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