Obs. II. Approbation of the terms of the covenant, consent unto them, and solemn acceptance of them, are required on our part, unto the establishment of any covenant between God and us, and our participation of the benefits of it—Thus solemnly did the people here enter into covenant with God, whereby a peculiar relation was established between him and them. The mere proposal of the co- venant and the terms of it unto us, which is done in the preaching of the gospel, will not make us partakers of any of the grace or bene-
fits of it. Yet this is that which most content themselves withal. | It may be they proceed to the performance of some of the duties .
which are required therein; but this answers not the design and way of God in dealing with men. When he hath proposed the terms of his covenant unto them, he doth neither compel them to accept of them nor will be satisfied with such an obedience. He requires that upon a due consideration of them, we do approve ot them, as those which answer his infinite wisdom and goodness, and such as are of eternal advantage unto us; that they are all equal, holy, righteous, and good. Hereon he requires that we voluntarily choose and con- sent unto them, engaging ourselves solemnly unto the performance of them all and every one. This is required of us, if we intend any interest in the grace and glory prepared in the new covenant.
Obs, III. It has been the way of God from the beginning, to take children of covenanters into the same covenant with their parents.— So he dealt with this people in the establisnment of the first covenant; and he hath made no alteration herein in the establishment of the second, But we:must proceed with the exposition of the words.
4, Of this covenant it is affirmed, that it “ was consecrated with
A Mea blood,” or “ was not dedicated without blood.” ’Eyxa- alvares tyxe- vicwis “solemnly to separate any thing unto a sacred use.” eogaket 737 is the same in Hebrew. But it 1s not the sanction of the covenant absolutely that the apostle intends in this expres- sion, but the use of it. The covenant had its sanction, and was con- - firmed on the part of God, in offering of the sacrifices. In the killing of the beasts, and offering of their blood, did the ratification of the covenant consist. This is included and supposed in what is signified by the dedication of it. But this is not an effect of the shedding and offering of blood, but only of the sprinkling of it on the book and the people. Thereby had it its éyxafnowos, its “ con- secration” or “ dedication unto sacred use,” as the instrument of the peculiar church relation between God and that people, whereof the book was the record. So was every thing consecrated unto its pro- per use under the law, as the apostle declares. This, therefore, is
VER, 18-22] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 355
the meaning of the words: ‘That first covenant, which God made with the people at mount Sinai, wherein he became their God, the God of Israel, and they became his people, was dedicated unto sacred use by blood, in that it was sprinkled on the book and the people, after part of the same blood had been offered in sacrifice at the altar.’ Hence it follows that this, which belongs so essentially unto the solemn dedication and confirmation of a covenant between God and the church, was necessary also unto the dedication and confir- mation of the new covenant,—which is that which is to be proved.
Obs. IV It is by the authority of God alone that any thing can be effectually and unchangeably dedicated unto sacred use, so as to have force and efficacy given unto it thereby.—But this dedication
may be made by virtue of a general rule, as well as by an especial command.
5. The assertion of the apostle concerning the dedication of the first covenant with blood is confirmed by an account of the matter of fact, or,—
First, What Moses did therein, verse 19.
Ver. 19.—* For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book and all the people.”
There are two things considerable in the words: 1. The person made use of in the dedication of the covenant; which was Moses. 2. What he did therein; which is referred unto two heads: (1.) His speaking or reading the terms of the covenant, every precept out of the book; (2.) His sprinkling of the book and people with blood.
1. Moses was the internuncius between God and the people in this great transaction. On God’s part he was immedi- ' ately called unto this employment, Exod. iti, And on the part of the people he was chosen, and desired by them to trans- act all things between God and them, in the making and confirma- tion of this covenant; because they were uot able to bear the effects of God’s immediate presence, Exod. xx. 19; Deut. v. 22-27. And _ this choice of a spokesman on their part God did approve of, verse