ng by his Holy Spirit to all nations the way of life and peace. He
cannot so follow him as a Priest before the throne on high, making
intercession for sinners. He cannot so follow him in the putting forth
of almighty power for the conversion and edification of his people. He
cannot so follow him to the throne of the universe, to rule over all
things for the glory of God and the good of his people. But in many
respects, he is required, nay in these words he is enjoined, to follow
him. In general, in the discharge of all duty, he is called to follow
him. In particular, to follow him in regarding all the ordinances of
religion--unfolding a covenant relation to God;--in acknowledging a
heavenly Father, as a child in covenant alone could do;--and in making a
solemn confession of the truth of God, saying with him, though in
circumstances infinitely humbler, "To this end was I born, and for this
cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the
truth."[614] His people, were he to bid them, would follow him to prison
and to death. And will they not habitually follow him--who confessed his
own Divine character, to confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father?[615] Hence, in conclusion,

First. How important the exercise of following the Divine example in
Covenanting! It gives a peculiar elevation to the mind. We are called to
duty for the advancement of God's glory, and for our own advantage. And
when we contemplate aright the exercise as sanctioned by the procedure
of God, how distinctly are these brought before us! Was it not for the
advantage of men that God entered into covenant from the days of
eternity? that he entered into covenant with man in innocence? that he
entered into covenant with so many of our fallen race?--and will it not
be for this that He will yet enter into covenant with unnumbered
millions to come? And as God thus sought the advantage of sinners, will
they not in imitation of him seek it too? But higher still, was it not
for his own glory that God revealed himself as a God in Covenant? Was it
not that he might make known what inherently belonged to Him, and even
the manifestation of which could not add to his essential greatness? Was
it not that he might teach his creatures gifted by his bounty while in
the enjoyment of good to rise above themselves, so as to give scope to
the manifestation of excellence, lovely because of itself, and not less
lovely because of its tendency to attr