th him, will acknowledge
themselves as his servants, and, far from reckoning themselves as under
no descending obligation to duty, will rejoice, give thanks to him for
laying a claim upon them by these, and gladly take hold on his Covenant
again in their social capacity, that others to succeed them, even as
they did, may gladly confess themselves to be devoted to him.

Fourthly. Because Social Covenanting, approved in Scripture, conferred
descending obligation. Abimelech required Abraham to enter into a
covenant with him, which the patriarch would keep, by not dealing
falsely with himself, nor with his son, nor with his son's son.[346] And
accordingly that engagement, which was ratified by oath, was viewed by
both parties, and unquestionably properly, as binding on all the
individuals specified. By oath, the children of Israel made with Joseph
a covenant, by which their descendants in fulfilling it, acknowledged
themselves as engaged to carry up his bones from Egypt.[347] The
covenant made by Joseph and the princes of the congregation of Israel
with the Gibeonites, was kept by the descendants of both parties: and
the breach of it on one occasion by Saul, was followed by tokens of
Divine displeasure.[348] The covenant of the Rechabites, and that of
David with Hiram--which obtained also between that individual and
Solomon, are other illustrations. Such covenants were lawful. The
sentiments entertained concerning the descending nature of their
obligations, being uncondemned, were correct. A disregard for these
obligations in one case having been followed by punishment, they must
have been complete. There was nothing about any of these covenants that
gave to their engagements a claim to continuance beyond those of other
covenants, in which the welfare of posterity is contemplated. The
obligation of such, therefore, even as those of the covenants specified,
behove to continue.

Fifthly. Because the ends of such covenants may not be attained during
the existence on earth of those who entered into them. Nothing is more
common in the providence of God, than for one to begin, and another to
finish. Indeed the grand end of the Church's continuance in the world,
is aspired at by the efforts of all her true members. Guided by Divine
teaching, the fearers of God adopt means for declaring His glory. In His
providence, however, their lawful purposes are in general carried only
partially into effect. The work which he gives countenanc