ON HOSEA XIV.- VERSES '2, 3. 75 expression of which joint and mutual stipulation we have, Deut. xxvi. 17 -19. " Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice : and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his pecu- liar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments ; and to make thee high above all nations which he bath made, in praise, and in naine, and in honour ; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he bath spoken." Where we have `both the mutual expressions of intimate relation one to another, and the mutual engagements unto universal obedience on the one side, and unto high and precioñs benefits on the other, growing out of that relation. For because God is mine, I am bound to serve him ; and because I am his, he bath bound himself to provide for me. We are not now to consider that part of the covenant which standeth in God's promise to be our God ; which in general importeth thus much, God's giving himself in Christ unto us, and together with Christ, all other good things. Benefits relative, in justifica- tion from sin, and adoption unto sons. Benefits habitual, a new nature by regeneration, a new heart and life by sanctification, a quiet conscience by peace and comfort. Benefits temporal, in the promises of this life. Benefits eternal, in the glory of the next. Thus is Christ made of God unto us, wisdom in our vocation, converting us unto faith in him ; righteous- ness in our justification, reconciling us unto his Father ; sanctification in our conformity unto him in grace, and redemption from all evils or enemies which might hate us here, and unto all glory which may fill and everlastingly satisfy us hereafter, 1 Cor. i. 30. But u2
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