are the terms on which we shall enjoy all the privileges of God's chosen people: and, though it is true that " without Christ we can do nothing," it is also true, that the only way in which we ever can attain happiness, is, by repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is ready to save us all ; but he will ultimately prove a Saviour to those only who obey him ]
In applying this subject to ourselves, we shall,
1. Deliver God's message to you —
[Observe how solemnly God's injunction to Moses respect- ing the delivery of this message is twice repeated in the text. In reference to this, God twice says by the prophet, that " he protested, yea protested earnestly," to this people1. But you have already seen that the promises in our text refer princi- pally to the dispensation under which we live. To you there- fore must this message be addressed, in the name, and by the command, of God himself. And, as Moses " laid before the faces of that people the words which God commanded himm," so also would we " use great plainness of speech," whilst we are delivering to you the message of the Most High.
The terms on which alone you can be saved have been
already stated to you" We ask you then, is there any
thing unreasonable in them ? Are you not rather so convinced of their reasonableness, that, if we were to tell you that you were at liberty to disregard God's covenant, and to violate his will, you would cry out against us as impious blas- phemers?— Behold, then, we have a testimony in your own consciences in favour of the message which we have delivered to you : and, if you continue to expect heaven on any other terms, you will be self-condemned to all eternity0.]
2. Inquire what answer we must return to God —
[Moses received the people's answer, and reported it to Godp. And O that we could hear the same answer from you all, " All that the Lord hath spoken will we do ! " It is true, they spake in their own strength, and therefore failed to execute their promises: but surely it was good to form the determina- tion ; it shewed that they saw the equity of God's commands : and, had they sought strength from God to fulfil his will, their resolution would have produced the best effects. But are not many of you disposed rather to reply, " As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee'1?" Perhaps you are not yet hardened
I Jer. xi. 7. m ver. 7.
II A recapitulation of them here would be proper.
° Sec Jer. xi. 1 — :>. P ver. 8. fi Jer. xliv. 16.