But as given on Mount Sinai, it was " a fiery law ;" and so terrible, that the people could not endure it ; and " even Moses himself said, I exceedingly fear and quake a." But in the ark, Christ Jesus, its terrors are abated : yea, to those who believe in him, it has no terror at all : its demands are satisfied in their behalf, and its penalties sustained : and, on it, as ful- filled in him, they found then claims of everlasting life b. It must never be forgotten, that the mercy-seat was of the same dimensions with the ark ; and to all who are in Christ Jesus does the mercy of God extend0. If we look to the law as fulfilled in and by the Lord Jesus Christ, we have nothing to fear: "we are no longer under the law, but under grace d :" and " there is no condemnation to use." " Only let vis rely on him as having effected every thing for usf, and all that he possesses shall be oursg."]
2. Let us seek to have it visibly written upon our hearts —
[None but God can write it there : our stony hearts are harder than adamant. Nevertheless, if we go up to God in the holy mount, " he will take away from us the heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh11 :" and then " on the fleshly tables of our heart" will he write his perfect law1. O blessed privi- lege ! Beloved Brethren, let us covet it, and seek it night and day. Only think, what a change will take place in you when this is wrought ! What a lustre will be diffused over your very countenance k! Yes verily, all who then behold you shall " take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus," and " confess, that God is with you of a truth." Despair not, any of you : though ye have turned from God to the basest idolatry, yet has your great Advocate and Intercessor prevailed for you to remove the curses of the broken law, and to restore you to the favour of your offended God. Bring me up, says God, your hearts of stone, and I will so inscribe my law upon them, that " ye shall never more depart from me, nor will 1 ever more depart from you1." Brethren, obey the call without delay : lose not a single hour. Hasten into the presence of your God ; and there abide with him, till he has granted your request. So shall " ye be God's people, and he shall be your God, for ever and ever"1."]
a Heb. xii. 19 — 21. b Isai. xlv. 24.
c Exod. xxv. 10, 21, 22. Mark the promise in ver. 22.
d Rom. vi. 14. e Rom. viii. 1. f Rom. viii. 34.
s 1 Cor. hi. 21 — 23. h Ezek. xxxvi. 20. > 2Cor.iii. 2, 3.
k Exod. xxxiv. 29, 30. ' Jer. xxxii. 38—41.
m Jer. xxxii. 38 — 41.