very 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.