Chap. 37 e/1nExpoftian uporrthe Book of Jos, Verl- 20. 593 of the Gofpel, fpoken to them by Chrif} cloathed with frail f!efh, .howmuch leflè can any man bear the Majefly of God in ipeak- ing to him, or, God fpeking co him inhis Majefly ! Andfo lone tranflate and read thewords of glihu in the text under hand, For ifhe[peak, manfhail hedevoured or fwallowed up ; that is, if God fpeak, man (who before thought himfelf Some-hody, or that he wasable to reafonwith him) will bequite confounded in him- fell by the infinite wìfdoaa of God, his tongue will faulter or cleave to the roof of his mouth, and he rendered unable to (peak one word inhis own defence. Mofes (Exod, t 9. 12.) was com- manded to fet bounds about Mount Horeb, that the people might not come too veer; the reafon was, that the people might by thole boundsbe warned, not to be curious or over -bold in their approaches to the Majefly of God, nor over-bufie in prying into hisSecrets. As if it hadbeen faid, if you come to near, you will beeven fwallowed up. Mofes repeating to the Ifraclites the ter- rible Majefly of God in giving the Law at Mount Horeb, minds them in what a trembling frame they then were ( Dem. 5. 24, 25, 26.) And yefaid, behold the Lordoar Godbathfilmedus hi glory, andbingreatnefs, andwe have heardhis voice out ofthemidi of the fire; we have feen this day that gad doth talk. with man, and heliveth ( which implieth, that man, in this life, cannot bear the fuller manìfeflationof God, and live) '2Low therefore, why fhoúld we die ? for this great fire will confume ou ; if we hear the voice of Godany more, thenwe palldie. What was this ;teat fire ? It was Godhirnfelf, that is, an extraordinary appearanceof God, who is feveral times inScripture exprefl by fire. As if they had faid, We acknowledge that we have had wonderful condefcention and mer- cy fromGod, that we have heard him fpeak and live ; but,that we live, isnot onlya mercybut a miracle;therefore we poor formes dare not runthe hazzard a fecond time, if we hear him fpeak any more, we (hall die : Therefore they de(ired Mofes (who in that was a type of Chrifl, Gal, 3,19. ) togonear, and be as a Medi- ator between them and God, that they might not have to dowith God immediately, but receive the Law by his hand. Such is the infinite Majefly of God ( though it will be our ble f dneife in thenext life, for ever toenjoy it) that here in this Life we are not able to receive ir, The Glory of God is fo pure, that man cloathed with corruptible flefh & blood cannot fla :d before.it;the g g t very
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