Chapter XI

COVENANTING ENFORCED BY THE GRANT OF COVENANT SIGNS AND SEALS.

Design of the gracious grant of
Covenant signs and seals, 320

SIGNS.

The Rainbow, 321
a sign that the benefits of God's
Covenant should be conferred, 321
explicitly referred to in Scripture
as a sign, 322
presented before the prophet
Ezekiel in vision, at his entrance
upon an important mission, 324
displayed in vision introducing
prophetic part of the book of
Revelation, 325
presented in vision which exhibited
the two Witnesses who should
prophesy in sackcloth, 326
encouraging sign, 327
Circumcision--
instituted, 327
introductory to other privileges, 328
enjoined under greatest penalty, 329
seal of Covenant, 330
Baptism--
under New Testament dispensation,
what circumcision was under
the former, 330
The Sabbath--
instituted from the beginning, 333
observed to the enjoyment of all
religious privileges, 333
has afforded calls for engaging
in the practice of vowing to
God, 334
affords provision for the
observance of every religious
service, 334
kept, to the attainment of the
most varied and extensive
good, 336
The Priesthood--
a people in Covenant with God, 336
what among the Israelites, 337
a living sign, 338
a sign, as set apart to wait on
the ordinances of grace, 339
Term, a denomination of God's
Covenant people, 339
Those faithful to the Covenant of
the priesthood approved, and the
desecrators thereof condemned, 340
The priesthood recognised in all
ages, 341
Difficulty in reference to priesthood
under the law made without an
oath considered and obviated, 342
The priesthood dependent on the
priesthood of Christ, 344
The New Heart--
being a New Covenant blessing,
is a New Covenant sign, 345
contrasted with the unrenewed
heart subjected to various
changes, 346
presented under the aspect of a
circumcised heart, 347
a perfect heart, 347
one heart contrasted with the
double heart, 348
among the people of God in a
social capacity, 348
Christ--
a sign of the fact of the
Everlasting Covenant, 350
a sign of the Covenant's
ratification, 351
a sign of the dispensation of its
blessings, 352
a sign by which the Covenant
should be had in remembrance, 353
a sign of the performance of its
duties, 354
a transcendently glorious sign, 354

CHAPTER XII. COVENANTING PERFORMED IN FORMER AGES WITH APPROBATION FROM ABOVE.

General remarks, 358
The Lord approved of engagements
made in Personal Covenanting, 358
--in Social Covenanting, 359
We have encouragement to make
vows, the engagements of which
are lawful, 363

CHAPTER XIII. COVENANTING PREDICTED IN PROPHECY.

Nature of the argument exhibited, 364 Force of it depends on the manifestation of God's will, 365 Predicted in reference to Old Testament times, 366 Predicted in reference to New Testament times, 368 Important to attend to such prophetic intimations, 368

CHAPTER XIV. COVENANTING RECOMMENDED BY THE PRACTICE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.

Argument unfolded, 369
Practice recommended by the example
of the Church, 369
--by the manifestation of Divine
favour made in enabling the
Church to act to the fulfilment
of his designs, 370
The practice of the Church in the
first three centuries after the
apostolic age, recommends the
duty, 370
Also that of the Churches of the
Reformation, 371
--of the Churches abroad, 372
--of the Church in Britain and
Ireland, 373
Example in this, to be imitated, 376

CHAPTER XV. SEASONS OF COVENANTING.

Never unsuitable, 377 Special seasons, 378 Times of hazard and distress, 378 When religion is low, and error, and vice, and ungodliness, prevail, 378 Times of reviving, 378 When the friends of truth unite for its maintenance, either in an incorporate, or other cooperative capacity, 378

CONCLUSION.

The exercise important, 379
advantageous, 379
necessary, 379
It should therefore be observed, 380

APPENDIX.

A, 381 B, 383 C, 391 D, 393

THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING.