Thomas Houston

If we were to survey the Christian church in the United Kingdom and Ireland asking, ‘What is a covenant?’ we would likely get many different responses (the right one is put forward by Thomas Houston below!). If we were to ask a further question ‘What is Covenanting?’ we might be met with perplexed facial expressions. In the increasingly biblically illiterate West, explaining biblical concepts can be challenging, even to Christians who have grown up in the church. This has led some to ditch theological (and biblical) concepts and terms altogether in order for the message to be easier understood. The problem with this approach is that it leads to a stripping away of what the Bible actually teaches and ultimately the Gospel message is diluted or radically changed. While we might not be tempted to take that radical approach, we may be tempted to alter our approach in other ‘less important’ doctrines and even downplay our distinctives, such as Covenanting. Perhaps you view covenanting it as an antiquated concept that should be confined to history books on 17th Century Scotland. Something that is of no relevance to us in the 21st Century and maybe even unnecessarily divisive, not just in the church catholic but within our denomination. You might even view Covenanting and its implications as a hinderance to our witness. Of course, these critiques of Covenanting miss the mark. My hope is that this extract from Thomas Houston’s ‘A Memorial of Covenanting’ (and God willing, a second extract in the next issue) will help you, the reader to understand what Covenanting is, why we should do it and the blessings that flow from it. Covenanting has long been misunderstood and ignored by large sections of the Christian Church, to its detriment. Covenanting is, thankfully a wonderful part of our heritage and it is a blessing to be able to learn from Covenanting ministers, like Thomas Houston who are now in glory. May this ‘standard bearer of the Covenants’ help us all to serve our great covenant making and covenant keeping God with greater love and devotion.

A Memorial of Covenanting – What is Covenanting and why should we Covenant with God?

Thomas Houston (1803 – 1882)

A covenant is a mutual engagement between two parties, implying the performance of certain duties on the one hand, and the fulfilment of promises on the other. In religious covenants, God and his people are the parties. Although, in the latitude of language, a covenant and avow are sometimes regarded as identical in meaning, there is a distinction between them, simple and easily understood. The latter is an engagement by one party only; and in the case of public vows, the persons vowing are severally witnesses of the vows of one another. In a covenant, there is an engagement between two parties...

Every genuine believer virtually covenants with God, in his acceptance of Christ, and in the whole work of practical godliness. He takes hold of the covenant of grace— professes his belief in the precious truths of the Scriptures— his dependence upon the promise and grace of the Mediator, and resolution to walk in the way of holy obedience. This is substantially a personal covenant, implied in every act of faith, and expressed more or less explicitly, in all believing prayer. In the pregnant expression of Matthew Henry— “A life of holiness is a life of renewed acts of self-dedication.”A social religious covenant is a joint engagement of a society to perform unitedly certain duties, in cordial dependence upon Divine promises. It is perfectly plain that there is the same warrant for vowing or covenanting in public, as for personal covenanting. The covenanter does nothing in public but what in substance he has frequently done in the privacy of his closet...

As true religion imports (involves) binding ourselves to God, we may naturally expect that a solemn ratification by oath should have a principal place in religious engagements. It is beyond doubt that such a solemnity is a frequent subject of injunction, prediction, and approved example in the inspired word. God’s people are said to be characterized by swearing by his name....

God has revealed Himself as the God of mercy, and in virtue of a covenant-transaction between the persons of the Trinity from eternity, as ready to enter into a league of friendship with sinners. In the “counsel of peace,” He has condescended to become his people’s God, and is prepared to sustain towards them all gracious blessed relations. The covenant of grace is in the hands of the Mediator, to be administered, and its blessings communicated to all the heirs of salvation. Hence, in all the federal transactions, into which God has called his people to enter, whether as individuals, or communities, Christ Jesus, given as a “covenant for the people,” is to be regarded as the immediate and high contracting party. He reveals the covenant— brings his people into the bond of it— takes their engagement to his service— purges away its impurity with his blood, and by his grace and strength, enables them to walk in all holy obedience. The grand proposal and discovery of the everlasting covenant is in the gracious and all-comprehensive offer. — “I am your God.”...A fundamental view of all religious covenants is, that they are based on that covenant which is “ordered in all things and sure,” and that they are in the hand of the Redeemer to prescribe all the matter of the engagement— the accept his people’s dedication, and himself to strengthen them for all right performance of duty. It is this view which exhibits covenanting not only as a solemn duty, but, at the same time, as a very high and ennobling privilege.

Those who engage in the covenant must be voluntary in the surrender and dedication. It is not, however, optional whether they observe the duty or neglect it. In the day of power, they become a“willing people” (Psalm 110:3). They yield themselves to the Lord; and drawn by “cords of love, and bands of a man,” they vow with the whole heart. The covenant thus entered into, is frequently in scripture styled, by way of emphasis, the Lord’s. “He has remembered his covenant.” “You shall keep my covenant.” ......Covenanting is throughout an act of Divine worship, involving a direct appeal to God, and a recognition of his gracious presence. The glorious Being with whom we covenant is the infinitely holy and Omniscient Jehovah. The duties which we engage to perform are weighty and important; and the consequences of obedience or neglect are awfully momentous. As individuals, Christians have the warrant to “take hold” of God’s covenant, and to yield themselves to the Lord. Not less incumbent is it upon communities civil or ecclesiastical to devote themselves to God, and to engage unitedly to serve Him.

Society may be regarded as a moral agent—and as under law to God— the proper subject of moral responsibility— liable to punishment for disobedience and rebellion, and the recipient of rewards in the way of holy obedience...

The same covenant may embrace engagements which respect different relations in life and may comprehend diversified duties. The persons entering into it occupy different stations— as members of the family— subjects of the commonwealth (nation), and in the fellowship of the Church. Whatever God’s law requires them to do in these relations, they may bind themselves in covenant to perform. In all relations, the Christian is bound to act as being under law to God, and with a supreme regard to his glory. Things sacred and civil are intimately and inseparably connected. The state of civil society deeply affects the interests of the Church; while the spiritual welfare of the family and the Church promote the prosperity and blessing of the whole community. It is therefore no valid objection to our fathers’ covenants that they were of amixed nature—partly civil and partly ecclesiastical. The ancient covenants, mentioned in Scripture, were of the same character. In the one case, and the other, the glory of God was the great end which the Covenanters had in view. To the advancement of this, all that befell them in providence, all their relations and influence, were subordinated. This stamped with a religious character all that they did or engaged to do.

The Divine injunction, “Fear God, honour the Emperor,” bringing into immediate juxtaposition, duties civil and strictly religious, constitutes a full warrant to embrace in the same religious covenant matters of different kinds— even whatever the law of God enjoins... Moreover, public vows are needful for existence, unity, and fellowship of the Church. Organized religious society supposes a confession of faith in Christ, and obedience to Him; and this is equivalent to a solemn religious engagement. Christians are one in their relation to Christ the Head— and this relation becomes visible by an open and full profession.

Communion in the Church, whether with God or one another, implies a joint dedication ofthe members to God, and giving themselves to one another for the performance of all religious duties. Covenanting itself is the most affecting expression of communion with God, and of the fellowship of saints. Engaging in it, we have near intercourse with God, as our Father and Portion, and devote ourselves to Him; while, at the same time, by mutual pledges and vows, we animate and encourage one another in all holy obedience. All acts of public or social worship imply solemn vowing. In public prayer we present to God not only the desires of the heart, but also joint resolutions. United praise expresses oneness of mind and affectious joyfully declared. An assembly of faithful worshippers is virtually a covenanting assembly. Cordially devoting themselves to God’s service is essential to all spiritual worship.

The open avowal and propagation of the truth— the advancement of Christ’s cause— the purity and prosperity of the Church— and devoted efforts for the conversion of the world, require the spirit of love to be in vigorous exercise, and demand self-denial, and persevering exertion. Vows to God and to one another inspire mutual confidence, and prompt to holy, sustained action. The truth is best held and advanced by those who feel that they are “standing before the God of the whole earth,” and who can appeal to Him for their sincerity in professing and maintaining it.

When the Lord shall build up Zion, and appear to men in his glory, nations and their rulers, assemble with one accord to serve God supreme.