Page:Faith's plea upon God's covenant (5).pdf/10

10 plead in effect, ſaying, 'What wilt thou do for thy great name?'

2. He hath a dear and lovely reſpect to the covenant, for it is the covenant of his grace and love wherein he ſhews his infinite love to Chriſt, and through him to a company of wretched ſinners. It is a covenant of kindneſs, Iſa liv. 10. 'My kindneſs ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee;' intimating, his covenant of peace is a covenant of kindneſs, wherein he manifeſts his deareſt love; therefore he hath a dear reſpect to it.

3. He hath a full reſpect to the covenant, a reſpect to every promiſe of it, 'they are all yea and amen to the glory of God,' 2 Cor. i. 20. He hath a reſpect to all of them, becauſe they 'are all yea and amen,' and becauſe they are all thus ratified in Chriſt, to the glory of God. He hath reſpect to every article of the covenant, 'not a jot ſhall fall to the ground.'

4. He hath an everlaſting reſpect to the covenant;' therefore, it is called, 'an everlaſting covenant,' it is ſecured by an everlaſting righteouſneſs; it is made between everlaſting parties; it is repleniſhed with everlaſting bleſſings; it is rooted in his everlaſting love: therefore he is very mindful of his covenant, and will never ceaſe to have reſpect to it.

Well then ſay you, What need we pray and plead, that he would have reſpect to his covenant? Why, if it be ſure that he hath, and will for ever have a reſpect to the covenant, then we may pray with the more aſſurance and confidence; ſo that there is here a ſtrong footing for our prayer: but beſides, when we pray, and ſay, 'Have reſpect unto the