A51838:386
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons /
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
A51838:386
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
London printed : s.n., 1685
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. To maintain a society and communion between all the parts of the family of God. When God gathered together the things in Heaven and in Earth, he brought all into subjection and dependence upon one common head, Jesus Christ; Eph. 1. 10. That in the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Men by Adoption, Angels by Transition are taken into the family of Christ. Now there is some intercourse between the several parts thereof; our goodness extendeth not to them, but is confined to the Saints on earth, in whom should be our delight, yet their help may be useful to us, they being such excellent and glorious Creatures; But we are forbidden to invoke them, or trust in them. God doth employ them in the Affairs of his people. Their help is not the fruit of our trust in them, but their obedience to God; and it is seen in frustrating the endeavours of Satan and his Instruments, and other services wherein Christ employeth them. God showed this to Jacob in the Vision of the Ladder, which stood upon Earth, and the top reached to heaven, a figure of the Providence of God, especially in and about the ⟨p. 219⟩Gospel, Joh. 1. 51. Hereafter you shall see the heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. To carry on the work of the Gospel, and to promote the glory and interest of Christs Kingdom in the World. Thus far in the general we may be confident of.
2. To maintain a society and communion between all the parts of the family of God. When God gathered together the things in Heaven and in Earth, he brought all into subjection and dependance upon one common head, Jesus Christ; Eph. 1. 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him. Men by Adoption, Angels by Transition are taken into the family of Christ. Now there is some intercourse between the several parts thereof; our goodness extendeth not to them, but is confined to the Saints on earth, in whom should be our delight, yet their help may be useful to us, they being such excellent and glorious Creatures; But we are forbidden to invoke them, or trust in them. God doth imploy them in the Affairs of his people. Their help is not the fruit of our trust in them, but their obedience to God; and it is seen in frustrating the endeavors of Satan and his Instruments, and other services wherein Christ employeth them. God shewed this to Iacob in the Vision of the Ladder, which stood upon Earth, and the top reached to heaven, a figure of the Providence of God, especially in and about the ⟨p. 219⟩Gospel, Ioh. 1. 51. Hereafter you shall see the heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. To carry on the work of the Gospel, and to promote the glory and interest of Christs Kingdom in the World. Thus far in the general we may be confident of.
3. To preserve his people from many dangers and casualties, which fall not within the foresight of man, God employeth the watchers, as they are called in the book of Daniel, chap. 4. 13, 17. for he is tender of his people, and doth all things by proper means. Now the Angels having a larger foresight than we, they are appointed to be Guardians. This they do according to Gods pleasure, preventing many dangers, which we could by no means foresee. They observe the devil in all his walks, and God useth them to prevent his sudden surprisals of his people, as Instances are many.
3. To preserve his people from many dangers and casualties, which fall not within the foresight of man, God imployeth the watchers, as they are called in the book of Daniel, chap. 4. 13, 17. for he is tender of his people, and doth all things by proper means. Now the Angels having a larger foresight than we, they are appointed to be Guardians. This they do according to Gods pleasure, preventing many dangers, which we could by no means foresee. They observe the devil in all his walkes, and God useth them to prevent his sudden surprizals of his people, as Instances are many.
4. Because they are witnesses of the Obedience and Fidelity of Christs disciples, and so far as God permitteth, they cannot but assist them in their conflicts. Thus Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 9. We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels and to men. ⟨p. 220⟩Now the Angels, that are witnesses to their combats and sufferings, cannot but make report to God, Mat. 18. 10. Take heed that ye despise 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. The Angels which are appointed by God to be their Guardians have their continual recourses and returns to Gods glorious presence. Now being so high in Gods favour, and having continual access to make their requests and complaints known to him, they will not be silent in the behalf of their fellow-servants, that either the trial may be lessened, or grace sufficient may be given to them.
4. Because they are witnesses of the Obedience and Fidelity of Christs disciples, and so far as God permitteth, they cannot but assist them in their conflicts. Thus Paul, 1 Cor. 4. 9. We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels and to men. ⟨p. 220⟩Now the Angels, that are witnesses to their combates and sufferings, cannot but make report to God, Mat. 18. 10. Take heed that ye despise 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. The Angels which are appointed by God to be their Guardians have their continual recourses and returns to Gods glorious presence. Now being so high in Gods favour, and having continual access to make their requests and complaints known to him, they will not be silent in the behalf of their fellow-servants, that either the trial may be lessened, or grace sufficient may be given to them.
5. They do not only keep off hurt, but there are many blessings and benefits, that we are partakers of by their ministry. As the Angel of the Lord delivered Peter out of Prison, Acts 12. 7. And behold the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly; and his chains fell off from his hands, &c. but he doth not give thanks to the Angel, but to God, ver. 11. Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath ⟨p. 221⟩delivered me, &c. He directeth it to God, not to the creature. The Angels do us many favours, all the thanks we do them is, that we do not offend them by our sins against God, other gratitude, they expect not.
6. Their last office is at Death and Judgment. In death to convey our souls to Christ, Luk. 16. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar dyed, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom, that so we may enjoy our rest in heaven. In the last day they will gather the bodies of Christs Redeemed ones from all parts of the World, after they have been resolved into dust, and mingled with the dust of other men, that every Saint may have his own body again, wherein he hath obeyed and glorified God. Matth. 24. 31. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. That is, from all parts and quarters of the World, that their Souls may return to their old beloved habitations, and then both in body and in soul they may be for ever with the Lord.
Now this is a great comfort to the Church and People of God, when the Powers and Principalities on earth are employed against them, to consider, what Powers and Principalities attend upon Christ. We serve such a Master, as hath authority over the holy Angels, to employ them at his pleasure, and in their darkest condition his people feel the benefit of it. As the Angel of the Lord appeared to Paul in a dreadful storm, Acts 27. 23, 24. There stood by me this night the angel of the Lord, whose I am, and whom I serve; saying, Fear not Paul, &c. So to Christ in his Agonies, Luk. 22. 43. There appeared an angel to him from heaven strengthening him. So against Satan, the good Angels are ready to comfort us, as the evil Angels are ready to trouble and tempt us. Let us then look to God, at whose direction they are sent to help and comfort us.
Now this is a great comfort to the Church and People of God, when the Powers and Principalities on earth are employed against them, to consider, what Powers and Principalities attend upon Christ. We serve such a Master, as hath authority over the holy Angels, to employ them at his pleasure, and in their darkest condition his people feel the benefit of it. As the Angel of the Lord appeared to Paul in a dreadful storm, Acts 27. 23, 24. There stood by me this night the angel of the Lord, whose I am, and whom I serve; saying, Fear not Paul, &c. So to Christ in his Agonies, Luk. 22. 43. There appeared an angel to him from heaven strengthning him. So against Satan, the good Angels are ready to comfort us, as the evil Angels are ready to trouble and tempt us. Let us then look to God, at whose direction they are sent to help and comfort us.
As he did Christ's hunger by the Ministry of Angels. Therefore till Gods power be wasted, there is no room for despair. We must not limit the Holy One of Israel to our ways and means, as they did, Psal. 78. 41. They turned back, and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Matthew 17. 1. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James and John his brother, and bringeth them into an high mountain apart. With Luke 9. 28. It came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John, and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Matthew 17. 1. And after six dayes Iesus taketh Peter, Iames and Iohn his brother, and bringeth them into an high mountain apart. With Luke 9. 28. It came to pass about an eight dayes after these sayings, he took Peter and Iohn, and Iames, and went up into a mountain to pray.
I Mean to handle the Transfiguration of Christ which was, 1. A solemn Confirmation of his Person and Office. 2. A pledge of that glorious estate which is reserved for us in Heaven.
1. It was a confirmation of his Person and Office, as appeareth Matth. 17. 5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. So Peter who was one present urgeth it, 2 Pet. 3. 16, 17, 18. We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known unto you, the power and coming of our Lord Jesus 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; and John also John 1. 14. We beheld his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, they were Eye and Earwitnesses, and therefore could affirm the certainty of this Doctrine.
1. It was a confirmation of his Person and Office, as appeareth Matth. 17. 5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. So Peter who was one present urgeth it, 2 Pet. 3. 16, 17, 18. We have not followed cunningly devised Fables when we made known unto you, the power and coming of our Lord Jesus 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; and Iohn also Iohn 1. 14. We beheld his glory, as the glory of the onely begotten of the Father, they were Eye and Earwitnesses, and therefore could affirm the certainty of this Doctrine.
2. It is a pledge of our glorious estate, for Christs Body was adorned with heavenly Glory, and he had spoken chap. 16. 27. of his coming in the glory of the Father, and now he gives his Disciples a pledge and earnest of it.
In this Introduction four things are observable. 1. The Time after six days. 2. The Persons whom he takes with him, Peter, James and John. ⟨p. 3⟩3. The Place he bringeth them to, into an high Mountain apart. 4. The Preparative action, he went up into a Mountain to pray.
In this Introduction four things are observable. 1. The Time after six days. 2. The Persons whom he takes with him, Peter, Iames and Iohn. ⟨p. 3⟩3. The Place he bringeth them to, into an high Mountain apart. 4. The Preparative action, he went up into a Mountain to pray.