heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him."[263] And if
one duty to Christ ought to be vowed, ought not all, and consequently
those? A master and his servant by promises come under mutual
obligations to one another. And seeing that God has made promises to
men, and at the same time enjoined duties, ought not they to accept of
these promises, and engage to perform these duties? And if at all, why
not in special deliberate solemn Covenanting? Equally therefore, with
every other class of duties to which men should engage, should the
respective duties of masters and servants to one another be vowed to
God, as obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. The duties of lawful civil
governors and of the people under them owing by these classes
respectively to one another ought to be vowed. They are duties to God.
"God is the King of all the earth."[264] They are therefore included in
the oath of allegiance which both kings and subjects ought to swear to
Him. The people of Israel set an example in this, which should be
imitated in these and all succeeding times. "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."[265] If a civil
constitution be according to the word of God, if the rulers who carry
its ordinance into effect be men fearing God and hating covetousness,
and if they dispense in a righteous manner its just laws, obedience is
due by the people, and ought to be vowed to God. "Submit yourselves to
every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king,
as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the
punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do
well."[266] That cannot be done completely for the Lord's sake, which is
not vowed to him. Whatever is done for His sake, is done in obedience to
Him, as having required the discharge of duty and solemn engagements to
himself to perform it. And, what kings and others in power in civil
society ought to swear to the people, and in joining with their people
on occasions of public Covenanting, ought to vow and swear to the Lord,
is to rule according to the law of Christ. What was addressed to Joshua
concerning the books written by Moses is, in reference to all the
precepts of God's law permanently obligatory, applicable to all who
rule. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou
shalt meditate therein day and