Of the External Dispensation of the Covenant of Grace, by the Word and Ordinances of God

In Christ’s administration of the new covenant, and confer¬ ring the blessings of it upon us, there concur, 1. The Word of the covenant, in which God declares his mind to us, and which may be distinguished into the Law and the Gospel. 2. The Ordinances of the covenant, in which God deals with us, and we with him, for the effectual application of his word, and his benefits therein exhibited. 3. The Spirit of the covenant, by whose influences God’s word and ordinances are made effectual for bringing us into the covenant, — making us actual partakers of its blessings, — and to receive and improve them for his honour. 4. Faith, by which we, being qualified and actuated, receive and improve the word, ordinances. Spirit, and blessings of the covenant. — The agency of the Spirit and faith having been repeatedly pointed out, and not pertaining to the external dispensation of this covenant, fall* not under our present consideration.