nt appointed to sanction, among
other practices glorifying to God, a service by which the
once-rebellious should, from age to age, testify, against the sin of
refusing the offers of Divine favour, and to the justice of the claims
which the Giver of all good has upon the most solemn resolutions to
serve him, which men can present as a tribute to his honour.

Thirdly. It is on the ground of the righteousness of Christ, by which he
fulfilled the obligations of the everlasting covenant contracted by
him, that his people Covenant with God. From among many passages in
which this is taught, that may be familiar to every careful reader of
the Scriptures, the following may be selected for illustration:--"Their
children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be
established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And
their nobles (NOBLE ONE) shall be of themselves, and their GOVERNOR
shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near,
and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to
approach unto me? saith the Lord. And ye shall be my people, and I will
be your God."[378] The NOBLE ONE here mentioned is Christ. He is also
the Governor who should proceed from the midst of Israel. The
description given of him is not applicable to any earthly ruler of the
house of Jacob. It corresponds to Him alone, who, in other prophecies,
is denominated "My servant David,"[379] and in the Psalms is celebrated
as "the Governor among the nations."[380] In fulfilling all
righteousness, obeying the law of God, and suffering and dying for his
people, and in making intercession for them, he approached unto God. To
that, he was engaged when the prophecy was uttered; he had been so from
eternity. To his drawing near and making an approach unto God, the
establishment of the congregation of the Lord before him, His
recognition of them as his people, and their acknowledgment of Him as
their God, are manifestly attributed in the passage. It was by faith in
him, that the saints, in early times, while they offered sacrifice by
Covenanting, acknowledged the Lord to be their God. It was by faith in
him, that all to succeed them should in this manner avouch the Lord. He
is the way unto the Father. By Him his people have access unto the grace
wherein they stand. He drew near to present an acceptable sacrifice; and
as a priest, he makes intercession. It is by Him that his people draw
near. Wh