Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /

1. The change of place, for a new temptation, he maketh choice of a new place; he could do no good on him in the wilderness, therefore he taketh him, and carrieth him into the Holy City: here was a public place where Christ might discover himself with profit, and the edification of many if he would but submit to the devils methods. In the Temple the Messiah was as in his own House, where 'twas fit the Messiah should exhibit himself to his people: There was an old Prophecy, Mal. 3. 1. The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come into his Temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in. And he was to send forth his rod out of Zion, even the Law of his Kingdom, Psal. 110. 2. If he would ⟨p. 62⟩yield to this advice, and vain glorious ostentation of his power, before that numerous multitude, which continually resorted to the Holy things performed in the Temple, how soon should he be manifested to be the Son of God, or the power of the great God. The Devil doth not persuade him to cast himself from a Rock or top of a Tree in the Desert, that had been temerity and rashness; but from a pinnacle of the Temple, an Holy place, and a place of much resort. But the Son of God was not to be discovered to the world by the Devils methods. That had been such a piece of ostentation and vain glory, as did not become the Son of God, who came to teach the World humility. But however the temptation is grievous, in so good a design, in such an Holy place, there could no ill happen to the Son of God, nor a better occasion be offered of showing himself to many, so to confirm the Jews in the Truth of the Oracle they had of late heard from Heaven.

1. The change of place, for a new temptation, he maketh choice of a new place; he could do no good on him in the wilderness, therefore he taketh him, and carryeth him into the Holy City: here was a publick place where Christ might discover himself with profit, and the edification of many if he would but submit to the devils methods. In the Temple the Messiah was as in his own House, where 'twas fit the Messiah should exhibit himself to his people: There was an old Prophesie, Mal. 3. 1. The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come into his Temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in. And he was to send forth his rod out of Sion, even the Law of his Kingdom,