plicitly 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 ti