the Lord therein, the Lord discoursed with Moses over the mercy-seat between the cherubs, and the ark was called Jehovah There for the same reason also it was not lawful for Aaron to enter within the vail, except with sacrifices and incense. Inasmuch as that law was the essential sanctity of the church, therefore the ark was introduced into Zion by David; and was afterwards deposited in the middle of the temple of Jerusalem, and constituted its most sacred place. By reason of the Lord's presence in that law and around it, miracles were always wrought by the ark in which that law was contained, as when the waters of Jordan were divided, and so long as the ark rested in the middle, the people passed over on dry ground; and as when the walls of Jericho fell down in consequence of carrying the ark about them; and as when Dagon the God of the Philistines fell down before it, and afterwards was found lying at the threshold of the temple with his head separated from the trunk; and as when the Bethshemites were smitten because of the ark, to the number of several thousands; not to mention other miracles of a like nature, all which were

in consequence of the Lord's presence in his ten words, which are the commandments of the decalogue.

56. A further ground of the power and sanctity of that law was, because it was a complex of all things appertaining to religion; for it consisted of two tables, one of which contains all things which are on God's part, and the other all things which are on the part of man: therefore the precepts of that law are called the ten words, because ten signify all things. But how that law was a complex of all things appertaining to religion, will be seen in the following article.

57. Inasmuch as the Lord's conjunction with man, and man's with the Lord, is effected by that law, therefore it is called the COVENANT and the TESTIMONY; covenant because it effects conjunction, and testimony because it testifies conjunction, for covenant signifies conjunction, and testimony signifies the testification or witnessing thereof. It was for this reason that there were two tables, one for the Lord, the other for man. Conjunction is effected by and from the Lord, but it is then only effected, when man does those things which are written in his

table; for the Lord is continually present, and operative, and is desirous to enter, but it is man's part and duty to open by virtue of the freedom which he has from the Lord; for the Lord saith, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." Rev. iii. 20.

58. In the other table, which is for man, it is not said what good he should do, but what evil he should not do, as that he should not kill, that he should not commit adultery, that he should not steal, that he should not bear false witness, that he should not covet; the reason is, because man cannot do any thing good from himself, but when he ceases to do evils, then he does good, not from himself, but from the Lord. That man is able to shun evils as from himself, by virtue of the Lord's power, if he implores it, will be seen in what follows.

59, What was said above, n. 55, concerning the promulgation, sanctity, and power of the law of the decalogue, appears from the following passages in the Word.

That Jehovah descended upon mount Sinai in fire, and that the mount then smoked and shook, and that there were thunderings, lightnings, and a thick cloud, and the voice of a trumpet, may be seen, Exod. xix. 16, 18. Deut. iv. 11. Chap. v. 19 to 23.

That the people prepared themselves for three days previous to the descent of Jehovah, may be seen, Exod. xix. 10, 11, 15.

That the mountain was fenced about, to prevent any one from approaching to the bottom of it, lest he should die; and that not even the priests, but Moses alone was to approach, may be seen, Exod. xix. 12, 13, 20 to 23. Chap. xxiv. 1, 2.

That the law was promulgated from mount Sinai, may be seen, Exod. xx. 2 to 14. Deut. v. 6 to 18

That the law was written on two tables of stone with the finger of God, may be seen, Exod. xxxi. 18. Chap. xxxii. 15, 16. Deut. ix. 10.

That the face of Moses did shine, when he brought the tables down from the mount the second time, may be seen, Exod. xxxiv. 29 to 35.

That the tables were laid up in an ark, may be seen, Exod. xxv. 16. Chap. xl. 20. Deut. x. 5. 1 Kings viii. 9.

That over the ark was set the mercyseat, and over the mercy-seat cherubs of gold, may be seen, Exod. xxv. 17 to 21.

That the ark, with the mercy-seat and cherubs, constituted the inmost of the tabernacle, and that the golden candlestick, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold on which was the shew-bread, constituted the exterior part of the tabernacle; and that the ten curtains of fine linen, purple, and scarlet, constituted its outermost part, may be seen Exod. xxv. 1 to the end. Chap. xxvi. 1 to the end. Chap. xl. 17 to 28.

That the place, where the ark was, was called the holy of holies. Exod. xxvi. 33.

That all the people of Israel encamped around the tabernacle in order according to their tribes, and journeyed in order after it, Numbers ii. I to the end.

That at such times there was over the tabernacle a cloud by day, and fire by night, Exod. xl. 38. Numb. ix. 15, 16 to the end. Chap. xiv. 14. Deut. i. 33.