are used as nearly, or altogether, synonymous ; because the same transactions are represented indifferently as having taken place on the one, or on the other.
Now it has already appeared that the rock in Horeb is de- clared by God himself to have been a lively representation of Christ : and therefore we may well suppose, that this rock, which was certainly in the same mountain, if not the very identical rock, was intended also to prefigure him; more especially as the putting of Moses into the clift of it exactly represents the benefits we receive by virtue of an interest in Christ. To those who are not " in Christ," " God is a con- suming fire h :" and, if he were to pass by any persons who have not " fled to Christ for refuge l" he would instantly " burn them up as thorns k," and " consume them with the brightness of his coming1." Besides, it is in Christ only that we can have even the faintest view of God ; because it is in Christ only that his perfections are displayed to man ; and it is only when we are in Christ, that we have any eyes to behold them.
Here then we see, not only that there is something myste- rious in the situation of Moses, but that a due consideration of it is necessary to a full understanding of the passage before us.]
In considering this singular favour conferred on Moses, we proceed to notice, II. The revelation which God gave of himself to him—
Though the terms in which God described his per- fections are many, yet they may be reduced to three heads ; —
1. His majesty —
[God, in calling himself " the Lord, the Lord God," inti- mated that he was that eternal, self-existent Being, who gave existence to every other being, and exercised unlimited autho- rity over the works of his hands. His dominion is universal, his power irresistible, his sovereignty uncon trolled : " He doth according to his will hi the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth ;" " nor can any stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou ?"
Such a manifestation of his majesty was peculiarly necessary, in order that our obligations to him might appear in their proper light : for never, till we have learned to acknowledge and adore his sovereignty, shall we be able rightly to appreciate his love and mercy.]
2. His mercy —
[Many expressions are heaped together upon this subject,
*» Heb. xii. 29. ' Heb. vi. 18. k Isai. xxvii. 4 ' 2 Thess. ii. 8.