and expected to make his ap-correction, for instruction in pearance among men. As the righteousness, that the man of Saviour, therefore, it becomes God may be perfect, thoroughly men to view and receive him. furnished unto all good works." We are to own and embrace him in the character he hath assumed, and allow him all that dignity and glory he hath claimed; acknowledging that it is the duty of all men to honor the Son even as they honor the Father. We are to rely on him as the only Mediator between God and man, and make him all our hope and all our dependence.

All the doctrines revealed by Jesus Christ are the eternal truths of God, and are connected with the everlasting salvation of the soul. As such we are to receive and embrace them. We are to give up no doctrine contained in the scriptures, nor deny any thing Christ hath revealed. By denying the doctrines of revelation we deny Christ; and by denying him we seal our own destruction.

2. It is clearly the duty of people to embrace, and adhere closely to all the truths Christ 3. We have exhibited an exhath taught. Is Christ the faith- ample of fidelity. Christ was ful witness, and hath he revealed appointed in the counsel of eterall necessary truth? Hath he nity to be a "witness to the peoalso sealed his testimony with ple," in which character, we his own blood? If so then is it have seen, he was to reveal all not plain that people are to em- necessary truth, and seal his tes brace and adhere closely to all timony with his blood. Yes, to the doctrines he hath taught? this he was appointed, even to How can we answer it to Christ, die, making his soul an offerand with what face can we appearing for sin; for he saith, Therebefore him, if we give up a sin-fore doth my Father love me, begle doctrine he hath revealed? cause I lay down my life, that I He taught no doctrine but what might take it again. No man takis important as it relates to the eth it from me, but I lay it down honor of God, as well as the of myself: I have power to lay it good and happiness of men. He down, and I have power to take it hath revealed no doctrine but again. This commandment have I what is nearly or more remotely received of my Father. And he connected with the salvation of was faithful to do all that to sinners. Jesus Christ did not, as which he was appointed. He many speculatists do, spend his did not fail in the smallest and time to no valuable purpose. most inconsiderable thing. He He did not hold up ideas and revealed all that which, in the make propositions merely to a- divine counsel, he was appointed muse mankind, and afford mat- to reveal. He endured all the ter of speculation. All that he sufferings which were appointed, revealed had an important mean- and were necessary to the atoneing, and was designed for an im- ment; and he performed all portant end. If it were not so those works which it was the Fathe apostle could not have said, ther's pleasure to require of him. "All scripture is given by in- He is the faithful witness. spiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. + John x. 17, 18,

In Jesus Christ we have an example of fidelity. Christians in him may see what is to be the extent of their obedience. They are to imitate him in doing freely, and suffering cheerfully, all that it is the pleasure of their heavenly Father to require of them and lay upon them. Like Jesus they are to say under the most pressing calamities, The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it ?* They are, like him, to be faithful in doing, and patient in suffering all the will of God, even to the death.

earth with the blood of Martyrs.. The same spirit that pursued Jesus to the cross, has, and will yet pursue, and thirst for the blood of his faithful servants, But they are not to confer with flesh and blood. When the persecuting Saul of Tarsus was converted into the meek and humble follower of Jesus, he well knew to what he should be exposed; and he was sufficiently armed for the fiery conflict.When, saith he, it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.† Know

in the apostleship had Paul conferred with flesh and blood, or consulted his own case and personal safety, he would have shrunk away from the work. But, feeling the importance of the cause, and relying on the almighty arm of Jesus, he could venture forth, even though he knew that bonds, imprisonment, and death were before him. Is there not the same inducement, and the same ground of confidence in every age of the church? Religion and divine truth are the same now as in the days of the apostles; and Jesus Christ is unchangeably the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

4. Ministers and preachers of the gospel are not to confer with flesh and blood. The minister of Jesus is under peculiar obligations to imitate the faithfuling the trials he must undergo witness. Called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and set for the defence of the gospel, he needs the whole armor of God that he may stand, faithfully, in his lot, and honor his divine Master. Having to meet the prejudices, the unbelief, the ignorance and vices of mankind, if he consult ease and popularity, he will daub with untempered mortar, and plaister over the errors and wickedness of his fellow sinners. However unreasonable it may be to reproach the servants of Christ for preaching the doctrines evidently contained in the gospel, yet such is the depravity of the human heart that unsanctified men will do it. Every age from the commencement of the Christian era to the present period, has produced this evidence of human depravity. Bitter enmity against Christ and his doctrines has produced raging and violent persecutions, and stained the

* John xviii, 11.

We have, however, a more perfect pattern than that of Paul or any of the inspired servants of God. Our divine Redeemer has gone forth in the face of a most powerful opposition, and declared the truth at the expense of life. And shall not-will not his ministers go and do likewise?

+ Gal. i. 15, 16.

On Covenanting with God.

Co

PART I.

themselves, and awful judgments upon their families. If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments: If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I

the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. What affecting instances of this have we in Eli, David and others, who might be mentioned? Of what moment is it, therefore, that Christians should understand the nature of covenanting with God, or what is implied in that solemn trans

it, and the importance of keeping covenant with God should be truly represented?

NOVENANTING with the great, holy, and omniscient God, is one of the most interest-visit their transgression with ing and solemn transactions in which a creature can be engaged. Eternal life or death are dependent on the manner in which men covenant with him. Keeping the covenant is no less important than covenanting in the fear and love of God. If men's hearts be not sound in his statutes, and stedfast in his cov-action? That the solemnity of enant it is impossible to enjoy the blessings which it secures to the heirs of promise. It is in a conscientious, stedfast walk with God, according to covenant engagements, that his people have peace with him, peace in their own consciences, joy in the Holy Ghost, and assure their hearts before him. It is in this way that they do honor to God and the gospel, give joy to their brethren in Christ Jesus, become the pillars and ornaments of our churches, prepare and ripen for a happy exit, and for distinguished blessedness and glory, in the presence of their Re-descend to be a covenant God, deemer.

Might not a discussion of these points be of speciul use to individuals, to our churches, and to society in general? It is the design of this paper to illustrate and impress them.

Covenanting with God implies his willingness to be reconciled to rebellious men, and to enter into a covenant of peace with them, through Jesus Christ.That the infinite God who dwells in the high and holy place, whose name alone is holy, should con

and Father to polluted worms of But if they deal falsely in his the dust, is indeed wonderful. covenant, they bring great guilt It should arrest the attention of upon themselves, wound reli- the whole human race, and fill gion, grieve their brethren, can earth and heaven with gladness have no peace with God, nor in and hallelujah. Of this he hath their own consciences, no com-given the fullest assurance. This munion with him in grace here, is the language of his word, And nor in glory hereafter. Notwith-this is the covenant which I will standing their fair professions make with the house of Israel and high advantages, they will after those days, saith the Lord, be cut asunder and have their I will put my law in their inportion with hypocrites. ward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God,

Even God's own children, by backsliding, may bring great guilt and chastisements upon

* Psalm lxxxix. 30, 31, 32.

that he will be a covenant God to all those who will be his people.

To be a God to them implies immense good, the inheritance of all things. It implies the forgiveness of all sin, adoption and sanctification, peace with God, peace which passeth understanding and keepeth the heart thro❜ Jesus Christ. It is a covenant ordered in all things and sure; so that all things shall work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.* God himself, in his infinite perfection and fulness, becomes theirs to make his grace sufficient for them, to give them peace in life and death, to raise them up in glory at the last day, and to give them eternal life. He that over

and they shall be my people.* This was the promise to Abraham, I will establish my covenant between me and thee for an everlasting covenant; to be a God to thee. This covenant God maketh with the whole church, and with every individual, who chooseth him for his covenant God and eternal portion. And I will be to them a God. And I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. These passages of scripture give us the fullest assurance that God is willing to enter into an everlasting covenant of peace with fallen men. The gift of his only begotten Son, from his bosom, to open the way for it, the gift of the Holy Spirit to make application of the purchased redemp-cometh shall inherit all things, tion, all the invitations and promises of the gospel, and means of reconciliation, show that the divine mind is exceedingly engaged in it.

and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. This covenant thus full, ordered in all things and sure, is also an everlasting covenant. Nothing can vacate it, or prevent the Christian's enjoying all the blessings of it. This is the language of the scripture; He hath made with me an everlasting covenant. The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the cov

Had it not pleased God thus to have made known his willingness to be a covenant God to men, and to have made known the terms of his covenant, there could have been no rational foundation for covenanting with him. It could not have been known that it was possible; or on what terms it might be effected.enant of my peace be removed.|| There could have been no rational ground of faith or hope in eovenanting. All attempts to covenant with God, without a revelation of his will, would be the highest presumption and madness. But blessed be his name, that he hath given us the fullest assurance on this point;

He hath said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.§

This is the covenant which God freely proposeth to lost men, through Jesus Christ. He is the mediator of the new covenant, and the only mediator between God and man. No man

and ordinances blameless; giving none offence to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. They engage to cultivate religion in their own hearts, to maintain it in their closets, in their families, in all their relations and conditions, at all times and in all places. They engage themselves to God, to be righteous and charitable towards all men, to love their brethren in Christ, to submit to their faithful reproof and admonitions; that they will, in brotherly love reprove and admonish them, when it shall be necessary; that they will employ their labor and influence to maintain that holy discipline which Christ hath appointed in his house, and submit to it themselves; that

cometh unto the Father, but by him. It is by him only, that any man may be admitted to covenant with God, or to the enjoyment of any covenant mercy. The terms of covenanting on the part of men are that they shall be God's people. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.* This implies a full persuasion of the truth of the gospel, and a cordial acceptance of the terms of the covenant; a renunciation of all sin, and a sincere and solemn engagement to walk in all God's statutes and ordinances blameless. God said to Abraham, Walk before me and be thou perfect, and I will make my covenant between me and thee. That is, love me supremely, be sincere, and constant in your belief of my prom-they will cordially unite with ises, and in your obedience to their brethren in supporting the my commandments. I will then worship and ordinances of God, be your covenant God and por- for his honor, their mutual intion. Israel, in covenanting with struction and edification, and for God, said, All that the Lord hath the instruction and salvation of said, will we do and be obedient.‡ others. This all Christians enIn the second epistle to the Co-gage in covenanting with God. rinthians vi. 17, 18. The terms It is required that they put away of the covenant are thus express- all iniquity. If sins as dear as ed, Come out from among them, the right eye, or the right hand and be ye separate, saith the cleave to them, they must be Lord, and touch not the unclean put away, and they must observe thing; and I will receive you, all things whatsoever Christ hath and will be a Father unto you, commanded them. This is the and ye shall be my sons and view which Moses and the Isdaughters, saith the Lord Al-raelites had of covenanting with mighty.

Covenanting with God therefore implies universal obedience: That men love him supremely, consecrate themselves entirely to him, through Jesus Christ, and a solemn engagement to be the Lord's, and his unreservedly; walking in all his statutes

God. Deut. xxvi. 16, 17. This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: Thou shalt therefore observe and do them with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God; and to walk in all his ways, and to keep all his statutes, and his

Jerem. xxxi. 33. † Gen. xvi. 1, 2. commandments, and his judg

Exod. xxiv. 3, 7.

ments, and to hearken unto his