274. Preparationsfor thegivingofthe Law. after them all the men of Ifrael, 91on t rointt1, after them theChildren, that is, Males: O +tU]n 0rrinto, after them the Women, i:313r1 =MIMI, after them theProfèlytes or-Strangers. a All things being thus difpofed, in the morning ofthe third day the Appearances of Gods glorious prefence began tobe manifefted, ver. 16. And it cameto pafl, on the third dayin the morning, that there were thunders, and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the Mount, and the voiceof the Trumpet exceeding loud, fo that all the Peopk that was in the Camp trembled, v.18. AndMountSinai was altogether on a fmoak, becaufe the Lord de- fcended uponit infire, and the fmoak thereof afcended as the fmoak ofa Furnace, and the whole Mountquaked greatly. That all thefe things were the effeEts of the Miniffry, of Angelspreparing the place of Gods glorious prefence, and attending upon him in their work, the Scripture elfewhere te!tifies, and we have before manifefted,fo that there is no need here farther to infili upon it. 4.43. upon this preparationfor the defcent of the gloryofGod, upon the fight of his harbingers and evidence of his corning, Mofees brought forth the people rtt194 Crrhtln, to meet withGod. He brought them out of the Camp which was at fome farther affiance, unto thebounds that by Gods prefcription he had fit unto Mount Sinai. AndRaJhi onthe place obfervesnot unfitly, that this going of thepeople to meet withGod, argues that the Glory of God cameallo to meet with them, as the Bride- groom goeth out tomeet theBride ; for it was a marriage Covenant that God then took the people into; whence it is faid,that God came font Sinai, namely tomeet the people. 4.44. ' The utmofìofthe approachof the people was to the nether partof theMount. The Targum ofjerufalem hath a foolifh imagination from this expreffion, which they have alfò in theTalmud; namely, that Mount Sinai was pluckt up by the roots, and lifted up into theair, that the people floodunder it, which archi calls a Midrafh, that is, though not iii the fignification of the word, yet in the ufual application of it, an Allegorical Fable. In this pofture the People trembled, and were not able to keep their ftation, but removed fromtheir place, Chap. so. z8. And the whole Mount quaked greatly,ver.18. fo terrible was the appearance of the Majefty of God in giving out his fiery Law. In this general confternationof all, it isadded,' that Moferbimfelf (/take, v. o g. And God anfweredhim bya voice. What he fpake isnot declared ; nor was there any oc- eafion for hiss (peaking, nor can any accountbe given why he fhould (peak to God, whenGod was folemnly preparing to fpeak to him and the people ; nor is it Paid, that he/Me to God, but only, that he fpake. And it is (ignally added, that God an- fwered him 51p1 in, or by avoice. For my part, I doubt not but that in thisgeneral conflernationthat befell all the People, Moferhimfelf being furprized with fear, fpaae the words recordedbyour Apofile,Chap. 12.21. I exceedingly fear and quake; which condition he was relievedfromby the comforting voice ofGod, and fo confirmed un- to the remainder of his Miniftry. Thefe brief remarks being given upon the pre- parationfor, and the manner of the giving of the Law, we (hail fummarily confider thegeneral nature ofthe Law, and its San&ion, inour next Exercitation. Exercitatio
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