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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>M A T T H E W.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XVII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter we have,
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I. Christ in his pomp and glory transfigured,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:1-3">ver. 1-13</A>.
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II. Christ in his power and grace, casting the devil out of a child,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:14-21">ver. 14-21</A>.
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And,
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III. Christ in his poverty and great humiliation,
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1. Foretelling his own sufferings,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:22,23">ver. 22, 23</A>.
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2. Paying tribute,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:24-27">ver. 24-27</A>.
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So that here is Christ, the Brightness of his Father's glory, by
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himself purging our sins, paying our debts, and destroying for us him
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that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Thus were the several
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indications of Christ's gracious intentions admirable interwoven.</P>
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</FONT>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Transfiguration of Christ.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his
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brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart,
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2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as
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the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
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3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking
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with him.
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4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good
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for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three
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tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
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5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
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and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my
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beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
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6 And when the disciples heard <I>it,</I> they fell on their face,
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and were sore afraid.
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7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not
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afraid.
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8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save
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Jesus only.
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9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them,
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saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen
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again from the dead.
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10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the
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scribes that Elias must first come?
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11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall
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first come, and restore all things.
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12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they
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knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.
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Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
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13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of
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John the Baptist.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here thee story o Christ's transfiguration; he ha said that the
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<I>Son of man should</I> shortly <I>come in his kingdom,</I> with which
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promise all the three evangelists industriously connect this story; as
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if Christ's transfiguration were intended for a specimen and an earnest
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of the kingdom of Christ, and of that light and love of his, which
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therein appears to his select and sanctified ones. Peter speaks of this
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as <I>the power and coming of our Lord Jesus</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:16">2 Pet. i. 16</A>);
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because it was an emanation of his power, and a previous notice of his
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coming, which was fitly introduced by such prefaces.</P>
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<P>
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When Christ was here in his humiliation, though his state, in the main,
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was a state of abasement and afflictions, there were some glimpses of
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his glory intermixed, that he himself might be the more encouraged in
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his sufferings, and others the less offended. His birth, his baptism,
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his temptation, and his death, were the most remarkable instances of
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his humiliation; and these were each of them attended with some signal
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points of glory, and the smiles of heaven. But the series of his public
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ministry being a continued humiliation, here, just in the midst of
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that, comes in this discovery of his glory. As, now that he is in
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heaven, he has his condescensions, so, when he was on earth, he had his
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advancements.</P>
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<P>
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Now concerning Christ's transfiguration, observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. The circumstances of it, which are here noted,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. The time; <I>six days</I> after he had the solemn conference with
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his disciples,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:21"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 21</A>.
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St. Luke saith, <I>It was about eight days after,</I> six whole days
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intervening, and this the eighth day, that day seven-night. Nothing is
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recorded to be said or done by our Lord Jesus for six days before his
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transfiguration; thus, before some great appearances, <I>there was
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silence in heaven for the space of half an hour,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+8:1">Rev. viii. 1</A>.
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<I>Then</I> when Christ seems to be doing nothing for his church,
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expect, ere long, something more than ordinary.</P>
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<P>
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2. The place; it was <I>on top of a high mountain apart.</I> Christ
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chose a mountain,
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(1.) As a secret place. He went apart; for though a city upon a hill
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can hardly be hid, two or three persons upon a hill can hardly be
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found; therefore their private oratories were commonly on mountains.
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Christ chose a retired place to be transfigured in, because his
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appearing publicly in his glory was not agreeable to his present state;
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and thus he would show his humility, and teach us that privacy much
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befriends our communion with God. Those that would maintain intercourse
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with Heaven, must frequently withdraw from the converse and business of
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this world; and they will find themselves never less alone than when
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alone, for the Father is with them.
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(2.) Though a sublime place, elevated above things below. Note, Those
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that would have a transforming fellowship with God, must not only
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retire, but ascend; lift up their hearts, and <I>seek things above.</I>
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The call is, <I>Come up hither,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+4:1">Rev. iv. 1</A>.</P>
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<P>
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3. The witnesses of it. He took with him Peter and James and John.
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(1.) He took three, a competent number to testify what they should see;
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for <I>out of the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be
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established.</I> Christ makes his appearances certain enough, but not
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too common; <I>not to all the people, but to witnesses</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+10:41">Acts x. 41</A>),
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that they might be blessed, who have not seen, and yet have believed.
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(2.) He took these three because they were the chief of his disciples,
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the first three of the worthies of the Son of David; probably they
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excelled in gifts and graces; they were Christ's favourites, singled
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out to be the witnesses of his retirements. They were present when he
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raised the damsel to life,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+5:37">Mark v. 37</A>.
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They were afterward to be the witnesses of his agony, and this was to
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prepare them for that. Note, A sight of Christ's glory, while we are
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here in this world, is a good preparative for our sufferings with him,
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as these are preparatives for the sight of his glory in the other
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world. Paul, who had abundance of trouble, had abundance of
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revelations.</P>
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<P>
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II. The manner of it
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>);
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<I>He was transfigured before them.</I> The substance of his body
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remained the same, but the accidents and appearances of it were greatly
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altered; he was not turned into a spirit, but his body, which had
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appeared in weakness and dishonour, now appeared in power and glory.
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<I>He was transfigured,</I> <B><I>metamorphothe</I></B>--<I>he was
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metamorphosed.</I> The profane poets amused and abused the world with
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idle extravagant stories of metamorphoses, especially the metamorphoses
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of their gods, such as were disparaging and diminishing to them,
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equally false and ridiculous; to these some think Peter has an eye,
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when, being about to mention this transfiguration of Christ, he saith,
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<I>We have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made it known
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unto you,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:16">2 Pet. i. 16</A>.
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Christ was both God and man; but, in the days of his flesh, he took on
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him the <I>form of a servant</I>--<B><I>morphen doulou</I></B>,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:7">Phil. ii. 7</A>.
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He drew a veil over the glory of his godhead; but now, in his
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transfiguration, he put by that veil, appeared <B><I>en morphe
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theou</I></B>--in the form of God
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:6">Phil. ii. 6</A>),
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and gave his disciples a glimpse of his glory, which could not but
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change his form.</P>
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<P>
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The great truth which we declare, is, that <I>God is light</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:5">1 John i. 5</A>),
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<I>dwells in the light</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:16">1 Tim. vi. 16</A>),
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<I>covers himself with light,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:2">Ps. civ. 2</A>.
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And therefore when Christ would appear in the <I>form of God,</I> he
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appeared <I>in light,</I> the most glorious of all visible beings, the
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first-born of the creation, and most nearly resembling the eternal
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Parent. Christ is <I>the Light;</I> while he was in the world, he
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<I>shined in darkness,</I> and therefore <I>the world knew him not</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:5,10">John i. 5, 10</A>);
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but, at this time, that Light shined out of the darkness.</P>
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<P>
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Now his transfiguration appeared in two things:</P>
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<P>
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1. <I>His face did shine as the sun.</I> The face is the principal part
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of the body, by which we are known; therefore such a brightness was put
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on Christ's face, that face which afterward <I>he hid not from shame
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and spitting.</I> It shone as the sun when he goes forth in his
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strength, so clear, so bright; for he is the Sun of righteousness, the
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Light of the world. The face of Moses shone but as the moon, with a
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borrowed reflected light, but Christ's shone as the sun, with an innate
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inherent light, which was the more sensibly glorious, because it
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suddenly broke out, as it were, from behind a black cloud.</P>
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<P>
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2. <I>His raiment was white as the light.</I> All his body was altered,
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as his face was; so that beams of light, darting from every part
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through his clothes, made them white and glittering. The shining of the
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face of Moses was so weak, that it could easily be concealed by a thin
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veil; but such was the glory of Christ's body, that his clothes were
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enlightened by it.</P>
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<P>
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III. The companions of it. He will come, at last, <I>with ten thousands
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of his saints;</I> and, as a specimen of that, there now <I>appeared
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unto them Moses and Elias talking with him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Observe,
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1. There were glorified saints attending him, that, when there were
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<I>three to bear record on earth,</I> Peter, James, and John, there
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might be some to bear record from heaven too. Thus here was a lively
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resemblance of Christ's kingdom, which is made up of saints in heaven
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and saints on earth, and to which belong <I>the spirits of just men
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made perfect.</I> We see here, that they who are fallen asleep in
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Christ are not perished, but exist in a separate state, and shall be
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forthcoming when there is occasion.
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2. These two were Moses and Elias, men very eminent in their day. They
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had both fasted forty days and forty nights, as Christ did, and wrought
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other miracles, and were both remarkable at their going out of the
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world as well as in their living in the world. Elias was carried to
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heaven in a fiery chariot, and died not. The body of Moses was never
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found, possibly it was preserved from corruption, and reserved for this
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appearance. The Jews had great respect for the memory of Moses and
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Elias, and therefore they came to witness of him, they came to carry
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tidings concerning him to the upper world. In them the law and the
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prophets honoured Christ, and bore testimony to him. Moses and Elias
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appeared to the disciples; they saw them, and heard them talk, and,
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either by their discourse or by information from Christ, they knew them
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to be Moses and Elias; glorified saints shall know one another in
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heaven. They talked with Christ. Note, Christ has communion with the
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blessed, and will be no stranger to any of the members of that
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glorified corporation. Christ was now to be sealed in his prophetic
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office, and therefore these two great prophets were fittest to attend
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him, as transferring all their honour and interest to him; for <I>in
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these last days God speaks to us by his Son,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:1">Heb. i. 1</A>.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The great pleasure and satisfaction that the disciples took in the
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sight of Christ's glory. Peter, as usual, spoke or the rest; <I>Lord,
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it is good for us to be here.</I> Peter here expresses,</P>
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<P>
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1. The delight they had in this converse; <I>Lord, it is good to be
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here.</I> Though upon a high mountain, which we may suppose rough and
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unpleasant, bleak and cold, yet <I>it is good to be here.</I> He speaks
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the sense of his fellow-disciples; It is good not only for <I>me,</I>
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but for <I>us.</I> He did not covet to monopolize this favour, but
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gladly takes them in. He saith this to Christ. Pious and devout
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affections love to pour out themselves before the Lord Jesus. The soul
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that loves Christ, and loves to be with him, loves to go and tell him
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so; <I>Lord, it is good for us to be here.</I> This intimates a
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thankful acknowledgment of his kindness in admitting them to this
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favour. Note, Communion with Christ is the delight of Christians. All
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the disciples of the Lord Jesus reckon it is good for them to be with
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him in the holy mount. It is good to be here where Christ is, and
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whither he brings us along with him by his appointment; it is good to
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be here, retired and alone with Christ; to be here, where we may behold
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the beauty of the Lord Jesus,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:4">Ps. xxvii. 4</A>.
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It is pleasant to hear Christ compare notes with Moses and the
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prophets, to see how all the institutions of the law, and all the
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predictions of the prophets, pointed at Christ, and were fulfilled in
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him.</P>
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<P>
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2. The desire they had of the continuance of it; <I>Let us make here
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three tabernacles.</I> There was in this, as in many other of Peter's
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sayings, a mixture of weakness and of goodwill, more zeal than
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discretion.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) Here was a zeal for this converse with heavenly things, a laudable
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complacency in the sight they had of Christ's glory. Note, Those that
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by faith <I>behold the beauty of the Lord</I> in his house, cannot but
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desire to <I>dwell there all the days of their life.</I> It is good
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|
having a nail in God's holy place
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+9:8">Ezra ix. 8</A>),
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a constant abode; to be in holy ordinances as a man at home, not as a
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wayfaring man. Peter thought this mountain was a fine spot of ground to
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build upon, and he was for making tabernacles there; as Moses in the
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wilderness made a tabernacle for the Shechinah, or divine glory.</P>
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<P>
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It argued great respect for his Master and the heavenly guests, with
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some commendable forgetfulness of himself and his fellow-disciples,
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that he would have tabernacles for Christ, and Moses, and Elias, but
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|
none for himself. He would be content to lie in the open air, on the
|
|
cold ground, in such good company; if his Master have but where to lay
|
|
his head, no matter whether he himself has or no.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Yet in this zeal he betrayed a great deal of weakness and
|
|
ignorance. What need had Moses and Elias of tabernacles? They belonged
|
|
to that blessed world, <I>where they hunger no more, nor doth the sun
|
|
light upon them.</I> Christ had lately foretold his sufferings, and
|
|
bidden his disciples expect the like; Peter forgets this, or, to
|
|
prevent it, will needs be building tabernacles in the mount of glory,
|
|
out of the way of trouble. Still he harps upon, <I>Master, spare
|
|
thyself,</I> though he had been so lately checked for it. Note, There
|
|
is a proneness in good men to expect the crown without the cross. Peter
|
|
was for laying hold of this as the prize, though he had not yet fought
|
|
his fight, nor finished his course, as those other disciples,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+20:21"><I>ch.</I> xx. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
We are out in our aim, if we look for a heaven here upon earth. It is
|
|
not for strangers and pilgrims (such as we are in our best
|
|
circumstances in this world), to talk of building, or to expect a
|
|
continuing city.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Yet it is some excuse for the incongruity of Peter's proposal, not only
|
|
that <I>he knew not what he said</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:33">Luke ix. 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
but also that he submitted the proposal to the wisdom of Christ; <I>If
|
|
thou wilt, let us make tabernacles.</I> Note, Whatever tabernacles we
|
|
propose to make to ourselves in this world, we must always remember to
|
|
ask Christ's leave.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now to this which Peter said, there was no reply made; the disappearing
|
|
of the glory would soon answer it. They that promise themselves great
|
|
things on earth will soon be undeceived by their own experience.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The glorious testimony which God the Father gave to our Lord Jesus,
|
|
in which <I>he received from him honour and glory</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:17">2 Pet. i. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
when <I>there came this voice from the excellent glory.</I> This was
|
|
like proclaiming the titles of honour or the royal style of a prince,
|
|
when, at his coronation, he appears in his robes of state; and be it
|
|
known, to the comfort of mankind, the royal style of Christ is taken
|
|
from his mediation. Thus, in vision, he appeared with a rainbow, the
|
|
seal of the covenant, about his throne
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+4:3">Rev. iv. 3</A>);
|
|
|
|
for it is his glory to be our Redeemer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now concerning this testimony from heaven to Christ, observe.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. How it came, and in what manner it was introduced.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) There was a cloud. We find often in the Old Testament, that a
|
|
cloud was the visible token of God's presence; he came down upon mount
|
|
Sinai in a cloud
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:9">Exod. xix. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so to Moses,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+34:5,nu+11:25">Exod. xxxiv. 5; Num. xi. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
He took possession of the tabernacle in a cloud, and afterwards of the
|
|
temple; where Christ was in his glory, the temple was, and there God
|
|
showed himself present. We know not the balancing of the clouds, but we
|
|
know that much of the intercourse and communication between heaven and
|
|
earth is maintained by them. By the clouds vapours <I>as</I>cend, and
|
|
rains <I>des</I>cend; therefore God is said to make <I>the clouds his
|
|
chariots;</I> so he did here when he descended upon this mount.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was a bright cloud. Under the law it was commonly a thick and
|
|
dark cloud that God made the token of his presence; he came down upon
|
|
mount Sinai in a thick cloud
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+19:16">Exod. xix. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and said he would <I>dwell in thick darkness;</I> see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:12">1 Kings viii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
But <I>we are now come, not to the mount that was covered with thick
|
|
blackness and darkness</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:18">Heb. xii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
but to the mount that is crowned with a bright cloud. Both the
|
|
Old-Testament and the New-Testament dispensation had tokens of God's
|
|
presence; but that was a dispensation of darkness, and terror, and
|
|
bondage, this of light, love, and liberty.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) It overshadowed them. This cloud was intended to break the force
|
|
of that great light which otherwise would have overcome the disciples,
|
|
and have been intolerable; it was like the veil which Moses put upon
|
|
his face when it shone. God, in manifesting himself to his people,
|
|
considers their frame. This cloud was to their eyes as parables to
|
|
their understandings, to convey spiritual things by things sensible, as
|
|
they were able to bear them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) <I>There came a voice out of the cloud,</I> and it was the voice
|
|
of God, who now, as of old, <I>spake in the cloudy pillar,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+99:7">Ps. xcix. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here was no thunder, or lightning, or voice of a trumpet, as there was
|
|
when the law was given by Moses, but only a voice, a still small voice,
|
|
and that not ushered in with a strong wind, or an earthquake, or fire,
|
|
as when God spake to Elias,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+19:11,12">1 Kings xix. 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Moses then and Elias were witnesses, that <I>in these last days God
|
|
hath spoken to us by his Son,</I> in another way than he spoke formerly
|
|
to them. This voice came from the excellent glory
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:17">2 Pet. i. 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
the glory which excelleth, in comparison of which the former had no
|
|
glory; though the excellent glory was clouded, yet thence came a voice,
|
|
for <I>faith comes by hearing.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What this testimony from heaven was; <I>This is my beloved Son, hear
|
|
ye him.</I> Here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The great gospel mystery revealed; <I>This is my beloved Son, in
|
|
whom I am well pleased.</I> This was the very same that was spoken from
|
|
heaven at his baptism
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:17"><I>ch.</I> iii. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
and it was the best news that ever came from heaven to earth since man
|
|
sinned. It is to the same purport with that great doctrine
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:19">2 Cor. v. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>That God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.</I>
|
|
Moses and Elias were great men, and favourites of Heaven, yet they were
|
|
but servants, and servants that God was not always well pleased in; for
|
|
Moses spoke unadvisedly, and Elias was a man subject to passions; but
|
|
Christ is <I>a Son,</I> and in him God was always well pleased. Moses
|
|
and Elias were sometimes instruments of reconciliation between God and
|
|
Israel; Moses was a great intercessor, and Elias a great reformer; but
|
|
in Christ God is reconciling the world; his intercession is more
|
|
prevalent than that of Moses, and his reformation more effectual than
|
|
that of Elias.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This repetition of the same voice that came from heaven at his baptism
|
|
was no vain repetition; but, like the doubling of Pharaoh's dream, was
|
|
to show the thing was established. What God hath thus spoken once, yea
|
|
twice, no doubt he will stand to, and he expects we should take notice
|
|
of it. It was spoken at his baptism, because then he was entering upon
|
|
his temptation, and his public ministry; and now it was repeated,
|
|
because he was entering upon his sufferings, which are to be dated from
|
|
hence; for now, and not before, he began to foretel them, and
|
|
immediately after his transfiguration it is said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+9:51">Luke ix. 51</A>),
|
|
|
|
that <I>the time was come that he should be received up;</I> this
|
|
therefore was then repeated, to arm him against the terror, and his
|
|
disciples against the offence, of the cross. When sufferings begin to
|
|
abound, consolations are given in more abundantly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+1:5">2 Cor. i. 5</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The great gospel duty required, and it is the condition of our
|
|
benefit by Christ; <I>Hear ye him.</I> God is well pleased with none in
|
|
Christ but those that hear him. It is not enough to give him the
|
|
hearing (what will that avail us?) but we must hear him and believe
|
|
him, as the great Prophet and Teacher; hear him, and be ruled by him,
|
|
as the great Prince and Lawgiver; hear him, and heed him. Whoever would
|
|
know the mind of God, must hearken to Jesus Christ; for by him God has
|
|
in these last days spoken to us. This voice from heaven has made all
|
|
the sayings of Christ as authentic as if they had been thus spoken out
|
|
of a cloud. God does here, as it were, turn us over to Christ for all
|
|
the revelations of his mind; and it refers to that prediction
|
|
concerning <I>the Prophet God would raise up like unto Moses</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+18:18">Deut. xviii. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>him shall ye hear.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ now appeared in glory; and the more we see of Christ's glory,
|
|
the more cause we shall see to hearken to him: but the disciples were
|
|
gazing on that glory of his which they saw; they are therefore bid not
|
|
to look at him, but to hear him. Their sight of his glory was soon
|
|
intercepted by the cloud, but their business was to hear him. We walk
|
|
<I>by faith,</I> which <I>comes by hearing,</I> not <I>by sight,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+5:7">2 Cor. v. 7</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Moses and Elias were now with him; the law and the prophets; hitherto
|
|
it was said, <I>Hear them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:29">Luke xvi. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
The disciples were ready to equal them with Christ, when they must have
|
|
tabernacles for them as well as for him. They had been talking with
|
|
Christ, and probably the disciples were very desirous to know what they
|
|
said, and to hear something more from them; No, saith God, <I>hear
|
|
him,</I> and that is enough; him, and not Moses and Elias, who were
|
|
present, and whose silence gave consent to this voice; they had nothing
|
|
to say to the contrary; whatever interest they had in the world as
|
|
prophets, they were willing to see it all transferred to Christ, that
|
|
in <I>all things he might have the pre-eminence.</I> Be not troubled
|
|
that Moses and Elias make so short a stay with you; hear Christ, and
|
|
you will not want them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The fright which the disciples were put into by this voice, and the
|
|
encouragement Christ gave them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The disciples <I>fell on their faces, and were sore afraid.</I> The
|
|
greatness of the light, and the surprise of it, might have a natural
|
|
influence upon them, to dispirit them. But that was not all, ever since
|
|
man sinned, and heard God's voice in the garden, extraordinary
|
|
appearances of God have ever been terrible to man, who, knowing he has
|
|
no reason to expect any good, has been afraid to hear any thing
|
|
immediately from God. Note, even then when <I>fair weather</I> comes
|
|
<I>out of the secret place,</I> yet <I>with God</I> is <I>terrible
|
|
majesty,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+37:22">Job xxxvii. 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
See what dreadful work <I>the voice of the Lord makes,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+29:4">Ps. xxix. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is well for us that God speaks to us by men like ourselves, whose
|
|
terror shall not make us afraid.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Christ graciously raised them up with abundance of tenderness. Note,
|
|
The glories and advancements of our Lord Jesus do not at all lessen his
|
|
regard to, and concern for, his people that are compassed about with
|
|
infirmity. It is comfortable to think, that now, in his exalted state,
|
|
he has a compassion for, and condescends to, the meanest true believer.
|
|
Observe here,
|
|
|
|
(1.). What he did; <I>he came, and touched them.</I> His approaches
|
|
banished their fears; and when they apprehended that they were
|
|
apprehended of Christ, there needed no more to make them easy. Christ
|
|
laid his right hand upon John is a like case, and upon Daniel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:17,Da+8:18,10:18">Rev. i. 17; Dan. viii. 18; x. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ's touches were often healing, and here they were strengthening
|
|
and comforting.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What he said; <I>Arise, and be not afraid.</I> Note, Though a fear
|
|
of reverence in our converse with Heaven is pleasing to Christ, yet a
|
|
fear of amazement is not so, but must be striven against. Christ said,
|
|
<I>Arise.</I> Note, It is Christ by his word, and the power of his
|
|
grace going along with it, that raises up good men from their
|
|
dejections, and silences their fears; and none but Christ can do it;
|
|
<I>Arise, be not afraid.</I> Note, causeless fears would soon vanish,
|
|
if we would not yield to them, and lie down under them, but get up, and
|
|
do what we can against them. Considering what they had seen and heard,
|
|
they had more reason to rejoice than to fear, and yet, it seems, they
|
|
needed this caution. Note, Through the infirmity of the flesh, we
|
|
often frighten ourselves with that wherewith we should encourage
|
|
ourselves. Observe, After they had an express command from heaven to
|
|
hear Christ, the first word they had from him was, <I>Be not
|
|
afraid,</I> hear that. Note, Christ's errand into the world was to give
|
|
comfort to good people, that, being delivered out of the hands of their
|
|
enemies, they might <I>serve God without fear,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+1:74,75">Luke i. 74, 75</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VII. The disappearing of the vision
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>They</I> lift up themselves, and then <I>lift up their eyes,</I> and
|
|
<I>saw no man, save Jesus only.</I> Moses and Elias were gone, the rays
|
|
of Christ's glory were laid aside, or veiled again. They hoped this had
|
|
been the day of Christ's entrance into his kingdom, and his public
|
|
appearance in that external splendour which they dreamed of; but see
|
|
how they are disappointed. Note, It is not wisdom to raise our
|
|
expectations high in this world, for the most valuable of our glories
|
|
and joys here are vanishing, even those of near communion with God are
|
|
so, not a continual feast, but a running banquet. If sometimes we are
|
|
favoured with special manifestations of divine grace, glimpses and
|
|
pledges of future glory, yet they are withdrawn presently; two heavens
|
|
are too much for those to expect that never deserve one. Now <I>they
|
|
saw no man, save Jesus only.</I> Note, Christ will tarry with us when
|
|
Moses and Elias are gone. The <I>prophets do not live for ever</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+1:5">Zec. i. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
and we see the period of our ministers' conversation; but <I>Jesus
|
|
Christ is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:7,8">Heb. xiii. 7, 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
VIII. The discourse between Christ and his disciples as they came down
|
|
from the mountain,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:9-13"><I>v.</I> 9-13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. <I>They came down from the mountain.</I> Note, We must come down
|
|
from the holy mountains, where we have communion with God, and
|
|
complacency in that communion, and of which we are saying. <I>It is
|
|
good to be here;</I> even there we have no continuing city. Blessed be
|
|
God, there is a mountain of glory and joy before us, whence we shall
|
|
never come down. But observe, When the disciples came down, Jesus came
|
|
with them. Note, When we return to the world again after an ordinance,
|
|
it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then it may be our
|
|
comfort that he is with us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. As they came down, they talked of Christ. Note, When we are
|
|
returning from holy ordinance, it is good to entertain ourselves and
|
|
one another with discourse suitable to the work we have been about.
|
|
That communication which is good to the use of edifying is then in a
|
|
special manner seasonable; as, on the contrary, that which is corrupt,
|
|
is worse then than at another time.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The charge that Christ gave the disciples to keep the vision very
|
|
private for the present
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Tell it to no man till the Son of man is risen.</I> If they had
|
|
proclaimed it, the credibility of it would have been shocked by his
|
|
sufferings, which were now hastening on. But let the publication of it
|
|
be adjourned till after his resurrection, and then that and his
|
|
subsequent glory will be a great confirmation of it. Note, Christ
|
|
observed a method in the manifestation of himself; he would have his
|
|
works put together, mutually to explain and illustrate each other, that
|
|
they might appear in their full strength and convincing evidence. Every
|
|
thing is beautiful in its season. Christ's resurrection was properly
|
|
the beginning of the gospel state and kingdom, to which all before was
|
|
but preparatory and by way of preface; and therefore, though this was
|
|
transacted before, it must not be produced as evidence till then (and
|
|
then it appears to have been much insisted on by
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Pe+1:16-18">2 Pet. i. 16-18</A>),
|
|
|
|
when the religion it was designed for the confirmation of was brought
|
|
to its full consistence and maturity. Christ's time is the best and
|
|
fittest for the manifesting of himself and must be attended to by
|
|
us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) An objection which the disciples made against something Christ had
|
|
said
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?</I> If Elias
|
|
make so short a stay, and is gone so suddenly, and we must say nothing
|
|
of him; why have we been taught out of the law to expect his public
|
|
appearance in the world immediately before the setting up of the
|
|
Messiah's kingdom? Must the coming of Elias be a secret, which every
|
|
body looks for?" or thus; "If the resurrection of the Messiah, and with
|
|
it the beginning of his kingdom, be at hand, what becomes of that
|
|
glorious preface and introduction to it, which we expect in the coming
|
|
of Elias?" The scribes, who were the public expositors of the law, said
|
|
this according to the scripture
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+4:5">Mal. iv. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Behold I send you Elijah the prophet.</I> The disciples spoke the
|
|
common language of the Jews, who made that the saying of the scribes
|
|
which was the saying of the scripture, whereas of that which ministers
|
|
speak to us according to the word of God, we should say, "<I>God</I>
|
|
speaks to us, not the <I>ministers;</I>" for we must not receive it
|
|
<I>as the word of men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:13">1 Thess. ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe, When the disciples could not reconcile what Christ said with
|
|
what they had heard out of the Old Testament, they desired him to
|
|
explain it to them. Note, When we are puzzled with scripture
|
|
difficulties, we must apply ourselves to Christ by prayer for his
|
|
Spirit to open our understandings and to lead us into all truth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) The solving of this objection. <I>Ask, and it shall be given,</I>
|
|
ask instruction, and it shall be given.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Christ allows the prediction
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things;</I> so far
|
|
you are in the right." Christ did not come to alter or invalidate any
|
|
thing foretold in the Old Testament. Note, Corrupt and mistaken glosses
|
|
may be sufficiently rejected and exploded, without diminishing or
|
|
derogating from the authority or dignity of the sacred text.
|
|
New-Testament prophecies are true and good, and are to be received and
|
|
improved, though some hot foolish men may have misinterpreted them and
|
|
drawn wrong inferences from them. He shall come, and restore all
|
|
things; not restore them to their former state (John Baptist went not
|
|
about to do that), but he shall accomplish all things (so it may be
|
|
read), all things that were written of him, all the predictions of the
|
|
coming of Elias. John Baptist came to restore things spiritually, to
|
|
revive the decays of religion, to <I>turn the hearts of the fathers to
|
|
the children;</I> which means the same with this, <I>he shall restore
|
|
all things.</I> John preached repentance, and that restores all
|
|
things.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[2.] He asserts the accomplishment. The scribes say true, that <I>Elias
|
|
is come,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God's promises are often fulfilled, and men perceive it not, but
|
|
enquire, <I>Where is the promise?</I> when it is already performed.
|
|
<I>Elias is come, and they knew him not;</I> they knew him not to be
|
|
the Elias promised, the forerunner of the Messiah. The scribes busied
|
|
themselves in criticizing upon the scripture, but understood not by the
|
|
signs of the times the fulfilling of the scripture. Note, It is easier
|
|
to explain the word of God than to apply it and make a right use of it.
|
|
But it is no wonder that the morning star was not observed, when he who
|
|
is the Sun itself, was <I>in the world, and the world knew him
|
|
not.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Because they knew him not, <I>they have done to him whatsoever they
|
|
listed;</I> if they had known, they would not have crucified Christ, or
|
|
beheaded John,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:8">1 Cor. ii. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
They ridiculed John, persecuted him, and at last put him to death;
|
|
which was Herod's doing, but is here charged upon the whole generation
|
|
of unbelieving Jews, and particularly the scribes, who, though they
|
|
could not prosecute John themselves, were pleased with what Herod did.
|
|
He adds, <I>Likewise also shall the Son of man suffer of them.</I>
|
|
Marvel not that Elias should be abused and killed by those who
|
|
pretended, with a great deal of reverence, to expect him, when the
|
|
Messiah himself will be in like manner treated. Note, The sufferings
|
|
of Christ took off the strangeness of all other sufferings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:18">John xv. 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
when they had imbrued their hands in the blood of John Baptist, they
|
|
were ready to do the like to Christ. Note, As men deal with Christ's
|
|
servants, so they would deal with him himself; and they that are drunk
|
|
with the blood of the martyrs still cry, <I>Give, give,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+12:1-3">Acts xii. 1-3</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(4.) The disciples' satisfaction in Christ's reply to their objection
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>They understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.</I> He
|
|
did not name John, but gives them such a description of him as would
|
|
put them in mind of what he had said to them formerly concerning him;
|
|
<I>This is Elias.</I> This is a profitable way of teaching; it engages
|
|
the learners' own thoughts, and makes them, if not their own teachers,
|
|
yet their own remembrancers; and thus knowledge becomes easy to him
|
|
that understands. When we diligently use the means of knowledge, how
|
|
strangely are mists scattered and mistakes rectified!</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Expulsion of a Demon.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him
|
|
a <I>certain</I> man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
|
|
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore
|
|
vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the
|
|
water.
|
|
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure
|
|
him.
|
|
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse
|
|
generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer
|
|
you? bring him hither to me.
|
|
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and
|
|
the child was cured from that very hour.
|
|
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could
|
|
not we cast him out?
|
|
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for
|
|
verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard
|
|
seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder
|
|
place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto
|
|
you.
|
|
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here the miraculous cure of a child that was lunatic and vexed
|
|
with a devil. Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. A melancholy representation of the case of this child, made to
|
|
Christ by the afflicted father. This was immediately upon his coming
|
|
down from the mountain where he was transfigured. Note, Christ's
|
|
glories do not make him unmindful of us and of our wants and miseries.
|
|
Christ, when he came down from the mount, where had conversation with
|
|
Moses and Elias, did not take state upon him, but was as easy of
|
|
access, as ready to poor beggars, and as familiar with the multitude,
|
|
as ever he used to be. This poor man's address was very importunate; he
|
|
came kneeling to Christ. Note, Sense of misery will bring people to
|
|
their knees. Those who see their need of Christ will be earnest, will
|
|
be in good earnest, in their applications to him; and he delights to be
|
|
thus wrestled with.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Two things the father of the child complains of.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The distress of his child
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Lord have mercy on my son.</I> The affliction of the children cannot
|
|
but affect the tender parents, for they are pieces of themselves. And
|
|
the case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful
|
|
and fervent prayer. This child's distemper, probably, disabled him to
|
|
pray for himself. Note, Parents are doubly concerned to pray for their
|
|
children, not only that are weak and cannot, but much more that are
|
|
wicked and will not, pray for themselves. Now,
|
|
|
|
(1.). The nature of this child's disease was very sad; <I>He was
|
|
lunatic and sore vexed.</I> A lunatic is properly one whose distemper
|
|
lies in the brain, and returns with the change of the moon. The devil,
|
|
by the divine permission, either caused this distemper, or at least
|
|
concurred with it, to heighten and aggravate it. The child had the
|
|
falling-sickness, and the hand of Satan was in it; by it he tormented
|
|
then, and made it much more grievous than ordinarily it is. Those whom
|
|
Satan got possession of, he afflicted by those diseases of the body
|
|
which do most affect the mind; for it is the soul that he aims to do
|
|
mischief to. The father, in his complain, saith, <I>He is lunatic,</I>
|
|
taking notice of the effect; but Christ, in the cure, rebuked the
|
|
devil, and so struck at the cause. Thus he doth in spiritual cures.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The effects of the disease were very deplorable; <I>He oft falls
|
|
into the fire, and into the water.</I> If the force of the disease made
|
|
him to fall, the malice of the devil made him to fall into the fire or
|
|
water; so mischievous is he where he gains possession and power in any
|
|
soul. He <I>seeks to devour,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+5:8">1 Pet. v. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The disappointment of his expectation from the disciples
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cured him.</I>
|
|
Christ gave his disciples power to cast out devils
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+10:1,8"><I>ch.</I> x. 1, 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therein they were successful
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+10:17">Luke x. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
yet at this time they failed in the operation, though there were nine
|
|
of them together, and before a great multitude. Christ permitted this,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To keep them humble, and to show their dependence upon him, that
|
|
without him they could do nothing.
|
|
|
|
(2.) To glorify himself and his own power. It is for the honour of
|
|
Christ to come in with help at a dead-lift, when other helpers cannot
|
|
help. Elisha's staff in Gehazi's hand will not raise the child: he must
|
|
come himself. Note, There are some special favours which Christ
|
|
reserves the bestowment of to himself; and sometimes he keeps the
|
|
cistern empty; that he may bring us to himself, the Fountain. But the
|
|
failures of instruments shall not hinder the operations of his grace,
|
|
which will work, if not <I>by</I> them, yet <I>without</I> them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The rebukes that Christ gave to the people first, and then to the
|
|
devil.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He chid those about him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>O faithless and perverse generation!</I> This is not spoken to the
|
|
disciples, but to the people, and perhaps especially to the scribes,
|
|
who are mentioned in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mk+9:14">Mark ix. 14</A>,
|
|
|
|
and who, as it should seem, insulted over the disciples, because they
|
|
had now met with a case that was too hard for them. Christ himself
|
|
could not do many mighty works among a people in whom unbelief reigned.
|
|
It was here owing to the faithlessness of this generation, that they
|
|
could not obtain those blessings from God, which otherwise they might
|
|
have had; as it was owing to the weakness of the disciples' faith, that
|
|
they could not do those works for God, which otherwise they might have
|
|
done. They were faithless and perverse. Note, Those that are faithless
|
|
will be perverse; and perverseness is sin in its worst colours. Faith
|
|
is compliance with God, unbelief is opposition and contradiction to
|
|
God. Israel of old was perverse, because faithless
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+95:9">Ps. xcv. 9</A>),
|
|
|
|
forward, for in them is no faith,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:20">Deut. xxxii. 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Two things he upbraids them with.
|
|
|
|
(1.) His presence with them so long; "<I>How long shall I be with
|
|
you?</I> Will you always need my bodily presence, and never come to
|
|
such maturity as to be fit to be left, the people to the conduct of the
|
|
disciples, and the disciples to the conduct of the Spirit and of their
|
|
commission? Must the child be always carried, and will it never learn
|
|
to go alone?"
|
|
|
|
(2.) His patience with them so long; <I>How long shall I suffer
|
|
you?</I> Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The faithlessness and perverseness of those who enjoy the means of
|
|
grace are a great grief to the Lord Jesus. Thus did he suffer the
|
|
manners of Israel of old,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+13:18">Acts xiii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The longer Christ has borne with a perverse and faithless people,
|
|
the more he is displeased with their perverseness and unbelief; and he
|
|
is God, and not man, else he would not suffer so long, nor bear so
|
|
much, as he doth.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He cured the child, and set him to-rights again. He called, <I>Bring
|
|
him hither to me.</I> Though the people were perverse, and Christ was
|
|
provoked, yet care was taken of the child. Note, Though Christ may be
|
|
angry, he is never unkind, nor doth he, in the greatest of his
|
|
displeasure, shut up the bowels of his compassion from the miserable;
|
|
<I>Bring him to me.</I> Note, When all other helps and succours fail,
|
|
we are welcome to Christ, and may be confident in him and in his power
|
|
and goodness.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our Redeemer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He breaks the power of Satan
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>Jesus rebuked the devil,</I> as one having authority, who could back
|
|
with force his word of command. Note, Christ's victories over Satan are
|
|
obtained by the power of his word, the sword that comes out of his
|
|
mouth,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+19:21">Rev. xix. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
Satan cannot stand before the rebukes of Christ, though his possession
|
|
has been ever so long. It is comfortable to those who are wrestling
|
|
with principalities and powers, that Christ hath spoiled them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:15">Colos. ii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
The lion of the tribe of Judah will be too hard for the roaring lion
|
|
that seeks to devour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He redresses the grievances of the children of men; <I>The child
|
|
was cured from that very hour.</I> It was an immediate cure, and a
|
|
perfect one. This is an encouragement to parents to bring their
|
|
children to Christ, whose souls are under Satan's power; he is able to
|
|
heal them, and as willing as he is able. Not only bring them to Christ
|
|
by prayer, but bring them to the word of Christ, the ordinary means by
|
|
which Satan's strongholds are demolished in the soul. Christ's rebukes,
|
|
brought home to the heart, will ruin Satan's power there.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Christ's discourse with his disciples hereupon.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. They ask the reason why they could not cast out the devil at this
|
|
time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>);
|
|
|
|
<I>They came to Jesus apart.</I> Note, Ministers, who are to deal for
|
|
Christ in public, have need to keep up a private communion with him,
|
|
that they may in secret, where no eye sees, bewail their weakness and
|
|
straitness, their follies and infirmities, in their public
|
|
performances, and enquire into the cause of them. We should make use of
|
|
the liberty of access we have to Jesus apart, where we may be free and
|
|
particular with him. Such questions as the disciples put to Christ, we
|
|
should put to ourselves, in communing with our own hearts upon our
|
|
beds; Why were we so dull and careless at such a time? Why came we so
|
|
much short in such a duty? That which is amiss may, when found out, be
|
|
amended.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Christ gives them two reasons why they failed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) It was <I>because of their unbelief,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he spake to the father of the child and to the people, he charged
|
|
it upon their unbelief; when he spake to his disciples, he charged it
|
|
upon theirs; for the truth was, there were faults on both sides; but we
|
|
are more concerned to hear of our own faults than of other people's,
|
|
and to impute what is amiss to ourselves than to others. When the
|
|
preaching of the word seems not to be so successful as sometimes it has
|
|
been, the people are apt to lay all the fault upon the ministers, and
|
|
the ministers upon the people; whereas, it is more becoming for each to
|
|
own his own faultiness, and to say, "It is owing to me." Ministers, in
|
|
reproving, must learn thus to give to each his portion of the word; and
|
|
to take people off from judging others, by teaching all to judge
|
|
themselves; <I>It is because of your unbelief.</I> Though they had
|
|
faith, yet that faith was weak and ineffectual. Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] As far as faith falls short of its due strength, vigour, and
|
|
activity, it may truly be said, "There is unbelief." Many are
|
|
chargeable with unbelief, who yet are not to be called
|
|
<I>unbelievers.</I>
|
|
|
|
[2.] It is because of our unbelief, that we bring so little to pass in
|
|
religion, and so often miscarry, and come short, in that which is
|
|
good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Our Lord Jesus takes this occasion to show them the power of faith,
|
|
that they might not be defective in that, another time, as they were
|
|
now; <I>If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed,</I> ye shall do
|
|
wonders,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some make the comparison to refer to the quality of the mustard-seed,
|
|
which is, when bruised, sharp and penetrating; "If you have an active
|
|
growing faith, not dead, flat, or insipid, you will not be baffled
|
|
thus." But it rather refers to the quantity; "If you had but a grain of
|
|
true faith, though so little that it were like that which is the least
|
|
of all seeds, you would do wonders." Faith in general is a firm assent
|
|
to, a compliance with, and a confidence in, all divine revelation. The
|
|
faith here required, is that which had for its object that particular
|
|
revelation by which Christ gave his disciples power to work miracles in
|
|
his name, for the confirmation of the doctrine they preached. It was a
|
|
faith in this revelation that they were defective in; either doubting
|
|
the validity of their commission, or fearing that it expired with their
|
|
first mission, and was not to continue when they were returning to
|
|
their Master; or that it was some way or other forfeited or withdrawn.
|
|
Perhaps their Master's absence with the three chief of his disciples,
|
|
with a charge to the rest not to follow them, might occasion some
|
|
doubts concerning their power, or rather the power of the Lord with
|
|
them, to do this; however, there were not, at present, such a strong
|
|
actual dependence upon, and confidence in, the promise of Christ's
|
|
presence with them, as there should have been. It is good for us to be
|
|
diffident of ourselves and of our own strength; but it is displeasing
|
|
to Christ, when we distrust any power derived from him or granted by
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
If ye have ever so little of this faith in sincerity, if ye truly rely
|
|
upon the powers committed to you, <I>ye shall say to this mountain,
|
|
Remove.</I> This is a proverbial expression, denoting that which
|
|
follows, and no more, <I>Nothing shall be impossible to you.</I> They
|
|
had a full commission, among other things, to cast out devils without
|
|
exception; but, this devil being more than ordinarily malicious and
|
|
inveterate, they distrusted the power they had received, and so failed.
|
|
To convince them of this, Christ shows them what they might have done.
|
|
Note, An active faith can remove mountains, not of itself, but in the
|
|
virtue of a divine power engaged by a divine promise, both which faith
|
|
fastens upon.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Because there was something in the kind of the malady, which
|
|
rendered the cure more than ordinarily difficult
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
"<I>This kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.</I> This
|
|
possession, which works by a falling-sickness, or this kind of devils
|
|
that are thus furious, is not cast out ordinarily but by great acts of
|
|
devotion, and wherein ye were defective." Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Though the adversaries we wrestle, be all principalities and
|
|
powers, yet some are stronger than others, and their power more hardly
|
|
broken.
|
|
|
|
[2.] The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith,
|
|
but quicken us to a greater intenseness in the acting of it, and more
|
|
earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it; so some
|
|
understand it here; "This kind of faith (which removeth mountains) doth
|
|
not proceed, is not obtained, from God, nor is it carried up to its
|
|
full growth, nor drawn out into act and exercise, but by earnest
|
|
prayer."
|
|
|
|
[3.] Fasting and prayer are proper means for the bringing down of
|
|
Satan's power against us, and the fetching in of divine power to our
|
|
assistance. Fasting is of use to put an edge upon prayer; it is an
|
|
evidence and instance of humiliation which is necessary in prayer, and
|
|
is a means of mortifying some corrupt habits, and of disposing the body
|
|
to serve the soul in prayer. When the devil's interest in the soul is
|
|
confirmed by the temper and constitution of the body, fasting must be
|
|
joined with prayer, to keep under the body.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christ's Sufferings Foretold.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The
|
|
Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
|
|
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be
|
|
raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Christ here foretels his own sufferings; he began to do it before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:21"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 21</A>);
|
|
|
|
and, finding that it was to his disciples a hard saying, he saw it
|
|
necessary to repeat it. There are some things which <I>God speaketh
|
|
once, yea twice, and yet man perceiveth it not.</I> Observe here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. What he foretold concerning himself--that he should be betrayed and
|
|
killed. He perfectly knew, before, all things that should come to him,
|
|
and yet undertook the work of our redemption, which greatly commends
|
|
his love; nay, his clear foresight of them was a kind of ante-passion,
|
|
had not his love to man made all easy to him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He tells them that he should <I>be betrayed into the hands of
|
|
men.</I> He <I>shall be delivered up</I> (so it might be read and
|
|
understood of his Father's delivering him up <I>by his determined
|
|
counsel and fore-knowledge,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+2:23,Ro+8:32">Acts ii. 23; Rom. viii. 32</A>);
|
|
|
|
but as we render it, it refers to Judas's betraying him into the hands
|
|
of the priests, and their betraying him into the hands of the Romans.
|
|
He was <I>betrayed into the hands of men;</I> men to whom he was allied
|
|
by nature, and from whom therefore he might expect pity and tenderness;
|
|
men whom he had undertaken to save, and from whom therefore he might
|
|
expect honour and gratitude; yet these are his persecutors and
|
|
murderers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) That <I>they should kill him;</I> nothing less than that would
|
|
satisfy their rage; it was his blood, his precious blood, that they
|
|
thirsted after. <I>This is the heir, come, let us kill him.</I> Nothing
|
|
less would satisfy God's justice, and answer his undertaking; if he be
|
|
a Sacrifice of atonement, he must be killed; without blood no
|
|
remission.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) That <I>he shall be raised again the third day.</I> Still, when he
|
|
spoke of his death, he gave a hint of his resurrection, <I>the joy set
|
|
before him,</I> in the prospect of which <I>he endured the cross, and
|
|
despised the shame.</I> This was an encouragement, not only to him, but
|
|
to his disciples; for if he rise the third day, his absence from them
|
|
will not be long, and his return to them will be glorious.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. How the disciples received this; <I>They were exceedingly sorry.</I>
|
|
Herein appeared their love to their Master's person, but with all their
|
|
ignorance and mistake concerning his undertaking. Peter indeed durst
|
|
not say any thing against it, as he had done before
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+16:22"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
having then been severely chidden for it; but he, and the rest of them,
|
|
greatly lamented it, as it would be their own loss, their Master's
|
|
grief, and the sin and ruin of them that did it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Mt17_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Our Lord's Payment of Tribute.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TR><TD><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received
|
|
tribute <I>money</I> came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay
|
|
tribute?
|
|
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus
|
|
prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the
|
|
kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children,
|
|
or of strangers?
|
|
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him,
|
|
Then are the children free.
|
|
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the
|
|
sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up;
|
|
and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of
|
|
money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here an account of Christ's paying tribute.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Observe how it was demanded,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ was now at Capernaum, his headquarters, where he mostly resided;
|
|
he did not keep from thence, to decline being called upon for his dues,
|
|
but rather came thither, to be ready to pay them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The tribute demanded was not any civil payment to the Roman powers,
|
|
that was strictly exacted by the publicans, but the church-duties, the
|
|
half shekel, about fifteen pence, which were required from every person
|
|
or the service of the temple, and the defraying of the expenses of the
|
|
worship there; it is called <I>a ransom for the soul,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+30:12">Exod. xxx. 12</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. This was not so strictly exacted now as sometimes it had been,
|
|
especially not in Galilee.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The demand was very modest; the collectors stood in such awe of
|
|
Christ, because of his mighty works, that they durst not speak to him
|
|
about it, but applied themselves to Peter, whose house was in
|
|
Capernaum, and probably in his house Christ lodged; he therefore was
|
|
fittest to be spoken to as the housekeeper, and they presumed he knew
|
|
his Master's mind. Their question is, <I>Doth not your master pay
|
|
tribute?</I> Some think that they sought an occasion against him,
|
|
designing, if he refused, to represent him as disaffected to the
|
|
temple-service, and his followers as lawless people, that would pay
|
|
<I>neither toll, tribute, nor custom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+4:13">Ezra iv. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
It should rather seem, they asked this with respect, intimating, that
|
|
if he had any privilege to exempt him from this payment, they would not
|
|
insist upon it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Peter presently his word for his Master; "<I>Yes,</I> certainly; my
|
|
<I>Master pays tribute;</I> it is his principle and practice; you need
|
|
not fear moving it to him."
|
|
|
|
(1.) <I>He was made under the law</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+4:4">Gal. iv. 4</A>);
|
|
|
|
therefore under this law he was paid for at forty days old
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:22">Luke ii. 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
and now he paid for himself, as one who, in his state of humiliation,
|
|
<I>had taken upon him the form of a servant,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+2:7,8">Phil. ii. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) <I>He was made sin for us,</I> and was <I>sent forth in the
|
|
likeness of sinful flesh,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:3">Rom. viii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now this tax paid to the temple is called <I>an atonement for the
|
|
soul,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+30:15">Exod. xxx. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Christ, that in every thing he might <I>appear in the likeness of
|
|
sinners,</I> paid it though he had no sin to atone for.
|
|
|
|
(3.) <I>Thus it became him to fulfil all righteousness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+3:15"><I>ch.</I> iii. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
He did this to set an example,
|
|
|
|
[1.] Of <I>rendering to all their due, tribute to whom tribute is
|
|
due,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+13:7">Rom. xiii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
The kingdom of Christ not being of this world, the favourites and
|
|
officers of it are so far from having a power granted them, as such, to
|
|
tax other people's purses, that theirs are made liable to the powers
|
|
that are.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Of contributing to the support of the public worship of God in the
|
|
places where we are. If we reap spiritual things, it is fit that we
|
|
should return carnal things. The temple was now made a den of thieves,
|
|
and the temple-worship a pretence for the opposition which the chief
|
|
priests gave to Christ and his doctrine; and yet Christ paid this
|
|
tribute. Note, Church-duties, legally imposed, are to be paid,
|
|
notwithstanding church-corruptions. We must take care not to use <I>our
|
|
liberty as a cloak of covetousness or maliciousness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:16">1 Pet. ii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
If Christ pay tribute, who can pretend an exemption?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. How it was disputed
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
not with the collectors themselves, lest they should be irritated, but
|
|
with Peter, that he might be satisfied in the reason why Christ paid
|
|
tribute, and might not mistake about it. He brought the collectors into
|
|
the house; but Christ anticipated him, to give him a proof of his
|
|
omniscience, and that no thought can be withholden from him. The
|
|
disciples of Christ are never attacked without his knowledge.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Now,
|
|
|
|
1. He appeals to the way of the kings of the earth, which is, to take
|
|
tribute of strangers, of the subjects of their kingdom, or foreigners
|
|
that deal with them, but not of their own children that are of their
|
|
families; there is such a community of goods between parents and
|
|
children, and a joint-interest in what they have, that it would be
|
|
absurd for the parents to levy taxes upon the children, or demand any
|
|
thing from them; it is like one hand taxing the other.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He applies this to himself; <I>Then are the children free.</I>
|
|
Christ is the Son of God, and Heir of all things; the temple is his
|
|
temple
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:1">Mal. iii. 1</A>),
|
|
|
|
his Father's house
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:16">John ii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
in it <I>he is faithful as a Son in his own house</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+3:6">Heb. iii. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore not obliged to pay this tax for the service of the
|
|
temple. Thus Christ asserts his right, lest his paying this tribute
|
|
should be misimproved to the weakening of his title as the Son of God,
|
|
and the King of Israel, and should have looked like a disowning of it
|
|
himself. These immunities of the children are to be extended no
|
|
further than our Lord Jesus himself. God's children are freed by grace
|
|
and adoption from the slavery of sin and Satan, but not from their
|
|
subjection to civil magistrates in civil things; here the law of Christ
|
|
is express; <I>Let every soul</I> (sanctified souls not excepted) <I>be
|
|
subject to the higher powers. Render to Cæsar the things that are
|
|
Cæsar's.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. How it was paid, notwithstanding,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. For what reason Christ waived his privilege, and paid this tribute,
|
|
though he was entitled to an exemption--<I>Lest we should offend
|
|
them.</I> Few knew, as Peter did, that he was <I>the Son of God;</I>
|
|
and it would have been a diminution to the honour of that great truth,
|
|
which was yet a secret, to advance it now, to serve such a purpose as
|
|
this. Therefore Christ drops that argument, and considers, that if he
|
|
should refuse this payment, it would increase people's prejudice
|
|
against him and his doctrine, and alienate their affections from him,
|
|
and therefore he resolves to pay it. Note, Christian prudence and
|
|
humility teach us, in many cases, to recede from our right, rather than
|
|
give offence by insisting upon it. We must never decline our duty for
|
|
fear of giving offence (Christ's preaching and miracles offended them,
|
|
yet he went on with him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+15:12,13"><I>ch.</I> xv. 12, 13</A>,
|
|
|
|
better offend men than God); but we must sometimes deny ourselves in
|
|
that which is our secular interest, rather than give offence; as Paul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+8:13,Ro+14:13">1 Cor. viii. 13; Rom. xiv. 13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What course he took for the payment of this tax; he furnished
|
|
himself with money for it out of the mouth of a fish
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+17:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
wherein appears,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The poverty of Christ; he had not fifteen pence at command to pay
|
|
his tax with, though he cured so many that were diseased; it seems, he
|
|
did all gratis; <I>for our sakes he became poor,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
In his ordinary expenses, he lived upon alms
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+8:3">Luke viii. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
and in extraordinary ones, he lived upon miracles. He did not order
|
|
Judas to pay this out of the bag which he carried; that was for
|
|
subsistence, and he would not order that for his particular use, which
|
|
was intended for the benefit of the community.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The power of Christ, in fetching money out of a fish's mouth for
|
|
this purpose. Whether his omnipotence put it there, or his omniscience
|
|
knew that it was there, it comes all to one; it was an evidence of his
|
|
divinity, and that he is Lord of hosts. Those creatures that are most
|
|
remote from man are at the command of Christ, even the fishes of the
|
|
sea are under his feet
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+8:5">Ps. viii. 5</A>);
|
|
|
|
and to evidence his dominion in this lower world, and to accommodate
|
|
himself to his present state of humiliation, he chose to take it out of
|
|
a fish's mouth, when he could have taken it out of an angel's hand. Now
|
|
observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
[1.] Peter must catch the fish by angling. Even in miracles he would
|
|
use means to encourage industry and endeavour. Peter has something to
|
|
do, and it is in the way of his own calling too; to teach us diligence
|
|
in the employment we are called <I>to,</I> and called <I>in.</I> Do we
|
|
expect that Christ should give to us? Let us be ready to work for
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
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<P>
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[2.] The fish came up, with money in the mouth of it, which represents
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to us the reward of obedience in obedience. What work we do at Christ's
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command brings its own pay along with it: <I>In</I> keeping God's
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commands, as well as <I>after</I> keeping them, <I>there is great
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reward,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+19:11">Ps. xix. 11</A>.
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Peter was made a fisher of men, and those that he caught thus, came up;
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where the heart is opened to entertain Christ's word, the hand is open
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to encourage his ministers.</P>
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<P>
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[3.] The piece of money was just enough to pay the tax for Christ and
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Peter. Thou shalt find <I>a stater,</I> the value of a Jewish shekel,
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which would pay the poll-tax for two, for it was half a shekel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+30:13">Exod. xxx. 13</A>.
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Christ could as easily have commanded a bag of money as a piece of
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money; but he would teach us not to covet superfluities, but, having
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enough for our present occasions, therewith to be content, and not to
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distrust God, though we live but from hand to mouth. Christ made the
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fish his cash-keeper; and why may not we make God's providence our
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|
storehouse and treasury? If we have a competency for today, <I>let
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|
to-morrow take thought for the things of itself.</I> Christ paid for
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himself and Peter, because it is probable that here <I>he</I> only was
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assessed, and of him it was at this time demanded; perhaps the rest had
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paid already, or were to pay elsewhere. The papists make a great
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mystery of Christ's paying for Peter, as if this made him the head and
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representative of the whole church; whereas the payment of tribute for
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him was rather a sign of subjection than of superiority. His pretended
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successors pay no tribute, but exact it. Peter fished for this money,
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and therefore part of it went for his use. Those that are <I>workers
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|
together with Christ</I> in winning souls shall shine with him. <I>Give
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it for thee and me.</I> What Christ paid for himself was looked upon as
|
|
a debt; what he paid for Peter was a courtesy to him. Note, it is a
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|
desirable thing, if God so please, to have wherewithal of this world's
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|
goods, not only to be just, but to be kind; not only to be charitable
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|
to the poor, but obliging to our friends. What is a great estate good
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for, but that it enables a man to do so much the more good?</P>
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<P>
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<I>Lastly,</I> Observe, The evangelist records here the orders Christ
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gave to Peter, the warrant; the effect is not particularly mentioned,
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but taken for granted, and justly; for, with Christ, saying and doing
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are the same thing.</P>
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