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they should be beloved before him, as a desirable treasure, which a King delivereth not into the hands of any of his officers, but keepeth to himselfe. R. Menachen in Exod. 19. Mal. 3. 17. The Greek translation turns it, a people for peculiar possession. Aqu. a peculiar people, deare and precious, which he will not part withall. In the new Testament both expressions are used: for Paul calleth them a peculiar people: Peter, a people for peculiar possession, which God doth challenge as proper to himselfe. Vulg. Populus acquisitionis, Eph. 1. 14. This was the priviledge of the Jew, which he obtained by this Covenant, and it is often mentioned to the praise of Gods free-grace and love towards them, Deut. 7. 6. & 14. 2. & 26. 18. The Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himselfe: Israel, for his peculiar treasure, Psal. 135 4. But this priviledge they could never obtain by the Covenant of works: by it they could never have been a Kingdome of Priests, or a peculiar people: they could never have obtained the adoption, or have inherited the Kingdome of Heaven. These are priviledges vouchsafed of meere grace in Jesus Christ, in whom we are adopted, and made Kings and Priests unto God.

Secondly, in the promulgation of the Law, the Lord proclaims himselfe to be the God of Israel, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Some hold these words to be the affirmative part of the Commandment, in which the Gospel is preached, and the promises contained therin offered. Others, that it is a Preface to the whole Law, or prefixed as a reason to perswade obedience to the first Commandment. But universally all acknowledge them to be the free Covenant, which promiseth pardon of sin, and requireth faith in the Messiah. God is the God of all creatures, because he made and doth conserve all: but by peculiar right he is the God of his Church, because he hath chosen it to be heire of his Kingdome: whence the people are said to be blessed, that have God for their God. The Covenant of grace is expressed in these words, I will be thy God and thou shalt be my people: Wherein God promiseth to be favourable to the iniquity of his servants, and to remember their sins no more: and to blesse them with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things. When God then saith to Israel, I am your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt; doth he not propound himselfe as their King, Judge, Saviour and