, 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 tha