ns do give peculiar calls to the duty in all its
variety. Times of hazard and distress, by displaying in relief, the
vanity of all the aids that mere creatures could afford, and finding men
looking around for comfort and support, invite, with a power peculiar to
themselves, to look to Him who is a present help to his people in every
time of need, and cordially, by Covenanting, to respond to his
invitation,--"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee,
and thou shalt glorify me."[788] When religion is low, and error and
vice and ungodliness prevail, the hosts of darkness are successful; but
their clamour is unfit to drown the cry, so fitted to inspire with holy
zeal, then urging to special devotedness to the Lord's cause,--"Who is
on the Lord's side?"[789] In times of reviving, there are transmitted by
every gale from heaven, the words of the Redeemer, inviting his
Spouse--his Church, individually and socially to the holy duty of
acknowledging Him as her Lord,--"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come
away."[790] When the friends of truth unite for its maintenance, either
in an incorporate or other capacity, they are called to follow the Lord,
the "Leader." Is it said of the wicked,--"They are confederate against
thee (or, against thy Covenant they shall covenant)"? What ought to be
the conduct unitedly of those, who individually are interested in the
Lord's Covenant? Are they not urged, to declare most explicitly by
formally taking hold upon it, that they have come up to the help of the
Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty?[791]

FOOTNOTES:

[785] Acts xxvii. 23.

[786] Ps. cxix. 94.

[787] "Enter into thy Closet." By the Rev. James M'Gill, Hightae,
Lochmaben. Glasgow: David Bryce, 1843;--a most valuable work on the
secret duties of religion.

[788] Ps. l. 15.

[789] Exod. xxxii. 26.

[790] Song ii. 10.

[791] Appendix C.

CONCLUSION

Hence the exercise of Covenanting has powerful claims. It is important.
It is unfolded by a flood of light from the page of Divine truth. It is
intimately connected with the manifestation of the glory of God. It is
related to every other duty incumbent on men. It contemplates the best
interests of society at present and to come;--it bears upon the
maintenance of the just rights of mankind, and the glory of the Church
in Millennial times. And it is an important means of sanctification, and
of perseverance in grace. By means of it, each one of t