o
believe on Jesus, addressed to one in a state of sin, is the command of
a law, but not of a covenant, to that individual. If not accepted, it
binds to punishment for disregard of it as a law, and the non-acceptance
of it is a proposed covenant command. If perfidiously received, it binds
to punishment for not obeying it, and for deceitfully professing, by vow
or oath, to receive it. Accepted in sincerity and truth, and
consequently not by the wicked, but by one born again, it is laid hold
on at once as a law and a covenant command;--as a requirement of the
immutable law of God, and as a duty of the Everlasting Covenant.

Commands addressed to believers are at once, even while inculcated, a
law and a covenant requirement. They have acceded to these. Thereafter,
such therefore remain not merely a law, but a covenant duty, and as
enforcing covenant obligation, fall to be habitually observed.

Thirdly. Those who are in covenant with God will, as individuals and
communities, in some measure make and keep covenant engagements with
him. Every believer, that is, every one in covenant with God, will after
some manner practise such duties. Covenanting is an exercise of the
renewed nature, and is an essential manifestation of it. From
gravitation come the movement of the moon in her orbit, that of the
planets round the sun, and perhaps a progress of the whole solar system
through space; from the living energy of the plant cherished by the
moisture and heat of heaven proceed, the expanding of the leaf, and the
putting forth of the flower and fruit; from the laws of molecular
attraction, come the beautiful forms of the mineral, vegetable, and
animal creation; from the principle of love to God comes the habit of
delighting in him; from hope come the stimulating anticipations of
eternal good; from faith comes the exercise of believing; from the
heart, whose energies delivered from the dominion of sin by grace, are,
from their native constitution and by the claims of the God of
salvation, engaged to him in covenant, proceeds the habitual exercise of
Covenanting. Where there is motion, there and there only force prevails;
where organic effort is made, there only life exists; where Covenanting
is engaged in, there only a covenant relation and title can be found.
Every incorporate community that forms a part of the true Church of the
living God, with greater or less frequency, or more or less explicitly,
recognises its covenant obligati