is connexion, resolve to bind themselves to
the Lord _in a perpetual covenant that may not be forgotten_. (2.) By
seeking shifts and arguments to elude and evade the obligation of the
covenant and to defend the breaches thereof; which is after vows to make
inquiry. (3.) By despising the bond of it; Ezek. xvi. 59. "Which hast
despised the oath in breaking the covenant." (4.) By defection to the
iniquities which are sworn and engaged against in the covenant, Jer. xi.
10. "They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which
refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them;
the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant,
which I made with their fathers." (5.) By changing the government, laws,
and ordinances sworn to be maintained in the covenant; either the
government of the state, without consulting divine direction, and due
inspection into the qualification of the persons set up, Hos. viii.,
compare the 1st and 4th verses. "They have transgressed my covenant, &c.
They have set up kings, but not by me, princes and I knew it not;" that
is, without consulting me to know my will, and without my approbation
and consent; or the government of the church, without regard to the
revealed will of God. Thus, Abijah justly chargeth Jeroboam that he had
"cast out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites,"
and that he had "made priests after the manner of the nations of other
lands;" but encourages himself that he and Judah had the Lord for their
God, because they had not forsaken him; "and the priests which
ministered unto the Lord were the sons of Aaron." 2 Chron. xiii. 6, 10.
(6.) By an entire forsaking and disowning the obligation of the
covenant, Dan. xi. 30. "He------shall have intelligence with them that
forsake the holy covenant." (7.) By a stated opposition to the covenant,
and persecuting of these who adhere thereunto. Thus Elijah justly
charges Israel, 1 Kings xix. 10, that they had forsaken God's covenant,
because they had thrown down his altars, slain his prophets, and sought
after Elijah's life. And in a use of lamentation deduced from the
foresaid doctrine, he showed, that all ranks in the land had reason to
mourn over their breach of covenant, in regard that some of all ranks,
from the throne to the dunghill, in church and state, are, or have been
guilty of dealing falsely in God's covenant, in all and every one of
these diverse ways, and of declin