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MATTH. 17. 6, 7, 8. And when the Disciples heard it they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, arise be not afraid. And when they had lift up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.
MATTH. 17. 6, 7, 8. And when the Disciples heard it they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. And Iesus came and touched them, and said, arise be not afraid. And when they had lift up their eyes, they saw no man save Iesus onely.
IN this part of the History are Three Things.
1. The Disciples Fear and Astonishment, verse 6.
2. Their Comfortable and Gracious recovery by Christ, verse 7.
3. The Event and Issue of all, verse 8.
. As soon as he said to them I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground. The causes of their fear must be enquired into. These were holy men, the flower of Christs Disciples; they were men in an holy action, for Belshazzar in his cups to tremble were no news, they were not in the presence of an angry God, it was a Gospel-voice that they heard, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. They had not a full dispensation of his glory, but only a glimpse of it, and that under a cloud and revealed in Mercy; yet they were sore afraid. Upon any Visions and Apparitions of the divine Majesty, Gods Servants fell to the Earth,
. When I saw the appearance of the likeness of the Glory of God, I fell on my face; Paul when Christ appeared to him from Heaven, he fell to the Earth,
. When I saw this great vision, there was no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength, yet I heard the voice of his
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words, then was I in a deep sleep upon my face, and my face was towards the ground.
1. Their Astonishment, they fell on their faces and were sore afraid; their falling on their faces was not out of Worship, and Reverence, ⟨p. 183⟩but consternation, as those Iohn 18. 6. As soon as he said to them I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground. The causes of their fear must be enquired into. These were holy men, the flower of Christs Disciples; they were men in an holy action, for Belshazar in his cups to tremble were no news, they were not in the presence of an angry God, it was a Gospelvoice that they heard, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. They had not a full dispensation of his glory, but only a glimpse of it, and that under a cloud and revealed in Mercy; yet they were sore afraid. Upon any Visions and Apparitions of the divine Majesty, Gods Servants fell to the Earth, Ezek. 1. 28. When I saw the appearance of the likeness of the Glory of God, I fell on my face; Paul when Christ appeared to him from Heaven, he fell to the Earth, Acts 9. 4. Rev. 1. 17. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. Abraham was cast into great horrour, Gen. 15. 12. when God appeared solemnly to enter into Covenant with him. So Isa. 6. 5. Then I said, wo is me, for I am undone. So Daniel chap. 10. 8. 9. When I saw this great vision, there was no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned into corruption, and I retained no strength, yet I heard the voice of his ⟨p. 184⟩words, then was I in a deep sleep upon my face, and my face was towards the ground.
Now I shall give the special reasons why the manifestation, and appearance of God to his great Prophets did breed this astonishment and Fear. (2.) What general Note and Observation, may be concluded hence for our profit.
1. To humble them to whom he vouchsafed so great a favour. To humble them least the Glory of these heavenly Visions should too much puff them up. Therefore there was ever some weakness discovered in those that did receive them; Jacob wrestled with God, but came off halting and maimed, though he prevailed, Gen 32. 31. when he came off from seeing God face to face, he halted on his thigh. Paul was wrapped into the third Heaven, yet presently buffeted with a messenger of Satan, least he should be lifted up with the abundance of Revelations, 2 Cor. 12. 7. Corruption remaineth in us and we are not able to bear these favours, which God manifesteth to his choice Servants, and therefore there is something to humble them, in the dispensation, and to ⟨p. 185⟩keep them from being puffed up with pride, something that is a balance to the great honour wherewith God hath honoured them.
1. To humble them to whom he vouchsafed so great a favour. To humble them least the Glory of these heavenly Visions should too much puff them up. Therefore there was ever some weakness discovered in those that did receive them; Iacob wrestled with God, but came off halting and maimed, though he prevailed, Gen 32. 31. when he came off from seeing God face to face, he halted on his thigh. Paul was wrapt into the third Heaven, yet presently buffetted with a messenger of Satan, least he should be lifted up with the abundance of Revelations, 2 Cor. 12. 7. Corruption remaineth in us and we are not able to bear these favours, which God manifesteth to his choice Servants, and therefore there is something to humble them, in the dispensation, and to ⟨p. 185⟩keep them from being puffed up with pride, something that is a ballance to the great honour wherewith God hath honoured them.
2. All those that received Visions from him to teach his people, God would season them by leaving a stamp and impression of his excellency upon them. This was the preparation of the Prophets, and a preparation of the Disciples to fit them for the work of the Gospel. A due representation of Gods glory and excellent Majesty doth qualify them for their duty; they are fittest to carry Gods message and describe him to others, who are thus qualified and prepared, and have some reverence and awe of God impressed upon their own hearts, and have felt the power of his great Majesty, 2 Cor. 5. 16. Knowing the terrors of the Lord we persuade men.
2. All those that received Visions from him to teach his people, God would season them by leaving a stamp and impression of his excellency upon them. This was the preparation of the Prophets, and a preparation of the Disciples to fit them for the work of the Gospel. A due representation of Gods glory and excellent Majesty doth qualifie them for their duty; they are fittest to carry Gods message and describe him to others, who are thus qualified and prepared, and have some reverence and awe of God impressed upon their own hearts, and have felt the power of his great Majesty, 2 Cor. 5. 16. Knowing the terrors of the Lord we perswade men.
Doctrine, That God is of such glorious Excellency and Majesty, that we are not able to bear any emissions, or extraordinary Representations thereof in this state of frailty.
1. I will prove that God is a great God, and of glorious Majesty.
⟨p. 186⟩2. Give you the Reasons why we are not able to bear the extraordinary manifestations thereof in this state of frailty.
1. That God is a God of great Majesty, and ought to be reverenced by all that have to do with him. The point being a matter of sense, and evident by natural light, needeth not to be proved so much as improved.
1. Scripture representeth him as such Dan. 9. 4. He is called the great and dreadful God, so Deut. 7. 21. A Mighty God and terrible, and Nahum 1. 5. A great and terrible God is he, and again Job 37. 22. With God is terrible Majesty.
