This is the first reason why David makes his retreat in straits and difficulties unto this covenant, — because of the author of it, God him- self, who made this covenant.
Secondly. The second reason is taken from the properties of the covenant, — what kind of one it is; and they are three: — It is an "everlasting" covenant ; it is a covenant that is "ordered in all things ;" and it is a covenant that is " sure:" —
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1. It is the great relief of our souls, because it is " an everlasting covenant." The things we are troubled about, wherein our comforts consist in this world, are but temporal things; and an everlasting relief against temporal distresses will quite out-balance them.
How is this everlasting? It is everlasting in respect of the be- ginning of it ; it is everlasting in respect of the end of it ; and it is everlasting in respect of the matter of it : —
(1.) It is everlasting in respect of the beginning of it; it is a cove- nant that comes from everlasting love, Jer. xxxi. 3, " I have loved thee with an everlasting- love." What then? " Therefore with loving- kindness have I drawn thee." This drawing with loving-kindness is the covenant here mentioned. And whence doth it proceed ? From everlasting love. We had never had the drawing of the covenant, had not that been the spring. I will betake myself unto that cove- nant which hath its spring in eternity. This covenant had not its beginning when first I laid hold upon it; but it had its beginning in God's love from all eternity.
(2.) It is everlasting in respect of the end of it : it ceases not until it brings the whole person, soul and body, into everlasting glory. So our Saviour manifests, Matt. xxii. 32. There arose a question whether the dead should arise or no, and so the whole person be brought to God in glory; and the Sadducees came to Christ with , a pitiful, sophistical question about a woman that had had seven husbands, — whose wife she should be in the resurrection ? Christ answers them ; but how doth he prove that there shall be a resurrection? No other- wise but by the words of the covenant, verse 32, " I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob : God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." They live unto God by virtue of the covenant unto this day ; and by virtue of the covenant shall be raised again.
(3.) It is an everlasting covenant upon the account of the matter of it, — the things concerning which it is. It is not a covenant about corn, and wine, and oil, — about the growing of our houses, the increase of our families or selves in the world ; but it is a covenant about everlasting things, — " things which are not seen," 2 Cor. iv. 1 8. Grace is eternal, mercy eternal, spiritual life, and joy, and comfort, are all eternal things. " This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent," John xvii. 3. Not only eternal glory, but the grace we have here by virtue of the covenant, is eternal. " It is not about the land of Canaan, thrones and kingdoms, — it is not about the prosperity of our families," saith he; " but about everlasting things."
Now, is there not here great ground for retreat unto this covenant in all our straits, that hath its rise in everlasting love, its end in
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418 THE EVERLASTING COVENANT,
everlasting rest, and the matter whereof are all everlasting things. This is the first property of it, and a reason why we ought to make it our relief, — because it is an everlasting covenant.
2. The second property of this covenant is, — that it is " ordered in all things." What is order? Order is the disposition of things into such a way, — such a relation one to another, and such a depend- ence one upon another, — as they may all be suited to attain their pro- per end. This is order. Now saith he, " This covenant is ordered/' The truth is, order is the beauty of all things, — the glory of all things ; and it is but a little, I acknowledge, that I am able to look into of the order of this covenant, which renders it exceeding beautiful and glorious; and much less that I shall now speak to you.
I would refer the order of the covenant to these three heads : — to its infinitely wise projection ; to its solemn confirmation; and to its powerful execution. These three things give this covenant its order. Its infinitely wise projection, in the love and eternal wisdom of the Father; its solemn confirmation, in the blood and sacrifice of the Son ; and its powerful execution, in the efficacy of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of grace; — these are the heads of the glorious order of this covenant, that give it its life, beauty, and glory.
(1.) Its projection was in the wisdom and love of the Father. What- soever is spoken concerning the love, grace, and wisdom of the Father before the world was, was laid out in the projection of this covenant. Take it as it wraps Christ in it, — as it brings forth the forgiveness of sin,— as it is the centre of grace ; and it compriseth the whole effect of divine wisdom, as far as the infinitely holy God ever manifested, or ever will manifest to eternity.