A51838:497
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 ...
A51838:497
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. 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.
(2.) The certainty of it as well as the possibility, for Christ assumed our body not for Passion only, but for Glorification; that therein he might be an instance and pattern to us. For if the head be glorious, so will the members also, how base soever the people of God seem to be in this World, yet in the Life to come they shall be wonderfully glorious, Mark. 13. 43. The Righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father. So Colossians 3. 3, 4. Now our Life is hidden with Christ, but when he who is our Life shall appear, we shall appear with him in Glory, 1 John 3. 2. When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 2 Thessalonians 1. 10. Christ shall be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe, all these places show we shall be partakers of this Glory.
(2.) The certainty of it as well as the possibility, for Christ assumed our body not for Passion only, but for Glorification; that therein he might be an instance and pattern to us. For if the head be glorious, so will the members also, how base soever the people of God seem to be in this World, yet in the Life to come they shall be wonderfully glorious, Mark. 13. 43. The Righteous shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father. So Colossians 3. 3, 4. Now our Life is hidden with Christ, but when he who is our Life shall appear, we shall appear with him in Glory, 1 Iohn 3. 2. When he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 2 Thessalonians 1. 10. Christ shall be glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe, all these places shew we shall be partakers of this Glory.
3. The manner; Glorification taketh not away the substance and natural properties of the body; for there is a glorious Transfiguration, but no abolition of the ⟨p. 56⟩substance of Christs body, it was the same body of Christ before, and after Transfiguration. Glory freeth us from natural infirmities, but it doth not strip us of natural properties, Christ hath showed in his own body, what he can or will perform in ours, these same bodies but otherwise adorned, [Greek or Hebrew], and with these eyes shall I see God, Job 19. 26, 27. [Greek or Hebrew], This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, 1 Cor. 15. 53.
3. The manner; Glorification taketh not away the substance and natural properties of the body; for there is a glorious Transfiguration, but no abolition of the ⟨p. 56⟩substance of Christs body, it was the same body of Christ before, and after Transfiguration. Glory freeth us from natural infirmities, but it doth not strip us of natural properties, Christ hath shewed in his own body, what he can or will perform in ours, these same bodies but otherwise adorned, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and with these eyes shall I see God, Iob 19. 26, 27. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, 1 Cor. 15. 53.
1. Be Transformed, that you may be Transfigured, be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, Rom. 12. 2. the change must begin in the Soul, 2 Cor. 3. 18. and thence it is conveyed to the Body; the lustre of Grace maketh way for the splendour of Glory, Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more to the perfect day. The way of the wicked is an increasing darkness, Ignorance, Sin, outer Darkness.
1. Be Transformed, that you may be Transfigured, be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds, Rom. 12. 2. the change must begin in the Soul, 2 Cor. 3. 18. and thence it is conveyed to the Body; the lustre of Grace maketh way for the splendor of Glory, Prov. 4. 18. The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more to the perfect day. The way of the wicked is an encreasing darkness, Ignorance, Sin, outer Darkness.
2. Be contented to be like Christ in reproaches, disgraces, and neglect in the ⟨p. 57⟩World, that you may be like him in Glory, bear the reproach of Christ, Heb. 13. 13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the Camp bearing his reproach, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater riches then the Treasures of Egypt; prefer it before all earthly honour, Acts 5. 41. And they departed from the Council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, and 2 Sam. 6. 22. I will yet be more vile and base in my own sight. Your Lord is a glorious Lord, and he can put Glory upon you.
2. Be contented to be like Christ in reproaches, disgraces, and neglect in the ⟨p. 57⟩World, that you may be like him in Glory, bear the reproach of Christ, Heb. 13. 13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the Camp bearing his reproach, Heb. 11. 26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ, greater riches then the Treasures of Egypt; prefer it before all earthly honour, Acts 5. 41. And they departed from the Councel rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, and 2 Sam. 6. 22. I will yet be more vile and base in my own sight. Your Lord is a glorious Lord, and he can put Glory upon you.
3. To wean our hearts from all humane and earthly glory; what is a glorious House to the Palace of Heaven; glorious Garments to the Robes of Immortality? The glory of Christ should put out the glory of these petty stars, that shine in the World, as the Sun puts out the fire. We have higher things to mind; it is not for Eagles to catch Flies, or Princes to embrace the dunghill.
3. To wean our hearts from all humane and earthly glory; what is a glorious House to the Palace of Heaven; glorious Garments to the Robes of Immortality? The glory of Christ should put out the glory of these petty stars, that shine in the World, as the Sun puts out the fire. We have higher things to mind; it is not for Eagles to catch Flyes, or Princes to embrace the dunghill.
4. Since this glory is for the Body, do not debase the Body, to make it an instrument of sin, 1 Thess. 4. 4. Possess your vessels in Sanctification and Honour, do not offend ⟨p. 58⟩God to gratify the Body, as they do, Rom. 14. 13. who make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Do not spare the body to do God service, Acts 26. 7. Unto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope for to come, for which hopes sake, King Agrippa I am accused of the Jews, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
4. Since this glory is for the Body, do not debase the Body, to make it an instrument of sin, 1 Thess. 4. 4. Possess your vessels in Sanctification and Honour, do not offend ⟨p. 58⟩God to gratifie the Body, as they do, Rom. 14. 13. who make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Do not spare the body to do God service, Acts 26. 7. Unto which promise our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night hope for to come, for which hopes sake, King Agrippa I am accused of the Iews, 2 Cor. 7. 1. Having therefore these promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
MATTH. 17. 3. And behold there appeared to unto him Moses and Elijah talking with him. With LUKE 9. 30, 31. And behold there talked with him two men, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
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.
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.