there is a cess1ttion of such terrorising manifestations as we rea.d of in eh. xix. When we see nil t,he,t strange mingling of terrible darkness, light, and ~ound, which make np the thunderstorm, we know that Nature is striving to recover her balance. That bala.nce, rocovored, the body of heaven rosumes its clearneHs; nay it often appears in even mrire than its accustomed beauty. All the dark and frowning appearances of God, a.II thinc,s that shake and confuse the soul, are meant to lead on to a. calming and attracting revel~. tion of God such as this revelation to Aaron and his companions but feebly typifies. First, the presence of God is made known a.mid thunder, lightning and smoke, and everything trembles to its centre at but the touch of his feet: then there is the change to whore he is lifted clean above the polluting earth. Instead of disturbance there 1s unruffied peace, the beauty and profundity of the cloudless heaven. Thus by this outward symbol should we think of the quiet, untroubled heart where dwells the reconciled God. The more complete that reconciliation, the more settled the peace which we have with God, the more may the state of our hearts be indicated by the language which is here employed. III. THE EXPERIENCES OF THIS CHOSEN COMPANY DURING THE VISION. 1. They were ma.de to/eel unmistakably Gocfs benignity towards them. He did not lay his hand upon them. That they were not swiftly stretched in death upon the mountain side is spoken of as if in itself a. subject of congratulation. The negative must come before the positive. The thought of complete salvation from danger must precede the thought of positive growth and enrichment. It was scarcely credible that men should see God and live. How dependent we are for our conclusions on narrow experiences, sometimes on most superstitious fears! The day is coming when, if we only accept a.II purifying ministrations, we shall not only see God and live, but also wonder that so long we should have been able to live without seeing him. 2. This benignity is particularly experienced in their being allowed to eat and drink before God. It is in the companionship of the table that social intercourse is commonly supposed to reach its perfection. This eating and drinking before God indicated that a. certain composure of mind had been attained, and that the company had some real enjoyment of the position in which it was placed. There is a setting forth of the Divine blessing which ever rests on true fellowship of the saints. As many as are right with God personally are drawn together for united enjoyment as well as for united service. There is no place where the hems of men are really one but when they are gathered before him who has the sapphire work under his feet. There, and there only, do we find the secret of that penetrating harmony which dissolves and utterly destroys all discords.-Y.
Vers. 3-8.-The terms of the covenant accepted. I. OnsERVE How CLE.ARLY THESF. TERMS HAD DEEN STATED. Moses came and told the people a.II the words of the Lord and all the judgments. All the way to Sinai the people had the opportunity of seeing the power of Jehovah; at Sinai something of his glory had been manifested; and now in these words and judgments the character and will of Jehovah were made known. It is observable that at their first approach to Sinai the people had expressed their willing- ness to be obedient to God (eh. xix. 8). But he does not seek to bind them down by a formal contract until he has made clear the laws under which he would have them to live. It is well for us to bear 'in mind that God distinctly and emphatically states all things of practical and present importance. We indeed may have a very imperfect understanding of his statements; but the statements in themselves are perfectly plain, only requiring that our minds should be brought into a. right state of humility, and concentrated upon the study of God's holy commandments with the requisite degree of attention. II. OBSERVE ALSO THE WA y IN WHICH THESE TERMS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED. The people answered with one voice. There was a. remarkable unanimity. Are_ we to take it that there was a complete, universal, cordial shout of acceptance? There 1s no reason to suppose otherwise, no reason to suppose but that a. profo1:1lld. impression had been_ ma.de on every mind. Not the sli"htest word appears to mdicate discord. But ot course, although there was no discord in the expression, there was great diversity in the state of mind which underlay the shout of acceptance. The emotion finding vent in this unanimous acceptance could be traced back in a few instances to a. thoroughly awakened conscience, desiring to live a thoroughly righteous life, and be in true and Q ~ 228 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [on. XXIV. 3-8.