Page:A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace (John Ball).djvu/162

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150
Of the Covenant that God made with David.

and holily administer their office. Psal. 132.9.Let the Priests be cloathed with righteousnesse: The Prophet speakes not so much of the righteousnesse of their persons, but of their office: the first is a great ornament of the ministery, the other more necessary in respect of the body of the Church; sc. that they fullfill their ministery, teaching sound and incorrupt doctrine, exhorting, admonishing, comforting, sacrificing, and performing all other offices and services which the Lord commanded. The whole body of the people, they should walke in holinesse, sing of the praises of God, and give up themselves unto God as an holy people, zealous of good works.

As for the execution of this Covenant; First, David did fight the warres of God, and 2 Sam. 7.2.
1 Chro. 17.2.
the Lord was with him, and did prosper him, untill his enemies were subdued, and 1 Chro. 23.25.
2 Sam. 5.9,10,12.
the people had rest and peace from them that were round about them.

2. He prepared a place for the Arke of the Lord at Jerusalem, and set it there. 1 Chro. 15.1,3.
and 16.1,2,3,
&c.
David prepared a place for the Arke of the Lord, and pitched for it a tent: And he gathered all Israel together to bring up the Arke of the Lord unto his place which he had ordained for it. Ps. 132.1,2,3.Remember David, and Anxia animi sollicitudineall his afflictions; how he swore unto God, and vowed a vow unto the mighty God of Jacob.

3. 2 Chron. 8.14
and 29.25.
He set the courses of the Priests in their offices, and the Levites in their watches, for to praise and minister before the Priests every day, and the Porters by their courses at every gate. 1 Chron. 23.28,
29,30.
1 Chron. 24.1,
2, &c.
The office of the Levites was under the hand of the sonne of Aaron, for the service of the house of the Lord in the courts, and chambers, and in the purifying of holy things, and in the worke of the service of the house of God, &c. 1 Chro. 25.1,2.So David and the Captaines of the Army separated for the ministery, the sonnes of Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun, who should sing prophecies with Harpes, with Viols, and with Cymbals. 1 Chro. 26.12.He appointed also divisions of Porters of the chiefe men, having the charge among their brethren, to serve in the house of the Lord. And of the Levites, Abijah was over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicate things. vers. 26.And Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicate things, which David the King, and the chiefe Fathers, the Captaines over thousands, and hundreds, and the Captaines of the Army had dedicated.

4. He