a Covenant people, were written in the book of
life. Of the holy Jerusalem the Spirit testifies, "There shall in no
wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's
book of life."[523] Whosoever enters therein, therefore, will not rank
among those who, refusing to act as the children of the Covenant, are
denominated the uncircumcised and the unclean. Concerning the beast, it
is said, "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names
are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world."[524] The sin of those is idolatry. Hence,
neither are written in the book of life any others, who impenitently
refraining from the obedience of a covenant people, virtually persevere
in the service of any idols, till death arrests them. It was to Israel
as a people who had voluntarily in covenant dedicated themselves to his
service, that was addressed the message, "Thus saith the Lord, I
remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals,
when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not
sown. Israel was holiness unto the Lord."[525] And applicable to all
who, such as they were, being in covenant are sanctified, is the
promise, "And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and
he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one
that is written among the living in Jerusalem."[526] The saints of God
are come "to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which
are written in heaven;" but they are also come to "Jesus, the mediator
of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh
better things than that of Abel." And according to their distinguished
destination they endeavour to reduce to practice the exhortation,
"Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly
fear."[527]

The Covenant people of God are an elect people. They were chosen to be
separated from the wicked and from their works. Thus Israel were
separated from the heathen. Thus all who believe are separated from
those that know not nor obey the Lord. "Thou art an holy people unto the
Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people
unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the
earth."[528] "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and