EPC Australia

What is this covenant? Some always consider it a kind of stipulation between God and us, in which he proposes to do so much, if we will do so much, thus representing the Supreme Being as a bargainer, getting as good terms as he can, while man, the other high contracting party, agrees to them. But God is said to make a covenant with the earth, and with the beasts of the field. This cannot intend a reciprocal negotiation, but the engagement of God only. It is called a covenant allusively, to signify its stability and certainty; the effect in the one instance being put for the cause in the other. For the same reason, this name is given to that gracious constitution for the salvation of sinners through the Mediator, made known in the Scripture for the obedience of faith; and is the very same with what is also called "the mercy promised to the fathers;" and "the hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

The bond of this covenant is the obligation which it lays upon God who makes it, and upon those who are saved by it. We could not, without profaneness, have talked of binding God; but he has been pleased, in his infinite condescension, to bind himself. His heart could have been trusted, but he knew our frame, and our weakness; and to remove all our fearful misgivings, arising from our meanness and guilt, he has brought himself under a covenant engagement. And if it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth it. And he has confirmed his engagement by an oath; and because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself; and also by sacrifice — and the victim was no less than his only begotten Son, and whose blood, therefore, is called the blood of the everlasting covenant. Thus he is bound to be the God of his people. He is bound to save them, to pardon them, to sanctify them, to help them; bound to make all things work together for their good; bound to give them grace and glory, and to withhold no good thing from them.

It also binds them — Not to atone for their sin, this is already expiated; nor to produce a righteousness to justify them before God, this is already brought in, and on this their hope only relies — but they are bound to obey, and serve, and glorify Him who has done such great things for them. Surely evidence, consistency, gratitude, justice, require it. They feel the obligation and acknowledge it, and wish all to know that they are not their own, but bought with a price. They feel the obligation, and it is not irksome; for though they are bound, it is with the cords of a man, and the bands of love. It is the obligation of a mother to press to her bosom her sucking child; it is the obligation of a hungry man to eat his pleasant meat. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. It is a yoke; but it is like the yoke of marriage to the happy pair who daily bless the bonds. It is a burden; but it is like the burden of wings to the bird, which, instead of confining him, gives him the freedom of the skies. My yoke, says the Saviour, is easy, and my burden is light.

Blessed are the people that are in such a case. Their humble confidence can authorise them in every trouble to say, "Yet hath he made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure; for this is all my salvation and all my desire:" and their affectionate zeal, in every temptation, will constrain them to sing,

"All that I have, and all I am,
Shall be for ever thine:
Whate'er my duly bids me give,
My cheerful hands resign.

Yet, if I might make some reserve,
And duty did not call,
I love my God with zeal so great,
That I should give him all."

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay