ary.[625] Moses received from the
Lord, on behalf of Israel, the encouragement, "My presence shall go with
thee, and I will give thee rest."[626] The promise must, therefore, have
been fulfilled to them throughout their whole journey to Canaan, and
especially when about its termination they entered into covenant with
Him. The agitation of the earth and heavens, when the Lord came down
upon Mount Sinai, was a striking intimation that Israel there enjoyed
the presence of God.[627] The covenant blessing of peace was to be
bestowed, and, consequently, accepted in his gracious presence. "The
Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace."[628] Yea, the upright shall come into his
presence, confessing his name, and shall continue to enjoy his favouring
regard. "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving
(_confession_)."[629] "Surely the righteous shall give thanks
(_confess_) unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy
presence."[630]

Thirdly. These Covenanting, see God. As he is in his essential
character, no man hath seen God at any time. Even of the Redeemer
himself as God, it is said, "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the
light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can
see."[631] It would appear to have been some such manifestation of
God--altogether incompatible with the capacities of a creature, that
was denied to Moses when the Lord said to him, "Thou canst not see my
face; for there shall no man see me, and live."[632] Yet, as Moses,
though he did not see the glory of God according to his desire, enjoyed
the gracious presence of God, all his people receive the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.[633] By
faith, in this manner, both before and after his incarnation, God was to
be seen in Christ, and especially on occasions of solemn Covenanting. It
is the blessedness of the pure in heart, that they shall see God.
Inviting sinners to come unto him, and even formally to take hold upon
his covenant, the Lord utters the command, "Look unto me, and be ye
saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none
else."[634] And lifting up their hand, and their heart, and their eyes
to him, his people obey. From a verb ([Hebrew: chazoh]) that signifies
_to see_, come two nouns, one of which ([Hebrew: chozeh]) signifies, _a
prophet_