sfied that they
would not act sincerely in it; but to perform it they are not the less
called to make preparation. None can be accepted in the exercise but the
covenant children, but the most abundant reasons there are why all
should attempt it; and who can tell what God will do in a season of
grace?

In Covenanting, if God's covenant has been laid hold on before, it is
then again solemnly acceded to or renewed. It is the people of God, not
the wicked, who covenant. "Unto the wicked, God saith, What hast thou to
do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in
thy mouth?"[9] The wicked, as in the former case, may be brought, in the
use of means, to attempt the exercise, but if in that they are accepted,
in the character of new creatures they perform it; but if the change
produced upon the state and character does not take place at the moment
of Covenanting, but before it, then the exercise is a renewal of the
covenant. When, therefore, those who have been, for a period long or
short, the people of God, engage in this, they transact a renovation.
The young believer who performs the exercise does this, though his age
in grace may not exceed a few days or hours of the blessed life. This,
the Christian who has long been in progress towards the inheritance
above promised in the covenant, going into that performance, effects.
This renewal all the saints of God do make, when in any circumstances
they draw near to him to consecrate themselves and all that concerns
them to his service.

THE VOW.

A vow falls to be considered in connection with the subject of
Covenanting.

"A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be
made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like
faithfulness. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone;
and that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith
and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or
for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind
ourselves to necessary duties, or to other things, so far and so long as
they may fitly conduce thereunto."[10]

A vow is made to God alone. In various passages of Scripture, it is said
explicitly to be made to the Lord. David "vowed unto the mighty God of
Jacob."[11] "Israel vowed a vow unto the Lord."[12] In others it is
manifest from the connection that the vow was made to the Lord. "Jacob
vowed a vow, saying, If God will