[703] Ezek. xxii. 8. [704] Ezek. xx. 40, 41, 37. [705] Jer. xvii. 24-27. [706] Exod. xix. 5, 6. [707] Is. lxi. 6. [708] 1 Pet. ii. 5, 9. [709] Rev. i. 5, 6. [710] Exod. xiii. 12, 16. [711] Num. xxv. 12. [712] Deut. xxxiii. 9-11. [713] Hos. iv. 6. [714] Ps. cii. 28. [715] Jer. iii. 15. [716] Mal. ii. 7. [717] Ezek. xliv. 15. [718] Mal. i. 14. [719] Heb. vii. 21. [720] Ezek. xviii. 31. [721] Deut. x. 16, 20. [722] Ezek. xliv. 7. [723] Jer. ix. 26. [724] Rom. ii. 29. [725] 2 Chron. xv. 12. [726] 1 Kings xv. 14. [727] 2 Chron. xxx. 12. [728] Jer. xxxii. 40. [729] Is. viii. 18. [730] Heb. ii. 13. [731] Luke ii. 28-32. [732] Zech. ix. 11. [733] Heb. xiii. 20, 21. [734] Rev. v. 9. [735] Gal. iii. 16. [736] Rom. viii. 32. [737] Phil. iv. 13. [738] Amos v. 4, 5. [739] Is. xi. 10, 12. [740] Ps. cv. 4, 6-8. [741] Is. xlv. 19. [742] Is. xlix. 6, 8. CHAPTER XII. COVENANTING PERFORMED IN FORMER AGES WITH APPROBATION FROM ABOVE. That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions of his acceptance of them in the discharge of the duty. They afford peculiar illustrations, brought out by Him in a wondrous providence, of the important truths concerning his Covenant, which all his other dispensations to his people also present. First. He approved of engagements made in Personal Covenanting. The vow of Jacob at Bethel, at the distance of several years, was followed by a command from God to erect there the altar, which in that he had virtually promised to build. The vow of Hannah was acknowledged by the gift of a son, whom the Lord honoured to be a signal blessing to Israel. The vow of David,--"To find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob," received the approval,--"It was well that it was in thine heart," though the duty was made to devolve upon his son. These are examples of Covenant engagements made by individuals, to be performed by themselves, or by others, according to the will of God, and which he afforded grace to parties chosen by himself to fulfil. Secondly. He approved of engagements made in Social Covenanting. The Covenant made with Noah was dictated by the Lord himself. The patriarch and his family acceded to it. He and they, along with the living creatures concerning which he had received instructions, entered the ark according as God had commanded; and the Lord shut him in.[743]