4. Apply the subject
The Lord’s Verdict
That dreadful appearance which God made on mount Sinai, in the giving of the law, and that effect it had upon the Israelites, Moses here puts them in mind of. When the Lord spoke with a great and terrible voice out of the darkness and fire, the people were afraid, and they see their absolute need of a mediator, and therefore desire Moses would mediate between God and them; and in this event they promise all obedience. The Lord gives his verdict concerning this, which consists of two parts.
1. That the words were very good. If words could have proved them saints, they would have been among the foremost. If promises could have passed for performances, they had wanted neither faith nor good works; verse 28, "They have well said all that they have spoken." They have said two things:
1.1. They had desired a mediator, verse 27, "Go you near," said they to Moses, "and hear all that the Lord our God shall say; and speak you unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto you, and we will hear it and do it." They saw so much of the majesty of God, and of their own sinfulness, that they beg of God he would not deal with them immediately, but by a mediator; and this was the great end in giving the law on mount Sinai, and that with so much terror, Deuteronomy 18:15–18.
1.2. They promised obedience, that they would take the law out of Moses' mouth and perform it; that they would no less highly esteem it as coming by his hand than if God should thunder it with the greatest terror into their ears. What could look like faith and obedience, according to the Old Testament dispensation? What could look like accepting of the great Mediator in all his offices, according to that dispensation of the covenant, wherein types and figures of him who was to come did so much abound? How ready seem they to sit down at the feet of a prophet and learn? So that upon this the Lord promised Christ under that very notion, Deuteronomy 18:18. How plainly do they take with guilt and stand as criminals who have nothing to say on their own defense, acknowledge their need, and profess their desire of an intercessor, being unable to stand before the Lord without a shelter, or on their own legs. How readily do they subject themselves to the laws of their King, and stoop to take on his yoke without any exception whatever? But all is not gold that glitters, the heart of man seldom holds foot with the tongue.
2. That there were such a heart in them. The other part of the verdict follows in the text; "O that there were such an heart in them!" By which he discovers their hypocrisy and rashness, their tongues running before their hearts in their engaging themselves to the Lord. The Lord speaks thus after the manner of men, so that they who would hence conclude, that man's will by nature is such, as that it is of himself flexible, either to spiritual good or evil, while the Lord stands by as an idle spectator, and puts to no hand of power, may as well conclude, that God has eyes and hands of flesh, and that he who is not the son of Man that he should repent, and with whom there is no variableness, may even with propriety repent as to what he has done. Inefficacious wishing, properly understood, argues imperfection. (Hebrew, who will give their heart to be such in them?) Now, it is certain, God can give such a heart; Ezekiel 36:26, "A new heart also will I give you." And if he will do it, who can hinder him? Job 11:10. — This declaration therefore imports,
2.1. That such a heart was not in them, for all their fair words and high pretenses; that though they looked well outwardly, yet within they were naught. They had learned to speak better than they were accustomed; but though they had got the new tongue, they had but the old heart still; Deuteronomy 29:4, "Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day." When they were in Egypt, they were sunk into stupidity, the instructions of the patriarchs had worn out of their minds, they had almost forgotten their fall in Adam, and what sin was; and though God had made the promise to Abraham, yet they were now grown proud and secure. And though sin, and also death, were reigning over them, yet being without the law, to evidence sin and death to their consciences, they would not charge themselves with it, and so found no need of a Mediator, Romans 5:13–20. But now the law being proclaimed with so great terror, laid their peacock-feathers a little; but though they had more knowledge of their sin and misery than before, yet they had still the old heart. This declaration imports,
2.2. That such a heart should have been in them, it was their duty to have it, God required it of them: "Make to yourselves a new heart." God requires the conformity of the heart, as well as of the conversation, to his will. It imports,
2.3. That the want of such a heart was a dead fly in all their engagements, which made all the ointment to stink; "O that there were such a heart in them!" The chief thing is wanting still, they have not yet brought up their heart to their work. It imports,
2.4. The great excellency and worth of such a heart. The Lord speaks honorably of it, as that which would bear weight in the balance of the sanctuary. It is pleasing to the Lord; it is God's delight; they want only this to make them happy. For illustrating this subject, we shall propose and consider the following doctrines.
Doctrine 1. That men often make what ought to be the most solemn transactions with the Lord about their souls' concerns, but solemn trifling with him.
Doctrine 2. That a heart sincerely and suitably corresponding with the profession of a covenanting people, is a most valuable and excellent thing.
Doctrine 3. That the work of covenanting with the Lord is slight work, when it is not heart work. Or, in other words, solemn covenanting with the Lord is but solemn trifling with him, when the work of covenanting is not heart work.
Doctrine 1
We begin with, that men often make what ought to be the most solemn transactions with the Lord about their souls' concerns, but solemn trifling with him.
Never was there a more solemn transaction which men had with God than what was here. Their ears were filled with the noise of the thunder, the lightnings flashed in their eyes, they heard God himself speak, they were most express in covenanting with God; all this time their hearts were not right with him, nor sound in his statutes. In discoursing from this doctrine, we propose, (1) to show how far a man may go in transacting with, and engaging himself to the Lord, and yet after all he may be but trifling. (2) Show wherein this trifling and slight work in such a weighty business does appear. (3) Point out how people come to turn such solemn work into mere trifling. (4) Apply the subject.