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CHRIST the Covenant of the People. 
 
 TWO ' 
 
 SERMONS 
 
 WITH 
 
 Five Diicourfes at the Tables Serving; 
 and the Difcourfe after the Tables, on 
 Ifhiah xlii. 6. 
 
 Defigned -to have beeti preached in the Eaft- 
 Church of Aberdeen, at the Celebration of the 
 Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, on Sabbath 
 the 7th, and Monday the 8th Day of November 
 1756. 
 
 By the late Reverend 
 
 Mr. JOHN B I S S E T, 
 
 Eldeft Minifter offaid City. 
 
 Found among tbe Papers of the Deceafed ; and 
 publifhed at the earneft Defire of his ordinary 
 Hearers. 
 
 W I T H 
 
 A PREFACE by his Son, the Reverend 
 Mr. John Bis set, Miniflei of the Gofpel at 
 Culfamond. 
 
 ED I Kf B V R G H: 
 
 Printed by WILLIAM GRAY, and fold at his 
 
 Printing-houfe, a little "without the W/ftrBort, 17 S7- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 TH E following fermon was intended 
 to have been preached by the late 
 Reverend Mr. John Bissf.t, minifter 
 of the goipel at j4berdeen> on the 7th of No- 
 ve?nbcr 9 1756, the day appointed for the ce- 
 lebration of the Lord's Supper in that city. 
 Death having removed the worthy author, 
 from the communion of the church mili- 
 tant, to the bled fociety and fcilowfhip a- 
 bove, where he is now completely happy 
 in die immediate enjoyment of his God 
 and Redeemer, far beyond the reach of 
 perfeeution or of forrow, all tears being 
 For ever wiped from his eyes ; this fermon is 
 publifhed (at the earned follicitation of thofe 
 who were his daily hearers,) exactly word 
 for word, as it was foujnd among the pa- 
 pers of the deceafed. 
 
 The reader will be pkafed to obferve, 
 that the author was defigned to have dif- 
 cuffed the two firft heads of the difcourfc, 
 before he proceeded to the folemn aftion 
 of the day : the third general head and part 
 of the improvement, was to have furniilied 
 him with five table -fer vices ; the remainder 
 of the fubjeft he was to have delivered im- 
 mediately after faring the tables, and in a 
 dyet on the Monday following : and if pro- 
 vidence had ipared him, ? tis probable, as 
 A 2 the 
 
IV 
 
 the fermon docs not feem to contain all he 
 intended on the fubjeel, that he would have 
 infiftcd upon it for fome fucceeding Sab- 
 baths. 
 
 The fame noble aim the worthy author 
 propofed to liimfelf in all his fermons, is e- 
 vide ntly apparent in this ; the leading hk 
 hearers out of thcmfelvcs to a cordial ac- 
 ceptance of jefiis the Saviour, in the various 
 characters under which the goipel reveals 
 him ; and the difplaying before them, in the 
 fuileit and warmeft manner, the unfearch- 
 able riches of redeeming mercy and love. 
 Chrift crucified, tho' to the Jews a /tumbling 
 block, and to the Greeks, fooliflmefs, was 
 the fum and fubftance of his preaching. He 
 knew Jefus experimentally, as the power of 
 God, and thewlfdom of God ; and what he 
 had the deepeft feeling of, himfelf, that he 
 delivered unto others. From the abundance 
 of his heart, his mouth Jpake ; acircumftance 
 that cannot mils to recommend the fermon 
 now publifhed, to the approbation and e- 
 ftecraof all thole who love our Lord J ejus in 
 (wcerity. J. B. 
 
SERMON, &c. 
 
 ISAIAH xlii. 6. 
 — and glut thee for a covenant of the people. 
 
 YX^Hatever, promifes weie nude to the Jews a- 
 * * bout their deliverance from the Babylonijh 
 captivity, by Cyrus; the words now read, area 
 part of a glorious prophecy concerning the lylef- 
 iiah, and of a far greater redemption and delive- 
 rance to be wrought by hirudin refpe£t that there 
 are things in this prophecy, which cculd not be 
 faid of Cyrus y who could net be called a light to 
 lighten the Gentiles, to open the blinded zyes, nor 
 to bring the prifoners aut of the prijon, and them 
 who jit in darknefs, out cf the prifon-houfej and 
 alfo, in Mat. xii. 18. lit is faid, that thefe words 
 fpoken by die prophet IJaial\ were fulfilled in 
 Chriit. 
 
 Great and glorious things are fpoken of Cbrift, 
 both in the old and new tetrarnent, particularly by 
 the evangelical prophet Ifaiah, long before his ap- 
 pearing in the likenefs of linful fiefii ; who, when 
 he enters upon the fubject concerning the MeKiah^ 
 he is like one in the utmoft ftraits how to fpeak 
 of him, or talk of him, or how to illuftrate his 
 
 I glorious 
 
6 The Explanation of the Text. 
 
 glorious mediatory character; and therefore he 
 ufeth fo many lofty figures, fetting forth the glo- 
 rious honour of his majefty, and talking of his 
 power ; of which the words I have now pitched 
 upon, are a comprehenfive part. 
 
 If the old teftarnent faints and prophets, who 
 faw Ch rift's day afar off, rejoiced at the diftant 
 fig^it and hopeful expectation of the time in which 
 the day- fpring from on high fhouldvi fit &j, and life 
 and Immortality fhould be brought to light by the 
 gofpel, what mall we fay to thefc things, who fee 
 this great falvation which God hath prepared be- 
 fore the face of all people, a light to lighten the 
 Gentiles, and the glory of the lfrael of God? Now, 
 blejfed be the Lord God of lfrael, for he hath vi fil- 
 ed and redeemed his people : and hath raifed up an 
 horn of falvation for us , in the houfe of his ftrvant 
 David ; as he fpake by the mouth ef his holy pro- 
 phets, which have been fine e the world began, Luke 
 i. 68, 69, 70. 
 
 Let us flop here a little,and wonder at the mourn- 
 ful difference betwixt thefe holy prophets, lfaiah 
 in particular, and many now who have greater 
 advantages than lfaiah or any of the holy prophets 
 had, of preaching Chrift and him crucified; him 
 who is now fet forth as crucified before us : and 
 yet, alas ! how much is he an unknown Chrift ? 
 how many pretend to preach Chrift, yet make not 
 him the chief fubjecT: of their doctrine-? "Were 
 lfaiah looking up, would he own them as his bre- 
 thren in the faith of the Meffiah, who behave as 
 if it were an indecent ftoop to employ themfelves 
 in putting honour and glory upon his name ? 
 How much of Chrift and the gofpel is in the writ- 
 ings of the prophets ; but alas ! how iirile of him 
 ih the doctrine of many who now would be e- 
 fteemedhis new teftarnent minifies ? but let God 
 be true, and all men liars : he hath faid it, P/'al. 
 
 xlv. 
 
'/ he Explanation of the Text. 7 
 
 xlv. 1 7. that he ivillcaufe his name to be remcm- 
 bred in all generations, therefore ft all the people 
 fraife him for ever and' ever. 
 
 It is but little we know or can fpeak of the glo- 
 rious honour of ChriiVs majefry, or talk of his 
 power ; nor can we overtake all that the prophet 
 fpeaks of his glorious mediatory character ; nor 
 are we able to reach to the depth of the golden 
 veins of the unfearchable riches of Chriff, that 
 are wrapped up in thcfe few words of my text ; 
 that God hath given him to be a covenant of the 
 people. But as the work of this communion day is 
 a remembrance of ChrifVs dying love, a renewing 
 'our choice and hold of him whom God hath given 
 to he a covenant of ihe people, a remembrance of 
 his holy covenant, a renewing of a broken cove- 
 nant with God, through him who will be ever 
 mindful of his covenant : and in refpect fuch work 
 mull be attended with conviction of fin, and our 
 breach of covenant, and a deep fenfe of unworthi- 
 nefs to enter into covenant with God, and of in- 
 ability of abiding in covenant ; and that therefore 
 our hearts do fail us, when we think on thefe 
 things : here our encouragement, here a broad 
 foundation for a large fuperftru&ure of grace, 
 Chrifr who is our hope, is given to us for a cove- 
 , nant ; God hath made a covenant -with his chofen, 
 therefore his mercy (hall he built up for ever, and 
 his faithfulnefs to all generations. 
 
 In explaining thcfe words, I mall 
 
 Fir/}, Endeavour to fpeak to the import of 
 ChriiVs being given for a covenant. 
 
 Secondly, In what refpe&s Jefus the MeiTiah, is, 
 and may be called, A covenant, or, The cove- 
 nant. 
 
 Thirdly, Shew what is imported in ChriiVs be- 
 ing given for a covenant of the people, 
 
 Fourthly, 
 
8 . What is imported- in Chrijl's being 
 Fourthly^ Make application of the whole, 
 
 The FIRST GENERAL HEAD is, To en- 
 deavour to fpeak to the import of (Thrift's being 
 given for a covenant. I vjill give thee to be a co- 
 venant of the people ; thefe words are brought in 
 as fpoken to Chrift himfelf, in whom is all our 
 comfort and hope, and to whom mould be all our 
 defire. And they import, 
 
 i. That the original and foundation of God's 
 covenant- dealings with us, is an eternal compact 
 between Jehovah and Chrift, and had not its be- 
 ginning and ufe from our fore-thoughts of that 
 hafmefs, when we began to entertain the news of 
 a Saviour, and of redemption by him : it lived 
 not in our breafts, but was under deliberation be- 
 tween the Father and the Son, long before ever it 
 entered into your hearts ; yea, it was there tranf- 
 acted ; the heirs of falvation were fore-ordained 
 unto their lot and inheritance, when the captain* 
 of falvation was deftinate unto his work. "O how 
 comfortable and how ftrengthening is this to poor 
 linners, who now believe that eternal covenant- 
 love, covenant-dealings, covenant-relations and 
 engagements, begin at t*tc head Chrift, fall firfton 
 him, and then defcend to the elect-feed ! Eph. i. 
 3. Blcjfed be the God and Father of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, ivho hath bUffed us -with all fpiritual blef- 
 fings in heavenly places in Chrift, according as he 
 hath chofen us in him before the foundation of the 
 world. 
 
 2. It importeth, that the love of the Father and 
 or" Chrift, which now hath appeared and broken 
 forth in the defigns of his grace, in bringing us 
 into a new covenant ftate, hath been in action for 
 us and about us, from eternity, before we had a 
 being, Jer. xxxi. 3. With everlafting love have I 
 hved thee, therefore vtith loving- kindnefs have I 
 
 drawn 
 
given for a Covenant, 9 
 
 drawn thee. Prov. viii. 23, 31. Chrift our cove- 
 riant was fet up from everla/ting, rejoicing in the 
 habitable parts of the earth. How fhould this 
 comfort and encourage faith, and allure our hearts, 
 that the love of God and of Chrift defigned a blef- 
 fed covenant-ftate for us, when we were not yet 
 created ; and provided a phyfician before we fell 
 fick ; that he had a redeemer in readinefs before 
 the fall of man, which he forefaw ; who provid- 
 ed a furety before he was needed, to be in readi- 
 nefs to ftrike hands for our debt ! That Chrift, 
 whofe death we this day remember, fpake kindly 
 for us, when we were not prefent ; that, without 
 being defired by us, he took our cafe in hand ; 
 that he undertook for us, when we had neither 
 being, nor knowledge of his undertaking ! 
 
 3. It imports, that our redemption and falva- 
 tion doth not depend upon our will, but upon 
 God's gracious will. Now this is the Father's 
 will, that of all that he hath given Chrift, all for 
 whom Chrift is given, he Jhtuld lofe nothing, but 
 Jbould raife it up again at the loft- day, John vi. 
 30. There is now no more of our will in all the 
 bufinefs, but fo much as is captivated, bowed, and 
 carried after God's will, wh$ worketh in us to will 
 and to do of his good plea/ure, Phil. ii. 13. And 
 how fweet and comfortable is it, that falvation by 
 the new covenant is taken off from the mutable 
 will of man, and laid upon the immutability of 
 God's counfel, Heb, vi. 17. and upon his un- 
 changeable will ! 
 
 4., God's giving of Chrift to be a covenant, im- 
 porter^, thavMhe fountain and well fpring of life 
 and falvation, and of all the influences that muft 
 needs lift us towards it, lie out of ourfelves, and 
 are placed in Chrift, Pfal. lxxxvii. 7. All our 
 fprings are in him. He is the well-head of ouf 
 life; the well-head of life in Adam, was in him- 
 B felf, 
 
I o What is imported in Chrift's being 
 
 felf, but that went dry ; he had no other fountain 
 whence to draw, till Chrift was given, and that 
 fountain of living waters was opened. O how 
 fweet is that to the believer, that his falvation is 
 founded on Chrift, from whom he may take in 
 frefh fupplies, when his well runs dry I There is 
 a well of living waters fpringing up to eternal 
 life, John iv. 13. Forfake your own dry and 
 empty wells ; come here and draw, and you (hall 
 he fatisfied, becaufe Chrift who is given to be a 
 covenant jor you, lives, ye fhall live alfc, John 
 iiv. 19. 
 
 5. The Father's giving Chrift to be a covenant , 
 imports, that all your promifes of heaven and fal- 
 vation, and of all your fpiritual concernments, 
 arc in a furer hand than your own, even in Chrift's 
 keeping, to whom the promifes are made. He 
 is the heir of all things, Heb. i. 2. to whom the 
 fiift title and right to the promifes which are our 
 charters, doth belong. They were firft his, be- 
 fore they were ours ; yea, and he was the firft 
 poiTefTor too. Upon Chrift did all the aevs of 
 Cb rift's covenant-love firft fall, ASrs xiii. 34. / 
 give you the fur e mercies of David. Moft of the 
 promifes were made formally to Chrift, even thefe 
 which directly relate to our calling, juftification 
 ami falvstion, Jfaiah liii. 10. II. And the pleaCure 
 rf the Lor dfh all prof per in his hand. He fhalt fee 
 of the travail of his foul, and fhall be fatisfied. 
 Tiy lis knowledge fhall my righteous fervant jufti- 
 fy meaty, for he fhall bear their iniquities. And 
 tlifcfe that were cot made formally to him> fuch 
 <i ecw htart, a new fpirit* ~ rer££ion of fins, 
 yet were made to him eminently ; they were laid 
 Aown m him, and configned in his hand ; for 
 Chrift is not only the original and fountain- caufe 
 of all the promifes, who merited by his bloodj re- 
 mlfuoa, rightecu&efs and life, which the Lord 
 ♦ m afces 
 
given for a Covfhanf. j t 
 
 makes out by free promife ; but he is alfo the firft 
 fubjecl: of the promifes, Chrift receiveth all the 
 covenant-promifes, which are our rights and char- 
 ters, ana 1 he keepeth and manageth them for our 
 ufe, as may moft tend for our good. Chrift, who is 
 given to be the covenant, is that excellent ark who 
 keepeth the table of the covenant. O how fweet 
 and fatisfying is it, that our rights of heaven are 
 in fuch a charter- cheft, and in the hands of fuch 
 a keeper, even in ChriiVs cuftody, who will give a 
 good account to his Father, of all committed to 
 him ! 
 
 6. God's giving Chrift to be a covenant of the 
 people, importeth, that Chrift and the poor finner 
 are in one writ. There are both their interefts 
 and their names ; io that now we Hand not alone 
 in covenant dealings with God ; but Chrift ftands 
 a principal party covenanting for us, and receiv- 
 ing the promifes. His name was put in our bond ; 
 for he wrote himfelf the firmer legally, and in the 
 finner's Place, under the law, accurfed ; and our 
 name is put in the writ of juftlriication given to 
 him, and faith writes the believer righteous and 
 blefTed, 2 Cor. v. 21. God hath made him to he 
 fin for us, who knev>no fin, that ive might be made 
 the righteoufnefs of Cod in him. There is a com- 
 munity of writs between Ci?rift and believers : one 
 writ and promife makes God the God and Father 
 of our Lord Jefus Chrift, and the God and Father 
 of the believer, Heb. i. 5. 1 will be to him, a fa- 
 ther, and he fhallbeto me, a fon. Pfalm lxxxix. 
 29. His feed will I make to endure for ever. One 
 writ makes Chrift the firft heir and fon of the pro- 
 mife, and the believer, a younger brother coming 
 in under Chrift the firft heir, PfaL lxxxix. 27. 
 Alfo I will make him my firfi-born. Col. iii. 26. 
 For ye are all the children of Cod by faith in Jefus 
 Chrift. One writ and acquittance difcharges both 
 B 2 Chrift 
 
1 2 What is imported in Chrifl's being 
 
 Chrift and the believer from the curfe and con- 
 demnation of the law, Rom. viii. 34. Cod fending 
 his own Son in the likenefs of Jinful flefh, and for 
 fin, condemned fin in the flefh. O how comfor- 
 table and ftrengthning is this, in this day of re- 
 membering of Chrift's dying love, that Chrift and 
 believers are in one writ ; that our covenant-in- 
 terefts in, and relations to God, and all his and 
 our concernments, are thus bound up in one writ! 
 If his title to God, to heaven, to promifes, be 
 good and valid, ours is fo too : if he acquit and 
 defend his own charters, he doth the fame for 
 ours. Blefled are they who are united to him, in 
 the new covenant relation. 
 
 7. Chrift's being given to be a covenant of the 
 people, imports, that he is entrufted with being 
 the grand inftrument and a&or in all things that 
 appertain to his people's redemption and falvation, 
 Heb. v. 9. And being made per] eel, he became the 
 author of eternal falvation to all that obey him. O 
 how warm, hew comfortable is it ! what a fup- 
 port to faith, that Chrift is given to work all man- 
 ner of falvation for his people, and to be the 
 grand inftrument and chief actor thereof; that now 
 we may lo©k to him whom the Father hath given 
 to be a covenant of the people, as the author and 
 finifher of faith, Heb. xii. 2. 
 
 8. The Father's giving Chrift to be a covenant 
 t>f the people, imports, his having laid on him all 
 the hard conditions, all that the law requires of 
 man, condition- ways, Cal.'vj. 4. He was made 
 under the law. O how fweet and comfortable is 
 it to the poor creature, who finds laimfelf unable 
 for all covenant- conditions, to find that Chrift did 
 take upon him all conditions which the law re- 
 quires ; fo that now, tho' the believer be under 
 the commands of the law, he is not under the 
 conditions thereof, for now is it not to him a co- 
 venant 
 
given for a Covenant. 1 3 
 
 venant. Chrift alfo did bear the curfeof the law ; 
 but now that which the believers differ, even of 
 the things that were written in the book of the 
 law, are now written in the book of covenant 
 mercies. Chrift did take upon him all the condi- 
 tions that are works ; and nothing remains to the 
 believer condition-ways, but that which is grace. 
 It is true, the believer yet worketh, Eph. ii. 1 o. 
 They arc created in Chrift Jefus wit good -works ; 
 but all working, condition- ways, was on -Chrift, 
 given to be a covenant of the -people. The princi- 
 pal, and moft fignificant condition of redemption, 
 falvation, and all covenant- bleffings and priviledges 
 promifed to us, is ChrilVs doing hi* part of the 
 covenant, his laying down his life ; not only as 
 the condition of the reward, to be given to Chrift 
 perfonaily, but even all the promifes that were 
 made to him concerning his redeemed feec!, Ifaiah 
 liii. 10. 11. He Jhall fee his feed; he fh all prolong 
 his days, and the pleafure 0} the Lirdfiall pro/per 
 in his hand. He fh all fee of the travail of his Joul, 
 and/hall be fatisfitd. Chrift is under a covenant 
 to work in his people, all that God requirerh of 
 them. O how comfortable is it, that Chi ift is 
 under a covenant to his elccT: people, not for 
 any thing they can do for themfelves, but for 
 the work that he hath wrought, and the con- 
 ditons he hath fulfilled in his own perfon, and is 
 obliged to fulfil and work in them \ The pro* 
 mifes then are fulfilled to us, not becanfe we fuU 
 fil the condition, but for Chrift, in whom they 
 are made to us, and who did perform all the 
 conditions that the law and juftice of God did re* 
 quire. 
 
 9. God's giving Chrift to be a covenant of the 
 people, imports, that Jehovah is engaged by cove* 
 nant with Chrift for our believing, and Chrift hath 
 given bond for this alfo. He Jhall fee his feed % 
 
 Ifaiah 
 
1 4 What is imported in ChriJVs being, Sec. 
 
 Ifaiah liii. i o. How comfortable is this to the 
 weak believer ; how ftrengtbening to faith, that 
 Jehovah gave bond from eternity to Chrift, and 
 itands engaged to him for bowing of our rebelli- 
 ous wills • for fuch a frame of heart to us, as our 
 falvation requires ! and that Chrift Hands engaged 
 to be to his own, a merciful and faithful high 
 prieft ; and that by the bonds he came under, it 
 behoved him to be fo, Heb. ii. 17. O confider 
 that he can no more be unconcerned with our con- 
 cernments, or be untouched with a feeling of our 
 infirmities, than he can ceafe to be a merciful and 
 faithful high pried, and fail in the bonds he hath 
 given to his Father. 
 
 1 o God's giving Chrift to be a covenant of the 
 people, imports, the fare and confirmed ftate in 
 which every believer in Chrift is. God's cove- 
 nanted people are not now in a tottering, flippery, 
 mutable condition, is were the angels that fell, or 
 Adam in the (rate of integrity ; but now Chrift 
 being given for a covenant of the people, their 
 help is laid on him who is mighty, Pfalm. lxxxix. 
 1 9. on him -who giveth power to them tbat have 
 no might, and to them that are faint, he encreaf- 
 eth firength, Ifaiah xl. 28 . 29. How may this 
 comfort their hearts who believe in Chrift : what 
 a fupport is here to their faith, tbat tho' they be 
 not yet out of danger, yet they are in a fecured 
 confirmed ftate ; that they can no more fall away 
 from a ftate of grace and faith, than Jehovah can 
 break to Chrift, or Chrift break to his Father. 
 Pfalm lxxxix. 35. 36, Once have I fworn by my 
 
 folimefs, that I will not lie unto Jacob- his feed 
 
 (l)all endure for ever. 
 
 1 1 . God's giving Chrift to be a covenant of the 
 people, imports, that through the faith of Chrift's 
 juftice, the terrible attribute of God is no more 
 dreadful to them who believe in Chrift, 1 John i. 
 
 9- 
 
The more particular ufe of j$ 
 
 9. If we confefs our fins, he is faithful and juft to 
 forgive our fins, and to cleanfe us from all unrig h- 
 teoufnefs. Chrift hath fatisfied juftice, hath paid 
 the believers debt to the laft farthing. How fweet 
 and comfortable mull this be to the believer, that 
 through Chrift whom God hath given to be a co- 
 venant of the people, not only grace and favour is 
 for him, but juftice alfo, that they may now plead 
 for pardon and remiflion at the bar of juf]ice it- 
 felf. 
 
 The more particular ufe of this. 
 I . Hath God given Chrift to be a covenant of 
 the people ? then learn to frame an anfwer to all 
 temptations arifmg from our own frailty, muta- 
 bility, and inconftancy, and fad mixture of unbe- 
 lief with faith, and of corruption with grace, You 
 think Adam and the angels fell who had no fin in 
 them ; how can we ftand ? Chrift being given as 
 a covenant, anfwers thefe and the like adults of 
 the weak believer's faith , for if, Thou ftandeft 
 by faith which excludeth boafting, and if thou be 
 not high minded but fear, thou lhait ftand by faith, 
 Rom. xi. 20. But they who flood by the law of 
 works feared net, but were lifted up and fell, zdly, 
 That little and weak faith that is in thee, is of a- 
 nother kind than that in innocent Mam or the an- 
 gels, which was not in Chrift the covenant : fo thy 
 faith is given thee for another end, even that by 
 going out of thyfelf, thou raayft ftand by faith . 
 and cometh from another fpring, which makes it 
 indefe&able, Luke xxii. 32. 1 have prayed for 
 thee, that thy faith fail not. 1 John iii. o. It is 
 the feed of God that remaineth in thee. -$dly, Al- 
 though Mam and the angels that fell, had grace 
 without mixture of corruption, yet had they no 
 promife nor afliirance of the Spirit, and actual in- 
 fluences which the weakeft believers have, Ezeh 
 XXXii. 27. And I will put my Jpirit within you, 
 
 and 
 
1 6 Chri/I being given for a Covenant. 
 
 and caufc you to walk in my Jialutes ; arid ye (hall 
 keep my judgments and do them. 4thly, Neither 
 had thefe grace in Chrift the ftorehoufe, given un- 
 to them ; all their ftock was in their own hand j 
 the fountain of life was in themfelves, but the be- 
 liever's, in Chrift, John i. 16. from whofe fulnefs 
 they receive, and grace far grace, sthly, Chrift 
 was never a covenant nor undertaker for angels or 
 innoe. t Adam, as he is for them whom the Fa- 
 ther, in the eternal counfel of peace hath given 
 him. 
 
 2. From this doctrine, and efpecially on the 
 day of this holy memorial, learn to ftudy ai:d ad- 
 mire thefe eternal depths of love and wifdom that 
 fhine forth in God's covenant-tranfaclions with 
 Chrift, that you may be able to comprehend, with 
 all faints, what is the breadth and the length, and 
 height, and ie^know the love of Chrift, which paf- 
 feth knowledge, Eph. iii. 18. 19. This glorious 
 myftery the angels defire to fearch into, though 
 not fo much concerned in it, as we are ; and mail 
 not we ftudy, remember, and admire it ? As 
 
 \ft, The wifdom and knowledge that found out 
 and devifed this way, which was beyond the pof- 
 fible reach of men and angels : that loft man, who 
 was in as hopelefs a condition as the fallen angels, 
 mould have the hope of recovery by Chrift, given 
 them as a covenant, 
 
 2dly, The everlafting out goings of the fame e- 
 ternal love, which came forth in covensnMranfac- 
 tions between the Father and the Son, when thefe 
 objects of his love and eternal delight, were not 
 
 as yet revealed, Prov. viii. 23.- 31. What a 
 
 wonder is this, that the delights of God fhould 
 be taken up about fuch objects ! 
 
 idly, The fovereign gracioufnefs of free pre- 
 venting grace, that Chrift fhould be given, and 
 ihould come as * covenant and undertaker for the 
 
 people, 
 
The more particular ufe of ij 
 
 people, and this not fought nor fent for, nor fo 
 much as defired by us. Ifaiah Ixv. 6. / am fought 
 of them that afked not for me ; I am found of them 
 that fought me not ; If aid, behold me, behold me, 
 unto a nation that was not called by my name. 
 
 Atthly, The feafonablenefs of the notice of his 
 being given as a covenant of the people, f he Lord 
 provided a phyfician before we were fick : gave 
 him to us in due time, Rom. v. 6. For when we 
 were yet without ft rength, in due time Chrift diid 
 for the ungodly. When fallen man was fick unto 
 death, when juftice with a fiery fword kept him 
 out from happinefs ; when he was running away 
 and hidding himfelf at the voice of God, Gen. iii. 
 io. When the one was defperate, and the reme- 
 dy to our knowledge, impofTible ; then God gave 
 him to be a covenant for us. 
 
 $thly, We are here to ftudy and admire the 
 double terras by which we hold pardon and life 
 by Chrift, given to be a covenant of the peofle : 
 by free grace, and by juftice both. Through Chrift, 
 given to be a covenant, provision is made, that 
 free grace mould acquit wretched finners ; and 
 that juftice aifo mould difcharge them for a full 
 price laid down. Chrift hath faid to Jehovah, as 
 Paul did to Philemon, concerning Onefimus, Phil. 
 i. 19. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee any 
 thing, put that to my account ; I will repay it. 
 And this anfwers all that law and juftice, or the 
 accufer can fay ; and therefore, every one who by 
 faith lays hold- on Chrift, the covenant of the peo- 
 ple, may fay with Paul, Rom. viii. 33. 34. Who 
 fh all lay any thing io the charge of God's eleel ? 
 It is God that juflifkth, who is he that condemn- 
 eth? 
 
 3. Learn hence, how needful the knowledge 
 
 and perfuafion of ChruTs undertaking to be given 
 
 as a covenant for us, is : not any thing more ne» 
 
 C cefTary 
 
lB drifts being given for a Covenant. 
 
 ceflary than this ; not any thing more needful to 
 be believed, l//, For our right underftanding of 
 our debt to Chrift, who did fo freely, being un- 
 der no neceffity, and not deilred by us, undertake 
 for us, and did put his foul in out foul's (lead. A 
 worthy ftudy indeed, and well becoming a believ- 
 er, to know what we owe to Jefus, given to be a 
 covenant, who fpake for us, behind our back, 
 when we were abfent, and who laid down his bond 
 for ours. idly. For cftablifhing our hearts in the 
 faith of our falvation and complete redemption. 
 Is there any thing can fo eftablifh the heart oi a 
 believer, as to know that Chrift is an undertaker 
 for him ? He who can believe that Chrift is given 
 to be a covenant for him, cannot doubt but he 
 wiii fulfil his undertaking, and that he fhall be fa- 
 red by him, Rom. v. 10. Being reconciled to Cod, 
 by tie death of his Son, ive fhall be faved by his 
 Yfe, ylly, For filencbg all tfce actings of unbe- 
 lief in us, and the pervcrfe opinions of our hearts 
 concerning God's covenant good-will towards us. 
 If the Father hath given Chrift, and he hath un- 
 dertaken to be a covenant for us ; what ground 
 for doubting of his willingnefs to take us into co- 
 venant with 1 imfelf, or of his readinefs to bellow 
 upon us, all thefe bleffings which Chrift the great 
 undertaker hath purchafed by his death ? Rom. viii. 
 3 2. God, who f pared not his own Son, but gave 
 him up to the death /or us all ; how fhall he not, 
 with him, freely give us all things ? 
 
 5. Is Chrift given to be a covenant of the peo- 
 ple? here comfort to all who are convinced of en 
 mity betwixt God and them. Lo, here glad tid- 
 ings ! Chrift is the covenant, given for this end, 
 to make up the breach which fin hath made be- 
 tween God and them. He is already, long ago, 
 defigned and appointed for this end; for him hath 
 God given to be a covenant of the people. He hath 
 
 already 
 
The m'jrc particular ufe of, &c. 19 
 
 already dons the work ; he hath purchafed and 
 proclaimed peace to rebels, who will come and 
 accept of it, Eph. ii. 16. ij. That he might re- 
 concile us to God by the crofs, having /lain the en* 
 mity thereby. And came and preached peace to 
 them that were afar rff, and to them that were 
 nigh He is now ready to receive within the bond 
 of his covenant, ail who will come and declare 
 their acceptance of his offer. Why then do you 
 hefitate ? why ftand you far off? what aileth you ? 
 is there not here encouragement and fupport for 
 faith ? is there not -here encouragement againft 
 felt enmity, and wrath, feared ? 
 
 5. Chrift being given for a covenant of the peo- 
 ple, mould be im proven by us, to eftablim our 
 hearts in the faith of the weight, and the preva- 
 lency ofChrift's undertaking for us. He is no 
 ufurper. He is a cailed, and a chofen perfon, and 
 therefore all that he doth in the work of our re- 
 demption, being according to the commandment 
 he received of his Father, muft prevail with him 
 who gave him for a covenant of the People, from 
 whom he received his com minion. 
 
 6. Is Chrift given to be a covenant of the peo- 
 ple ? Then learn the neceifuy and obligation we 
 are under of receiving God's gift. They who 
 flight the gofpel offer of Chrift, befides, the ne- 
 glect of the great falvation, brought to them, in 
 that oife r do flight a chofen officer, and a perfon 
 called and put into {o high authority by God, to 
 travel with you in the bulincfs of your falvation: 
 How /hall they efcape who neglecl fo great a falva- 
 tion ? Heb. ii. 3. 
 
 7. To conclude this head, here again comfort 
 to them who believe, from Chrift's being given to 
 he a covenant of the people, he hath an eternal call 
 from the Father to this great undertaking. He 
 deeds not much intreaty to be about the office 
 
 C 2 whereunto 
 
20 In what ref peels Chrift 
 
 whereunto he is called of Goci. If at any time you 
 think he will refufe your intreaties, which he 
 will not, yet he cannot fhake off his Father's cal- 
 ling him to this great undertaking. O what en- 
 couragement to come to him, to covenant with 
 Gud through him, who can no more decline any 
 thing that may be for your good, than he can be 
 unanfwerable to his Father's calling and appoint- 
 ment, or unfaithful in his office, or in performing 
 of the great truit given to him, which is imperii- 
 ble! 
 
 The SECOND GENERAL HEAD is. To 
 mow in what refpecls the Lord Jefus Chrift is, 
 and may be called, a covenant, or the covenant* 
 
 The Lord Jems Chrift is called a covenant of 
 the people ; but how can this be, fince covenants 
 are between two different parties, and Chrift our 
 mediator is but one party : how can he be called 
 a covenant. 
 
 Anf-wer i . In refpect that the abridging and 
 fumming up of the whole covenant is in Chrift, in 
 whofe wonderful mediatory perfon, the two par- 
 ties at enmity were united. I will give the for a 
 covenant of the people ; that is, " I will make a 
 " gift of thee to be to my people, the fummary 
 " and compend of all the bleffed tranfaction, and 
 " covenant which I purpofe with them." 
 
 i. It imports the commitment of the whole bu- 
 finefs which God propofed to do with his people 
 in the way of a covenant, unto Chrift, to be ma- 
 naged by him , or it imports, that Chrift is all the 
 covenant. All the covenant is comprifed in Chrift ; 
 or God, by giving Chrift, doth give the covenant 
 of the people with him. But more particularly; 
 Chrift is the covenant, and what follows, gives us 
 comfortable views of Chrift, with whom, in the 
 
 remem- 
 
h called a Covenant. 21 
 
 remembrance of his dying love, we are to feal a 
 covenant : and this day, in this folemn acYion 
 before us, we profefs to be fo employed. I fay, 
 Chrift is the covenant, 
 
 iff, Originally and fundamentally. He is the 
 original and root upon which it is grounded. The 
 covenant of grace took its rife and being from 
 Chrift, Rev. xxi. 1 6. He lefiifieth to the churches, 
 thai he is the root and offspring of David. He is 
 the ancient foundation of that which was reveal- 
 ed of the covenant from the beginning of the 
 world ; therefore God revealing this covenant in 
 paradife, prefently after the fall, bottomed it up- 
 pon Chrift the feed of the woman, Gea. iii. 15. and 
 revealed it to Abraham, he grounded it upon Chrift, 
 Akra.ham's feed, in whom all the families oj the 
 earth fhould he blejfed, Gen xih 3. xvii, 1. 2. 
 Chrift is the eternal foundation of the Covenant, 
 upon whom it was bottomed in the eternal de- 
 crees of God : hence our calling and falvation are 
 faid to be promifed us, and given us in him, he- 
 fore the world began, Tit. i. 2. In hopiS of eternal 
 life, which Cod, who cannot lie, hath promifed, 
 before the world began. 2 Tim. i. 2. Who hath 
 faved us, and called us with an holy calling, not 
 according to our works, but according to his own 
 purpofe and grace which was given us in Chrijl 
 Jefus, before the world began. 
 
 2<tly, Chrift is the covenant primarily ; and by 
 propriety, as fire is hot for itfclf, and all things 
 hoi for it, and by participation, becaufe with 
 Chrift was. the covenant made, as the chief party, 
 and with believers, in fubordination to him : with 
 him it was made for him felf; with us,|it was only 
 made for him ; therefore it is his covenant by 
 propriety, and ours by participation, and there- 
 fore all the promifes are fulfilled firft in him, 
 therefore it is his covenant, and all the acts of 
 
 God's 
 
2 2 In -what refpeds Chrift 
 
 God's love terminate firft in him, and then de- 
 fcend down to us. Ifaiah lix. 2t. This is my cove- 
 nant with them, faith the Lird, my fpirit which is 
 upon thee, and my words -which I have put in thy 
 mouth 9 fhall not depart out of thy mouthy nor out of 
 the mouth of thy feed, nor out of the mouth of thy 
 feed 's feed, henceforth and for ever. 
 
 %dly, Chrift is the covenant, eminently, becaufe 
 he is the chief blefling of the covenant, there not 
 being fuch another promife and gift in all the bun- 
 die of promifes, contained in the covenant ; there- 
 fore he is fpoken of by way of eminency, as being 
 the tranfeendant gift of God, and matchlefs effect 
 of God's love, betides which there is not another 
 the like, John iii. 1 6. Codfo loved the world, that 
 he gave his only begotten fox, that whofo believeth on 
 him, fhould not peri/h, but have ever la/ling life. 
 He is the pearl of great price, the mod precious 
 ftone in ail the jewel ; all other things in the co- 
 venant, tighteoufnefs, life, pardon, peace, &c. 
 are but the gamifh of this jewel, Sung v. 10. He 
 is the chief among ten thoufand. He is the moft 
 fweet and precious being, in all the duller of pro- 
 mifes, which grow together in the covenant, Song 
 i. 14. My beloved is unto me, as a clufier of cam* 
 phire in the vineyards of Engedi. He is the faireft 
 and bright eft far. Rev, xxii. 16. The bright and 
 morning fl rr. He is the faireft ftone in all the 
 building, none like unto him ; he is the chofen 
 of God, and precious ; he is the faireft tree in all 
 the garden of God, like the tree of life in the midft 
 of Eden, Song ii. 3. As the apple tree among the 
 trees oj the wood ;fo is my beloved among the fins. 
 4th, Chrift is the covenant, virtually or eqaiva- 
 Iently ; he is the juft value of all the bargain ; he 
 is of as much worth, as all that is promifed and 
 contracted to believers, in the covenant of grace ; 
 fo that if the value of it were afked, how much it 
 
 is 
 
is called a Covenant. 17 
 
 is worth, it could not be anfwered otherwife than 
 fo : it is of as much value as Chrift is : and when 
 the prornifes are fuifiled to the utmoft, they a- 
 mount not beyond the giving of Chrift to be- 
 lievers, John i. 1 2. To as many as received him, to 
 them gave he power to become thefons of Cod ; even 
 to them that believe on his name. Col Hi. 1 1 . 
 Chrijl is all and in all. 
 
 $thly, Chriir. is the very fample and firft pattern 
 of the covenant, and of the defign of grace carried 
 on thereby ; this we have in the union of the two 
 natures in Chrift, the mediator's perfon. For, 
 confider, I pray, the great defign of favour, 
 carried on by the covenant of grace, is an union of 
 man with God, a reftoring of man, to a ltate of 
 friendship with God, and in Chriir, the covenant ; 
 his perfon was the fampler, and original pattern 
 of all the bufinefs ; to wit, Firfl, of God's infinite 
 condefcenfion, and ftooping fo far, towards a near- 
 nefs and union with man, Philip, il. 6. 7. Who 
 being in the form of God f thought it no robbery to 
 be equal -with Cod ; but made him/elf of no reputa- 
 tion, and took upon him the form of afervani, and 
 was made in tkelikenefs of men. Secondly, of the 
 unfpeakable exaltation of our nature, towards an 
 union with God, Heb. ii. 16. For verily, he took 
 not on him the nature of angels, but the feed of A- 
 braham ; for which caufe he is not afhamed to call 
 us his brethren. Thirdly, of the union and con* 
 junction, which is the reiult of God's condefcen- 
 fion, and is our exaltation. So then, Chrift is 
 the covenant, in this refpett, as in his mediatory 
 perfon, we have the Rrft fampler of the union and 
 agreement of the parties covenanting 
 
 6thly, Chrill is the covenant, comprehenfively, 
 or fummarily, and, as hath been noticed, is the very 
 compend and abridgment of the covenant. In his 
 perfon, there is a fum of the whole. Confider this, 
 
 how 
 
24 In what refpefts Chrifl 
 
 how the parties, articles, mutual ftipulations, pro 
 mifes, properties, and bleffings of the covenant, 
 are all fome way abridged in Ckrift, and fummed 
 up in his mediatory perfon. And 
 
 i . Our Lord Jems Chrift is all the parties of the 
 covenant of grace, or rather both the parties are 
 comprehended in the mediator's perfon. He is 
 both the parties, in the following refpe&s ; i . Be- 
 caufe of the union of the divine and human nature, 
 in his bleflfed perfon. He is God- man, and God 
 mamfefi in theflefh, I Tim. iii. 1 6. He came in 
 the likenefs of Jinful flefh, Rom. viii. 3. He took 
 upon him the nature of fallen man, yet fanclified 
 by the union with the divine nature. 2. Becaufe 
 that perfon who is the covenant, is upon both 
 fides of it : as being one with the ; Father and the 
 Holy Ghoft, he is on God's fide of the covenant; 
 and as being one with us, he is on our fide of the 
 covenant. He is not only on both fides of the 
 covenant, but he contrails for both parties, car- 
 rying the relation of a party, both upward to God, 
 and downward to us. He waiteth and covenant- 
 eth for God with us ; and he treateth and cove- 
 nanted for us with God, which, upon the mat- 
 ter, is to carry both parties in his perfon. 
 
 2. The fam of all the articles of the covenant, 
 h in Chrift. Confider then what is the fum of the 
 articles ; even this, I will be your God, and ye 
 /ball be my people : now this is in Chrift Jefus, I. 
 In regard of the conjunction of relations in him 
 towards God, owning his people, and his people 
 owning him ; he being the only perfon in heawen 
 or earth who is able to bear the relation of God 
 towards the people, or of the people towards God ; 
 for he is Immanuel, God with us, Matth. i. 23. 
 Here is God and the people united, and owning 
 one another, and in fome things he doth reprefent 
 God to us as ours, and fomctiraes he doth repre^ 
 
 lent 
 
it called a Covenant. 25 
 
 fent the people to God, as his. 2. In regard of 
 caufaiity ; for Chrift is not the caufe of God's love 
 to the elect, or of God's electing love, but the 
 effect thereof, as John iii. 1 6. yet he is the caufe 
 of the effects and acts whereby it runneth forth to 
 us. Chrift is the bottom of the relation that is 
 betwixt God and his people ; for by his taking; a 
 new covenant-right unto God as his God and Fa- 
 ther by covenant, he did lay the foundation of 
 his being our God by covenant, and of our being 
 the peope of God by covenant, which had never 
 been, were it not for Chrift's new covenant-right. 
 3. In regard of conveyance, or of the way and 
 manner in which we have accefs to th:s privilege 
 and covenant-ftate, to have God to be our GoJ 
 God is our God in Chrift ; and we are his people 
 in and through Chrift : and without an exigence 
 in Chriit, and union to him, God is not ours, 
 nor are we his, Eph. i. 12. For covenant-relati- 
 ons, as well as covenant-bleffings come to us 
 through (Thrift. We come to God in Chrift, and 
 God comerh to us, and becometh ours in Chrift, 
 2 Cor. v. 19. God IV as in Chrift, reconciling the 
 world to himfclf. Heb. vii. 25. He is able to fave 
 to the uttermof; , all J hem that come to Cod by him. 
 3. The ium of the mutual ftipulation in the co- 
 venant, is in Chrift, who may be well called the 
 whole ftipulation, 1. Becaufe it is he who obtain- 
 eth the confent of both parties, and receiveth their 
 Amen to that bleffed transaction of friendfnip and 
 union ; the confent of the one from everlafting, 
 and that of the other when we believe. 2. Be- 
 caufe the covenant was given to him to be fulfil- 
 led on both fides by him. It was fulfilled on God's 
 fide, for he was the perfon fent to perform all 
 that God had promifed to his people : by him it 
 was fu'filled on our part, for he was the perfon 
 on whom our help was laid. 3. Becaufe upon the 
 D matter, 
 
2 6 In what ref peels Chrift 
 
 matter, Chrift is the very thing which is ft'ipula- 
 ted upon both (ides. Confider that God ftipulates 
 to give us Chrift, and that is the fum for what he 
 ftipulates to give himfelf to us : again we reftipu- 
 late to give Chrift to God for all that the covenant 
 T( quires of us. I C$r. i. 30. Phil. iii. 9. For 
 this U the nature of the gofpel-covenant, it craveth 
 conditions and duties of us, but filleth the hand 
 with Chrift wherewith to pay the matter's rent, 
 and we do anfwer all that is craved, with Chrift, 
 which maketh the craving gentler. 
 
 4. Chrift is the covenant as he is the fum of 
 the promifes and bleflings of the covenant, which 
 doth appear, 1 . From the firft difcovering ©f the 
 covenant, which had but one promife in it, and 
 that was Chrift; Gen. iii. 15. The feed of the wo- 
 man. 2. From God's explication of the fum of 
 the promifes and covenant, when it was more ex- 
 plicitly held forth to be Chrift gifted to the people ; 
 Gen. xii. 3. And In thee /ball all the families of the 
 earth be blejfed. Ifa.lv. 3.4. And I will make 
 an evcrlafiing covenant with you, even the fare 
 mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for 
 a witnefs to the people. 3. This appears from 
 the Holy Ghoft's accounting Chrift's coming to 
 be the performing of the whole covenant and pro- 
 mifes ; Luke i. 69. 72. 73. And hath raifed up an 
 horn of falvation for us, in the houfe of hisfervant 
 David. To perform the mercy promifed to our fa^ 
 ihers, and to remember his holy covenant ; the 
 oath which he f ware unto our father Abraham- 
 
 5. Chrift is the fum of all the properties of the 
 covenant, not only becaufe whatloever thefe pro- 
 perties fpeak forth of the nature of that tranfacti- 
 on, is to be found in Chrift ; but alfo and chiefly, 
 becaufe Chrift is the foundation of all thefe pro- 
 pert iesv as may appear by a (hott account of the 
 
 properties 
 
is called a Covenant, 27 
 
 properties of the covenant, which are all ccmpri- 
 fed in Chrift. As, 
 
 1/?, The freenefs of the covenant is compri- 
 fed in Chrift. The covenant of grace is free ; or 
 Chrift freely given to the people, is the fum of the 
 free covenant ; yea, it is in and for Chrift that 
 the covenant is a free covenant : for the fame 
 righteoufnefs, life, and covenant-b'eflings, which 
 are freely promiied and offered to us, were pur- 
 chafed by Chrift, and a fatisfac*tion given to the 
 juftice of God for them : and becaufe he paid a 
 price for them, therefore they are free gifts to us. 
 He made all covenant-mercies free to us by cove- 
 nant. I do not fay that Chrift was the caufe of 
 God's eternal tranfaclion, which he purpofed in 
 himfelf ; but that he is the caufe of thefe effects 
 of covenant-graces which come freely to us for 
 his fake, who bought than with a great price ; 
 1 Pet. i. 18. 19. For we are not redeemed with 
 
 corruptible things fitch as filver and gold ; but 
 
 with the precious blood of Chrifi, as of a Lamb 
 without blemijh and without fpot. 
 
 2dly, The everlaftingnefs of the covenant is 
 comprifed in Chrift. The covenant is an everlaft- 
 ing covenant, and he is the everlafting God, and 
 everlafting Mediator, who was/er up from the be- 
 ginning) or ever the earth was, Prov. viii. 23. 
 Yea, it is in, and for, and through Chrift, that 
 the covenant of grace hath everlaftingnefs in 
 it. If we look backward, it could not have 
 been everlafting, unlefs there had been ano- 
 ther everlafting party for the everlafting Father 
 to deal with ; or, if we confider the everlafting- 
 nefs of the covenant, by looking forward, Chrift 
 is the foundation of that : and it is in, and for 
 him, that the covenant in this refpec't, is everlaft- 
 ing : If a, lix. 21. As for me, this is my cove* 
 nant with them } faith the Lord ; myfpirit that is 
 D 2 upon 
 
sS In what refpefts Chrift 
 
 upsn thee, and my words which I have put in thy 
 mouth, /hall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out 
 of the mouth of thy feed, nor out of the mouth of thy 
 fed's feed, faith the Lord, from henceforth and 
 for ever. 
 
 ^dly, The order of the covenant is eomprifed 
 in Chrift. The covenant is a well-ordered cove- 
 nant, and the order of the whole covenant-tranf- 
 nclion is fummed up in Chrift, in whom the par- 
 ties meet together in this order, God coming down 
 to us in Chrift, and we coming up to God in 
 Chrift : yea, all things that are ordered and dif- 
 
 ed concerning covenant grace and bleilings, are 
 ordered in him, and for him, and by him. The 
 methods and ways of God's difpenfing and ordering 
 covenant -bleilings, are in him, and through him, 
 as the channel and conveyance thereof: Eph. i. 3. 
 Bleffed be the Cod and Father of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, who hath hie [fed us with all fpiritual blef- 
 fmgs in heavenly places in Chrift. 
 
 4th!y, The liability of the covenant is eompri- 
 fed in Chrift ; Chrift is the fame, yefierday, fe- 
 day, and for evermore, Heb. xiii. 8. Yea, he is 
 the very inability of the covenant of grace : for 
 all the promifes of God /;: him are yea, and in 
 him ar amen, to the glory of God by us, 2 Cor. 
 i. 20. Becaufe Chrift is in the covenant, as a 
 nail in a fure place, and as a foundation and cor- 
 ner- (tone, which cannot be removed ; therefore lia- 
 bility and firmnefs is in the covenant, If at ah xxii. 
 23. Becaufe the covenant made with him is fure, 
 therefore the covenant made with us is fure, Pfal. 
 Ixxxix. 33. 34. And becaufe Chrift is given for 
 a covenant to the people, therefore (lability is gi- 
 ven to the covenant, as an efTential property thereof. 
 
 jihly, The perfection of the covenant of grace 
 is eomprifed in Chrift, It is a perfect covenant, 
 and he is a perfect and compleat Chrift. It is a 
 
 perfect 
 
ix called a Covenant. 29 
 
 ; perfect covenant, becaufe Chrift is in it, in whom 
 I ye are compleat, Col. ii. 9. 10. in whom dwelleth 
 perfect fulnefs, and all defirable perfections. If 
 Chrift had not been in it, perfection had not beea 
 in it ; nor mould that covenant been able to per- 
 fect us for ever, but had left us as the covenant 
 of works did, without help, without hope thereby. 
 But becaufe God gave Chrift for ike covenant of 
 the people, therefore perfection is in it, and came 
 to us by it, 1 Cor. i. 30. But of him are ye in thrift 
 Jefus, who of Cod is made unto us wifdom, and 
 right eoufnefs, and fanclif cation, and redemption. 
 6thly, The fatisfaclcrinefs of the covenant of 
 grace is comprifed in Chrift ; it is a foul-fatisfying 
 covenant, and he is a foul-fatisfying Chrift; 2 Sam. 
 xxiii. 5. For this is all my /aivation, and all my 
 de/ire. Pfal. lxxii. 25. Whom have 1 in heaven 
 hut thee ? and there is none in all the earth whom 
 I would defire hefides thee. Yea, Chrift is the 
 foundation of that fatisfaction which believers find 
 by being within the covenant of grace. It is in 
 and for him that the covenant is fatisfying : if 
 Chrift were not in it, the believer fhouid nev^r fay 
 of it, This is all my defire ; but becaufe he is in it, 
 they fay as Pfal xvi. 6, The lines are fallen to me 
 in plea/ant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage. 
 6. Chrift is the covenant, as he is the fum of 
 all covenant-bleftings. They are all abridged in 
 him, Col. iii. 1 1 . He is all and in all. iff, Emi- 
 nently, becaufe he is the chief bleifing of the co- 
 venant. He is the marrow and fatnels of the 
 whole bargain, John iv. 10. 14. If thou kneweft 
 the gift of God, and who it is that faith unto thee, 
 Give me to drink, thou wouldft have lifted of him, 
 and he fhouid have given thee living water. 
 But whofoever drinketh of the water that I 
 /hall give him, /hall never thirft : but it /hall be 
 in him as a well of water fpringing up unto e- 
 
 tcrnal 
 
30 The Improvement. 
 
 ternal life. idly, Comprehenfively, becaufe in 
 him, as in a ftorehoufe, all covenant -bleffings are 
 ftored and treafured up, Col. ii. 9. For in him 
 dwelleth the julnefs of the Godhead bodily, John i. 
 14. 16. The Word was made flefh, and dwelt among 
 us, and we beheld his glory , the glory as of the only 
 begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth : and 
 of his fulnefs have we all received, and grace for 
 grace. $dly, Ultimately, becaufe he is that co- 
 venant-bleffing for which the whole bargain is 
 fought after ; and all other things are but fought 
 for him. ^thly, Virtually, becaufe where God gi- 
 veth Chrift, the whole covenant is reckoned to be 
 performed, Luke i. 72. To perform the mercy pro- 
 mifed to our fathers, and to remember his holy 
 covenant. $lhly, Confequcntially, becaufe ail 
 other covenant- bleffings follow him, as acceflions 
 do follow any uthei principal thing ; Rom. viii. 
 32. He who (pared not his own Son, but gave him 
 up t'j the death for us ; fhall he not with him alfo 
 freely give us all things ? Prov. viii. 25. For whs* 
 foevtr findetb me, jindeth life, and fhall obtain fa* 
 vour of the Lordi 
 
 Some USE and IMPROVEMENT of this. 
 
 I. Is Chrift the covenant, yea, all the covenant ? 
 This fpeaks fad reproof to iundry forts of per- 
 fons. As, 
 
 if}, To thofe who feek fomething elfe, the 
 ftrength of whofe purpofes is laid upon fomething 
 inferior to Chrift ; whofpend their money for that 
 which is not bread, and their labour for that which 
 fatisfieth not, Ifa. lv. 2. ; who compafs themfelves 
 about with fparks of their own kindling ; feeking 
 an kappinefs where it is not to be found. 
 
 idly, To fuch as feek and follow after fomething 
 more than Chrift, who is all the covenant. Alas, 
 how many behave as if there were not a full blef- 
 ilng in Chrift ! Chrift alone without other things 
 
 in 
 
The Improvement, 31 
 
 in the world, cannot content them, tho* befides 
 Chrift all things are vanity and a lie. Without 
 Chrift, whatever ye may enjoy, tho' it were the 
 peculiar treafure of kings and princes, all is vanity 
 and vexation of fpirit. How vain is their purfuit 
 who live without Chrift, and are always faying. 
 Who will /hew us any good? 
 
 ^dly y It fpeaks fad reproof to thofe who feel 
 fomething lefs than Chrift, whom life and falvation 
 would fatisfy : a created heaven without Chrift 
 would anfwer their defires after happinefs. How 
 many fit down fatisfied with a fhort prefent fpi- 
 ritual allowance, but feek not all in Chrift, with 
 him, through him, and from him, like the difciples, 
 Mark ix. 5. 6. who fpoke of building tabernacles 
 in the mount, and forgat that their happinefs lay in 
 Chrift himfelf, whatever mould be the degree and 
 manner of his manifefting himfelf to them ! Ma- 
 ny deprive themfelves of the comfort to be had in 
 covenanting and fealing times, becaufe they defire 
 their comfort more from the frame of their hearts, 
 than from Chrift the covenant, a fure foundation 
 of comfort and hope, when all other comforts 
 and defireable things do fail. 
 
 2. Is Chrift the covenant ? then let this be im- 
 proven for commending Chrift to you. And from 
 this view of him as the covenant, learn, 
 
 ift, To fee the neceflity of receiving Chrift, 
 and of being in him, without which we can have 
 no right to the covenant, nor to the feals of it, nor 
 to any thing contained in the covenant. If it were 
 poflible for you to receive all that is in the go- 
 (pel- offer, and not to receive Chrift, all thefe 
 things without him could not change your cove- 
 nant-ftate, Eph. ii. 1 2. If you continue without 
 Chrift, you are ftill without the covenant. They 
 who are in covenant with God, are faid to be 
 in Chrift, Rom. viil I. 
 
 idly, Learn 
 
The Improvement. 
 
 <ldly> Learn hence the way how God's con- 
 federated people fhould come to God, and receive 
 the feal of the covenant. It is not enough that 
 we come to God and bring Chrift with us, a 
 third perfon ; but we muft alfo come to God, as 
 being in Chrift, as being one -with him> John xv. 
 2. This is to come to God through Chrift : 
 Chrift and you muft be one myftical perfon ; and 
 then what accefs the wonderful Immanuel hath to 
 the Father, you mail have the fame. 
 
 3*//y, Be perfuaded to take him who is given 
 of Godfer a covenant. Make Chrift your own, 
 and you make all the bargain your own. We be- 
 feech you to receive the gift, that diaweth all the 
 covenant along with it. It may be concerning to 
 you, to know when you receive Chrift as the co- 
 venant ; for which take the following things for 
 anfwer. As, i//, When you receive the very bonds 
 of the word, and that which doth moft crofs your 
 corruption. idly> When you embrace and kifs 
 the promifes ; when you love them dearly, and 
 welcome them kindly, for the good that is in 
 them, and for the afTurance of enjoying all 
 through Chrift, in whom they are all yea and a- 
 men. ^dly. When we find fomething iweeter and 
 better in the promife than falvation, even Chrift 
 himfeif. A temporary believer may receive the 
 word with joy, and the promifes of it : but how ? 
 for the falvation that is in the word. But the be- 
 liever finds fomething in the promifes better than 
 falvation, even Chrift, the chief among ten thou- 
 fand ; which made Peter fay, a^John vi. 68. Lord, 
 to whom fhull we go but unto tl.ee ? thou hujl the 
 vuordr of eternal life. 
 
 /\thly, Since God giveth Chrift for all the co- 
 venant, be then perfuaded to take him for all. and 
 to make ufe of him for all. As, ( 1 .) To fulfil all 
 the promifes of the covenant to you, for us, 2 
 
 Cor* 
 
The firjl Table Service. 33 
 
 Cor. i. 20. In him they are yea, and In him they 
 are amen. (2,) But, alas ! are you faying, I can- 
 not do what God in his covenant requireth of me; 
 I cannot get my heart engaged to approach unto 
 God ? Look to Chrift, as the Covenant engaged to 
 work that in you, which he requireth of you. He 
 will enable you to believe ; he will make you wil- 
 ling in the day of his power ; he ftands engaged 
 for it, John vi. 37. That all whom the Father hath 
 given him, /hall come unto him. He is bound by the 
 covenant, of which you are this day to receive the 
 feal, to perform the duties in you which the co- 
 venant requireth of you. He will work in you, to 
 will and to do ef his good pleafure, Phil, ii, 13. 
 Coming to God through him, whom God hath^/- 
 ven to be a covenant of 'the people *, when you are 
 weak in yourfelves, you (hall become ftrong, you 
 mall be enabled to do all things through Chrift 
 Jlrengthening you, Phil. iv. 13. You are to feal a 
 covenant this day ; but firft make fure an intereft 
 in him whom God hath given for the covenant, 
 and then the feal mall not be put to a blank. 
 Make fure an intereft in Chrift, and then you mall 
 be eftablifhed in him, and (hall be fealed with the 
 earnejl 0/ the Spirit in your hearts, 2 Cor. i. 2 1 . 
 22. He will Jhed abroad his love in your hearts, 
 will caufe you to feel the containing power and 
 influence thereof on your foul, and make you to 
 remember his love more than wine. 
 
 The FIRST TABLE Service. 
 
 The THIRD GENERAL HEAD, is, to (hew 
 what is imported in Chrift's being given for a co- 
 venant of the people. I. ChrifVs being a cove- 
 nant of the people importeth, that in our covenant- 
 ing with God, Chrift muit be upon our fide ; his 
 namemuft be in our band. This is the way to co- 
 JS venant 
 
la: 
 
 34 The fir ft Table Sendee. 
 
 venant with 'God with comfort and hope. A\< 
 we reap not the benefit of covenanting with God, 
 becaufe we fet not about the work with God on 
 our fide. Man} 7 under the convictions of fin, do 
 purpofe and rcfolve againft it for the future ; they 
 vow and promife, and then they think all is well , 
 but all the time they are nut divorced from the 
 law as a covenant of works, and then when they 
 break their rcfolutlms, they are afraid of God as 
 Adam was after he had finned. No comfort nor 
 covenant-eftablifhment can they have, that feek 
 it in this way : no comfort, if Chriir (land not 
 jointly with us in our covenanting with God. 
 What can we do in remembering Chrift the cove- 
 nant of the people, if we do not receive him as 
 gifted of God to the people, and give him back 
 again to God for our part of the covenant ? We 
 are covenant-breakers, and cannot covenant to be 
 the Lord's, if Chrift be not our furety. Behold 
 we bring you glad tidings of great joy, good news 
 f.)r broken finn'ers, who have made themfelves ir- 
 refponfible, who cannot fulfil the covenant of 
 works, nor anfwer the charge of the law them- 
 felves ; Chrift is cautioner and on your fide, he 
 hath undertaken the debt, and hath difcharged it ; 
 he hath borne all the wrath due to you, hath ful- 
 filled the law broken by you ; and now there is 
 nothing required of you covenant-ways but he is 
 anfwerable for. Therefore you may fay with a 
 holy confidence, / have f worn and 1 will perform , 
 becaufe my covenant furety and cautioner is law- 
 abiding, and hath given a proof of his grace and 
 confirmation of his covenant-love. 
 
 fi'ho, in the night he was betrayed, took bread, Sec. 
 
 O ! be now admiring the love which made 
 Chrift undertake for you, and come under an act 
 
 of 
 
The fir(l Tame Service. 35 
 
 df cautionry for you ; in putting his name in 
 your bond, and ftanding upon your fide. Behold 
 how he loved yon ! read a demonftration of his 
 love, in every thing he acted as your covenant, in 
 every (rate wherein he carried your condition, in 
 every act wherein he acted your part ; in his being 
 broken for you ; in his acting for you, and in 
 you. Is it not Grange, that they who feek for 
 proofs and demonftrations of his love, fhould neg- 
 lect (o great a proof of it, that when we were 
 bankrupts, and had no credit for covenanting 
 with God, fnould have fuch a covenant- party 
 provided for us, by which our covenant-ftate may 
 be repaired ? O how fweet mud the remembrance 
 of it be to a believing communicant! that Chrift 
 is furety and cautioner for the people, and that 
 his furetyfhip reacheth unto the whole covenant, 
 to every condition and command in it, to every 
 promife in it, to fulfil them all, to pay all |our 
 debt, and to perform all our duty, to work all 
 our work, and to undergo all our punifnment. 
 
 After [upper he took the cup, &c. 
 
 Is Chrift given to be a covenant of the people, 
 to be on either fide of the covenant, as well as 
 bound to accomplish all that God hath promifed 
 them, hath faid he will do to them, and for them? 
 Then are you in Chrift's debt beyond all reckon- 
 ing that can be made of it. It mall be yout work 
 through eternity,* to caft up the fumof the debt of 
 grace you are under. You (hall never be able to 
 requite him ; you mail through all eternity remain 
 his dehors for his undertaking and engaging for 
 you, for his paying that which he undertook ; for 
 his difcharging of our debt, and for his reporting 
 his Father's difebarge of it. You are in thrift's 
 debt for undertaking that for you unrequefted ; 
 E 2 that 
 
36 The firji Table Service. 
 
 that he did confent to put his name in your bond, 
 and to fubfcribe a fatisfacYion to the violated law; 
 you are in his debt for paying fo great a ranfcm, 
 as 1 Pet. i. 1 8. 1 9. You are in his debt for the 
 fair acquittance and difcharge which he hath ob- 
 tained and received for you ; that now you have 
 the cup of the new teftament in your hand, fhed 
 for the remiffion of fins. You are in his debt 
 for all that he hath wrought in you, from the 
 time that he fnit bowed your will to believe, un- 
 to this day ; for every piece of your obedience ; 
 for all your fruit, for every duty performed by 
 you, for ail the influences ®f his Spirit upon 
 you. 
 
 Now, you have been partaking of the feal of 
 God's covenant, learn to deal with God in all 
 things pertaining to his covenant ; as paving Chrift 
 engaged to you, and for you, whether you be in 
 any doubtfulnefs about the promifes, or in any 
 difficulty and perplexity about the duties of the 
 covenant, till your dealings declare that you took 
 to Chrift ; and this gives you confidence and bold- 
 refs, Heb. iv. 16. In your dealings with God 
 that you need not flee, as afhamed to be fcen in 
 God's prefence : do but prefent Chrift: in your 
 place and room, and he is fatisfied. Now, come 
 to Chrift as to a perfon already engaged for you, 
 as unto one whofe honour lieth at the ftake, for a 
 performance of all things, whatfoever are con- 
 tained in the covenant. In your dealings with 
 your duty, and with the law which command- 
 eth it : you are not to flee the command, as 
 the broken debtor dcth the face of the creditor, 
 like them who are not law-abiding; but you 
 are now through Chrift on your fide, and in 
 covenant with you, to welcome every com- 
 mand and charge of the law, as being in fome 
 rear capacity to fpeak with it, and give it fome fa- 
 
 tisfying 
 
The fecond Table Service. 3 7 
 
 tfcfying anfwer : Heb. x. 19. 22. Having therefore, 
 'brethren, boldncfs to enter into the holieft, by the 
 
 blood of Jefus Let us draw near with a true 
 
 heart .« in full cijfurance offaith f having our hearts 
 fir inkle d from an evil confidence, and our bodies 
 wafhed with fure water. Heb. iv. 14. 16. See- 
 ing then that we have a great high prieft, that is 
 
 paffed into the heavens. Let us therefore come 
 
 boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain 
 mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 
 
 The SECOND TABLE Service, 
 
 II. ChrifVs being given for a covenant of the 
 people importeth, that he is one taken from a- 
 mong the people. Here the comfort of the work 
 of the day, to remember the wonderful conde- 
 fcendency of the redeeming love, P/al. lxxxix. 19, 
 That God hath laid our help upon One that is migh- 
 ty, and hath exalted One chofen out of the people. 
 The nature that had finned behoved to fatisfy, 
 tho' no fatisfaclion could have been given, if the 
 Redeemer had not been God as well as man. 
 Without controverfy, great is the my fiery of god- 
 linefs, God manifefted in the flefh, 1 Tim. iii. 16. 
 The Word was made flefh, and dwelt among us, 
 and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only 
 begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. O 
 the glory of Immanucl, God with us J Had he 
 been only God, his awful and terrible Majefty 
 had made us afraid ; we could never have thoughts 
 of enjoying communion with the great and dread- 
 ful God : had he been only man, we could have 
 had no hope from the merits of his obedience and 
 death. But our covenanted and covenanting Re- 
 deemer is the great God, and therefore mighty 
 to fave. He is God in our nature, who hath a 
 feeling of our infirmities ; therefore we may come 
 
33 The fecond Table Service. 
 
 to him, and to God through him, with a holy 
 
 boldnefs O how blelTed is their Hate who arc 
 
 within the bond of the covenant ! you are not 
 come to the mountain that cannot be touched, but to 
 J ejus the Mediator of the new covenant. Alas, fay 
 you, how mall we have covenant with God ? 
 you may with boldnefs approach to God with 
 your lervice. You may lay hold on his cove- 
 nant, and claim the bleilings and privileges thereof; 
 for God is come near to you, he deals with you 
 in your nature, to put between you and his an- 
 ger, one in your nature to fpeak for you, when 
 you cannot, dare not fpeak for ycurfelves. When 
 you think on your guiltinefs, that you deferve no- 
 thing but wrath, behold the covenant of the peo- 
 ple procuring bleflings for you, when you defer- 
 ved none ; behold him making provifion for you, 
 when you are needy ; (applying your wants, when 
 you were poor and forrowful ; making his falva- 
 tion to lift you on high. 
 
 §tt that night- he took bread, &c. 
 
 Now is a fit time when remembering Chrift, the 
 covenant of the people, broken for you, to be me- 
 ditating on his appearings, acling and mediating 
 in your nature, as an unparallelled inftance of con- 
 deicending love ; that the immortal God mould 
 become mortal flem. The breach between us and 
 God could not be otherwife made up ; a broken 
 Chrifr, the repairing of the breach that fin hath 
 made between God and you, and through fiim a 
 covenant of peace between God and you is made 
 up. O think of it, ye who have broken with God, 
 and could never repair your breach ; consider the 
 honour and advantage you have by a God in your 
 nature ; a covenant eftablifhed through one in 
 your nature ; the glorious communion which you 
 now have with God in your nature ; now the co- 
 venant 
 
The fecond Table Service* 3 9 
 
 venant is with one of the people, who, at the 
 fame time, is the great God, Tit. ii. 3. He is 
 both God and man in one perfon. He is God, that 
 he may deal effectually with God, for man ; f >r 
 who can have accefs to deal with God, bur a per- 
 i fon who is God, to deal with an angry God : that 
 he may deal with man, for God, he muft be mar; 
 for man cannot endure the voice and prefence of 
 God immediately; man without a Mediator can- 
 not fpeak with God ; but lo ! here a chofen One, 
 exalted out of the people, by whom we deal with 
 God, and with confidence lay hold on his cove- 
 nant. 
 
 After [upper, the cup, Sec. 
 
 O the diftinguifhing love that is here ! Chrift in 
 our nature, given to be a covenant of the people, 
 Rom. v. 8. God commendeth his love towards us, 
 in that while we were yet Jinners Chrijt died for 
 us. And here the myftery of amazing love, mi- 
 ning forth thro' him, who is the covenant of the 
 people, that the great God will take on him our 
 nature ', that thro 7 death he might deflroy him who 
 hath the power of death, that is, the devil, Heb. 
 ii. 1 4. That he would become a man of fcrrows, 
 and live as an example of fuflerings : and there- 
 fore, though without fin, he would take upon him 
 our nature at the worft; he would endure the crofs, 
 and dtfptfe the /hame ; he would be made perfeel 
 thro* f Offerings ; he would be made under the law, 
 and become a curfe for us, that the curfe of the 
 law might mt reach us, but be taken away from 
 us. O let us admire and wonder at the love that 
 made him thus condefcend ; let us raife up our 
 hearts to thankfulnefs, that the covenant of the 
 people is God of the people, is God in our na- 
 ture., by which we may be affured of his readinefs 
 
 to 
 
40 The third Table Service. 
 
 to receive us into his covenant. We may deal 
 familiarly with him, as two near and dear friends 
 do with one another; he is now become our near 
 kinfman. Let us take this mutation of our na- 
 ture, by a perfonal union with the divine, as a 
 pledge of the fulfilling all other promifes, Rom. 
 yiil 32. Let us take boldnefs to come to God thro* 
 Chrift. The great courtier of heaven is of our 
 kindred ; take courage, and improve the favour 
 and friendfnip that our brother hath in hea- 
 ven. Let this encourage fuch as are afraid to 
 draw near to God, for union and reconciliation 
 with him ; he is willing to unite himfelf to thee, 
 by virtue of his union with our nature. When 
 we find difficulties in drawing near to God, and 
 languifh in the life of our faith, let us learn to draw 
 near to God through the vail of ChrifFs flem ; 
 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and 
 hath broken down the middle wall of' -partition be- 
 tween us> Through him we have accefs by one 
 Spirit td the Father, Eph. ii. 14. 18. 
 
 The THIRD TABLE Service. 
 
 III. The Lord Jefus being given for a covenant 
 of the people imporieth, that there is now no 
 diflindlion between Jew or Gentile, bond or free : 
 all nations and tongues may come and claim an 
 intereft in Chrifr. He hath taken on him a gene- 
 ral relation to human nature ; all men, finners, 
 and the chief of finners, are called to believe on 
 him, whatever their cafe and condition be : thro' 
 Chrift we have a new and better covenant-date 
 wherein we (land. We owe our being in Chrift, 
 and in the covenant of grace, to ChriO, who un- 
 dertook for the people, and for the word of them, 
 to bring about that bond of engagement between 
 Ciod and us. If Chrift had nvt become the cove- 
 nant 
 
The third Table Service. 4 1 
 
 na>it of the people, this had never been done. Poor 
 j people, who are now adventuring upon the feal of 
 the covenant, but are afraid of going a whoring 
 j from him ; think of this advantage you have by 
 (Thrift's being a covenant of the people, that there 
 can be no reverfing, repelling, or annulling of this 
 covenant with you ; and if it were not for that, a 
 divorce mould follow upon the whorings and 
 treacherous dealings of our hearts every day, PfaL 
 lxxxix. 30. 6c. If his children jorfake my law, 
 and -walk not in my judgments ; if they break 
 my flatutes, and keep not my commandments ; then 
 will I vifit their tranfgreffvm with the rod, and 
 their iniquity with ftripes ; neverthelefs, my /o- 
 ving-kindnefs will 1 not utterly take from him, nor 
 fuffer my faithfulnefs to fail. My covenant will I 
 not break, nor alter the word that is gone out of 
 my lips. Jer. xxxii. 39. 40. And I wi-llgive them 
 one heart, and oneway, that they may fear me for 
 ever. And I will make an everlafting covenant 
 with them, that I will not turn away from them, 
 to do them good; but I will put my fear in their 
 hearts, that they {hall not depart from me. This 
 may give the people boldnefs in all d-iftrefTes, to 
 lay their weight upon him, who is given to be a 
 covenant of the people ; confidence to come to him, 
 with the words of the prophet, lfa. xxxviii. 14, 
 Lord, I am oppreffed, undertake for me. Our 
 work now is, to remember him whom God hath 
 given to be a covenant of the people. If we be ai- 
 rraid of engaging to the duties of God's covenant- 
 ed people, we are dealing with God in our own 
 ftrengch ; but when in the ftrength of our cove- 
 nant of the people, what work is too hard for him I 
 what difficulties can ftand before him ? O how 
 doth it fweeten the remembrance of him, that ia 
 the work of our redemption^ he travails in the 
 F greatnefs 
 
42 The third Tahle Service* 
 
 greatr.efs of hisflrcngth, is mighty to favey Ifa. 
 xiii. i. 
 
 In that night he took bread, Sec. 
 
 Now, the purpofes of your hearts maybe, " I 
 i( have finned, and will not do To any more : I 
 " have broken covenant, but henceforth I will a- 
 " bide no longer in my breaches." But tho' it be 
 your duty to relolve to keep covenant with God, 
 ybur ftrongeft purpofes will not k^ep you ftedfaft 
 in his covenant. "Alas, you fay, what fhall then be- 
 u come of us ?"'Look to bim who is the covenant 
 of the people. The covenant (lands fan; with this 
 broken Chrifr, that the bargain may never be 
 broken, nor fly up between God and you. Lean 
 to nothing for fupport or relief, for comfort or 
 hope, but to him who is the covenant of the peo- 
 ple. Take not caution from your own hearts, 
 for any thing commanded you in the covenant 
 that is now fealing between God and you ; nei- 
 ther your refolutions, gifts nor graces, nor prefent 
 frame of your hearts, will make you hold it 
 out : you mufl be flrong in the grace that is id 
 Chrifl, looking fl ill to a broken Chrift, that he 
 would be ever mindful of his covenant, Pfal. cxi. 5. 
 
 Jfier fupper~ the cup, &c. 
 
 Now, it concerneth us all, to know if Chrift 
 the covenant of ihe people hath taken us within 
 the bond of his covenant, of which we are now re- 
 ceiving the feal. Therefore, iff, If you be with- 
 in the bond of the covenant of grace, or be com- 
 prehended in his teftament, you can remember 
 c e time when you were aliens from the common- 
 v faith of Jfrael, and fir angers from the covenants 
 of promife, Eph. ii, 12. idly, He hath acled the 
 
 covenant 
 
The third Table Service. 43 
 
 covenant upon your hearts. According as it is 
 foretold, that he will fulfil it effectually in his 
 people, he now fulfils the premifes to you, in 
 putting his law in your inward parts, in writing 
 it in your hearts ; he becomes your God, and makes 
 you his people, jer. xxxii. 33. jdfy, ffe hath taken 
 your name 6$ of the law writ and curfe, and 
 hath put it in the gofpel-writ, and made you feek 
 redemption hi his blood, and forgivenefs of fin, ac- 
 cording to the riches of his grace, Eph. i. 7. 4/%, 
 He hath made you go out of yourfeives, and find 
 in your heart to engage him for you, and to lay 
 the weight of your "eternal interefr. upon him, 
 Phil. iii. 8. ahly, When any duty or temptati- 
 on is above our reach, when any trouble or diffi- 
 culty is too ftrong for us, we then come to Chrift, 
 33 unto one who has engaged with us, and for us : 
 and this gives encouragement under all the difficul- 
 ties that may he between us and the end of our 
 journey. 2 dr. iii. 5. Not that we are faff, Yient of 
 our/ehes, but our fufficiency is of God. Therefore 
 we proceed, committing our way to the Lord, 
 trufting alfo in him, that he will perf eel that which 
 concerns us. We are to believe in him, that he 
 will keep us from temptation, and keep us in the 
 hour of temptation ; that our faith fail not, Luks 
 xxii. 32.; and that when we are tempted, we mall 
 efcape and be delivered therefrom : and efpecially, 
 he hath a Concern for them wh© in times of de- 
 generacy and decaying, flrive to ft and faft in the 
 faith, and to keep the word of his patience, Rev, 
 iii. 10. I will keep thee from the hour of temptati- 
 on, which Jh all come upon all the wirld, to try them 
 who dwell on the earth. 
 
 The FOURTH TABL E' Service. 
 
 IV. I now proceed to make, befides what hath 
 F 2 been 
 
44 . The fourth Table Service. 
 
 been done, upon every particular head, a general 
 APPLICATION OF THE WHOLE. 
 
 i. This doctrine is to be improven for trial, 
 whether you be in Chriit, in the covenant of grace, 
 or have taken hold of him whom God hath given 
 for a covenant of the people : if you have no right 
 to Chrift, then, none to the covenant. Try by 
 this; i//, By your divorcement from idols, and 
 all other lovers. An intercft in Chriit, the cove- 
 nant of the people, breaks all former engagements, 
 whether to lulls or creatures : Gal. v. 24. They 
 that are Chrifl's, have crucified the flefk, with 
 the affeclions and lufis. Pfal. xlv. 10. 11. Hear- 
 hen, daughter, and confider, and incline thine 
 ear ; forget alfo thine own people and thy father's 
 houfe. So f kail the king greatly de fire thy beauty, 
 idly, Try it by your confenting to the mutual tie 
 which the covenant bringeth with it ; for it doth 
 not only hold forth what Chrifi will be to you, 
 but what ye will be to him. It obliges you to be 
 the Lord's, as well as to make him yours : Hof. 
 iii. 3. Thou fh alt not be for ansther man, fo will 1 
 be for thee. You ccnfent as willingly to be ChrifTs 
 as to have him made yours. %dly 9 Try it by 
 your fubjeclion and fubmiffion unto Chriit ; as 
 unto your Head, Hulband, Lord, and King. 
 There mufl: be a thorough clofure with Chrifr, 
 in all his offices, and in every part of each 
 of his offices. 4thly, Try it by your fatisfac- 
 *' 3 with, and application of, the whole bar- 
 gain, without alteration of any claufe of it, not 
 dividing the promifes of the covenant from the 
 commands of it, nor refufing or neglecting any 
 thing that he hath put into the bargain : Pfal. 
 Jxxiii. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and 
 be fides thee there is none in all the earth whom I 
 dtfire. The covenant beareth all your falvation 
 in it, and all your defire, if to it, 1 Sam xxii. 45- 
 
 In 
 
The fourth Table Service. 45 
 
 In that night he took bread, &c. 
 
 $thly, Try your in'tereft in the covenant of the 
 people, by your fuperlative valuing of Chrilr. The 
 weakeft faith which is true, doth value Chrift a- 
 bove all, 1 Pet. ii. 7. To you that believe he is 
 precious. Prov. iii. 15. He is m r .re preciour than 
 rubies ; and all the things that thou canfr dejire, 
 are not to be compared with him. " O, fay you, 
 " that we knew if we had this fuperlative value 
 " for him!" Then, (1.) Chrift alone, without 
 all other comforts, is looked upon as enough, 
 Pfal. lxxiii. 25. Whom have IP &c. You will 
 reckon yourfelves eternally made up in him, and 
 will blefs yourfelves in him, Lam. iii. 24. The 
 Lord is my portion, faith my foul, therefore will I 
 hope in him. (2.) When you viue Chrift out of 
 love, and not out of ncceffity, Pfal. cxvi. 1. Hove 
 the Lord, becaufe he hath heard my voice and my 
 fupplication. (3.) When the excellencies of 
 Chrift do afFecr. the heart to feek him, and the de- 
 fire of our fouls to b'. t& him, and to the remem- 
 brance of his name. (4.) When we are nor 
 ealily offended at him. There is not any thing 
 more eafily argueth a low efteem of Chrjfl, than 
 a readinefs to be ealily Humbled at him, or at any 
 thing in his way with us ; and on the other hand, 
 not any thing argueth a higher efteem of him, 
 " Let him do what he will, yet will I go after him ; 
 " let me meet with what ftumbicth others, yet 
 " through his grace will I hold on my way." 
 Though he flay me, yet will I truft in him, Job 
 xiii. 15. 
 
 After [upper, the cup, &c. 
 
 6thly } Try your intereft in the covenant, of which 
 
 now 
 
46 The fourth Table Service, 
 
 now you are receiving the feal, by a truft in, and 
 dependence upon, a covenant fealed with ChrhTs 
 blood. You will meet with many doubts that will 
 arife in your hearts concerning your covenant-in- 
 tereft, you will meet with many temptations and 
 difcouragements ; but under all thefe you will take 
 courage under the fprinkling of the blood of the 
 covenant, which the Lord maketh with you this 
 day.' if there be any doubt with you about the 
 performance of the promife, the covenant of the 
 people allures a performance of all thefe things 
 which are fpoken by the Lord, Luke i. 45. If 
 there be any doubt becaufe of fomething too hard 
 for you required in the covenant, you (hall Be en- 
 abled to do all thro 7 Chrifl Jlrengthening you, Phil. 
 iv. 13. If you fear your Itanding, Chriff prays for 
 you, that your faith fail not, Luke xxii. 32. If 
 you f^ar your backflidings, your decaying and 
 withering in grace, you fee him engaged for influ- 
 ences to you, If a. xliv. 3. 4. To pour ivater oh 
 him that is thirfty, and floods on the dry ground: 
 he will pour his fpirit upon you, and make you 
 fpring up as among the grafs, as -willows by the 
 tvater-ewfes. If your ftrength fail and decay, 
 he iv:ll make you to renew your ftrength, Ifa. xl. 
 3. If your legs fail, and thro' weakncls decay, Ifa. 
 xl. 11. 29. He will feed his flock like a fhepherd, 
 he will gather the lambs with his arm, he will 
 carry t htm in his bofom, and gently lead thofethat 
 are with young. He giveth power to the faint ; 
 and to them that have no might, he increafeth 
 ftrength. If you want a ranfom to prefent to of- 
 fended juftice, behold the blood of the covenant, 
 which the Lord now maketh with you. 
 
 -jthly, If .you be interefted in Chriit, the covenant 
 of the people, then your duty to your covenanted 
 Lord, which others reckon a burden, you account 
 a privilege ; his commandments will not be grie- 
 vous 
 
The fifth Table Service. 47 
 
 VOtis to you, for the love of Chr'ijt will con f rain 
 you, 2 Cor. v. 14. 
 
 Btkiy, If you beinterefted in Chrift, you will have 
 equal defires after holinefs and heaven, after con- 
 formity to Chrift, as communion with him : your 
 endeavours will be as vigorous after fanclification, 
 as falvation : 2 Cor. vii. 1 . Having therefore thefe 
 promifes, dearly beloved, let us cleanfe ourf elves 
 from all filthinefs of the fiefi andfpirit, per ft cling 
 holinefs in the fear of God. Yea, gihly, You will 
 be humbled and provoked to holinefs by your 
 knowledge of your being in Chrift. You reflect 
 upon the greatnefs of the privilege with hum- 
 bling admiration, 1 Tim. i. n. 14. And how 
 humbly doth David dedicate himfelf to the Lord, 
 when reflecting upon what he had done for him ? 
 Pfal. exvi. 16. Lord, I am thy fervant, truly I 
 am thy fervant, ihefon of thine handmaid; thou 
 hafl loafed my bonds. 17. ] will offer to thee the 
 facrifice of thank/ giving, and will call upon the 
 ?:ame cf the Lord. 18. / will pay my vows unto 
 the Lord, in the prefence of all his people. 
 
 The FIFTH'TABLE Service, 
 
 2. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the people? 
 Let this be improven for difcovering how far we 
 fall fhort in practical giving to Chrift his own 
 , place in the covenant. There be very few of thofe 
 who dare cot knowingly flight Chrift, who do yet 
 give him his own room in the covenant. O com- 
 municants ! confider this matter feriuu/ly. ij} y 
 That the Lord who now allows you the honour 
 of foaling a covenant with himfelf, is the root and 
 original of the covenant. Have you acknowledged 
 him as fuch ? Have your foul-tranfacYions with 
 God been grounded upon Chrift's tranfaclions wiih 
 him I Or have you not in poiat of foul covenant- 
 ing 
 
The fifth Table Service. 
 
 ing with God, dealt as if the covenant had its 
 firft rife then, when it firft entered into your 
 hearts ? Confider, I pray, where you have pitch- 
 ed the original, rife, and foundation of that Well- 
 ed tranfaction. %diy y Chrift is the principal party 
 with whom the covenant was made. Do ye al- 
 ways give that place to Chrift ? Do ye put him 
 foremoft ? Or, do you not rather drudge him af- 
 ter you ? I fear we deal in covenanting with God, 
 as if we were the principal party covenanting ; in 
 matters of gofpel-promifes, as if we were the 
 principal creditor to whom a performance of thefe 
 things were due ; and in matter of gofpel-com- 
 mands, as if we were the principal debtors from 
 whom a performance of duty were to be expec- 
 ted, ^clly, Chrift is the chief bleffing of the cove- 
 nant. Have you fought him as fuch ? or hath a- 
 ny other bleffing of the covenant had his room in 
 your heart r* Have you fought life and falvation in 
 the promifes, as the chief bleffing contained in 
 them i or have you feen fomething in the promi- 
 fes bet:er and more definable than thefe, even 
 Chrift, who is in every promife, and is the bleffc 
 ing in the promife ? In this way you will be in 
 condition to remember Chrili's dying love. Who, 
 
 In that night, took brtad, &c. 
 
 So that, 4thly, Chrift the covenant of the people, 
 
 whole body was broken lor you, is valuable above 
 all things elfe contained in the- covenant. He is 
 the full price of the whole bargain. Have you put, 
 or are you putting this value upon him ? Have 
 you made hini your ali, your treafure for which 
 you treated in this bargain ? §thfy, Chrift is the 
 (ampler and flrft copy of the covenant. Are you 
 now confidering how the peace and union was fiift 
 rcacie in his perfoa ? H*vc you followed that bkfT- 
 
 ed 
 
The fifth Table Service. 4y 
 
 cd copy, to have this your Covenant with God 
 the divine nature coming down to you, and you 
 brought up to meet with God and Chrift, and 
 with him and in him, to have the myftical union ? 
 6thly, Chrift is the fum of the covenant. Have 
 you fludied this compend well ? Do you reduce 
 all the covenant to Chrift ? Do you find it all in 
 him ? Do you defire all the bleffings of the cove- 
 nant from him ? Do you in all your covenant- 
 tranfactions feek his glory ? Do you feek to make 
 all your covenantings with him ? to praife him as 
 the Lamb that ivas fain, who is worthy to re- 
 ceive power, and riches, and wijdom, andflrength, 
 and honour, and glory, and bleffmg ? Rev. v. 12. 
 
 After /upper the cup, &c. 
 
 3. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the people ? 
 Then behold a comfortable view of Chrift in his 
 covenanting with you, and in your receiving the 
 feal of the covenant. If we look upon the cove- 
 nant aright, there is no part of it but we may be- 
 hold Chrift engraven upon it : he is the precious 
 fubjecl- matter of the whole, and of every part of 
 the covenant, whether they be, ifi, Things cove- 
 nanted by God to us. Chrift is graven upon every 
 promife, bleffing, and privilege of the covenant, 
 The righteoufnefs and life to which we are reflo- 
 red, are the righteoufnefs and life of Chrift ; he is 
 the Lord our righteoufnefs ,Jer ■. xxiii. 6. Col. iii. 2. 3. 
 Set your affeclion on things above, and not on things 
 on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid 
 with Chrifl in God, The fon-mip, the fpirit, the 
 grace, the title to God, they are our partnerfhip 
 of Chriffs fonfhip, his Spirit, his grace, his cove- 
 nant-intereft in God : Rom. viii. 17." If children, 
 then heirs ; heirs of Cod, and joint heirs with 
 Chrifl. Gal. iv. 6. Ye receive the Spirit ofiht Son 
 G info 
 
^0 The fifth Table Service. 
 
 into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father, idly, Whe- 
 ther they be things refiipulated by us, as duties in- 
 cumbent on God's covenanted people, Chrift is 
 engraven on thefe The faith accepting cove- 
 nant grace and bieifings, is the faith of the Son of 
 God, Gal. ii. 20. The holincfs and worthy walk- 
 ing whereunto we- are called, is that fame thing 
 whereunto we are chofen and called in Chrift Je- 
 fus, Eph. ii. 10. 
 
 Therefore^ 4. Chrift being the covenant of 
 the people, and being graven on every promife and 
 blefting thereof, may be impreven for comforting 
 your hearts, and quirting your minds, when dif- 
 quieted becaufe you do not reap the fruit of cove- 
 nant-promifes, and that gofpel-commands do not 
 iind that obedience with you which is due to them; 
 this is your affliction, and makes you walk heavi- 
 ly : for, \Ji, Becaufe what obedience the gofpe! 
 hath not yet had in you it (hall have, fince the 
 covenant of the people is engaged, Pfal cxxxviii. 
 8. to perfecl that which concerns you, and that 
 he will not forfake the work of his hands. 2dly 9 
 What the law and gofpel cannot find in you, they 
 mall have it in him, Rom. x. 4. For Chrift is the 
 end of the law for righteoufnefs to every one that 
 believe th. -$dly, Chrift hath already fatisfied for 
 your difobedience, Heb. ix. 15. For this caufe he 
 is the Mediator of the new teffament, that by 
 means of death, they who are called may receive the 
 promife of the eternal inheritance. 
 
 5. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the peo- 
 ple ? Learn to put nothing in ChrifVs room and 
 place, as your covenant. Surely not your gifts 
 and graces, as if thefe would make you forth. co- 
 ming in dnty ; not your purpofes and refolutions, 
 for thefe will not doit ; not any prefent warmnefs 
 of your frame. Remember, that it is the cove- 
 nant of the people who maketh your hearts (oft ; 
 
 vou 
 
Difcourfe after the foUmn Work. $i 
 
 you muft therefore daily be deriving life and in- 
 fluence from him, going up from the wilder nefs 
 leaning upon him, Song viii. 5. Becaufe he lives, 
 youftjall live alfo, John xiv. 19. And as you live 
 through him, and continue leaning upon him, you 
 /hall not. die, but true, and declare the works of 
 God, Pfai. ex viii. 17. 
 
 What of 'the foregoing fubj eel follows, was to have 
 been delivered after the tables, and on Monday 
 the day of thank/giving. 
 
 6. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the pea* 
 pie ? How miferable is their cafe whofe agree- 
 ment with heil and death is not yet broken i who 
 are aliens from the commonwealth of Ifrael, and 
 Jirangers to the covenants of promife ? who are 
 without God, and without Chrijt, and fo without 
 hope in the world ? Eph. ii. 1 2. This is the con- 
 dition of all mankind by nature ; they come not to 
 Chrift ; they lay not hold on him whom God hath 
 given, &c. becaufe they fee not their need of him, 
 Matth, ix. 12. The whole need not aphyfician, but 
 they that are fick. If people faw their need of him, 
 they would improve every occafion of his coming 
 their way ; like the blind men who fat by the way- 
 fide, when, Matth. xx. 29. they heard that Je- 
 fus paffed by. Will they pretend to praife Chrift 
 the covenant of the people, who neglect the oppor- 
 tunities and feafons of the Lord's grace ? who 
 when called to the marriage of the King's Son, 
 one hath his farm, another his merchandtfe, to 
 mind* he has not time to confider the Apoftle and 
 High Prieit of his profeilion ; the world and the 
 enjoyments of it do mar his concern, that he can- 
 not comfort himfelf with the thoughts of the co- 
 venant of the people being his God ; and therefore 
 communion and covenanting occasions are either 
 G 2 quite 
 
52 Difcourfe after the folemn Work. 
 
 quite neglected by him, or are flightly and for- 
 mally gone about ; though they come before Codas 
 his people do, and {hew much outward regard, yet 
 their hearts go after their covetoufnejs, Ezek. 
 xxxiii. 31. They know the Lord's words, but they 
 do them not. Will it be pretended that they have 
 a cordial regard for Chrift, who fhun being found 
 in the galleries where he walks,or in the ufe of thefe 
 ordinances in which he manifefts himfelf and his co- 
 venant to the people ? Or will they pretend to have 
 received Chrift as given for a covenant of the people, 
 who are not fond of every occafion of his fealing 
 and confirming the covenant with them, and of 
 giving them frefh tokens of covenant grace, mer- 
 cy and love ? When you faw your loft eftate with- 
 out Chrift, how precious was an offered Saviour 
 to you then ? Hath Chrift loft his worth and value, 
 that you do not deflre him and the bleftings of his 
 covenant to be forth-coming to you ? That can- 
 not be the cafe ; but ye have not an abiding fenfe 
 of his glory, and the need ye have of him, or elfe 
 you wouid prize every opportunity of communi- 
 on with him ; yea, nothing but him, and more 
 of the knowledge of him, would fatisfy you at e- 
 very communion \ of which if you have miffed, 
 inquire narrowly into the caufe. If you are not 
 believers in Chrift, you kmw not God, nor obey 
 the gofpel of Chrift : you cannot walk with him un- 
 til you be agreed. Be therefore concerned that 
 you may be reconciled to God by the death of 
 his Son ; then fhall all the rich treafures of his 
 grace and mercy be opened unto you. Though 
 you have finned in prcfuming to lay hold on the 
 feal of his covenant, there is no help for you, 
 but to plead his covenant mercy and grace, that 
 you may be forgiven, Eph. i. 7. Redemption in 
 Chrift 7 s blood, and the forgivenefs of fin, according 
 to the riches of his grace, If you be fuch as have 
 
 feen 
 
Difcourfe after the fdemn Work. 53 
 
 (ec\i your need of Chrift, and would fain have had 
 at this communion renewed manifeihuions of 
 his covenant-love, but complain that thele have 
 been denied you, and you are the fame dead, har- 
 ren, and lifelefs creatures as y*. u were ; beware 
 left your defire has been more after iome livelinefc 
 of frame, than after Chrilt himfelf, who is' all the 
 covenant; more for fome good frum him, than that 
 you may be enabled to do fome good for him, 
 that he may be glorified in you and by you. Per- 
 haps you have been feeking more an enlarged frame, 
 or the fenfible fweetnefs of it, than that Chrilt the 
 covenant of the people may be magnified and glo- 
 rified in you and by you ; therefore that he may be 
 all your falvation and all your defire, inftead of re- 
 frefhing fpiritual allowances, you are borne dowa 
 with heart plagues and fpif itsal diftrefTes, that you 
 may fee there is no help for you but in him whom 
 God hath given to be a covenant of the people, a 
 light to lighten the Gentile r, and the glory of the 
 Jfrael of God ; to bring the pr if oners out of the pri- 
 fon, and them that fit in darknefs, out of the pri- 
 fon-houfe. 
 
 7. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the peo- 
 ple ? then here is comfort and encouragement to 
 believing communicants. As, 1//, Comfort your- 
 felves in the bargain you have made : Chrift is in 
 the covenant, and is given as a covenant of the 
 people, and therefore all fhall be well, fure and 
 firm. Comfort yourfelves againft your being fhort 
 of others in worldly enjoyments ; Chrift is given 
 you for • covenant, but not unto them, O won- 
 der at it, and be comforted with him who faid, 
 How is it that thou wilt manifejt thy f elf unto us, 
 \ and not unto the world? You can own Chrift, and 
 i claim him as yours, in covenant with you ; they 
 ; cannot. 2dly, Comfort yourfelves againft .all 
 I (hares, dangers, temptations, and dorms that can 
 
 blow 
 
54 Difcourfe after thefolemn Work. 
 
 blvuv againft you in your way to heaven. Chrift 
 is in the covenant, and that fhall be your fafery ; 
 as the difciples were fafe at fea againft the greateft 
 tempefts, becaufe Chrift was in the fhip with 
 them, Malth. viii. 13. Confider that he is em- 
 barked with you, and will bring you Cafe to land: 
 1 John iv. 4. Ye are of Cod, little children, and 
 have overcome them y becaufe greater is he who is 
 in you than he -who is in the world. idly, Comfort 
 yourfelves againft ail your wants and weaknefles, 
 and all your miferies of your prefent condition, 
 Chi ill is in the covenant, and though you be fool- 
 ifli, he is wife, 1 Cor. L 30. Of him are ye in 
 Chrifl Jefus, who is made of God unto us wifdom, 
 and righteoufne/s, and fanclification, and redemp- 
 tion. Though you be weak, he is ftrong, Pfal. 
 Ikxx'ix. 19. / have laid help upon one that is migh- 
 ty. Though you be faithlefs, yet he is faithful; 
 though you be nothing, yet Chrift is all, Col. in. 
 1 1. Whatfoever is wanting in you, is. abounding in 
 him ; and if you abufe not the grace of God, by 
 turning it into wantonnefs, it is all one, if it is be- 
 twixt you. It is as good and much better to be in 
 him than in you ; for if he be given unto you, all 
 comes with him who is made of God unto you wif- 
 dom, right toufnefs, fanttification, and redemption. 
 2- Let believers in Chrift who have received 
 him who was given for a covenant of the people, 
 take courage and boldnefs God-ward, in all you 
 have to do with him. For, ift, Having received 
 Chi ift for a covenant of the people, you may pray 
 and deal confidently with God, as though Chrift 
 did befeech God by you. idly, You have gotten 
 Chi ift, and nothing ihall be denied you, Rom. viii. 
 32. He who fpared not his own Son, but delivered 
 him up for us all, how fhall he not with himfrtely 
 give us all things ? %dly, You have received more 
 than you know of, even him who fays, / am the 
 
 way, 
 
Difcourfe after the foltmn Work. $5 
 
 way, the truth, and the life. You have a;l the co- 
 venant, if you have Chrift. 4(hly, You have re- 
 ceived more than you want, a greater thing than 
 ever you fhall be capable to need or want hereaf- 
 ter ; for how great foever your wants be, you can- 
 not conceive them to be fo great, as Chrift who 
 is given you, Phil. iv. 1 9. My Cod fhall fupply all 
 your need according to his riches in glory by Chrift 
 Jefus. 2 Cor. ix. 8. And is able to make all 
 grace abound towards you ; that ye always having 
 all fufficiency in all things, may sbound in every 
 good work, 
 
 8. Is (Thrift given for a covenant of the pec* 
 pie ? then here is comfort and lupport for faith, 
 reaching to all the evils wherewith believers in 
 Chrift may be afflicted. As, 1/?, It may comfort 
 them againft the daily infirmities wherewith they 
 are encompafTed ; thefe fhall not make a breach 
 between God and you ; whereas Chrift the cove- 
 nant of the people prevents that, 1 John v.. j. 
 And if any man fin, we have an advocate with the 
 Father j even Chrift the righteous, idly, Againft the 
 many challenges, whether of an accufmg confei- 
 ence, or of the great accufer of the brethren, 
 Rom. viii. 33. 34. Who fhall lay any thing to the 
 charge of Cod's eleel? Sec. %dly, Againft rhe more 
 foul and grofs ftumblings of believers, Luke xxii. 
 32. The covenant of the people prays for them, 
 that their faith fail not. 4thly, Againft the fear of 
 their falling away from the blefTed covenant-ftate, 
 with which fear believers have been often tailed, 
 Pfal. li. 11. Cafi me not away from thy prefence, 
 nor take thy holy Jpirit from me. Pfal. xi. 1 v 
 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footfieps 
 flip not. It is by Chrift the covenant of thej>eo/le t 
 that we have eftablifhment in grace : R&m. v. 10. 
 For if when we were enemies } we were reconciled 
 by the death of his Son, much more being reconci- 
 le 
 
56 Difcourfe after the folemn Work. 
 
 led, we /hall be Caved by his life, $thly, Againft the 
 manifold afflictions wherewith believers are tofTed 
 here. The covenant of the people was himfelf 
 femetimes an affl cled man, went through much 
 fuffering, and had the feeling of thefe, Jfaiab liii. 
 3.7. A man of forrows, and acquainted with grief. 
 — He was opprejjed, and he was afflicled. 6thly, 
 Againft the many temptations of all kinds, which 
 occafion much heavinefs in believers, who often 
 are in heavinefs through much temptation, 1 Pet. 
 1 6. The covenant of the people had the experi- 
 ence of all forts of temptations, and now fympa- 
 thifeth with his people in like condition, Heb. ii. 
 1 7.. 1 8. For in that he himfelf hath fuffered, being 
 tempted, he is able to fuccour them that are tempt- 
 ed. Heb. iv. 15. For we have not an high-priefi 
 which cannot be touched with a feeling of our in- 
 firmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we 
 are, yet without fin. Jthly, Againft the empty and 
 reedy condition unto which believers are fubject, 
 through the manifold wants with which they are 
 daily prefTed. We have confidence through Chrift 
 the covenant of the people, to come (peed in every 
 petition that is acceptable to God, end profitable 
 to us, John xiv. i 3. Whatfoever ye (hull ap? in nty 
 name, that will I do, that the Father may be glo- 
 rified in the Son. 1 John v. 14. 15. And this is 
 the confidence that we have in him, that if we ajk 
 any thing according to his will, he hcareth us ; 
 and if we know that he heareth us, whatfoever we 
 a/k, we know that we have the petitions that we 
 de fired of him. Sthly, Againft (he fear of deah, 
 which is terrible to nature, John xi. 25. Jefur 
 faith, J am the refurreclion and the Vfe> he that 
 believeth on me, though he were dead, yet flmll he 
 live. John xvii, 2. As thou baft given him power 
 over all fit fh, that he fijould give eternal life to as 
 many as thou hajl given him. gthly, Againft the fe- 
 cund 
 
Difcourfe after the folemn Work, 57 
 
 cond appearing of Chrift, which foraetimes with- 
 out, caufe is terrible to believers, and the laffc 
 judgment that (hall be given concerning their e- 
 verlafting interefts. Chrift the covenant of the peo- 
 ple, and on whom you have laid hold as all your 
 covenant-hope, will fit as Judge. He will keep you 
 from falling, and prefent you faultlefs before the 
 prefence of his glory -with exceeding joy, Jude 
 24. 
 
 9. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the peo- 
 ple ? Then learn to know the need of your inter- 
 eft in Chrift, and the need that all have of impro- 
 ving this covenant-intereft. As, \ft, Let natural 
 men be convinced of this. If you have none to 
 deal for you, you rrruft ftand or fall by your own 
 righteoufnefs ; without Chrift you muft do for 
 yourfelves, or be undone : by no covenant but 
 Chrift the covenant of the people, can the guilty 
 creature ftand, or deal with God. idly, Let be- 
 lievers be convinced of this. It is not natural 
 men only who need Chrift to make their peace, 
 and to change th^ir covenant-ftate ; but you alfo 
 who have believed anJ received Chrift as given for 
 a covenant of the people, and at the Lord's table- 
 have been renewing your choice and acceptance 
 of him. You need him, ( 1.) At all times, before 
 and after j unification : Rom. v. 6. 10. For when 
 we were yet without (irength, in due time Chrift 
 died for the ungodly. For if when we were ene- 
 mies, we were reconciled te Cod by the death of 
 his Son : much more being reconciled, we frail be 
 faved by his life. You need him to make your 
 peace ; you need him ftill, till you be in over the 
 threshold cf glory. (2.) You need him to all in- 
 tents and purpofes, as well relating to your cove- 
 nant ftate as to your duties ; not only for your 
 perfons to make your peace, but alfo for your 
 performances to procure them acceptance : Rorru 
 H iii. 
 
5 8 Difcourfe after the folemn Work. 
 
 iii. 4. Being jufiifieJ by his grace, through the 
 redemption that is in Chrift Jefus. (3.) You 
 need him in all things pertaining to God. What- 
 ever you have to do, if it be a thing that relates 
 to God, Ht-b. ii. 1 7. He is a merciful andfaitlful 
 high pri eft in things pertaining to Cnd, to make r*- 
 conciliation for the fins of the people. If you have 
 any direction to receive from God, you need him 
 to give it ; if you have any bleiTing to receive, 
 you need him to procure it to you, and receive it 
 for you. If you have any fervice to offer to God, 
 any duty to perform, you need Chrift the cove- 
 nant of the people, to afford you ftrength to per- 
 form, and to offer it to God for you- If you have 
 any evil to deprecate, you need him to avert it, 
 whether it be for fins before or after converfior!. 
 In ail cafes, not only in your deadnefs and indif- 
 pofition for duties, but when your heart is in beft 
 frame; thy tendernefs and good frame cannot me- 
 diate for this : when you are opprefTed and borne 
 down with one trouble and incapacity or another, 
 you need to come to him, that he would under- 
 take for you. You need h* fi not only when you 
 are at a diftance from God, and cannot find accefs, 
 but when you are neareft to him, and admitted to 
 his prefence, to fpeak before his throne, then you 
 need him for eftablifhing you in that good condi- 
 tion : I/a. hriv. 6. But -we are all as an unclean 
 thing } and all our right esujneffes are as filthy 
 rags. 
 
 1 o. Is Chrift the covenant of the people t and 
 given you fur this end \ Then ftudy to carry as 
 b.-'cometh thofe who fee their need of Chrift the 
 covenant of the people ; and for this end take thefe 
 directions. ift, Take care to beat down felf- con- 
 fidence and felf- adoration, even of every thing in 
 yr»u that is not Chrift, his gifts, and grace, and af- 
 fiftence, not excepted. Put not a created grace in 
 
 Chrift ? < 
 
Difcwrfe after the Jtlemn Work. $g 
 
 Chrift's room ; be not lifted up with thefe, nor 
 led away from the covenant (f the people, Phil iii. 
 3. 4. For we are the circuiucifion, -who ivor/hip 
 God in the fpirit, and rejoice in Chrift Jefus, and 
 have no confidence in the flejh. idly. When du- 
 ties go well, and a good frame of fpirit is enjoyed, 
 watch that your hearts lay not the weight of your 
 acceptation upon thefe things ; but that you keep 
 them, efpecially within fight of the mediation of 
 Chrift the covenant of the people, as the ground of 
 your confidence, Phil. iii. 7. For what things were 
 gain to me, thefe I counted lofs for Chrift. ^dly, 
 Let your employing of Chrifi be as large as the 
 extent of his covenant reaches unto, and that is in 
 all things pertaining to Cod, Heb. ii. 17. Shut him 
 not out of his office in any thing that is a matter 
 between God and you. Think not to put him to 
 drudge at your burdens, and to flight him in o- 
 ther things ; he will not be fo dealt with. 4thly t 
 Let us beware of tempting Chrift, or grieving the 
 covenant of the people. If you carry about with 
 you the frem conviction of your need of him, you 
 will be very tender and wary of tempting him, and 
 of finning againft him : I Cor. x. 19. Neither let 
 us tempt Chrift, as fome of them alfo tempted, and 
 -were deftroyed of ferpents. 
 
 11. If all who hear thefe glad tidings iff great 
 joy, who have broken covenant with God, 
 and now are out of credit with him, would 
 glorify him who is given to be a covenant of the 
 people ; then let us be much in theftudy of Chrift 
 in the execution of the great truft committed to 
 mVn, and which he hath overtaken ; which we 
 may reduce to the following heads, ift. He ftands 
 engaged to bring the elect into a capacity of co- 
 venanting with God. 2dly, To brin£ them with- 
 in the bond of the covenant, after he hath thus 
 prepared the way. $dly, To enable them whom 
 H 2 he 
 
(3o Difcourfe after thefolemn Work. 
 
 he brings into the new covenant- ftate, to perform 
 the duties required in the covenant, 4thly, To 
 keep them whom he brings within the bond of 
 his covenant, that they fall not away from it ; or, 
 to enable them to continue in it. $thly, To 
 bring them to the height of that blefTednefs which 
 is appointed for them, and to crown the work in 
 them. 
 
 i. The firft part of Chrift, the covenant of the 
 people, his work, and executien of his truft, is, to 
 bring the elect into a capacity of covenanting with 
 him ; to make the way of God acceflible. For man 
 by his fin was made incapable of covenanting with 
 God, until Chrift comes to compofe the differ- 
 ence, and to reftore that love and friendship which 
 once was betwixt God and man : who, to prepare 
 a way for man's covenanting with God, doth two 
 things himfelf, and worketh two things in us ; the 
 fit ft, to make God acceflible ; the other, to make 
 inan capable of covenanting with God, who is made 
 acceflible by Chrift, the covenant of the people*, his 
 death, ift, He taketh on him man's nature, 
 that a facrifice might be among mankind who had 
 finned : he put^th his name in our obligatory, 
 that the law might reach him : Cal. iv. 4. 5. Cod 
 fent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under 
 the law, &c. idly, In our nature he obeyeth 
 the law, and fufFereth ; he payeth a price for our 
 ranfom : 2 Co r. v. 2 r. He is made fin for us, an 
 offering for fin. He ftood in the Tinner's ftead 
 here, he purcbafeth a liberty for the elecl:, and 
 hath it in his legal power to fet them free when 
 he will, j4clsxx. 28. He hath purchafed his church 
 with his own blood. %dly, He'Cnnvinceth men of 
 their fin and bondage, and impoflibility to fatisfy 
 juftice ; and for this end he attacheth them before 
 divine juftice : John xvi. 8. When the Spirit 
 comes, he reproves the world of fin, of righteouf- 
 
 ne/s, 
 
Difcourfe after the foUrnn Work, 61 
 
 fiefs , find of judgment. Rom. vii. 9. 1 was alive 
 without, &:c. Gal. iii. 24. He makes the law their 
 Jchovlmaf/er to bring them to Chrijf, that they 
 might be juftified by faith, ^thly, He worketh 
 their hearts to a yielding frame, making them rea- 
 dy to welcome the news of deXivcty, to be con- 
 tent to come out of their bondage, and to enjoy 
 freedom by him ; to be content to come in his 
 will, and yield their weapons to him. He makes 
 them to pant after a Saviour, as Pc.ul did, Rom. 
 v. 24. for compleat redemption ; wretched man, 
 &c. And when ali this is done, fmners are Bat in 
 a capacity of covenanting with God ; all this is 
 done, to made ready a people prepared for the 
 Lord.- for though Chrift hath paid the price of 
 the elect's ranfom, and hath purchafed their liber- 
 ty on the crofs ; yea, and hath aifo convinced 
 them of the need of their ranfom, and made them 
 tractable to liften to accept of it ; yet till a man 
 come in by faith, and manifeft his acceptance, 
 or actually accept of Chrift's propofals, he is not 
 yet actually interefted in him whom God hath gi- 
 ven for a covenant of the peopk', 
 
 2. The fecond part of Chrift's work is, to 
 bring the elect within re bond of the covenant. 
 And for bringing about of this, if 2 , Chrift makes 
 an offer of a new covenant-ftate, with ail fuitable 
 allurements and encouragements which may make 
 the fouls of the elect to accept of it ; and for this 
 end he hath appointed the minijiry of reconciliati- 
 on, 2 Cor. v. 19. 20. idly, He frameth the hearts 
 of his people for accepting of his offer, and bring- 
 eth them into a fatisfacrion with the covenant, 
 and the terms of it, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. It becomes 
 all their falvation, and all their defire. ^dly, He 
 actually maketh them to embrace it, and enter 
 into it ; and this he doth, by making us receive 
 and embrace the promifes, and to receive Chrift 
 
 10 
 
C2 Difcnurfe after the fokmn Work, 
 
 in the promifes, and by making us give up our- 
 fefo es to be ChrifVs, and to be no more our own. 
 He en^ageth the heart unto God by a covenant, 
 Jcr. xxx. 21. And I ivill caufe him to draw near, 
 and he (hall approach unto me ; for who is this that 
 engageth his heart to approach unto me ? faith the 
 Lord. It is he who maketh us give up ourfelves 
 unto him, Ezek. xxxvi. 27. 28. And I will put 
 my fpirit within you , and caufe you to walk in my 
 way;, and ye fhall he my people, and 1 will be your 
 Cod. 
 
 3. The third part of ChrhTs work in execu- 
 ting his covenant-truit, is, to enable them whom 
 he bringcth into the covenant.of grace, to perform 
 the duty of the covenant, according to his under- 
 taking ro his Father on their behalf. And for this 
 effeft, 1/?, He crrcumcifeth their hearts, and ta- 
 l^eth away their averfenefs to covenant- duties: 
 Ezek. xxxvi. 26. 7 wiU take away the (lony heart 
 out (f your flc Pi, and y &c. idly, He ingrafteth a 
 new inward principle in their hearts, of compli- 
 ance with, and propenfion unto, their duty : Jer. 
 xxxi. 33 / will put my law into their inward parts, 
 and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, 
 and they fi all be my people. Jcr. xxxii. 40. J will 
 put my fear in their hearts, and they /hail not de- 
 part J row me. idly, He affbrdeth them ftrength 
 for per Term ing duties required in the covenant, 
 and makes his grace effectual in them for that end, 
 Ezek. xxxvi. 27. J will put, &c. He craveth his 
 rent, but filleth tr e hand wherewith to pay it, 
 Phil. ill. Being fdled with the fruits of rightc- 
 eufnefs, which are by Jefus Ckrijt unto the glory 
 and praife of God. 2 Cor. ix. 8. God is able to 
 make all ± race abound towards you, that ye always 
 having all Juffciency in all things, may abound in 
 every good work. s t thly, He breathes upon the 
 graces of his people, and a&eth them by daily 
 
 frefh 
 
Difcourfe after the folemn Work. 6$ 
 
 Frefh and quickening afliftances, Song iv. 1 6. He 
 maketh the north and f out h wind to bhvj, &c, If. 
 xxvi. 12. He worketh all our works in us, Phil, 
 ii. 13. He worketh in us, to will and to do of his 
 gotd pleafure-. 
 
 4. The fourth part of Chrift's work in exe- 
 cuting his covenaat-trufr, is, to keep thufe whom 
 he bringeth into the covenant from falling away 
 from that blefled eftate. If it were not for Chrift's 
 travailing in this work, the reconciliation once 
 made could not ftand : if he did not continue the 
 covenant of tl>e people for ever, we mould not for 
 ever continue in the covenant-itate: Htb. vii. 24. 
 25. But this man, becaufe he conthueth ever, haih 
 an unchangeable prieflhood. Wherefore he is able 
 tofave them to the utttermofl that come unto God 
 by him, feeing he ever liveth to make interceffion 
 for them. And for keeping his people in cove- 
 nant with God, befides his contriving the cove- 
 nant (o, that breaches (hall not make it void ; if/, 
 He gifteth them with, at J conveyeth to them, an 
 everlafting principle of grace that cannot die nor 
 utterly perifh, John iv. 14. The water that J /hall 
 give him, fnall be in him as a well of water 
 jpringing up unt9 eternal life, idly. He keeps 
 life in them by his interceflion, Luke xxii. 32. He 
 prays for them, that their faith fail not. idly, He 
 keeps a gripe of them ; he engageih his Father to 
 keep them, and employeth all Wis power, credit, 
 and intereit, to keep, them in that bleHed ftate : 1 
 Pet. 1. 5. They are kept by the power of Gid. John 
 x. 28. He gives unto them eternal life, and they 
 jball never perifh, neither /hall any pluck them mi 
 of his hand. 4thly, He maintains the peace and 
 agreement he hath made, by his being their con- 
 stant agent to appear in the prefence of God for 
 them, Heb. ix. 24. Rom. v. 2. By whom alfo we 
 have accefs by faith unto this grace vjherein we 
 
 /land, 
 
64 Difcourfe after the Jolcmn Work. 
 
 ft and, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of G$J. 
 Sthly, He promoteth intercourfe and good cor- 
 refpondence betwixt the Father and his people, 
 that their trading wiih heaven be not interrupted : 
 Eph. ii. 1 8. For by him we have an accefs through 
 §ne Spirit unto the Father. 1 Pet. iii. 1 8. Chrijl 
 hath once juffered, the juft for the unjufl, that he 
 might bring us to God. So that now, as Heb. iv. 
 10. ive may come wiih boldnefs to the throne of 
 grace, that "die may obtain mercy, and find grace 
 to help in the time cf need. 6thiy, He maketh up 
 emergent differences and breaches of the peace 
 between God and us. And this he doth, (1.) As 
 an agent, making his confrant residence in heaven, 
 that as Heb. ix. 24. upon all occafions he may ap- 
 pear in the prefence of Gsd for us. (2.) As an 
 advocate, pleading his people's caufe, and mowing 
 that fatisfiea juitice mull be for them, 1 John ii. 
 1 . If any man fin, we have an advocate ivith the 
 Father. (3.) As an interceflor, pleading and 
 praying for them, Heb. vii. 28. He ever liveth to 
 make inter ceffion for thtm. (4 ) As a follicitor, 
 prefenting and promoting their prayers to his and 
 their Goo and Father. 
 
 5. The fifth part of Chrift's work in execu- 
 ting his covenant- truft, is, to bring all thele for 
 whom he hath engaged in his covenant, to the 
 light of that blefledneis which he haih appointed 
 for them ; that as the great captain cf Jalvatiax 9 
 he may bring many Join to gloiy, Heb. ii. 10. 
 Which glory itandcth in perfect and glorious con- 
 formity with Chrifl, and in perfect and gloiious 
 communion with God, when they will be like him, 
 and fee him as he is y 1 John iii. 2. F-r accon:ph/h- 
 ing whereof, ifi, He prepaieth thai happinefe for 
 them, and a fit place where they may enjoy it for 
 ever ; John xiv. 2. In rry Father's boufe are many 
 manjiws } ij it vjere not fo t 1 would have told your 
 
Difcourfe after the folemn Work. 65 
 
 I go to prepare a place for you. idly, He keep- 
 eth this happinefs for them, when they can con- 
 tribute nothing for keeping of it, 1 Pet. i. 4. // is 
 referved in heaven for them, ^dly, Hekeepeth them 
 for it. They have as much need of keeping, as their 
 crown and inheritance : as we cannot .\.eep thefe, fo 
 we cannot keep ourfelves. A,thly, He goeth before 
 his people, and breaketh the oppofition that is in 
 their way to glory; fo that he leaveth them no ad- 
 verfary to fight with, but fuch as he hath ruined 
 and conquered, Micahn. 13. The breaker is gone 
 up before them. Sthly, He maketh his people meet 
 and fit for the glorious condition, Col. i. 12 Meet 
 to be partakers of the* inheritance of the fa'mts in 
 light. Eph.v. 26. 27. He gave himfelf for it, that 
 he might prefent it to himfelf a glorious church, 
 not having fpot or wrinkle, or any fuch thing, 
 6thly, When all his people are fitted, and ready 
 to receive what he hath prepared for them, he 
 will come again for them himfelf, and cany them 
 triumphantly to glory: John xiv. 3. And if I go 
 and prepare a place for you, J will come again and 
 receive you to myCelf that where J am, there ye 
 may be alfo. Col. iii. 4. When Chriji who is our 
 life Jh all appear, then (hall ye appear alfo with him 
 in glory. Rev. xix. 7. 8. Let us be glad and re- 
 joice, and give honour to him ; for the marriage 
 of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made her- 
 
 felf ready. And to her it was granted, to be 
 
 clothed in fine linen, clean and white : for the 
 fine linen is the righteoufnefs of faints. 
 
 I 2.. That we may habitually remember ChrhTs 
 dying and redeeming love, and draw forth the 
 fweets of it to his glory and our fpiritual benefit, 
 that we may be filled with h'jly admiration and 
 wonder at Chrift, who is the covenant *or us ; 
 Jet us think of him, as he .through whom the 
 whole covenant of peace from beginning to 
 I end, 
 
66 Difcourfe after the folemn Work, 
 
 end, was tranfacted, through whom God dealt 
 and doth deal with us, and we with him. As, 
 
 i . Through him was the covenant with us 
 firft motioned, and by him was the motion enter- 
 tained on our beJialf. There bad never been a co- 
 venant between God and fallen man, had not 
 Chriir ft pr in to overture the reconciliation of ju- 
 ftice and mercy. 
 
 2. Through him was the bufmefs done, and 
 ended in the council of God. He agented the co- 
 venant tili it was a clofeH bargain, in, and an e- 
 terna! plot between, the Father and himfelf : Pfal. 
 Ixxxix. 3. / have made a covenant with my cho- 
 
 fen. 
 
 3. Through him were we reprefented in his 
 tran faction with the Father. He interpofed and 
 did the bufmefs by way of reprefentation,' as the 
 head of the church : 2 Tim. i. 9. JVho hath faved 
 us, and called us with an holy calling, not accord- 
 ing to our works, but according tc his own purpofe 
 and grace which was given us in Chrif} Jefus be- 
 fore the world began, 
 
 4. Through him did God ftrike hands with us. 
 The flipulation on our part was made by him, 
 whom the Father took as a refponfal perfon to 
 bargain with. He put his name in our bond, 
 and ftept in as furety for the broken man, Heb. 
 vii. 22. He became the furety oj the better tefta- 
 ?nent. 
 
 5. Through him is the whole covenant fulfil- 
 led. He fulfilleth all that is promifed on God's 
 part, 2 Cor i. 20. For all the promifes of God in 
 him are yea, and in him amen, to the glory of 
 Cod by us. And he worketh in us and for us 
 whatiocver is' required of us, Htb. xii. 2. He is 
 the author and finifher oj faith. 
 
 6. Through him are the news of the covenant 
 of peace between God and us published and pro- 
 claimed : 
 
Difcourfe after the fokmn Work. 67 
 
 claimed: Ifa. Ixi. I. The Jp'lrit of the Lord God is upon ??:e, 
 becaufe the Lord has anointed me to preach pood tidings unto the 
 meek. Eph. ii. 17. Aid came and preached peace to sou -which 
 •were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Pfal. xl. 9; He hath 
 come and preached righteoufnefsin the great congregation. 
 
 7. Through him is the myftery of his covenant made mani- 
 feft in the hearts of his people : he fliines upon the myftery of 
 his covenant, and makes it to be underftood. The ci-coveiy of 
 God reconciling the world to himfelf, and taking the cove- 
 nant-breakers into covenant with himfelf, could never have 
 been made, had not Chrift' been given for a covenant of the 
 people : John i. 18. No man hathfeen Cod at any time ; the cr.- 
 ly begotten Son, -who is in the bo'fom of the Father, he hath de- 
 clared him. 
 
 8. By him was a price told down to juftice on our behalf .- 
 he entered his perfon in prifon for us, till he paid the debt 
 with the price ot hi* blood, after which he was fet at liberty : 
 Heb. ix. 12. 15. By his own blood he entered once into the holyr 
 
 />/.: v, having obtained, redemption for us For this cauje 
 
 he is the Mediator of the new teftament, that by means of death, 
 they -who are called might receive the promife of the eternal in. 
 her it c nee. 
 
 9. Through him is the difference actually compofed, and 
 th^ peace made up; the difagieeing parties are brought 
 together through him: Eph. ii. 13. 14. But now in Chriji Jtjus, 
 ye iuho -were fometimes afar off, are made nigh by the blood of 
 Chrift. Now God is iu Chriji reconciling the world to hivijelf 
 2 Cor. v. 19. 
 
 10. Through him are all the bleflings of the covenant aj»- 
 plied to us, and the fruit of his. purchale is drawn forth, as a 
 prieit for ever. He is the perfon who ftill mediates and offici- 
 ates before God on our behalf, for the frefh applications of all 
 his purchale, Heb. vii. 25. He is able to fave to the uttermoft 
 all that come unto God by him, feeing he ever livetb to make in- 
 terceffionfor them. 
 
 11. Through him we receive all the bleflings of the cove- 
 nant. He is the head of the church, who receiveth bleflings 
 for the whole body, and every member thereof, Pfal. Ixviii. 
 18. He hath received gifts for men. He is the perfon who re- 
 ceiveth all the bleflings of the covenant at firft hand ; the per- 
 fon on whom all the acts of God's love ire firft put forth, John 
 
 \. 14. 16. The Word was made flejh, and dwelt among us . 
 
 And of his f nine fs have all we received^ and grace for grace. 
 
 12. Through him was the covenant with us confirmed; he 
 fealed the new teftarnent with his own blood, and interpofed 
 by his death to make the covenant God's irrevocable will of 
 grace unto us-ward, Heb. vi. 17. 18. Wherein God willing 
 more abundantly -to manifeft unto the heirs of promife the im- 
 mutability of his counj'el, confirmed it by an oath, that by tw 9 
 immutable things wherein it was impoj/ible for God to lie, they 
 might have fir ong confolation who have fed for refuge to lay hold 
 on the hope fet before us. Chrift the covenant of the people is 
 
 the perlon in whom, and by whom, the covenant was confirm- 
 ed. 
 
 13. Through 
 
68 Difcourfe after the filemn Work. 
 
 13. Through him is the covenant a clofed bargain, as to 
 the addition of our confent to it : -through him are our hearts 
 engaged to, the bargain. He travaileth with us to obtain our 
 confent to it, Eze%. xx. 37. He brings them within the bond of 
 the -covenant. 
 
 14. Through him is the covenant held faft with all thofe 
 who are once really engaged in it, that it crumble not away as 
 the nril -coveaark did, but may Hand firm and flable : Pfal. 
 Ixxxix. 34. 35. • My covenant will t not break, nor alter the word 
 
 that is. gone out cf »xy mouth. Once have 1 /worn by *6y holt- 
 
 mfs, that I -will not' lie unto D.ivii. Johnxvii. 12. Thofe that 
 thou gave 1 me I kept, an I none of them is lofi. 
 
 From all thefc views of Chrift the covenant of the people, we 
 may lee, 
 
 1. Their miiery who are under the covenant of works, 
 which is the itate of all natural men>. You mud either do for 
 yourfelves, or think of changing your covenant- ftate : while 
 you remain under the old covenant feeking righteoufuefs by the 
 hw, you can have no benefit by Chrift t who is given for a co- 
 re r-.:.ntnf the people. 
 
 2. Learn how bleffed the ftate of believers is who arc within 
 the bond of the covenant of grace. You may with boVdnefs 
 approach Chrift with your fervices ; and for obtaining bleflings 
 and directions from him, you have Chrift the Mediator of the 
 new covenant. If Chrift be at any time angry, you have one 
 to put between you and his anger ; to fpeak for you, when you 
 dare not fpeak for yourfelves; to procure bleflings tor you, 
 when you deferve none. 
 
 3. Is Chrift given for a covenant of the people? Are there fo 
 many encouraging views to be taken of him in relation to the 
 new covenant. : Then make fure or an intereft in him ; let him 
 be employed, acknowledged, and honoured by you as the cove- 
 nant of the people. Let all men honour the Sop, even as thej d» 
 the Father t John V. 23. ■ 
 
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