ly
refrain altogether from renewing them in their social capacities. But
when these are made and renewed with due care, there is, according to
circumstances, a great diversity in their character. Each engagement has
its own peculiar features; though each is associated with all the others
in presenting some aspect of none other Covenant than that of Grace.

God's covenant is the Covenant of Redemption; or the Covenant of Grace;
or a covenant with God, made in the actual exercise of Covenanting.

A covenant with God is a form of expression that will be applied only to
the last of these cases.

It must be admitted that the formal exercise of Covenanting is not
indispensably necessary in order to the attainment of an interest in the
Covenant of Grace. Through God's free favour, and not because of any
service, however dutiful, that could be performed, are any brought into
this relation. Many go the whole round of religious services, and yet
remain uninterested in the benefits of salvation; while others, whose
external privileges are by no means so abundant as the privileges
enjoyed by those, may be enabled to cleave to God's covenant. It is
God's prerogative to make efficacious what means of grace he will; and
when and in what measure he will, to give them effect. The types and
symbols of a former period were blessed to the souls of men, as well as
the fuller revelations of succeeding times. And ordinances which in due
time were to pass away, were, during the term of their appointment, to
be acknowledged by the extension of his grace to those who waited on
them, as well as the institutions to follow in their room. And sinners
in every variety of circumstances have been brought into covenant with
God. When the gospel is preached to the young--unfitted to apprehend for
the time being the nature or design of some institutions of Divine
grace--the Spirit of God may lead them to accept of the offered Saviour.
Or when the glad tidings of salvation are proclaimed, not merely to
those favoured by the advantages of education and christian society, but
even to the most untutored and degraded of the family of man, a willing
mind may be vouchsafed from above to rely upon him. Then the blessings
of his covenant are apprehended and accepted. And though many who
profess to seek these good things, may, by reason of unbelief, fail to
obtain them, they will afford to such objects of sovereign mercy, as the
chosen of God, increasing reasons