§ 10. (6.) As an essential part of the character of God's people, they now enter into a cordial covenant with Christ. The sinner was never strictly, nor comfortably, in covenant with Christ till now. He is sure, by the free offers, that Christ consents; and now he cordially consents himself; and so the agreement is fully made.—With this covenant Christ delivers up himself in all comfortable relations to the sinner; and the sinner delivers up himself, to be saved, and ruled by Christ. Now the soul resolutely concludes, "I have been blindly led by flesh and lust, by the world and the devil, too long, almost to my utter destruction: I will now be wholly at the disposal of my Lord, who hath bought me with his blood, and will bring me to his glory."
§ 11. (7.) I add, that the people of God persevere in this covenant to the end. Though the believer may commit sins, yet he never disclaims his Lord, renounces his allegiance, nor repents of his covenant; nor can he properly be said to break that covenant, while that faith continues, which is the condition of it. Indeed, those that have verbally covenanted, and not cordially, may _tread under foot the blood of the covenant_, as _an unholy thing, wherewith they were sanctified_, by separation from those without the church;[198] but _the elect_ cannot be so _deceived_.[199] Though this perseverance be certain to true believers, yet it is made a condition of their salvation; yea, of their continued life and fruitfulness, and of the continuance of their justification, though not of their first justification, itself.[200] But eternally blessed be that hand of love, which hath drawn the free promise, and subscribed and sealed to that which ascertains us, both of the grace which is the condition, and the kingdom which on that condition is offered.
[Footnote 198] Hebrews x, 29.
[Footnote 199] Matthew xxiv, 24.
[Footnote 200] John xv, 4, 6, 9, viii, 31. Revelation ii, 25, 26, iii, 11, 12. Colossians i, 23. Romans xi, 22.