A51838:484
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 ...
A51838:484
Christs temptation and transfiguration practically explained and improved in several sermons / by the late Reverend Tho. Manton ...
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. As the substance of the Body was not changed, so the Natural Shape and Features were not changed, otherwise how could it be known to be Christ, the shape and Features were the same, only a new and wonderful splendour put upon them.
2. As the substance of the Body was not changed, so the Natural Shape and Features were not changed, otherwise how could it be known to be Christ, the shape and Features were the same, onely a new and wonderful splendor put upon them.
(3.) This new and wonderful splendour was not in Imagination and Appearance only, but real and sensible. If it had been in Imagination, show and Appearance, it would make Christ like those Deceivers who would dazzle the Eyes of Beholders with a false Appearance; as Magical Impostors, or those Apish Imitators of Divine Glory; as Herod, Agrippa, of whom we read Acts 12. 21, 22, 23. how he appeared in Royal State and made an Oration, and they said, the voice of a God, and not of a Man. Josephus telleth us the manner how he sat in the Sun, with glistering Garments of Cloth of Silver, and when the Sunbeams ⟨p. 50⟩did beat upon it the People cried him up as [Greek or Hebrew] as something higher and more excellent then a Mortal Creature. No, this was not a fantastical Representation, but a real Impression of Divine Glory on the Body of Christ.
(3.) This new and wonderful splendor was not in Imagination and Appearance onely, but real and sensible. If it had been in Imagination, shew and Appearance, it would make Christ like those Deceivers who would dazle the Eyes of Beholders with a false Appearance; as Magical Impostors, or those Apish Imitators of Divine Glory; as Herod, Agrippa, of whom we read Acts 12. 21, 22, 23. how he appeared in Royal State and made an Oration, and they said, the voice of a God, and not of a Man. Iosephus telleth us the manner how he sat in the Sun, with glistering Garments of Cloath of Silver, and when the Sunbeames ⟨p. 50⟩did beat upon it the People cried him up as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 as something higher and more excellent then a Mortal Creature. No, this was not a phantastical Representation, but a real Impression of Divine Glory on the Body of Christ.
4. Although this appeared in the face chiefly, as the most conspicuous part of the Body; the Text saith, his face did shine as the Sun, yet more or less the other parts of his Body were clothed with Majesty and Glory; and thence was the splendour derived to his Garments.
4. Although this appeared in the face chiefly, as the most conspicuous part of the Body; the Text saith, his face did shine as the Sun, yet more or less the other parts of his Body were cloathed with Majesty and Glory; and thence was the splendor derived to his Garments.
2. How his Body Transfigured, differed from his glorified Body, this must be stated also, for Christ by his Transfiguration, was not admitted into the fullness of the state of Glory, but only giveth some glimpse and resemblance of it. These two Estates agree in the general Nature, but some Clarity, Glory and Majesty is put upon Christs glorified Body that was not now. But the difference is
2. How his Body Transfigured, differed from his glorified Body, this must be stated also, for Christ by his Transfiguration, was not admitted into the fulness of the state of Glory, but onely giveth some glimpse and resemblance of it. These two Estates agree in the general Nature, but some Clarity, Glory and Majesty is put upon Christs glorified Body that was not now. But the difference is
1. Partly in the degree and measure, the Clarity and Majesty of Christs glorified Body is greater and more perfect. Here is a Representation, some Delineation, but not a full exhibition of his Heavenly Glory.
2. Partly in continuance and permanency this change was not perpetual, but to endure ⟨p. 51⟩for a short time only, for it ceased before they came down from the Mount.
2. Partly in continuance and permanency this change was not perpetual, but to endure ⟨p. 51⟩for a short time onely, for it ceased before they came down from the Mount.
3. The subject or seat of this Glory differed, the Body of Christ being then Corruptible and Mortal, but now Incorruptible and Immortal. If Christs Body had been Immortal and Impassible, then Christ could not die.
4. Here are Garments, and a glorified Body shall have no other Garments than the Robes of Immortality and Glory in Heaven. Christ shall be clothed with Light as with a Garment.
Secondly, The Ends of it. By this Transfiguration God would show
Secondly, The Ends of it. By this Transfiguration God would shew
1. What Christ was. 2. What he should be. And 3. Also what we shall be.
1. What Christ was. The Dignity of his Person and Office; that he was the Eternal Son of God, and the Mediator of the New Covenant; the great Prophet whom God would raise up to his People.
(1.) The Dignity of his Person was seen, for the Transfiguration was a Ray of the Divine Glory. It was not the Addition of any Glory to Christ which he had not before, ⟨p. 52⟩but a Manifestation of the Glory which he had, though obscured under the Veil of our Flesh, for the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily; Col. 2. 9. And we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten Son of God, Joh. 1. 14. But it is said, 2 Pet. 1. 17. that he received from God the same Honour and Glory. This is spoken of him as Mediator, the glory of the Son of God Incarnate was so obscured for our sakes, that he needed this Solemn Act to represent him to the World.
(1.) The Dignity of his Person was seen, for the Transfiguration was a Ray of the Divine Glory. It was not the Addition of any Glory to Christ which he had not before, ⟨p. 52⟩but a Manifestation of the Glory which he had, though obscured under the Vail of our Flesh, for the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily; Col. 2. 9. And we beheld his glory as the glory of the onely begotten Son of God, Ioh. 1. 14. But it is said, 2 Pet. 1. 17. that he received from God the same Honour and Glory. This is spoken of him as Mediator, the glory of the Son of God Incarnate was so obscured for our sakes, that he needed this Solemn Act to represent him to the World.
(2.) His Office. The great Prophet of the Church, Hear ye him. A greater Prophet then Moses. Moses saw the Face of God, but he was in the Bosom of God: Moses his face shone, but not as Christs, for it could be hidden by a Veil; Christ darts his glory through his Garments: Moses his shining was Terrible, Christs was Comfortable, the Apostles were loth to lose the sight of it.
(2.) His Office. The great Prophet of the Church, Hear ye him. A greater Prophet then Moses. Moses saw the Face of God, but he was in the Bosom of God: Moses his face shone, but not as Christs, for it could be hidden by a Vail; Christ darts his glory through his Garments: Moses his shining was Terrible, Christs was Comfortable, the Apostles were loth to lose the sight of it.
2. To show what Christ should be; for this was a pledge with what glory he should come in his Kingdom; Matth. 16. 27. it prefigured the glory of his second coming. Thus for the Confirmation of their Faith Christ would give his Disciples a glimpse of his Glory; he knew they would be sorely assaulted and shaken, by the Ignominy of ⟨p. 53⟩his Cross. But what is all this to us? we see not his Glory.
(1.) What was once done and sufficiently Attested, needs not to be repeated, but it is a great satisfaction to us that we have a glorious head, and chief; when we suffer for him we need not be ashamed of our Sufferings, the Apostles urge this concerning us as well as them.
(2.) The immediate Manifestations of him who dwelleth in light inaccessible would undo us, while we are in our mortal Bodies. Blessed be God that he hath chosen fit means to reveal himself to us, that we may behold the glory of the Lord in a Glass, 2 Cor. 3. 18. by the Ministry of the Word and other Ordinances. The Israelites were sensible how little they could endure him who is as it were all Sun, and all Light, and all Fire, Exod. 20. 18, 19. Let not God speak to us least we dye. Elijah wrapped his Face in a Mantle, when God appeared unto him, 2 Kings 19. 13. when Christ appeared to Paul from Heaven, he trembled and was astonished, and was three days without sight, as you may see Acts 9. 9. there was a special Reason, why an Apostle should see him in Person.
(2.) The immediate Manifestations of him who dwelleth in light inaccessible would undoe us, while we are in our mortal Bodies. Blessed be God that he hath chosen fit means to reveal himself to us, that we may behold the glory of the Lord in a Glass, 2 Cor. 3. 18. by the Ministry of the Word and other Ordinances. The Israelites were sensible how little they could endure him who is as it were all Sun, and all Light, and all Fire, Exod. 20. 18, 19. Let not God speak to us least we dye. Elijah wrapt his Face in a Mantle, when God appeared unto him, 2 Kings 19. 13. when Christ appeared to Paul from Heaven, he trembled and was astonished, and was three dayes without sight, as you may see Acts 9. 9. there was a special Reason, why an Apostle should see him in Person.