the part of the believer himself, affords an instance of
the Divine example inviting him again to the duty. And since the
Covenant of God from eternity, anticipated all the engagements of time,
to these believers are drawn by the ever-memorable example presented by
that. But the example of God in former ages, also extends to all
succeeding times. The covenant which he made with Abraham, was to
include men in the later as well as former ages. And if the swearing of
an oath then, by the Lord himself, was to be imitated by his people
under any dispensation, it was to be, therefore, imitated during the
last. And even as the covenant with Abraham, the Everlasting
Covenant--the origin of that, afforded the giving of the oath of God as
an example to be followed throughout the whole lapse of time, even until
those who were given to the Son should be brought by him to that
glorious inheritance to which they were chosen.

FOOTNOTES:

[600] Exod. xx. 2.

[601] Gen. xvii. 2.

[602] 2 Sam. xxiii. 5.

[603] Gal. iii. 16; see also ver. 15, 17

[604] Luke i. 72, 73.

[605] Ezek. xx. 37.

[606] John xvi. 23, 24.

[607] Eph. v. 19. James v. 13.

[608] Ps. xxii; see ver. 22.

[609] John xvii. 26.

[610] Exod. xx. 11.

[611] Lev. xix. 2.

[612] Heb. x. 23.

[613] John xii. 26.

[614] John xviii. 37.

[615] Phil. ii. 11.

[616] Heb. vi. 13, 17, 18.

CHAPTER X.

COVENANTING A PRIVILEGE OF BELIEVERS.

Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or
whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption
into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and
his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he
power (margin, or, _the right_; or, _privilege_) to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate
benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that
Covenanting is a good to which believers, through the grace of God, are
entitled, is abundant.

First. Believers Covenanting are a people near to God. To be near to
God, is to have special privilege. "He also exalteth the horn of his
people, the praise of all his saints, even of the children of Israel, a
people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord."[618] Those who honour him
will God honour.[619] But with the lip, and consequently in Covenanting
as well as otherwise, such draw near to honour him. It is the hypocrisy
of th