ages, supplication for this in greater measure will be
habitually offered. In order to a proper investigation of the subject,
care must be taken to avoid two extremes;--that minute analysis of it
that would annihilate the observance itself, by resolving it into its
constituent parts;--and that slight examination of it which would result
in an estimate of itself and its elements, alike vague and undefined.
What God hath joined let not man put asunder. And efforts should be
made, and supplications offered, to obtain guidance on this point into
all truth. Like a refracting medium which presents disjointed
parts--each also deformed, instead of one beauteous image of a
resplendent scene, prejudice, on the one hand, instead of displaying the
exercise with the fulness and splendour of unmarred truth, has obtruded
its ideal misrepresentations of it, alike inconsistent with themselves
and with its real character; while, like rapid motion preventing minute
discovery, on the other a mere glance bestowed, where careful
observation was requisite, insufficient for apprehending the whole as an
inviting complex object of research, and much more unfitted to discover
the admitted excellence of the duties it includes, has led to an
exhibition of it also alike derogatory of the one and the other. There
is but one situation where, like Mount Nebo affording to the man of God
a view of the promised land, we can rightly examine it. If on the mount
of Divine revelation with the eye of faith, which, like the eye of
Moses, with age waxes not dim, we explore it, in its fairest
proportions, like the land of Canaan, will we apprehend it; and like
that distinguished patriarch, who was destined to enjoy blessings of
God's covenant more valuable by far than a temporal rest, we will attain
to extensive spiritual, and, in due time, eternal good.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Psalm xxv. 14.

CHAPTER I.

NATURE OF COVENANTING.

A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given
terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or
between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between
parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the
testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of
relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations
among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and
nation, and between man and man, in some re