A51838:487
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 ...
A51838:487
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. 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.
(3.) We shall see this Glory when fit for it, Joh. 17. 24. Father, I will that they ⟨p. 54⟩whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. The Queen of Sheba took a long Journey to behold the glory of Solomon, that was but a Temporal, Fading and Earthly Glory. Now much more Transcendent is the Glory of Christs Body in Heaven; this we shall see to all Eternity.
(3.) We shall see this Glory when fit for it, Ioh. 17. 24. Father, I will that they ⟨p. 54⟩whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me. The Queen of Sheba took a long Journey to behold the glory of Solomon, that was but a Temporal, Fading and Earthly Glory. Now much more Transcendent is the Glory of Christs Body in Heaven; this we shall see to all Eternity.
3. To show what we shall be; for Christ is the Pattern, primum in unoquoque genere, &c.
3. To shew what we shall be; for Christ is the Pattern, primum in unoquoque genere, &c.
(1.) It showeth the possibility of our having a glorified Body. When the Lord is pleased to let forth and communicate his Glory, he is able to adorn and beautify our Earthly and obscure bodies, the body of man in its composition hath a great mixture of Earth which is dark and obscure. Now God can make this clod of Earth to shine as the Star or Sun for brightness, Phil. 3. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. We are apt to say, How can it be? if we consider the infinite and absolute power of God, and this Instance of Christ, it will make it more reconcilable ⟨p. 55⟩to your thoughts, and this hard point will be of easier digestion to your Faith.
(1.) It sheweth the possibility of our having a glorified Body. When the Lord is pleased to let forth and communicate his Glory, he is able to adorn and beautifie our Earthly and obscure bodies, the body of man in its composition hath a great mixture of Earth which is dark and obscure. Now God can make this clod of Earth to shine as the Star or Sun for brightness, Phil. 3. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself. We are apt to say, How can it be? if we consider the infinite and absolute power of God, and this Instance of Christ, it will make it more reconcilable ⟨p. 55⟩to your thoughts, and this hard point will be of easier digestion to your Faith.