ile they profess their faith in him, it is by Him that they draw
nigh in the full assurance of faith.[381] It was by his sufferings and
death that the everlasting covenant was ratified. And when he died, the
way to all duty and privilege was opened to all who should believe upon
him; and the title of the saints who had gone before to the enjoyment of
the eternal inheritance, and who had Covenanted to accept its blessings,
was shown to be secure.

Fourthly. Believers, as a people who would Covenant and fulfil their
obligations, were given to the Mediator in the everlasting covenant. As
a covenant people, the heathen were given to Him for an
inheritance.[382] According to an interpretation of an apostle, He
himself says, "Behold, I, and the children whom God hath given
me--."[383] And that such were promised as a people who should discharge
the duty of Covenanting, and the other engagements of the covenant,
appears from the words, "How shall I put thee among the children, and
give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations?
And I said, thou shalt call me, my Father; and shalt not turn away from
me."[384] He received also the promise--implying, that a people in
serving Him should habitually take hold on him in Covenanting,--"A seed
shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a
generation."[385] These, and corresponding declarations, teach how
intimately connected with the gift of a people to the Redeemer was the
provision made for the obedience to be claimed and accepted at their
hands. They mercifully intimate that one of the reasons for which they
were given to him, was that they should obey God in taking hold of his
covenant. It was in the everlasting Covenant that they were promised by
the Father, and accepted by the Son. On the condition here specified,
they were received. They are, therefore, urged to the duty, in
consequence of that infinitely glorious compact; and, by the offer of
the Father, the acceptance of the Son, the Covenanted aid of the Spirit,
by the bowels of Divine love, to this, and consequently to all its
engagements, they are bound.

Finally. The elect were chosen in Christ that, in union to him, they
might perform this duty. To all that is included in holiness, these were
chosen in him. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the
foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
him in love."[386] It is in that spiritual union to him, whic