to him. When the Sabbath points out a rest from sin,
and deliverance from its consequences, they seek to sanctify it, and
keep it as a sign and pledge of the rest provided for them in the
covenant. And having in baptism had the name of God named upon them,
endeavouring to depart from all iniquity, they manifest themselves as by
purchase and conquest, and their own personal surrender, truly his.

In some respects are all the ordinances of religion a Covenant sign, and
it is as set apart to wait on these that the holy priesthood displays a
like character. To them in all their extent are applicable the words of
the Lord concerning Phinehas,--"Behold, I give unto him my covenant of
peace."[711] As lights in the world, and as a devoted people, they have
verified to themselves the promise,--"They shall teach Jacob thy
judgments and Israel thy law; they shall put incense before thee, and
whole burnt-sacrifice upon thine altar;" being faithful in discharging
their solemn obligations, and thus illustrating the duty of paying the
vow, their conduct, in vowing and fulfilling their engagements, receives
the approval--"they have observed thy word and kept thy covenant;"
encouragement from above is vouchsafed to them in their peculiar
character, in the words of prayer,--"Bless Lord, his substance, and
accept the work of his hands;" and thus, the assurance that as a sign
they shall be preserved,--"smite through the loins of them that rise up
against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again."[712]

God's covenant with his people is the covenant of a priesthood. And to
secure the dispensation of the means of grace, that was given. The
ministry of reconciliation and the Church at large are co-ordinate.
Where the one is promised, the other also will be bestowed in due time.
Where the ministers of the word are, there, to a greater or less extent,
will be a Church. And a Church will seek to itself the ministering
servants of Christ. Where the ordinances of religion are properly
dispensed, there is a Church; and there an appointed instrumentality, in
greater or less measure, presents the mind of Christ. When his servants
dispense the ordinances of his grace, God speaks to his people. And as
a people in covenant with Him, to his words they are called to assent.
His servants are ambassadors for Christ. As though God did beseech by
them, they beseech sinners to be reconciled unto him. Like the Church
itself in the world, the con