"And he received the sign of
circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had, yet
being uncircumcised; that he might be the father of all them that
believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be
imputed unto them also."[397] It was in the acceptance of God's promise
to him of a seed of whom Christ should come, that Abraham believed God.
It was, therefore, in the exercise of Covenanting. It was as the
representative of a Covenant seed that Abraham was the father of all
them that believe. The Covenant made with Abraham, as the father of the
faithful, endures. "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though,
it be but a man's covenant, yet, if it be confirmed, no man
disannulleth, or addeth thereto."[398] The covenant which God made with
Noah, even as that which he made with Abraham, he designates "My
Covenant." All, therefore, who believe, in whatever time, are interested
in one covenant with God. That was confirmed of God in Christ.[399] Its
ratification by the death of Christ, the testator, was the ratification
of the Covenant of Redemption.[400] The blessings of it are the
blessings of the Covenant of Redemption. That covenant--the Covenant of
Grace--is, therefore, the Covenant of Redemption revealed and dispensed
to man. The latter flows from and was provided by the other; and this
appears also from the fact, that the true Church in the world is
characterized by her adherence to God's covenant. True religion, and all
its institutions, are represented in Scripture as a covenant with God.
The different dispensations of Divine grace are each denominated a
covenant--the first dispensation, the "Old Covenant"--the last
dispensation, the "New Covenant." Promises made, duties inculcated, and
signs given for the direction of the faith of God's people, are each
exhibited as a covenant. These facts can be explained only on the
principle that all of these things so presented, proceed from the
covenant of God--which was from eternity, but was made known to man--and
take their common designation from their connection with that
Everlasting Covenant. The adoption of this obvious rule of
interpretation would have saved the many vain attempts that have been
made to deny the existence of the Everlasting Covenant, and to
misrepresent the true nature of t