the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[317] reference to the condition and circumstances of the churches in those times. Accordingly, we find that many of the terms applied to the members of the primitive Christian church in the New Testament are derived from the language employed under the Old Covenant in speaking of the children of Israel; and there is, in fact, a sufficiently obvious and striking analogy in many particulars to favour this transference. The Israelites were selected from the idolatrous nations by the gratuitous favour of God, without regard to any previous merit on their part, to become his peculiar people, the subjects of a special covenant; hence they are said to be chosen or elected. The first consequence of this election was their deliverance from the state of bondage in which they were held in Egypt; hence they are said to be delivered, saved, bought or purchased, redeemed. Having been brought out of this abject state into a new and happy condition, God is said to create, make or form them anew; to have given them life, to have begotten them. Hence they are his children, to whom he sustains, in a peculiar sense, the character of a Father. He is their king, and they are his people; he is their shepherd, and they are his flock or sheep. Being set apart for his service, they are said to be holy, saints, washed; they are a people near to him, his congregation, his church, his inheritance. In this capacity he receives them into a covenant with himself, requiring from them homage, love, obedience, exclusive worship: on which conditions he promises protection and continued possession of all the privileges and blessings they enjoyed.