Christs Temptation and Transfiguration, Sermon 3
SERMON. III.
MATTH. 17. 3.
And behold there appeared to unto him Moses and Elias talking with him.
With LUKE 9. 30, 31.
And behold there talked with him two men, Moses and Elias, who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Ierusalem.
HAving spoken of Christs Transfiguration, we come now to speak of those special Accidents and Adjuncts which happened at the time of his Transfiguration. Here are two mentioned.
1. The extraordinary Apparition of Moses and Elias.
2. Their conference with our Saviour.
In the First,
1. The persons who appeared, Moses and Elias.
2. The manner of their appearing, Luke saith, they appeared in Glory. Since the Scripture affixeth a behold or note of Attention, wherever this History is mentioned; it will not be unprofitable for us to consider it a little.
First, Who appeared, Moses and Elias, these were there in person, as well as Christ was there in Person, for it is not a Vision but a thing really done and transacted, Christ would have but two, being to give us a glimpse only, not the full lustre and splendor of his Glory and Majesty, as he will at the last day, when he shall come in the Glory of the Father, and all his holy Angels with him.
But why these two?
1. With respect to the Gospel or new Law which he was to set up. It is for the confirmation thereof that Moses and Elias appear talking with him, shewing the harmony and agreement between them, and the subordination of their dispensation to Christ and Salvation by him. Moses was the person by whom the Law was given, and Elias was a principal Prophet. The Law is represented by Moses, and the Prophets by Elias. Both did frequently foretell and prefigure the Death and Resurrection of Christ, and all the Scripture which was then written, was usually called by this term, Law and Prophets, Acts 24. 14. Believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets, and Mat. 11. 13. for all the Law and the Prophets prophesied until Iohn, Luke 16. 24. They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them, so Acts 26. 22. I witness no other things then those which Moses and the Prophets say should come to pass. So Mark 7. 11. Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you the same to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Well then the Books of the Old Testament are frequently and solemnly thus called, Law and Prophets; the Messiah was spoken of and foretold in both, and the godly before his comming waited for him as such. One place I had almost forgotten, Rom. 3. 21. The Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. Which sheweth that not only the person of Christ was set forth, but also his institution and Gospel dispensation. Well to manifest this consent here is Law and Prophets, Moses and Elias friendly conferring with Christ, or rather attending upon him, as servants upon their Lord. Christ and Moses, Christ and the Prophets are not at variance as the Jews suppose, but here is a fair agreement betwixt them.
2. With respect to the Persons themselves, there are many special Reasons; these had been the most faithful, and laborious servants of the Lord, and publick eminent instruments of his Glory, Moses a giver of the Law, and Elias a restorer of the Law. Moses faithful in all the House of God, and Elias zealous for the glory of God. Both had ventured their lives, Moses by encountring Pharaoh, and Elias Ahab. Both had seen the glory of God in Mount Horeb, and spake with God also, Moses Exod. 33. 11. He saw the Lord face to face, and spake with him as a man doth with his Friend, and Elias 1 Kings 19. Both had fasted fourty days as Christ also did, therefore conveniently were these chosen.
3. With respect to our Profit and Instruction, Christ would not choose two Angels, for this service, but two Men. Here the business was not to see glorified Spirits, but glorified Bodies; therefore the Angels having no Bodies of their own, and must appear in assumed Bodies if in any, are not fit; therefore two Men that had Bodies wherein they might appear.
But you will say, if two men must appear in glorified Bodies, why not Enoch rather then Moses, who was translated into Heaven, and remaineth there with a glorified Body as well as Elias.
Answ. Enoch had no publick charge, Enoch lived before the legal dispensation, these both belonged to it, and were chief in it, of great Authority among the Jews, Enoch hath an honourable Testimony in the Word of God, but had no publick office and charge in the Church, which the other two had, and managed with great Fidelity. By the appearance of Moses the whole legal Oeconomy is supposed to appear in his Person, and by the appearance of Elias, the Prophetical Ministry, which was a kind of Chancery to the Law, is supposed to appear also. Both do as it were deliver over to Christ their whole dispensation, and lay it down at his feet, as the Magistrates that are to go out of office, solemnly resign the ensigns of their Authority to him that succeedeth, and also they come both to reverence the majesty of their supream Lord. In short it is for our comfort that one that died, and one alive in glory, should come to shew that Christ is Lord of quick and dead, Rom. 14. 9. Moses was dead, Elias translated, these two come the one to give a pledge of the glory of the World to come; the other of the Resurrection of the dead; which is the way and introduction to it; and both these persons come to attend and adore our Saviour, and do homage to him.
Secondly, They appeared in glory, that is in a corporeal shape, shining with brightness & glory, as Christs body did, bating only for the degree & proportion, that ther might be a difference between the Lord and his Servants. Now whether they appeared in Bodies formed and assumed for the present purpose, and to be laid down again as we do our Garments, or in their own proper Bodies, is often disputed by Interpreters upon this occasion. That they appeared in bodies is certain, for bodily acts, and properties are ascribed to them, as their talking with Christ, their being seen by the Apostles, for a spirit cannot be seen. If in bodies why not their own? It is as easie to the Lord to cause them to appear in their own bodies, as in a body assumed for this special purpose, and service; and they were known by the Disciples to be Moses and Elias, not by the external Lineaments, for they never saw them in person before, but either were made known to them by some internal Revelation, or by Christs words, or by some words of Moses and Elias themselves, but which way soever they knew them, certain it is they knew them, and took them to be Moses and Elias, therefore Moses and Elias they were, both as to Soul and Body. The Apostles that were admitted to this Transfiguration, were not to be deceived by a false appearance, for they were admitted to be confirmed in the Truth of Christs Person and Office, that by what they saw they might confirm others. How would it weaken the Testimony, if what they saw appearing before them in glory, were not the bodies of Moses and Elias, but only other bodies assumed. Concerning Elias the matter is without difficulty, for since he saw not death, but was translated both body and soul into Heaven, why should he lay down his own body and take another to come and serve Christ upon this occasion? cause sufficient there was why he should come from the blessedness of Heaven to Mount Tabor, no cause why he should lay aside his own proper body. It is no loss nor trouble, but advantage to blessed and heavenly Creatures, to be serviceable to their Redeemers Glory, though it be to come out of the other into this World. But concerning Moses the matter is more doubtful, we read that he died in Mount Nebo, and his body was buried by God in the Plains of Moab, so that his Grave was known to no man unto this day, Deut. 34. 5, 6. Some think it was preserved from putrefaction by the extraordinary power of God, that he might resume it at this time. The Jews say that God sucked out Moses soul from his body with a kiss, and afterwards restored it again, and so he liveth in immortality; but he that looketh for Divinity among the Jewish Rabbins will much sooner find a ridiculous Fable, then any sound Doctrine; suffice it to us that he was really dead, and buryed, and his body mouldred into dust, as our bodies are, and now on this special occasion, raised out of the dust, but after this whether it were laid down in dust again, or carryed into Heaven it is not for us to determine, it may be either according to the Analogy of the Christian Faith: if his body returned to corruption again, surely it is a great honour that it was raised up for this special use, I say it was a great joy to these Prophets to see all their predictions fulfilled in Christ. If we say it entered into Glory? what inconvenience was there; If God would indulge him this peculiar Prerogative to be raised from the dead, and enjoy blessedness both in soul and body before the last day. He granted it to Enoch and Elias, and those who came out of their Graves after Christs death, Matth. 27. 53. the great Harvest is at the last day, but some first-fruits before.
Secondly, Their Conference with our Saviour; they talked with him saith Matthew, they spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Ierusalem saith Luke; they talked with Christ not with the Apostles, here is an Apparition to them, but no parley and intercourse between them and the glorified Saints. The Saints that are glorified are out of the sphere of commerce of the living, nay it is a question whether they heard at all what was said to Christ, but of that in the next verse.
Here observe three things.
1. What they spake of Christs death.
2. The notion by which his death is set forth, it is foreign.
3. The necessity of undergoing it, in the word foreign, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
1. What they spake of none could divine, unless it had been told us, and the Evangelist Luke telleth us, that it was of his death. This Argument was chosen.
1. Because it was at hand, the next solemn Mediatory Action after this was his Death and Bloody sufferings, after he was Transfigured in the Mount, he went down to suffer at Ierusalem.
2. This was an offence to the Apostles that their Master should dye, Matth. 16. 22, 23. Then Peter took him and began to rebuke him saying, be it far from thee, Lord, this shall not be unto thee.
3. This was the Jews stumbling block, 1 Cor. 1. 23. We Preach Christ Crucified to the Iews a stumbling block.
4. This was prefigured in the Rites of the Law, foretold in the Writings of the Prophets. In the figures of the Law it was represented, Heb. 9. 22. and almost all things are by the Law purged with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no Remission, especially the Apostle urgeth the entring of the High Priest with Blood to the Mercy-seat, verse 23, 24. All the legal Sacrifices were slain, & their blood brought before the Lord. So the predictions of the Prophets, Isa. 53. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, he hath put him to grief, when thou shalt make thy soul an offering for sin, &c. And Dan. 9. 26. The Messias shall be cut off but not for himself. In short, that Christ should dye for the sins of the World, was the great thing represented in the Law and Prophets. Rabbi Simeon and Rabbi Hadersim out of Daniel, that after Messias had Preached half seven years he shall be slain.
5. It was necessary that by death he should come to his Glory of which now some glympse and foretast was given to him, Luke 24. 46. Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and rise from the dead the third day, that is, with respect to the predictions, verse 44. All those things which were written in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets and the Book of Psalms concerning me may be fulfilled, and again Luke 24. 21, 26. Oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the Prophets have spoken, ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to have entered into his Glory.
6. The Redemption of the Church by Christ is the talk and discourse we shall have in Heaven, the Angels and Glorified Spirits are blessing, and praising him for this, Rev. 5. 9. Thou art worthy for thou wert slain, and hast Redeemed us to God by thy Blood. The Angels verse 12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and streneth and glory, and honour and blessing. The Redeemed Church and glorified Saints and Angels have all one song and one praise, the honour of the Lamb that was slain.
7. It is an instructive pattern to us, that Christ in the midst of his Transfiguration, and the Glory, which was then put upon him forgat not his Death. In the greatest advancements we should think of our desolution, if Christ in all his Glory discoursed of his death, surely it more becommeth us, as necessary for us to prevent the surfeit of Worldly pleasures; we should think of the change that is comming, For surely every man at his best estate is vanity, Psalm 39. 5. In some places they were wont to present a deaths head at their solemn Feasts; merry dayes will not alwayes last, death will soon put an end to the vain pleasures we enjoy here, and the most shining glory will be burnt out to a snuff.
2. The notion by which his Death is expressed, his decease foreign, which signifies the going out of this Life into another, which is to be noted.
1. In respect unto Christ his death was foreign, for he went out of this mortal Life into Glory, and so it implyeth both his suffering Death, and also his Resurrection, Act. 2. 24. God hath raised him up, having loosed the pains of Death, because it was impossible he should be holden of it. The Grave was like a Woman ready to be delivered, it suffered Throws till this blessed burden was egested.
2. With respect to us Peter calls his death foreign, 2 Pet. 1. 15. I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease, the death of the Godly is a going out but from sin, and sorrow, to glory, and immortality, as Israels going out of Egypt, (whence the second Book of Moses is called Exodus) was no destruction and cessation of their being, but a going out of the House of Bondage into Liberty. Paul saith, I desire to be dissolved, foreign, Phil. 1. 23. a setting sail for the other World. In Scripture language the body is the House, the soul is the Inhabitant, 2 Cor. 5. 1. We know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were disslolved, we have a building of God, an House not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. The soul dwelleth in the body as a Man in a House, and death is but a departure out of one House into another not, an extinction but a going from House to House.
3. The necessity of undergoing it, in the word foreign, this word accomplish noteth three things.
1. His Mediatorial duty, with a respect to Gods Ordination, and Decree declared in the Prophesies of the old Testament, which when they are fulfilled are said to be accomplished. Whatsoever Christ did in the work of Redemption was with respect to Gods Will and Eternal Decree, Acts 4. 28. To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel determined before to be done. Now this was the more binding being it was a declared counsel in the Prophesies and Figures of the Old Testament, therefore Christ cryed out at his death, Iohn 19. 30. It is finished, or accomplished. Meaning principally that the Prophesies, and Figures, and Types which prefigured his death were all now accomplished.
2. His voluntary submission which he should accomplish, noteth his Active and voluntary concurrence; it is an active word not passive, not to be fulfilled upon him, but by him; for though his death in regard of his Enemies was violent and enforced, yet he voluntarily underwent it for our sakes: no man could have taken his Life from him unless he had laid it down, Iohn 10. 18. it was not forced upon him, but he yielded to it by a voluntary dispensation; as to men it was an act of violence, but as to his Father, it was an act of obedience; as to us, an act of Love; on Christs part his Enemies could not have touched him against his Will, as indeed they cannot also one hair of our heads but as God permitteth.
3. That it was the eminent Act of his Humiliation, for this cause he assumed humane Nature: his Humiliation begun at his Birth, continued in his Life, and was accomplished in dying; all was nothing without this for less could not serve the turn, then the death of the Son of God: then all sufferings were undergone which were necessary to take away sin, therefore there is a consummation or perfection attributed to the death of Christ, Heb. 10. 14. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are Sanctified, there is done enough to expiate sin to open a way to Heaven and Happiness, this accomplisheth all that is necessary, by way of Merit and Satisfaction.
Now what shall we learn from hence, for surely such solemn actions of Christ were not in vain.
I. A notable Argument to confirm the Christian Faith, namely, the consent between the Law and the Prophets, and Christ: for Moses and Elias are all Christs Ministers and Servants agreeing in one with him; and therefore appear at his Transfiguration where he is proclaimed to be the beloved Son of God, and the great Doctor of the Church, whom all are bound to hear under pain of Damnation.
I will prove two things,
First, The Necessity of this Appearance both to the Iews, and us Gentiles.
1. To the Iews in that Age, for there were three Opinions concerning Christ, some had a blasphemous Opinion of him, as if he were an Impostor, and called him Samaritane, and Devil; so the chief Priests and Pharisees. Matth. 27. 63. We remember that that Deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three dayes I will rise again. And Matth. 12. 24. This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Generally they looked upon him as an Enemy to Moses; Ioh. 9. 29. We know that God spake to Moses, as for this fellow we know not whence he is. Others had a more moderate Opinion, who were alarum'd by his Miracles, and convinced by his Holiness, Mar. 6. 14, 15, 16. Some said it is Elias, others said it is a Prophet, Ieremias or one of the prophets, but Herod said it is Iohn whom I beheaded, who is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Herods Conscience could not digest Iohns Murder, therefore he twice saith it is Iohn, it must needs be Iohn. The third Opinion was that of the Disciples, Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God, Ioh. 6. 69. Now to set all at rights, to confute the blasphemous Iews, to rectifie the moderate Iews, to confirm the Disciples, here come Moses and Elias to justifie him; they would not have owned him if a Blasphemer and Impostor; nor have come from Heaven to honour him, and do him homage, if he had been an ordinary Prophet; therefore they appear in Glory, and talk with him of his Death.
2. With respect to the Modern Iews, and us Gentiles; this Apparition was necessary to confirm us in the Faith both of Christs Person and Office; that he was the great Teacher sent from Heaven, to make known the way of Salvation to lapsed Mankind, and Moses and Elias must be hereafter silent, now the great Prophet and Doctor of the Church is brought forth, and no other Revelation or Dispensation is to be expected or regarded, now he is brought forth. There is need that this should be sufficiently evidenced, partly because Christ had the Law of Moses to repeal, which was well known to the Iews to be Gods own Law, or else they and every true Subject of God might refuse to obey him; partly because he had a new Law to promulgate, even the Law of Faith and Gospel Ordinances; and so must manifest his Authority before they can be received and submitted unto with that firm Assent and Consent which is necessary; partly, because he himself was to be received and entertained as the Redeemer of the World, who had Expiated our sins by his Decease at Ierusalem, which was a new work, yet Mans Salvation lay upon it. And his Death there was Clouded with many Prejudices; for they put him to death as a false Prophet, guilty of Blasphemy and Sedition: Therefore it needed to be made manifest that such a Man of Sorrows, reckoned among Transgressors, was the Saviour and Redeemer of the World.
Secondly, The Sufficiency of this Evidence. For if Moses and Elias appear in Glory to Countenance this Dispensation, and declare their hearty Concurrence and Consent; there is no Reason Iew or Gentile should scruple it; if Moses the Lawgiver, and Elias so zealous for the Law, consent; why should the Iew refuse the Gospel so agreeable to their Dispensation, or the Gentiles question a Doctrine so long agoe manifested to the Church by God long before Christ and his Apostles were in being. Those that lived in so many different Ages, could not lay their Heads together to cheat the World with an untruth. There is a double Argument may be drawn hence.
1. The Matter of Fact; Moses and Elias did appear to Witness their Consent. Now this dependeth upon the Testimony of the Apostles present, whose Testimony was by other means ratified and made valuable, 2 Pet. 1. 16, 17, 18. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the father, honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from Heaven, we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.
2. Their Consent in Doctrine, which is obvious in all their Writings, the Apostles related nothing concerning Christ, but what Moses and the Prophets had foretold, and what was History in the New Testament was Prophesie in the Old; either as to the Person of Christ, or as to his Kingdom, the Duties and Priviledges thereof; Ioh. 5. 39. Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal Life, and they are them that testifie of me. So Ver. 45, 46, 47. Do not think that I will accuse you to the father, there is one that accuseth you, even Moses in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me, for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how will ye believe my words? The Old Testament beareth witness of Christs Person, Natures, Offices, Birth, Life, Sufferings, and the Glory that should ensue, 2 Pet. 1. 19, 20, 21. We have also a more sure word of prophesie, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. Knowing this first, that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation. For the prophesie came not in old time by the will of men, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost. The Apostles taught the same things the Prophets had written, only applyed them to Jesus of Nazareth whom they had Crucified, that they might know that he was Lord and Christ. The Heathens take notice that at that time when Christ appeared, there was Vetus & constans Fama; Sueton. Ex antiquis sacerdotum libris Tacitus. That their King Messiah should come.
USES.
1. For Confutation of the Iews, and to shew their obstinacy in not receiving Christ as the Messiah, God had told Moses, Deut. 18. 18. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words into his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him, and whosoever will not hearken unto him, I will require it of him. Which cannot be understood of any other Prophet, but Christ the Messiah, for it is said, Deut. 34. 10, 11. There arose not a Prophet in Israel like unto Moses who knew the Lord face to face in all the miracles and wonders which the Lord sent him to do. But the Messias doth match and overmatch him, he was a Man as Moses was; for the Promise was made on that occasion, let me hear the Voice of the Lord God no more, nor see this great Fire, that we dye not; saith God, they have well spoken, I will raise up a Prophet like unto thee from among their Brethren; he must be a Lawgiver as Moses, but of a more perfect Law; he must be such an One as should see God face to face; he is of a Divine Nature, approved to the World by Miracles, Signs and Wonders. As Moses was, so Christ; Moses divided the Sea as dry Land, Christ walked upon it; Moses healed the bitter Waters that were sick, Christ raised the dead: All the prejudice is, that he changed the Law of Moses into the Rites and Institutes of the Christian Religion. Answ. That was necessary the substance being once come, that the Shadowes and Ceremonies should be abolished; and besides, these were proper and peculiar to one Nation in the World, namely Iudaea; the Exercise permitted but in one only place of that Country, namely Ierusalem; whither they were all to repair three times each year; but the Messias Law was to be common to all men, serves for all Countries, Times, Places, Persons, for he was to be the Light of the Gentiles as well as the Glory of his people Israel, how should Nations so far distant from Ierusalem repair thrice every year; or a Woman dwelling in England or America repair thither for purification after every Child-birth, Lev. 12. When Moses delivered the Law to them, Deut. 18. 15. The Lord thy God will raise thee up a Prophet like unto me, unto him shalt thou hearken. And the Prophets when they prophesie of his Law, Isa. 2. 3. The Law shall go forth out of Sion, and the word of God from Ierusalem. Moses's Law was published from Sinai, not from Sion; but the preaching of the Gospel begun at Ierusalem, and from thence was spread over all the World. Again it is said, Isa. 42. 4. The Isles shall wait for his Law; that is the Maritime Countries. I pursue it no farther now.
2. To us Christians. Our Religion is true, Oh let us be true in the profession of it; otherwise it will little help us in the day of our Accounts, 2 Thes. 1. 8. Taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. You stand upon the Vantage-ground, but are not Taller in Stature than Heathens and Iews. Disciples in Name, not in Deed; Ioh. 8. 31. If ye continue in my words, then are ye my disciples indeed: Christians of Letter, not of the Spirit. Oh Reverence Christ, if Moses and Elias did him Homage. When we have found Truth let us look after Life; and having owned the true Religion express the Power of it.
II. The next thing we learn is the Necessity and Value of Christs Death. For Moses and Elias insist upon his Decease at Ierusalem; which quite contradicteth the Iewish deceit and establisheth the Christian Hope. The Death of Christ for our Redemption is the great Article of the Christian Faith, the thing foretold and prefigured by Law and Prophets, Luk. 24. 44. and the ground of our Comfort and Peace, Isa. 53. 4, 5. Surely he hath born our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our Transgressions, he was bruised for our Iniquities, the chastisement of our Peace was upon him, and with his stripes are we healed.
Let us Consider, 1. The Notions by which Christs Death is set forth.
2. The Necessity of it.
First, The Notions by which Christs death is set forth. Two solemn ones: A Ransom; And, A Mediatorial Sacrifice.
1. A Ransom; foreign Mat. 20. 28. foreign, 1 Tim. 2. 6. Who gave himself a Ransom for all. A Ransome is a Price given to a Judge, or one that hath power of life and death, for to save the life of one capitally Guilty, or by Law bound to suffer death, or some other evil and punishment. This was our Case, God was the supream Judge, before whose Tribunal Man standeth guilty, and liable to death; but Christ interposed that we might be spared, Iob 33. 24. deliver him from going down to the Pit, for I have found a Ransom. There is a Price or Recompence given in our stead.
2. A Mediatorial Sacrifice, Isa. 53. 3: When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin: Eph. 5. 2. Christ hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. He hath undertook the Expiation of our sins, and the propitiating of God; Gods provoked Justice would not acquit the Controversie it had against us, till it were appeased by a proper Sacrifice; 1 Ioh. 2. 2. He is the propitiation for our sins.
Secondly, The Necessity of it.
1. The sins and guilty Fears of Mankind, needeth such a Remedy; we are naturally sensible that the punishment of death is deserved and due to us by the Law of God, Rom. 1. 32. They which commit such things are worthy of death. Now these Fears are not easily appeased, Micah 6. 6, 7. Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow my self before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of Oyle? Shall I give my first-horn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my seul? Christ came and died to free us from them, that we might serve God chearfully, Heb. 2. 14, 15. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil, Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living God.
2. The Glory of God requires it.
1. To declare his Justice, Rom. 3. 25, 26. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to delare his Righteousness, for the Remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare I say at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Iesus. If God will pardon sin, there must be a fit means to keep up the Honour of his Justice, and the Authority of his Law; for sin is not a wrong done to a private party offended, but a disobedience to Authority, and disturbeth the order of Government.
2. To declare his Holiness, that he is a Pure and Holy God hating sin. This was demonstrated in the Sufferings of Christ, and the dear rate at which it was expiated: for if this was done in the green Tree, what shall be done in the dry.
USES.
1: Oh then be affected with this great Mistery, the death which the Son of God accomplished at Ierusalem; look upon it under a double Notion, with respect to his Fathers Command, it was an Act of Obedience, carried on with such Humility, Patience, Self-denial, Resignation of himself to God, Charity, Pity, as the like cannot be done by Man or Angel, Rom. 5. 19. by the obedience of one many were made Righteous. Phil. 2. 7. He humbled himself, and became obedient to the death, even the death of the Cross; this commendeth Obedience to us. it was an Act of Love, Gal. 2. 20. Who loved me and gave himself for me. Rev. 1. 5. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood. He thought no price too dear for our Salvation, let us love him again who loved us first; 1 Ioh. 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us. And be contented to suffer with him and for him, that we may enter into his Glory; Rom. 8. 17. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together, if he call us thereunto.
2. Feel the Vertue of it in Heart and Conscience. In Heart, by our dying to sin, then we are planted into the likeness of his death; Rom. 6. 5. They that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof. Gal. 5. 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live unto righteousness. Then Glory in it, Gal. 6. 14. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross of our Lord Iesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. In Conscience, 1 Ioh. 5. 10: He that believeth in the son of God hath the witness in himself, &c. Heb. 12. 24. And to Iesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel; doth it appease our guilty fears, and purge our Consciences from the stain and guilt of sin.
III. The State of Future Glory and Felicity.
1. The dead in the Lord are not perished, but live for ever with God in Heaven; for here they appear long after their departure hence, Luk. 20. 38. He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live unto him. They all live to God though they are gone out of the sphere of our commerce, they have another Life with God. Now fix this in your hearts, for many carry it so as if there were no Immortality or Life to come; we do not vanish into the Air when we die; Moses is somewhere, and Elias somewhere, in the Hand of God, and can appear when God will have them.
2. The Saints appeared in a true, and in their own Bodies, to establish the Faith of the Resurrection; their bodies were reserved for this use; one of them was already in Glory in soul and body, the other now raised out of the dust after many years Burial; and why cannot God gather up our dust again and enliven it, that we may accompany Christ at his coming.
3. This Instance sheweth also the Degrees of Glory. All the Saints have their Portion in Bliss, but not a just equality. Moses and Elias appeared in Glory, not Enoch; nor were any of the rest admitted to this solemnity. Here were three choice disciples, when the rest stood at a remote distance; so two glorified Saints, but the rest not admitted to this Honour, but stood waiting for his glorious Ascension. There is difference on Earth in the Worldly State, some have greater Riches, Honours and Dignity than others; difference in the Church, both in Gifts and Graces; yea a difference in Hell, some have a hotter, others a cooler punishment; so in Heaven, according to eminency in Holiness and Faithfulness with God; otherwise there would not be a suitableness in Gods dispensations.
4. The perfect subjection of the glorified spirits to the will of God, either to remain in the Vision of God, or to be imployed in the service of their Redeemer; we should think that a self-denial, which they count an Happiness, to come from Heaven to Mount Tabor; they take up, or lay down a body, as God pleaseth. Heaven is a state not onelyonly of perfect Happiness, but of exact conformity to God.
5. We shall have the Company of the Blessed Saints in Heaven. The disciples here did not onelyonly enjoy the company and sight of Christ, but the company and sight of Moses and Elias, being glorified Saints; so in the Heavenly Life; Mat. 8. 11. It is made a part of our blessedness in the Kingdome of God, to sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob; And Heb. 12. 23. Ye are come to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. Here we are ioyned to them by Faith and Hope; there by sight and Fellowship. The company of wicked Men is now grievous and tedious to us, Ezek. 2. 6. but we shall have better company hereafter, here we often part with our choicest Friends and Acquaintance, but there we shall meet and never part more; It is not to be imagined but that we shall have the comfort of our glorified Fellowcreatures. The Body hath its Objects and Felicity fit for a Body.
6. The Saints shall know one another, as the disciples knew Moses and Elias, though not by Countenance, having never seen them before, but by Revelation; Christ told them who they were, and we who have known before our old Acquaintance shall know them again. Memory is not abolished, but perfected; we shall make one body, one society; now we shall not converse as strangers, Abraham knew Lazarus, Luk. 16. 25. Ministers, 1 Thes. 2. 19. What is our hope or joy or crown of Rejoycing, are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his coming. Christs Argument, Luk. 16. 9. Make to your selves friends of the mamon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Angels know not onelyonly themselves, but all the Elect now; how else do they Minister about them, they know the least believer, Math. 18. 10. Take heed that ye offend not one of these little ones, for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. And they are at length to gather them from the four Winds, Matth. 13. 41. The son of man shall send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do offend.
7. The Conference of the Blessed Saints; we shall be with them, speak to them, hear them speak to us, though not after an earthly manner. We have now Bodies, and so Tongues and Lips, which are the Instrument of Speech; Ears, which are the Instruments of Hearing; now these would seem vain, and to no purpose, if there were no use of Speech and Hearing. It was a blessed thing for Peter, Iames and Iohn, to stand by and hear the conference between Christ, Moses and Elias, 1 King 10. 8. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and hear thy Wisdom. Much more may it be said here.
USE. Well then, Christian Religion is True, Christs Death Necessary, Eternal Life Certain, Oh let our Time, and Hearts and Care be taken up about these great and glorious things, Meditate on them, seek after them, first begin with the sureness of Christian Doctrine, that you may lay a good Foundation that Christ is the Teacher of the Church, who hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1. 10. then penitently sue out your Pardon, in the name of Christ, depending on the Merit of his Death, and make this Eternal Life and Happiness your choice, and the scope of your Life and Conversation, 2 Cor. 4. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are Eternal.