and _a covenant_, and the other, ([Hebrew: chazuth]) as we have
seen,[635] _a vision_, or _a revelation_, and _a covenant_.[636] Hence,
a covenant with God, in a sense far higher than what is applicable to an
agreement with mere men, is made in receiving a revelation of his will,
or seeing him in such a manner as is competent to his people. The
"cherubim" of the Old Testament, and the "four living creatures" of the
New,[637]--the one representing the ministers of religion in both
periods, the other symbolizing the ministers of the gospel in the
latter, are both represented as full of eyes. Thus described, they
resemble the prophets of old, denominated "seers." The many eyes
ascribed to them may point out the enlarged capacities which they should
have for apprehending Divine things, as well as for rightly observing
the dispensations of Providence, in order that they might teach the
people. But from the prophets, and rulers, and seers, who were
unfaithful, being represented as having had their eyes closed, and the
people to whom a vision or covenant was addressed, being exhibited as
unable to read it,[638] and from those who were guilty of idolatry being
spoken of as blind,[639] it would appear that both the ministers of
God's sanctuary and his other people, under the former dispensation,
when they drew near to Him in Covenanting, enjoyed a privilege of which
the gift of seeing was an emblem. And from the "four living creatures"
and the "elders"--the one full of eyes, and the other also capable of
contemplating the Lamb as slain, around the throne, saying, "Thou hast
made us unto our God kings and priests"--,[640] it would appear that the
later saints in the house of God on earth were to engage in the exercise
of taking hold on his Covenant, and as his saints of old, there to enjoy
the vision of God as a privilege. Yea, even to the Gentiles, enabled to
apprehend Christ as given for a light to them, it will be vouchsafed as
a privilege to attend to this. "I the Lord have called thee in
righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give
thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles."[641]

Fourthly. These Covenanting, know God, and are known of him. The
heathen, worshipping idols, are represented as not knowing God. "Howbeit
then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are
no gods." And some from among them who had made an insincere profession
of religion, are repr