ast
given a banner to them that feared thee, that it may be displayed
because of the truth."[312]

Hence, in conclusion,

First, Covenanting should engage all to every former good attainment.
The obligation of a permanent duty cannot be dissolved; but the
observance of it may and ought to be vowed successively. For a reason,
the same as, or similar to, that for which it was vowed at first, it
may, on some occasions, be promised by vow and oath again. The Divine
law holds every moral being bound to duty; yet it admits, nay,
commands, the making of promises in Covenanting to do it. As the
original command to obey, does not render the vow unnecessary, so
neither does one vow remove the necessity for another. It is in vain to
object, that as the vow or oath of marriage need not be repeated by the
parties, so neither need any other. Though on account of the esteemed
and real solemnity of that original covenant, it is not requisite that
it should be renewed in the formal manner in which it was made at first,
it is, nevertheless, manifest from Scripture, inculcating the use of the
vow, that the parties may thereafter vow to God to continue to fulfil
their first engagements. Were one duty that was formerly obligatory not
to be engaged to in Covenanting, then might none other. Hence, only
duties becoming incumbent at present could be vowed, and accordingly, as
all the duties of the moral law were incumbent before, none of these
could be vowed at all, and therefore, in no circumstances whatever,
could the vow be made. The absurdity of the conclusion is sufficiently
manifest. We are warranted to maintain that what was Covenanted before,
no less than it should be performed, should be vowed again.
"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same
rule, let us mind the same thing."[313]

Secondly. In Covenanting, there should be made engagements to cleave to
new correct views of truth and duty. The apprehensions of men are
subject to continual change. Nor are those of the people of God exempted
from this. Nay those should alter to improve. No new aspect of truth can
any one warrantably disregard. Every increase made in the knowledge of
God demands a corresponding acknowledgment. According to each, ought new
vows to be made. When one enemy of his kingdom appears, vows should be
made to resist and overthrow his influence. When many foes appear new
vows of an appropriate kind should be entered into against them