By whom have our words access to God? Through Jesus, who presents them to God. What makes the arrival at Sinai and the events there, so striking a part of Israel's history?

Because it was there Israel, as a nation, was taken into covenant with God, and there the law was given.

What sign did God give his people that they might believe in Moses, his messenger.

God said unto him, "Lo I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear, when I speak with thee."

Did not God speak to Jesus in the hearing of the people?

Yes, many times. First, at his baptism, the heavens were opened unto him, and lo! a voice from Heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Luke iii. 21, 22. Secondly, on the Holy Mount, there came, as to Moses, "a voice out of a cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son, hear him." (Matt. xvii. 5.) And lastly, shortly before his sufferings, in Jerusalem, “a voice from heaven said, I have glorified thee, and

will glorify thee again; and the people that stood by, heard it.”—John xii. 28, 29.

What command did God give Moses previous to his appearing to the people on the third day?

Sanctify the people, and let them wash their clothes.

What happened on the third day?

There were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud, so that all the people that were in the camp trembled.

Where did Moses lead the people ?
Outside the camp, to meet God.

Where must we follow Jesus?

We must go forth unto him, without the camp.

What does that mean?

We must forsake the world, if we would find God, and do his will.

What is said of Sinai?

Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it with fire, and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke

of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

What happened when the voice of the trumpet waxed louder and louder ?

Moses spake unto God, and God answered him by a voice, and God called Moses to the top of the mount, and he went up.

What charge did God give Moses ?

Let not the people, or the priests, break through to come up unto the Lord, lest He break forth upon them.

In what respect did Moses differ from Jesus as a mediator ?

Jesus brings his people nigh unto God, but Moses was obliged to keep them at a distance.

In what other respect did the circumstances into which Moses brought Israel at this time differ from those into which Jesus brings his people?

Paul said, "we are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest. But we are come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of the living God, the Hea

venly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels.-Heb. xii. 18-24.

CHAP. XX.

What did Moses receive from God at this time?

The Ten Commandments, which were afterwards written in stone.

What was the character of these Commandments?

They chiefly forbad the commission of outward sins, such as idolatry, swearing, murder, adultery, theft, and false witness; but the fourth and fifth Commandments, enjoined the observance of the Sabbath, the care and support of parents.

Was there not one of the Commandments which was directed against the sins of the heart?

Yes. The Tenth and last Commandment said, "Thou shalt not covet." By which Paul said, he learnt the evil of lust or desire of unlawful things.

For whom did Paul say the law was made?

For the lawless and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers.

What is the character of Christ's precepts ?

They have chiefly to do with the state of the heart towards God, while they provide for every thing that is honest, lovely, and of good report among men.

What is meant by John's saying, little children, keep yourselves from idols?

Idolatry in the New Testament means covetousness, or any vile affection which hinders our giving our hearts to God; or from worshipping him aright.-Col. iii. 5.

What does John say of a man who does not love his brother?

He is a murderer, and has not the love of God dwelling in him,

What sins does the New Testament generally notice?

There are frequent precepts against lying and stealing, and Paul says, above all other sins, "flee fornication."

What else does he say about such gross sins?