ument. Shown to be prophecy, both by the circumstances in
which it was uttered, and by the fulfilment, it is manifestly conducive
to the duty. The fulfilment of prophecy is a scriptural test of its
truth; but manifestations made of Divine approbation to the prophet,
even before what was uttered by him was fulfilled, also attest that such
was of God. It is the prophecy, as authenticated by one or other, or
both of these things, that gives encouragement to perform the service.
Did God speak by his servants in order to inform men, that his name
should be called upon, in vowing and swearing unto him? Then, because of
such a peculiar manifestation of his will, the duty behoves to be
performed. If the dictation of his will as a law in reference to the
service had been sufficient, he would not otherwise have enjoined it.
And if his will manifested in that manner confers obligation, does not
the revelation of it, in the condescending, though glorious language of
prophecy, as well as otherwise, bind to duty? Shall he use any means to
make his pleasure known, of which men, by giving obedience, will not
testify their approbation? Shall God speak, and yet men not respond?

Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to Old Testament
times. The prophecies under this head may be divided into those of the
earlier prophets, and those of the later. The first class includes in
it, those of Jacob and Moses, and others, who were employed to predict
the future circumstances of Israel. Referring to the Church of God as a
covenant society, in general they foretold that the exercise of
Covenanting should be performed by its members. As an instance of
explicit references made to the duty, we may advert to the blessing of
Moses on the tribe of Levi.[762] That prophecy, though not limited to
the periods of the former dispensations, may be considered as specially
including in it a prospective regard to every act of Covenanting, in
which the Church and nation of Israel as such engaged after it was
delivered. The predictions of the later prophets in regard to
Covenanting in the former ages, were fulfilled, on the return of the
Jews from Babylon.[763] They were so explicit, and so soon fulfilled, as
to afford most emphatically an exhibition of the will of God in regard
to their object.

Covenanting was predicted in prophecy in reference to New Testament
times. Both in the first and in the later ages, the performance of the
duty in these ages