreme old age, should be a member of a +Bible Society; and, till the many millions of the human family have the +word in their hands, that it may take possession of their hearts, it +should be distributed. Every discovery in science, every acquisition in +literature, every improvement or invention in art, should be devoted to +the multiplication, in all languages, at the least possible expense, and +accordingly to the utmost extent, of copies of the word. And all should +give themselves to aid in the dutiful effort. Contributions of money; +devotion of talent, and energy, and time; and prayer to God: for this, +should all be made, and, in solemn individual and public vows, be +offered to God. + +Through Missions. First, at home. The claims of countrymen perishing for +lack of knowledge, on those who know the truth, are strong. The claims +of the whole Church upon each of her members for devotedness to her +interests, are the strongest that society can put forth, and when made +on behalf of those who are united by many near ties, harmonize with the +former. Every one should nourish and cherish his own body. The duty is +common to an individual and to the Church of Christ. That community +which does not improve in the region where the means of healthful +increase are afforded, is in an unhealthy state. When a portion of the +visible Church does not, by affording to those around it who are in a +state of corruption the means of life, assimilate them to itself, it is +not in vigorous action; its members sustain not the character of living +ones; and except it be restored, its decay cannot be far distant. To +lead the communities of the faithful to invade the ignorance and sin and +misery that surround them, the voice of humanity, a sense of obligation +to the calls of duty, the delightful prospect of good to many who will +either receive or give instruction, and of glory to God by the salvation +of sinners, do all unite. Before the appeals of these the insensibility +and even opposition of those who are in degradation and guilt, should be +esteemed as no ground of discouragement; but, in the spirit of +devotedness to a great work which cannot lose its gracious reward, +should, with resolution and prayer in consequence of solemn devotedness +on the part of one and all, be perseveringly and patiently, though even +painfully, encountered. + +Secondly, to the heathen. To use endeavours that a system which tends +but to good be developed to the utmost, is not to manifest ambition, but +to display the working of true benevolence. To seek the increase of the +Church's power--essentially benignant in the world--is to aspire at what +has been reserved for her, and to aim at what each of her members is +under obligation to favour. Her enemies alone tend to hinder her +advancement. The providence of God is directed to her welfare. The +designs of satan are overruled for her good. The Lord himself watches +over her, and leads her forth to her high destination. And ought not her +children, by making and keeping solemn vows, to enlighten the subjects +of darkness, to promote her prosperity? When the number of the faithful +is increased, so is their efficiency; the enemies of truth are +diminished and discouraged by all brought to receive it; and the +communion of saints, by the addition of every believer, is swelled to +the pleasing anticipation, the grateful remembrance, and substantial +satisfaction in the enjoyment of present good, of every one therein. Who +that loves the prosperity of Zion, does not desire to see her communion +extended? Who that has an interest in her welfare, does not joyfully +anticipate and pray for, and endeavour to use other means, that men may +see the glorious things said in prophecy concerning her? Who that is a +worthy member of her communion, does not feel himself urged, by a sense +of obligation to her, to add to the joy of each of her faithful ones, by +being instrumental in leading the heathen nations to the truth? How +glorious a thing it would be to see those nations associated, by the +strong ties of fellowship, and a common relation to one glorious Lord, +to his other believing people! 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 favour!--to meditate upon the heathen brought, +through the instrumentality of men, to do homage to that Lord whom all +his saints delight to see honoured!--to know of the heathen that had +been given to Him for an inheritance, being taught willingly to receive +and acknowledge him, and by special Covenanting, to give themselves away +unto Him, taking hold upon him as given for a Covenant of the people, +and presenting the fulfilment of the precious words, "He shall not fail +nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the +isles shall wait for his law."[287] + +Thirdly, to the Jews. Their fathers first brought the glad tidings of +salvation to the Gentiles. The Apostles, and others of them, proclaimed +the truth in every nation under heaven. From the ten tribes in captivity +in the east went forth missionaries to India, and China, and to other +nations around them. The ancient Israelites at Sinai, at Horeb, and +elsewhere, Covenanted to afford the means of grace to those of other +nations of the world. In the covenant made with Abraham, provision was +made for the introduction of the stranger into the visible Church of +God, by granting to him the privilege of circumcision. The people of +Israel were the children of that Covenant, and recognised its +engagements as obligatory upon them. Among them, accordingly, every +circumcised person, not excluding the stranger, had a right to eat of +the passover. In the decalogue, the stranger dwelling among them is +recognised. In the covenant made at Sinai, express provisions, besides, +were made for such. "The stranger that dwelleth with you, shall be unto +you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself."[288] In +that it is said to the priests, "That ye may teach the children of +Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand +of Moses."[289] These were therefore to teach it to the stranger also. +In all these things Israel, by Covenanting, acquiesced, when they were +first proposed, and also at succeeding times when the covenant of Sinai +was renewed. The Church is therefore under a debt to their descendants +which should be paid in kind. In order to confer upon her the honour of +fulfilling the high obligation, her members should make and keep +Covenant engagements to send missionaries to all the remnants of +Israel. To her and to each other, individually, they owe it thus to use +means to add to the communion of saints, the descendants of +Jacob,--whose restoration will be so advantageous,--"For if the casting +away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving +of them be, but life from the dead?"[290] How pleasing to think of +Israel again graffed into their own olive tree!--to reflect upon the +fulfilment of the promise, "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is +written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away +ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall +take away their sins"![291]--and to look forward to that universal joy +which shall be expressed, when, the fulness of the Gentiles having been +brought in, and all Israel gathered, the kingdom shall universally be +acknowledged to be the Lord's! + +III. Covenanting should engage all to duties to the Mediator as Lord of +all. It is by God that all live, and move, and have their being; and to +him all are called to live. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no +man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and +whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live, therefore, or +die, we are the Lord's." To seek the Lord, and to walk after the Lord, +are the sum of all the obedience to Him which he requires; and are the +substance of what all are required to vow and swear to perform. "And +they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with +all their heart and with all their soul."[292] "And the king stood by a +pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and +to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with +all their heart, and all their soul, to perform the words of this +covenant that were written in this book: and all the people stood to +the covenant."[293] These duties to God ought to be performed to Christ; +for he hath said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in +earth;"[294] and it is the will of God, "that all men should honour the +Son, even as they honour the Father."[295] These duties are, it maybe +remarked, in general, + +To declare the glory of God. All the duty that He requires of man is +included in this. Every thing that occurs, independently of the will of +moral creatures, is glorifying to God. Every evil thing is overruled for +the manifestation of his glory. The willing services of unfallen angels +and redeemed men, directly tend to display that glory. All that God +requires of man, and consequently the use of all means appointed for +glorifying his name, ought to be vowed. By commands to all; by promises, +by invitations and encouragements, to his people; by denunciations and +warnings addressed to his enemies; he urges men to show forth his glory. +To vow and swear to do so is therefore obligatory upon them. The +obligation is acknowledged in the Psalmist's vow,--"I will praise thee, +O Lord my God, with all my heart; and I will glorify thy name for +evermore."[296] And as a consequence of offering worship to God, and +therefore, in some instances at least, of vowing to Him, the glorifying +of God's name is predicted. "All nations whom thou hast made shall come +and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name."[297] But +particularly, + +To maintain the truth by the profession and practice of it. Idolatry, or +the whole of false religion and all its practical consequences, is +represented both as a withholding from God of the glory due to him, and +as a surrender of the truth.[298] Christ is the Truth; and accordingly +those who receive him cleave to his truth by vow and consequent +obedience. The Spirit of promise is the Spirit of Truth. They who, by +Covenanting, receive him in the former character, accept of him as sent +to lead into all truth.[299] The Lord is "a God of Truth." All who take +him as their God accede to his truth. It is to the truth of God that +those devoted servants, whom he denominates "_My Witnesses_," give +testimony, in their profession, and life, and conversation. It is to his +truth that they testify in the same manner, when they act as his +"_Messenger_."[300] The truth of God was committed to his people in the +_charge_ which, from time to time, they accepted in Covenanting.[301] +The Redeemer commands that it be held fast. "Remember therefore how thou +hast received and heard; and hold fast, and repent."[302] The Covenant +people of God are "the righteous nation which keepeth the truth."[303] +Each of them declares, "I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments +have I laid before me."[304] And each adopts the vow, "I will walk in +thy truth."[305] + +The truth of God's character ought to be maintained. That his name might +be glorified, he was pleased to make himself known. That men might in +some measure apprehend him, he revealed himself. That they might not +forget but hold communion with him, he appointed the ordinances of his +grace. That they might be led to celebrate his greatness, he gave them +command and afforded them facilities to pledge themselves to his +service. They are called to contemplate with wonder and admiration, the +transcendent excellencies of his nature, and to speak of them with +reverence and awe. And Himself, whose being and attributes are all +infinite, they are created and preserved to praise and adore. The +distinct personality of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; +the divinity of each of these glorious persons; the unity of the +Godhead; and the essential glory of the Three-One-God; are truths +implied in the very nature of solemn Covenant engagement; and in order +to the keeping of these, require to be held. + +The truth of God's government ought to be maintained. The underived +majesty of the Eternal; the power and authority of the Father, of the +Son, and of the Holy Ghost, extending over all creatures from the +beginning to everlasting; the reality and nature of God's purposes, and +their fulfilment in creation and providence; in opposition to the +atheist, the fatalist, the deist, the sceptic, and every other who does +not believe in the truth of Divine revelation; are made known, and claim +to be contended for and professed. + +The relations of the persons of the ever-blessed Trinity in Unity, +confederated in the everlasting Covenant for the salvation of man, +behove to be maintained. In the Scriptures, the Father is represented as +having given his Son to be a propitiation for the sins of his people, +accepted of his work, and conferred upon him a glorious reward;--as the +God of grace, calling, justifying, adopting, sanctifying, and receiving +to glory, his people;--the Holy Ghost is exhibited as given to the +Redeemer, as renewing, illuminating, sanctifying, and comforting his +elect, as a Spirit of grace and supplication, as dwelling in their +hearts, as given to them as an earnest of the purchased possession, as +the Comforter, the Remembrancer, the Spirit of promise;--and the +Redeemer is presented as the great Mediator between God and men. To the +faith of God's elect, such manifestations are made. They must be +confessed. + +The mediatorial character and glory of Christ ought to be maintained. +The revelation of Divine truth is due to Him as the great Prophet of +his Church. He is the great High Priest of his people's profession. He +is their King, and Head over all. The illuminating influences of the +word and Spirit of Christ have been felt by all his people. They are +taught in the Scriptures; they proceed from him as the great Teacher +sent from God; they require to be proclaimed. + +The atonement and intercession of Christ lie at the foundation of the +sinner's hope of acceptance and enjoyment of the favour of God. Being +distinctly revealed, like all other doctrines of God's word, they should +enter into a testimony for the truth. + +The Headship of Christ is a most important part of the truth, to which +testimony must be borne. The Father "hath put all things under his feet, +and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his +body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all."[306] + +His Headship over the Church is real in every age. In all time, however, +by some it has been disputed. It could not be disproved, though it has +often been disregarded. So often as the ordinances of Divine grace have +been undervalued or misimproved; so often as men have taken upon them to +make changes in the worship of God; so often as there have been taught +for doctrines the commandments of men; so often as the government which +Christ instituted in his house has not been observed; so long as the +ordinance of discipline has been neglected or improperly administered; +so often as rites and ceremonies in the worship of God have been added +or modified according to the caprice of men; so often as men unqualified +have assumed to themselves the functions of the ministering servants of +Christ; so often as the ministers of religion have acted as lords over +God's heritage; so often as one individual in it has sat as head of the +Church; so often as one has sat in the temple of God showing himself +that he was God; so often as civil rulers have stept out of their own +sphere to legislate in the Church, to overrule the proceedings of its +courts, to visit with restrictions, whether by pains, or penalties, or +otherwise, those who used a lawful power and authority therein; so often +and so long as an earthly sovereign has sat as head of any department of +His Church; so often and so long, ignorantly or otherwise, has the +Redeemer, as King and Head of his Church, been dishonoured. For his +glory so set at nought, his people, in protesting against the opposition +thereby shown to his just claim, and in maintaining all these claims, +are called to testify by vow and oath. + +The Headship of Christ over the nations is taught in Divine revelation +not less clearly than that over the Church; not less than that, it has +been misapprehended and disputed, and often practically denied. But +equally with the other, being true, the doctrine has stood unshaken +amidst every assault. It is manifest from all the references of Divine +truth to civil matters:--from its delineations of the duties of the +civil magistrate, and of those under his authority, to Christ and to one +another; of the qualifications of lawful civil rulers; of nations as +called into existence by the Mediator, under his cognizance, and at his +disposal; of the duties of nations to the Church of Christ,--to +establish the true religion, restrain ungodliness, and otherwise aid in +the promotion of her interests: and appears from designations +representing Him as possessed of all power and authority over men. But, +even as his authority over the Church, it has been set at nought by +many. Civil constitutions not framed according to his law, nor under the +care of those impressed with the fear of God; that give equal +countenance to error and truth; that support delusive systems, while +they do not encourage the spread of truth; that attempt to subordinate +the Church to the civil power; that seek the alliance of any idolatrous +system of religion to support their authority; that seek the continuance +of power by attempting to bring the nations to which they belong, at the +risk of the exterminating penalty of poverty or destitution, under the +yoke of ignorance, 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" alone; or that seek to secure their influence by +any means at variance with the law of Christ; are all in opposition to +his revealed will, are unpossessed of authority from him, are the +voluntary agents of "the Prince of the power of the air," and cannot be +countenanced without rebellion against Him who is the Governor among the +nations. Whosoever there may be that fear God among those who rule or +govern in connection with such constitutions, by being connected with +them and putting forth their claims, are not in the path of duty. The +obligation incumbent on such, nay, on all--whether in power or not, who +support them, is either to give up their adherence to them, or to change +them so as to bring them up to the scriptural standard. With the +supporters of such constitutions unamended, some who disapprove of them, +have in some respects to co-operate. But never can any act, without sin, +along with these, in such a manner as to recognise the claims of the +power maintained by these constitutions, to be the ordinance of +God.[307] Joint procedure with such can be warrantable only when +directed to an end good in itself, and when accompanied by an expressed +or understood disapproval of the character and authority of the civil +power. Against such, that they may be modified for good, or succeeded by +what is glorifying to God, a substantial testimony ought to be lifted +up. In order to the extension of the acknowledgment of the Mediatorial +power over all the kingdoms of the world, an exhibition of the +prerogatives and claims upon these of the Redeemer, should explicitly be +made in testifying for him, by a scriptural profession, and practical +observance of his commands. And in solemn Covenanting such attestations +required to be embodied. "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I +hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A +froward heart shall depart from me; I will not know a wicked person. +Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell +with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me."[308] "I +will extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and +ever." "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy +wondrous works." "All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy +saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, +and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, +and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting +kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations."[309] + +And the truth of the depravity of man and his inability to restore +himself to God's favour ought to be maintained. The entire corruption of +the human nature by sin, original sin, the dominion of sin in the +unconverted, the power of sin even in the people of God, are all made +known as by a sunbeam in the Divine word, consistent with the conduct of +men, necessary to be admitted in order to the acceptance of the +blessings of the great salvation, the subject of solemn confession to +God, and a ground of humiliation in his sight. These should enter into a +solemn profession of the truth. "I will declare mine iniquity; I will +be sorry for my sin."[310] "Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou +me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous +sins; let them not have dominion over me."[311] + +To testify against error and its consequences. Heathenism it is +necessary to denounce according to the word of Divine truth. It is +desirable to condemn it, as originating in the corruption of true +religion, making progress by assimilating to itself the corruptions of +the human heart under the influence of satan, and tending towards the +ruin of the soul. The manner in which it is described in the sacred +volume, and represented there as certainly to be dissipated, should be +made known by those who come in contact with it. And the glorious truth +of God, in contrast with it in its character and tendencies, should be +displayed. In like manner, should infidelity--whether Jewish or Gentile, +Mahommedanism and Socinianism on the one hand, and Popery and Prelacy on +the other, and every other false system, be dealt with. To assault such +by the exhibition of the truth of God, and to vow to do so, his people +have every warrant and encouragement. They fear him, and under his +banner as his Covenanted servants, are called to the duty. "Thou hast +given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be displayed +because of the truth."[312] + +Hence, in conclusion, + +First, Covenanting should engage all to every former good attainment. +The obligation of a permanent duty cannot be dissolved; but the +observance of it may and ought to be vowed successively. For a reason, +the same as, or similar to, that for which it was vowed at first, it +may, on some occasions, be promised by vow and oath again. The Divine +law holds every moral being bound to duty; yet it admits, nay, +commands, the making of promises in Covenanting to do it. As the +original command to obey, does not render the vow unnecessary, so +neither does one vow remove the necessity for another. It is in vain to +object, that as the vow or oath of marriage need not be repeated by the +parties, so neither need any other. Though on account of the esteemed +and real solemnity of that original covenant, it is not requisite that +it should be renewed in the formal manner in which it was made at first, +it is, nevertheless, manifest from Scripture, inculcating the use of the +vow, that the parties may thereafter vow to God to continue to fulfil +their first engagements. Were one duty that was formerly obligatory not +to be engaged to in Covenanting, then might none other. Hence, only +duties becoming incumbent at present could be vowed, and accordingly, as +all the duties of the moral law were incumbent before, none of these +could be vowed at all, and therefore, in no circumstances whatever, +could the vow be made. The absurdity of the conclusion is sufficiently +manifest. We are warranted to maintain that what was Covenanted before, +no less than it should be performed, should be vowed again. +"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same +rule, let us mind the same thing."[313] + +Secondly. In Covenanting, there should be made engagements to cleave to +new correct views of truth and duty. The apprehensions of men are +subject to continual change. Nor are those of the people of God exempted +from this. Nay those should alter to improve. No new aspect of truth can +any one warrantably disregard. Every increase made in the knowledge of +God demands a corresponding acknowledgment. According to each, ought new +vows to be made. When one enemy of his kingdom appears, vows should be +made to resist and overthrow his influence. When many foes appear new +vows of an appropriate kind should be entered into against them. When +duty presents itself Covenant engagements should be made to perform it. +With the enlargement of the field of duty, should proceed the +enlargement of Covenant promises, in dependence on Divine aid to +overtake it. According to the display of God's glorious goodness and +mercy, should be the solemn engagements of his people to give it +celebration. If one view of his glory calls to the exercise, every one +brighter will invite to it, till both engagements and their fulfilment +merge into eternal unbroken obedience in heaven. + +Thirdly. In Covenanting, there should be made engagements to abandon +whatever evil unobserved there may be in the vow made, or whatever may +be inconsistent with its lawful parts. A vow may sometimes be sinful, +notwithstanding the use of the utmost care to make it in consistency +with the calls of duty. The sinful parts are due to the imperfection of +the individual who makes it; the lawful part alone is obligatory. 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 evil. +Were an evil part to be introduced under the apprehension of its +enormity, daring crime would be committed, to which we could not +conceive of an illuminated individual being accessory. Vowed in +ignorance even, evil involves in sin. When discovered in its true +character, it ought to be discarded. When the vow is made, there should +be included in it the engagement, to refrain, so soon as it is +discovered, from performing any part of it, which, having been sinful, +and therefore possessed of no obligation, ought not to have entered into +it. Nothing, indeed, but a sense of propriety can hinder men from +claiming the performance of engagements, even of an evil character, +that are made to them. But God who commands that only what is good be +vowed, disapproves of such a demand, as well as of the engagement on +which it is based. + +Finally. Covenanting does not shackle inquiry. It is a wrong +interpretation of the words, "It is a snare after vows to make inquiry," +that represents them as condemning every endeavour made, after vowing, +to increase in knowledge, even in reference to the vow. The passage +would seem only to designate as sinful, the practice of endeavouring to +make inquiry, for the purpose of evading an engagement made by a vow of +a lawful nature. Were a vow perfect, it would not need revisal, and +would therefore be altogether independent of the increase in knowledge +of the party under its obligation. An imperfect vow, on account of its +imperfection, would require correction. The least discovery of +imperfection in such, should lead to its improvement. Correct views of a +vow, as altogether wrong, should lead to its abandonment, or a total +reconstruction of it. To engage absolutely to perform any act, is not +obligatory. It is only when the Lord will, that even duty can be done, +and a vow should be made to perform it, only if he will enable. +Moreover, it is only what he requires that should be done, whether vowed +or not. Accordingly, a Covenant engagement, in which there is promised +more than what is dutiful, is not lawful. In order to lead to duty +alone, an engagement by vow should be made. It is alike foreign to the +nature and to the end of a covenant, for those who enter into it to make +their engagement independently of a reference to circumstances that may +be unforeseen. Not to vow to engage in duty is evil. To vow to +accomplish an act, whether it may be found afterwards to be sinful or +not, is also evil. To vow to do what appears to be dutiful, instead of +committing to a given course, independently of the light of duty that +may break in, is rather to engage to the use of means to discover +whether or not the performance vowed be lawful, and to the duty that may +be obvious at the period of fulfilment, and which, in that season, ought +to be done. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[228] Job xli. 4 + +[229] Deut. xxix. 21. + +[230] 1 Kings xi. 11. + +[231] Ps. cv. 8-10. + +[232] Ex. xxxiv. 28. + +[233] Deut. iv. 23. + +[234] Ps. cxix. 44. + +[235] Eph. v. 29. + +[236] Ps. xviii. 3. + +[237] Lam. iii. 40. + +[238] Ps. lxxvii. 12. + +[239] Ps. cxix. 15, 16. + +[240] Ps. lv. 16, 17. + +[241] Ps. cxix. 62, 63. + +[242] Ps. cxlv. 1, 2. + +[243] Ps. v. 7. + +[244] Ps. cxxxviii. 1, 2. + +[245] 1 Cor. vii. 31. + +[246] Rom. vi. 12, 13. + +[247] Ps. xviii. 1. + +[248] Jas. iv. 8. + +[249] Ps. lxxviii. 37. + +[250] 1 Cor. xv. 58. + +[251] Luke xix. 12-27. + +[252] Confess. xxii. 7. + +[253] Gal. vi. 10. + +[254] Ps. lxviii. 6. Ps. cvii. 41. + +[255] Jer. xxxi. 1. + +[256] Jer. x. 25. + +[257] Deut. xxix. 18. + +[258] Eph. v. 21, 22, 25. + +[259] Deut. vi. 6, 7. + +[260] Ps. lxxviii. 2-7. + +[261] Col. iii. 23. See also ver. 18-21. + +[262] 1 Pet. ii. 17. + +[263] Eph. vi. 5-9. + +[264] Ps. xlvii. 7. + +[265] 2 Kings xi. 17. + +[266] 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14. + +[267] Josh. i. 8. + +[268] Rom. xiii. 4. + +[269] Exod. xviii. 21, 22. + +[270] 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. + +[271] Ps. xciv. 20. + +[272] Hos. viii. 4. + +[273] Rom. xiii. 1. + +[274] 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. + +[275] Rom. xiii. 5. + +[276] Such as, in the British dominions, so long as the civil +constitution is not scripturally reformed, the use of the "Elective +Franchise," or the office of a ruler, or legislator. + +[277] In order to direct attention to the duties of civil society +favoured with the word of God, especially to the obligations of the +members of every community existing under an immoral and unscriptural +civil constitution, we beg leave to refer, in addition to the +"Mediatorial Dominion," before noticed, to the "Claims of the Divine +Government applied to the British Constitution, and the use of the +Elective Franchise." Thomas Neilson, and Charles Zeigler, Edinburgh; and +John Keith, and William Marshall, Glasgow--1843.--A pamphlet, the +argument of which from Scripture is clearly and powerfully brought out; +and the perusal of which is earnestly recommended, particularly to all +who love the prosperity of their country, and cherish the desire that +all ranks within it would perceive duty incumbent upon them, and be led +to the advantages and true honour arising from performing it, especially +in a day when civil power is put forth to cherish various ungodly +systems, to extend the dominion, not merely of prelacy, but of popery +under its darkest aspects, and to rob the true Church of the +blood-bought privileges bestowed upon her by her Lord. + +[278] 2 Chron. xix. 2. + +[279] "Claims of the Divine Government," &c., p. 53. + +[280] Jas. v. 20. + +[281] Gal. vi. 10. + +[282] Ps. lii. 8, 9. + +[283] Rom. ix. 4. + +[284] Jer. xxxii. 38, 39. + +[285] Mal. iii. 8-10. + +[286] Is. liv. 2-5. + +[287] Is. xlii. 4. + +[288] Lev. xix. 34. + +[289] Lev. x. 11. + +[290] Rom. xi. 15. + +[291] Rom. xi. 26, 27. + +[292] 2 Chron. xv. 12. + +[293] 2 Kings xxiii. 3. + +[294] Mat. xxviii. 18. + +[295] John v. 23. + +[296] Ps. lxxxvi. 12. + +[297] Ps. lxxxvi. 9. + +[298] Rom. i. 21, 23. + +[299] John xvi. 13, 14. + +[300] Is. xlii. 19. + +[301] Deut. xi. 1. + +[302] Rev. iii. 3. + +[303] Is. xxvi. 2. + +[304] Ps. cxix. 30. + +[305] Ps. lxxxvi. 11. + +[306] Eph. i. 22, 23. + +[307] Appendix A. + +[308] Ps. ci. 3, 6. + +[309] Ps. cxlv. 1, 5, 10-13. + +[310] Ps. xxxviii. 18. + +[311] Ps. xix. 12, 13. + +[312] Ps. lx. 4. + +[313] Phil. iii. 16. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +COVENANTING CONFERS OBLIGATION. + + +As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to +God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in +swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because +of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is +now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to +be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of +that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the +duties thereby engaged to be discharged, finds the Covenanter, or the +Covenanting community, bound by the deed itself to fulfil them; and +thus, by the service, the party under original obligation to obey, is +brought under one that is superadded. The Covenanting party, not as +independent, but as under the authority of God, by means of the exercise +binds itself to duty. He commands to vow, that men may be brought under +additional obligation; and when they obey, he recognises them as +voluntarily engaged, and, according to his will, additionally called to +fulfil. "The obligation arises entirely from the act of the creatures, +using a divine ordinance, by vowing unto God, and covenanting with him, +whereby they bind their souls with a bond to serve the Lord."[314] It is +wrong to imagine that the obligation comes solely from the will of those +who vow. Were not the exercise of vowing commanded, nor the law of God +to hold those who engage in it bound by their own act, these should not +be under obligation. By vowing, they bind themselves, not as by +themselves, but by the authority of God. Or, by vowing, they submit to a +requirement of his law, in yielding obedience to which they become +bound, not by themselves but by his authority, to perform the duties +vowed. + + +SECTION I. + +Personal and Social Covenanting both entail obligation on the +Covenanting parties. + +First. Various general representations exhibit this. Several scriptures +present such as _bound_. In reference to the truth that a wicked ruler +is destitute of right to claim the allegiance of his subjects by oath, +or in any other manner, it is asked, "Shall even he that hateth right +govern (bind)?"[315] Reproaching his servants, Saul said to them, "All +of you have conspired (bound yourselves) against me, and there is none +that showeth me that my son hath made a league with the son of +Jesse."[316] The Psalmist said, "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of +thy presence, from the pride, (or rather _the binding_, that is, +_conspiracy_,) of man."[317] And concerning an oath or vow, thus it is +written, "If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his +soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to +all that proceedeth out of his mouth."[318] To show how essentially the +idea of binding is connected with that of Covenant engagement, it may be +remarked that in the original of each of these passages, the verb +signifying _to bind_, is different from that in the original of each of +the others, and that all of the verbs are emphatic.[319] And what should +be most carefully observed here, the binding spoken of in each of these +cases is connected with the voluntary actions of the parties brought +under obligation. Again, other scriptures point out, that in Covenanting +men are _joined_ to the Lord. "They shall ask the way to Zion with +their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the +Lord, in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten."[320] They +imply not less than that the covenants made should be adhered to. The +same is expressed in passages, in one of which some are said to _take +hold_ of the Lord's strength, in the other, of his covenant.[321] A +covenant is designated as _sure_. That of Nehemiah and Israel is so +represented.[322] And finally, those who engage in the exercise are said +_to cleave_ to the Lord. That is represented by Moses as the design of +the discharge of the duty. "That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and +that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto +him."[323] "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and +to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."[324] By the emblem of +the girdle which cleaves permanently to the loins, the truth of the +appointment of Covenanting as a means of securing devotedness to the +Lord is taught. "For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so +have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel, and the whole +house of Judah, saith the Lord."[325] The girdle which the prophet had +been commanded to hide, in process of time was marred; it was profitable +for nothing. It represented not the faithful in Israel who clave to the +Lord, but those who, having vowed and sworn to him deceitfully, +fulfilled not their obligations. And David said, "My soul followeth hard +(cleaveth) after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me." It was in the +exercises of vowing to God and fulfilling his obligations that he did +so, for he said, "But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that +sweareth by him shall glory."[326] + +Secondly. God enjoins obedience as the fulfilment of Covenant duties. He +gives command to _do_ the words of his covenant. "Hear ye the words of +this covenant, and do them."[327] By his authority he calls on men to +_keep_ the words of his covenant. "Keep therefore the words of this +covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do."[328] The +obedience thus inculcated was not merely made known by the glorious +Lawgiver, but acknowledged as obligatory by men. In two channels, from +one source, its claims proceeded. First, directly through the +promulgation of the Divine law to men; and next, through the +acknowledgment, by Covenant engagement, of that law as holy, just, and +good. Had obedience been claimed to the duties inculcated, as if they +had been merely requirements of the law, they had not been spoken of as +performed in fulfilment of Covenant engagement. Because the words of the +Covenant are done or kept when those are performed, they are incumbent +on account of the making of the Covenant. By submitting to the rite, +every one that received circumcision became a debtor to do the whole +law. And in like manner, by Covenanting, each one who vows to God +becomes bound, by His command, to keep or do the words of his law as the +words of his Covenant. And finally, the Lord commands that his Covenant +be kept as a charge. That which is kept, or to be kept, is a charge. +That his law and covenant are a charge is manifest from his words, "If +thy children will keep my covenant, and my testimony that I shall teach +them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore."[329] +But his charge, or his law and covenant, as a trust, he explicitly gives +his people commandment to keep. "Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy +God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his +commandments, alway."[330] "But that which ye have already, hold fast +till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, +to him will I give power over the nations."[331] In such injunctions, it +is implied that two things, or the same thing under two aspects, should +be kept. The statutes of God are at once the commands of his law and the +dictates of his covenant. These are kept as his law, when obeyed, +because of his authority as righteous moral Governor of all. They are +kept as the requirements of his covenant when recognised as not merely +issued according to his sovereign will, but as having received the +acquiescence of the heart, and been acceded to by solemn oath and vow. +That the acceptance of them in Covenanting brings under obligation is +therefore most manifest. They are permanently the Lord's charge. His law +remains so, whether or not it be obeyed by men. It remains so when +presented, and acceded to in its covenant form. But when it is accepted +in vowing to God, it is so conveyed over to the believer, that at once +he is called to keep it sacred to the Lord's service, and to stand +chargeable in his sight for the use he makes of the precious trust. If +he fail to draw upon the blessings promised therein, he is liable to +rebuke; if he obey not the duties enjoined in it, he is exposed to +chastisement. Both evils he is commanded and encouraged to avoid. That +he may not dishonour the God of his salvation, by making little progress +in the use of precious means of spiritual improvement, and that he may +not be found unfaithful, he endeavours to manifest the deep-felt sense +cherished by him of the reality of his obligation acknowledged, when he +says, "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they +are the rejoicing of my heart."[332] + +Thirdly. The Lord commands that the vow be paid. A lawful promise to men +binds to performance; and why not a vow to God? If the vow made, whether +in the use of the oath implicitly or explicitly, be not paid, the truth +will not have been spoken; and accordingly, not merely the ninth, but +the third precept of the moral law will have been transgressed. The +command enjoining that truth be spoken, and that forbidding that God's +name be taken in vain, both inculcate, therefore, the fulfilment of the +vow. But various explicit statutes enjoin the same. Such are +these--"Vow, and pay unto the Lord your God."[333] "When thou vowest a +vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay +that which thou hast vowed."[334] "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the +Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will +surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee."[335] From such +dictates there can be no appeal. Even were we altogether ignorant of the +reason why they were uttered, we should, because of the authority of +God, willingly acquiesce in them. But the ground of them he has been +pleased to make known. Were it not in order that the service promised in +vowing might be performed, the vow had not been enjoined. Without the +paying of the vow, the vowing of the vow were unnecessary, nay, sinful. +A disruption of ends from means, grosser than the separation of the +fulfilment of the vow from the making of it, could not be perpetrated. +The vow is nothing; yea, worse than nothing; injurious to those who make +it, and dishonouring to God, if it be not performed. + +Nor, because under the law, a commutation for some vows was accepted, +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 import. It is true that some things vowed might have been +withheld, but not without the offering of a definite sum of money. These +might have been redeemed by the payment of a price exceeding by +one-fifth part of it, their value estimated by the priest, or when the +parties were poor, by the giving of the amount at which the priest might +value them.[336] By whichever of the two methods that might be adopted, +the vow was virtually paid. The payment actually of the vow, or that of +the compensation, was commanded; and either the one or the other behoved +to be made. Nor when either of them was resorted to, seeing that any one +of them was warranted, was the vow left unpaid. This variety of manner +in the payment of vows, was suited to the circumstances of the Church +under the Levitical institutes. By using any one of the methods, the vow +was substantially fulfilled, not merely according to the will of man, +but agreeably to the express appointment of God. As, had there been only +one way then of fulfilling the obligation of the vow, it had been +incumbent to proceed by that alone; so, under the present dispensation, +the single method of implementing Covenant engagements that has been +inculcated, because that no other is of Divine appointment, must be +adopted. Even as under the law there were some things which, having been +devoted to God under a curse, could not, because of the manner of their +dedication, be redeemed,[337] so under the gospel, what is vowed to the +Lord cannot without sacrilege be kept back. + +Fourthly. The Lord threatens those who keep not his Covenant. Temporal +and spiritual deprivations enter into his denunciations on such.[338] +"Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, which I +commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the +land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do +them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, +and I will be your God." Nay, even eternal ruin awaits the impenitent +violator of Covenant engagements. "Covenant-breakers, ... who, knowing +the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of +death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do +them."[339] Were not the acceptance of the law of God in its covenant +form to entail obligation, the breach of it would not be denounced as a +breach of covenant; nor would his wrath descend on men as unsteadfast in +his covenant, or as having broken it, but as having violated his holy +law. Substantially then, by their own act, must they be brought under +solemn obligation to God, who, having vowed to him, by failing to +perform their promise, would become exposed to the stroke of his just +vengeance. Where there is guilt there is sin, and where there is sin +there was obligation, and where there is punishment, there were all. +"Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" The people of God +acknowledge themselves as bound by their oaths and vows. What was +uttered by Jephthah regarding a vow which was unlawful, must have been +employed by the fearers of God in reference to vows of which He +approved,--"I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and I cannot go back." +The Psalmist said, "So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I +may daily perform my vows."[340] "I will pay my vows unto the Lord now +in the presence of all his people."[341] "I have sworn, and I will +perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments."[342] The language +was dictated by the Spirit of inspiration. It was therefore lawful to +use it. It ought to be used by all. The principle that vows and oaths +require that they be fulfilled, is implied in it. That was therefore +held by the saints in former times. Because of the words of God from +which they drew it, it ought to be universally maintained. + + +SECTION II. + +Social Covenanting entails obligation on the Covenanting society, even +throughout its continued existence, till the end of the Covenant be +attained. + +First. Because such covenants are made, not merely in the name of the +individuals who enter into them, but also in the name of posterity. On +recorded occasions of warranted Covenanting, such was the manner of +entering into the engagements made. In addition to what has been said +before in proof of this, merely the language employed at one of these +seasons will here be quoted. "Neither with you only do I make this +covenant and this oath; but with him that standeth here with us this day +before the Lord our God, and also with him that is not here with us this +day." However, it may be necessary to add the explanation, that, by +those who are represented as not present, we are to understand the +descendants of the congregation of Israel; inasmuch as in reference to +the duties then performed by the assembled people, it was said, +"Therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Hence, +whatever, in consequence of entering into such federal engagements, is +incumbent on those who make them, is binding on their successors; and +since a covenant transaction binds the parties to the making of it, it +therefore binds all those, though not present, whom these parties +represent, and for whom also it was made. Whatever reason the +transaction affords for binding the former, it supplies for holding the +latter bound. The engagement made by and for the living Covenanters, is +not less explicit than that thereby made by them for those who shall +succeed to their privileges and duties. And as it is the engagement +which binds, the latter are, not less than the former, brought under +obligation by it. The federal compact could not be made without +constituting an obligation. That could not be entered into without +conferring that obligation on all the parties represented at its +formation. And from its acknowledged nature, those to whom the functions +of the Covenanters should descend, are included among those, and those +therefore are thereby bound. + +Secondly. Because the Church is one in all ages. Her glorious Head is +one. All her true members are spiritually united to him. All of them are +united in love to one another. The Church is distinct from the world. By +the ordinances given to her by the Lord Jesus, she is distinguished from +civil society. She possesses a real incorporate character. The Church +consists not of a limited number of those who at any time fear God, but +of all of them. The individual members of the Church from day to day are +changing; but she remains one. Some are constantly being added, others +are removed from her communion on earth, but her characteristic absolute +identity remains. Under the Patriarchal, Levitical, and Christian +dispensations, she is one. As one body enduring from generation to +generation by her Lord, she is spoken of, and is recognised by her +members. To Jeremiah was given the commission, "Go, and cry in the ears +of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I remember thee, the +kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest +after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown." "Israel was +holiness unto the Lord." "For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and +burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress."[343] In days +long posterior to the time of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the +Church sang, "He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the +flood on foot: there did _we_ rejoice in him."[344] The Church, +posterior to the advent of Christ, is represented as a house in which +Moses had served, but which Christ had built, and over which, as well in +the days of the patriarch as in the last times, He ruled as a Son.[345] +And to the Church existing in all times, unquestionably belongs the +inimitably beautiful description,--"Christ also loved the Church, and +gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the +washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a +glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but +that it should be holy and without blemish." Since the Church, then, is +a body, her standing is independent of the individual members who may be +in her communion; as a responsible agent, even as an individual, she may +come under obligation and fulfil it; and through every age of her +existence, be held bound to duty by her engagements. The same principle +which is applicable to the Church as a whole, behoves to be contemplated +by every Section of her in given circumstances. If the whole Church +might enter into covenant engagements, as in Abraham, which would entail +obligation throughout successive ages, ought not every community +thereof, as a part of the whole, to bind itself before the Lord to +services to be performed by its successors? If a whole society may +Covenant, ought not an individual of that society to do so singly? And +if the obligations come under by the one person, not less than those of +the whole body, ought to be discharged, ought not those of a given +Section of the visible Church to be fulfilled by it, as a body forming a +part of the general community, even as the covenant duties of the whole. + +Thirdly. Because of the Church's social character. As it is not merely +in their individual, but also in their social capacity, that her members +enjoy privileges, so in both they are called to duty. The actions of an +individual are not those of any society to which he may belong, except +he act for them, and according to their appointment. But the deeds of a +society are those of every member thereof, who does not disapprove of +them; nay, of every one who, because of these deeds, does not leave its +communion. The engagements of society are understood to be acceded to by +every member of it existing when these are made, and of every one who +may become connected with it before they be fulfilled. Every one who +joins a society is understood by his act of joining it, to approve of +its organization, to accept of its privileges, and become engaged to its +duties. It would be impossible for society to continue, were obligation +to cease so soon as the individuals who may have come under it should +leave it, by death, or otherwise. Were the duties of social bodies to +cease in this manner, it might be held that these communities should be +re-constructed on the death of every individual member of them, and also +on the accession of each one who might become connected with them. What +accomplishes the same end which such practices would lead to, is secured +in a far better manner by the whole body coming under, and fulfilling, +obligations which do not become void either by the increase or the +diminution of its members. + +Every individual capable of making a choice, who, by receiving the +ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, becomes connected with the +Church, engages to accept its privileges, and to perform its duties. In +the most solemn manner, by vow before God, this is done. All that is +incumbent on each member of the Church, then, devolves also on him. The +obligations that bind it, may have been conferred ages before; but when +he makes his profession, even then, by his own act, they descend upon +him. The representation given of such a one, shews that formerly he was +a heathen, or else one living in a Christian land, without the pale of +the true Church. Before making his solemn acknowledgment, he was under +obligation to become connected with the Church, and the evils that are +threatened against those who are far from God hung over him. By entering +the communion of the Church, he becomes an integral part of her society, +and whatever advantage or responsibility attaches to membership within +her, is extended to him. + +The children of Church members, are members of the Church, and are +therefore under obligation. Because of their relation to their parents, +children are in possession of the peculiar privileges of the families to +which they belong; and to perform the duties of these, they are under +obligation. Every child of a citizen, or free member of civil society, +in consequence of its birth, is entitled to the protection and other +privileges of that society, and is viewed as bound by the laws of that +community. In like manner, every child born of those in communion with +the Church, is viewed as the care of the Church, and as under the +obligations of its members. In the providence of God, children are cast +upon the care of parents and of civil communities; and are they not +committed to the regard of the society of the faithful? Duties are +incumbent upon them, in consequence of their civil relations; and are +none obligatory on them because of their relation to the Church? The +Lord himself recognises the children of believing parents as the members +of his Church. In order to manifest his claim upon them, and acceptance +of them as such, He instituted the ordinance of circumcision in a former +period, and that of baptism to be obligatory in the present. Children +are, therefore, bound by the obligations of the Church. Is that moral +obligation which binds the father, not binding on the son? If the +parent, by Covenanting, ought to vow to observe a system of moral +duties, ought not the offspring? Is what is good for the one, bad for +the other? Would it be consistent for a father, after having willingly +engaged to duty for himself, to say such may or may not, according to +his pleasure, and in either case, too, without any blame, be done by my +son? Certainly the earlier that an obligation to do good can be +conferred, the better. And if a parent can lawfully act for his child in +any other matter, why not in performing this? + +The privileges enjoyed by the children of those in communion with the +Church, manifest them to be under obligation. Duty and privilege are +universally connected; and hence, where the one is awanting, the other +cannot be found. In the beneficent arrangements of Divine love to the +young, the latter is first extended. The enjoyment of it by them is a +palpable evidence that obligation rests upon them. It is an adage among +men, that what one inherits from his ancestors he owes to his +descendants; and it is also manifest, that along with privilege, duty is +hereditary. In regard to the things of religion, both of these things +are most obvious. Would not that parent deal unjustly with his child, +who, instead of bequeathing to him some privilege for his acceptance, +would say, I do not know whether or not he will conform to the duties +connected with it, and therefore I will sacrifice it or leave it to +another? And would a child to whom some peculiarly valuable privilege +has been bequeathed, and of the fruits of which he may have largely +partaken, be warranted in reckoning as unlawful an entailed obligation +to corresponding duty? Do not the laws of a nation find an individual +bound so soon as he opens his eyes on the light of the sun? And ought +not moral obligations, entered into willingly by Covenanting parents and +ancestors, also, to hold the rising race completely bound? The +privileges of civil society are available to youth long before they are +able of themselves to take an active part in its public affairs; and +thus these are brought under an obligation to support its good laws so +soon as they voluntarily and effectively can. The privileges of a +Christian community are, to a certain extent, enjoyed by its youth long +before they can exert themselves actively for its interests; they are, +therefore, under obligation, and so soon as they can perceive the +importance of its voluntary Covenant engagements, they ought explicitly, +to accede to them. Would it be cruel to cut off children from the +privileges of civil society because of their feebleness? and would it +not be cruel to deprive them of the advantages of covenants made for a +defence to ourselves, which they equally need? Would it be hideously +wicked to expose them to the knife of the murderer? and would it not be +unspeakably criminal, by disregarding their education and failing to +make engagements to instruct them, to abandon them to be poisoned by +infidelity, superstition, error, or immorality? And if, by Covenanting +and the fulfilment of the solemn engagements made on their behalf, the +best privileges that could be bequeathed to youth, are conveyed to them, +are they warranted to cast off the pleasing yoke of obligation, so +gently laid upon them, and by resolving to neglect duty, to manifest +themselves as unworthy of all the care that had been employed on their +behalf? But it cannot be: all who have enjoyed the positive spiritual +blessings that are conferred, in the mercy of God, on those who have +entered into public solemn Covenants with him, will acknowledge +themselves as his servants, and, far from reckoning themselves as under +no descending obligation to duty, will rejoice, give thanks to him for +laying a claim upon them by these, and gladly take hold on his Covenant +again in their social capacity, that others to succeed them, even as +they did, may gladly confess themselves to be devoted to him. + +Fourthly. Because Social Covenanting, approved in Scripture, conferred +descending obligation. Abimelech required Abraham to enter into a +covenant with him, which the patriarch would keep, by not dealing +falsely with himself, nor with his son, nor with his son's son.[346] And +accordingly that engagement, which was ratified by oath, was viewed by +both parties, and unquestionably properly, as binding on all the +individuals specified. By oath, the children of Israel made with Joseph +a covenant, by which their descendants in fulfilling it, acknowledged +themselves as engaged to carry up his bones from Egypt.[347] The +covenant made by Joseph and the princes of the congregation of Israel +with the Gibeonites, was kept by the descendants of both parties: and +the breach of it on one occasion by Saul, was followed by tokens of +Divine displeasure.[348] The covenant of the Rechabites, and that of +David with Hiram--which obtained also between that individual and +Solomon, are other illustrations. Such covenants were lawful. The +sentiments entertained concerning the descending nature of their +obligations, being uncondemned, were correct. A disregard for these +obligations in one case having been followed by punishment, they must +have been complete. There was nothing about any of these covenants that +gave to their engagements a claim to continuance beyond those of other +covenants, in which the welfare of posterity is contemplated. The +obligation of such, therefore, even as those of the covenants specified, +behove to continue. + +Fifthly. Because the ends of such covenants may not be attained during +the existence on earth of those who entered into them. Nothing is more +common in the providence of God, than for one to begin, and another to +finish. Indeed the grand end of the Church's continuance in the world, +is aspired at by the efforts of all her true members. Guided by Divine +teaching, the fearers of God adopt means for declaring His glory. In His +providence, however, their lawful purposes are in general carried only +partially into effect. The work which he gives countenance to some to +undertake, according to his own good pleasure, he commits to others. +Hence his people are employed in filling up what others had designed, +and also in arranging what their own successors may complete. A glorious +Lord rules over every occurrence in the Church's history. Schemes of +reformation set on foot by his servants he acknowledges. When he will, +they are enabled to complete them; otherwise they are wound up by +others. To resolve to use means to bring the Church to a state of +excellence, to which, according to the promise of God, she will yet come +on earth, is obligatory on them who fear him. To vow to use those means, +they are under obligation. Though they may not live to fulfil all that +they intended, yet they will be preserved till the work assigned to them +be accomplished. Their removal does not manifest their Lord's +displeasure at them, but his intention to bestow upon them a gracious +reward. Nor does the blank left in the Church by their decease, manifest +that the works which they had undertaken, behoved not to be fulfilled. +Others, the Lord of all, will call to the service, and accept of the +obedience rendered by them as the fulfilment of obligations to obey him, +which had been made by others, not merely on their own behalf, but on +behalf of such as he might employ to serve him. What his people lawfully +vow to him, he will afford means to perform. And in carrying his +purposes into effect, he will make them at once to serve him, and to +accomplish what others in dependence on Divine grace had pledged +themselves to use every means in their power to perform. + +Sixthly. Because the people of God view themselves as bound by anterior +engagements of his Church. In the land of Moab Moses said, "The Lord our +God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant +with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive +this day."[349] Many of those whom he addressed in these words were not +then born. The obligations of their fathers must, therefore, have +descended to them. In many passages of Scripture do the saints +acknowledge themselves as included in the covenant made with Abraham, +and, consequently, as brought under its obligations.[350] By a prophet +of the Lord Israel are exhibited as recognising themselves to have been +represented in the covenant transaction of Bethel. "He found him in +Bethel, and there he spake with us."[351] The words of Peter to the +people of Israel on this point are explicit,--"Ye are the children of +the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, +saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the +earth be blessed."[352] Expressing the sentiment, that their fathers had +entered into Covenant engagements with God, in which they were +recognised, Moses, and all Israel, on the shores of the Red Sea, thus +sang,--"The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: +he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my _father's_ God, +and I will exalt him."[353] And in language acknowledging explicitly +obligation to obedience that had been transmitted by the deeds of +parents or ancestors engaged to God's service, the Psalmist offers +praise--"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant and the son of +thy handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the +sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. I +will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his +people."[354] + +Finally. Because the Lord himself always views his Church as bound by +the Covenant engagements thereof, competent to its circumstances, made +in all earlier periods. By the covenant which he made with his servant +Abraham, and once and again renewed to him, he held his people bound. At +the ratification of that covenant the scene was impressive. It is thus +described,--"I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, +to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord God, whereby +shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an +heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram +of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon. And he took +unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece +one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls +came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was +going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great +darkness fell upon him.... And it came to pass, that, when the sun went +down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp +that passed between those pieces. In the same day the Lord made a +covenant with Abram."[355] The lamp of fire was an emblem of God's +gracious presence as a Covenant God. The smoking furnace symbolized the +people of Israel who were to be tried in the iron furnace of affliction +in Egypt. These were not then born. Yet in Abraham they were present. By +the lamp of fire passing between the parts of the sacrifice, the Lord's +ratification of the covenant was denoted. And by the smoking furnace +also, proceeding between the parts, it was pointed out, that they even +then were taken into covenant with him. That covenant the Lord kept with +the whole house of Israel, even as if they had all of them been then +present. "Thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and +broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name +of Abraham: and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a +covenant with him, to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the +Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to +give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art +righteous."[356] And the duties of the covenant, as if all Israel had +been before him when it was made, he enjoined on them. "And God said +unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant, therefore, thou and thy seed +after thee, in their generations."[357] Moreover, he commands all to +keep his covenant as made, not merely with his people at any given +period, but as entered into by the faithful who went before them. "He +hath commanded his covenant for ever." We have seen that these words +inculcate the exercise of Covenanting. It is manifest, also, that they +intimate that a covenant with God by each one, should be kept by those +who make it. But the full scope of the passage is not brought out, if we +do not view it as inculcating, not merely that the duty of Covenanting +should be performed throughout every age, but that, until all the +engagements of the people of God, made in every period, be implemented, +they confer obligation on their successors. And he is angry with, and +threatens those who keep not the covenants of those who represented +them, as if they had broken a covenant with him made by themselves. +"They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which +refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: +the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which +I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will +bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though +they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them."[358] + +Hence, in conclusion, + +First, Covenanting entails obligation even on the unbeliever who vows +and swears. Were it not to do so, then no command of God would be +binding on the wicked; the moral unfitness of man in a state of nature, +would shield him from the claims of God's law, and any ordinance of God +might be abused with impunity. But, God will not be mocked. Whosoever +attempts duty will be either accepted or found guilty. Divine +institutions must be respected. Every law of God contemplates an +immediate and an ultimate end. If a vow be made in sincerity, God will +give grace to fulfil it in some measure; and if neglect in the supposed +case follow, chastisement will be inflicted. If a vow be made +deceitfully--otherwise than which the wicked cannot make it--a double +obligation is contracted:--an obligation to punishment for dealing +falsely with God; and a debt of obedience because of submitting, though +feignedly, to an ordinance appointed by him. The law of God, enjoining +the duty of Covenanting, is founded on His own nature; the imperfections +of man, therefore, cannot abate its claims. Even as the observation of +the other ordinances of God brings under special obligations, so the +exercise of attending to this confers one peculiar to itself. It is +lawful to pray, but it is sinful to do so without sincerity. God will +not answer the supplication that is not presented in faith; but he will +demand the obedience which the grace prayed for, if asked aright, would +afford strength to perform. It is necessary to read the word of God, but +sinful to peruse it thoughtlessly, or in an irreverent frame of mind. +But, however it may be read, he will call for the duty which a proper +reading of that word by His blessing would afford a resolution to +perform. Thus, also, God will not accept the vows of the wicked; but He +will claim what they vow, and will punish them if they do not make it +good. Thus Israel, though many of them did not enter into it with +sincerity, were charged with breaking the covenant with God which they +professed to make in the wilderness at Sinai, and punished for the sin +thereby contracted.[359] Thus, also, Zedekiah suffered for breaking the +covenant which he made with the king of Babylon by oath.[360] Indeed, it +is the wicked alone who break the covenant of God. They never sincerely +have entered into it, but their disregard of it, after having professed +to accede to it, is represented as a violation of it; and over such +impends a fearful woe. "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants +thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, +broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the +earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate."[361] How dreadful, +then, is it for sinners to speak to God perfidiously! And how important, +according to his commandment, to draw near unto him in making solemn +vows, in dependence on that grace which it is his to give, in order that +the vow may be acceptably made, and also performed! + +Secondly. Though some connected with the visible church do not engage in +the duty of formal Covenanting, they are not therefore free from +covenant obligation. All who are not in the communion of the true +Church, are exposed to the wrath threatened against those who are far +from God. A connection with that Church brings under obligation. The +vows of God are upon all, received by Baptism or the Lord's Supper into +its communion, whether worthy members or not. The spiritual blessings +promised to Abraham and to his seed--even to all the faithful--belong to +the people of God therein; and all the duties incumbent on those to whom +great and precious promises have been made, devolve on them. Till it be +paid, every vow made by a member of the Church, whatever be his +character, he is under obligation to perform. Till they be paid, all the +vows vowed by those in the Church of God who represented him in all past +time, are upon him. The vows made, 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 period, and those entered +into in all preceding eras, even up till the time when the Covenant was +revealed, in so far as their matter was not peculiar to given +dispensations, but adapted to all, unite to bring him under one +obligation. Through every age that was gathering weight. Viewed as +accumulating and being transmitted through the voluntary agency of man, +it is manifestly mighty; contemplated as conferred by the authority of +God, it appears to be infinite. Divine grace alone can enable to pay the +debt of duty. Happy they who look by faith for that! Thus, in proportion +to her acquaintance with the covenant transactions of the past, the +Church ought to feel herself under obligation. With her progress her +real responsibility will increase. Like the force of gravitation towards +a central orb, the force of obligation propelling her, will increase +with time; and with a celerity due to all her solemn covenant +engagements, she will enter the latter-day glory, responsive to the +almighty call of Him who draws his people to himself, and who having +given them to enjoy on earth such a foretaste of the future, will +introduce them to the scene where the Lord himself will be their +everlasting light, and the days of their mourning shall be ended. + +Thirdly. A minority in a church, or that in a nation, are bound by the +lawful public vows made by the whole body, even though the community as +a whole, may have cast them off. Though a nation, or a body professing +to be a church, after having come under obligations to duty, were to +resolve that truth is error, or that duty is sin, yet such a resolution +could not bind the community. No authority whatsoever will dissolve the +obligation of an oath. Hence, when lawful covenant engagements are +disregarded by a community, the excellence which gave it an attractive +power is gone. Then the glory is departed. And the degraded society, +like the robe which once covered the living body, but is afterwards cast +off, is faded and corrupt. The living principle embodied in some members +of such a community, behoves to become separate from it, and to show +that, indeed, that body which came under obligations that are not +exhausted, is in succeeding times to exist in a new but glorious +sphere.[362] It is not the invelopement, but the living faithful body, +that is the care of the covenant. Each member owes a debt of covenant +duty. And though apostasy may paralyze the body, so that by it as a +whole, that obligation may not be felt, let that which lives, therefore, +act in fulfilling it, even through a disruption and consequent +re-organization. Devotedness to duty will be visited with an energy +which will increase in the face of every difficulty. To flee +individually from obligation, is to shun the wholesale ruin of the whole +unfaithful mass, but in order to be taken and fall--each one personally +for his iniquity. + +Fourthly. Covenanting does not implicate conscience. By this, it is +intended that the exercise does not bring under any obligation to do +what is evil, or to abstain at any future time from modifying the +engagement made, so as to render it more and more perfect. It is +admitted, nay, contended for, that the exercise brings under obligation: +but that is only to duty. The duty is not to be abandoned because it +cannot be properly performed. If it were, then, for the same reason, +every other might be disregarded. No covenant engagement is perfect. +Either in its matter or manner, each of these may have many defects. +Indeed, were one to vow all the duty unfolded in the Scriptures, the +engagement would be sound. Every believer virtually does that. But +special vows are necessary. The former, exclusively, is competent only +to a period of the Church's future history, when her attainments will +far exceed those heretofore made by her. But in order that such a step +as that may be taken, by vowing habitually and performing, the Church +ought to make assiduous preparation. Men ought to enter into Covenant as +duty presents itself. If we perceive that we have vowed to sin, let us +not perform, but pray to God for forgiveness, and engage to what is +lawful. It is foreign to the scope of the ordinance to give countenance +to sin. None, however, on that account, can excuse himself for not +coming under and fulfilling a good obligation. Though we cannot do other +duties perfectly, we would not be warranted in refusing to perform +these. We have no might in ourselves to do any good thing: nay, even the +services of the saints, performed in faith, are all imperfect; but we +are, nevertheless, called to duty. The dread of doing evil ought not to +prevent from making efforts to perform what is good. One may be left to +enter into a wrong engagement; but he is not on that account to abstain +from endeavours to engage and perform aright. Man has a claim upon his +brother in consequence of his engagements made with him. If one, +however, promise what is evil, and another demand fulfilment, both are +faulty,--the one for engaging to do evil, the other for urging an +unwarranted claim. Covenant engagements should not, however, be +neglected, but be wisely made and kept. By Covenanting to do duty, we +are neither foolishly nor sinfully committed. God will require what is +right, and that alone. We ought to make every lawful effort to perform +duty. Our best efforts to serve God are but approximations. They ought, +however, to be continued. Are we to abandon any one means of doing good, +because the improper use of it would do injury? The bond of a covenant +with God is a holy bond: it cannot come in contact with what is evil. +With various condemnation, it allows all such to pass; but it constrains +to good. The evil in a bond professing to sustain that high character +mars it. Better that were changed, by the removal of the evil, than to +remain imperfect because of the continuance thereof. The evil impairs +its dignity and excellence, nay, tends to make it void. Evil confers no +obligation. The admission of it into any engagement is sinful. The good +part of every compact accords not with it, but demands its expulsion. +Let those who acknowledge themselves to be called to obedience not +refrain from vowing: but in doing this duty, let them be cautious, and +endeavouring to perform, let them fear to break, their engagement to +duty, and also to keep what they ought not to have promised. To neglect +either of these things is sinful. To vow, however, notwithstanding the +dreadful consequences of sinfully doing so, and of not performing, is +indispensable. To do so, is to use an appointed means of arriving at the +knowledge of God, to make progress towards spiritual perfection, and to +prepare to attain at last to the great end of all his arrangements for +sinners--even complete conformity to the will of God, and the promotion +of His glory. + +Finally. That men are bound by previous descending Covenant obligations, +is no reason why they should not themselves engage in Covenanting. Have +not all the chosen of God to be brought successively nearer and nearer +to him? And ought not this exercise, designed for facilitating this, to +be carefully had recourse to? Are not the Scriptures to be read? Are not +all the means of grace to be used for this? Covenanting is a means of +the restoration of men to Him from every imperfection, whether in an +unconverted or converted state. Engaging in it, they are described as +returning to God.[363] By it, all ought to return from every departure +from him. Throughout their lives, believers will be imperfect, and will +be called to use this means of attaining their expected end. The +obligations entailed from the past bind to the duty. The very first +obligation, voluntarily accepted by personally or socially discharging +it, binds additionally to it. Every new performance thereof adds to the +motive to engage in it again; so that, instead of the obligation to +Covenant being diminished by the doing of the duty, it is rather +increased. And as the believer goes on to perform it, his call to the +service will wax indefinitely great. His is the state of mind cherished +by the Psalmist declaring himself cordially bound, when he vowed in +these words,--"Thy vows are upon me, O God. I will render praises unto +thee."[364] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[314] P. 37 of "Observations on the Public Covenants betwixt God and the +Church," by the Rev. Dr. Mason, late of Wishawtown,--a work presenting a +rich scriptural view of the subject. + +[315] Job xxxiv. 17. + +[316] 1 Sam. xxii. 8. + +[317] Ps. xxxi. 20. + +[318] Numb. xxx. 2. + +[319] These are, חבש, קשר, רכס, אסר. + +[320] Jer. l. 5; see also Is. lvi. 3; and Zech. ii. 11. + +[321] Is. xxvii. 5; and lvi. 4-6. + +[322] Nehem. ix. 38. + +[323] Deut. xxx. 20. + +[324] Deut. x. 20. + +[325] Jer. xiii. 11; see also ver. 1-10. + +[326] Ps. lxiii. 8, 11. + +[327] Jer. xi. 6. + +[328] Deut. xxix. 9. + +[329] Ps. cxxxii. 12. + +[330] Deut. xi. 1. + +[331] Rev. ii. 25, 26. + +[332] Ps. cxix. 111. + +[333] Ps. lxxvi. 11. + +[334] Eccl. v. 4. + +[335] Deut. xxiii. 21. + +[336] Lev. xxvii. 1-25. + +[337] Lev. xxvii. 28, 29. + +[338] Jer. xi. 3, 4; see also v. 10-12; Deut. xxix. 18-21; Jer. xxxiv. +18-20; Ezek. xvii. 18, 19. + +[339] Rom. i. 31, 32. + +[340] Ps. lxi. 8. + +[341] Ps. cxvi. 14. + +[342] Ps. cxix. 106. + +[343] Jer. ii. 2, 3, 20. + +[344] Ps. lxvi. 6. + +[345] Heb. iii. 2, 6. + +[346] Gen. xxi. 23. + +[347] Exod. xiii. 19. + +[348] Jos. ix. 15, and 2 Sam. xxi. 1, 2. + +[349] Deut. v. 2, 3. + +[350] Some of these are, Ps. xlvii. 9; Is. xiii. 16; Luke i. 72-74; Gal. +iii. 7. + +[351] Hos. xii. 4. + +[352] Acts iii. 25. + +[353] Exod. xv. 2. + +[354] Ps. cxvi. 16-18. + +[355] Gen. xv. 8-12, 17, 18. + +[356] Neh. ix. 7, 8. + +[357] Gen. xvii. 9. + +[358] Jer. xi. 10, 11. + +[359] Deut. xxxi. 16, 17. + +[360] Ezek. xvii. 18, 19. + +[361] Is. xxiv. 5, 6. + +[362] 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18. + +[363] As one of many passages which show this, see Jer. iv. 12. + +[364] Ps. lvi. 12. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +COVENANTING PROVIDED FOR IN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT. + + +The duty of Covenanting is founded on the law of nature; but it also +stands among the arrangements of Divine mercy made from everlasting. The +promulgation of the law, enjoining it on man in innocence as a duty, was +due to God's necessary dominion over the creatures of his power. The +revelation of it as a service obligatory on men in a state of sin, arose +from his unmerited grace. In the one display, we contemplate the +authority of the righteous moral Governor of the universe; in the other, +we see the claims of that law which cannot be abrogated, put forth along +with manifestations of sovereign good-will to men. Had God dealt with +men according to their iniquities, that law which, in the first of men, +they had violated, would have demanded their final punishment; and they, +unable, because unwilling to give obedience, and unprovided with the +means of deliverance, had fallen to ruin. In order that his mercy might +be manifested, the Lord, from the days of eternity, secured to sinners a +fitness for duty, to stand as a substitute for that spiritual strength +which they should lose by transgression, and acceptance through a great +Mediator, which else had not been enjoyed. On man, in a state of +innocence, and also in a state of sin, the duty of Covenanting was +enjoined. By reason of sin, strength given to him at first to perform +it, was for ever forfeited. But to many, by a wondrous scheme of Divine +love, it is given to enjoy, from engaging in it, benefits which cannot +be lost. + + +SECTION I. + +In regard to sinners, the exercise was provided for in the Covenant of +Redemption. + +This was made from the days of eternity. It is described as the +"Everlasting Covenant."[365] The phrase cannot mean less than +that it extends from eternity to eternity. In adoration of the Lord, +made known as a covenant God, it is said, "from everlasting to +everlasting, thou art God."[366] The Mediator "was set up from +everlasting:"[367]--necessarily by entering into covenant. Thus, his +"goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."[368] The +covenant is a reality. "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have +sworn unto David my servant.--My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, +and my covenant shall stand fast with him."[369] When was the Father's +servant covenanted to him, if he stood not engaged to him from eternity? +The conditions and promise of the covenant are recorded. "Yet it pleased +the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make +his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong +his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. He +shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his +knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear +their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, +and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured +out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; +and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the +transgressors."[370] And the mutual satisfaction of the Father and Son +with the conditions and fulfilment of the covenant, is also revealed. +"The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify +the law, and make it honourable."[371] "He shall see of the travail of +his soul, and shall be satisfied." + +First. In the Covenant of Redemption, Christ, represented all the elect. +Even as the faithful descendants of Abraham were comprehended in the +covenant which God established with him, but in a far higher sense, the +elect were included in that which was made with the Redeemer. And as +Adam was the representative of the human family, so Christ became the +Head of all who should be saved.[372] It was on account of the people +who were given to Him that the covenant was made. By an electing decree +they were chosen in Him. And the covenant was entered into with him as +their legal representative. From eternity, therefore, by a legal, though +not an actual union to Christ, they are a covenant people. And even then +the blessings of the covenant were provided for them. Till they be +joined to Christ, the elect are not entitled to the blessings provided +for them. But still they were contemplated in the covenant. That gave +them the privilege of being joined to the Redeemer. God, the Father, +made with Christ, for each of his people, an everlasting covenant. They +are therefore bound to Covenant. Do the deeds of our ancestors bind us +to enter into covenant? That high deed in this takes precedence. The law +of nature imposes the obligation; the forbearance of God affords +opportunities for fulfilling it; the Covenant of Redemption, from which +even the forbearance of God proceeds, leads to the duty by a claim +infinitely strong. The elect were all taken into covenant; in their +name, the Surety engaged that they would enter into covenant; on their +behalf He promised an obedience which none other than himself could +give; but he promised also the obedience that they should render--not +necessary nor required for fulfilling the conditions of the covenant, +but requisite, to show, to the glory of God, the certainty of the +fulfilment of these; and the Father accepted the offer. Covenanting, +according to God's immutable law, is included in the obedience. It is +therefore provided for in the covenant. How high then are the motives to +the observation of this? It was Covenanted, not by the chosen of God +themselves; not by Abraham, or the Church, or any mere man; yea, not by +any creature. Rising above all such transactions engaged in by men, +though in accordance with them, the covenant in which it was secured was +entered into by the Three-One God, and ratified by Christ. They who will +not perform the duty are none of his. He represented each of his people. +Each is therefore called individually to Covenant. He represented his +people in their associate capacity as his Church. In that they are +called to enter into covenant with God. He represented them in all their +approved social relations. In all these they are bound by his engagement +to take hold on God's covenant. + +Secondly. All the promises accepted in Covenanting were made to the +Surety in the Covenant of Redemption. In a promise including that of +every benefit which those should enjoy through him, a seed was presented +to him. The promise of the Spirit, and all His glorious effects through +the word, was made not merely to the Church but to Christ himself, and +therefore to him in the everlasting covenant. "As for me, this is my +covenant with them, saith the Lord; my Spirit that is upon thee, and my +words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, +nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's +seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever."[373] To Noah, to +Abraham, to Israel under Moses, and to the Church in succeeding ages, +the Lord gave the promise that he would establish his covenant with his +people.[374] And a promise equivalent to this he made when he engaged to +establish his called and chosen, as a holy people to himself.[375] But a +promise including each of these was given to Christ. In a passage where +the very same verb (קום, _to establish_,) that occurs in the +portions quoted, is employed, it is found. "I will preserve thee, and +give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause +to inherit the desolate heritages."[376] And in another, where a verb +(כון) of a kindred import, but from a different origin, is +used, it is recorded.[377] It is the promise of God that is laid hold on +in Covenanting. He commands to draw near to him in the exercise. He has +prescribed the matter of vows which he will accept. But in order to give +encouragement to perform the duty and fulfil its engagements, he has +also made promises of good. To the sinner these could not otherwise come +than through Christ. To Him at first they were made, and that for men. +When the saints accept them, they cleave to what comes to them as not +standing alone, but interested in the work of the great Surety; and +accordingly, as the children of a covenant appointed to sanction, among +other practices glorifying to God, a service by which the +once-rebellious should, from age to age, testify, against the sin of +refusing the offers of Divine favour, and to the justice of the claims +which the Giver of all good has upon the most solemn resolutions to +serve him, which men can present as a tribute to his honour. + +Thirdly. It is on the ground of the righteousness of Christ, by which he +fulfilled the obligations of the everlasting covenant contracted by +him, that his people Covenant with God. From among many passages in +which this is taught, that may be familiar to every careful reader of +the Scriptures, the following may be selected for illustration:--"Their +children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be +established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And +their nobles (NOBLE ONE) shall be of themselves, and their GOVERNOR +shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, +and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to +approach unto me? saith the Lord. And ye shall be my people, and I will +be your God."[378] The NOBLE ONE here mentioned is Christ. He is also +the Governor who should proceed from the midst of Israel. The +description given of him is not applicable to any earthly ruler of the +house of Jacob. It corresponds to Him alone, who, in other prophecies, +is denominated "My servant David,"[379] and in the Psalms is celebrated +as "the Governor among the nations."[380] In fulfilling all +righteousness, obeying the law of God, and suffering and dying for his +people, and in making intercession for them, he approached unto God. To +that, he was engaged when the prophecy was uttered; he had been so from +eternity. To his drawing near and making an approach unto God, the +establishment of the congregation of the Lord before him, His +recognition of them as his people, and their acknowledgment of Him as +their God, are manifestly attributed in the passage. It was by faith in +him, that the saints, in early times, while they offered sacrifice by +Covenanting, acknowledged the Lord to be their God. It was by faith in +him, that all to succeed them should in this manner avouch the Lord. He +is the way unto the Father. By Him his people have access unto the grace +wherein they stand. He drew near to present an acceptable sacrifice; and +as a priest, he makes intercession. It is by Him that his people draw +near. While they profess their faith in him, it is by Him that they draw +nigh in the full assurance of faith.[381] It was by his sufferings and +death that the everlasting covenant was ratified. And when he died, the +way to all duty and privilege was opened to all who should believe upon +him; and the title of the saints who had gone before to the enjoyment of +the eternal inheritance, and who had Covenanted to accept its blessings, +was shown to be secure. + +Fourthly. Believers, as a people who would Covenant and fulfil their +obligations, were given to the Mediator in the everlasting covenant. As +a covenant people, the heathen were given to Him for an +inheritance.[382] According to an interpretation of an apostle, He +himself says, "Behold, I, and the children whom God hath given +me--."[383] And that such were promised as a people who should discharge +the duty of Covenanting, and the other engagements of the covenant, +appears from the words, "How shall I put thee among the children, and +give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? +And I said, thou shalt call me, my Father; and shalt not turn away from +me."[384] He received also the promise--implying, that a people in +serving Him should habitually take hold on him in Covenanting,--"A seed +shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a +generation."[385] These, and corresponding declarations, 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 +hands. They mercifully intimate that one of the reasons for which they +were given to him, was that they should obey God in taking hold of his +covenant. It was in the everlasting Covenant that they were promised by +the Father, and accepted by the Son. On the condition here specified, +they were received. They are, therefore, urged to the duty, in +consequence of that infinitely glorious compact; and, by the offer of +the Father, the acceptance of the Son, the Covenanted aid of the Spirit, +by the bowels of Divine love, to this, and consequently to all its +engagements, they are bound. + +Finally. The elect were chosen in Christ that, in union to him, they +might perform this duty. To all that is included in holiness, these were +chosen in him. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the +foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before +him in love."[386] It is in that spiritual union to him, which was +secured by their election and the gift of them in the everlasting +Covenant, that they discharge every duty.[387] It was because of the +sovereign love of God that his Church was chosen, and united to Christ +in the character of his Covenanted Spouse. In consequence of that love, +which is manifested even by the infliction of chastisement, being +branches of Him--the true vine--they are purged that they may bring +forth more abundantly those fruits of righteousness, among which stands +the act of taking hold on God's covenant.[388] These fruits include not +merely the obedience of the life, but the homage of the heart expressed +by the lip. And by the lip, fruit is brought forth when God's name is +called upon in vowing and swearing to him. "By him therefore let us +offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of +our lips, giving thanks (confessing) to his name."[389] The elect are +chosen "to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of +the truth;"[390] and consequently to Covenanting, as well as every other +act in which faith is exercised. By faith they vow and swear; and that +is connected with union to Christ. Whatever view of the Spirit's +procedure in the day of regeneration may be entertained, union to Christ +is then effected, faith is given, and the believer proceeds to endeavour +after obedience. Some have maintained that faith precedes union to the +Redeemer; others, that union to Him anticipates that grace. And, +accordingly, though both classes maintain that these occur +simultaneously, yet they entertain opposite opinions regarding the +relative order in which they take place, or what is denominated "the +order of nature," in reference to this. If it were necessary to admit +that an order of nature is observed here, the latter supposition would +seem to have the better claim. But though in many things connected with +the believer's progress there is unquestionably an order of nature, +perhaps there is no necessity for introducing that idea in reference to +this particular case. By maintaining that such an order obtains here, +there is manifested a tendency, as if to represent the two things as +proceeding like two points in a straight line, which moves in the +direction of its length, and so to conceive that one of them must +necessarily be first; while, by abandoning the notion of such an order, +we might compare the two to two points, both of which are carried by the +line moving only in a direction perpendicular to itself, and so conceive +that at any instant both would be first. And the latter supposition, +indeed, seems to correspond with the circumstances of the facts. At the +same moment that Divine power is put forth in order to conversion, both +union to Christ, and the faith which recognises that union, are at once +vouchsafed. Then indeed a new life is begun, and the manifestations of +life necessarily begin to appear. Lastly, the faith of the believer is +exercised by him in resting on Christ as the one foundation laid in +Zion; and reposing on him, he habitually takes hold on the Covenant of +God, instead of a refuge of lies--the covenant with death and hell, +which shall be swept away.[391] It is to the glory of God that Christ is +confessed.[392] It is in union to Christ as the true foundation that +this is done.[393] The glory of God as a strength is spoken of as being +founded. "Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained +strength (founded glory)."[394] Where there is Divine power and Majesty, +there is glory. "Strength and beauty (glory) are in his sanctuary."[395] +Resting on the one foundation, as a temple to the glory of God, the +Church engaging in the act of confessing Him in Covenanting, and +otherwise keeping his Covenant, will therefore realize the promise, "I +bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation +shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my +glory."[396] + + +SECTION II. + +Covenanting, under every dispensation of Divine Grace, was provided for. + +In the scheme of Redemption, all the means by which it should be carried +into effect were provided. From that proceeded the means of grace +adapted to the circumstances of the Church in every period of history. +From that followed those arrangements that were suited to the +Patriarchal, Levitical, and later times; and from that arose all the +various dispensations themselves. Exhibitions of Christ, the chief +blessing of the Covenant, were common to all of them. Nay, to make these +exhibitions, all of them were devised. The world was adapted to man, +whether in a state of innocence, or in a state in which he should be +invited to return to God. According to the wondrous plans of Him who +foresaw and arranged all things, the world, after trangression, behoved +not to be lost, but to be made the scene of events glorifying to God. To +suppose that the earth was formed for the purpose of carrying into +effect the plan of salvation is allowable. To imagine that that plan was +being carried into effect in Eden, even before the sin of man, is in +opposition to the spirit of the declaration that Christ came to call not +the righteous, but sinners to repentance--to the truth that the +salvation of man, was a salvation from sin, and that the God of +salvation is He who pardoneth iniquity, nay, to the whole tenor of +Scripture. To admit, however, that the world was a scene on which man in +innocence, throughout whatever period God might have willed, might have +enjoyed good, the wisdom of Him who arranges not, nor commands what may +not be fulfilled, requires. But the sentiment that the Covenant of Works +secured the continuance of man upon the earth, even after the fall, is +not merely gratuitous, but in direct opposition to the consideration +that the world was destroyed by the flood on account of the sin of man, +and that God's covenant with Noah secured those outward advantages of +which not merely the righteous but the wicked were to partake. It seems +inconsistent with the sentiments which we should entertain of the wisdom +and other attributes of God, to suppose that the world was created +either for man in a state of innocence exclusively, or for him +exclusively in a state of sin. Even facts show that the world was +adapted to both. That the facts of providence upon our world, however, +which have occurred in consequence of a system of forbearance, which +depends on the arrangements of the Covenant of Redemption, and others +that show his grace, flow directly from these, is most manifest. The +erection and continuance of the Church in the world, directly flow from +that covenant. Faith in God in every age, interests in Christ the +surety, and through him in all the blessings of the covenant. Even +before some of its signs were given, those to whom it was given to +believe upon Him, were taken into covenant. "We say that faith was +reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he +was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in +uncircumcision." And in every age, they who believe are the children of +the covenant. In the first ages of the world, we find a righteous Abel, +an Enoch who walked with God, men who had the name of God called upon +them, the sons of God, and Noah, a preacher of righteousness. And we +find that all who, like Abraham, believe in God, have their faith +counted to them for righteousness: "And he received the sign of +circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet +being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that +believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be +imputed unto them also."[397] It was in the acceptance of God's promise +to him of a seed of whom Christ should come, that Abraham believed God. +It was, therefore, in the exercise of Covenanting. It was as the +representative of a Covenant seed that Abraham was the father of all +them that believe. The Covenant made with Abraham, as the father of the +faithful, endures. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the +Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the +Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though, +it be but a man's covenant, yet, if it be confirmed, no man +disannulleth, or addeth thereto."[398] The covenant which God made with +Noah, even as that which he made with Abraham, he designates "My +Covenant." All, therefore, who believe, in whatever time, are interested +in one covenant with God. That was confirmed of God in Christ.[399] Its +ratification by the death of Christ, the testator, was the ratification +of the Covenant of Redemption.[400] The blessings of it are the +blessings of the Covenant of Redemption. That covenant--the Covenant of +Grace--is, therefore, the Covenant of Redemption revealed and dispensed +to man. The latter flows from and was provided by the other; and this +appears also from the fact, that the true Church in the world is +characterized by her adherence to God's covenant. True religion, and all +its institutions, are represented in Scripture as a covenant with God. +The different dispensations of Divine grace are each denominated a +covenant--the first dispensation, the "Old Covenant"--the last +dispensation, the "New Covenant." Promises made, duties inculcated, and +signs given for the direction of the faith of God's people, are each +exhibited as a covenant. These facts can be explained only on the +principle that all of these things so presented, proceed from the +covenant of God--which was from eternity, but was made known to man--and +take their common designation from their connection with that +Everlasting Covenant. 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 Covenant, and to +misrepresent the true nature of those different dispensations of Divine +grace, which have been denominated from it. It would have prevented from +absurdly maintaining that what is represented as God's covenant with his +people, is not, in reality, a covenant, but merely a law. By tracing all +the dispensations of grace to one great source, it would have +acknowledged them, as they are presented in the sacred record, to be +consistent with one another, 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 New; and would have shown, that while some services of a former +period, having served their purpose, have indeed passed, others, and, +among the rest, that of Covenanting with God, which have, along with +those, been by many consigned to abolition, are indeed among those +institutes which, till heaven and earth pass, shall not pass away. But +to proceed. The revelation of the will of God is in Scripture +represented as a covenant. A term, (חזות), meaning +literally _a vision_, and consequently _a revelation_, is put also to +denote _a Covenant_ or _agreement_. In various passages it occurs in the +first acceptation.[401] In the last, it is employed in the original of +the following:--"And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and +your _agreement_ with hell shall not stand."[402] Now, though this +passage does not refer to a covenant with God, yet it alludes to a +transaction of a covenant character; and, consequently, may be +understood as containing, in reference to what is evil, a form of +expression that might be employed regarding a covenant with God. Indeed, +from various representations of Scripture, made in different terms, the +act of Covenanting would seem to be compared to a seeing of God;[403] +and, also, to what corresponds with that--a seeking of his face.[404] It +therefore follows, that the revelation of Divine truth is the revelation +of the Everlasting Covenant; that men, in holding communion with him, +learn concerning that Covenant; and that, in Covenanting with him, they +take hold upon it as dispensed to men, and on it alone. By keeping the +Sabbath, by receiving circumcision, by performing, besides, the other +duties of the law of God, by recognising the obligations of the Church +imposed in former times, and by entering into solemn engagements on +their own behalf, and on behalf of their children, believers at every +time, under former dispensations, acknowledged the Church's federal +character; while, by recognising the Lord as their God, and acting faith +in a Saviour then yet to come, they acknowledged that the Covenant into +which they were taken, was that revealed and dispensed by him, and which +was a manifestation of that to which He had acceded, who said, "Lo, I +come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy +will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart."[405] And after the +work of Him who came "to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring +in everlasting righteousness," was accomplished, the people of God, by +observing the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, by vowing and +swearing to him, and by attending to the other institutions of his +grace, continue to acknowledge their faith in him, as "the Mediator of +the New Testament," and as the "one Mediator," in whom the Covenant was +confirmed with Abraham, and who was present with his people in +Sinai;[406] and to manifest their decided conviction, that the +appointment of all the means of grace, flowed from that glorious +transaction concerning which it is said, "As for thee also, by the +blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit +wherein is no water."[407] + +First. In the Everlasting Covenant, provision was made for Covenanting +under the Patriarchal and Levitical dispensations. + +The acknowledgments and conduct of believers in those times illustrate +this. These showed an acquaintance with the subject peculiarly striking. +Where the engagements into which Noah and his family were brought are +spoken of, no hint is dropped that the nature or design of the duty was +new to them. The terms in which the covenant of God was made known to +him, would appear to have been quite familiar to him; and the alacrity +with which he engaged in performing the rite of sacrifice, would seem to +indicate that neither he nor his family were strangers to that, as an +accompaniment of Covenanting. The manner in which certain distinguished +individuals, who lived anterior to the Mosaic economy, employed and +desired the oath, showed that the information concerning it, which must +have been communicated by Noah and his family, had been, by some at +least, carefully preserved. Not merely Abraham, who may have received +special information from above concerning the exercise, but some of his +contemporaries in the region of Canaan would appear to have known well +the character and tendency of covenant obligation. At the death of +Joseph, his brethren manifested a complete acquaintance with the +subject; nor were their descendants, two hundred years after, when +emerging from bondage, unwilling to acknowledge the debt of duty which, +by the oath of their fathers, was imposed upon them. At the solemnities +of Sinai, Israel would appear to have recognised the obligation of +vowing and swearing to God, as well as that of any other requirement of +his law. It does not appear that any one of the Hebrews of those ages +ever thought of calling in question the duty of attending to, and +acquiescing in, every declaration made to them through an appointed +channel from heaven. That they were a rebellious people is beyond a +doubt; but that fact is not inconsistent with the conclusion that, in +consequence of the force of habit or example, they might give a verbal +acquiescence to requirements, the importance and necessity of obeying +which they might not feel. As others are, they were assailed from +without and within with temptations to fail in their duty; and before +those they fell. Most of them were under unbelief, and they would not +obey; but when addressed by Moses, or any other servant of the Lord, +while a wonder or miracle was wrought and duty was enjoined, testifying +to the duty of giving obedience when God commands, however soon they +might forget, they said, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be +obedient."[408] There is only one principle on which this intimate +acquaintance with the claims of the service can be accounted for. The +obligation of the duty must have been taught to man from the beginning. +That is implied in the law which was written on his heart in innocence. +The duty incumbent on him as a sinner must have been revealed to him +immediately after the fall. There is no reason to suppose that, seeing +that sacrifice and covenanting for a vast length of time, were observed +together, they were not coeval. But however that may be, equally with +the one, the other, in the first ages, was known; and to one fact both +are to be traced. The duties co-ordinate in their bearings--the one +pointing to the great propitiation, the other rocognising the claims of +the Author of that salvation which the "One Sacrifice" was to secure, +both have their origin in that one glorious Covenant, by which the +method in which it should be bestowed was arranged. + +Provision was made through promises. Some of these were that the duty +would be engaged in;[409] others of them, that the keeping of +engagements made would be followed with good;[410] others, that all the +blessings of the covenant would be bestowed.[411] The passages belonging +to each of these classes are numerous. Containing a proposal of +conditions on God's part, they lead directly to the duty. What is +wanting, is the acceptance of them on the part of man. So often as they +are read or meditated on, or pressed on sinners in the preaching of the +gospel, the sinner is invited to take hold in God's covenant. The +invitations addressed through them are made by the Redeemer as the +Prophet of his Church, and as the Lord of all. They exhibit the will of +the Father, that his people should acknowledge him as the God of grace. +They testify to the love of the Spirit, whose work it is to lead to +accept of them. They unfold the purposes which were of old. They are the +echo of the promises of the Everlasting Covenant, made to the great +Mediator between God and man. + +Through types. Covenanting itself is not a type or shadow, but a +substantial reality. With many other things, however, which in some +aspects of their character were types of good things to come, under +other of their features it may be associated in presenting an emblem of +what is spiritual. Thus, every institution of Divine grace may be +understood as testifying to the excellence and necessity of every other, +and to the reality of the exercises of the heart which ought to +accompany their outward observance. Many things connected with the +former dispensations, accordingly, vouch for the high origin, and +nature, and claims of Covenanting. We contemplate them doing so, not as +types of good things which had no existence when they occurred, but as +emblems of good connected with vowing and swearing to God, which was +common to every era of the history of the Church. By these, not less +explicitly than by the voice of speech, instruction is addressed; and +not less than the most explicit tender of good or obligation are their +dictates to be received. Enoch, who clave to God; Noah and Abraham, each +a covenant head; Aaron and Phinehas, each the representative of a +Covenanted priesthood; and David, the federal head of a royal posterity; +as individuals, were emblems of many devoted personally and socially by +Covenant to the Lord. The Israelites, servants of God: the first-born +among these, dedicated to the Lord: the Goel, or, Kinsman-redeemer, +under a descending obligation to interpose in behalf of a relative: the +voluntary bondservant, who, from love to his master and family, +explicitly engaged himself to his service through life: sojourning +strangers, not Canaanites, allowed and encouraged by the Israelites to +wait on all the ordinances of religion: the Hebrew kings of David's +family vested with rule according to a perpetual covenant: the +Nazarites, peculiarly set apart to the service of God: the Aaronic +priesthood, under the bond of an enduring covenant: and the Nethinims, a +people employed about the sanctuary, descendants of the Gibeonites, who, +though like Jacob they did not do well in the choice of means to obtain +the blessing, were taken into covenant with God:--these were classes of +persons who symbolized many explicitly engaged by covenant to the +service of the Lord. The cities of refuge[412]--Kedesh, _a holy place_: +Hebron, _society, friendship_, the end of a covenant: Shechem, _a part +or portion_, as the lot of a covenant inheritance: Bezer, _cut off and +broken_, as the sinner is from all vain confidences: Golan, _exile_, as +separation from every visitation of vengeance: and Ramoth, _eminences_, +or _high places_, as the stronghold provided in the covenant to +prisoners of hope; true to their designations, as emblems point out the +facts of a covenant made on behalf of many, who by sin are exposed to +ruin. Canaan, a land of inheritance promised in covenant: Jerusalem, +_the vision of peace_, and city of God: the tabernacle, the temple, and +Mount Zion,--places where manifestations were made of the presence of +God in covenant:--all denoted scenes, where his people, in every age, in +giving themselves to the Lord, cleave unto him. The Ark prepared by Noah +was entered by him and his house, betokening the accession of men, in +all ages, to the covenant of God by faith in the Redeemer. The Ark of +the Covenant, containing the book of the law: the table of shew-bread, +representing the means of exhibiting Christ, the bread of life: the +altar of incense, from which arose offerings, as of the praises and +supplications of God's people, perfumed with the sweet incense of +Christ's intercession: the golden candlestick, shedding forth light, as +of the influences of God's Spirit: the laver, for washing, representing +the means of purification from all defilement: the altar of +burnt-offering, from which arose the flame of sacrifice, that betokened +the offering of Him who made his soul a propitiation for sin; were +sacred utensils, all of which referred to the ratification of God's +covenant, and the dispensation of its blessings to those who are enabled +to lay hold upon it. The Sabbath, returning every seventh day: the +periodic feast of unleavened bread for seven days, following upon the +Passover: the Sabbatic year, completing an interval reckoned by seven: +the year of jubilee, occurring always after seven times seven years +were completed; 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 remote. Typical purifications; the ordeal for freeing from +the imputation of murder, conducted by slaying the heifer, and washing +the hands over it, while there was made a protestation of innocence, +that embodied an oath:[413] the means of removing ceremonial defilement +of various kinds: and the bitter water which, according to the innocence +or guilt of the party to whom it was administered, acted innocuously, so +as to denote the effects of a lawful oath, or as the oath which, by +being sworn falsely, is converted into a curse; were all of the nature +of an appeal to God. Oblations in general; the sin and trespass +offerings, which were never merely voluntary: the burnt-offering: the +peace-offerings, that were wont to be presented when vows were paid: in +particular, the offering of salt, the symbol at once of communion and +friendship, of durability and incorruption, and of sincerity of mind, +and which was commanded to be presented with every offering--the emblem +of an enduring covenant:[414] the pascal lamb, which represented Christ +slain, the blood of which was sprinkled, as his blood was, for defence +from wrath, and the flesh of which was eaten, so as to afford a vigour +symbolizing that of those who, having eaten of his flesh, like the hosts +of Israel from Egypt, go forth from bondage to liberty and peace; the +Covenant sacrifice of Abraham, consisting of the red heifer, whose ashes +were for purification; the she-goat of three years, for a sin-offering; +the ram for a burnt-offering; the turtle-dove and the young pigeon, for +a purification sacrifice and for a sin-offering, intimating that not +merely did he, as a covenant-head, represent the rich who should +present of their flocks and herds to the Lord, but of the poor, who of +their poverty should present offerings absolutely less valuable, but not +the less acceptable;--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 end, and there should succeed sacrifices spiritual in +their stead, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. And circumcision, +prefiguring Christ given for a covenant of the people, who, in the +nature of man shedding his blood, should ratify God's covenant; and +marking the people of God, sealing to them the Covenant of Grace, and +pointing out their newness of life, regeneration, and deliverance from +the vileness of sin, testified to the claims of obedience to the mandate +of God in Covenant, which none could, but at the greatest peril, +disregard. These types and others all pointed to the Redeemer. To the +work which he had, from the days of eternity, Covenanted to perform, +they gave prospective testimony. But of the effects of his mighty +working upon the hearts of men, in leading them to keep his Covenant, +they were not the less appointed symbols, nor were they less designed to +teach that, but for the arrangements of that Covenant which had been +made with him, there had not been made such manifestations of the power +of his grace. + +Through miracles. These were wrought in order to declare how near the +chosen of God, as a people, were brought unto him, and how great was the +covenant provision that had been made for them. The flame of fire which +appeared on many solemn occasions, held a signal place among these. The +"flaming sword," or the flame that dries up, or that which burns, +displayed between the cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden; the +flame of fire in which the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses out of +the midst of a bush, when He made himself known to him as the God of +Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; the flame of fire which +appeared on the top of Mount Sinai when the Lord made a covenant with +Israel; the pillar of fire by night, which accompanied Israel during +their journeyings in the wilderness; the fire which was wont to descend +and consume, in token of the acceptance of them, the sacrifices laid on +God's altar--all testified to the gracious nearness of God to his +covenant people. The cherubim, emblems of the ministry of +reconciliation, first displayed immediately after the sin of man, +represented afterwards in the act of looking upon the ark of the +covenant in the tabernacle and temple, presented in vision before +Ezekiel about to be sent to the rebellious house of Israel, and which, +though denominated seraphim, were in like manner seen by Isaiah, when +about to go forth to proclaim messages to the same people; through many +ages pointed out that the servants of God in his house, by his +appointment were set apart to unfold the truths of his Covenant. The +dividing of the waters of the Red Sea, and the passage of Israel through +the midst of it; and the presence of the cloud, in which, as well as in +the sea, they were baptised;[415] and the cutting off of the waters, and +the passing over of Jordan on dry ground, 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 inheritance. The +provision of bread from heaven, and water from the rock in the +wilderness, showed in part how great were the resources of Him who had +promised to his people, but not in vain. And the miracles wrought by the +Redeemer in our world, from the over-ruling of external nature, to the +feeding of the hungry with food, the healing of diseases, the casting +out of devils, the raising of the dead, and his own resurrection, taught +that He had come to manifest his power, to give that eternal life that +was promised in the Everlasting Covenant to all who were ordained to it. +The subject of the import of the miracles that were wrought by Him and +by the Holy Spirit, is exhaustless. Yet all of them are to be viewed as +having been performed in order to the accomplishment of the Covenant's +design. + +Through the teaching of the prophets. That was addressed in the name of +the Lord as God in Covenant: to Israel as a covenant people, it was +extended: and it embodied only the revelations of the Covenant. It +included sketches of the history of the Covenant alone; under imagery, +the most varied and expressive, as well as by direct explicit +statements, it unfolded the relations subsisting between God and his +privileged people; and, in like manner, presented the future history of +the Church, incorporated by solemn confederation. + +Through the whole of the Old Testament Scriptures. The scope of these in +general, and of many representations of them in particular, illustrates +the bearing of every fact in the history of the Church upon the +Covenant. As illustrations, some designations both of Christ and his +people, may be adverted to. He is introduced as a Husband,[416] and, +consequently, as the Head of his people, engaged to him by vow.[417] He +is exhibited as the Captain of the Lord's host, and as a Leader and +Commander to the people.[418] That he might be presented as at once of +the lineage of David according to the flesh, as the author of +everlasting righteousness, as allied in the capacity of the First-born +among many brethren to the Church redeemed by his blood, and as the +Builder and the Head thereof, and Head over all things to it, he is +denominated the Branch.[419] As the Covenant of the people he is +revealed, to denote that he is the Mediator of the Covenant, and that in +that capacity he received the gift of the people of the Covenant, +fulfilled its conditions by obeying the law and presenting himself as a +covenant sacrifice, appeared as a sign of the Covenant, and was to carry +into final effect the whole scheme of it. As the Days-Man,[420] he is +made known, to intimate that, by Him alone, and only in a covenant +relation, men chargeable with sin can hold communion with God. As the +Ladder,[421] he is spoken of, to point him out as, in the natures of God +and man, the only means of communication between earth and heaven. As a +Witness[422] to the people, he is described to be given by the Father, +and consequently according to his own voluntary engagement. And as +Shiloh, he was promised, and his people thus received him as their +Peace--provided in the Covenant.[423] And his Church is denominated his +_portion_, and _the lot of his inheritance_. In various passages she is +described as _peaceable_ or _perfect_, and is thus presented as in +Covenant.[424] And as _Israel_, the _loved_ of the Lord, she appears +under his promised protection. And, to give and conclude with one +illustration more belonging to this place, reference may be made to two +terms. First, _atonement_ (כפר--χαταλλαγη.) "The +idea that seems to be expressed by this word, is that of averting some +dreaded consequence by means of a substitutionary interposition. It thus +fitly denotes the doctrine of salvation from sin and wrath, by a ransom +of infinite worth." Secondly, _reconciliation_. "This term occurs in +both the Old and New Testaments several times. But it is generally, if +not always, used as a translation of the original words above explained. +Indeed, as has already been remarked, it is quite synonymous with the +term atonement, involving the same ideas and serving the same purposes. +It supposes bringing into a state of good agreement parties who have had +cause to be at variance, as is the case with God and his sinful creature +man."[425] The two terms, therefore, manifestly stand connected with the +representations given of a covenant state. The Hebrew term of which each +of them is a translation, accordingly means both the ground of covenant +privilege, and also that privilege enjoyed by men. The term cannot be +interpreted independently of a reference to the Covenant of God. But for +that Covenant, there had been no atonement. With the forgiveness of sin, +atonement is indissolubly connected. The latter is never presented in +Scripture without reference to the former. It was not alone the slaying +and offering of sacrifice, but also the sprinkling of blood that made +atonement. Where the blood was not sprinkled, sin was not put away, and +no atonement was made. Where the blood was sprinkled, and accordingly +sin was representatively put away, atonement was always effected. Only +the following passage will be referred to here in corroboration of this. +"If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, +to show unto man his uprightness; then he is gracious unto him, and +saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom (an +atonement)."[426] The reason for giving deliverance therefore was, that +an atonement was found. Had the atonement been found for two, +accordingly two would have been delivered. Had it been found for all, +all would in like manner have been delivered. But all will not be +delivered. An atonement, therefore, was not made for all. Indeed, the +atonement was devised and effected in order to the deliverance of the +elect alone. Had it not been for them, there would have been no +atonement. But for them, there had been no Everlasting Covenant. And +only for the ratification of that Covenant, the atonement was designed. +The atonement cannot exceed the comprehension of the covenant for the +ratification of which it was effected. As no soul will be saved that was +not given to Christ in covenant, so no soul that was not thus given to +him has an interest in the great atonement. "The Scriptures represent +the divine persons as entering into a federal agreement for the +salvation of men. In this covenant of peace, the Father is the +representative of the Godhead, and the Son representative of those who +are to be redeemed. He is, on this account, called the Mediator and the +Surety of the covenant. Whatever he did as Mediator or Surety, must, +therefore, have been done in connection with the covenant. His death was +the condition of the covenant. It was stipulated, as the condition of +his having a seed to serve him, that he should make his soul an offering +for sin; that he should bear their iniquities; that he should pour out +his soul unto death. In reference to this, the blood of the ancient +sacrifices was called _the blood of the covenant_, while of his own, the +Saviour testifies, this cup is the new testament in my blood. The blood +of Christ was not shed by accident, it was not poured out at random or +on a venture. No: he laid down his life by covenant. The terms of the +covenant must, therefore, define the designed extent of the objects of +his death. If all mankind are included in the covenant,--if the Surety +of the covenant represented, in this eternal transaction, the whole +human race, then the atonement of Christ must have been indefinite. But +if the children of the covenant, as is admitted, are only a given +specified number of the human family, then must the atonement of the +Mediator be restricted to _them_. There seems no evading this inference. +To give the designed objects of the Saviour's atonement a greater +extension than the covenant of grace, is to nullify its character as the +stipulated condition of the covenant, and to render nugatory and +unavailing the consolatory address by which the heart of many an +awakened sinner has been soothed. 'Behold the blood of the +covenant.'"[427] + +Secondly, and lastly. In the Everlasting Covenant, provision was made +for Covenanting under the last or present dispensation. + +This was practically acknowledged by believers in the apostolic age. The +common fund that was raised from the contributions of the Church +assembled and addressed by Peter on the day of Pentecost, was devoted by +solemn vows. From what was said by that Apostle to Ananias and Sapphira +his wife, this appears. "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to +lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? +While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it +not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine +heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." "How is it that ye +have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?"[428] If a promise +or vow to God to give up their substance had not been made, the language +of reproof addressed to them would have been inapplicable. It is true, +that when one lies to men, he disobeys God. But the language, "thou hast +not lied unto men, but unto God," must intimate that the possession of +the two individuals had been, either publicly before their brethren, or +secretly, or in both ways, vowed to God. The conclusion is corroborated +by the obvious consideration, that the practice of acting in this +manner, although not to such an extent, was quite in accordance with +that of vowing things to God under the dispensation that had then been +brought to a close; and especially by the very language of Peter, +"Whilst it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it +not in thine own power?" precisely agreeing with the words of the Old +Testament record, "But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin +in thee." Again, the practices of making _confession_, and of +_professing_, which we have found to be in reality the making of +Covenant engagements, would appear from the references made to them by +the inspired writers, to have been ordinary occurrences of their times. +And, lastly, the conduct of the Macedonian Churches, in giving +themselves to the Lord, to which we have had occasion to refer, is +worthy of being remembered as an authenticated source of Covenanting in +those times, that had been performed by many, in one of the spheres +where the truth had most manifestly taken effect. + +The practice was provided for through the direct injunctions of the last +inspired writers. These, dissuading from idolatry,[429] taught the +necessity of the practice, the reverse of that, of recognising God and +acknowledging him by vowing and swearing to him as a covenant God. +Teaching the necessity of faith and other graces, they showed that it is +dutiful to engage in that and those other exercises in which these are +requisite. They explicitly enjoin the exercise of Covenanting.[430] +Inculcating the holding fast of the Christian _profession_,[431] an +apostle teaches that such a profession should not merely be adhered to, +but also made. And delivering the express words of the Redeemer, the +last of the apostles, teaching the duty of entering into covenant +engagements, and keeping them till Christ should come, tendered the +command, "But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come."[432] + +The practice was provided for through the whole of the New Testament +writings. + +The New Testament contains the same kinds of expression in reference to +the Covenant of God as the Old, and employs them for the same purpose as +that for which those statements of that Testament are used. It makes use +of figurative and other language of the same origin as that of the Old +Testament, for the purpose of inculcating nothing else than the keeping +of the Covenant. + +By an apostle, there is strikingly brought into view the truth taught in +the prophets,--that the Lord created, or formed, or fore-ordained, a +people, to enter into Covenant with him, and by obedience also, +otherwise to keep it.[433] + +The imagery of the _foundation_[434] employed in prophecy to point out +Christ, and the sureness and continuance of the Covenant, is also used +by two apostles for the same purpose. Their references to it illustrate +the doctrine, that, in the New Testament, types, though realized in +Christ, and also partly illustrated in the blessings at any time +bestowed by Him, are not to be disregarded but studied, that the good +things prefigured by them, but as yet unattained, may be enjoyed. + +The designation of the Holy Spirit, as the "Spirit _of promise_,"[435] +teaches that He was given in consequence of the arrangements of the +Covenant of God; and consequently, that all the benefits bestowed on +believers, not merely in Old but also in New Testament times, were to +come to them in connection with the acceptance of the gift of the +Spirit, as included in the promise of the Covenant. + +The idea of _reconciliation_, dwelt on by the apostles, necessarily +implies the notion of a covenant agreement, as being not merely made but +maintained, between God and men--once exposed to his curse, but +afterwards put in possession of an interest in the atonement of Christ. + +References made by the apostles to _purification_ cannot be explained +independently of the principle of, a covenant ratified by the blood of +Christ being the channel of the communication of faith and the other +graces, and of sanctification--that results from the implantation, +support, and direction of these by the Holy Ghost. + +The _sprinkling_, whether of blood or of water, referring to the +operation of the Spirit, is introduced by an apostle as enjoyed by those +who take hold on God's covenant.[436] + +Even as circumcision was, _baptism_ is, a sign and seal of the Covenant +of Grace.[437] + +In the _Lord's Supper_, the bread is a symbol of the body of +Christ--broken in the sufferings endured by him on behalf of his people; +and the wine is a symbol of his blood--shed for the remission of their +sins. Commemorating the Redeemer's dying love, and receiving a seal of +all the benefits of his death, by partaking of these elements according +to his command, they signify the actings of their faith on him in an act +of Covenanting.[438] + +Preaching peace, Christ, and after him his apostles and other servants +in the ministry of the gospel,[439] proclaimed the Covenant of Peace, +and urged the duty of acceding to it; and speaking peace to his +disciples,[440] He declared it to be his prerogative to bestow on all +his people the blessings of that Covenant. + +The Redeemer, foretelling his address to be delivered at the day of +judgment to his enemies of all ages of the world,--"I never knew you: +depart from me," intimated that he would not recognise them as covenant +children; and declaring of his people,--"I am the good Shepherd, and +know my sheep, and am known of mine," he taught that they know him, as +they alone do who take hold on God's covenant.[441] + +Allusions to the seal imply the doctrine of Covenanting. The +declaration,--"He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal +that God is true,"[442] refers to a solemn covenant attestation to the +truth. + +The people of God designating the Redeemer, as the "_High Priest of our +profession_,"[443] recognise him as bestowing grace upon them, to take +hold on God's covenant, and to continue to cleave to it. + +In the Epistles, there is distinctly brought into view an _inheritance_ +which is not else than the blessings provided in God's covenant, and +appropriated in adhering to it.[444] + +The designations,--"Children of the kingdom,"[445] "Followers of God as +dear children,"[446] "Friends (of Christ),"[447] "Heirs of God,"[448] +"God's heritage,"[449] "the bride, the Lamb's wife,"[450] +"Perfect,"[451] or possessed of integrity, healthful, safe, willing, +complete, "sanctified," are all calculated to point out the covenant +relation and privileges, and duties, of the people of God; and, +accordingly, to show that by special explicit engagements they should +devote themselves to him; and the representation of the Church as the +"Pillar and ground (stay) of the truth,"[452] teaches that her duty is +to make an unequivocal and steadfast public profession of Divine truth. + +The Covenant of God, from the last dispensation being introduced as the +"New Covenant," and as one of the covenants of promise,[453] is +represented by the last inspired writers as extended, both in regard to +its blessings and its duties, to the latest times.[454] + +And, by some of the evangelists and apostles, the Covenant of God is +exhibited as a testament. By them the dispensations of Divine mercy to +men, are represented as being each both a covenant and a testament. By +them are applied such representations to each of the dispensations--both +to the former dispensations, and to the last of them. The conclusion, +therefore, to which we are brought by them is, that each, as a +testament, is essentially an exhibition of a corresponding covenant, or +a given dispensation of one covenant. The truth is, that the Covenant of +God, under each dispensation, includes in it a testament, or that every +dispensation of grace, whether in former times, or in the last times, +viewed as a testament, is a covenant. Every testament is a covenant, and +each of those dispensations is at once a testament and the Covenant of +God. Take first the present dispensation. A testament, like every +covenant, has a stipulation, or promise and demand; in both, good is +offered, and duty required. In this dispensation, the blessings of God's +favour are offered, and obedience to the law of Christ is required; it +has, therefore, _one_ character, both of a covenant and of a testament. +A testament, like every covenant, when acceded to, has a re-stipulation, +or engagement corresponding to the stipulation. In the present +dispensation, when the overtures of Divine grace are acceded to, there +is tendered an acceptance of Christ and all his benefits, and the +promise of obedience in dependence on his strength. It has, therefore, +_another_ mark common to both a testament and a covenant. A testament +and a covenant have alike a seal or ratification. The seal of the +testament is not valid till the death of the testator; the overtures of +Divine mercy were ratified or sealed by the death of Christ. The present +dispensation has, therefore, the _third_ and last mark both of a +testament and of a covenant. It has, consequently, all the +characteristics of a testament, and of a dispensation of the Covenant of +Grace. It must, therefore, now appear how the idea of the present +dispensation being a covenant is contemplated in the New Testament, even +while it is described as a testament. The coincidence between a +covenant, and a testament as a particular case of it, explains how the +Greek term διχθηχη capable of being rendered sometimes by +the word _testament_, and, at others, by the word _covenant_; and shews +the error of the insinuation, so derogatory of the inspiration of the +Scriptures, that the Apostle Paul, finding that this Greek term, which +is used for _covenant_, meant, in some connections, a _testament_, +therefore proceeded to unfold the covenant of God as a testament. The +reason why the apostle, guided by inspiration, exhibited the Covenant of +God as a testament, was, that it is in reality a testament. Yea, the +fact that that covenant is a testament, must have been the reason why, +even before the days of the apostle, even that Greek word had, from +direct or indirect communication between the Greeks and the Israelites, +acquired the twofold import. Hence, besides, it is doing no service to +the interpretation of the Scriptures, to attempt to shew that in the +passage of the Epistle to the Hebrews,[455] where the covenant is +represented as a testament, either that the term διαθηχη +there, must have only the meaning _testament_, or that it must be +rendered _covenant_ exclusively throughout. In some parts of the passage +it means the one, in others the other, in others both. It means both in +the original of the passage, "And for this cause he is the Mediator of +the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the +transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are +called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." It means a +testament in that of the following, "For where a testament is, there +must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is +of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while +the testator liveth." In the original of the words, "Whereupon neither +the first (_testament_ understood) was dedicated without blood," it +means properly a covenant ratified by the blood of sacrifice, and, +consequently, a testament. And it means both in the original of the +words that follow, "This is the blood of the testament which God hath +enjoined unto you." The parallelism between the death of the testator +and the shedding of the blood of the covenant, is beautiful, and it +cannot be destroyed. In the case of the death of Christ, it becomes an +identity. The death of the testator is there the shedding of the blood +of the covenant! + +We have seen that the last dispensation is both a covenant and a +testament; but so was the former. The blood of sacrifice was typical at +once of the blood of the Mediator, and of his death as the great +Testator. The blessings of his purchase in the first ages were, even as +in the last, testamentary. They were not reversionary, but no less by +bequest and no less sure than they had been had he, whose death by +sacrifice was continually pointed out antecedently, really died. + +In conclusion, from the whole, + +It is manifest, that to represent Covenanting as a mere Jewish thing, is +an error. It was engaged in before the father of the Hebrew race was +called. It was practised when the Levitical economy was on the verge of +dissolution, and attended to in the apostolic age by churches that were +not subjected to its peculiar institutes. It was provided for the +Church, whether existing in Old or New Testament times. It was +independent of the peculiarities of the former dispensations, though it +attracted to itself the performance of their characteristic observances. +It was by Covenanting that the Church was incorporated; by it the Church +has been hitherto kept distinct from the world; and by it, throughout +all time, she will prove herself to be the heir of the Covenant promise +of God, made from eternity, and to be bestowed in time and eternity to +come. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[365] Heb. xiii. 20. + +[366] Ps. xc. 2. + +[367] Prov. viii. 23. + +[368] Mic. v. 2. + +[369] Ps. lxxxix. 3, 28. + +[370] Is. liii. 10-12. + +[371] Is. xlii. 21. + +[372] Rom. v. 15-19. 1 Cor. xv. 47-49. + +[373] Is. lix. 21. + +[374] Gen. vi. 18; xvii. 7; Lev. xxvi. 9; Ezek. xvi. 62. + +[375] Deut. xxviii. 9; xxix. 13. + +[376] Is. xlix. 8. + +[377] Ps. lxxxix. 4. + +[378] Jer. xxx. 20-22. + +[379] Ezek. xxxiv. 24; xxxvii. 24, 25. + +[380] Ps. xxii. 28. + +[381] Heb. x. 19-23. + +[382] Compare Ps. ii. 8, and Deut. xxxii. 9. + +[383] Is. viii. 18, and Heb. ii. 13. + +[384] Jer. iii. 19. + +[385] Ps. xxii. 30. + +[386] Eph. i. 4. + +[387] Jer. xxxi. 3. + +[388] John xv. 5. + +[389] Heb. xiii. 15. + +[390] 2 Thess. ii. 13. + +[391] Is. xxviii. 15-18, and 1 Pet. ii. 6-10. + +[392] Phil. ii. 11. + +[393] Col. ii. 6, 7. + +[394] Ps. viii. 2, and Matt. xxi. 16. + +[395] Ps. xcvi. 6. + +[396] Is. xlvi. 13. + +[397] Rom. iv. 9, 10, 11. + +[398] Gal. iii. 14, 15. + +[399] Gal. iii 17. + +[400] Compare Heb. xiii. 20, and Is. liii. 10-12. + +[401] See Is. xxi. 2; xxix. 11. In the latter of these passages it may +mean both a revelation and a covenant. + +[402] Is. xxviii. 18. + +[403] Is. xxxiii. 17. + +[404] Ps. xxvii. 8. + +[405] Ps. xl. 7, 8. + +[406] Compare Ps. lxiii. 17, 18, with Eph. iv. 8. + +[407] Zech. ix. 11. + +[408] Exod. xxiv. 7. + +[409] Ezek. xvi. 60, 62. + +[410] Ps. xix. 11. + +[411] Gal. iii. 18. + +[412] Job xx. 7, 8. + +[413] Deut. xxi. 4-8. + +[414] 2 Chron. xiii. 5. + +[415] 1 Cor. x. 1, 2. + +[416] Is. liv. 5. + +[417] Jer. xxxi. 32. + +[418] Josh. v. 15; Is. lv. 4. + +[419] Zech. iii. 8; vi. 12, 13; Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. + +[420] Job ix. 33. + +[421] Gen. xxviii. 12. + +[422] Is. lv. 4. + +[423] Eph. ii. 14. + +[424] Is. xxxii. 18; Is. xlii. 19. + +[425] "The Atonement and Intercession of Jesus Christ." By the Rev. Dr. +William Symington. 2d Ed., pp. 9, 10, 11. + +[426] Job xxxiii. 23, 24. + +[427] "Atonement and Intercession," pp. 257, 258. + +[428] Acts v. 3, 4, 9. + +[429] 1 Cor. x. 14; 1 John v. 21. + +[430] Rom. xii. 1; Rom. vi. 13. + +[431] Heb. iv. 14; x. 23. + +[432] Rev. ii. 25. + +[433] Compare Eph. ii. 10, with Is. xliv. 2. + +[434] Eph. ii. 20, 21; 1 Pet. ii. 5-10. + +[435] Eph. i. 13. + +[436] Heb. x. 22. + +[437] Rom. iv. 11, and Col. ii. 11, 12. + +[438] 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. + +[439] Eph. ii. 17, and Rom. x. 15. + +[440] John xiv. 27. + +[441] Is. xix. 21. + +[442] John iii. 33. + +[443] Heb. iii. 1. + +[444] Col. iii. 24, and 1 Pet. i. 4, 5. + +[445] Mat. xiii. 38. + +[446] Eph. v. 1. + +[447] John xv. 14. + +[448] Rom. viii. 17. + +[449] 1 Pet. v. 3. + +[450] Rev. xxi. 9. + +[451] Philip, iii. 15. + +[452] 1 Tim. iii. 15. + +[453] Heb. viii. 13; Eph. ii. 12 + +[454] Heb. ix. 15. + +[455] Heb. ix. 15-20. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +COVENANTING ADAPTED TO THE MORAL CONSTITUTION OF MAN. + + +The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his +creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be +viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his +government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness +of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise +according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent +of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation +of their attributes behove to be regulated according to that law. The +principles of eternal holiness, embodied in the law, necessarily existed +because of the eternity and infinite glory of God; but would not have +been made the basis of a law had creatures not been formed. The +constitution of creatures who should be called to give obedience, was +wholly due to the will of God, but in perfect harmony with the spirit of +his commands. Moral creatures having been formed, the law of God speaks +one language to all of them. They, possessed of different characteristic +attributes, alike recognise its appeals. Angels have a constitution +which distinguishes them from man, yet with him they apprehend the +authority of the one moral law. Over a range, therefore, of infinite +extent, the principles of eternal rectitude are maintained. Man, in +innocence, recognised them. Man, redeemed, cleaves to them according to +his attainments in grace. Angels, possessed of a nature different from +that of man, acknowledge their obligation upon them. And God himself, +distant from his highest moral offspring by a difference that is +infinite, exhibits them as a manifestation of his holiness, and the +principles according to which he acts towards his creatures. Much, +therefore, in common belongs to the constitution of the moral natures of +angels and men, and necessarily proceeds from and accords with the +nature of God. His law, we have seen, inculcates the duty of +Covenanting. From what has been said, we would, therefore, conclude that +the constitution of man was fitted to that exercise. That it was so +appears, moreover, from other considerations now to be adduced. + +Covenanting was adapted to the moral constitution of man in innocence. + +First. From the Scripture account of that constitution this appears. In +this manner he is there represented--"God created man in his own image, +in the image of God created he him."[456] "God hath made man +upright."[457] These declarations imply that man was created at least +"in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness," and accordingly, in +conformity with the will of God, as to his intellect, his affections, +his conscience, and will. When brought into existence, his intellectual +and moral powers were full grown, and his knowledge was suited to the +state of a creature fitted to hold communion with God. His intellect was +fitted completely to survey, according to its capacity, the whole scene +of natural and moral existence presented before it, from the lowest +stage of dependent being to what it was competent to him to know of God. +His affections, in a flame alike pure and ardent, glowed at the prospect +of moral excellence which appeared in the works of God, and above all, +in Himself. His conscience, tender as the perfection of a delicate +spiritual organisation worthy the creative energy of a Being of spotless +infinite holiness, was in perfect sympathy with the awards of that +perfection of judgment which, from eternity to eternity, is unchanged. +And his will, the mighty gift, emblem of the volition of the Giver, +approved what He decreed. With such capacities, accompanied with +corresponding knowledge of the external world and the internal man, and +with a perfect acquaintance with the nature and demands of God's law, +the favoured creature man could not but acquiesce in it. To the claims +of its glorious Author, put forth by it, he was led by the most sure, +and yet most gentle and delightful constraints, to give his +acquiescence. What it demanded as duty to God, and duty to man, as if +bound, yet free, he joyously proffered and endeavoured to give. What it +forbade, he, in the same spirit, desired not to attain to, but resolved +to reject. That law required, in its first command, the avouchment of +God as a God in Covenant; in its second, it demanded the same, in +anticipation of whatever evil--such as the inroads of satan, might tempt +to lead from him; in its third, it claimed the fulfilment of the duty of +solemn appeal to the I Am by oath; in its ninth, it required the +speaking of truth to man, and consequently, the public avouchment of God +as a God in Covenant before others; and in entering into Covenant with +him, the favoured creature man, to all these and the other statutes of +that law, from his holy nature, gave his adherence. In his nature, as a +living personification of finite excellence, designed to transact with +God, and rendered fit to adhere to his engagements, and true to the +constitutional character of his existence, in the presence of his +glorious Lord he stood a being in Covenant with him. Had there even not +been a representative phase of character provided for Adam, he had, +therefore, necessarily, from his very constitution, been in Covenant +with God. A law was made known to him by the great Creator and Ruler; a +willingness to accept of it as a guide to duty, manifested by receiving +it, was given to him. To the formation of a covenant, though any other +condition that God should propose might be added, nothing more was +necessary. The covenant due to this was embodied in that which, as we +shall presently see was, at his creation, in sovereignty made with him. + +Secondly. This appears from the fact, that the law of God to man in +innocence, was given in a covenant form. From the very origin of his +existence, Adam was placed under law to God, both as an individual, and +as the representative head of the human family. Under both aspects of +his condition he was, accordingly, amenable to that law; nay, more, to +that law in a covenant form. + +To him, as an individual, it was promulgated, not merely as a law but as +a covenant. It could not have been proclaimed to him as the federal head +of others, had it not conferred obligation upon him as a moral agent, +responsible for his own actions. Now, the law that was given to him in +his twofold character was, in reality, a condition of a covenant. Both +the positive precept and the statutes of the decalogue unfolded what was +designed as a covenant claim. The command to obey, implying the command +to agree to obey, is an injunction to enter into covenant, and, +therefore, itself the condition of a covenant, to be constituted in the +acquiescence of the creature addressed. The giving of any command to +man, therefore, in a state of innocence, was a recognition of him as a +creature on his constitution designed, and, in the providence of God, to +be called, to enter into covenant with him. But this conclusion is +corroborated by the very matter of the moral law itself. We have seen +that several of the precepts of that law require the observance of +entering into covenant. These commands could not have been obeyed as the +dictates of God's laws, had the duty of Covenanting not been performed. +And that duty could not have been performed otherwise than in the +recognition of the commands of the law as the conditions of a Covenant. +From other considerations this also appears. We are warranted to +maintain that the covenant of God dispensed to men is in reality a +covenant. But the positive precept forbidding man to eat of the tree of +knowledge of good and evil, is inculcated in the very same terms in +which the Covenant of God is enjoined. Both are spoken of as commanded. +"And the Lord God commanded (יצו) the man, saying, Of every +tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the +knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it."[458] "He hath +commanded (צוה) his covenant for ever."[459] A law, when +promulgated, cannot but be commanded. A covenant when revealed, as we +here see, is commanded. We should, therefore, take an unwarrantably +circumscribed view of the law given to man at first, were we to view it +as given as a law, but not as a covenant. Even as the matter of the law +revealed at Sinai was an exhibition of the provisions of the Covenant of +Grace, so that of the law given to man in innocence was the condition of +the Covenant of Works. It was not merely by the promise, but also by the +gift of life, that the positive law was converted into the nature of a +covenant. By that promise, indeed, the Covenant of Works was +distinguished; that showed the unspeakably beneficent design of the +great Creator, and formed the most powerful motive to obedience. But the +making of that promise was not essential to the existence of a covenant +between the parties. By the giving of that promise, God indeed became, +by explicit intimation, engaged to man; but by giving to his creature +capacities for enjoying good, and desiring it, he virtually engaged to +give him what was to be beneficial for him, so long as He should +choose. Adam was in the enjoyment of good when God revealed to him his +law. God addressed him, not as one who might be doubtful whether or not +he should receive good from his hand, but as one in possession of powers +and capacities even then appropriating extensive benefits. His +delighting himself in God--the highest good that he could enjoy, though +no explicit promise of good had been made to him, would have been a +token to him that he was in covenant. But the promise in which that good +was implied rendered the anticipation of it definite, both as to time +and duration. + +Again, the law of God was given both as a law and as a covenant to Adam, +as the representative of the human race. Though the giving of the +positive precept put him into a covenant state as a federal head, and +though by breaking it he fell, and in consequence of his sin they fell +in him, 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 descendants. What +would have been his condition had he neglected any other duty incumbent +on him? Would he not have been depraved as an individual personally +guilty? and accordingly seeing that he that offends in one point is +guilty of all, would he not have been unworthy of representing his +posterity, or in consequence of his depravity would he not have resolved +to eat of the tree of life, and thus have exposed himself to the stroke +of Divine indignation, and have been cut off? As, had he existed alone, +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 him, so in his public character, 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 descendants, was due as +required by covenant. As one with his posterity he was bound by +requirements that would have brought them under obligation. Feeling +himself commanded to obey on behalf of many of whom he himself was one, +no less than as if he had acted in an individual capacity, did he or +could he recognise his obligations to acquiesce in duty prescribed, nor +less was he called and urged solemnly by covenant to engage to them. + +Accordingly, man in his original condition, was, from his constitution, +engaged in covenant to God by his law. By a twofold bond, the obligation +laid upon him was imposed. The authority of God requiring obedience was +one of the bonds. The authority of God requiring fulfilment of an +engagement made according to his command was the other. The giving of +the law implied the disposition of the constitution of man to respond to +its appeal, and demonstrated that both were of God. Seeing that He +determined to create moral subjects on earth, his arrangements provided +that he should make them disposed to acquiesce in that law; and hence, +so long as man continued to possess the moral standing in which he was +placed at first, he must have had an impression that by the constitution +which had been given him, God was engaged to bestow good upon him, which +he was brought under obligation by Covenanting to accept. + +Covenanting is adapted to the moral constitution of man in a state of +grace. + +First. Inasmuch as gracious capacities lead to acquiescence in what God +requires. All the powers of man, either directly or indirectly, were +injured and misdirected by the fall. The range of the intellect was +circumscribed, and its power was diminished. The affections were +deadened, and subjected to unholy influence; the conscience became +callous, and unfit to testify for God as it had formerly done; and the +will was exercised to do only evil, and that continually. From the moral +nature of man proceeded all the evils that overtook his constitution in +consequence of sin. That suffered the taint of a depravity that exposed +the sinner to ruin; and the curse of the broken law went out through it, +to mar and destroy. Man by nature is degraded, because he is chargeable +with original and actual sin, and because he wills not to obey God. Of +every characteristic of a creature in covenant with him, he is +destitute. Between the tendencies of his nature, and the demands of the +Divine law, there is no correspondence. "The carnal mind is enmity +against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can +be."[460] But in the day of effectual calling, a complete change is +produced upon the moral tendencies of the soul. Before that, there was +applicable to it the description, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might +have life."[461] Afterwards it uses the language, "It is good for me to +draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may +declare all thy works."[462] Men in sin have addressed to them the +mandate, "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see."[463] Men +renewed, do each say, "I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he +will speak peace unto his people;"[464] "I will look unto the Lord, I +will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."[465] To the +wicked is addressed the reproof, "O ye sons of men, how long will ye +turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after +leasing?"[466] To the righteous belongs the description, "that join +themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the +Lord."[467] Of unbelievers, it is declared, "Even their mind and +conscience is defiled."[468] But of those who live by faith, it is said, +"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit +offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead +works to serve the living God?"[469] Of those who, though professedly +the people of God, were but hypocrites, the record is given, "But my +people would not hearken to my voice: and Israel would none of me."[470] +But concerning those who had submitted to him, an apostle gave the +testimony, "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his +good pleasure."[471] Thus, those who are born again, are rendered fit to +lay hold upon the proposals of God's goodness and mercy through Christ. +Such are a people made willing in a day of power. Corruption continues +within them, but it is subdued. They delight in the law of God after the +inward man. To the requirement of a covenant like that of works, their +resolutions and endeavours are alike inadequate. Under the dispensations +of Divine grace, however, no proposals of any covenant designed to +confer life through their own obedience is made to them. It is on a +covenant, the conditions of which were fully satisfied by One infinitely +qualified for his work, that they are invited to take hold, and the +powers conferred upon them correspond to the exercise. Imperfection +marks the nature of the Christian, even throughout all his earthly +career; but the means to be employed by him in making covenant +engagements to the Lord, do not less accord to his new covenant relation +to him, than those made by him in innocence, did to his first covenant +state; and not less are his gracious powers and faculties suited to the +one, than the original gifts conferred upon him, were adapted to the +other. + +Secondly. Inasmuch as the invitations to accede to the Covenant of Grace +are tendered to sinners, and through the operation of the Spirit are +accepted by those who are born again. + +The offering of free favour to man must imply the possibility of him, +aided in some manner, accepting it. Had the rational nature of man been +destroyed by the fall, then a re-organization of him must have preceded +the reception on his part of the benefits offered. But regeneration, and +not re-organization, is experienced by him when he is enabled to lay +hold of God's Covenant. The former, not less wondrous, perhaps more +wondrous than the latter would have been, brings the sinful creature +from the state of one exposed to the curse of the law, as both a +covenant and a law, to that of one engaged to the duties of a permanent +covenant. By regeneration, the intellectual character of the human mind +is not changed, nor thereby are changed the conscience and affections +and capacity to will. By that the personal identity of the sinner is not +altered; for it is the same being that sinned who is saved. But by that +the tendencies of the moral nature are changed, and modifications most +important are produced upon the operation of the powers of the whole +man;--in one word, the heart in being brought under gracious influence +is renewed, and thus is made to possess the character of a new heart. +Thus, the understanding that was formerly darkened and misdirected is +enlightened; those affections that were sinful are sanctified; the +conscience is made tender; and the will which was opposed to God is made +to acquiesce in his; the enmity in the heart, like a foreign substance +which had not annihilated the nature, but which had assumed dominion +over the whole man, and exercised a power for which he was answerable, +is displaced; and corruption, though not altogether removed, is +gradually bereft of its influence, and doomed to extermination. It is +not as if man in sin were altogether ignorant of what God requires, but +because he is unwilling to obey, that he does not yield it. His +disobedience is not as if that requirement were inconsistent with his +natural powers, but as opposed by their tendency. It is not as if +obedience were foreign to his nature, but because it is repugnant to his +will. But when the sinner is renewed, the requirement of the duty takes +effect. The result upon the man proclaims the adaptation of the claim to +his state; and the nature of that claim shows that he is prepared for +the exercise which it urges. The law of God demands of all what all +ought to give, but what man, in consequence of sin, because he is +unwilling, is unable to give. That law demands of all what believers are +desirous to render, but which of themselves they are unable to +implement, and the part of which that is accepted they are enabled by +Divine grace alone to perform. Calls to the exercise of Covenanting +addressed to men, whether in a state of sin or in a state of grace, +though differently apprehended by them, being in a varied manner +understood by both, must be in accordance with what is common to the +nature of each, and also to that of man in innocence. The wicked show +that they know what these calls imply; for they often refuse to attend +to them after any manner, and when they attempt to act according to +them, they aim at an end that is not elevated above deliverance merely +from the effects of sin, not to say comprehensive of the glory of God. +And the righteous do in measure understand them. After some manner they +obey them. They arrive at their full import progressively. Their +feelings are inadequate to them, not in kind, but in measure. As they +make progress in holiness they will be more thoroughly conformed to them +in fact. When about to enter upon the heavenly inheritance of the +promise itself, their conformity with these will be complete. Hence, + +First. The reality of the Covenant of Works appears. It was not unworthy +of God to enter into covenant with man in innocence. He was the +workmanship of his own hands. The constitution given to him admitted of +intercourse on his part with his Creator. It was not unbecoming the +dignity of God's character to give to man a law. It was becoming his +character to give him a moral constitution that would lead him to obey +it. It was equally becoming the glory of his nature to accept of +obedience to it. His entering into covenant with him was the accepting +of Covenanting--a part of that obedience, and was therefore in perfect +consistency with the excellency of His being. It is not allowable to +suppose that in order to a covenant relation between God and his +creatures, these should be able to give something of their own which +might be esteemed as a meritorious condition of a covenant; nor is it +warrantable to maintain that because man in innocence was unable to make +such a communication, therefore he was not in that state taken into +covenant. Neither man in innocence, nor man in a state of grace, was +required to make such a tender; nay, no creature is able to afford it. +If it is admitted, then, that a covenant exists between God and man +redeemed on the footing of the merits of the Saviour, 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 all? In the case of the Covenant of Grace, 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 Christ. In the case +of what is rightly held to have been a covenant between God and Adam as +the representative of the human family, the merit for which man was +accepted was not his own, but the merit or worth of the Divine character +exhibited, in giving him a constitution fitting him for acquiescing in +what the Divine law required, and in affording him every facility for +glorifying God by yielding obedience to all his commands. + +And, besides, various are the considerations that tend to show, 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 head, and therefore also what is called the Covenant of +Works,--though in a certain sense a covenant of grace--but not of grace +through a mediator, are not inconsistent with the glory of the Divine +character. + +It would not have been inconsistent with the glory of God to have made +any one of the human family its representative head. No one of them +would have refused to represent their race. And since therefore Adam +would not have refused, it is not warrantable, on the assumption that he +would have refused, to deny that he was commanded to undertake the +duties of a federal head. + +The interests of men were better provided for on the principle of +representation than they would have been, had it been given to every +member of the human family individually to undergo a trial, on which +would have pended their eternal condition. Had the whole human family +been together when sin entered into the world, they had all been as +liable to seduction by the enemy as the first of men. But the resistance +of him by Adam would have been equal to the resistance of the whole +human race. Had all the human family at once been present in the very +circumstances of temptation in which Adam was placed, would they have +acted differently from what he did? They could have done so; but what +evidence have we that they would? God did not vouchsafe an extraordinary +power in order to keep Adam from falling: such would have interfered +with his state as a free moral responsible being. Would he have done so, +then, to the whole human race, had they been then present together? But +had Adam continued for an appointed period to obey, life to all his +posterity would have been the result, and thus benefits through one as a +representative would have come to the many with certainty, without all +having individually, by being put into a state of probation, in the +midst of temptation, to endeavour to secure a title to life for +themselves. It is sinful for men to arraign the procedure according to +which men come into the world in a state of condemnation, or to deny it. +The Scriptures reveal it, and it is a necessary effect of the operation +of Divine justice. Had it not been right, God would not have instituted +such a relation between Adam and his descendants as would have admitted +of the fact; nay, had not that arrangement in itself been preferable to +every other, Divine wisdom would not have made it. It therefore has a +reason for it the most satisfactory, however little we may be able to +apprehend it. Nothing that we know is inconsistent with that +arrangement, but it may be but a small part of its reason that we yet +observe. Man was not doomed, but permitted to fall. It was not necessary +that he should be prevented from sinning, and his fall was the necessary +effect of his transgression. Is it urged--Is it not dreadful to think of +man being brought into existence in a state of sin and misery?--of a +nature being given to him which never had the power to make one +endeavour to live for ever? It is answered, God did not create men in a +state of condemnation, but sin invaded them, and in one all fell. God is +righteous, and his justice finds every one of the family of man guilty. +The rectitude of God's character did not require that he should create +any one with a title to eternal life; but because of sin, it forbade +that any of the children of fallen man represented by him should come +into existence in a state of acceptance with him. The case of the sinner +coming into the world under condemnation, is not worse than that of him, +who, first having had power to stand, was tempted, and sinned, and fell. +No less consistent with the excellence of the character of God and the +sovereignty of his procedures, is the state of one fallen even at the +very origin of his being, than that of one who had had an opportunity to +avoid falling, but after a short trial really fell. Adam at first had +not a right, independently of the sovereign gift of God, to come into +existence in a state of acceptance. He had not a right to continue in it +when he sinned. And in like manner, no sinner can say that he had a +claim upon the Creator to be brought into being free from the curse. The +same argument that would suffice to establish that men should not be +implicated in the rebellion of Adam, would go to prove that he should +not have been allowed himself to fall. And hence the repugnance of men +to the doctrine of original sin is unwarranted, and affords no proper +ground on which to deny the Covenant of Works. + +Secondly. The wicked, whether individuals or communities, and these +alone, are not in covenant. Man in innocence was never under the law of +God merely as a law. The will of God, promulgated as the terms both of a +covenant and a law, had the sacredness of a law; acceded to by man, it +had all the sanctity of a covenant. The will of God was propounded as a +law, to be received both as a law and as a covenant; the acceptance of +it engaged man to it as possessed of both characters. Because of God's +authority dictating it as a law, his will revealed conferred obligation. +Because of God's will and providential arrangements as to the +constitution of man, he acquiescing in the requirement of the law came +besides under a covenant obligation to fulfil it. At the very origin of +his being he came under both obligations. Under both he was placed +according to the appointment of the Most High, and by his authority. At +his fall the whole human family became exposed to the curse at once of a +broken law and a violated covenant. Then and thereafter the law was a +broken covenant. It had been propounded as a law, and offered as the +condition of a covenant. As a law and as a covenant it had been +acquiesced in, and thus stood as a covenant; but by reason of apostacy +it passed from the rank of a law and a covenant to that of a mere law; +and as a law proceeded to put forth on the unregenerate the claims for +punishment, of a law that should still continue, but also of a covenant +that had been broken, and could never again exist in its original state. +To the ungodly still it is a law demanding obedience to it, and +punishment for past transgression of it as a law, and requiring also not +obedience to it as a covenant, but punishment for the breach of it as a +covenant. What was the Covenant of Works is not now a covenant to any; +to the wicked it is a law which by reason of their sin tends to their +ruin. The work of the law is written upon the hearts of men in sin, but +not as if it were now a covenant law; for now the Covenant of Works as a +covenant, has no demand of obedience to it on men. The tendency that +there is in the unrenewed heart to seek life by the works of the law +shows, not that the law is there written as a covenant, but that there +is there an attachment inconsistent with the will of God, to the law as +a covenant, which, while there is not felt the desire either of good +flowing from a covenant relation to God or of willingness +conscientiously to obey his commands, leads vainly to seek, merely +exemption from punishment, or undefined good. Certainly the blinded +heathen have not that law which was broken proposed to them as the +terms of a covenant; and so neither have others. + +The will of God revealed to men in a state of sin, has the character of +a law, but not of a covenant. "The law is not made for a righteous man, +but for the lawless and disobedient."[472] The impenitent transgressor +continues under the curse of the law. If not subdued by Divine grace, he +will continue to feel here the effects of the wrath of God "revealed +from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold +the truth in unrighteousness;" and in the future state will experience +the effects of the curse in "everlasting destruction from the presence +of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." The law of God addressed +to corrupt ecclesiastical societies, is not a covenant, but essentially +a law. A national compact between rulers and people, when violated, +affords an analogy here. The laws, or institutions, or ordinances, of a +nation, according to which the sovereign reigns, the other rulers +govern, and the people voluntarily give obedience, is a covenant; but +against those who violate them, whatever may be their rank, they act not +as a covenant but as a law, punishing for breach of covenant. But to +proceed. When Israel were holiness to the Lord, his law was to them a +covenant. When any of them fell off into idolatry, that covenant was +dispensed to those solely as a law taking vengeance for the breach of it +as a covenant and as a law. To the true Israel receiving spiritual +blessings, it was dispensed as a covenant. But only as a law demanding +punishment and obedience, it extended, to many in the mountains of the +East, and on the plains of Babylon, and afterwards in every part of the +world, to the descendants of the unbelieving Jews. When the Christian +Church was pure, the law of God was to her a covenant. When, by the +removal of the truth, and opposition to it, she degenerated into +Antichrist, it continued not a covenant to her, but acted against her as +a law. And before its blighting curse she fell plagued. The judgments +poured out on the seat of the _Beast_ were its effects; and to that +curse will be due, the accomplishment of the prediction--"I will stretch +out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will +make thee a burnt mountain. And they shall not take of thee a stone for +a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for +ever, saith the Lord;"[473] and the realization of the fearful doom +proclaimed by an angel come down from Heaven--"Babylon the great is +fallen, is fallen," and of the woe uttered by a mighty angel, that "took +up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, +Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and +shall be found no more at all."[474] Even the offers of mercy to the +unrenewed are made as the requirements of a mere law. So long as they +are unaccepted, they possess the same character. They are tenders of +what, when acceded to, would be a covenant; but are not the requirements +of a covenant till they be appropriated. When received, they are the +duties of both a law and a covenant. For example, the injunction to +believe on Jesus, addressed to one in a state of sin, is the command of +a law, but not of a covenant, to that individual. If not accepted, it +binds to punishment for disregard of it as a law, and the non-acceptance +of it is a proposed covenant command. If perfidiously received, it binds +to punishment for not obeying it, and for deceitfully professing, by vow +or oath, to receive it. Accepted in sincerity and truth, and +consequently not by the wicked, but by one born again, it is laid hold +on at once as a law and a covenant command;--as a requirement of the +immutable law of God, and as a duty of the Everlasting Covenant. + +Commands addressed to believers are at once, even while inculcated, a +law and a covenant requirement. They have acceded to these. Thereafter, +such therefore remain not merely a law, but a covenant duty, and as +enforcing covenant obligation, fall to be habitually observed. + +Thirdly. Those who are in covenant with God will, as individuals and +communities, in some measure make and keep covenant engagements with +him. Every believer, that is, every one in covenant with God, will after +some manner practise such duties. Covenanting is an exercise of the +renewed nature, and is an essential manifestation of it. From +gravitation come the movement of the moon in her orbit, that of the +planets round the sun, and perhaps a progress of the whole solar system +through space; from the living energy of the plant cherished by the +moisture and heat of heaven proceed, the expanding of the leaf, and the +putting forth of the flower and fruit; from the laws of molecular +attraction, come the beautiful forms of the mineral, vegetable, and +animal creation; from the principle of love to God comes the habit of +delighting in him; from hope come the stimulating anticipations of +eternal good; from faith comes the exercise of believing; from the +heart, whose energies delivered from the dominion of sin by grace, are, +from their native constitution and by the claims of the God of +salvation, engaged to him in covenant, proceeds the habitual exercise of +Covenanting. Where there is motion, there and there only force prevails; +where organic effort is made, there only life exists; where Covenanting +is engaged in, there only a covenant relation and title can be found. +Every incorporate community that forms a part of the true Church of the +living God, with greater or less frequency, or more or less explicitly, +recognises its covenant obligations by acknowledging and endeavouring to +keep them. Where no attention is paid to covenant obligations, there is +no covenant relation. The body that does not attract iron, or possess +polarity, is not magnetic. That which does not transmit light or sound, +is not elastic. That which does not distribute heat is without life. If +a society bind not others to itself by religious Covenanting after some +manner, it belongs not to the Church of God. From the law of Covenanting +comes all the consistency of the union of believers--the family that is +named in heaven. That family, by displaying God's covenant, invites to +its communion many who would have perished. The invisible Church cannot +have associated to it any thing dissimilar to itself, but it binds to it +those who are congenial to it. It is to the fellowship of the Church +visible that the members of the Church of the first-born are drawn. God +prepares men for the communion of saints. It is by the power of the +Spirit accompanying the means of grace dispensed in the assemblies of +the faithful, that a transforming effect is produced on the natural man, +and that he is drawn. It is the power and glory of God that draws and +unites; and the whole body, like the virgin gold or silver in the veins +of the rocks, which is composed of what were grains scattered through +contiguous strata, and by a galvanic power continues to accumulate, has +its affinities for each of the precious family of grace. The law by +which these are drawn is not merely moral, but gracious. The communion +of saints was confederated, that, by attracting others to it, it might +grow. As a covenant society, and in the use of Covenanting, it attracts. +It has a tendency to give utterance to its intention, and that by +professing the truth, that sinners may be won. "As it is written, I +believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore +speak."[475] "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners +shall be converted unto thee."[476] By taking the Covenant of God +publicly in their mouth, his people in measure fulfil the Redeemer's +mandate,--"Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with +another;"[477] and the corresponding duty,--"Let your speech be alway +with grace, seasoned with salt."[478] It is a serious mark of a Church's +imperfection for it to recognise only implicitly or virtually its +covenant obligations. The greater the living energy that inhabits the +society, the more regard its obligations receive. + +Finally. How dreadful is the condition of those who are not in covenant +with God! It is degraded. Man was in covenant with God at first. With +all accepted moral beings, and these alone, He deals by way of covenant. +Thus, after some manner, he dealt with angels in glory. Thus he dealt +with man unfallen. Thus he deals with sinners redeemed. For sustaining +the dignity of a covenant relation to him, inanimate and unintelligent +creation are not adapted; but for not standing in that, they are not +dishonoured. Angels in light, acquiescing in God's law, were at least +virtually in covenant with him. Some of them proudly sinned, and fell +from their high confederation. They took counsel together thereafter, +but it was against the Lord. In hell they appear his foes combined in +everlasting league against him, but delivered over forever to the +terrors of his wrath. To their case alone, that of the wicked even on +earth can be compared. But the case of rebellious sinners here, is, if +possible, more revolting. Sinners under condemnation receive outward +good here, designed to lead them to repentance. All the good diffused +around, comes through the arrangements of a gracious covenant. They +receive temporal good themselves indirectly from a covenant on which +they will not take hold. They despise the word of him who ordained that +good the most extensive should come to sinners through that covenant. +Their degradation is extreme. Attempting to go in opposition to all the +arrangements of the Most High, and yet kept in the enjoyment of some +good, and in the prospect of the greatest, they are an anomaly in the +universe. They confederate with one another, but against God. They will +not take Him into their counsels. They are, therefore, destitute of his +favour, and of all the honour of co-operating with him. The change to +which, by sin, they subjected themselves, is more humbling than that +produced on any other class of creatures, even on fallen angels +themselves; for these resist not offers of mercy. The inanimate creation +responds to God's command. He enjoins, and it obeys. There the Divine +mandate has the sure counterpart of obedience. In the world of unfallen +intelligences, the word of the Lord is fulfilled willingly by all. In +the world of perdition, however, it is set at nought. But on earth, +where benefits are dispensed, it is spurned by the wicked also. The +twofold curse of a broken law and covenant pursues sinners, yet they are +invited to escape it; but they will not submit. A covenant of life and +peace is made known. Its blessings great and precious are freely offered +to them. Yet they cherish the enmity of their hearts against God, and +they will not yield. With no sinless creature of God have they +communion. They are voluntarily alone in the universe, at war with all +God's creatures, and lowest among them. They are most unworthy. Every +arrangement of his providence tends to restore them to his favour. +Neglecting the duty of Covenanting, they set all these at nought. The +beasts that perish are not degraded, but these are. They are worthy to +be ranked with apostate angels. In the rage of their rebellion, they are +bent on enduring all the terrors of a broken law and covenant in the +place of final woe. Let not sinners persevere in their obstinacy. Even +yet, there is good largely offered to them, which, if they accept it, +they will abundantly receive. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[456] Gen. i. 27. + +[457] Eccl. vii. 29. + +[458] Gen. ii. 16, 17. + +[459] Ps. cxi. 9. + +[460] Rom. viii. 7. + +[461] John v. 40. + +[462] Ps. lxxiii. 28. + +[463] Is. xlii. 18. + +[464] Ps. lxxxv. 8. + +[465] Mic. vii. 7. + +[466] Ps. iv. 2. + +[467] Is. lvi. 6. + +[468] Tit. i. 15. + +[469] Heb. ix. 14. + +[470] Ps. lxxxi. 11. + +[471] Phil. ii. 13. + +[472] 1 Tim. i. 9. + +[473] Jer. li. 25, 26. + +[474] Rev. xviii. 21. + +[475] 2 Cor. iv. 13. + +[476] Ps. li. 13. + +[477] Mark ix. 50. + +[478] Col. iv. 6. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +COVENANTING ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSES OF GOD. + + +Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law +will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his +Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively +than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of +a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the +Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as +ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as +predestinated to peculiar privileges and services, make that +announcement; and consequently, preferring the claim of submission to +covenant requirements, urge, not less than to the others of these +requisitions, a dutiful regard to the exercise of solemn Covenanting. + +Many things in creation and providence were appointed for this, as well +as for other ends, that men might make and fulfil solemn vows to God. +The work of creation itself is cited to lead men to acts of religious +homage. "The Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In +his hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is +his also. The sea is his, and he made it; and his hands formed the dry +land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord +our Maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and +the sheep of his hand."[479] The work of creation was performed, that +on earth a people might be sustained to serve the Lord. "They shall be +ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion +together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the Lord +with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded +world without end. For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens, God +himself that formed the earth, and made it; he hath established it, he +created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited; I am the Lord, and +there is none else."[480] In anticipation of bestowing good on his +people, even during their continuance on earth, the Surety of sinners, +when the creation of all things was decreed, rejoiced. "The Lord +possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was +set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was." +"When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon +the face of the depth: when he established the clouds above: when he +strengthened the fountains of the deep: when he gave to the sea his +decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he +appointed the foundations of the earth: then I was by him, as one +brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always +before him; rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my +delights were with the sons of men."[481] Hence of them as the heirs of +a comprehensive Covenant blessing, it is said in language in substance +not unfrequently occurring, "The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall +delight themselves in the abundance of peace."[482] God's covenant with +every living creature, revealed to Noah, was an appointment to confer +the means of life on men in order to the attainment of the end of their +creation. Other arrangements, conducive to the same object, are thus +described,--"He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there +shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death; and +in war from the power of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge +of the tongue; neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it +cometh. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou +be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league with +the stones of the field; and the beasts of the field shall be at peace +with thee. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in +peace."[483] That the land of Canaan was granted to the Israelites, not +merely by promise, but by a sovereign decree, is implied in the words, +"Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land +which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to +do all that I have commanded them."[484] Israel, fallen from the service +of the Lord, is thus addressed,--"And it shall be at that day, saith the +Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi (my husband), and shalt call me no +more Baali. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, +and they shall no more be remembered by their name." Protection, as +ordained in connection with their being taken into covenant with God, is +thus promised,--"And in that day will I make a covenant for them with +the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the +creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow, and the sword, +and the battle, out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely. +And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto +me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in +mercies: I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou +shalt know the Lord." Support, too, as in like manner provided for +them--crying unto the Lord for the supply of their wants, is +promised,--"And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith +the Lord, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth; and +the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall +hear Jezreel." And not merely reclaimed Israel, but the Gentiles, as by +sovereign ordination interested in all their outward and spiritual +blessings, are objects of the promise,--"And I will sow her unto me in +the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; +and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and +they shall say, Thou art my God."[485] + +Secondly. The covenant of God, as ordained by him, manifests that the +exercise of vowing unto him was also ordained. That was appointed. In +statements regarding the sovereign arrangements of providence is this +taught. These were brought into view, and their continuance promised, in +the covenant made with Noah. In that covenant it was secured that the +waters of another flood should not overflow the earth. In that too it +was promised, that summer and winter, seed-time and harvest, should not +cease. The covenant, therefore, as well as these ordinances, its +results, was ordained. And accordingly was ordained, all connected with +its dispensations. From the use of a term employed in prophecy in +reference to the waters of the sea, this, moreover, appears. "Fear ye +not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have +placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it +cannot pass it."[486] The term here rendered _placed_, in this passage +means _appointed_; and in the two following passages is applied to the +covenant. The statement, "He appointed a law in Israel,"[487] hence +declares the institution of his law as a decree. And the demands of the +covenant being those of the law, even as his law, the covenant it +intimates as ordained, not merely by his high authority, but according +to his sovereign will. And thus too are expounded David's last +words,--"He hath made with me," or rather _appointed for me_, "an +everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure,"[488] as +intimating not merely his cleaving to God's covenant, but his +recognition of that covenant as according to his good pleasure, in all +things decreed. + +That covenant was established. "God said unto Noah, This is the token of +the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is +upon the earth."[489] In such terms--literally applicable to intelligent +and moral beings--but in figure transferable to the lower creation too, +God spake of good intended for living creatures of every kind. That all +the latter could apprehend his benevolent purposes, the words cannot +intimate, but they do declare that by a beneficent ordination he had +made provision for all. The beasts of the field, and the fowls of +heaven, in common with man, enjoy the benefits of an animal life. With +him they are subjected to the operation of causes acting according to +the sovereign purposes of God, and with him, they are employed by the +Lord of all in their varied spheres to fulfil his will. But he, by his +great Creator, favoured highly above them, is called to obedience in a +way to them unknown. Yet not less determinate than the laws and +dispositions of the material world are all His arrangements, especially +his covenant provisions made with regard to man. The lower creatures of +God, though they know him not, obey his word. Moral agents on earth are +subject wholly to his control. The decrees of his providence affect his +intelligent and moral creatures not less than those that know not to +resolve. All things continue according to his ordinances--the material +creation and his immortal offspring. His statutes bind the heavens and +the earth; and by his appointment, the relations unto him into which men +are brought, are constituted and sustained. Whatever may be the +character of a solemn covenant with him, to his appointment it is due, +and by his will continues. + +If to them that fear God will be verified the declaration, "Thou shalt +decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee,"[490] will not +all his own holy purposes stand? And was not all that he +established--was not the covenant which he established, decreed? His +purposes and their fulfilment are alike sure. "There are many devices in +a man's heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall +stand."[491] To some who had disregarded his covenant were directed his +words,--"Because ye have said, we have made a covenant with death, and +with hell are we at agreement: when the overflowing scourge shall pass +through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, +and under falsehood have we hid ourselves. Therefore, thus saith the +Lord God, ... The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the +waters shall overflow the hiding-place. And your covenant with death +shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand." But +revealing the Mediator of his covenant, and, consequently, making known +that covenant, as to obtain, instead of the covenant with death, which +was to be swept away, at the same time he says, "Behold, I lay in Zion +for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a +sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also +will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet." Regarding +both the threatening and the promise, are his words,--"This also cometh +forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel and +excellent in working."[492] And may there not also be applied to both +his own averment,--"The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I +have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall +it stand."[493] + +The covenant was commanded. When God said, "I have made the earth, and +created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, +and all their host have I commanded," He spake of that omnipotent word +by which he commanded all their hosts, at least into existence. And, +accordingly, we are to understand the testimony, "He hath commanded his +covenant for ever,"[494] as implying not merely that it should endure +for ever, but that to his almighty mandate are its origin and +continuance due. This the Psalmist celebrates when he sings of Zion, +"There the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."[495] +And this, too, in addressing the children of Zion, and the God of Zion, +he records. "Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, +that which thou hast wrought for us."[496] In like manner, are the +blessings of that covenant thus announced:--"The Lord shall command the +blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest +thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy +God giveth thee." And is thus declared, that obedience to its +requirements was ordained, "He hath remembered his covenant for ever, +the word which he commanded to a thousand generations: which covenant he +made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; and confirmed the same unto +Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant." By +the Lord of all, obedience to his law is enjoined. But what is +requisite that duty be performed, is from him. And all needful aid he +ordained. His law exhibits what he demands. The allotments of his +providence illustrate the necessity of submission to him; and the +pre-determinations of his will secure the services which he accepts. +His laws are perfect. With the arrangements of his providence they +harmonize. On the absolute perfection of his nature they are founded. +All who obey them declare their approval of his purpose. To encourage +such, his purposes are revealed. Because his covenant was commanded, it +was made known. Its revelation, with its other provisions, leads to the +attainment of its end. And it shall continue. Its benefits will be +confessed, and its obligations respected and fulfilled. Contemplating +its demands as promulgated by the authority of God, these they will +endeavour to satisfy in accordance with his sovereign decrees. The +wicked disobey his commandments, but cannot alter the determination of +his will. The others make not the purposes of God the rule of duty, but +endeavouring to fulfil his revealed will, they are employed with honour +to execute his counsel. "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the +inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was +done; he commanded, and it stood fast." "The counsel of the Lord +standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed +is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen +for his own inheritance."[497] + +And the covenant of God stands according to a sovereign decree. In +virtue of his high authority the Lord imposed the regulations of his +material and intelligent kingdoms, and the laws by which his moral +creatures are governed. Hence, terms strictly applicable only to the +government of the one, are metaphorically applied to the control of the +other. And his dispensations to some are employed as symbols of his +operations towards the rest. Thus, in language primarily used in +reference to the firmness or security of a building, his word, and, +consequently, his covenant, the arrangements of which it embodies, are +represented as decreed. "Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old +that thou hast founded them forever."[498] As ordained or decreed, to +the appointments of the material universe it is compared. "Thus saith +the Lord, If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the +night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then +may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not +have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, +my ministers."--"Thus saith the Lord, If my covenant be not with day and +night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; +then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant."[499] And +especially is that true religion through which covenant engagements are +made and kept, according to God's decree. "Where shall wisdom be found? +and where is the place of understanding?"--"God understandeth the way +thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof." "When he made a decree for +the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder; then did he see +it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto +man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart +from evil is understanding."[500] Were the rain, and the lightning, and +the thunder decreed? Then no less was decreed "the fear of the Lord." To +vow unto the Lord was to manifest that fear. "Thou shalt fear the Lord +thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."[501] And hence, +also, not less than every other effect of that true wisdom which +consists in the fear of the Lord, and of that understanding which is to +depart from evil, was ordained the service of vowing and swearing to +him. + +Thirdly. A people were foreordained to make solemn vows unto God. +Representations are given of his people as formed for his service. +According to some of these, the expression, to form, means to fashion, +or to bring into existence. "I will say to the north, give up; and to +the south, keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from +the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I +have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." +"This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my +praise."[502] "Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my +servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant."[503] And hence, +because whatever is formed, is formed according to God's purpose, his +servants, to his service in all its parts, were foreordained by him. But +besides, the meaning of the said expression, cannot, even in the +foregoing passages, nor in others, be limited to its literal import. It +is employed to intimate that God pre-determined what his enemies should +accomplish. "Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of +ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, +that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous +heaps."[504] In reference to a Covenant people to be continued to +discharge their peculiar duties, and to provisions of grace, described +in terms most beauteous, it is applied.[505] "Thus saith the Lord, the +maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his +name."[506] And since the purposes of God secure their fulfilment, and +so his arrangements concerning his people secure their creation, +regeneration, and continued support, does not the expression, kindred to +others, "Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the +womb, which will help thee; fear not, O Jacob, my servant," explicitly +advert to them as predestinated to obedience, and especially the +obedience thus described, "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another +shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe +with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of +Israel"?[507] Reasonings on the sovereignty of God exercised in setting +apart a limited number to the benefits of salvation, illustrate and +assert the truth. "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against +God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou +made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump, +to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, +willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with +much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that +he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, +which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, +not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles."[508] In such terms is +God described as not merely having created all things, but as having +predestinated some to eternal life, and decreed that others should be +left to perish. The mode of expression embodying the image of the potter +agrees with the words of the Old Testament Scriptures,--"Surely your +turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: +for shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? or shall the +thing framed (formed) say of him that framed (formed) it, he had no +understanding?"[509] What is taught by the use of such language must +therefore be implied in those declarations of the prophets, where +corresponding terms are employed. In the language of the Old Testament, +the potter is literally, he who forms. According to the Apostle, the +potter symbolizes him who predestinates. Hence, since, as in the +words,--"Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd +strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that +fashioneth (formeth) it, what makest thou? or thy work, he hath no +hands,"[510] he is compared to the potter, He is to be recognised as the +sovereign Disposer of the final conditions of all. And forasmuch as, at +a given period, concerning the existing house of Jacob, framed by him, +he says in regard to their descendants, also formed by him, "But when he +seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they +shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall +fear the God of Israel,"[511] depicting all of them in the character of +those who avouch him to be their God, the true Israel he acknowledges as +formed for, or set apart to, that high distinction by himself; and that +the Apostle had this in view, his quotations from the prophets here +given declare. It was of a people who should be objects of this promise, +"And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me +Ishi, and shalt call me no more Baali,"[512] and on whom the privileges +thereafter described should be conferred, that was predicted the +blessedness, "I will call them my people, which were not my people; and +her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass that in +the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall +they be called the children of the living God."[513] It is of those, to +whom Covenanting[514] with God, refers the promise, "The remnant of +Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more +again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the Lord, the +Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant +of Jacob, unto the mighty God,"[515] that Esaias also crieth, "Though +the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a +remnant shall be saved."[516] And it was of those who, heirs of +Abraham's faith, which was counted to him for righteousness, were, as he +was, taken into covenant with God, and like whom none remained in the +cities of the plain when these were overthrown, that "Esaias said +before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as +Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha."[517] + +The Covenant people of God are an appointed people. Even as a law was +appointed in Israel; even as an everlasting Covenant, ordered in all +things and sure, was appointed; so were they. "And who, as I, shall +call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I +appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall +come, let them shew unto them."[518] The same term, denoting to appoint, +in each of the three cases is used. It is used in original of the +passage, "He gave (appointed) to the sea his decree;" and in this +acceptation of it signifies, in sovereignty to ordain. The ancient +people included first the people of Israel;[519] and they are the +Covenant people of all nations, and of every age, members of that church +whose date is of ancient days. By the prophet who speaks of their +appointment, their practice as Covenanters vowing to the Lord, in a +familiar passage is explicitly described.[520] From others it may be +concluded. Many evils overtook apostate Israel. "The earth mourneth, and +fadeth away; the world languisheth, and fadeth away; the haughty people +of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the +inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed +the ordinance, broken the Everlasting Covenant. Therefore hath the curse +devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate." But to +many, good was to follow. And if, for the neglect of making and keeping +Covenant engagements, such calamities were poured out, will not a strict +regard to these duties be paid when desolations shall cease, and there +shall have arrived the time, "when the Lord of hosts shall reign in +mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously."[521] +Many were appointed or left to disobedience and condemnation. And were +not others appointed to obedience and life? Of the former, the Apostle +Peter writes,--"But unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the +builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a +stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at +the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." But to +the others, in terms certainly implying, that to every privilege and +duty of the Covenant they were no less--yea, assuredly appointed, He +says, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an +holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by +Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I +lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth +on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is +precious." The chief corner stone laid in Sion is presented as aground +of trust, instead of the Covenant with death and hell which should not +stand. All founded on him are therefore a Covenant people, and hence, in +that character, they were appointed. And hence, in terms from the Old +Testament, bearing on Covenant relations and duties, he continues his +address, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy +nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him +who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: which in +time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had +not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."[522] + +The people of God, as a Covenant people, were written in the book of +life. Of the holy Jerusalem the Spirit testifies, "There shall in no +wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh +abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's +book of life."[523] Whosoever enters therein, therefore, will not rank +among those who, refusing to act as the children of the Covenant, are +denominated the uncircumcised and the unclean. Concerning the beast, it +is said, "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names +are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the +foundation of the world."[524] The sin of those is idolatry. Hence, +neither are written in the book of life any others, who impenitently +refraining from the obedience of a covenant people, virtually persevere +in the service of any idols, till death arrests them. It was to Israel +as a people who had voluntarily in covenant dedicated themselves to his +service, that was addressed the message, "Thus saith the Lord, I +remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, +when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not +sown. Israel was holiness unto the Lord."[525] And applicable to all +who, such as they were, being in covenant are sanctified, is the +promise, "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and +he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one +that is written among the living in Jerusalem."[526] The saints of God +are come "to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which +are written in heaven;" but they are also come to "Jesus, the mediator +of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh +better things than that of Abel." And according to their distinguished +destination they endeavour to reduce to practice the exhortation, +"Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have +grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly +fear."[527] + +The Covenant people of God are an elect people. They were chosen to be +separated from the wicked and from their works. Thus Israel were +separated from the heathen. Thus all who believe are separated from +those that know not nor obey the Lord. "Thou art an holy people unto the +Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people +unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the +earth."[528] "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt +swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the +people which are round about you."[529] The answer of God to the +lamentation of Elijah concerning the defection of Israel, is applied to +believers of New Testament times, as a people in covenant chosen from +the wicked. "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye +not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God +against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged +down thine altars: and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what +saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven +thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so +then at this present time also, there is a remnant according to the +election of grace."[530] The apostle does not quote the words of the +prophet,--"The children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant;"[531] but +he states the evidence for the fact which these words announce, "They +have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars." The seven +thousand who had not bowed the knee to the image of Baal, were steadfast +in God's Covenant. All believers are so. As thus steadfast, all of them +in every time are a remnant, according to the election of grace. + +The people of God were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the +world. Hence a visible church was erected therein. Hence Israel, as a +people, were endowed with peculiar privileges. Hence the ordinances of +Divine grace are dispensed in every age. But all are not elect who wait +on the institutions of religion. Israel was chosen from among the +heathen; but all of them were not chosen in Christ. The members of the +visible church, by profession, are separated from the world; but all of +them do not enjoy the privileges, and do not discharge the duties of +God's elect. All are not Israel who are of Israel. When the Lord entered +into covenant with his people Israel, he chose them from among +idolaters. He did so because of his choice of them from everlasting. Why +the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, is, that +he chose them from eternity. And the Lord will have mercy on the +Gentiles as a covenant people, set apart from the wicked, according to +his eternal sovereign good will. "The Lord did not set his love upon +you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for +ye were the fewest of all the people; but because the Lord loved +you.--"[532] "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but +the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."[533] When +Paul and Barnabas preached at Antioch in Pisidia, the Jews spake against +those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. +These apostles thereupon expressed their resolution to turn to the +Gentiles. And their warrant they declare, "For so hath the Lord +commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, +that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." Nor +was he, who, that he might be a light of the Gentiles, was given for a +covenant of the people,[534] then preached in vain. "When the Gentiles +heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as +many as were ordained to eternal life believed."[535] + +The people of God were elected to covenant obedience. Israel were +frequently represented both as his _elect_ and as his _servants_. "For +Jacob, my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee +by thy name."[536] The elect are spoken of as formed and ordained to +good works. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto +good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." +And those good works include the keeping of the covenant, by Covenanting +and fulfilling the engagements made. "Wherefore, remember, that ye being +in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by +that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that +at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth +of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, +and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes +were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ."[537] The saints are +described as "elect--unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus +Christ."[538] As the sprinkling of blood, signifying the application of +the efficacy of Christ's death by the Spirit of God, was wont to +accompany the exercise of Covenanting by sacrifice, so, under the last +dispensation, the obedience of the people of God, according to election, +is to spring from their acceptance of Christ and his benefits, and +dedication to God in the various acts of personal and social +Covenanting. Finally, they are introduced at once as his witnesses, his +servant, and his chosen. "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my +servant whom I have chosen."[539] They were therefore chosen to serve +him, by vowing and swearing to him in secret, by testifying to his +truths by oath before the world, and by adhering faithfully to his +testimony. + +The people of God were elected to privileges that can be enjoyed only by +those in covenant with him. Theirs is the heavenly calling; and this +they enjoy, "that the purpose of God, according to election, might +stand, not of works, but of him that calleth."[540] All the saints being +called, and chosen, and faithful, Abraham had been a partaker of this +calling when God delivered to him the command to leave his native land, +which the patriarch obeyed. That effectual call led him to obey the +special mandate to go forth to Canaan, and to believe the precious +promise that had been made to him. When the Covenant of God was +established with him by that call, he laid hold upon it, testifying to +his acquiescence in it, by believing in the Lord, by sacrificing unto +him, and by receiving circumcision as a covenant sign. And that, as the +promise of that covenant was to the Jews who were called, so its +seasonable duties, and consequently the exercise of engaging to it, were +incumbent upon them, appears from the record of the specially momentous +day of Pentecost. Manifestly keeping in view the Covenant, by +inculcating on the people a regard to baptism--its sign, "Peter said +unto them, repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus +Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the +Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to +all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall +call."[541] Not merely to the Jews was its precious promise of the +"seed," Christ, but to the Gentiles also. And faith in him, and the duty +of keeping and of entering into covenant with him, under the latter +dispensation, are obligatory on all. "The Scripture, foreseeing that God +would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto +Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they +which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."[542] And the +gospel is preached, that men receiving the external call may be called +effectually, and thus brought to receive the promise, and fulfil the +duties required. Like the Israelites, who, after His manifestation in +the flesh, believed in Jesus, all the people of God feel and acknowledge +their covenant obligations, that they should show forth the praises of +Him who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. To +the condition of a people keeping covenant, the seed of Jacob yet to be +reclaimed, as chosen of God will be called. "Blindness in part is +happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so +all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of +Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for +this is my covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins. As +concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching +the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and +calling of God are without repentance."[543] And all whom he had before +prepared unto glory, even those whom he hath called, not of the Jews +only, but also of the Gentiles, as a people in covenant acting faith on +Christ will lay hold on the covenant promise. "For this cause he is the +mediator of the new testament (covenant), that by means of death, for +the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament +(covenant), they which are called might receive the promise of eternal +inheritance."[544] + +To the elect people of God belongs the blessing of justification. "Whom +he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he +also justified."[545] Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him +for righteousness. It was when, in the exercise of Covenanting, he +accepted of the promise of God, that he was thus blessed. All who +believe are the children of Abraham, and, being in covenant, are, by +being justified, blessed with him. "In the Lord shall all the seed of +Israel be justified, and shall glory." They are those concerning whom +the Lord hath sworn, saying, "Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue +shall swear. Surely, shall one say, In the Lord have I righteousness and +strength."[546] The Lord Jesus, exalted a Prince and a Saviour, is made +of God unto his people, righteousness. Being justified by faith, they +have the covenant blessing of peace with God, through Christ. And to the +glory of the Redeemer, and to the manifestation of the solemn covenant +relations to God in which they stand, making mention of his +righteousness, they will vow and swear to him. Under the auspicious +reign of Messiah, seated at God's right hand, the people of Israel, +restored to their own land, will do so. "In his days Judah shall be +saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he +shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness. Therefore, behold, the days +come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, +which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, +The Lord liveth, which brought up, and which led the seed of the house +of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had +driven them."[547] And this duty the Gentile nations also shall perform. +"Thou shalt swear, The Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in +righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him +shall they glory."[548] + +The Lord hath chosen his people to the adoption of sons. "Having +predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to +himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."[549] In that +character they individually, and also in a social capacity, vow to the +Lord, and keep his covenant. To manifest that that relation recognises +the necessity of self-dedication unto him, he says to each one called to +his service, "My son, give me thine heart."[550] That Israel might be +led into the wilderness, and thence to Canaan, not merely to give +continual obedience to his law, but at certain seasons, as a people, to +enter into solemn covenant with God, Pharaoh had addressed to him the +message, "Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first-born: and +I say unto thee, let my son go, that he may serve me."[551] In terms +which describe the everlasting covenant between the Father and the +Surety of sinners, the covenant of royalty which God made with David is +also commemorated.[552] In that covenant Solomon was interested, and, +standing in such a relation, was the object of the promise, "I will be +his father, and he shall be my son."[553] Jacob, described as the Lord's +servant, and Israel as his elect, and who are represented as vowing and +swearing to the Lord, are acknowledged as his sons. "Thus saith the +Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come +concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye +me."[554] Israel, by falling into idolatry, manifestly disregarding the +solemn covenant obligations that had descended upon them, were reminded +of their sin, by a representation of that filial relation to God in +which their fathers stood, but to which many, notwithstanding their +professions, through unbelief, never attained. "When Israel was a child, +then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, +so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense +to graven images."[555] In the character of his sons, will Israel be +reclaimed from their apostacy, and voluntarily enter into solemn +engagements with God as his covenant people. "They shall come with +weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to +walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not +stumble; for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my +first-born."[556] In the character of children, too, they shall enjoy +the benefits of God's covenant;[557] and, like them, all the chosen of +God will hear his gracious invitation, "Return, ye backsliding children, +and I will heal your backsliding;" and with them cheerfully coming +under obligation to serve him, they will say, "Behold, we come unto +thee; for thou art the Lord our God."[558] Both Jews and Gentiles are +interested in the apostle's declaration, "Ye are all the children of God +by faith in Christ Jesus.... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye +Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."[559] + +The elect people of God are a sanctified people. "We are bound to give +thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God +hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification +of the Spirit, and belief of the truth."[560] And as a holy people they +draw near to vow to him. As separated from the heathen, and called to +the service of God, Israel appeared a holy people. Abstaining from +certain practices in which idolaters engaged, they were ceremonially +holy. Under both aspects, they appeared a symbol of the true Israel +among them, and of all else who are sanctified by the Spirit, and +dedicated to the Lord. The people entered into a covenant with the Lord +at Sinai. But that they might be prepared for acceding to it, and for +the accompanying solemnities, they, as a holy people, required to make +progress in sanctification, were previously to be sanctified. "The Lord +said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and +to-morrow."[561] In order to wait upon God, whether making miraculous +displays of his omniscience or power, or manifesting himself in the +dispensation of the ordinances of his grace, the people of Israel were +commanded to sanctify themselves. The place of his gracious presence, +where his people, besides engaging in other exercises, sware in +Covenanting with him, was his sanctuary. His covenant with his people, +as that with Abraham, is a holy covenant. That his people may enter +into covenant renewedly, the Lord himself will sanctify them. His +Sabbath, the sign of his covenant, he gave them, that they might know +this.[562] This they will continue to experience. Many sware by those +that were no gods, but to his own people as swearing by his name he +promises, "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; for the day +of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath +bid (sanctified) his guests."[563] In this, ruin may be threatened to +his enemies; but in it, certainly, is implied his gracious procedures to +his saints. By the Holy Ghost they are sanctified, that they may +dedicate themselves to God, and thereafter serve him. "Putting you in +mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, that I should be +the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of +God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being +sanctified by the Holy Ghost."[564] This offering up or oblation of the +Gentiles, was that urged in these terms,--"I beseech you therefore, +brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living +sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable +service."[565] And by the blood of the Everlasting Covenant are such set +apart to this. "Wherefore, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people +with his own blood, suffered without the gate." "By him therefore let us +offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of +our lips, giving thanks to (or confessing) his name. But to do good, and +to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well +pleased."[566] + +To them belong the benefits of redemption that accompany and flow from +acceptance with God. These are, + +Assurance of God's love. All believers may not enjoy this blessing; few +may attain to it in any comforting or satisfactory measure; yet it is +attainable. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in +himself."[567] "Ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the +Spirit."[568] "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will +love him, and manifest myself to him." "If a man love me, he will keep +my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and +make our abode with him."[569] It is provided. It is vouchsafed as a +provision of the Everlasting Covenant. "The secret of the Lord is with +them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant."[570] Those who +enjoy it know that to it they were elected. "Knowing, brethren beloved, +your election of God."[571] And from the invitation to enter upon +eternal life, that will be given to the righteous by the glorious Judge +of all on his high throne, it is manifest that from the days of +eternity, that blessing, preparatory for the final glory, was secured to +them. He will say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom +prepared for you from the foundation of the world."[572] Among the +benefits introductory to the final glory, which, not less than that +glory, were laid up for them, appears the earnest of the Spirit. "In +whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel +of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed +with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our +inheritance."[573] + +Peace of conscience. It is according to the purpose of God that faith is +exercised. "Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ,--to believe on +him."[574] And by that faith, through which justification, a fruit +itself of the Divine counsels, is bestowed, and which is in exercise in +Covenanting, peace with God is enjoyed. "Therefore, being justified by +faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."[575] +Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost are all vouchsafed to +the believer; all of them are covenant blessings. The arrangements of +Divine mercy secure righteousness, and therefore all of these. The new +creature, born from above, ranks among the Israel of God, who are by +covenant engaged to his service; and on such the peace of God is +invoked. "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, +nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to +this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of +God."[576] God, in covenant, is the God of peace. Believers say +concerning Christ, "He is our peace."[577] The Covenant of God is a +covenant of peace;--peace of conscience: peace with Himself: peace in +all its manifestations. And that peace, which Christ came to secure, +which he preached, and which he commanded, as his best blessing, to +descend upon his people, proceeded from that counsel whence came all the +displays of God's love--the Counsel of Peace. + +Joy in the Holy Ghost. "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but +righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."[578] Every one +that sweareth truly by Him shall rejoice in God, and shall glory.[579] +Joy in God is essential to the exercise properly conducted. Let the +saints testify from their own experience to the perfect correspondence +to their feelings of these words, dictated by his own Spirit,--"I the +Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-offering; and I will direct +their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with +them.... I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in +my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath +covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh +himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with +jewels."[580] Supplication may be made for joy in vowing and swearing by +his name. "Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I +lift up my soul."[581] The Church of God, yea, many nations, are +commanded to rejoice, performing this service. "Sing and rejoice, O +daughter of Zion: for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, +saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that +day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee: and +thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee."[582] On +a solemn occasion, all Judah rejoiced at the oath which they had +sworn.[583] Promises are made, that, engaging in this exercise, many +will rejoice. Those who shall take bold on the Covenant of God will be +joyful in his house of prayer.[584] As he did on a former occasion,[585] +when the Lord turns the captivity of Israel, and takes them into +covenant with himself, he will cause them to rejoice. And the Gentile +nations, in like manner, engaged as they were, shall be filled with joy. +"Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the +truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and that +the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this +cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy +name.... Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in +believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy +Ghost."[586] And the rejoicing thus variously represented is according +to Divine ordination. It is said, "Behold, my servant shall sing for joy +of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for +vexation of spirit. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my +chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by +another name. That he who blesseth himself in the earth, shall bless +himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth, shall +swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, +and because they are hid from mine eyes." But concerning these words, as +well as others that precede them, it is said by Him whose Spirit +dictated them, "Behold it is written before me."[587] How elevated is +the rejoicing of God's Covenant people! Theirs is a joy which the world +cannot give nor take away. With it a stranger cannot intermeddle; it is +unspeakable and full of glory! It is the joy of the Lord! + +Increase of grace. The Covenant people are a remnant according to the +election of grace.[588] To that grace, therefore, which comes from the +free favour of God they were chosen by him. They are heirs of the grace +of life;[589] and, consequently, in God's purposes, according to his +Covenant, they were set apart to the enjoyment of grace that should be +progressive. They are planted in the house of God, and grow up and +flourish in his courts; and there they still bring forth fruit in old +age. They are the planting of the Lord; and according to his purpose, as +well as to his actual disposal of them and their own engagements to be +for Him, they stand there. Passing towards the heavenly temple, they go +on from strength to strength. In taking hold on him, in vowing and +swearing to him, they do so, and find that the Lord indeed is their +strength. And as they find thus that the Lord ordains strength for +them, they know that he had so ordained at first. To them that fear the +name of the Lord, and accordingly avouch him to be their God, is made +the promise, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of +Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, +and grow up as calves of the stall."[590] That promise, as well as every +other, is due to his immutable counsel.[591] Finally, the command is +given, "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour +Jesus Christ."[592] To grow in grace is, therefore, co-ordinate with +increase in the knowledge of Christ--even of that knowledge which is +attained to in cleaving to his Covenant. And he himself teaches, that +fitness to do so was provided according to his purpose. "Ye have not +chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go +and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that +whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it +you."[593] + +Perseverance in grace. God's Covenant with his people shall not be +broken. "I will never break my covenant with you."[594] "The Lord will +not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance."[595] +He will give grace to cleave to it continually. "I will make an +everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to +do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall +not depart from me."[596] Believers were given to Christ, and therefore +they cannot be lost. "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall +never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My +Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to +pluck them out of my Father's hand."[597] Trusting in him, therefore, +his people rejoice to say, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth +sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his."[598] + +And eternal life. This consummation unspeakable is indissolubly +connected with the purpose of God, and the believer's exercises of +adhering to the Covenant. On the promise of eternal life the heirs of it +lay hold in Covenanting; and to this they were chosen. They cleave to +the covenant as an Everlasting Covenant, well ordered in all things and +sure: that is all their salvation, and all their desire. And to that +final salvation they were chosen. "Whom he did predestinate, them he +also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he +justified, them he also glorified."[599] Who can describe that life? and +who can sufficiently tell of the grace of Him who hath secured it to +men? And who should not feel amazed at the backwardness of sinners to +prepare for it--so free and beneficently offered? Truly the glory of God +is great in his salvation! The redeemed through eternity will find the +glad work of declaring that glory undone. Would that sinners now, by +accepting of the great salvation, would begin here, and finally be +prepared to celebrate with all others of their race redeemed to God, +that glory! + +In conclusion. As in every case the purposes of God harmonize with his +precepts, so the manifestation of those in reference to the keeping his +Covenant, unites with express injunctions of his law in urging to +discharge that duty. The law of God conspires with his revealed purposes +to lead the sinner to obedience; and his purposes revealed illustrate +the import of his law. Both consist with his nature. What in his +providence accords with both, at once acknowledges the high claim which +he has upon the willing exertions of men to serve him, and his right to +appoint, independently of a specified statute, what shall be carried +into effect. The law of God is the rule according to which men act; and +that is illustrated by his purposes revealed. His purpose is the rule +according to which he acts, and that is consistent with his law. +Accompanied by the sanction of both, Covenanting is revealed; and not +less than as dictated in his law, it appears, as according to his +purpose, an Ordinance of God. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[479] Ps. xcv. 3-7. + +[480] Is. xlv. 16-18. + +[481] Prov. viii. 22, 23. 27-31. + +[482] Ps. xxxvii. 11. + +[483] Job v. 19-24. + +[484] 2 Chron. xxxiii. 8. + +[485] Hos. ii. 16-23. + +[486] Jer. v. 22. + +[487] Ps. lxxviii. 5. + +[488] 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. + +[489] Gen. ix. 17. + +[490] Job xxii. 28. + +[491] Prov. xix. 21. + +[492] Is. xxviii. 15, 16, 17, 18, 29. + +[493] Is. xiv. 24. + +[494] Ps. cxi. 9. + +[495] Ps. cxxxiii. 3. + +[496] Ps. lxviii. 28. + +[497] Ps. xxxiii. 8, 9, 11, 12. + +[498] Ps. cxix. 152. + +[499] Jer. xxxiii. 20, 21, 25. 26. + +[500] Job xxviii. 12, 23, 26-28. + +[501] Deut. vi. 13. + +[502] Is. xliii. 6, 7. 21. + +[503] Is. xliv. 21. + +[504] Is. xxxvii. 26. + +[505] Jer. xxxiii. + +[506] Jer. xxxiii. 2. + +[507] Is. xliv. 2, 5. + +[508] Rom. ix. 20-24. + +[509] Is. xxix. 16. + +[510] Is. xlv. 9. + +[511] Is. xxix. 23. + +[512] Hos. ii. 16. + +[513] Rom. ix. 25, 26. + +[514] Jer. l. 4, 5. + +[515] Is. x. 20, 21. + +[516] Rom. ix. 27. + +[517] Is. i. 9; Rom. ix. 29. + +[518] Is. xliv. 7. + +[519] Is. xlvii. 6. + +[520] Is. xliv. 5. + +[521] Is. xxiv. 4, 6, 23. + +[522] 1 Pet. ii. 7, 8, 5, 6, 9, 10. + +[523] Rev. xxi. 27. + +[524] Rev. xiii. 8. + +[525] Jer. ii. 2, 3. + +[526] Is. iv. 3. + +[527] Heb. xii. 23, 24, 28. + +[528] Deut. vii. 6. + +[529] Deut. vi. 13, 14; see also Ezek. xx. 5-7. + +[530] Rom. xi. 2-5. + +[531] 1 Kings xix. 10. + +[532] Deut. vii. 7, 8. + +[533] Rom. xi. 7. + +[534] Is. xlii. 6. + +[535] Acts xiii. 45-48. + +[536] Is. xlv. 4; see also Is. xli. 8, 9; and Ps. cv. 6. + +[537] Eph. ii. 10, 11-13. + +[538] 1 Pet. i. 2. + +[539] Is. xliii. 10. + +[540] Rom. ix. 11. + +[541] Acts ii. 38, 39. + +[542] Gal. iii. 8, 9. + +[543] Rom. xi. 25-29. + +[544] Heb. ix. 15. + +[545] Rom. viii. 30. + +[546] Is. xlv. 25, 23, 24. + +[547] Jer. xxiii. 6-8. + +[548] Jer. iv. 2. + +[549] Eph. i. 5. + +[550] Prov. xxiii. 26. + +[551] Exod. iv. 22, 23. + +[552] Ps. lxxxix. 3-28. + +[553] 2 Sam. vii. 14. + +[554] Is. xlv. 4, 23-25, 11. + +[555] Hos. xi. 1, 2. + +[556] Jer. xxxi. 9; see also ver. 31-37. + +[557] Jer. iii. 18, 19. + +[558] Jer. iii. 22. + +[559] Gal. iii. 26, 29. + +[560] 2 Thess. ii. 13. + +[561] Exod. xix. 10. + +[562] Exod. xxxi. 13. + +[563] Zeph. i. 7. + +[564] Rom. xv. 15, 16. + +[565] Rom. xii. 1. + +[566] Heb. xiii. 12, 15, 16. + +[567] 1 John v. 10. + +[568] Rom. viii. 23. + +[569] John xiv. 21, 23. + +[570] Ps. xxv. 14. + +[571] 1 Thess. i. 4. + +[572] Matt. xxv. 34. + +[573] Eph. i. 13, 14; see also 2 Cor. i. 22; v. 5. + +[574] Phil. i. 29. + +[575] Rom. v. 1. + +[576] Gal. vi. 15, 16. + +[577] Eph. ii. 14. + +[578] Rom. xiv. 17. + +[579] Ps. lxiii. 11. + +[580] Is. lxi. 8-10. + +[581] Ps. lxxxvi. 4. + +[582] Zech. ii. 10, 11. + +[583] 2 Chron. xv. 15. + +[584] Is. lvi. 6, 7. + +[585] Neh. xii. 43. + +[586] Rom. xv. 8, 9, 13. + +[587] Is. lxv. 14, 16, 6. + +[588] Rom. xi. 5. + +[589] 1 Pet. iii. 7. + +[590] Mal. iv. 2. + +[591] Heb. vi. 17. + +[592] 2 Pet. iii. 18. + +[593] John xv. 16. + +[594] Judg. ii. 1. + +[595] Ps. xciv. 14; see also Is. liv. 9, 10. + +[596] Jer. xxxii. 40. + +[597] John x. 28, 29. + +[598] 2 Tim. ii. 19. + +[599] Rom. viii. 30. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +COVENANTING SANCTIONED BY THE DIVINE EXAMPLE. + + +God's procedure when imitable forms a peculiar argument for duty. That +is made known for many reasons; among which must stand this,--that it +may be observed and followed as an example. That, being perfect, is a +safe and necessary pattern to follow. The law of God proclaims what he +wills men as well as angels to do. The purposes of God show what he has +resolved to have accomplished. The constitutions of his moral subjects +intimate that he has provided that his will shall be voluntarily +accomplished by some of them. His own example presents what must be +willingly done. It affords a complete reason for doing what is besides +variously urged. The law of God is his will diffused among his moral +subjects. His revealed purposes are his determinations to be carried +into effect by means, many of which are beyond the sphere of the willing +endeavours of his creatures. The constitutions of his obedient subjects +are an instrumentality worthy of the glorious moral character of Him +who, though independent of all, acts according to the principles of +eternal rectitude, and who in infinite wisdom can cause immortal beings, +bound by immutable laws, to act so as freely to perform his holy will. +His own example is the direct operation, not of creatures, nor of laws, +nor of dispositions, but of the I AM himself, as the infinite, eternal, +and unchangeable Spirit, presented to the creatures of his power, for +their guidance and direction. + +I. God himself has entered into Covenant engagements. The dispensations +of God in Covenant are peculiar to Himself. No change whatever is +produced on him when he transacts with his creatures, or on their +behalf. His relations to them are constituted wholly by his doings that +affect them; He himself is immutable in his being and purposes. When he +acts, he is not moved; when he accepts, no transformation of character +is produced upon him; any new relation in which he stands comes wholly +from the effect accomplished on the creature. He makes known his will, +not as due to the present, but as the same from eternity. He acts in +creation and providence; but his creatures alone are affected. He +becomes engaged to some of them, not by any alteration being produced +upon his views or enjoyments, or state or character, but by the +manifestation of what he is. He accepts of those as united to +Him--viewed by them through his grace as possessed of a certain glorious +character. From eternity his sovereign purposes regarding the salvation +of man, were, but not by any change in the Trinity, or in the Unity of +the Godhead, defined in Covenant. + +First. The Eternal Three-in-One entered into confederation in the +Covenant of Redemption. We are warranted from Scripture to receive this +Covenant as a fact. It might not have been; but according to God's will, +it was. The purpose of God to save sinners is from eternity. The +covenant is due to that. In an order of nature wonderful to contemplate, +the former precedes the latter. God willed that the Father should be the +God of grace. God willed that the Son should be the Mediator between God +and men. God willed that the Holy Ghost should dispense his influences +for carrying into effect the purposes of mercy. These purposes stand +from eternity--the fruit of the Divine sovereignty--the conscious +resolutions of the Eternal--the conditions of a sure Covenant. The +reasons for the fulfilment thereof are the sovereign purposes, and the +purposes approved of by each person of the adored Godhead, in an +economic character. + +Secondly. God entered into covenant with man in innocence. The Divine +character was made known to the gifted immortal. The will of God +claiming obedience and the offer of definite good were presented before +his mind. He acquiesced, and God was engaged to him and to all his +posterity in covenant. One ground on which He was to bestow the +blessings of the Covenant was his own purpose; His making, before his +creature, and by and before Himself, a promise to confer it, was, +according to the principle of eternal righteousness, the other. + +Thirdly. God enters into covenant with men in Christ. He says to +them,--"I am the Lord _thy_ God."[600] Believers are taken into God's +covenant.[601] He made with his people a covenant that shall +endure.[602] All the promises of God are offers made on HIS part to +enter into covenant with sinners. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the +promises made."[603] And, therefore, when these are accepted by men, the +Lord is to them a God in covenant. The Lord hath on some occasions sworn +to his people, and by his oath _made_ a covenant with them.[604] The +Lord brings sinners into the bond of his covenant,[605] and accordingly +makes with them a covenant. And he keeps, and hence he must have +_entered into_, covenant with his people. + +Finally. The Lord Jesus on earth illustrated in his practice the duty of +Covenanting. In such a manner as none other than God himself could do, +he gave it recommendation. Possessed of the nature of man, and being +true God, he Covenanted with men, as the Head of the Church of God +himself, and also as a member thereof; and as the Father's servant, in +Covenanting acknowledged Him. He recognised his disciples as his friends +and servants; he spake peace to them, and explicitly Covenanting with +them, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you," to them he made precious +promises, which he gave them grace to receive.[606] Waiting on the +ordinances of religion at Jerusalem, about the close of the Old +Testament dispensation, unquestionably along with the people of Israel, +he engaged in various exercises of vowing, and especially in the use of +the Psalms, so full of holy vows to God; and after the last supper with +his disciples, two of whom, by the Spirit that dwelt in all of them, +enjoined the exercise of singing these precious compositions,[607] +singing a hymn or psalm, he at once sanctioned their use in the worship +of God, and gave countenance to the devout making of the Covenant +engagements which they contain. And in those exercises of religion in +which none of his people could hold communion with him, prayer to his +Father was accompanied with his own recognition of his engagement to +fulfil his will. The psalm,[608] a part of which, at least, we know he +repeated on the Cross, and which is prophetic of his exercises there, +and his intercessory prayer, contain at least one instance of the making +or renewing of Covenant engagement on his part, not to be +forgotten.[609] + +II. The Lord, in entering into Covenant, provided an example for +imitation. By this it is not intended that any are called to engage in +acts of this nature precisely corresponding with those in which he +engaged. It would be impossible, as well as impious, for men to imitate +the making of the Covenant of Redemption, or of that of Works. Nor is it +meant that men, as perfect beings, are to follow the pattern in this +set by the Most High; but it is to be understood, that in making a +promise of good in truth and sincerity, and in taking Himself to +witness, he is to be imitated by his people in Covenanting, while they +depend on grace afforded by himself. + +First. It is possible for his people, after some manner, to imitate God +in Covenanting. They cannot imitate him entering into covenant as a +self-existent, independent Being; nor can they imitate him as in this +providing benefits which of himself he can bestow; but in some respects, +by his grace they may. He holds intercourse with those with whom he +enters into covenants in truth. His people ought to do so with him. He +makes promises. They ought to do so too. He swears by himself. They +ought to swear by him. He swears that He may give assurance of his +intention. They ought to swear for the same reason. Because of his +hatred to sin he entered into covenant. They should enter into covenant +with him in order to show their hatred to it. He necessarily loves +himself, and he loves those with whom he Covenants. By love to him--the +origin of love to all others, as well as to themselves--they should +enter into covenant with him. He promises in order that his people may +have the security of good. They are called by Covenanting to accept his +promise, that they may have the security afforded by believing his word. +In entering into Covenant, God honours his own character. Imitating him +in Covenanting all are called, and they ought, to glorify his name. + +Secondly. It is desirable to imitate God in Covenanting. He draws near +to his people; and should they not draw near to him? God is waiting on +men to take hold on his covenant. He has entered into covenant with +others who sought to imitate Him; He offers to do so with us. He +waits,--Infinity waits and draws while waiting,--Excellence waits, and +waiting transforms into excellence,--blessings wait, and attract while +waiting,--He waits on men. To follow finite good, is to seek good, +though limited. To imitate finite excellence, is to aspire at +excellence, even though but in part. To take God for an example, is to +prosecute the course to boundless happiness and honour. Where he walks, +there is sin rebuked, evil flees away, and corruption dies; there good +is seen, a field of duty without limit stretches out, happiness +immeasurable begins, and glory eternal opens. It was by his covenant +that the scene of heavenly bliss was to be opened to sinners, and +peopled by them. Taking hold upon it, the unnumbered millions for whom +it was prepared, in imitation of him, make preparation for it. To follow +these would be delightful and honouring; but would be to follow what is +merely a copy, and only finite. What is it then to follow the great +Original, the provider of glory, and honour, and immortality, to be +dispensed to the eternal honour of his character,--God himself! + +Finally. It is a duty to imitate God in Covenanting. The act of swearing +by the name of God is holy. The performance of it is inculcated in the +decalogue. Swearing on the part of the Most High is a manifestation of +His holiness. Swearing on the part of men is at once an imitating of +Him, and a holy service. When men endeavour to discharge the duties of +the ten commandments, they are exercised to holiness, and acting in +imitation of Him who only is holy. And accordingly these commandments +are injunctions to imitate God. Enjoining therefore the duty of +Covenanting, they inculcate that as an imitation of Him--swearing by +himself. Again, even as the exercise of keeping the Sabbath is enforced +by the Divine example, so is that of entering into Covenant with God. +In the fourth commandment, the former duty is explicitly enjoined on +that ground. "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, +and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord +blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it."[610] And although the +observance of no other of the ten precepts is in the like manner +commanded in them, they may all be viewed as declared obligatory, +because of the example of God, an illustration of which is presented in +this. The Lord set an example in the keeping of the Sabbath, and +therefore men are called to keep it. But to the knowledge of his +creatures, he acts according to the principles of the other +commandments, and for the same reason that his example in resting on the +Sabbath is to be followed, is his regard to the other dictates of his +law to be made use of as furnishing examples of what to us is duty. He +has made, and he makes and keeps Covenant engagements: and as his +keeping of the Sabbath is a reason why his creatures are commanded to +sanctify it, so his engaging in covenant is a ground on which they are +called to the duty of vowing and swearing to him. But, besides, the +exercise along with others, is unequivocally inculcated from the Divine +example. The Lord said unto Moses, "Speak unto all the congregation of +the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the +Lord your God am holy."[611] To be holy, is to obey the Divine law in +all its parts. The Lord is known to be holy, because he acts according +to the principles of that law. To Covenant, therefore, is to do a part +of the duty commanded in the words, "Ye shall be holy;" and to do so for +the reason, "I, the Lord your God, am holy," is to engage in it +according to his commands, because he has entered, and because he does +enter, into covenant. Moreover, this duty would seem to be emphatically +taught in the words--"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith +without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.)"[612] The holding +fast of the profession of faith implies the making of it; and both are +therefore urged on the ground of the faithfulness of Him that promised; +and He is introduced here as faithful, not merely in order that his +people might depend upon him for the good offered, but as presenting to +them an example according to which all should make and keep engagements +to their brethren and to Him. And finally, this is shown to be incumbent +by declarations leading to the imitation of the Redeemer. He Himself +says, in one of these--"If any man serve me, let him follow me."[613] +The believer cannot follow Him to imitate him, as a Mediator obeying and +dying for others. He cannot so follow him as acting in the nature of +sinless man, or as the living and true God. He cannot so follow him, +teaching by his Holy Spirit to all nations the way of life and peace. He +cannot so follow him as a Priest before the throne on high, making +intercession for sinners. He cannot so follow him in the putting forth +of almighty power for the conversion and edification of his people. He +cannot so follow him to the throne of the universe, to rule over all +things for the glory of God and the good of his people. But in many +respects, he is required, nay in these words he is enjoined, to follow +him. In general, in the discharge of all duty, he is called to follow +him. In particular, to follow him in regarding all the ordinances of +religion--unfolding a covenant relation to God;--in acknowledging a +heavenly Father, as a child in covenant alone could do;--and in making a +solemn confession of the truth of God, saying with him, though in +circumstances infinitely humbler, "To this end was I born, and for this +cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the +truth."[614] His people, were he to bid them, would follow him to prison +and to death. And will they not habitually follow him--who confessed his +own Divine character, to confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God +the Father?[615] Hence, in conclusion, + +First. How important the exercise of following the Divine example in +Covenanting! It gives a peculiar elevation to the mind. We are called to +duty for the advancement of God's glory, and for our own advantage. And +when we contemplate aright the exercise as sanctioned by the procedure +of God, how distinctly are these brought before us! Was it not for the +advantage of men that God entered into covenant from the days of +eternity? that he entered into covenant with man in innocence? that he +entered into covenant with so many of our fallen race?--and will it not +be for this that He will yet enter into covenant with unnumbered +millions to come? And as God thus sought the advantage of sinners, will +they not in imitation of him seek it too? But higher still, was it not +for his own glory that God revealed himself as a God in Covenant? Was it +not that he might make known what inherently belonged to Him, and even +the manifestation of which could not add to his essential greatness? Was +it not that he might teach his creatures gifted by his bounty while in +the enjoyment of good to rise above themselves, so as to give scope to +the manifestation of excellence, lovely because of itself, and not less +lovely because of its tendency to attract others to be transformed into +the unfading image of its own loveliness? How then ought all to be drawn +by imitating God in this, to the manifestation of the excellence of the +truth, that sinners may behold it, and being enabled to lay hold upon +it, may drink of that fountain of delight to which it may lead, and +which to eternity, though drawn upon by each of the redeemed, will +remain alike unfailing and satisfying to all? And how ought all thus to +endeavour to manifest that excellence which creatures were brought into +existence to contemplate, were appointed as means to lead each other to +examine, and which was to be displayed, not merely for ages, but that +holy beings might be brought, if not in their natures, at least in their +conceptions, to think in some small measure adequately of God, to +eternity! + +But again, and finally. To follow the example of God in Covenanting, is +obligatory through life, and in all ages. The Lord sware in order to +give men an assurance of the immutability of his purposes of mercy. "For +when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, +he sware by himself."... "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show +unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it +by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is was impossible +for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for +refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us."[616] And in order that +men may arrive at the assurance of hope, they ought to have recourse to +the use of this, as well as every other means of grace. The man who +attempts prayer but once, does not give complete evidence of possessing +the spirit of prayer; in order to show this, he must pray habitually. +The individual who attempts to hope, must repeatedly have recourse to +the exercise, before he have pleasing evidence of the existence within +him of the hope that maketh not ashamed. Those who would be assured of +the love of God being shed abroad in their hearts, must have it in +habitual exercise within them; and those who would have the comforting +evidence of their being in covenant with God, must feel themselves drawn +by his example, frequently to acknowledge themselves as devoted to him. +It is self-evident, that every time that the people of God take hold on +his Covenant, he, after some manner, makes a covenant with them. Every +act of Covenanting, therefore, on the part of the saints of God, and +especially on the part of the believer himself, affords an instance of +the Divine example inviting him again to the duty. And since the +Covenant of God from eternity, anticipated all the engagements of time, +to these believers are drawn by the ever-memorable example presented by +that. But the example of God in former ages, also extends to all +succeeding times. The covenant which he made with Abraham, was to +include men in the later as well as former ages. And if the swearing of +an oath then, by the Lord himself, was to be imitated by his people +under any dispensation, it was to be, therefore, imitated during the +last. And even as the covenant with Abraham, the Everlasting +Covenant--the origin of that, afforded the giving of the oath of God as +an example to be followed throughout the whole lapse of time, even until +those who were given to the Son should be brought by him to that +glorious inheritance to which they were chosen. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[600] Exod. xx. 2. + +[601] Gen. xvii. 2. + +[602] 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. + +[603] Gal. iii. 16; see also ver. 15, 17 + +[604] Luke i. 72, 73. + +[605] Ezek. xx. 37. + +[606] John xvi. 23, 24. + +[607] Eph. v. 19. James v. 13. + +[608] Ps. xxii; see ver. 22. + +[609] John xvii. 26. + +[610] Exod. xx. 11. + +[611] Lev. xix. 2. + +[612] Heb. x. 23. + +[613] John xii. 26. + +[614] John xviii. 37. + +[615] Phil. ii. 11. + +[616] Heb. vi. 13, 17, 18. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +COVENANTING A PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS. + + +Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or +whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption +into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and +his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he +power (margin, or, _the right_; or, _privilege_) to become the sons of +God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate +benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that +Covenanting is a good to which believers, through the grace of God, are +entitled, is abundant. + +First. Believers Covenanting are a people near to God. To be near to +God, is to have special privilege. "He also exalteth the horn of his +people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a +people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord."[618] Those who honour him +will God honour.[619] But with the lip, and consequently in Covenanting +as well as otherwise, such draw near to honour him. It is the hypocrisy +of the Jews, who insincerely attempted this becoming service, that is +challenged in the words,--"This people draw near me with their mouth, +and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from +me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men."[620] +While, therefore, He sets before the wicked their sin, he honours his +own, or recognises them as gifted with privilege while they draw near +to him in the duty. To engage in the idolatry of the ancient heathen, or +otherwise to fail to recognise God as a God in covenant, was to be far +from him; while to draw near to him, and, consequently, to acknowledge +him in vowing to him or otherwise, was good for his saints.[621] Some, +as examples of all who were uninterested in the Covenant of God, are +represented as destitute of what are accounted the privileges of the +covenant children; while the attainments of those after their +conversion, and which, by being put in contrast with what appertained to +them in their former state, must be viewed as spiritual privileges, are +represented as consisting in this,--that they were made nigh by the +blood of Christ. "Ye were without Christ, being aliens from the +commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, +having no hope, and without God in the world: but now, in Christ Jesus, +ye who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the blood of +Christ."[622] And, by an apostle, encouragement to enter into the +holiest by the blood of Jesus, at once a duty including that of +Covenanting, and certainly a privilege, is given in the language--"Let +us _draw near_ with a true heart, in full assurance of faith."[623] + +Secondly. These Covenanting are in the gracious presence of God. The +want of this on the part of the wicked being a curse, the enjoyment of +it by the righteous is a privilege. Cain went out from the presence of +the Lord, or ceased to attend to the institutions of religion, and thus +manifested that he had neither enjoyed nor valued the presence of God +reconciled to him. By suffering them to be removed by the Babylonians +from their own land, and, consequently, from the ordinances of his grace +dispensed in his temple, the Lord cast out the wicked of Jerusalem and +Judah from his presence,[624] or deprived them of those opportunities of +enjoying his gracious presence which they had not improved. To his +people among the heathen, even though deprived of the public ordinances +of Zion, He himself proved a sanctuary.[625] Moses received from the +Lord, on behalf of Israel, the encouragement, "My presence shall go with +thee, and I will give thee rest."[626] The promise must, therefore, have +been fulfilled to them throughout their whole journey to Canaan, and +especially when about its termination they entered into covenant with +Him. The agitation of the earth and heavens, when the Lord came down +upon Mount Sinai, was a striking intimation that Israel there enjoyed +the presence of God.[627] The covenant blessing of peace was to be +bestowed, and, consequently, accepted in his gracious presence. "The +Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee, +and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, +and give thee peace."[628] Yea, the upright shall come into his +presence, confessing his name, and shall continue to enjoy his favouring +regard. "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving +(_confession_)."[629] "Surely the righteous shall give thanks +(_confess_) unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy +presence."[630] + +Thirdly. These Covenanting, see God. As he is in his essential +character, no man hath seen God at any time. Even of the Redeemer +himself as God, it is said, "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the +light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can +see."[631] It would appear to have been some such manifestation of +God--altogether incompatible with the capacities of a creature, that +was denied to Moses when the Lord said to him, "Thou canst not see my +face; for there shall no man see me, and live."[632] Yet, as Moses, +though he did not see the glory of God according to his desire, enjoyed +the gracious presence of God, all his people receive the light of the +knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.[633] By +faith, in this manner, both before and after his incarnation, God was to +be seen in Christ, and especially on occasions of solemn Covenanting. It +is the blessedness of the pure in heart, that they shall see God. +Inviting sinners to come unto him, and even formally to take hold upon +his covenant, the Lord utters the command, "Look unto me, and be ye +saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none +else."[634] And lifting up their hand, and their heart, and their eyes +to him, his people obey. From a verb (חזה) that signifies +_to see_, come two nouns, one of which (חזה) signifies, _a +prophet_ and _a covenant_, and the other, (חזות) as we have +seen,[635] _a vision_, or _a revelation_, and _a covenant_.[636] Hence, +a covenant with God, in a sense far higher than what is applicable to an +agreement with mere men, is made in receiving a revelation of his will, +or seeing him in such a manner as is competent to his people. The +"cherubim" of the Old Testament, and the "four living creatures" of the +New,[637]--the one representing the ministers of religion in both +periods, the other symbolizing the ministers of the gospel in the +latter, are both represented as full of eyes. Thus described, they +resemble the prophets of old, denominated "seers." The many eyes +ascribed to them may point out the enlarged capacities which they should +have for apprehending Divine things, as well as for rightly observing +the dispensations of Providence, in order that they might teach the +people. But from the prophets, and rulers, and seers, who were +unfaithful, being represented as having had their eyes closed, and the +people to whom a vision or covenant was addressed, being exhibited as +unable to read it,[638] and from those who were guilty of idolatry being +spoken of as blind,[639] it would appear that both the ministers of +God's sanctuary and his other people, under the former dispensation, +when they drew near to Him in Covenanting, enjoyed a privilege of which +the gift of seeing was an emblem. And from the "four living creatures" +and the "elders"--the one full of eyes, and the other also capable of +contemplating the Lamb as slain, around the throne, saying, "Thou hast +made us unto our God kings and priests"--,[640] 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 Covenant, and as his saints of old, there to enjoy +the vision of God as a privilege. Yea, even to the Gentiles, enabled to +apprehend Christ as given for a light to them, it will be vouchsafed as +a privilege to attend to this. "I the Lord have called thee in +righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give +thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles."[641] + +Fourthly. These Covenanting, know God, and are known of him. The +heathen, worshipping idols, are represented as not knowing God. "Howbeit +then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are +no gods." And some from among them who had made an insincere profession +of religion, are reproved for turning from services which, if rightly +engaged in, would have been discharged by them in such a manner as to +show that they knew God, but which they had never properly performed. +"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how +turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire +again to be in bondage?"[642] To know God is, in reality, by faith to +see God. As He promised to make himself known in a vision,[643] so he +will give his people to know him in acceding to his Covenant. "The +secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his +covenant."[644] The privilege thus described implies in it a knowledge +of the gracious promise of God's covenant, and consequently, of the +glory of his character, wrought in them by his Spirit. And those who +will enjoy it are those who fear him, and consequently, who will +recognise Him as their God. Hence it is that the expressions "to +Covenant," and "to know God," may often be put, the one for the other. +Encouraging his son to cleave to the Lord in covenant, David said,--"And +thou Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him +with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind."[645] The Egyptians, +described as to enter into Covenant with God, it is prophesied, will +know him. And hence, all brought to acknowledge him in this manner are +truly blessed. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the +only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."[646] + +Fifthly. To these Covenanting, the Lord is favourable. He extends to +them the light of his countenance. "Offer the sacrifices of +righteousness; and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, +Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy +countenance upon us."[647] And He accepts them. "I have not spoken in +secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of +Jacob, Seek ye me in vain."[648] + +Sixthly. These Covenanting, enjoy communion with God. The wicked do not +use the name of God, in swearing by him, with acceptance;[649] but his +people do.[650] And then the Lord speaks to them. "I am with you, saith +the Lord of hosts: according to the word that I covenanted with you when +ye came out of Egypt, so my Spirit remaineth among you; fear ye +not."[651] The Lord dwells among his people continually;[652] and hence, +He is among them when they engage in vowing and swearing to Him; and in +the language of prophecy, new manifestations of his favour to his people +are introduced under the representation of the Lord returning to them +while performing the duty. "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, +lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And +many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my +people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee."[653] Entering into +covenant with him, they feast before him. The dispensation of all the +ordinances of religion is represented as a feast; and not less than of +any other of them is that of Covenanting. A feast is a token of +friendship. Special solemnities among the people of Israel were +designated feasts. Covenanting with God sometimes entered into the +religious exercises performed at these. The blessings of salvation are +offered as the rich provision of a sumptuous feast, provided and given, +by the Lord himself. And the reception of them in this exercise belongs +to the privilege of those accepted, before him. "And in this mountain +shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a +feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on +the lees well refined." "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is +_our God_; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the +Lord: we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his +salvation."[654] + +Finally. By his love the Lord constrains his people to take hold on his +Covenant. Because of the love of God, his chosen are called at once to +duty and privilege. Duty they perform through the influence of his love +shed abroad in their hearts; and they enjoy privilege by his love +extending to them. The Lord Jesus said to his disciples, "If ye love me, +keep my commandments." The injunction extends to the command regarding +the commemoration of his death,--"This do in remembrance of me."[655] +And his people, under the influence of love to him, obey. "For the love +of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for +all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live +should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for +them, and rose again."[656] But in drawing near to God in the ordinance +of the Supper, and in other explicit acts of Covenanting, they enjoy the +manifestations of his love. "He brought me to the banqueting house, and +his banner over me was love."[657] Even as Jonathan, after David and he +had entered into a covenant of the Lord, caused David to swear again +because he loved him,[658] the Lord causes his people, whom by his love +he had drawn to himself, to swear by his name. "I have loved thee with +an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn +thee."[659] "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love."[660] +Hence, + +In conclusion. The observing of the other duties of God's Covenant, as +well as the taking hold of it, is a privilege. Whatever is enjoyed in +communion with God is inseparably associated with good to follow. As in +the keeping of his commandments there is a great reward, so the +blessedness of high privilege is enduring. The strength afforded for +duty is a manifestation that privilege has been enjoyed. And the +bringing forth of the fruits of righteousness, no less than the high +enjoyment which fitted for causing them to abound, is a special +blessing. If it is a privilege to vow to God, it is a privilege to +observe the vow. If his mercy is seen in the giving of a heart to make +it, certainly it is manifest in the granting of spiritual vigour fully +to perform its promise. If it is a blessedness to commune with Him of +all that is within the heart, can it be else to realize, throughout the +whole period of the performance of engagements solemnly made to him, the +promise of his Covenant,--"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the +way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."[661] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[617] John i. 11, 12. + +[618] Ps. cxlviii. 14. + +[619] 1 Sam. ii. 30; see also John xii. 26. + +[620] Is. xxix. 13. + +[621] Ps. lxxiii. 27, 28. + +[622] Eph. ii. 12, 13. + +[623] Heb. x. 22; see also ver. 19, 23. + +[624] 2 Kings xxiv. 20. + +[625] Is. viii. 14. + +[626] Exod. xxxiii. 14. + +[627] Ps. lxviii. 8. + +[628] Num. vi. 24-26. + +[629] Ps. xcv. 2. + +[630] Ps. cxl. 13. + +[631] 1 Tim. vi. 16 + +[632] Exod. xxxiii. 20. + +[633] 2 Cor. iv. 6. + +[634] Is. xlv. 22; see also ver. 23, 24. + +[635] Page 222. + +[636] The former occurs in the original of Is. xxviii. 15, and the +latter in that of Is. xxxviii. 18. + +[637] Ezek. x. 13; and Rev. iv. 8. + +[638] Is. xxix. 10-12. + +[639] Is. xlii. 17, 18. + +[640] Rev. v. 10. + +[641] Is. xlii. 6. + +[642] Gal. iv. 8, 9. + +[643] Num. xii. 6. + +[644] Ps. xxv. 14. + +[645] 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. + +[646] John xvii. 3. + +[647] Ps. iv. 5, 6. + +[648] Is. xlv. 19; see also Rom. xii. 1; xv. 16. + +[649] Jer. xliv. 26. + +[650] Jer. iv. 2. + +[651] Hag. ii. 5. + +[652] Ps. cxxxii. 14. + +[653] Zech. ii. 10, 11. + +[654] Is. xxv. 6, 9; see also ver. 7, 8. + +[655] 1 Cor. xi. 24, 25. + +[656] 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. + +[657] Song ii. 4. + +[658] 1 Sam. xx. 17; see also ver. 16. + +[659] Jer. xxxi. 3. + +[660] Hos. xi. 4.--Cords and bands here correspond to the bond of the +Covenant. + +[661] Ps. xxxii. 8. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +COVENANTING ENFORCED BY THE GRANT OF COVENANT SIGNS AND SEALS. + + +To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, +various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the +firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction +to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on +memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal +government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to +proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, +to urge the performance of its duties, and to unfold its blessings. Of +these signs, some coeval with each one in covenant, and many enduring +like the covenant itself, even for ever, all declaring that some are in +covenant with God, and that others will yet also be so in covenant, +enforce not less than all other duties, yea, especially enforce the duty +of Covenanting itself. A token deemed necessary to a covenant was +sometimes freely given: at other times it was requested. Jonathan, in +token of his covenant with David, "stripped himself of the robe that was +upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and +to his bow, and to his girdle." Rahab said to the spies from the camp of +Israel, "Now therefore I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I +have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my +father's house, and give me a true token." For all in covenant with God, +without their entreaty, have tokens been provided. None attempted to ask +them in the depth, or in the height above. The Lord himself of his own +good pleasure bestowed them. And, first, + +The rainbow. "God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make +between me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for +perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for +a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to +pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in +the cloud: and I will remember my covenant which is between me and you, +and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more +become a flood to destroy all flesh."[662] In the provision, here +announced simply as an appointment of providence, all flesh is +interested. Noah and his family were interested in the good promised, as +a covenant blessing. With Noah the Lord had established his covenant +before the flood. "And, behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters +upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life from +under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with +thee will I establish my covenant."[663] For the benefit of the human +family were given the following instructions:--"And thou shalt come into +the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with +thee. And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt +thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be +male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their +kind; of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind; two of every +sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive. And take thou unto thee +of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it +shall be food for thee and for them."[664] After the flood, by the +mandate of heaven, had retired, and left them in possession of the first +fruits of the gracious federal grant made to him, "Noah builded an +altar unto the Lord, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean +fowl, and offered burnt-offerings upon the altar. And the Lord smelled a +sweet savour: and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the +ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is +evil from his youth: neither will I again smite any more every thing +living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seed-time and +harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, +shall not cease."[665] And having blessed Noah and his sons, and made +sundry new grants to them, he again declared, "I will establish my +covenant with you,"[666] and gave his announcement of the bow in the +cloud as its appointed sign. To mankind alone, of all flesh, that could +prove a token. For their encouragement alone it was provided. As if God +had taken sure means that his promise should be fulfilled, he uses the +language, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, +that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every +living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth."[667] The promise +is comprehensive. That a race of living creatures under the dominion of +man, and for his advantage, should be continued throughout all +time,--that the family of man, unvisited by the waters of another flood, +should increase during succeeding ages, it implied: and included that a +people in covenant with God should be raised up and preserved; grace to +perform the duties of his covenant be granted; and the acceptance of +their most solemn services, while they should present offerings of +righteousness, be afforded to them. + +Before the deluge, "God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the +earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only +evil continually."[668] The term in the original, which is here rendered +imagination, meaning not merely the conceptions of the mind, but also +the purposes and desires of the heart, points out the human race +swallowed up by the flood's destructive waters, as unpossessed of the +willing mind of God's covenant people. As sustaining the character of +enemies unto him, they are represented to have said unto God, "Depart +from us."[669] The billows of Divine wrath threaten all in their +condition. Contrasted with the state of all such was that of Noah, who +is described as a just, or justified man, and perfect in his +generations, or, in his generations attained to holiness in measure, and +to covenant peace. To all such as he was, the bow in the clouds is a +pleasing and encouraging sign. That that sign may prove so to all, all +are thus enjoined,--"Acquaint now thyself with him"--with God--"and be +at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."[670] + +That the end of this sign might not be forgotten or overlooked, is the +occasion of its appointment thus celebrated by the Psalmist in a tribute +of praise:--"Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not +be removed for ever. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: +the waters stood above the mountains. At thy rebuke they fled; at the +voice of thy thunder they hasted away. They go up by the mountains; they +go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. +Thou has set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not +again to cover the earth."[671] By a reference to the promise given when +this sign was appointed, and which it was designed in every season to +bring again into view, is the sin of idolatry--a breach of covenant with +God--thus condemned:--"Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not +tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the +sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it; and though the waves +thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet +can they not pass over it. But this people hath a revolting and a +rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their +heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the +former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed +weeks of the harvest." The practices of the people so addressed are also +thus described,--"Though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear +falsely." "Thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no +gods." And their consequent privations are in like manner introduced. +"Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have +withholden good things from you."[672] + +That this token was to designate the continuance of a covenant, the +blessings of which were not merely temporal, but spiritual and eternal +too, and whose duties--incumbent on those who surround the altar of God +and swear by his name, should still be performed, we are taught by his +own words,--"This is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn +that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I +sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the +mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall +not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, +saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."[673] + +To encourage the prophet Ezekiel in discharging the duties of his +mission to the house of Israel, and also that many to whom his messages +should be addressed might receive them, this sign, in vision, was +presented before him. To expostulate with the rebellious house of +Israel he was sent. The privileges enjoyed by that people he was called, +in these terms, to describe, "Yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a +covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine;" and for +their apostacy, to deliver to them the warning, "Thus saith the Lord +God, I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised +the oath in breaking the covenant."[674] He had been commanded to utter +the corresponding denunciation, "But as for them whose heart walketh +after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I +will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord +God."[675] But he had also been charged with the promise, "I will give +them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take +the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of +flesh; that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and +do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God;"[676] and +was enjoined to give the prediction, "Nevertheless, I will remember my +covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto +thee an everlasting covenant."[677] But the glory of the God of Israel +meanwhile had appeared--that glory which was seen by him at first, "as +the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain."[678] +That his ministry was undertaken by the authority of a God in covenant +it signified; and announced the certain success which should follow his +labours, in the conversion of some to be won by offers of mercy, and +abiding tokens of reconciliation and peace. + +The prophetic part of the Book of Revelation--unfolding the history of +the Church of God, from the days of the apostles till the end of time, +is introduced by a vision presenting this covenant sign--"A throne was +set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look +upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round +about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald."[679] To the whole +period, therefore, of the Church's later history, that sign was to +apply. The "four living creatures"--emblematical of the ministers of the +gospel, who are also presented in that vision, by this are encouraged to +exclaim, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is +to come;" and by this are they and the four and twenty elders, as a +people in covenant with God, led to adore the Lamb, saying, "Thou art +worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast +slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, +and tongue, and people, and nation;" and to seek to be enabled, as a +race wholly devoted to God, truly to say, "Thou hast made us unto our +God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."[680] + +And, finally, before the witnesses for Jesus, ordained to witness a good +confession, and in opposition to ignorance and sin in the world, to +abide by, yea even to renew, their confession and wonted vows, made by +all the solemnity of an oath, the same sign is presented. The promise is +made, "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall +prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in +sackcloth."[681] The work committed to these witnesses was arduous. Nor +was the finishing of their testimony, in the eyes of the world, +enviable. But manifestly great was to be their gracious reward, when +they should ascend up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies behold +them. The duty to which they were called, and their high enjoyments to +follow, the little book which John was commanded to eat, contained. It +appeared open in the hand of that mighty angel--the angel Jehovah--come +down from heaven, whose face was as it were the sun, and his feet as +pillars of fire. To assure his servants of the stability of his +covenant, through which is dispensed his all-sufficient grace, and to +prompt them faithfully to perform their high duties, in vision he was +seen clothed with a cloud, and with a rainbow upon his head.[682] + +Beauteous is the bow in the cloud in the day of rain. More beauteous +than what is simply material, is it to the mind's eye as a Covenant +sign. The colours of that bow, unfaded throughout all ages, have +continued; and the security of God's covenant is without change. Though +the waters of another flood will not invade the earth, the flood of +Divine wrath will swallow up the world of the ungodly. None of God's +Covenant signs stir them up to duty; and as to each Covenant sign they +continue wilfully blind, to them no final sign of good will appear. But +while by them no token of deliverance will be seen, to the righteous, +the evidence of God's purpose to deliver them will be complete. And when +his enemies, like the men of old time, who, while the flood's +destructive waters advanced, may have fled to the mountains for safety, +will in vain seek deliverance from Divine wrath, his people, +contemplating the evidence of his gracious regard to them, in triumph +will acknowledge,--"Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, +and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the Lord our God is the +salvation of Israel."[683] + +But next was given, the sign of Circumcision. "This is my covenant, +which ye shall keep, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: every +man-child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the +flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt +me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among +you, every man-child in your generations; he that is born in the house, +or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that +is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs +be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an +everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man-child, whose flesh of +his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his +people; he hath broken my covenant."[684] This rite, thus described, +having been instituted on the occasion of a renewal of God's covenant +with Abraham, signified at least God's acceptance of the patriarch in +this service, and the acceptance of all who, when suitably called to it, +should, in renewing their engagements to the Most High, imitate his +example. And hence obviously, all who should submit to this rite or its +equivalent, were encouraged thereby to seek privilege, by endeavouring +individually and socially to renew their vows to the Lord. + +Benefit was to be enjoyed through the reception of this sign. The +reception of it did not imply the attainment of grace; but as a sign, it +was appointed to denote grace received. Abraham "received the sign of +circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet +being uncircumcised."[685] To the enjoyment of all other privileges of +the visible Church of God, it was introductory and necessary:--"And when +a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the +Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and +keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no +uncircumcised person shall eat thereof."[686] To the Hebrew people, as +an inestimable privilege, were committed the oracles of God. "For what +nation," said Moses to them, "is there so great, who hath God so nigh +unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him +for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments +as all this law, which I set before you this day?"[687] And to them was +delivered the command, so indicative of good,--"Three times in the year +all thy males shall appear before the Lord God."[688] Thus access to all +the means of spiritual advantage was secured, and opportunities of being +fully addressed by the most varied and powerful motives to duty, were +provided. + +That the efficiency of this rite as a sign might be most complete, +attention to it was enjoined under the greatest penalty. And that the +design for which it was given was highly important, would thus appear. +The character of the duties incumbent on the Israelites moreover +illustrate this. Every man that was circumcised was debtor to do the +whole law. And till the Mosaic dispensation should come to an end, +throughout life his obligation could not decrease. As a member of the +Church and nation of Israel, by the solemn Covenant engagements of that +people to God, and to one another, he was bound. To fear the Lord, to +swear by his name, and to perform his vows, was required of him. And to +testify to the truth of his profession he bare the sign of God's +covenant upon him. When Israel under Joshua, had entered the promised +land, the use of this sign became peculiarly manifest. "At that time the +Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the +children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, +and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins." +The same individuals were not circumcised twice. The young of the people +had not been circumcised in the wilderness. Their fathers--who had been +circumcised in Egypt, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua--died +before reaching the land of promise. Though the people, while they were +in the wilderness, having no immediate intercourse with the heathen, +neglected that duty without being specially reproved for it; yet when +they came to Canaan, where idolaters abounded, their non-observance of +it was not to be permitted. In reference to these heathens the command +had been given, "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their +gods."[689] And when they came among them, that they might not associate +with them in their idolatrous rites, but be constantly reminded of their +own separation to the service of God, the duty was re-injoined, and on +its performance, "The Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away +the reproach of Egypt from off you."[690] + +Circumcision was given, not merely as a sign to denote God's Covenant, +but as a seal to give assurance of its benefits, and also of the +performance of its duties. Abraham by receiving it as a seal of the +righteousness of faith had confirmed to him the promises on which in +believing he relied, and was recognised as permanently set apart to +perform the duties of faith and obedience. Every blessing promised in +the word of God as if sealed by His own seal, to him and to his +spiritual seed was thus made sure; and every act of obedience enjoined +on them, and to which by solemn vow they should become engaged, as +secured by the seal of his approbation and acceptance, thus were they +assured, they should by his grace endeavour to perform. But under the +New Testament dispensation, instead of circumcision as a sign and seal, +has been instituted the ordinance of + +Baptism. All that the other was, as a sign and seal of God's Covenant +under the former dispensation, this is under the present. To these two +ordinances, as symbols each of newness of life, and of the forgiveness +of sin, the apostle in writing to the Colossians, makes the +reference,--"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made +without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the +circumcision of Christ; buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are +risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath +raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the +uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, +having forgiven you all trespasses."[691] And writing to the Church of +the Romans, who were not circumcised, but had been baptized, he declares +of Abraham,--"He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the +righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised; that he +might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not +circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also."[692] +Was that enjoined by Divine authority? So was this. "Go ye therefore, +and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of +the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,"[693] is the Saviour's command. Was he +circumcised according to the law? At the hand of his servant John, he +received baptism. And baptism along with repentance and faith was +preached by the apostles. To the enjoyment of other outward privileges, +as circumcision was, this is the first step. When any acceded to the +offers of the gospel, baptism was administered to them. The cases of the +Ethiopian eunuch, Lydia and her household, many of the Corinthians, and +others, are instances; of spiritual blessings in all their extent this +is a sign and seal. This the apostle Peter adverted to, when he said, +"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, +for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy +Ghost."[694] And this truth, no less emphatically these words +declare,--"Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For +as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. +There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is +neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye +be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the +promise."[695] And finally, of Covenant duties, would it thus appear too +the sign and seal. "The like figure whereunto, even baptism, doth also +now save us, (not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the +answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus +Christ."[696] Baptism is a sign of the outpouring of the Spirit of +Christ. His effusion on the day of Pentecost was in fulfilment of the +prophecy,--"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my +Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, +your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And +also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour +out my Spirit."[697] And his influences by another prophet are thus +promised,--"I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon +thine offspring." And if, of such benefits as these, baptism is an +appointed token and security, can it be less a sign and seal of these +their glorious effects,--"They shall spring up as among the grass, as +willows by the water-courses. One shall say, I am the Lord's; and +another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall +subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name +of Israel"?[698] But after circumcision, was appointed as a sign, + +The Sabbath. Like the rainbow, the sabbath had been from the beginning. +At a period of the world when many habitually disregarded it, was it +given as a Covenant sign. "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak +thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye +shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your +generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify +you." "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to +observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual +covenant."[699] That the end of keeping the sabbath was to cherish the +conviction that the Lord sanctified his people, these words of +institution declared. But by taking them into covenant with himself, and +causing them to keep his covenant, the Lord sanctified them. "The Lord +hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath +promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; and to +make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in +name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the +Lord thy God, as he hath spoken."[700] To vow unto him singly, or +unitedly, was a duty of his covenant. To do this his people were +sanctified. And hence, of this, as well as of each other religious +service, the sabbath was a sign. + +Those who keep the sabbath will enjoy the privileges of God's people. +"If thou turn away from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy +day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; +and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own +pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself +in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the +earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the +mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."[701] But Covenanting is one of the +privileges of the heritage of Jacob. Those, therefore, who keep the +sabbath, that they may enjoy in full the gracious benefits promised to +them, will have it put into their hearts individually, and often in a +social capacity, to enter into and renew, solemn covenant engagements +with the Most High. + +The institution of the sabbath itself has afforded calls for engaging in +the practice of vowing to God. Moved by a sense of duty, Nehemiah and +others returned to Jerusalem, contemplating the evils to which they were +exposed from the example of the heathen, with a zeal worthy the adoption +of all in times of abounding sin, engaged in solemn covenant with God to +keep the sabbath, as well as discharge other bounden duties. "They clave +to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an +oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, +and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his +judgment and his statutes; and that we would not give our daughters unto +the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons: and if +the people of the land bring ware, or any victuals, on the sabbath-day +to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the +holy-day."[702] + +The continuation of the sabbath is a provision for the observance of +every religious service. In opposition to the worldliness of men's +hearts, by the arrangements of a beneficent providence, first the +seventh-day sabbath, and afterwards the Christian sabbath, was granted +and preserved to the Church of God. That the ordinances of religion +should not fail to be dispensed or waited on, the sabbath was given; and +for this end, throughout every age, it will be kept. On that day +especially, the worship of God is conducted in his sanctuary, and +through the preaching of the gospel are the blessings of God's covenant +freely offered, and its duties illustrated and enjoined. Where there is +no sabbath, religion is unknown. Where the sabbath is not kept, the +benefits of religion are not enjoyed, and the law of God as a rule of +duty is not regarded. The insensibility of conscience that permits to +contemn the injunction to keep holy the sabbath, will not, because of +the authority of God, condemn the breach of any other of his commands. +The ungodliness, and not infrequent immorality of sabbath-breakers, +fearfully show how dangerous it is to trifle with or despise any Divine +precept, and especially exhibit the evil to which they expose +themselves, who, refusing to sanctify this day, are unaddressed by this +as a sign of good, and unsolicited by this or any other Divine ordinance +to resolve to cleave to holiness, the end of which is life and peace. +When the sabbath is not kept, the ordinary duties of religion are not +performed. The sign of God's covenant being dishonoured, no blessing of +his covenant can be enjoyed, nor covenant duty be discharged. As a +reason for pouring out his judgments upon the people of Israel, the Lord +declared to them, "Thou hast despised my holy things, and hast profaned +my sabbaths."[703] And when a restoration to the privileges of the +sabbath is foretold, regard to them as a people in covenant is promised. +Is it said,--"For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height +of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all +of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will +I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with +all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I +bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries +wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before +the heathen." In connection with this is given the assurance, "And I +will cause you to pass under the rod,"--as sheep under the rod of the +shepherd--"and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant."[704] The +good promised to those who keep the sabbath, whether viewed as positive +privilege, or as a disposition and fitness to obey Divine injunctions, +is most extensive; while the evil threatened for the desecration of it +is appalling indeed. What less than the highest privileges of the saints +on earth is offered in the promise, "And it shall come to pass, if ye +diligently hearken unto me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burden +through the gates of this city on the sabbath-day, but hallow the +sabbath-day, to do no work therein; then shall there enter into the +gates of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of David, +riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of +Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain for +ever. And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places +about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and +from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt-offerings, and +sacrifices, and meat-offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of +praise, unto the house of the Lord"? And how dreadful the threatening, +"But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath-day, and not +to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the +sabbath-day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it +shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be +quenched"?[705] But as a sign of God's covenant, we are called to +contemplate also, + +The Priesthood. A people in covenant with God, and a nation of priests +are one. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my +covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: +for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, +and an holy nation."[706] At a period long posterior to the days of +Moses, and in reference even to gospel times, was applied the same +character, "Ye shall be named the priests of the Lord; men shall call +you the ministers of our God."[707] The apostle Peter, addressing the +people of Israel scattered throughout sundry regions, thus also +describes them,--"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual +house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable +to God by Jesus Christ.... Ye are a chosen generation, a royal +priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth +the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his +marvellous light."[708] And to this description given by the apostle, +primarily of the dispersion, but not limited to them, corresponds that +by another apostle of himself and all who believe, in their grateful +adoration,--"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his +own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; +to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."[709] + +In order to commemorate the deliverance which God wrought for Israel +when he slew the first-born of Egypt, for a sign he claimed, as +consecrated to himself, all the first-born of their males, "Thou shalt +set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling +that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's." +"And it shall be for a token upon thine hands, and for frontlets between +thine eyes: for by strength of hand the Lord brought us forth out of +Egypt."[710] The first-born of their sons represented the whole nation +as a holy priesthood. Princes and heads of families, whether fathers or +eldest sons--succeeding to their fathers' privileges--had performed the +duties of priests. Such a character, therefore, the first-born in Israel +would have come to sustain. When religious services should have been +performed by them, the whole people, as a nation of priests, would have +worshipped. And of whatever they were the token, the people at large, +accordingly, were also the sign. But instead of them, subsequently the +tribe of Levi was taken, and the special duties of the priesthood were +confined to Aaron and his sons. Hence that appointed priesthood, and the +Levites their attendants, conducted public services instead of, and for +the whole nation, a kingdom of priests. And as the first-born of Israel +were a sign of a great deliverance wrought for them because of his +covenant, the people themselves, the ordained priesthood among them +were, and all the people of God will continue to be, a Covenant sign. + +And according to their character is this holy priesthood as a sign +employed. Different from the other signs, their language with theirs is +designed to harmonize. As willing ministers of God's pleasure, to other +signs they give regard, proving themselves a living sign. When the +rainbow displays its spiritual glories, by others unperceived, like Noah +standing by the altar of God, they present sacrifices of thanksgiving, +or vow and swear to him. When the Sabbath points out a rest from sin, +and deliverance from its consequences, they seek to sanctify it, and +keep it as a sign and pledge of the rest provided for them in the +covenant. And having in baptism had the name of God named upon them, +endeavouring to depart from all iniquity, they manifest themselves as by +purchase and conquest, and their own personal surrender, truly his. + +In some respects are all the ordinances of religion a Covenant sign, and +it is as set apart to wait on these that the holy priesthood displays a +like character. To them in all their extent are applicable the words of +the Lord concerning Phinehas,--"Behold, I give unto him my covenant of +peace."[711] As lights in the world, and as a devoted people, they have +verified to themselves the promise,--"They shall teach Jacob thy +judgments and Israel thy law; they shall put incense before thee, and +whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar;" being faithful in discharging +their solemn obligations, and thus illustrating the duty of paying the +vow, their conduct, in vowing and fulfilling their engagements, receives +the approval--"they have observed thy word and kept thy covenant;" +encouragement from above is vouchsafed to them in their peculiar +character, in the words of prayer,--"Bless Lord, his substance, and +accept the work of his hands;" and thus, the assurance that as a sign +they shall be preserved,--"smite through the loins of them that rise up +against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again."[712] + +God's covenant with his people is the covenant of a priesthood. And to +secure the dispensation of the means of grace, that was given. The +ministry of reconciliation and the Church at large are co-ordinate. +Where the one is promised, the other also will be bestowed in due time. +Where the ministers of the word are, there, to a greater or less extent, +will be a Church. And a Church will seek to itself the ministering +servants of Christ. Where the ordinances of religion are properly +dispensed, there is a Church; and there an appointed instrumentality, in +greater or less measure, presents the mind of Christ. When his servants +dispense the ordinances of his grace, God speaks to his people. And as +a people in covenant with Him, to his words they are called to assent. +His servants are ambassadors for Christ. As though God did beseech by +them, they beseech sinners to be reconciled unto him. Like the Church +itself in the world, the continuance of the ambassadors of Christ shows +that God is waiting to be gracious. They who despise their messages +declare themselves his enemies. Like the recal of an envoy, which +betokens approaching hostilities, the removal of the servants of Christ +from among a people, declares that the Lord is about to deal with them +as his foes. When Churches become corrupt, this is the case. When the +righteous are removed from among them, and the ecclesiastical +constitution is in opposition to his will, the whole body is out of +Covenant, and what was the temple of God becomes the receptacle of +idols. When the Lord was angry with his professed people, he suffered a +lying spirit to enter the mouth of their prophets. And to the people as +a whole, in token of their rejection, he said, "Thou shalt be no priest +to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget +thy children."[713] But notwithstanding the defections of many such, the +Lord will raise him up a faithful priesthood. It is expressed in the +anticipation, "The children of thy servants shall continue, and their +seed shall be established before thee;"[714] and pledged in the promise, +"Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Hence the +encouragement, "I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which +shall feed you with knowledge and understanding;"[715] and the duties +defined, "The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek +the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of +hosts."[716] + +Those faithful to the covenant of the priesthood are approved, while +the desecrators thereof are fearfully condemned. How encouraging the +approbation, "Ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, +that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. My +covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the +fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of +truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he +walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from +iniquity!" And how cheering the promise, in its ultimate spiritual +reference not less applicable to the whole spiritual priesthood than it +was primarily to the sons of Aaron!--"But the priests the Levites, the +sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of my sanctuary when the children of +Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister unto +me."[717] But denounced are the others thus challenged, "Ye are departed +out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have +corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts." An apostate +priesthood taught the people to swear at once by the Lord, and by +Malcham--the abomination of the Sidonians--a false god. To cut off +these, and the victims of their deceit, the Lord stretched out his hand. +And to mark the care with which he watched over the faithful +dispensation of his own ordinances, and observed every deviation from +them, as designed to present the privileges and duties of his covenant, +were also uttered his words, "Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his +flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing: +for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful +among the heathen."[718] + +A priesthood was recognised when God entered into covenant with Noah, +and with Abraham; and throughout all time was a priesthood to be +approved as a covenant sign. Had it not been for the Everlasting +Covenant, the rite of sacrifice had not been instituted, and a +priesthood had not been. But that the ratification of that covenant by +the glorious Surety might first be prefigured, and next had in +commemoration, was given this sign. To intimate the ratification of +God's covenant with his people, as at Horeb, the blood of sacrifice by +the priesthood was sometimes sprinkled; and, consequently, the +priesthood, under the law, kept up the remembrance of the covenant, and +pointed forward to its final confirmation. The later priesthood, the +people of God under the gospel, in offerings of praise, record that one +sacrifice by which it was rendered sure, and hence they, as well as all +else of the holy priesthood, to its special duties of vowing and +swearing, from their peculiar character, became engaged. + +Although of those who ministered at the altar under a former +dispensation, it is said by an apostle, "those priests were made without +the swearing of an oath,"[719] we are not to suppose them as not indeed +by covenant set apart to the duties of the Levitical priesthood; nor are +we to suppose that the people of God, as a holy priesthood in general, +whom those priests represented, do not sustain their character in virtue +of Covenant arrangements. Those priests, on believing, were entitled to +the blessings promised and secured by the oath of God to Abraham's seed. +And so were the rest of his Covenant people. Moreover, the Lord sware to +his people at Horeb, when, in addition to the moral law, he enjoined all +those other laws, among which stand the statutes regarding the +priesthood of Aaron. To his people then present, whether priests or not, +and to his people who should descend from them, throughout the period +over which the covenant there made should extend, his oath was given; +and seeing it was then given, when his people individually acceded to +his covenant, or his faithful servants to the duties of the sanctuary, +it was not repeated. It was only when a new promise was made, or an +enlargement or an illustration of one formerly made was given, or when, +for his Covenant's sake, he denounced wrath on his enemies, that the +Lord sware to his people. And the day of conversion, of entering upon +office, and ordinary seasons of solemn Covenanting, could not afford +such occasions as these. It is in contrast with Christ, the great High +Priest of our profession, that those priests are introduced by the +apostle, as made without an oath. To the covenant of the Levitical +priesthood, the Lord did not append a new and separate oath. The nation +of Israel before, by the oath of God, had been set apart as a nation of +kings and priests. And when that priesthood was appointed, they merely +entered on the enjoyment of privileges formerly promised, and came under +renewed obligation to perform appointed duties. But in addition to the +oath of God to his Son from eternity, upon the occasion of his taking +upon him--in the nature of God-man, the office of His priesthood, in +order to show its speciality His oath was also given. There was not the +same regard to be paid to the type that belonged to the antitype,--to +the priesthood under the law that was due to the priesthood of Christ. +The priests under the law were not appointed to their office as if they +had been principals. It was reserved for Christ to be so appointed. +Perfection was not by the Levitical priesthood. Those priests were made +so after the law of a carnal commandment, and hence to the duties of the +priesthood by Covenant engagement were pledged. Christ on the other +hand, to perform the high functions of his priesthood, was also in +solemn covenant voluntarily engaged; but that testimony might be borne +to the dignity of his character and perfection of his work, by the oath +of God again given, he was made priest. Besides, that oath was sworn to +him as not merely a priest, but as the Surety and Mediator of the new +covenant. "The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for +ever after the order of Melchizedec." And, "by so much was Jesus made a +surety of a better testament." To none of the priesthood under the law, +did the title of mediator appertain. "But now hath he obtained a more +excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better +covenant, which was established upon better promises." + +And through Christ come all the distinguishing features, and all the +high privileges of his people, as an holy priesthood. To secure +blessings spiritual and eternal to the people of God, the Lord sware to +his Son. In what was promised to him by the oath of God, his people--a +nation of kings and priests, are interested. He is a king; his people +sit down with him on his throne. He is a priest; his people desire to +fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in their +flesh, for his body's sake, which is the Church; and while they neither +possess nor claim merit on account of their deeds, rejoice inasmuch as +they are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall be +revealed, they may be glad also with exceeding joy. And by and through +the oath by which he was constituted priest, were they in general set +apart to their functions,--to covenant, to pray, to praise, to present +spiritual sacrifices to God, acceptable through himself. Because of the +priesthood of Christ, the priesthood under the law was instituted. +Because of the priesthood of Christ, through which was to be ratified +God's covenant, his people--a holy priesthood, to act as vowers or +Covenanters, were appointed. Their existence, while they claim an +interest in its blessings, and resolve and endeavour to perform its +duties, testifies to its character and design, and displays how vast was +the glory and blessedness that lay couched in the oath of the Father to +his incarnate Son. But next, in accordance with the last sign, we have +promised as a Covenant sign, + +The New Heart. "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a +new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah; not +according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day +that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; +which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith +the Lord; but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house +of Israel; after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their +inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and +they shall be my people." Signally contrasted with the hearts of those +of whom it is said, "Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, +lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts +hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets," the heart thus promised +as a new covenant blessing, is essentially a new heart. Unlike the +adamant stone, resisting the engraver's chisel, but made soft to receive +impressions of truth, it sustains the character of an heart of +flesh--substituted for the former, the stony heart. And those blessed +with it have had realized to them the promise, "I will give them one +heart, and I will put a new spirit within you." + +Being a new Covenant blessing, the new heart is a new Covenant sign. A +holy priesthood are a people set apart to the service of God. A new +heart is the distinguishing feature of those so set apart. Though not +palpable to the men of the world, it gives evidence of its own +existence, not equivocal; and diffusing its stores, makes known the +fountain whence it derived them, and proclaims the end for which its own +constitution was given. Like hypocrites in every age, many of the +ancient Israelites brake God's covenant, or, in other words, they gave +evidence that in his covenant they never had an interest. But the Lord's +covenant could not be allowed to fail. Although many disregarded his +injunctions, and did their utmost to discredit that covenant, yet that +covenant was not to be dishonoured; for in his mercy he should bring +again of the Hebrews many to wait on the ordinances of his grace. Under +a new dispensation, he should give fresh prominency to spirituality of +mind; and by his Spirit, who, as formerly to his people, should write +his laws upon their hearts, cause his impressions to remain when the +former system of services should have ceased to exist, but where the +motives to obedience should, in the preaching of the gospel, be +immediately addressed. Various spirits may jointly or successively take +possession of those in a state of sin. Yea, the common operations of the +Spirit of the Lord, as when the conscience is aroused, and even +sometimes his extraordinary operations, may be upon them. But to them +meanwhile may not be given the one enduring new heart. To some, as to +Balaam, for wise purposes, by the Spirit it may have been given to see a +vision of the Almighty; and to others may be given, as God gave to Saul, +another heart; and still there may not be bestowed a new heart. To seek +this, however, that they may live, and hence, as a Covenant people, +serve the Lord, all are thus enjoined,--"Cast away from you all your +transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart +and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"[720] + +Under various aspects is the new heart presented as a Covenant sign. As +a heart circumcised is it thus described. To the people of Israel, as +debtors to the whole law, Moses declares,--"Only the Lord had a delight +in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even +you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the +foreskin of your heart." And in illustration of the duty required of +them thus commanded to obey, at the same time he gives the +injunction,--"Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God: him shalt thou serve, +and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."[721] And in like +manner, along with the injunction, "circumcise yourselves to the Lord, +and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and +inhabitants of Jerusalem," is given the promise, "Thou shalt swear, The +Lord liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the +nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory." +Strangers brought into God's sanctuary to pollute it, and charged by him +with having broken his covenant, are described as uncircumcised in heart +and in flesh;[722] and in an evil age the house of Israel are classed +with the uncircumcised heathen, as uncircumcised in heart.[723] Yea, to +the unbelieving Jews the martyr Stephen applies the same character. But +of those who are in covenant with God, as the Jews were, an apostle +furnishes the delineation,--"He is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and +circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; +whose praise is not of men, but of God."[724] Again, as a perfect heart, +is the new heart obviously a Covenant sign. The new heart is that which +believes. That is the true heart; and those possessed of it, like +Hezekiah, who walk before the Lord in truth, manifest an integrity which +distinguishes all who, being at peace with God, are in covenant for +ever dedicated to him. Thus, before the Lord, David walked in integrity +of heart; and of a descendant who sat upon his throne, 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 soul,"[725] is left the record +to his honour,--"Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his +days."[726] And finally, as one heart is this sign a Covenant token. +Contrasted with the heart in its natural sinful condition, which is +deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, it is constituted a +reprover of those who, vowing to the Lord, swear deceitfully. Different +from the double heart vainly attempting at once to do homage to God and +mammon, it is wholly devoted to the Lord. And due to the operation of +the Spirit of God, it is disposed to unite with others his like +workmanship in faithfully resolving together, and jointly endeavouring +to promote his glory. This the Lord himself conferred, when, upon the +occasion of Hezekiah commanding all Israel to keep the passover, it was +in his heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his +fierce wrath might turn away from them. "Also, in Judah, the hand of God +was to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the king and of the +princes, by the word of the Lord."[727] This the Lord also promised, +when he said, "I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may +fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after +them: and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not +turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their +hearts, that they shall not depart from me."[728] And this he has often +made his people to experience, as on the day of Pentecost, when the +multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; and +when by casting their effects into one common fund, they furnished, of +their common interest in one gracious inheritance, the most affecting +emblem that men have given. But, finally, + +Christ was given for a sign of God's Covenant. A prophet, by +inspiration, had exclaimed, "Behold, I and the children whom the Lord +hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of +hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."[729] And by an apostle, these +words are represented as employed by the Saviour, having in union with +the Divine nature the nature of man.[730] In mount Zion, the Lord of +hosts dwells as a covenant God. His children, a holy priesthood, are +from him as a covenant sign; and from him also, as the most +distinguished covenant sign, is his Son--the great high priest of our +profession, himself sanctified by suffering. That all ends of the earth +should see the salvation of God had been predicted. On the record of +inspiration, too, had appeared the promise, "I the Lord have called thee +in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give +thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles." That in +Christ both were fulfilled, was attested by Simeon, to whom it was +revealed by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had +seen the Lord's Christ. He took up the child Jesus in his arms, "and +blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in +peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, +which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to +lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."[731] +Moreover, in prophecy was delivered the message, "The Lord himself shall +give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and +shall call his name Immanuel." In Jesus, the promised son was +recognised. When the birth of his forerunner John suggested that He +should soon appear, an honoured believer "was filled with the Holy +Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he +hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of +salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; as he spake by the +mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: that +we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate +us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his +holy covenant, the oath which he sware to our father Abraham." And when +he was prosecuting his ministry, then had been fulfilled the promise, +"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before +me: and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even +the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall +come, saith the Lord of hosts." + +Of the existence of the Everlasting Covenant, Jesus was a token. The Old +Testament economy, and that of the New, were dispensations of the +Covenant of Redemption. Under the former, Christ and his work were +typified and predicted. Under the latter, these are commemorated. Under +both, these were to be preached. Christ, appearing as the substance of +the truth announced under both, was given a sign of that everlasting +Covenant whence they took their origin. Had that covenant been but in +theory, Christ had not appeared. His appearance declared it fact. As the +Father's Servant, and consequently as in covenant with him, he was +promised. His mission, to fulfil his Father's will, declared his +obligations. The oath sworn to him, as a priest after the order of +Melchizedec, pointed out their nature; and his manifestation in the +flesh, and the perfect righteousness which he wrought out, abundantly +signified their covenant origin, and reality, and design. + +Christ was given as a token of the Covenant's ratification. In his +questions put to the Jews regarding a prophetic psalm, the Redeemer +testified to the Father's oath, sworn to himself as the new covenant +Surety. The gracious words which he spake gave evidence that the Father, +in fulfilment of his promise, had put his Spirit upon him. His +resurrection from the dead and ascension to heaven, completed the +evidence of the Father's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise of glory +and honour made unto him, which his mediatorial career on earth +supplied; and his bringing of every new son to glory adds to its amount. +And that, as on the part of the Father of mercies his covenant should be +ratified, so, on his own part, it should not fail, he afforded an +all-impressive sign. He magnified the law and made it honourable. He +obeyed its precepts; he poured out his soul unto death. Concerning his +work existed the prediction, "As for thee, also, by the blood of thy +covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no +water."[732] He predicted his own sufferings and death. He submitted to +the injuries inflicted on him by his enemies; he bare the load of God's +wrath; he laid down his life. Of him an inspired apostle writes, "Now +the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that +great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting +covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will."[733] In +heaven he stands as a Lamb slain, and receives the adoration of the four +living creatures, and of the four and twenty elders, "Thou art worthy to +take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and +hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, +and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and +priests."[734] By his people on earth throughout all ages, by the eye of +faith, thus promised, and given, and glorified, as a sign of his +covenant's complete confirmation will he be contemplated; and by them as +such for ever, with joy unspeakable in the house above. + +Christ was a sign of the dispensation of the blessings of God's +Covenant. The Lord made to Abraham the promise, "In thy seed shall all +the nations of the earth be blessed;" and this promise, illustrated by +an apostle, refers to Christ. "Now to Abraham and his seed were the +promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, +And to thy seed, which is Christ."[735] Hence, when he assumed the +nature of man, it was signified, that the spiritual experiences of the +former saints on earth were not imaginary, but real; their entrance into +glory thereafter beyond dispute; and their title to immortal bliss +secure. And also was betokened the certain glory in reserve for all +others favoured with increased heavenly light, and enabled to believe. +He himself taught the doctrines of a judgment to come, an everlasting +punishment, and a heavenly rest. His miracles attested the truths which +he taught, and proved him a token of their reality. At his birth, there +was commissioned to announce it an angel, and with him "a multitude of +the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, +and on earth peace, good will toward men." And signally, indeed, had +been announced by his appearance, that peace--his covenant provision. He +himself, the greatest inconceivably of every covenant blessing, had been +given. Could a doubt then remain, when he averred it, that spiritual +blessings had been enjoyed by his saints before, and that every +spiritual blessing in due time should be afforded to all brought to fear +him? The greatest of all benefits was freely conferred; and had there +not been, through him, and would there not be, bestowed the less? "He +that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall +he not with him also freely give us all things."[736] + +Through Christ the Everlasting Covenant was to be made known, and +forever had in remembrance. What events for importance are comparable to +the occurrences connected with his sojourn on earth? What a privilege +the Church enjoyed, when the Word was made flesh and dwelt among them, +and they beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the +Father, full of grace and truth! Nor could that be forgotten, nor its +glorious design. The splendour of the cloud of God's promise could not +be forgotten; and could the shades of oblivion cover the advent of Him +who appeared as the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express +image of his person? By all enabled to behold his glory, is he received +as an enduring token of good, yea, as the abiding reality of all good. +All his people shall so receive him. In covenant, the heathen were given +to him for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his +possession. And the darkness which covers the earth, the gross darkness +that covers the people, shall be dispelled, and all ends of the earth +shall see the salvation of God. The sun was placed in heaven for a sign. +The Sun of Righteousness has arisen with healing in his beams. As an +everlasting sign, he shall throughout all ages point out his covenant +for his people. Their sun shall no more go down; the Lord shall be their +everlasting light. + +And He is a token that the duties of God's Covenant had been performed, +and that, moreover, they would still be discharged. He himself fulfilled +the conditions of that covenant; and because of his righteousness +alone, the services of his people in all ages, are accepted. Their +acceptance implies that these were enjoined. In faith in a Saviour to +come, the saints in Old Testament times, while they waited on God's +ordinances, or were employed about the things of the world, endeavoured +to give obedience; and in faith thereafter, his people looking to him, +still attempt to obey him. His work was approved, and hence their faith +was not in vain; and these services were received as faithful attempts +to perform their obligations. That the Saviour hath overcome, is a token +to his people that they also shall overcome. And hence, in imitation of +Him who, as his Father's covenanted Servant, fulfilled his will, they +put forth their efforts to perform what he requires; and their +conviction is expressed by an apostle,--"I can do all things through +Christ which strengtheneth me."[737] To Him, for grace to give +obedience, all are commanded, and many are privileged, to look. "Thus +saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: +but seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to +Beer-sheba."[738] To seek places where heathen deities were worshipped, +was to sacrifice unto those idols, and to swear by them. To seek the +Lord, accordingly, was to wait upon his ordinances, whether in +presenting offerings unto him, in vowing or otherwise calling on his +name. And hence appears the nature of the exercises to which both Jews +and Gentiles are called, when to them is realized the prediction,--"And +in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an +ensign to the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall +be glorious.... And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall +assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of +Judah from the four corners of the earth."[739] Again, we find the +command, "Seek the Lord, and his strength; seek his face for evermore." +And to point out the nature of the duties which it includes, are those +to whom it was first tendered, thus addressed,--"O ye seed of Abraham +his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. He is the Lord our God; +his judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant for +ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations."[740] Where +a most emphatic promise is made, that the duty of vowing and swearing to +the Lord shall be discharged, occurs the declaration, "I have not spoken +in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of +Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare +things that are right."[741] And the man who, seeking God, shall ascend +unto the hill of the Lord, and stand in his holy place, is described in +language that certainly not merely refers to the oath as given to +confirm testimony, but also as given in vowing other duties to the Lord, +as "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up +his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." For their apostacy, the +Hebrew people were cast out of the good land that had been covenanted to +their fathers; and for many ages they have been scattered among all +nations. But as, for their breach of covenant, they were cast off, and +the goodly heritage that had been given them became waste; so, at their +restoration to the precious privileges which through unbelief they +forfeited, to this glorious Object they themselves, and with them the +heathen nations, shall look as to a covenant sign. "He said, It is a +light thing that thou shouldest be my servant, to raise up the tribes of +Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for +a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end +of the earth." "Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard +thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve +thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the +earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages."[742] + +How glorious this sign!--The Messenger of the Covenant, the Mediator of +the New Covenant, Immanuel--God with us! But for his covenant, he had +remained unseen by the eye of man. To make that known, he made his +fallen creatures see God. The universe of material nature is glorious. +More glorious is the intelligent creation. Both together are tokens of +God's wisdom, and goodness, and power. But what was to be a token of his +attributes in all their glory displayed in the salvation of man? The +laws which he has given to his creatures are tokens of his will +concerning them. But what creatures could sufficiently denote his +covenant, its blessings, and its duties? The sabbath, and circumcision, +were each, at once a privilege and a duty, and, as well as other things, +a sign of the Covenant. But what among the effects of Jehovah's +sovereignty, could betoken it in all its glory? Its effects on creatures +being finite, what is finite might these in some measure point out. But +could any dependent being fully designate its glorious origin, and +infinite Surety? The world is finite, though due to Almighty power, and +so are its ordinances; and a finite being might betoken these. Miracles +of healing, raising the dead, of controlling the material world, and the +actions of angels and men, and of bringing from spiritual death to life +are all finite, but beyond the might of less than Almighty power. And +all these in some measure by some creature as a token might be +signified. But the law of God embodied in his covenant is exceeding +broad; its blessings are inconceivably great. God is the author of the +Covenant. God is the mediator of the Covenant. God in his own nature and +in the nature of man, is the glorious body to which are spiritually +united the children of the Covenant. God, in the nature of man, alone +could have afforded a manifestation of the Covenant adequate to its +character. Behold, then, as the most glorious display that has been made +of God or his ways, the Lord Jesus given to denote the Covenant that had +been made for the people! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[662] Gen. ix. 12-15. + +[663] Gen. vi. 17, 18. + +[664] Gen. vi. 18-21. + +[665] Gen. viii. 20-22. + +[666] Gen. ix. 11. + +[667] Gen. ix. 16. + +[668] Gen. vi. 5. + +[669] Job xxii. 17. + +[670] Job xxii. 21. + +[671] Ps. civ. 5-9. + +[672] Jer. v. 22-24, 2, 7, 25. + +[673] Is. liv. 9, 10. + +[674] Ezek. xvi. 8, 59. + +[675] Ezek. xi. 21. + +[676] Ezek. xi. 19, 20. + +[677] Ezek. xvi. 60. + +[678] Ezek. i. 28. + +[679] Rev. iv. 3. + +[680] Rev. v. 9, 10. + +[681] Rev. xi. 3. + +[682] Rev. x. 1. + +[683] Jer. iii. 23. + +[684] Gen. xvii. 10-14. + +[685] Rom. iv. 11. + +[686] Exod. xii. 48. + +[687] Deut. iv. 7, 8. + +[688] Exod. xxiii. 17. + +[689] Exod. xxiii. 32. + +[690] Josh. v. 2, 3, 9. + +[691] Col. ii. 11-13. + +[692] Rom. iv. 11. + +[693] Mat. xxviii. 19. + +[694] Acts ii. 38. + +[695] Gal. iii. 26-29. + +[696] 1 Pet. iii. 21. + +[697] Joel ii. 28, 29. + +[698] Is. xliv. 3-5. + +[699] Exod. xxxi. 13, 16. + +[700] Deut. xxvi. 18. + +[701] Is. lviii. 13, 14. + +[702] Neh. x. 29-31. + +[703] Ezek. xxii. 8. + +[704] Ezek. xx. 40, 41, 37. + +[705] Jer. xvii. 24-27. + +[706] Exod. xix. 5, 6. + +[707] Is. lxi. 6. + +[708] 1 Pet. ii. 5, 9. + +[709] Rev. i. 5, 6. + +[710] Exod. xiii. 12, 16. + +[711] Num. xxv. 12. + +[712] Deut. xxxiii. 9-11. + +[713] Hos. iv. 6. + +[714] Ps. cii. 28. + +[715] Jer. iii. 15. + +[716] Mal. ii. 7. + +[717] Ezek. xliv. 15. + +[718] Mal. i. 14. + +[719] Heb. vii. 21. + +[720] Ezek. xviii. 31. + +[721] Deut. x. 16, 20. + +[722] Ezek. xliv. 7. + +[723] Jer. ix. 26. + +[724] Rom. ii. 29. + +[725] 2 Chron. xv. 12. + +[726] 1 Kings xv. 14. + +[727] 2 Chron. xxx. 12. + +[728] Jer. xxxii. 40. + +[729] Is. viii. 18. + +[730] Heb. ii. 13. + +[731] Luke ii. 28-32. + +[732] Zech. ix. 11. + +[733] Heb. xiii. 20, 21. + +[734] Rev. v. 9. + +[735] Gal. iii. 16. + +[736] Rom. viii. 32. + +[737] Phil. iv. 13. + +[738] Amos v. 4, 5. + +[739] Is. xi. 10, 12. + +[740] Ps. cv. 4, 6-8. + +[741] Is. xlv. 19. + +[742] Is. xlix. 6, 8. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +COVENANTING PERFORMED IN FORMER AGES WITH APPROBATION FROM ABOVE. + + +That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of +Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty +was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to +his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval +thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. +The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending +to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those +exhibitions of his acceptance of them in the discharge of the duty. They +afford peculiar illustrations, brought out by Him in a wondrous +providence, of the important truths concerning his Covenant, which all +his other dispensations to his people also present. + +First. He approved of engagements made in Personal Covenanting. + +The vow of Jacob at Bethel, at the distance of several years, was +followed by a command from God to erect there the altar, which in that +he had virtually promised to build. The vow of Hannah was acknowledged +by the gift of a son, whom the Lord honoured to be a signal blessing to +Israel. The vow of David,--"To find out a place for the Lord, an +habitation for the mighty God of Jacob," received the approval,--"It was +well that it was in thine heart," though the duty was made to devolve +upon his son. These are examples of Covenant engagements made by +individuals, to be performed by themselves, or by others, according to +the will of God, and which he afforded grace to parties chosen by +himself to fulfil. + +Secondly. He approved of engagements made in Social Covenanting. + +The Covenant made with Noah was dictated by the Lord himself. The +patriarch and his family acceded to it. He and they, along with the +living creatures concerning which he had received instructions, entered +the ark according as God had commanded; and the Lord shut him in.[743] + +That Covenant was renewed with the patriarch by the express words of +God; a promise kindred to that delivered to man in a state of innocence, +but which, containing also the grant of animal food, and thereby +affording an intimation of the exercise of feeding by faith on the flesh +of the Redeemer, included a gracious grant which the other promise could +not contain, was added at the renovation; and the bow in the cloud was +declared a token that the Lord would not forget the transaction, but +while that emblem should continue, even to all ages should fulfil the +promise made by Him, and accepted in faith by his servants. + +The Covenant with Abraham was graciously proposed by the Lord himself. +And the faith of the patriarch, called into exercise at the ratification +of it, was encouraged by the appointment of a special sacrifice, and the +wondrous phenomenon of the smoking furnace and the burning lamp.[744] + +That covenant was ratified a second time, while the Lord appointed the +ordinance of circumcision as a sign and seal of it, to be extended to +the descendants of the patriarch, not merely as the progenitor of the +Israelites, but as the father of many nations. The extension of the +privilege to Ishmael, the descendants of whom observed the rite, and to +the other males of Abraham's household, was a pledge that all the +Gentile nations should in due time become interested, not merely in the +outward advantages, but also in the spiritual privileges of God's +covenant, and was a pleasing illustration of the manner in which the +Lord, by a special appointment, is pleased to testify even through many +ages, to the good of many, to the pleasure which he takes in his +servants performing duty in the strength of grace afforded by +himself.[745] When the Covenant was about to be ratified for the third +time, the Lord called his servant to a signal exercise of faith. The +giving of an enlarged view of the promise followed upon the provision of +a sacrifice, as a substitute for the once-devoted son; and united with +the oath of God, given for confirmation, in leading to the renovation of +the Covenant, as a sign of the Lord's approval of the vigorous exercise +of that faith through which its conditions are accepted. And the new +pre-intimation of a Saviour to come, that was made in the ram caught in +the thicket, gave to all who believed in God--and still more, the +actual offering of the Lamb of God, gives to all now who follow their +faith in Covenanting, to use in confidence the patriarch's +words,--"Jehovah-jireh," _the Lord will provide_.[746] + +The Covenant made with Israel, like the others made thereafter with the +Church of God, was a renovation of that established with Abraham. Like +that, it was proposed by the Lord himself, and besides, was in token of +his enduring favour ratified by his oath.[747] + +The Covenant with Jacob was entered into after that the Lord, by +anticipating and encouraging the faith of his servant, graciously +presented before him the vision of the Ladder, as an emblem of the +glorious Saviour bringing men to communion with God, and in the +accomplishment of his work directing the energies of unfallen angels +sent forth by him to minister to the heirs of salvation.[748] + +The Covenant of Sinai was confirmed in a manner the most encouraging, +as well as condescending and glorious. By fire, the Lord intimated not +merely his power to punish, but also his gracious presence. By the voice +of speech, though the people were afraid, he afforded in kindness an +indisputable evidence of the truth of his gracious intercourse with +them.[749] And when it was renewed, the Lord added to the tokens which +he had given of his regard for his people drawing near to serve him, +while he passed by before his servant Moses, and proclaimed, "The Lord, +the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in +goodness and truth."[750] + +That the Lord approved of Israel making a vow at Hormah, appeared from +the fact that He granted to them the object of it.[751] + +The Covenant made on the plains of Moab was confirmed by the oath of +God; and the encouragement of it, that the Lord would be unto Israel a +God, afforded additional evidence that their net of laying hold upon it +was well-pleasing to him.[752] + +The Covenant made at Shechem was shown to be approved of God, not merely +by his command to Israel to enter into it, but by the strength which he +gave to them to serve Him, and consequently to keep that covenant all +the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived +Joshua.[753] + +Of the Covenant between God and Israel, entered into through the +instrumentality of David,[754] the Lord testified his approbation, in +fulfilling to the house of Judah its promise of a race of kings in +David's line, which should be consummated in Him who, being David's Son +and David's Lord, should reign for ever. + +The tokens of the Lord's acceptance of Israel Covenanting with him in +the reign of Asa were, that He, whom they had sought with their whole +desire, was found of them, and that he gave them rest round about.[755] + +Israel Covenanting with God, in the reign of Nehemiah, were visited with +special tokens of Divine favour. The Lord gave them one heart to perform +the service, and bestowed his blessing afterwards upon them. "The hand +of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and +of the princes, by the word of the Lord."[756] "Then the priests the +Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and +their prayer came up to his holy dwelling-place, even unto heaven."[757] + +As to Israel under Joshua and the elders that overlived him, so to the +people Covenanting under Josiah, the Lord showed his favour, by enabling +them to keep covenant with him. "And all his days they departed not from +following the Lord, the God of their fathers."[758] + +Though there is less explicitly said to intimate that the Covenanting of +Israel under Ezra was approved of God, than what is recorded in +commendation of other like exercises, yet their work was acceptable to +Him.[759] Were there nothing else to show this, the prayerful frame of +mind, corresponding to a former promise, in which they engaged in it, +were sufficient.[760] + +The Covenant between God and his Church, in the days of Nehemiah, was +made and followed with signal marks of Divine favour. The transaction +had been predicted. "For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the +sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall +overflow with righteousness."[761] "The consumption" here spoken of, was +the destruction of the Assyrian empire. The returning referred to, was +the restoration of Israel from Babylon. And the overflowing with +righteousness adverted to, would appear to have been the exercises of +engaging in Covenanting under Ezra and under Nehemiah, and the +consequences thereof. And manifold were the benefits that followed from +these engagements. Copies of the law of God were increased: the people +were accordingly much more abundantly instructed than they had been +before; and they no more returned to idolatry. + +And what is said by an apostle, in reference to the Churches of +Macedonia engaging in the exercise, we have no reason to suppose to be +inapplicable to the other Churches in the apostolic age, that performed +the duty,--that they did so "by the will of God." + +Hence, in conclusion. Though the Canon of Scripture be now closed, we +have encouragement to make vows, the engagements of which are lawful. A +material difference that obtains between the former and the present +dispensation of Divine grace is, that what was vouchsafed under the +former, was fitted to afford the principles according to which, all +under the latter should judge of the attainments from the hand of God, +made by them in every given exercise. Did he, in former times, +manifestly approve the performance of the duty? he will substantially do +so now. Did he favour his people taking hold on his covenant then? he +will do so still. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[743] Gen. vi. 17, 18. vii. 16. + +[744] Gen. xv. 9-18. + +[745] Gen. xvii. 7-14. + +[746] Gen. xxii. 1-18. + +[747] Gen. xxvi. 3-5; and Ps. cv. 9. + +[748] Gen. xxviii. 11-22. + +[749] Exod. xix. xx. + +[750] Exod. xxxiv. 6; see also ver. 10. + +[751] Num. xxi. 2, 3. + +[752] Deut. xxix. 13. + +[753] Jos. xxiv. 25, 31. + +[754] 2 Sam. vii. 11-22; 1 Chron. xxviii. 8. + +[755] 2 Chron. xv. 15. + +[756] 2 Chron. xxx. 12. + +[757] 2 Chron. xxx. 27. + +[758] 2 Chron. xxxiv. 33. + +[759] Ezra x. + +[760] Jer. l. 4, 5. + +[761] Is. x. 22. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +COVENANTING PREDICTED IN PROPHECY. + + +The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being +approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is +accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in +periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the +service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though +corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because +that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, +we should receive it as transmitted by them, in a manner peculiarly +calculated to invite attention. A statute tells what, according to the +authority of God, ought to be done. The revelation of God's purposes +unfolds precisely the same things as to be done, but according to his +sovereign arrangements made to lead to them. Prophecy declares, indeed, +the purposes of God, but specially the carrying of them into effect in +individual cases. In the purposes of God, each fact agreeable to his +will is provided for. In prophecy, such of these facts as he has +resolved to make known are presented. The reality of the pre-intimation +of these shows their importance, and points out that preparation ought +to be made for them. The assurance that a fact of Covenanting is +predicted is a substantial argument for its lawfulness. The individuals, +to perform it, may be urged by a variety of motives; yea, even by the +promise in reference to their doing of it, without knowing at the time +that they were the special objects of the promise. The argument from +prophecy derives its value from two things,--that the subject of +prophetic intimation, as provided for by the Lord himself, is +warranted, and, that it is beyond the power of men either to fulfil it +otherwise than he has arranged, or to prevent its accomplishment. +Prophecy describes, with precision, facts that will take place. Men are +brought into the circumstances to which a prophecy refers, and they may +be ignorant of the fact. Afterwards they know it, and attest the verity +of the prediction. The descriptions afforded in prophecy concerning the +circumstances of the truth predicted are not given to provide these +circumstances, for that is done according to a sovereign Divine +arrangement; but are afforded to show, after the fulfilment, that the +truth was indeed that which had been foretold. Prophecies, that duty +will be done, lead men to it, not as attracted by its circumstances, but +as directed by the Divine counsel. + +Prophecy, therefore, independently of its fulfilment, affords a reason +for Covenanting. Properly authenticated, it has the force of an +important argument. Shown to be prophecy, both by the circumstances in +which it was uttered, and by the fulfilment, it is manifestly conducive +to the duty. The fulfilment of prophecy is a scriptural test of its +truth; but manifestations made of Divine approbation to the prophet, +even before what was uttered by him was fulfilled, also attest that such +was of God. It is the prophecy, as authenticated by one or other, or +both of these things, that gives encouragement to perform the service. +Did God speak by his servants in order to inform men, that his name +should be called upon, in vowing and swearing unto him? Then, because of +such a peculiar manifestation of his will, the duty behoves to be +performed. If the dictation of his will as a law in reference to the +service had been sufficient, he would not otherwise have enjoined it. +And if his will manifested in that manner confers obligation, does not +the revelation of it, in the condescending, though glorious language of +prophecy, as well as otherwise, bind to duty? Shall he use any means to +make his pleasure known, of which men, by giving obedience, will not +testify their approbation? Shall God speak, and yet men not respond? + +Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to Old Testament +times. The prophecies under this head may be divided into those of the +earlier prophets, and those of the later. The first class includes in +it, those of Jacob and Moses, and others, who were employed to predict +the future circumstances of Israel. Referring to the Church of God as a +covenant society, in general they foretold that the exercise of +Covenanting should be performed by its members. As an instance of +explicit references made to the duty, we may advert to the blessing of +Moses on the tribe of Levi.[762] That prophecy, though not limited to +the periods of the former dispensations, may be considered as specially +including in it a prospective regard to every act of Covenanting, in +which the Church and nation of Israel as such engaged after it was +delivered. The predictions of the later prophets in regard to +Covenanting in the former ages, were fulfilled, on the return of the +Jews from Babylon.[763] They were so explicit, and so soon fulfilled, as +to afford most emphatically an exhibition of the will of God in regard +to their object. + +Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to New Testament +times. Both in the first and in the later ages, the performance of the +duty in these ages was foretold. It was intimated when it was said +concerning the Messiah,--"Unto him shall the gathering of the people +be."[764] Many prophecies uttered concerning the restoration of Israel, +refer to the present dispensation; and consequently, the predicted +exercises of Covenanting which these contain, to it also belong.[765] +Corresponding to the prophetic intimation concerning a people who should +be created to praise the Lord, is that of a new heavens and a new earth; +both are to be fulfilled in gospel times, and by those who were to be +created, engaging in the duty of taking hold on God's covenant.[766] The +Saviour was promised for a covenant of the people, and for a light of +the Gentiles; and also that he might establish the earth, to cause to +inherit the desolated heritages.[767] The last of the Old Testament +prophets, at the same time that he speaks of the covenant of the +priesthood having been broken by the Jews, who were unbelievers, +uttering the prediction,--"My name shall be great among the +Gentiles,"[768] pre-intimates that all the heathen nations shall use the +name of God in vowing and swearing unto him. Early was uttered the +prophecy,--"God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents +of Shem."[769] An illustration of it is given in these words,--"Is he +the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the +Gentiles also?"[770] Its reference to Covenanting is therefore manifest. +Many passages besides, from the Old Testament prophets, show that the +Gentiles in their national capacities shall vow and swear to God.[771] +And in the book of Revelation, the same is foretold.[772] Explicit +predictions are made concerning the Egyptians vowing a vow and +performing it, and concerning the Assyrians along with them and Israel +being reckoned as the Lord's people, which fall to be fulfilled in the +later times.[773] And by the voice of prophecy we are assured, that by +Covenanting, in the last days, Israel and Judah shall be gathered and +united as the Lord's people. By the breaking of the staff "Beauty," a +prophet was called to signify that the Lord's covenant with Israel was +broken; and by the cutting of the other staff, "Bands," he was directed +to show, that the brotherhood--certainly one which had been professedly +by covenant, between Judah and Israel should be broken.[774] But even an +earlier prophet, by the use of the corresponding emblems,--of one stick +for Judah and Israel his companions, and another for Ephraim and all the +house of Israel his companions, in joining them into one stick, was +commissioned to testify to their being joined to one another, in taking +the Lord for their God, in the latter day.[775] Referring to the words +of sacred psalmody,--"Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, +among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name;"[776] as prophetic, +an apostle unfolds the exercise of Covenanting as incumbent till the +latest times. Yea, as a fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the +service, in the loftiest terms, is foretold. "Thou hast ascended on +high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; +yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among +them."[777] + +Hence, in conclusion. How important to attend to such prophetic +intimations! They are the word of God. They were indeed addressed +through men, but their origin is Divine. They are addressed to us. In +times past God spake unto the Fathers by the prophets; he still speaks +to us in his word. By the authority of the Lord Jesus, we are commanded +to search the Scriptures;--the Old Testament as dictated by his Spirit, +and the New as also from Him. While we read his word, he speaks to us +from heaven. Let us not be slow of heart to believe all that the +prophets have written. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[762] Deut. xxxiii. 8-10. + +[763] Some of these are contained in Is. x. 22; xxviii. 15-22; Jer. l. +5. + +[764] Gen. xlix. 10. + +[765] See Jer. xxxi. 31-34, and Heb. viii. 8; Ezek. xxxiv. 25; xxxvii. +26; as instances. + +[766] Ps. cii. 18-22; Is. lxv. 16, 17. + +[767] Is. xlii. 6; xlix. 8. + +[768] Mal. i. 11. + +[769] Gen. ix. 27. + +[770] Rom. iii. 29. + +[771] Ps. xxii. 27; Is. lii. 15; Zech. ii. 14. + +[772] Rev. xi. 15; xv. 4. + +[773] Is. xix. 18-25. + +[774] Zech. xi. 10, 14. + +[775] Ezek. xxxvii. 15-28. + +[776] Ps. xviii. 49. + +[777] Ps. lxviii. 18; see also Zech. ii. 11. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +COVENANTING RECOMMENDED BY THE PRACTICE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. + + +The approved practice of the Church of God in Covenanting, is +recommended to us by these two things,--that it displays a voluntary +regard to his will, and that it exhibits his power accomplishing his +purpose. + +The example of the people of God, while they walk in all his ordinances +and commandments blameless, is a warranted motive to duty. "Be ye +followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."[778] Their practice in +the discharge of the duty of Covenanting, accordingly, is worthy of +imitation. Were we doubtful whether or not their observation of the +exercise were according to the will of God, we should not be encouraged +by it; but when assured of its consistency with the Divine record, we +are called to follow it. Their devout performances of the duty, then, +present a reason for discharging it, strong in proportion to the force +of every warrant which they had for engaging in it, but though in +accordance with these, different from each of them. True, we are not to +compare the doings of men with the command of God; but when he calls us, +we are under obligation to observe these, when presented as an +illustration of duty, or as a motive to perform it. On account of the +same reasons for which the Church of God in former ages attended to +Covenanting, we should attend to it; but we should perform it because of +their example besides. Did they engage in it because of the +manifestations of its obligation upon them, made in the Scriptures, and +also on account of the approved practices of their predecessors? We +should perform it for the same reasons, and for this cause besides, that +they themselves engaged in it. "We desire ... that ye be not slothful, +but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the +promises."[779] + +The practice of the Church of God, warranting to engage in the duty, is +a manifestation of Divine favour made by Him in enabling her to act to +the fulfilment of his designs. Were his people called to duty according +to his command? He vouchsafed the strength requisite that they should +obey. Were they attracted to it by the anticipation of good from Him? He +afforded the grace by which they were drawn. Through them performing the +service, was promise or prophecy regarding it fulfilled? The glory of +God was displayed by Him fulfilling his word. Because of the displays of +Divine excellence made on its performance by the saints, contemplating +their example, we are called to the duty. + +On these two grounds, the practice of the New Testament Church, engaging +in Covenanting, to which here but merely a slight reference can be made, +invites to the duty. + +The practice of the Church of God in the Apostolic age, in regard to +this matter, has been considered before;[780] to those cases that were +explicitly approved of God, it belongs. + +The practice of the Church of God in the three centuries immediately +succeeding the Apostolic age recommends the duty. Creeds, Confessions, +and Covenants, obtained in that period; summaries of Christian doctrine, +received and adhered to, are recorded by Irenæus, Tertullian, Origen, +and others. To oppose the manifestation of error, these would appear to +have been made. The primitive Christians, in order to the attainment of +Church membership, were required not merely to assent to such creeds or +confessions, but also to confirm their acquiescence by oath.[781] The +younger Pliny represents them as meeting on a certain day--obviously the +Sabbath--and among other exercises, then engaging in addressing +themselves in prayer to Christ, binding themselves by a Solemn Oath, to +what we know to be duty. Justin Martyr represents Baptism to adults as +given only to those of them who vowed to live according to the +confession of their faith. And to the practice of Covenanting by oath, +on the reception of Baptism, Tertullian and Jerome also allude. The +service, as authenticated, continued till the days of Gregory Nazianzen. +During the period too, covenants were subscribed; and at some stages at +least of it, those who had become exposed to the censures of the Church, +on being restored, were required explicitly to enter into covenant +again. Such procedures were, in measure, more or less perfect, according +to the statutes of the word of God, enjoining vowing to Him; and they +have a claim to be regarded as the fulfilment of some of the prophecies +regarding the duty of Covenanting, that refer to the last times. The +beneficial practical consequences of them, in many cases, gave +corroborative evidence that they were warranted. + +The federal transactions of the Churches of the Reformation recommend +the duty. To what extent the practice may have been engaged in by the +few in Europe who held the truth during the dark ages, we do not well +know. That it was much attended to, we may rather infer, than use as an +argument. But with the dawn of the Reformation came the practice of +Covenanting. Step by step the Churches proceeded in opposition to +Popery, by solemn engagements. By them the friends of truth were united +together. By them, where they stood, successively through grace, they +triumphed, even when they fell;--they knew not to flee. The history of +the Church's reformation is written in her Covenants. + +First. The federal transactions of the Churches abroad. The Waldensian +and Bohemian Churches--the forlorn hope of the Reformation, nobly led +the way by Covenanting. Two Confessions of the faith of the Waldenses +are valuable monuments. Some Waldenses who settled in Bohemia, are +understood to have become the followers of John Huss. These frequently +practised Covenanting. The Churches of the Waldenses and of the +Protestants of Germany, in November, 1571, entered into a solemn +covenant engagement, in which was made a profession of their faith, and +a resolution to adhere to the true Christian Reformed Religion. Previous +to this, by the famous league of Smalkald, renewed in 1536, the +Protestant princes and people of Germany became engaged to maintain +together the doctrine and truth of the gospel, and peace and +tranquillity in the empire and German nation. In the Reformed Churches, +Covenanting was common. According to Beza, on July 20, 1537, the capital +articles of the Christian religion and discipline were SWORN by the +Senate and people of Geneva. Berne and Lausanne also came to be included +in the league. The Churches of Holland, and of Hungary and Transylvania, +and others on the continent of Europe, had recourse in like manner to +solemn vows. The tendency to enter into such engagements survived the +wreck of the period that has elapsed since the days of the Reformation; +and was nobly illustrated in recent times, as when a number in the +Austrian dominions, when about to be cruelly expatriated for their +attachment to the truth, pledged themselves to adhere to it, by a +"Covenant of Salt." The practice extended to America. There settlers +from Europe, at Salem, in 1629, by Covenanting, solemnly incorporated +themselves into a Church of Christ. And afterwards the practice of +Covenanting in the adopted land obtained. + +Secondly, and lastly. The Covenant engagements of the Church in Britain +and Ireland. Scotland was honoured, early in the Reformation, to declare +valiantly for the truth. Though a Hamilton, and a Wishart, and other +noble confessors and martyrs, were soon sacrificed, it pleased God to +place a safeguard around a Knox and others, that the truth might be +diffused. And when the rulers of the nation were wholly devoted to +Popery, in his goodness and mercy He saw meet to put it into the hearts +of some of the nobles, and of many of the people, to offer themselves +willingly, by Covenanting, to use means to effect its removal. The first +covenant against Popery was ratified at Edinburgh, in December, 1557. It +was signed by the Earl of Argyll, Glencairn, Morton, Archibald Lord +Lorne, John Erskine of Dun, and others. The next was entered into at +Perth, in May, 1559. The third was made at Stirling, in August of the +same year. The fourth, at Edinburgh, in April, 1560. The Fifth, through +the exertions of John Knox and George Hay, at Ayr, in September, 1562. +In 1580, the National Covenant, drawn up by John Craig, and directed +against the whole of the Romish corruptions, was entered into; next +year, the General Assembly sanctioned the covenant, and the Church +received it; it was renewed in 1590, and also in 1596. On the 28th of +February, 1638, the covenant, with an addition that was virtually +directed against Prelacy, was renewed at Greyfriar's Church, Edinburgh; +thousands had assembled; the solemnity was accompanied with prayer and +fasting; and with the most profound emotions, the covenant was sworn +and subscribed. In order to carry into design its effect, in Glasgow, +November, of the same year, sat down the Assembly--celebrated for +overthrowing Prelacy in Scotland, and for its other acts of reformation. +And as a manifestation of attachment to the cause of the covenant, in +the consequent ever memorable times, there appeared on the banners of +the Scottish people, the memorable motto, "For Christ's Crown and +Covenant." These covenants are binding still on the people of Scotland. +It is their duty still to declare for their object. Making efforts to +maintain the kingly authority of Messiah, they ought to regard his +covenant. Only those who see his covenant, see properly his crown. But +to proceed. In consequence of negociations between the people of England +and those of Scotland, "the Solemn League And Covenant," between the +three kingdoms, was entered into. It was directed against Popery and +Prelacy, and every other species of error; it engaged the nations to +endeavour to attain to uniformity in religion; it recognised the duty of +obeying civil rulers in the Lord; and it was sworn by men of various +communities, but by them as all of one reformed religion. In August, +1643, it was approved by the Scottish Convention of Estates, and by the +General Assembly, on one day. It was sworn thereafter at St. Margaret's, +Westminster, by both Houses of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines, and +the Commissioners from Scotland. It was afterwards subscribed by both +Houses of Parliament, and by the Assembly of Divines, and generally by +persons of all ranks in the United Kingdom. It was renewed in Scotland +in 1648, and by the Parliament in 1649. Being scriptural in its matter, +and not yet implemented, and besides, having been acquiesced in by the +civil power, it is to this day binding on the nations;[782] to this day +it binds the Churches in the three kingdoms,--the Church of Scotland, +and all those who have seceded from it as an establishment, as well as +those Presbyterians who never were connected with that Church since the +Revolution.[783] It is not too much to describe it, in the language of a +most justly esteemed writer, as "a document which we may be pardoned for +terming the noblest, in its essential nature and principles, of all that +are recorded among the international transactions of the world."[784] + +The National Covenant of Scotland, and the Solemn League and Covenant, +were renewed, with various additions, at Lanark, before the devoted but +disastrous struggle at Pentland, in 1666; at Lesmahagow, in 1669; at +Auchensaugh, near Douglas, on July 24, 1712; and at Crawfordjohn, in +1745. What was suited to these times in the engagements made on those +occasions, and not yet accomplished, is binding, through the deeds of +the parties who entered into them, on those whom these parties +represented. + +It would not savour much of candour to keep out of view, that by other +parties besides, these covenants have been renewed since the Revolution; +though it must be declared, that of the renovations made by such we +cannot in all things approve. + +Scotland, nay Britain, we may then say, was solemnly dedicated to the +Lord. When will the Covenanted work of Reformation, which at present +lies under the bann of many wicked acts, yea, even under the act +confirming the Union between Scotland and England, be revived? May +there be soon fulfilled to our people again the promise,--"Thou shalt +be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in +thee, and thy land shall be married." + +It must be admitted that the testimonies of those who opposed the Romish +apostacy were in accordance, at least in some measure, with the mind of +Christ; and it cannot be denied, that the many to whom we have referred, +delivering those testimonies with all the solemnity of an oath, +appeared, to the fulfilment of ancient prophecy concerning those who in +the last times should testify for him, as his "Witnesses." Besides, has +there not been fulfilled in our own land, as well as elsewhere, in those +who engaged in Covenanting, in part such promises as this,--"He shall +not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and +the isles shall wait for his law.... I the Lord have called thee in +righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give +thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles." That +this promise may in due time be fulfilled to all who are in darkness, +let us endeavour to imitate, in their devotedness of heart to God, those +whose conduct we have been led here to consider, and who enjoyed so +abundantly the benefits of that promise. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[778] 1 Cor. xi. 1. + +[779] Heb. vi. 11, 12. + +[780] Chap. xii. + +[781] Vitringa. + +[782] See "Lectures on the Principles of the Second Reformation." +Glasgow, 1841. Lecture VII., by the Rev. Dr. W. Symington. + +[783] Appendix B. + +[784] "History of the Church of Scotland." By the Rev. W.M. +Hetherington, A.M. Edin., 1842. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +SEASONS OF COVENANTING. + + +The duty is never unsuitable. Men have frequently, improperly esteemed +the exercise as one that should be had recourse to, only on some great +emergency. But as it is sinful to defer religious exercises till +affliction, presenting the prospect of death, constrain to attempt them, +so it is wrong to imagine, that the pressure of calamity principally +should constrain to make solemn vows. The exercise of personal +Covenanting should be practised habitually. The patriot is a patriot +still; and the covenanter is a covenanter still. "It is not enough that +the heart be once given to God; when this has really been done it is a +great attainment; but it must again and again be surrendered in renewed +acts of self-dedication, in order to the maintenance of any thing like +fidelity and steadfastness in his service. A daily recognition of our +relationship to Christ, is full of comfort and encouragement, and is at +the same time invaluable as a means of sanctification. How precious the +privilege of being able in all difficulties and dangers, to speak of the +great Jehovah in the language of Paul,--'God, whose I am, and whom I +serve!'[785] How powerful the argument, in applying for deliverance from +evil of whatever kind, employed by the Psalmist,--'_I am thine_, save +me.'[786]"[787] And though the exercises of Social Covenanting are not +practicable so frequently as those of that which is personal, there is +no reason why they, any more than the other, should be reckoned as +incumbent only on occasions of an extraordinary nature. + +But special seasons do give peculiar calls to the duty in all its +variety. Times of hazard and distress, by displaying in relief, the +vanity of all the aids that mere creatures could afford, and finding men +looking around for comfort and support, invite, with a power peculiar to +themselves, to look to Him who is a present help to his people in every +time of need, and cordially, by Covenanting, to respond to his +invitation,--"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, +and thou shalt glorify me."[788] When religion is low, and error and +vice and ungodliness prevail, the hosts of darkness are successful; but +their clamour is unfit to drown the cry, so fitted to inspire with holy +zeal, then urging to special devotedness to the Lord's cause,--"Who is +on the Lord's side?"[789] In times of reviving, there are transmitted by +every gale from heaven, the words of the Redeemer, inviting his +Spouse--his Church, individually and socially to the holy duty of +acknowledging Him as her Lord,--"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come +away."[790] When the friends of truth unite for its maintenance, either +in an incorporate or other capacity, they are called to follow the Lord, +the "Leader." Is it said of the wicked,--"They are confederate against +thee (or, against thy Covenant they shall covenant)"? What ought to be +the conduct unitedly of those, who individually are interested in the +Lord's Covenant? Are they not urged, to declare most explicitly by +formally taking hold upon it, that they have come up to the help of the +Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty?[791] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[785] Acts xxvii. 23. + +[786] Ps. cxix. 94. + +[787] "Enter into thy Closet." By the Rev. James M'Gill, Hightae, +Lochmaben. Glasgow: David Bryce, 1843;--a most valuable work on the +secret duties of religion. + +[788] Ps. l. 15. + +[789] Exod. xxxii. 26. + +[790] Song ii. 10. + +[791] Appendix C. + + + + +CONCLUSION + + +Hence the exercise of Covenanting has powerful claims. It is important. +It is unfolded by a flood of light from the page of Divine truth. It is +intimately connected with the manifestation of the glory of God. It is +related to every other duty incumbent on men. It contemplates the best +interests of society at present and to come;--it bears upon the +maintenance of the just rights of mankind, and the glory of the Church +in Millennial times. And it is an important means of sanctification, and +of perseverance in grace. By means of it, each one of the glorious +community of which Christ is the Head is called to manifest attachment +to him; and through it to become more and more like unto him: so that +the whole body of the faithful, each one having been taken into God's +Covenant, and enabled to abide by it,--the Church, as the Lamb's wife, +may be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with +exceeding joy. + +It is advantageous. Preparation for it leads to accurate apprehensions +of duty. It tends to cherish a devout solemnity of mind. It leads to the +comforts of habitual holy communion with God. It impresses with a sense +of increased obligation, that furnishes an ardour of mind, powerfully +impelling to duty. It tends to unite many in affection, and sentiment, +and zeal for truth. It presents instruction most solemnly to the young +and rising race, led to inquire concerning it, "What mean ye by this +service?" It is calculated to arrest for good the attention of society +at large. And it provides benefits the most valuable and extensive, for +generations unborn. + +It is necessary. It forms a part of the system of means devised by +Jehovah for carrying forward his work; and it must be observed. His +work, by this and other means, will be completed. Though the evils that +have occurred in the world have been permitted, yet some are chargeable +with blame for committing them, and others are culpable for not having +used various means, of which Covenanting is one, in order that they +might have been prevented. Though the Romish apostacy was permitted, yet +who can tell how far the Church of God was culpable in not using +extensively enough for its prevention, Covenanting--one means directly +adapted to that purpose? And who can tell what effect the performance of +the duty will have in leading to the good in store for the Church, even +on earth, and to the prevention of evil which, if allowed, would arise? + +The duty, therefore, should be observed.[792] It is irreligion that +disregards it. Superstition and infidelity alike trifle with an oath; +for Satan hates and tries to discredit this institution of heaven. Who, +by not observing the ordinance of Covenanting would practically say, +that it ought to be abolished? Who would say that one flower of the +field should cease to exist in the vegetable world, because that many +others emit a fragrance whose elements are the same as those of the +sweets which it breathes, or display tints due to the same colours that +afford its glorious hues? And who would say that this part of the +glorious system of the means of grace is unnecessary? Let this Ordinance +be observed, that evil, as a corrupt thing under the atmosphere and sun +of heaven, may perish before it; that many may enjoy the blessedness of +the inheritance of the saints; and that God may be glorified through +Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the New Covenant. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[792] Appendix D. + + + + +APPENDIX. + +A. + + +Every species of co-operation with the appointed functionaries of an +immoral and unscriptural civil government, may not imply the recognition +of that power to be the ordinance of God. To co-operate with these for +example, in the execution of justice, is not necessarily to acknowledge +that the power is of God. If the forms of procedure be in themselves +proper, and the laws just, the carrying of them into effect for the good +of society and for the glory of God, is in itself right. But it is one +thing to say that justice should be done in society, and also to aid in +the execution of it, 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 God. Justice should be done, by a civil power--agreeable +to God's preceptive will. If no such power exist, the community are to +blame for not originating such a power. And if justice be not done, they +are also culpable;--because of the want of such a power justice is not +to be undone. Were such to be allowed, the community would be chargeable +with the crimes of both remaining without a proper civil power and +permitting evil to be committed with impunity. To co-operate with an +unlawful civil power in doing justice, is therefore to do less evil, yea +more good, than would be done by refraining from co-operation. + +The swearing of an oath by those called to testify to truth, or to act +in the weighing of evidence, as on a jury, in order to the execution of +justice, does not necessarily imply a recognition of the authority that +calls to do so, to be of God. It is the using of a lawful means of +giving assurance regarding truth necessary to be ascertained, but does +not essentially imply that the claims of those exercising power to the +use of that power, are good. A lawful constituted authority, whether +civil or ecclesiastical, has a right to claim an oath for proper +purposes. But an oath may be sworn to others besides. It may be sworn +for a good end, even to those whose pretensions to power and authority +may not be well founded, but not as if they had a right to claim it, +but merely because of the giving of it being in itself right. The oath +may be sworn for a proper purpose before an individual who has correct +impressions of its sacredness, even though he may be acting for an +unwarranted civil authority. It is not easy to conceive, however, how +one could swear an oath to an infidel, or to any other who regards not +the oath as a solemn religious engagement. The giving of an oath before +a judge and jury, or on a jury before a judge, under an unscriptural +government, does not include the recognition of those as using a power +deputed by God; but contemplates them as Christian men, though mistaken +as to their power, yet doing what is in itself right, and which, if done +by those possessed of authority from God, would be done in all things, +though imperfectly, according to his will. To swear to do justice, is +not to swear an oath of allegiance to an evil power. The one is a duty; +the other would be sinful. It is because that no better means of doing +justice can be employed, that oaths to do justice in the said +circumstances should be given. For the assumption of power which does +not belong to them, those who make it, but not those who even make oath +before them to do what is in itself good, while they protest against +their unlawful claims to authority, are responsible. + +A civil government must either be the ordinance of God or not. It cannot +be viewed as acting, in some things, in the character of a power +ordained of God, but in others, as not possessed of authority from him. +A good government, like a true Christian, often does what is evil. But a +bad government, like the wicked, even though it do what in itself is +right, cannot be viewed as in possession of privilege from God, or as +acting for his glory. Yet the inflicting of a just penalty, even by an +unwarranted power, is not to be reckoned as injustice, or--if a capital +punishment, as murder. It is the claim to power which is made, but not +the accomplishment of the deed of retribution--which in itself is just, +that is faulty. Take for example the execution of justice on a murderer. +Murder is not the crime to be laid to the charge of those who, acting +for or under the authority of a power that is not of God, on proper +evidence put to death one who has unjustly taken away the life of a +fellow creature. If a government not authorised by God, after due +investigation put a murderer to death, they do what in itself is right; +but if they do so as those who in their incorporate capacity act for +Him, they do what is wrong. By the deed they are chargeable with the +sin, not of murder, but of assuming to themselves a designation which +they do not sustain. No man in society should take upon him by himself +to execute justice for the shedding of blood, whether he live under a +good or a bad government, except the government refuse to defend the +lives and properties of subjects, and even as some, nay, many +governments have been, be chargeable with oppression and bloodshed. The +reason why none should so interfere, is, that it is likely that the +whole community would execute justice with more propriety than an +individual. Yea, a whole community under an improper civil power should +not of itself execute justice, if there were an accessible power apart +from or connected with it, in which were lodged authority from God. +Those, however, who would in such circumstances claim that power, may +often be looked upon with a jealous eye, as in general they would be +found least entitled to the possession of it. Those who have most +warrantably declaimed against evil constitutions, have been among those +who were least given to assume to themselves a title to power;--they +have been found to defend themselves, but not rashly to usurp authority. +If there were but one individual who could avenge bloodshed, and were +his mind in a proper state, he would seem to have a call addressed to +him to do so; failing to attend to it he would err. Were a community +under an authority not of God, to fail to execute justice, they would be +chargeable with two sins,--that of letting the murderer go unpunished, +and that of not, in recognising the law of God, forming a constitution +or government gifted with power lawfully to proceed against the +criminal. Thus were either an individual or a community to avenge +bloodshed, a lawful power being awanting, such would not be chargeable +with murder. Were a community to do so without acknowledging themselves +to be possessed of authority from God, they would be chargeable with +sin, for not endeavouring to constitute an authority having attributes +which He would recognise as in accordance with his will. Were they to do +so as if possessed of that authority, while destitute of it, they would +be chargeable with the sin essentially of usurpation; and with them, +because of this, others acting so as to support their claim, would be +guilty. + + +B. + +Reflecting on the descending obligations of the British Covenants on the +people of these lands, by the current of an eventful providence we are +conducted to the consideration of the circumstances of the "Free +Presbyterian Church of Scotland." The events in the National Church of +Scotland which have led to the separation from her communion, of the +Protesting Church, and finally, the disruption itself, cannot be +forgotten. The struggle that was maintained for the rights of the +Christian people, for the independence of Christ's house, and the glory +of the Redeemer as King of Zion and King of kings, is worthy of the most +cordial approbation. With those who were employed as the willing and +honoured instruments of emancipating the Church from the tyrannical +restraints under which she so long groaned, and effected a dissolution +of a connection with the State, fraught with so many evils as have been +long felt by her, there ought to be but one feeling of Christian +sympathy. A testimony for the truth, calmly, and effectively, and +devotedly, has been borne by her, to her lasting honour. The Church has +declared that the government has acted a tyrannical and wicked part by +interfering with her privileges; and the people of Scotland have +practically and memorably said, that it is sinful for the Church of +Christ to be connected with an anti-christian State. The government of +the land has been baffled. The rulers were not overborne by the voices +of a majority in either House of Parliament; but by a calm and efficient +resolution, we do not say, becoming the Scottish people, but worthy of +Christian men, they have been defeated; and that would be wise policy, +indeed, which would remove the shame of their overthrow. For the steps +of reformation taken, for the noble sacrifice made by those who gave up +their emoluments that they might be faithful, commendation is due; and +that the Free Protesting Church may come to maintain, to its utmost +extent, not merely doctrinally but practically, the testimony of Christ, +is ardently to be desired. The accession of a great proportion of the +youth preparing for the ministry, and of those engaged as itinerants in +preaching the gospel, is a token for good; and the devotedness of the +people of Scotland on the great emergency, in adhering to the +"Protesting Church," and in yielding of their substance for it, is +peculiarly cheering to the mind. The countenance given by those of the +Presbyterian Church in England who were present, was encouraging and +estimable, as it might have been expected; while the approving +sentiments expressed by those from the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, +in their circumstances, were truly honouring to them, and to that +community. It was becoming others that by deputation they testified to +their approval of the step taken at the great disruption. And, though +what is here said is asserted on individual responsibility alone, it is +declared, without fear of being in error, that another Community in the +land--who consider it to be their duty to adhere to the whole of the +Second Reformation, and to the testimonies of the martyrs who suffered +after it, though not present by representation at the memorable +secession, in order to signify their approbation, do rejoice at the +step, and trust to see it followed by other procedures alike faithful. + +The importance of the effects that are possible to follow from the +disruption, demands the exercise of great wisdom on the part of the +Protesting Church. Not less than the power to originate the great +movement that has taken place, is requisite ability to direct it aright. +The people of Scotland, like a mighty mass, have been brought to act; +much depends upon the plan according to which the moving body may be +made to bear. The future interests of the land, under Providence, would +seem to be in the hands of those who now guide the ecclesiastical +movement. The destinies of Scotland were in the hands of a few in days +of peril. They were not unworthy of the trust committed to them. By the +adoption of the same principles which the martyrs practically +illustrated, be it the honour of the Protesting Church, free from +persecution, if the Lord will, but still faithfully, though called to +suffering, to transmit to posterity a legacy, ennobling and beneficial +as that which those left. + +It is necessary that the Church of Christ should proceed on principles +laid down in the Divine word. When it does not do this, it acts not in +character, but gives the enemies of the truth occasion to load it with +reproach. The "Free Presbyterian Church" sustaining, as we conceive, the +character of a Church of Christ, should do so in all things. + +It is Presbyterian, and is therefore called to base its attachment to +that form of government, on the principle, that it is of Divine right. +To maintain, or admit, that other forms of Church government are of +Divine original, is to surrender a scriptural truth, to act as if facts +in providence could modify the institutes of that society which is +essentially spiritual, to become liable to inefficiency in the +maintenance of the truth, and to give scope to the unworthy suggestions +of those who would contend, that what right even the Church maintains on +an improper ground, other communities besides could claim as well as +she. The state has no right to claim the prerogatives of the Church, nor +to dictate to her the form of her government, or prescribe for her in +other matters. The State has no right to say to the Church, that, +because she does not hold presbyterianism on proper grounds, therefore +it might declare that her government shall be prelatic. But, by holding +Presbytery as alone of Divine origin, she would most effectively +discountenance such unjust claims. + +The Church, by a noble act, has thrown off the fetters of erastianism +that had for so long been fastened upon her; let her act so as to be on +her guard against every encroachment of that nature that might be +proposed by the civil power. The struggle for the independence of the +Church was resolutely maintained, and the yoke of those who attempted to +diminish it, was dutifully thrown off. Let not any overture hereafter, +ranging between complete submission to the State, and the mere use of +the veto, on the part of the civil power, upon the appointment of a +given minister to a congregation, though made by the State in the most +attractive manner, be entertained. But let it be practically shown, as +well as solemnly resolved by her, that she recognises only one +Master--who is in heaven. + +During the last few years, an arduous struggle has been maintained, in +order to secure, as far as possible, the rights of the christian people. +Now, it is possible to put the people in possession of the unfettered +privilege of electing their own office-bearers; but to put any other +party in possession of that right, would be to do those injury. The +claims of lay patrons are without foundation in the word of God. The +claims of presbyteries, or any other parties than the members of the +Church themselves, are alike unsupported there. In order that the Church +may act in character, her procedure in regard to the election of pastors +and elders, must be scriptural. It is true, that whether the Church act +scripturally or not, no civil class are warranted to usurp her rights; +yet, were her procedure not according to the law of Christ, she would +act undutifully, and would give advantage to enemies to declaim against +her, to the diminution of her influence for good. Though the Church were +to declare for _The Call_, merely on the principle of expediency, but +not as if according to the will of Christ, the State would have no +proper ground for affirming, that therefore it had a right to use +patronage--its principle of expediency; for a right of the Church can +never be transferred to a civil power; yet the Church, by not +legislating on scriptural grounds, could not act in such a manner as to +deserve the recognition of her by the people as proceeding according to +her true character. + +The last few years have added to the Church of Scotland a high +proportion of godly and devoted ministers. Errors, that would have been +winked at in previous periods by some in her Assemblies, have been +brought to light, and the laws of Christ's house have been brought to +bear on those who maintained them. Purity of doctrine was a jewel among +the late reforming majority. The orthodoxy of the ministers in general +of the separated Church is undoubted. She adheres to the Confession of +Faith. It is requisite that she direct a testimony against unsound +doctrine, including the errors prevalent now in Churches called +Christian; and that whatever scheme of co-operation with other +Christians she may embark in, may be consistent with her regard for the +truth. + +The Headship of Christ over the nations is maintained by the Protesting +Church; on that is founded the principle of the establishment of +religion by the civil magistrate; that, was recognised in the late +contendings with the civil powers, and especially in the second series +of resolutions made at the Convocation of November; on that principle +these resolutions were carried into effect at the late disruption;--it +is desirable that, in the progress of the newly modelled community the +principle be properly applied. The important application of that, which +is now necessary, is the lifting up of a protest against the civil +power, as immoral and unscriptural, and a consistent course of procedure +in consequence. What justifies the disruption requires a dissent from +the civil power, as a power not of God. That State with which the Church +could not be connected, so as to enjoy her own privileges, cannot be the +ordinance of God. If the government has been guilty of violating the +rights and privileges of the Presbyterians of Scotland, has it not been +acting in opposition to the will of Christ, and setting at nought his +authority? Were the civil government possessed of less influence than it +really has, men would likely be disposed to esteem it more agreeably to +its true character, than they really are. Is an individual denounced for +an act of injustice or oppression? And why should not a government? Even +is a government, acting for the time being, worthy of being denounced +for some things, and yet worthy of approbation, as if acting for God? +Yea, is that constitution sound which admits of tyranny over the +Church--injustice of a highly aggravated character, to be cordially +supported by those who complain of its oppression? The same pretensions +to power over her, that were put forth in acts of parliament,[793] when +the Church was disorganised, and for acting on which the house of the +Stuarts was driven from the British throne, have been of late made in +the councils of the nation. Can the power that would do so be approved? +Why should any cling to an oath of allegiance to a power that, in this +particular, as well as in others, is anti-christian? All have reason to +beware of the attractions of such civil powers. What is it that gives +evil governments their influence, but their power to terrify, and their +wealth and honours to seduce? In one case, the ministers of the +Community to whom we now direct our thoughts, have nobly cast the latter +aside. It becomes her to act in other matters consistently with this. +There are those who would overthrow the institutions of the land, that +are noble, and plant anarchy where oppression flourished. But her +principles, yea, the principles of all who hold the truth, are the +reverse. These would wish that good men in power should be brought to +see what is duty. They would not refuse to obey laws that in themselves +are right. But they should not do so from a regard to the authorities in +the land that enjoin them. If the present system of civil government +cannot stand of itself, why should the people of Scotland, escaped from +the trammels of tyranny, pledge themselves to support it? They ought not +to bring in revolution, but neither ought they to continue, by adhering +to their oath of allegiance, to give countenance to an unlawful civil +power. Let their determination, and that of their brethren in the other +parts of the empire, prove itself to be of a nobler order than what will +be abated by unfavourable circumstances. Let it be put forth in leading +to abstain from countenancing an evil constitution, and to raise above +the fear of consequences. Arising from Christian principle, deep hid in +the breast, let it give an energy which opposition would only increase, +and which death itself would not subdue, but hand over with increased +vigour to others. + +The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland should recognise the +attainments made during the Second Reformation. Whatever steps of real +reformation have been taken of late, have been in accordance with some +of these. It is desirable that all of them should now be adopted. Tho +Revolution Settlement suffered not the Church to advance beyond the +Reformation made at 1592. Now that that compact has been abandoned by +the Church herself, let her occupy fully the ground on which the +Reformers, between 1638 and 1649, so honourably stood. By some laws of +the land, indeed, many of these are condemned. But these laws are +monuments of the tyranny and oppression of the government that made +them. The Revolution Church of Scotland never recognised, as a whole +the brightest attainments made in the history of the Church in the +land. During the late contest, indeed, the Act of Assembly, 1647, +adopting the Westminster Confession, has been pleaded as the Act of the +Church of Scotland at the Revolution, which had been made by the same +Church before. But though that could not have been properly maintained +without admitting that other laws of the former era, not +ecclesiastically repealed, were also the law of the Church at the +latter,[794] let the Church, now that she is completely unfettered, by +ecclesiastical legislation solemnly adopt all the distinct attainments +of the second reforming period, and thus serve herself an heir to the +highest privileges enjoyed by the Church in our land. + +It is good that the Free Presbyterian Church contemplates the erection +of a Theological Seminary for a rising ministry. May it be called into +operation, and greatly prosper; and may her youth--kept from the +chilling influences of error, evangelically instructed and eminently +pious, prove the means of diffusing widely the truth, in consequence of +a momentous reformation. + +And, above all, it is necessary that the Free Presbyterian Church should +have regard to explicit solemn covenant obligations. The vows of God, +made by the Church in this land, are upon her; these she ought to +acknowledge, and to endeavour to renew. Though these covenants were +condemned by the laws of the land, they are still binding. The act of +Queen Anne was against the Revolution Settlement, and, therefore, the +reforming party in the Church of late declared that it was +unconstitutional. The Revolution Settlement itself was based upon the +overthrow of the whole of the Covenanted Reformation; and no more than +the act of Queen Anne, regarding patronage, ought the sinful parts of it +to be regarded. Popery exists, and Prelacy, absorbing Popery, exists. +Would that the Free Presbyterian Church, by recognising the binding +obligation of the covenants, National, and Solemn League and Covenant, +and by adding to the binding obligations of these, engagements suited to +the times, were to go forth in opposition to all evil, in all the +gracious vigour of a faithful witness for the whole truth.[795] + +The movement that has been lately made, contemplated in its highest +character, appears the work of God. By a wondrous providence he has shut +up the Church to a course of duty, and has plainly indicated the +necessity to persevere in it. On the other hand, contemplating the human +instrumentality called to accomplish an estimable work, and approving +much of the agents immediately employed, we should not be forgetful of +the corresponding efforts made in time past, even in the National +Church. Our heart is to the memory of such as had in their view the +objects lately contended for, and in a day when the rights of the people +were trampled on without remorse, willingly lifted the voice in the +Assembly against patronage, and otherwise laboured for the removal of +its flagrant enormities. There was good principle in the National +Church, but evil caused much of it to be unseen, though some of it +remained manifest. Gold may be dissolved by a compound acid, and for a +time may cease to be observed, but not beyond the power of re-appearing. +The gold cannot be decomposed: let a test be added, and the +indestructible ore will re-appear. By a powerful solvent the noble +principle in the National Church became nearly all invisible, though +some of it could not be dissolved. A test has been added, and the whole +has been precipitated, and nearly all of it has come out.[796] The sound +principle and piety in the Church were the gold; moderatism, including +erastianism and patronage, was the solvent; a wondrous providence +applied a test; and the gold of true excellence shines forth. Let it be +united by Covenanting, into one glorious mass, and be exhibited for +beauty, and glory to God. Let the Free Presbyterian Church, remembering +the past, wisely look forward to the future; and, reflecting upon what +may be the effect of its procedure on other nations of the world, now +act so as to present an example worthy the imitation of all. And it is +humbly presumed that the standing of the Church, in the days of her +greatest glory and efficiency in the land, in preference to every other, +claims her adoption. The position, ecclesiastical and civil, of the +friends and followers of the Second Reformation, like an ancient +fortress held by comparatively few, but venerable from its eventful +history, remarkable amid the ruin which time has laid around it, and +displaying a massive grandeur as it rests on its broad and solid +foundations, which had, during periods not very remote, been +contemplated more as an affecting memorial of the past, than as a +strength which should be available in time to come, has of late, while +tyranny made progress, been somewhat approached, as it stands begirt +with its gigantic bulwarks, surmounted with the banner of the Covenant, +manifestly high above all other means of defending the Church; and it +faithfully promises a vantage-ground, noble from its commanding +altitude, and unassailable within its high defences, to which all in the +land who love the truth should come, that to whatever outward peril they +might be brought, they might maintain their christian warfare, to their +continued honour and final triumph. + + +C. + +In order to suggest a good basis, whereon all in the land who hold the +truth might unite in a capacity more or less intimate, the following +observations are humbly presented for consideration. The friends of +truth cannot justifiably persevere in supporting the British +Constitution as the ordinance of God. The government, in order to its +dignity and efficiency, proclaims itself to be worthy of cordial +support. The claims which it puts forth may not be regarded by itself as +of a very high order, yet it views them as indisputable; and even, +though manifestly not an ordinance of God nor friendly to true religion, +it seeks to strengthen its authority by availing itself of the use of a +most sacred institution in religion--the oath. The government itself, +though for certain ends it applies the oath, is not scriptural. And why +should good men claim for it the character of an ordinance of God, to +which even of itself it does not aspire? What right has an unscriptural +civil power, any more than a corrupt ecclesiastical constitution,--what +right has the British Constitution, any more than the Church of Rome, to +claim for itself in things civil, the title, such as that usurps in +things ecclesiastical, of an ordinance of God? Nay, the very fact of a +government in gospel times supporting Popery, must cut it off from the +title of a power delegated from above. It is simply because bad civil +governments have great influence, that they lead men to pay them a +deference which they would not yield to other systems charged with their +evils. Why is an evil government at one period viewed as the ordinance +of God, and at another as worthy of being overthrown? Does the character +of such change by the accumulation or the long pressure of the very +same--not new, evils? In the former case, the people who approve, +misapprehend its true character, while they are able to endure; in the +latter, they see it clearly, oppression having opened their eyes. Such +were the governments of Charles II. and James VII. Though some approved +of them as the ordinance of God, yet, at the Revolution, the nation +declared that they were not. And consequently they should never have +been acknowledged as such. Men acknowledge the British Constitution at +present as a power ordained of God. If Puseyism go on till the +Protestantism of the empire be swamped in an inundation of Popery, the +nation will form right views of the subject. May they soon entertain +such views, lest such an event arrive! + +The friends of truth under the present government should say to it in +such a manner as not to be misunderstood,--We will obey your good laws, +because they are good; but by oaths or otherwise we will not recognise +your authority as of God.--We will co-operate with you in doing what is +good; but so long as you continue to support evil, we cannot swear +allegiance to you. Abolish all oaths of allegiance, and we will act +along with you in every right matter.--Were all those who hold the truth +in the united kingdom to do so, would not the request extort regard? And +might not rulers see the propriety of yielding? Were such oaths to the +present government abolished, then those who love the truth might enter +parliament, and act without being responsible for the evils of the civil +constitution and of the administration, and at the same time lead to +essential political reformation; and the people could with a clear +conscience return to parliament such men as might be possessed of proper +character, and be of known attachment to the truth. Were a door opened +in this manner for men consistently uttering their voice in the councils +of the nation, then means should be assiduously used, on the part of the +people and on the part of their representatives, for scripturally +reforming the State, and for giving to true religion that external +countenance and support which is due to it. The government would not act +a weak part in conceding the abolition of the oath in the said cases. It +would rather thereby attach to the support of what is good in it, men +who would be equally at least with all others, amenable to every good +law, but bound to duty by ties far stronger than those which human laws +themselves could fasten. A good government should maintain the oath; but +a government such as the British, ought not to claim it for the purpose +of securing allegiance. That government seems at present disposed to +concede the abolition of that oath to the Catholics of Ireland. Why +should not the friends of truth in the empire, strive for the abolition +of the oaths of allegiance sworn by themselves, in using which they, +directly or indirectly, support what is evil, while Catholics are +unwilling to swear, because, that by swearing they are in some measure +prevented from giving scope to their own cause? + +Even in order to abolish these oaths, the going into parliament by +swearing any of them, cannot be recommended. But since legislators in +either house, having sworn oaths of allegiance--even not justifiable, +are in possession of privileges, for the time being, of which the +Legislature cannot deprive them, let such have put into their hands, +memorials on the subject, by the people, and let them use their +privilege in order to gain their object. It does not appear how any one +can act dutifully by remaining in parliament, except in endeavouring to +carry into effect this measure. + +But should Popery continue to make progress, as it has done of late, and +receive more countenance from the civil power, the friends of truth +would find it difficult, in any way to co-operate with the government, +but would be urged to take higher ground, in opposition to error, or +even tyranny, than they have in general lately taken. They may even have +to confederate against powers that would seek to rob them of their +christian privileges--wherewith the Lord Jesus has gifted them. Should +they have to engage in a struggle for these, let their efforts be made +without hesitation or wavering. Let their minds be wholly devoted. Under +the influence of that faith which makes humble, but also enables to do +all things in the strength of Christ, let them enter on duty. Having +taken up their position, as if bound by the adamantine chain of +necessity, yet free as the orbs of heaven--under the influence of +gravity, let them, cordially engaged to one another, occupy that ground, +there to stand or fall together. Let there be taken by them the calm and +noble resolution, which knows not to fail; which fear cannot agitate, +nor outward evils diminish; which peril and distress would only display +in all its mighty strength; which, immovable as the pillars of heaven, +stedfast in the midst of opposition, as the summit of the mountain on +which the thunderbolts are expended in vain, would sustain undismayed +the assault of every foe; which though pressed to the utmost would not +desert the field; but which, though like the warrior, black and weary +through the toil of conflict, it might be misrepresented or not +recognised, would at some era, more or less remote, shine forth in the +glory of victory, to be celebrated and employed for good in all time to +come. + + +D. + +The Reformed Presbyterian Church has for some time had in view the +performance of the duty of Covenanting in her social capacity. There are +the most abundant reasons why the object should be more and more +steadily contemplated, till it be attained. We profess that Covenanting +is a duty. We have not for a length of time engaged socially in the +formal discharge of it. We acknowledge ourselves to be bound by the +obligations of the Church of God in past times, especially of his Church +in these lands; and should view ourselves, as by these obligations bound +to the duty. An example should be set by us to others who do not +entertain the same views of the importance of the duty that we do. The +events of the age are arousing. Many are making efforts for the +maintenance of the truth. The enemies of true religion are on the alert. +Besides, within the last few years, many, some of whom, we should trust, +love the truth, though their views of parts of it would seem to be +inadequate, have acted as if men become engaged to a system of conduct +only when they promise to follow it; and have virtually acted as if +their own doings could bind them to a given course. Be it ours, by +Covenanting to testify practically, that we feel bound to pledge +ourselves to the service of God, not by caprice, but according to his +law,--commanding to vow, and finding those who enter into covenant bound +by his authority through their own deed. Let us not be undecided. There +is duty incumbent on us which we cannot devolve on others. Let us be +active, lest even the tide of liberalism, like a refluent wave, bring +society back to a sea of trouble, before the glorious work of +Covenanting which will be performed in future times will be begun, and +we who should have used direct means to lead to it will be dishonoured. +That some are engaged in making reformation, is no reason why we should +not be diligent. We have our duty to perform; and in being most active +ourselves, we would most heartily show that we approve of the faithful +exertions of these others. Our duties are peculiar. If we make no +progress, we encourage not the movements for good, of society around us. +While we rejoice to think of many maintaining truth, we also ought to +advance to duty. We would account it incumbent on us to stand +steadfastly by the side of all the lovers of true godliness in the +nation, in defending the interests of truth and righteousness. By doing +the service incumbent on us at present, we would most completely take +means to lead to union of purpose and exertion, the most effective. We +ought not to anticipate the good that may be done by others in such a +manner as to suppose, that little will be required at our hands. +Whatever step of obedience we take will aid in encouraging others; but, +wherein we may now fail to advance, when victory will be complete, we +will, like a squadron on the field, waiting for the success or aid of a +fellow-battalion, fail of attaining to the true honour that will be +shared in the triumph of truth. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[793] Of the years 1661, 1662. + +[794] See a valuable pamphlet, entitled, "The Revolution Settlement +considered in reference to the independence and present position of the +Church of Scotland." Glasgow: 1840. + +[795] For a luminous view of what would seem to be the Church's duty at +present, we refer to an article in the "Scottish Presbyterian" for May, +1843, entitled, "Friendly Hints to the projected Free Presbyterian +Church of Scotland." + +[796] On the subject of the duty of those who still abide by the +Establishment, see three powerful and seasonable discourses, entitled, +"Come out and be separate," by the Rev. Dr. Bates. Glasgow, 1843. + + + + +ERRATA. + + +Page 145, line 12, for "requires," read "require." + +Page 161, line 21, before "will persevere, &c.," put "that." + +Page 174, line 14, for "unrevealed," read "revealed." + +Page 198, line 17, for "even," read "view"; line 18, for "are," read +"as." + +Page 205, line 11, for "share," read "shun." + +Page 237, line 17, for "visitors," read "writers." + +Page 340, line 20, for "his," read "their." + + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Added footnote marker 637 after: + "four living creatures" of the New + +Added footnote marker 641 after: + for a light of the Gentiles." + +Removed unnecessary closing quotation mark after: + he might have the pre-eminence. + +Added closing quotation mark after: + sacrifices God is well pleased. + +Corrected "Jos" to "Job" in footnote 412. + +The Errata listed above have been corrected in the text, +except for "requires," which does not occur in the text +as indicated. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Ordinance of Covenanting, by John Cunningham + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING *** + +***** This file should be named 25353-0.txt or 25353-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/3/5/25353/ + +Produced by Stacy Brown, Jordan and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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