and who umlortook tbo stu<ly of the Old Testament with a view of satisfying himself ns to tho validity of its claims to be an inspired writing. When he came to the Decalogue, nnd bad given it an attentive perusal, lost in admiration of its superhuman perfection, he exclaimed, " Where did Moses get that Law 1" He applied himself to the study of the question, and the result was the removal of every sceptical doubt., and the attainment of a clear and earnest conviction of the Divine original of the Law. Nor is it surprising that e. legal mind, accustomed to weigh evidence, should come to such e. conclusion; for when we know bow early in the world's history this Law was promulgated, it is very marvellous to find that an infant nation should, at starting, have a code of moral law so complete; yea, so elevated, that no other nation at that time presented anything like it, and that even now, 3300 years afterwards, not the wisest man in the world can suggest anything loftier! The kingdoms of Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, have furnished us with nought like this, to say nothing of the Roman, Grecian, and Persian empires, the earliest of which was not founded for centuries after. And if, leaving the merely civil and political side of legislation, we ask for an embodiment of a moral and religions code on which legislation could safely be based, we do not find aught to be compared with this. Nor, if we look at the record of the national life of the very people to whom this Law was first given, do we find that even they approximated to conformity to it. In fact, nothing is more marked in their subsequent literature than their grievous departure from their own standard~. ·when man makes any code of laws, those laws reflect himself and bis own standurd of attainment. But here is a code far beyond the attainment of any yet recorded nation. It is not necessary, however, to go to ancient nations to show that this Law betokens a higher than·human origin. Look at legislation now. Look at the moral sentiment of peoples now. What is the cry? Love thy neighbour as thyself? Emphatically no! But "take care of your own interests, and let your neigh hours look after them- selves I" "Remove your neighbour's landmark as you think well!" Why, if no nation in the ll'Orld is good enough to adopt the standard of the Deculogue, could it have created it, without ever having had any of its educating influence? And if no nation now could do it, how could they who were just liberated from centuries of slavery? Ilut more than this. This Law is high above the attainment of well-trained Christian congregations. Let a minister proclaim the mercy of God in forgiving sin, and his preaching may charm. Let him insist on the demands of God's righteousness, and while some earnest holy souls will lay it to heart, and humble themselves before God, many will be offended at the enforcement of righteousness; and even now many a minister is persecuted for righteousness' sake. This Law from man 1 No! it is too good for that. When man is brought face to face with its holy beart-searchingness he hates it! Ilut again. Take the most advanced and holiest Christian you can find. Let him stand in full front of this holy Law-and soon be will be crying out, in agony, "God be merciful to me the sinner!" "Ilut," it may be said, "are not Christians always preaching up to a higher level than that of their attainments?" Certainly; but why? Because they feel and know that here is a Law which they certainly did not originate, which is infinitely above them, and which, by being so, proclaims its intrinsic authority, and proves itself Divine. When such a Law is given, conscience can look at it and say, " Tht!t's right." But to creale a code above itself, is what no nation ever was able to do. This Law shines by its own light, and is "a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path." Ill, WHEN PERCEIVED IN ALT, ITS GRANDEUI!, THIS HOLY LAW FILLS WITH AWE AND 'l'ERROR, 'l'he thunder, lightning, flame, etc., revealed a majesty that Israel coul<l n~t endure (vers. 25, 26; cf. Heh, xii. 18-21). But all this terror was nothing compareJ. with the dread that comes over a man when his inmost self is confronted with the Law in its deep heart-searchingness (cf. Rom. vii. 9). IV. Gon TREATS THE TERROR VERY GRACIOUSLY. 1. Israel was called near to the mount to meet with Go<l, that they mi)!:ht learn a solemn awe, and then sent back to their tents, to wonder and to do. 2. God hearkens to their voice, and appoints a mediator-even Moses (Gal. iii. 19, 20), We are come to Jesus, the Me~iator of the ~1cw covenant (Heb. xii. 24). 3. Israel is reminded that what is needed on their part ~s, n?t emotion, but dovotiou (ver. 29). God wants of us e. heart to love and obey. Of llsell, tho Law does but shut us up to see the necessity of a power for righteousness which ·rnE BOOlt OF DEUTERONOM\'. [cu. v. 1-33.
it cnnnot gi,·e (Gal. iii. 21). God has made with us a new covenant. 'l'he old coverrnnt says, "no this, and you "·ill liw." The new one says," Live, and yon will do this" (cf. ,Tcr. xxx. 31; Heh. viii. 6-13). 4. The people are assured that faithi'ul obedience to the Law of God will cnsnre the well-being of the nation, its long continuance in the Ian<l, and the comfort·and peace of the family as well as of the individual. Even so, "·e luwe in the Law of God a rnle of life absolutely perfoct. ,vhat is wanted is but obedience to it.. This is the one thing to be desired (Jas. i. 22). It is bitterly to be lamented when t.his obedience is not given (Ps. Ixxx. S-16). When this is the eaRe, the Law becomes a silent accnser (see John v. 45). It is this unwillingness to keep God's Ln"· which is charged against men as sin. It is of this sin of disloyalty that nl<'n arc en lied on to repent (Rom. ii. 1-16; Ezek. xviii. 30; Matt. iii. 2; Luke xiii. 3 ;. Acts xx. :21). God in his great love offers to law-breakers, when penitent, the privilege of starting afresh (Acts ii. 38). God forgives the penitent, and imparts new life and strength through the pewer of the Holy Ghost, to re-set and restore the nature disorganized by sin. Then the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled as men walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Then life has found its true support, is tending to its right issue, is realizing its highest ideal, and has its noblest outlook. Let us all, then, conscious of innumerable failures in obedience, penitently throw ourselves on Divine grace and love, and seek for energy Divine to work· in us, cancelling the guilt of the past, creating the life of God within; so will it be well with us for ever and ever!