at such times, and in such a measure, as shall most display the glory of God. It is true that God requires of us many things, as repentance, faith, and holiness ; but it is equally true that he promises all these tilings to us : he has " exalted his own Son to give us repentance ^* ;" he also gives ns to believe in Christ^ ; and he promises that he will, by the influence of his Spirit, cause us to walk in his statutes, and to keep his judg- ments and do them'^. We cannot place ourselves in any situation wherein God has not given us promises, " exceeding- great and precious promises," suited to our necessities, and commensurate with our wants : nor is so small a thing as the falHng of a hair of our head left to chance ; it is all ordered by unerring wisdom : and though there may be some events which, separately and distinctly considered, may be regarded as evil, yet, collectively taken in all their bearings, they shall " all work together for our eternal good'."]
3. Its certainty —
[It is " sure" to every one who trusts in it. In this it differs widely from the covenant of works which was made with man in innocence : for that depending on the fidelity of the creature, was violated, and annulled : whereas this, depending altogether on the fidelity of God, who undertakes to work in us all that he requires of us, and who engages not only not to depart from us, but not to suffer us to depart from him™, shall never fail in any one particular : " The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but the covenant of my peace shall not be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on us"." True it is that, as under the Jewish dispensation many were not steadfast in that covenant, which was a mixed, and national covenant, so many who profess religion do really " make ship- wreck of the faith°:" but they have never truly embraced the covenant of which we are speaking : they have embraced it only in a partial way, looking for its blessings without duly considering its obligations: they have been more intent on salvation from punishment, than salvation from sin. " Had they been really of us," says the Apostle, " they would no doubt have continued with us p." " The foundation of God standeth sure : the Lord knoweth them that are his. But let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity^." This being our indispensable duty, God promises and engages, " that sin shall not have dominion over us,
"^ Acts V. 31. i Phil, i. 29. k Ezek. xxxvi. 25—27.
1 Rom. viii. 28. m Jer. xxxii. 40. " Isai. Hv. 9, 10. ° 1 Tim. i. 19. p 1 John ii. 19.
1 2 Tim. ii. 19. Kai should here be translated hut. Compare 1 Cor. xii. 5. and xvi. 12. and 2 Tim. iii. 11. in the Greek.