Wesley Corpus

Chapter V The general intent of the Ten Commandments as a covenant between God and Israel, ver. 1 - 5. The Commandments, ver. 6 - 21. God writes them, and grants the people's request, that he would speak by Moses, ver. 22 - 28. Exhortations to obedience, ver. 29 - 33. All Israel - Namely by their elders, who were to impart it to the rest. Not with our fathers - Only: but with us, who are all alive - He saith not, that all who made the covenant at Sinai are now alive, but this covenant was made with all that are now alive; which is most true, for it was made with the elders in their persons, and with the rest in their parents, who covenanted for them. Face to face - Personally and immediately, not by the mouth or ministry of Moses; plainly and certainly, as when two men talk face to face; freely and familiarly, so as not to overwhelm and confound you. Between the Lord and you - As a mediator between you, according to your desire. The word of the Lord - Not the ten commandments, which God himself uttered, but the following statutes and judgments. There being little said, concerning the spiritual sense of the Ten Commandments, in the notes on the twentieth of Exodus, I think it needful to add a few questions here, which the reader may answer between God and his own soul. Thou shalt have none other gods before me - Hast thou worshipped God in spirit and in truth Hast thou proposed to thyself no end besides him Hath he been the end of all thy actions Hast thou sought for any other happiness, than the knowledge and love of God Dost thou experimentally know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Dost thou love God Dost thou love him with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength; so as to love nothing else but in that manner and degree which tends to increase thy love of him Hast thou found happiness in God Is he the desire of thine eyes, the joy of thy heart If not, thou hast other gods before him.