THE

ORDINANCE

OF

COVENAN TING.

BY

JOHN CUNNINGHAM, A.M.

"HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER.” Ps. cxi. 9.

• THOUGH IT BE BUT A MAN'S COVENANT, YET IF IT BE CONFIRMED, NO MAN

DISANNULLETH, OR ADDETH THERETO." Gal. iii. 15.

GLASGOW:-WILLIAM MARSHALL.

SOLD ALSO BY JOHN KEITH.
EDINBURGH:-THOMAS NELSON AND JOHN JOHNSTONE.

LONDON :-HAMILTON, ADAMS, & Co.
MANCHESTER:-GALT & ANDERSON.
BELFAST:-WILLIAM POLLOCK.

MDCCCXLIII.

PAISLEY: PRINTED BY NEILSON AND MURRAY.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION,

Page 1

CHAPTER I.

NATURE OF COVENANTING.

PAGE

PAGE

5

Term Covenant defined,

CONFESSION.

Sinners Redeemed, are in Cove- To confess, to perform services

nant with God,

6 which include Covenanting, 31

This relation not a mere law,

-in the Old Testament, 32

has parties,

7

in the New,

33

has conditions,

7 To confess Christ, to Covenant, 36

is the Covenant of Grace, 8 To profess, sometimes, to confess, 37

Term Covenanting defined,

8 Then, profession equivalent to

By Covenanting men make a Co- confession,

38

venant with God,

8

PERSONAL covenanting.

This Covenant not distinct from This an act, of adherence to God's

that of Redemption, or that of Covenant,

38

Grace,

9

approving of the way of sal-

The formal exercise of Covenant-

vation through Christ, 39

ing not indispensable to an in-

of accepting Christ and all

terest in the Covenant of Grace, 11

his benefits,

38

God's Covenant may, for the first

of renouncing satan and sin, 42

time, be entered into in the ex-

of self-dedication to God, 43

ercise of Covenanting,

12 in which duty is promised

In Covenanting, if God's Cove-

to God,

44

nant has been laid hold on be-

SOCIAL COVENANTING.

fore, it is then renewed,

14 This also an act of acquiescence in

THE VOW.

God's Covenant,

44

Definition,

15 Performed by the church in an

Vow made to God alone, 15 ecclesiastical capacity,

45

a solemn promise to God, 16 Performed by Covenanting in a

to be made voluntarily,

17 national capacity,

46

must be consistent with duty, i7 That may be performed by various

never made but in Covenanting, 17 communities in one confedera-

THE OATH.

tion,

47

Definition,

18 Implying all that is included in

To swear, to use an oath,

19 Personal Covenanting,

48

It is by the Lord that all ought to An act of acceptance of the bene-

swear

19 fits of God's Covenant,

49

Oath sworn with the lifting up of Of vowing general and specified

the right hand,

20 obedience,

50

Swearing a devotional exercise, 21 Of federal engagement among the

In the oath is implied a condensed members of the Covenanting

adoration,

21

community,

51

The oath a solemn appeal to God, 23 of public acceptance of the truth
In swearing a lawful oath, a Cove- of God, and of renouncing error, 52
nant with God is made,

23 Performed in the name of those

whether given to confirm who engage in it, and in the

an assertion,

23 name of posterity,

53

or given to confirm an ex-

COVENANT RATIFICATION.

plicit promise,

26 By oath,

54

The civil or moral use of the oath Oath and covenant associated, 54

depends on its spiritual charac. Oath for confirmation,

55

ter,

29 Oath essential to a Covenant with

The bath distinct from the vow, 30 God,

55