in these words, " the Holy Ghost is a witness to us;" for that, in promising first, that " the law should be written in our hearts," and then, that " our sins and iniquities should be remembered no more," he had attested fully the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, and given ample assurance, that those who relied upon it should never have their sins imputed to them x. It is needless to multiply words any further upon this sub- ject ; for the old covenant, with all its benefits, was to continue only for a limited period ; whereas the new covenant is to con- tinue to the end of the world ; and its benefits to the remotest ages of eternity.]
Infer —
1. The folly of making self-righteous covenants of
our own —
[Why did God give us another covenant, but because the former was inadequate to our necessities ? Shall we then be recurring to the old covenant, or forming new ones of our own upon the same principle ? Take your own covenants, and examine them, and see what grounds of hope they afford you. We will give you leave to dictate your own terms : say, if you please, " You are to repent and amend your lives : and on those conditions God shall give you eternal life :" Can you repent, can you amend your lives, by any power of your own ? Have you agreed with God what shall be the precise measure of your repentance and amendment ? Have you attained the measure which you yourselves think to be necessary, so that you can say, My conscience witnesses for me, that I am fully prepared to meet my God? If not, see to what a state you reduce yourselves : you need none other to condemn you : for God may say, " Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee." O be not thus infatuated : cast not away the Lord's covenant for such delusive projects of your own : but, instead of depend- ing on your own weak endeavours, go and lay hold on that better covenant, which provides every thing for you, as the free gift of God in Christ Jesus.]
2. The blessedness of those who obey the Gospel —
[You have " a covenant which is ordered in all things, and surey :" and you have a Mediator, who, having purchased for you all the blessings of this covenant, will infallibly secure them to you by his efficacious grace, and all-prevailing inter- cession. Place then your confidence in him. Employ him daily (if I may so speak) to maintain your interest in it ; and give him the glory of every blessing you receive. Your enjoy- ment of its benefits must be progressive, as long as you continue
x Heb. x. 11—18. y 2 Sam. xxiii. 5.
o
1075.1 THE church's security. 24
in the world Let your desires after them be more and
more enlarged: and in due time you shall enjoy them in all their fulness. It is in heaven alone that you will fully possess them : but there you shall perfectly comprehend the meaning of that promise, " Ye shall be my people, and I will be your
God2."]
z Rev. xxi. 3.