he glorious
community of which Christ is the Head is called to manifest attachment
to him; and through it to become more and more like unto him: so that
the whole body of the faithful, each one having been taken into God's
Covenant, and enabled to abide by it,--the Church, as the Lamb's wife,
may be presented faultless before the presence of his glory with
exceeding joy.

It is advantageous. Preparation for it leads to accurate apprehensions
of duty. It tends to cherish a devout solemnity of mind. It leads to the
comforts of habitual holy communion with God. It impresses with a sense
of increased obligation, that furnishes an ardour of mind, powerfully
impelling to duty. It tends to unite many in affection, and sentiment,
and zeal for truth. It presents instruction most solemnly to the young
and rising race, led to inquire concerning it, "What mean ye by this
service?" It is calculated to arrest for good the attention of society
at large. And it provides benefits the most valuable and extensive, for
generations unborn.

It is necessary. It forms a part of the system of means devised by
Jehovah for carrying forward his work; and it must be observed. His
work, by this and other means, will be completed. Though the evils that
have occurred in the world have been permitted, yet some are chargeable
with blame for committing them, and others are culpable for not having
used various means, of which Covenanting is one, in order that they
might have been prevented. Though the Romish apostacy was permitted, yet
who can tell how far the Church of God was culpable in not using
extensively enough for its prevention, Covenanting--one means directly
adapted to that purpose? And who can tell what effect the performance of
the duty will have in leading to the good in store for the Church, even
on earth, and to the prevention of evil which, if allowed, would arise?

The duty, therefore, should be observed.[792] It is irreligion that
disregards it. Superstition and infidelity alike trifle with an oath;
for Satan hates and tries to discredit this institution of heaven. Who,
by not observing the ordinance of Covenanting would practically say,
that it ought to be abolished? Who would say that one flower of the
field should cease to exist in the vegetable world, because that many
others emit a fragrance whose elements are the same as those of the
sweets which it breathes, or display tints due to the same colours that
afford its glorious hu