law, we do not now stop to inquire a: that to which we would draw your attention is, the manner of its promulgation. In the preceding chapter we are in- formed of all those particulars which are briefly recapitulated in our text. On contemplating that tremendous scene, we are naturally led to inquire, Why did God publish his law in that manner ? The answer to this question is important ; and will prove highly instructive to us all. He did it,
I. To impress their minds with a fear of his Majesty —
[God is a great God, and greatly to be feared b. But though the Israelites had seen ample demonstrations of this in Egypt, they had a very inadequate sense of it upon their minds. Hence arose their murmurings and distrust as often as any fresh difficulty occurred. And what is at the root of all our disobedience? Is it not that "we do not fear that
great and fearful name, The Lord our Godc?"
To beget in the minds of those whom he was bringing into covenant with himself a just sense of his greatness, he appeared to them in a thick cloud, with thunderings, and lightnings, and the sound of a trumpet most terrific. The effect was pro- duced, insomuch that Moses, though terrified beyond measure himself, was forced to administer comfort and encouragement to themd. We find somewhat of a similar effect upon our- selves in a violent tempest : and, if we could realize the scene that was exhibited on Sinai, we should say indeed, " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" ]
II. To shew them the nature of that dispensation —
[The dispensation of the law, though suited to the Jews at that time, and even glorious, as a type or figure of the Gospel dispensation, was yet in fact " a ministration of death e." It required perfect obedience to the law, and denounced a curse for every instance of disobedience ; and required all the people, not only to accept it, but to approve of it, in that par- ticular viewf. Who can contemplate such a covenant, and not tremble to have his hopes founded on it ? There was indeed much of the Gospel contained in the ceremonial law ; and the penitent Israelite found refuge there. But the law published on Sinai was " a fiery law," " a ministration of condemnation :" and the terrors which were infused into the people by the thunders of Sinai, fitly represented the terrific nature of that
a See Disc, on Rom. iii. 20. b Deut. x. 17. c Deut. xxviii. 58. d ver. 20. e 2 Cor. iii. 7, 9.
f Compare Gal. iii. 10. with Deut. xxvii. 26.