The Ordinance of Covenanting Part 6

[149] Job xlii. 7-9.

[150] 2 Chron. xxix. 10, 11. See also, v. 20-24.

[151] 2 Chron. x.x.x. 8.

[152] Ps. l. 5.

[153] Exod. xxiv. 5-8.

[154] Zech. ix. 11.

[155] Heb. xii. 24.

[156] Gen. xv. 6.

[157] Is. xlv. 24.

[158] Ps. x.x.xi. 14.

[159] The Rev. Dr. Hamilton, late of Strathblane, "On the a.s.surance of Salvation." 2d edition. pp. 122, 123.

[160] Is. viii. 12, 13.

[161] 2 Chron. xxix. 21.

[162] Jer. x.x.xi. 9.

[163] Jer. l. 4, 5.

[164] Acts xxi. 23.

[165] James v. 15.

[166] Hos. xiv. 1, 2.

[167] 2 Chron. xv. 14.

[168] ??? Is. xxviii. 18.

[169] Neh. ix. 38.

[170] Is. xliv. 5.

CHAPTER III.

COVENANTING A DUTY.

The exercise of Covenanting with G.o.d is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171]

The exercise is inculcated according to the will of G.o.d, as King and Lord of all. Being a part of his wors.h.i.+p, it is thus urged,--"The Lord is a great G.o.d, and a great King above all G.o.ds."--"O come, let us wors.h.i.+p and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our G.o.d; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day if ye will hear his voice."[172] And explicitly, in the same connection are the various observances included in it presented in precept. "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord's thy G.o.d, the earth also, with all that therein is."--"For the Lord your G.o.d is G.o.d of G.o.ds, and Lord of lords, a great G.o.d, a mighty and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."--"Thou shalt fear the Lord thy G.o.d; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name."[173]

The observance is a debt of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as possessed of all power in heaven and in earth. He is King of Zion, the Governor among the nations, and Head over all things to the church, which is his body. As all are called to honour the Son, even as they honour the Father, the service that is due to G.o.d, as the righteous Ruler of all, is due to the Son--holding a universal mediatorial dominion which shall not pa.s.s away. The law of G.o.d is the law of Christ, and obedience to Christ is subjection to G.o.d. The Lord Jesus commands the performance as duty to himself. "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the King greatly desire thy beauty; for he is thy Lord; and wors.h.i.+p thou him."[174] In terms applicable in every age, as their Lord and Master, he said to his disciples, "Whosoever therefore shall _confess_ me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."[175] And he having both died and risen, and revived, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and living, claims the individual parts of the exercise as homage to his name. "We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to G.o.d."[176]

Believers engaging in personal Covenanting, act as being not without law to G.o.d, but under law to Christ. As the _servants_ of G.o.d they thus transact with him. Jacob, as well as others who have vowed to G.o.d without being condemned, being represented as G.o.d's servant,[177] must in such acts have served him. Addressed individually as well as collectively in these terms, "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen," those yield obedience, when in their practice is fulfilled the prophecy, itself a command, "One shall say, I am the Lord's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel." That the churches of Macedonia Covenanted with G.o.d is manifest from the words,--"This they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their ownselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of G.o.d."[178] But in writing to the Thessalonians--one of those churches, an apostle describes them, as in that, and in consequent performances, serving G.o.d. "They themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to G.o.d from idols, to _serve_ the living and true G.o.d."[179] Nor without entertaining an enlightened apprehension that in that exercise he served G.o.d, could the Psalmist performing it say,--"O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid."[180] Moreover, every believer is a good _soldier_ of Jesus Christ. Each one of them is called by His authoritative command, as well as by the effectual influences of his Spirit. "He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful."[181] Each, like the governors and people of Israel, who, on a memorable occasion, at G.o.d's command, offered themselves willingly--each made willing in a day of his power, resolving and vowing to follow the Lord fully, does obedience to the Lord of Hosts: bows to the mandate, "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David:"[182] and dutifully engages by covenant and oath to serve him--given for a leader and commander to the people. Besides, each one who lawfully vows to G.o.d, in vowing discharges a function of a loyal _subject_ of G.o.d's government. In the vow G.o.d is invoked as King. "Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my G.o.d: for unto thee will I pray."[183] As the swearing of allegiance to an earthly monarch is an act of obedience to law;--as when all the princes and the mighty men, and all the sons, likewise, of King David, submitted themselves,[184]--or by oath promised fidelity to Solomon, the king, they performed an act of subjection to his authority; so in vowing or swearing to G.o.d there is paid to him a tribute of duty. And, finally, in this service the Lord is obeyed as G.o.d. The t.i.tles of, a master, a lord, a captain, a king, among men, are valid only when held in subjection to the King and Lord of all. The highest supremacy that belongs to creatures is limited, and exercised only by deputation from Him who is over all and blessed for ever. And as the claims of those in power, because armed with His authority, cannot without rebellion against him be set aside; much more, his, without aggravated hostility to him, cannot be disputed. Accordingly, his power and authority--unspeakably glorious--extending immeasurably beyond the province of every creature; his dominion and all-wise determinations, they who invoke his dread name, in vowing to him acknowledge and approve. The refusal of his enemies to call upon him manifests their rebellion. His people avouching him to be their G.o.d obey him. It is in compliance with the mandate,--"Obey my voice, and I will be your G.o.d, and ye shall be my people,"[185] that men take hold on his covenant, and in commemoration of their act, in terms recording the highest deed of appropriation, with the Psalmist say, "I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my G.o.d."[186]

Social Covenanting engaged in by the Church of G.o.d, in an Ecclesiastical capacity, is an act of obedience to his word. That community, in its organization and laws essentially distinct from civil society, one throughout every age, and embracing the saints of every land, as one body, He designates, "My Servant." Whatsoever, therefore, is practised by the church in her collective capacity, however denominated, and without rebuke, is performed by her in this character.

And hence, whether introduced as "Israel," or "Jacob," or "My People,"

or as bearing any other honourable epithet, and vowing or swearing to the Lord, she appears under the aspect of a chosen society performing duty; and each promise and prophecy delivered concerning this, as well as each other allowable exercise, a.s.sumes the features of a precept, and each performance of it in truth, the marks of a warranted service. And the church, in this, is said to serve G.o.d. At h.o.r.eb, before the mission of Moses to Egypt, for the deliverance of Israel, the Lord, with regard to the solemnities of Covenanting that were there to occur, said to him, "When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall _serve_ G.o.d upon this mountain."[187] Commanding and exhorting to engage in solemn covenant renovation, Hezekiah said to Israel,--"Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves (margin, _give the hand_) unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever; and _serve_ the Lord your G.o.d, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you."[188] And not less, than under a former dispensation, is the exercise represented as an act of obedience in New Testament times. There is no reason for maintaining that the apostle enjoined not the exercise of social, but merely that of personal Covenanting, when he thus addressed the Church of G.o.d at Rome,--"I beseech you there-fore, brethren, by the mercies of G.o.d, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto G.o.d, which is your reasonable _service_."[189]

The exercise of Social Covenanting with G.o.d, performed by his Church both in an Ecclesiastical and a National capacity, is a part of his service. Being a religious observance, this cannot be performed by the members of the Church collectively, whether united ecclesiastically or otherwise, if not a.s.sociated as the Church of G.o.d. But also when, united both ecclesiastically and in a national capacity, they address themselves to it, they discharge an obligation inc.u.mbent upon them. The Lord Jesus is King of saints.[190] Ruled by his laws, these, not merely in their ecclesiastical, but also in their civil relations, do homage to him. Under two aspects in their social capacity they appear. _First_, in subjection to Him as King of Zion. United to Christ their spiritual Head, and to one another in him, they are members of one glorious body.

And being members of his Church--which he has distinguished by the ministry of reconciliation, by his oracles, and by special ordinances, they are under Him, as its sole Head, and Lawgiver, and Governor, and King. As one community, in their faith, their wors.h.i.+p, their discipline, their government, and communion, they are under his authority. Judges, and magistrates, and kings, having power in civil society, are recognised with divine approbation. But there is no human head of the Church. There are who rule therein; but over his house, He alone is Head and King. In civil life, there are who sway the sceptre among men. He, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, rules over these. But in his house there is none other than Himself, who is Lord or King. He is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things (or rather, _among all_) he might have the pre-eminence.[191] The apostles of our Lord were among those who, in the council held at Jerusalem several years after his ascension, acted as rulers in his Church by enacting a law which applied to the Christians at Antioch and elsewhere. And applicable to their conduct on such an occasion, and to that of all others exercising authority in the Church of G.o.d, were his words addressed to them before his death,--"Be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ."[192] The jurisdiction of the rulers in the Church is distinct from that of civil rulers. The powers of the former are spiritual, and with these powers the latter have no right to interfere. Each cla.s.s of rulers have a sphere of their own; and only at their peril do those of the one cla.s.s invade the authority of the other.

By men the laws of a nation may be altered without being made contradictory to one another, or to oppose the law of G.o.d. But the laws of the Church were enacted by Christ himself. Suited to the circ.u.mstances of the Church has been their character in every age, and the changes that have been produced on these were made by Him alone. It is from a special revelation of his will that the precise character of the laws by which his Church ought to be ruled is obtained; and those ordinances for the government of his house, which are not revealed as His, are without authority. Since the close of the Canon of Scripture, no new light concerning the things of religion has been, or can be, given; and the laws of the New Testament Church are therefore fixed beyond the influence of change. There are various forms of civil government, all of which are consistent with the immutable law of G.o.d; and any one of which, accordingly, may warrantably be adopted according to circ.u.mstances. But in the Church of G.o.d, only one form of government is of Divine right: every other is an invention of man, and dest.i.tute of authority. In the course of providence, the inst.i.tutions of the Church, like the doctrines of religion, will receive accessions of rich ill.u.s.tration; but, like these heavenly doctrines--beyond the resolutions of men, they are, according to the will of G.o.d, to stand. _Next_, as members of civil society, under Him as King of nations, they appear.

Distinct from the organization of the Church, but also under Christ, is the const.i.tution of civil society. In order to promote communion with G.o.d, were the ordinances of the former appointed. In order that G.o.d might be obeyed by men in their mutual intercourse with one another, the laws of the latter were decreed. That G.o.d might be glorified immediately, the former was const.i.tuted; that he might be glorified mediately, the latter was founded. The erection and government of the Church originated in Divine grace. The whole structure of civil government is derived from G.o.d as the moral Governor of the universe, but is put under Christ as the Mediator. The laws of the Church of G.o.d remain immutable, amid the changes that overtake the various communities of men. The laws of civil society may vary with the course of providence, and yet be still consistent with the perfect standard of moral procedure. The laws of the house of G.o.d are applicable to men of every clime. Like all the commandments of the decalogue--which, indeed, they embody, they are binding on men in all possible circ.u.mstances and conditions; but, according to the state of society, may civil enactments vary in their absolute character, without transgressing the limits fixed by the moral law. The facts occurring in providence, enlarge not the compa.s.s of those laws that were promulgated by the King of Zion to her communion, but demand their application. The laws of civil society ought never to conflict with the principles of eternal righteousness; but with observation and discovery, and every change else in providence, it behoves them to keep pace. In the former, the Lord Jesus is recognised as the immediate lawgiver; in the latter, too, he is acknowledged as supreme lawgiver,--and, as having given to men civil power to be exercised, not otherwise than agreeably to the revelations of his will,--which unfold the mutual obligations, of nations and their rulers to one another, and of both to himself. Not less than as members of his Church, are men, as worthy members of civil society, the servants of Christ.

Now, that in vowing and swearing to G.o.d in both capacities they serve him, appears from various considerations. Repeatedly are the people of Israel represented in Scripture as a nation, and as in their national character engaging in Covenanting. Both on the occasion of the solemnities at Sinai and in the land of Moab they are so designated.

That they sustained this character under the kings of David's line is also manifest. That the whole people will, in gospel times, be united in such a relation the voice of prophecy would seem to indicate.[193] That, in whatever civil incorporations they may stand, they will be subject to Messiah, King of nations, is certain. Under the theocracy, they Covenanted as a nation, at h.o.r.eb, in the land of Moab, and at Shechem.

Under Asa, and also under Josiah, the people in their civil capacity with their rulers Covenanted too. As a nation, after the return from Babylon, under Nehemiah, the whole people and their rulers also entered into covenant with G.o.d. On all these occasions the Church of G.o.d engaged to obey his law, not only regarding things ecclesiastical, but also things civil. Under the theocracy, Israel, in things civil and religious were called to obey G.o.d as their king. Under the kings of Judah, they were no less called in all relations to acknowledge G.o.d as their Lord. After their restoration, they will acknowledge Messiah at G.o.d's right hand as in all things their sovereign Lord. "My servant David shall be their prince for ever."[194] And the Gentile nations, in due time, will all do homage to Him as the Prince of the kings of the earth. Now, it has been shown before, that in Covenanting at h.o.r.eb Israel served G.o.d. If, then, they served him there in that exercise, they must have served him when again they engaged in it under the patriarch who led them, and also when they performed it under Joshua his successor. And as on such occasions, as a church and nation recognising G.o.d as their king, they obeyed him, so, not ceasing to recognise Him as in all relations their Lord and Master, the house of Jacob, under kings ruling in His fear, or judges acting according to his commandment, whether before or after a first or succeeding restoration; and the Gentile nations in gospel times, in vowing and swearing to Him in their ecclesiastical and national characters; must be viewed as willing servants obeying his commands.

Covenanting is commanded in the Moral Law. In the ten commandments, containing a summary of that law, and in other pa.s.sages that variously unfold its import, the exercise is presented as a duty.

It is enjoined in the first three precepts of the decalogue. The manner of injunction is prohibitory of contrary practices; and accordingly intimates, with great force, that the duty is to be so steadfastly performed that departure from it, even in one instance, is not to be attempted. The first precept--forbidding all respect to other G.o.ds before G.o.d, implies, that He, before whom all things are manifest, claims not merely the misdirected homage paid to his creatures, but all the devout obedience of men; and that, demanding that adoring thoughts be entertained of Him alone, He commands that He be accepted and served as the only true G.o.d. To prefer G.o.d to others is not merely to cast them and their services off, but to acknowledge and reverence Him as the object of supreme regard. Man cannot be without some thoughts of a divinity. Even among those who would seem to have fallen most from the knowledge of G.o.d, something about their own characters or circ.u.mstances virtually usurps His place. The law of the ten commandments, written at first on the heart of man, and afterwards proclaimed by the voice of G.o.d, contemplated and antic.i.p.ated every departure from the service due to Him that should occur throughout all time. Originating in the perfect nature of G.o.d, it is perfect. It reproves the rebellion of those who would wors.h.i.+p the creature instead of the Creator, and is directed alike against the polytheist and him who, wors.h.i.+pping himself, says,--"no G.o.d." The first commandment condemns the idolater, of whatever cla.s.s; includes that, instead of Covenanting with the G.o.ds of the heathen, as many in early times did, men, in every age, should make that acknowledgment of himself which entering into covenant with him essentially implies; and is obeyed when, like Joshua and all Israel Covenanting at Shechem, they choose the Lord to serve him.[195] In the second commandment is implied an injunction to serve G.o.d. The fact that vowing and swearing to G.o.d are a part of his service is manifest, as we have seen from sundry pa.s.sages of Scripture. Consistent, therefore, with the commands implied in these portions of the Sacred Volume, but distinct from them, is the injunction embodied in this precept, that men enter into covenant with him; and the performance of every part of that service, as exhibited throughout the whole of Divine revelation, according to circ.u.mstances, it enjoins. The third commandment--forbidding the irreverent use of G.o.d's name, and threatening those who take it in vain, authoritatively inculcates the holy use of it in Covenanting. There is no pa.s.sage of Scripture in which it is said or implied, that to vow or swear, in every case is to take G.o.d's name in vain. The saints, in calling upon his name, have vowed and sworn to him. In commands to call upon his name, swearing by him is not forbidden. The oath and vow, therefore, in calling upon him, may be made lawfully; the abuse of them only in this precept is condemned, and the use of them receives the highest sanction from this.

It is enjoined in statutes of perpetual moral obligation, that ill.u.s.trate the ten precepts of the law. These statutes are,

Commands to glorify G.o.d. G.o.d is glorified when the perfections of his nature, and his execution of his purposes in the works of creation and providence, are celebrated. The Scriptures contain the most abundant and full representations of the excellence of his character and administration, and the confession of which, in an adoring frame of mind, is glorifying to him. Obeying the precept, "give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name, wors.h.i.+p the Lord in the beauty of holiness,"

his saints have this said of them,--"In his temple doth every one speak of his glory." If every spiritual act of wors.h.i.+p is glorifying to G.o.d, then all of them are glorifying to him also; and Covenanting with him, including them all, is not less glorifying to his name; and if the exercises of vowing and swearing to him are glorifying, certainly when he commands that his name be glorified, these are not excluded. Does the Lord claim the subjection of every capacity of man? Does he command,--"Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of G.o.d?"[196] Does he say to his people, as well as to his Anointed, "Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified"?

Has he appointed that the heavens should declare his glory; and that the earth should be filled with the knowledge thereof? And when he commands that his most gifted creatures on earth,--whom he has formed for the purpose of displaying most widely that glory, do proclaim it, does he not call upon them to do so in those exercises of avouching him to be their G.o.d, and pledging themselves to his service, in which all their spiritual capacities are most devoutly engaged, and all the inst.i.tutions of his grace by being used are most honoured? The people of G.o.d accordingly interpret in this manner these commands. Was it said,--"Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel?" In obedience to the requirement which the Psalmist as an instrument was employed to declare in these terms, did he make the vow,--"My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him."[197]

Commands to wors.h.i.+p G.o.d. Religious homage was paid with the bowing of the head, the inclining of the body, or the bending of the knee. The term (???), employed to designate the act of one offering wors.h.i.+p, means literally, _to bow himself down_. The position was a token of the intentness of the mind; and those terms that pointed that out, came accordingly to have a spiritual application. When therefore it is said,--"Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear," we are taught that the act of swearing to G.o.d should be performed, not always in kneeling, but in that religious frame of mind which is indicated by the bowing of the knee, but which, in some circ.u.mstances, was also denoted by the wors.h.i.+pper bowing the head, or falling down in deep prostration. And as the act of bowing before the Lord sometimes accompanied and indicated the exercise of swearing by his name; so when attention to his wors.h.i.+p is urged by his authority, no part of religious duty is uninculcated, but, like every service thereof in its due season, that of Covenanting with him in times suited to its performance, is enjoined.

Commands enjoining faith. In every variety of circ.u.mstances is the duty of believing on G.o.d inc.u.mbent. Without faith it is impossible to please him. In every general command to exercise that grace, we are warranted to read an injunction laid upon us--in every part of obedience to act under its influence. Vowing and swearing to G.o.d cannot be properly performed without faith; and when faith is commanded without special reference to some duties, it is inculcated with respect to all, and therefore regarding Covenanting. How would the believer be straitened were he uncertain of the circ.u.mstances in which a command to look unto G.o.d with confidence should be obeyed! And how comforting to his heart is the sound conclusion of his understanding, that every encouragement to cherish confidence as well as hope in G.o.d, and love to him, when circ.u.mstances are not named, is available to him in situations of every character! His soul, therefore, can, to the extent of its happy experience of advantage from cheris.h.i.+ng such a conviction, answer, to the glory of G.o.d, his appeal,--"Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness?"[198]

Commands forbidding federal transactions with what is evil. The Israelites were forbidden to enter into treaty with the Canaanites or their G.o.ds. "Thou shalt make no Covenant with them, nor with their G.o.ds." And the reason was, that, had they done so, they would have fallen from the service of G.o.d as a people who regarded not his Covenant. "They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their G.o.ds, it will surely be a snare, unto thee."[199] Joshua and the princes of Israel did not violate the statutes that were of this description, when they made a league with the Gibeonites. To whatever extent the Israelites may have sinned by believing the false reports that were made to them, and acting precipitately in the whole matter, and however culpable might have been the conduct of these Hivites in making an imposing misrepresentation of their case, the compact entered into was valid:--the Lord himself, long afterwards, punished for the violation of it. The Covenant that was made did not provide for, nor countenance the wors.h.i.+p of the G.o.ds of Canaan, but brought the supplicating people into a state of subjection to the nation of Israel that was inconsistent with the maintenance of idolatry, yea, which appears to have resulted in their employment, under the name of Nethinims, though in a subordinate capacity, about the sanctuary and the temple. These had misapprehended the nature of the statute forbidding alliance with the heathen, by supposing that it forbade a compact even on terms of submission to the ordinances of G.o.d. Their punishment was, that they should stand in a state of great subjection; through the mercy of G.o.d, however, it would appear to have terminated in good. But again, at a later period of their history, the people of Israel were thus warned, "Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid." And to show that disobedience to this command would have led away from the exercise of avouching the Lord himself as a Covenant G.o.d, it is added, "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." The spirit of these commands has descended to New Testament times. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellows.h.i.+p hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of G.o.d with idols?"

The reason why the sacred writer here dissuades from a.s.sociations with the heathen, is evidently, that their wors.h.i.+p was idolatrous, and calculated to lead from obedience to G.o.d. And treaties, of whatever kind with the enemies of G.o.d, that are condemned, are to be shunned as a snare to the soul. Wherever they are forbidden, there is implied an exhibition of the duty of adhering to His service; and even independently of abundant evidence otherwise, that they include express mandates to observe the exercise of vowing and swearing to Him, is substantiated in the beautiful language of the Apostle used in confirmation of his declaration on this subject.--"For ye are the temple of the living G.o.d; as G.o.d hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their G.o.d, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."[200]

Commands, enjoining the vowing of the vow. There is only one pa.s.sage in Scripture in which the vow is commanded in the most explicit form; but along with others, in which precepts, inculcating the exercise, are implied, that one is sufficient as a rule to guide our practice. That pa.s.sage,--"Vow, and pray unto the Lord your G.o.d," which commanded obedience under a former dispensation, no less commands it now. As there is no evidence in Scripture that the injunction has been abrogated, those who would proceed, as if it were, would act an unwise part. Though the things vowed, in some cases, under the present economy, may differ from those vowed under the preceding, no such change has been produced on the circ.u.mstances of men by the transition from the one to the other, as could render the vow itself unnecessary or unlawful. Changes, in the matter of the vow, even in the first ages, were continually being produced in the course of Divine providence; yet the performance of it continued to be obligatory. The changes that have occurred in the circ.u.mstances of the Church of G.o.d, by the abolition of the Levitical typical inst.i.tutes, have been no more effective than the other, in changing or taking away its obligation; nor will all the vicissitudes that can occur in the Church's condition, till the consummation of all things. The principles on which the vow is made, are immutable; and while the Church is on earth, it will continue to be obligatory. As well might it be said that prayer and praise, and meditation on G.o.d's word, which were obligatory in the earlier times, are not duties inc.u.mbent now, as that the vow should not be made; or that any service essentially spiritual, necessary for the perfection of the saints, in a former period, is not requisite in this; or that a dispensation, confessedly not less spiritual, but as, in regard to the want of many types and symbols, and to the more abundant effusion of the Spirit, more spiritual than any that had gone before, should not be favoured with the use of so many spiritual means of grace, as were vouchsafed under these.

The two pa.s.sages of Scripture that represent the exercise of vowing, as not obligatory in certain cases, may be explained in perfect consistency with the general command enjoining it. These do not imply that the neglect of the vow may be in general allowable; nor do they teach, that it may be vowed, solely, or at all, according to caprice. They manifestly admit that vowing is lawful in certain cases, and is therefore enjoined, but show, that given circ.u.mstances may be unfavourable to some species of the exercise. Even as the other religious observances are not obligatory at every season, vowing should not be engaged in to the exclusion of any inc.u.mbent duty. Circ.u.mstances might occur, in which there would be no warrant from Scripture or providence for making a given vow. If it be impossible to make performance, the engagement is not required; and hence, if made, it would not be valid, but involve the party to it in sin. The first of the pa.s.sages referred to, is the following--"If thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee."[201] The statement does not give scope to a disregard of the vow, but implies that the law of G.o.d does not enforce it where it would prove oppressive, or otherwise injurious. It does not in the smallest abate the claim of the law enjoining an engagement by vow to perform every definite duty; but teaches that it is not sinful to abstain from vowing in some circ.u.mstances vows that ought to be vowed in others. Some duties are so definite and so constantly obligatory that they ought to be vowed by all; others, obligatory only on some in certain circ.u.mstances, ought by such, in these circ.u.mstances alone, to be engaged to. Thus, in all times and conditions, it is dutiful for all to vow to keep the sabbath. It is dutiful for some to give themselves to the work of the ministry, and to vow to do its duties; but not dutiful for all. It is dutiful for the parties entering into the marriage covenant to vow to fulfil the obligations of that relation; but it is not inc.u.mbent on those who are not called in providence to enter into that relation, to vow to perform its duties. Under the law, some things were, by His express appointment, holy to the Lord. As he had an explicit claim upon them, these might not be devoted to him in the same manner as some other things were, but they behoved to be offered. Those other things depended on the peculiar circ.u.mstances of the people, and accordingly were of a changing amount, and had a great variety of character; but not less than the things that might be vowed according to circ.u.mstances, were those that were denominated, "holy to the Lord,"

vowed to him. Israel, at Sinai, vowed to present the first-born of their males and their first-fruits to the Lord; and that vow they h.o.m.ologated when they Covenanted again. On such occasions they could not vow specific offerings to the Lord; but their engagements then made implied in general that they would vow to the Lord thereafter according to the showings of his providence. At other times the specialities of providence called for the explicit vows, which could not have been made when their circ.u.mstances were not antic.i.p.ated. The vows of the people, on occasions of public solemn Covenanting, and also in secret, implied obligations to perform the duties of the various relations into which they might enter; but they did not embody an explicit engagement to perform the special duties of many of these. These public vows included, for example, that such of the people as should be called to the priest's office, should enter into the covenant of the priesthood, and keep it, and that such of them as had in providence a call to become a Nazarite, should take the requisite vow at the proper season, and thereafter perform it. But on the former occasions referred to, it was not inc.u.mbent to swear the oaths that were probably requisite on an entrance to the priest's office; nor was it required, nor even possible, thus to take the vow of the Nazarite. The priesthood were devoted to the Lord, and when the time appointed came, such of them as were qualified for their office entered upon it. The Nazarites, also, were devoted to the Lord, but according to a different arrangement. The priest had no alternative but to enter upon his office. The individual who was more qualified for becoming a Nazarite than to act in any other sphere, was no less called to enter upon his functions, than the sons of Aaron were to enter on theirs. The call addressed to the former was so explicit, as to be easily apprehensible by all; that tendered to the latter, was not less solemn nor emphatic, nor obligatory, though presented through a providence which was not so very capable of being interpreted as that which gave transmission to the claims laid upon the other. It is only when the making of the vow would be at variance with the requirements of duty, that forbearing to vow would be no sin. All are called to vow to abstain from all sin, and to perform all duty; but as providence makes varied provision for men in different circ.u.mstances, so in regard both to the absolute amount of service to G.o.d, and to the nature and the time of it, there ought necessarily to be a variety in the making of the vow.

The second pa.s.sage is, "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."[202] The declaration does not bear, that if one were not inclined to pay, it would not be sinful to omit vowing; but means that it is sinful to make a vow falsely, and omit the performance of what should have been sincerely vowed. It is the paying of the vow--the performance of some duty, that the language is employed to inculcate. When the heart of any one is opposed to duty, he cannot vow sincerely. That he is not disposed to vow when the duty presents itself is his sin. And to vow falsely--else than which he could not do in his circ.u.mstances, would also be sin in him. He is, therefore, called upon, not to do a sinful act, but, in the use of means, to endeavour to obtain a disposition to vow with cordiality, and then to perform the duty. It is better for him to supplicate G.o.d to change his heart, than to insult him by promising to do what he is unwilling to perform. It is better for him not to attempt to change his own heart--for that he cannot do--but to pray to G.o.d to carry on a good work within him, and along with that, to yield himself to Him. Duties should be performed in a certain order; and those who transgress the arrangement for these laid down in the Scriptures, act culpably, as well as those who do not perform them at all. The statement refers to the order in which the duties, among which stands the exercise of vowing, should be performed. The observance is inc.u.mbent on an individual in a certain condition; but his heart is against it. Two duties at least are, therefore, obligatory on him then;--to seek a disposition willingly to vow, and then to make the vow. He would sin were he to do the latter without the former, or before it. Both are obligatory at the same instant of time, and both might possibly be performed in one moment. But the order of first acquiescing in the call to vow and then vowing, must be observed, and cannot be inverted without transgression.

Commands inculcating the swearing of the oath. These are of two cla.s.ses.

First, those which in general terms explicitly enjoin it.--"Thou shalt fear the Lord thy G.o.d, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."[203]