The Second Counsel

The Second Counsil.

Bind your selves to the service of God by a covenant never to be forgotten. It was the good counsel of Hezekiah, in 2 Chronicles 30:8, 'Yield yourselves to the Lord.' In the Hebrew original 'tis, 'Give the hand to the Lord.' The giving of the hand was a rite in the making of a covenant. Men and brethren, look Zionwards, I beseech you; and say now, I will join my self to the Lord in a perpetual covenant. Think on the service which God is to have of you, and be able then to declare, as in Psalms 119:110, 'I have sworn it, and I will perform it.' Make a solemn covenant, that you will be the Lord's. Yes, a written, a formal, a subscribed covenant for it, has by some been advised and practised. Written and formal indentures are made between man and man; why should not there be so between God and man, when a service is to be entered into. Especially, since 'tis said, in Isaiah 44:5, 'A man shall subscribe with his hand to the Lord.'

In a sacred covenant say,

I renounce all the vanities and idols of this world.

I engage that I will cleave to the Lord Jehovah, as my best good, and my last end; promising to live upon Him, and to Him, hoping ere long to live with Him for ever.

I engage, that I will cleave to the Lord Jesus, as my Prophet, and my Priest, and my King; promising to acknowledge Him as the author of all my salvation.

I engage, that I will ever study what is my duty in these things; and wherein I find my self to fall short, I will ever count it my grief, my shame, and for pardon betake my self to the blood of the Everlasting Covenant.

All this I engage, humbly imploring the grace of the Mediator to be sufficient for me.

It would hurt no godly man, to set his name with hand and heart to such an instrument; afterwards frequently reflecting on it, frequently renewing of it. However, let every man this day, make this confession, in Psalms 116:16, 'O Lord, truly I am your servant, I am your servant.'