[.5.] When friends be thus chosen, there must be a faithful discharge of the duties of friendship, both in counsels and reproofs ; for the godly use this friendship chiefly for spiritual ends.
(1.) In counsel, for Solomon telleth us, Prov. xxii. 9, 'As oint- ment and perfume rejoice the heart, so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.' As sweet pefumes are a reviving, so to be supported in good resolutions, or directed and guided in our way to heaven by a faithful friend, is very cheering and comfortable. And we read, 1 Sam. xxiii. 16, 17, that ' Jonathan went to David, and strengthened his hand in God.' Whereas, on the contrary, a carnal friend is the greatest bane that may be, who doth strengthen us in evil; an instance whereof we have in Jonadab, the son of Shimeah, 2 Sam. xiii. 3, 4, and ' Amnon had a fiiend whose name was Jonadab, and Jonadab was a subtile man ; ' and he gave him counsel how he should surprise his sister, to defile her, and satisfy his incestuous lust. Such a friend is really and truly our greatest foe. He was a friend to his vice, but a foe to his person and soul ; whereas a true friend, whose friendship is grounded on godliness, will be a foe to our sins, by whole- some admonition and rebukes, and a friend to our soul's salvation.
(2.) Reproofs : that is also a part of friendship : Prov. xxvii. 6, ' Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.' A faithful friend's wounds are a more sincere testimony than an enemy's kisses, and so afterwards they will be interpreted : Prov, xxviii. 23, 'He that rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with his tongue.' For this we must trust God, though for the present we displease our friends. So Lev. xix. 17, ' Thou shaft not hate thy brother in thy heart by suff'ering sin upon him.' It is kindness to his soul to reprove him. In the general, holy friendship must be improved to the use of edifying : Rom. i. 11, 12, ' I long to see you, to impart some spiritual gift unto you, that I
34G Christ's transfiguration. [vSer. I.
may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me.'
[6.] After the best care is used, you must remember that our friends are but an outward help, which God can continue or withdraw at his pleasure ; and that our chief help, comfort, and counsel cometh of God. So it was with Christ : John xvi. 32, ' Behold the hour is come that ye shall be parted every man to his own, and shall leave me alone ; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.' Christ was forsaken of his disciples, but not forsaken of his Father. So Paul, 2 Tim. i. 16, 'At my first answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me ; ' Ps. xli. 9, ' My familiar friend, in whom I trusted, hath lifted up his heel against me.' Those that have been acquainted with the secrets of your soul may not only grow strange to you, but betray you ; therefore, do not over-value any earthly friend. Man will be man still, that God may be God, all in all unto his people : and when we are deserted of men, we must learn to trust in God, who never faileth us, fail who will : Ps. xxvii. 10, * When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up ; ' and cxlii. 4, 5, ' I looked on my right hand and beheld, and no man would know me : refuge failed me, no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, 0 Lord ; I said. Thou art my refuge and portion in the land of the living.' We are left alone for God to help us. The defectiveness of all worldly friends shows us more of the goodness of God.
2. The preparative action : he went up into a mountain to pray, and whilst he prayed he was transfigured.
[1.] In that he prayed, it teacheth us to hallow all our actions by prayer. We do not bid ourselves God speed, unless we re- commend our affairs to God ; whatsoever assurance we have of the blessing, yet we must pray : Jer. xxix. 10-12, ' For thus saith the Lord, After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place, &c. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and jjray unto me, and I will hearken unto you;' Ezek. xxxvi. 37, 'I will for this be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them.' Therefore we should be daily in the practice of this duty, and not look upon it as a work that may well be spared. If Christ, who as to his divine nature was equal with God, surely we should often come and prostrate ourselves before him in this act of holy adoration. Christ had right and title to all, all was his due, yet he was much in prayer. How dare we go about any business without his leave, counsel, and blessing ; and usurp any of his blessings without begging them by prayer ?