IN confidering this tranfaction, in particular, I fhall-I. Shew who are the Parties in this Covenant. II. What repetition of former covenants obtained at this time.-III. What additions were made unto former tranfactions.IV. The Occafions of this Tranfaction.-And then add a few Reflections.

FIRST, I fhall fhew who are the PARTIES in this Covenant.

1. As to the firft party, there are two confiderations which perfuade me he is no other than the Son of God: First, He is the very fame perfon who appeared to, and covenanted with Abraham: "I will perform the oath which I fware unto Abraham thy father *." And this perfon who fware to Abraham was no other than the Angel of the Covenant, as we have already feen. Secondly, It is only competent to the Son to appear in vifible fhape, as he is the only perfon who intended to affume human nature. The word APPEARED, it is granted, fometimes fignifies an inward reprefentation unto, or impreffion on the mind; but the primary and proper fignification of the term is, to make a VISIBLE APPEARANCE; In this fenfe it is ufed in the text before us, as well as many other places. The Son appeared to Ifaac in human form, to reveal the

* Gen. xxvi. 3. + Gen. xviii. 1. &c.

will of the Father, as a prophet; and to enjoin obedience to it, as a King. Hence it is that religious covenants were made with God through Chrift, the mediator, under the Old Teftament, as well as under the New: Yea the mediator is the very perfon unto whom they were devoted, with whom they inmediately tranfacted.

2. THE other party in this tranfaction is Ifaac, the fon of the promife; for this tranfaction was an accomplishment of a covenantpromife made unto Abraham.- -By pitching on Ifaac God manifefted his glorious fovereignty, in diftinguishing the elect from the reprobate. Ifhmael was an example of the latter, as was Ifaac of the former: "Neither because they are the feed of Abraham, are they. all children: but in Ifaac fhall thy feed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flefl, thefe are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the feed*.” Hence Ifaac and Ifhmael are used in allegory, in the Scriptures of the New Teftament; the former denoting thofe who are under the glorious liberty of the Covenant of Grace, and the latter those who lie under the unspeakable bondage of the Covenant of Works Ifaac was a perfon of t very heavenly difpofitions, much employed in medita

tion and other religious exercises; therefore, he greatly needed covenant-renovation, to encourage his heart in the righteous ways of the Lord. He was alfo a perfon of a very mild temper of mind, of a genius lefs turned for military enterprize, than either his father or his fon: Of confequence, the promises of this covenant were a noble staff for his fupport, when famine forced him to fojourn in the land of the Philistines.

his feed.

SECONDLY, I fhall now enquire, What RENOVATION of former promifes obtained in this Covenant. And there is a very notable affemblage of promifes granted on former occafions, which were renewed at this time: Such as the promises of BLESSING, of an inheritance, of a numerous and happy progeny; and of bleffing unto the gentile nations through The renovation of this cluster of promises was extremely proper, to ferve Ifaac heir, as it were, unto his father, in the right and enjoyment of both temporal and spiritual mercies. It also evidenced the power, grace, and veracity of God, in the advancement of a fabric he had already founded. As the matter of these promises, fo the manner in which they were given ftrongly marked their intention as covenant-renovation. God himself engroffed the laft edition of the Abrahamic covenant into this tranfaction; faying, "I will perform the oath which I fware unto Abraham

thy

thy father." Thus God manifefted his bearing his covenant still in remembrance, and required a fresh affent unto all that he had fworn; for this declaration was a folemn recognition of all that he had previously done.

THIRDLY, I fhall next enquire What ADDITIONS were made, at this time, unto former tranfactions, to accommodate this covenant unto the peculiar circumstances of the patriarch: As to promises,

This

1. GOD promised his fpecial and gracious prefence: "And I will be with thee." promise was fome way included, indeed, in a former one, or deducible from it, at leaft. But as Ifaac was on the eve of particular ftraits, it was fit to bring thofe bleffings, which were remote from his view, near to his fight, for his future fupport. God promised to be with him, by the inhabitation and influences of his fpirit, to comfort him against all grief on every fide, and to deliver from all danger from whatever quarter. What fellowship fo comfortable as that which is enjoyed with the Father and his Son Jefus Chrift, through the Holy Ghost.

2. THERE were alfo additional duties re

quired of Ifaac, in this covenant. God enjoined him,- -To fojourn in the land of Canaan, while he prohibited him from going down into Egypt. This prohibition was probably given

him for various reafons: The trial of his faith, for example; for the occafion of his movement was a famine in the land. Now, Egypt was the ufual affylum in fuch ftraits: But Ifaac is forbid to ufe the means that promifed moft for his relief in this diftrefs, and commanded to rely on thofe of God's providing and appointment. Another reafon may be, the divine condefcenfion to the mildnefs of this patriarch's temper. Though the plenty of Egypt might be fufficient to fupply the neceffities of his family; yet the fnares of a court, especially fuch as that of Egypt, were ready to entangle his foul on the one hand; while he was little able to bear the Egyptian reproaches on the other. Whether Ifaac had met with a kind reception, at the court of Egypt, or not, he was not without danger: But divine providence planned out his peregrinations in another country. In one word, Ifaac was not fent into Egypt, as the time for trying Abraham's feed in the iron furnace was not yet come : Their fojourning in a land not their's must precede their affliction; and many events must take place before their affliction begins..

Again, The patriarch was enjoined to fojourn in the land that God would fhew him. This command is expreffed in terms nearly fimilar to that which was tendered to Abraham at his call. Like his father, he must resign himself entirely to divine fovereignty, convinced that they cannot wander whom the Lord conducts;

though