[1.] In respect unto Christ his death was efoSo9, for he went out of this mortal life into glory, and so it implieth both his suffering death and also his resurrection : Acts ii. 24, ' God hath raised him up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was impossible he should be holden of it.' The grave was like a woman ready to be delivered ; it suffered throes till this blessed burden was egested.
[2.] With respect to us. Peter calls his death e^oZov. 2 Pet. i. 15, ' I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease.' The death of the godly is a going out but from sin and sorrow to glory and immor- tality, as Israel's going out of Egypt (whence the second Book of Moses is called Exodus) was no destruction and cessation of their being, but a going out of the house of bondage into liberty. Paul saith, ' I desire to be dissolved,' uvaXvaat, Phil. i. 23 — a setting sail for the other world. In scripture language the body is the house, the soul is the inhabitant : 2 Cor. v. 1, ' We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,' The soul dwelleth in the body as a man in a house, and death is but a departure out of one house into another — not an extinction, but a going from house to house.
3. The necessity of undergoing it, in the word TrXrjpeiv. This word axicomplisli noteth three things : —
[1.] His mediatorial duty, with a respect to God's ordination and decree declared in the prophecies of the Old Testament, which when they are fulfilled are said to be accomplished. Whatsoever Christ did in the work of redemption was with respect to God's will and eternal decree : Acts iv. 28, ' To do whatsoever thy hand and counsel
Mat. XYII. 3.] chkist's transfiguration. 363
determined before to be done.' Now this was the more binding, being it was a declared counsel in the prophecies and figures of the Old Testament, therefore Christ cried out at his death, John xix. 30, ' It is finished,' or accomplished — meaning principally that the pro- phecies, and figures, and types which prefigured his death were all now accomplished.
[2.] His voluntary submission, ' which he should accomplish,' notetli his active and voluntary concurrence. It is an active word, not passive, not to be fulfilled upon him, but by him ; for though his death in regard of his enemies was violent and enforced, yet he voluntarily underwent it for our sakes ; no man could have taken his life from him unless he had laid it down, John x. 18; it was not forced upon him, but he yielded to it by a voluntary dispensation. As to men, it was an act of violence ; but as to his Father, it was an act of obedi- ence ; as to us, an act of love. On Christ's part his enemies could not have touched him against his will, as indeed they cannot also one hair of our heads but as God permitteth.
[3.] That it was the eminent act of his humiliation, for this cause he assumed human nature. His humiUation began at his birth, continued in his life, and was accomplished in dying : all was nothing without this, for less could not serve the turn than the death of the Son of God. Then all sufferings were undergone which were neces- sary to take away sin ; therefore there is a consummation or perfection attributed to the death of Christ : Heb. x. 14, ' By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.' There is done enough to expiate sin, to open a way to heaven and happiness. This accom- plisheth all that is necessary by way of merit and satisfaction.
Now what shall we learn from hence, for surely such solemn actions of Christ were not in vain?
I. A notable argument to confirm the Christian faith, namely, the consent between the law and the prophets and Christ ; for Moses aud Elias are all Christ's ministers and servants, agreeing in one with him, and therefore appear at his transfiguration, where he is proclaimed to be the beloved Son of God, and the great doctor of the . church, whom all are bound to hear under pain of damnation.
I will prove two things: —
First, The necessity of this appearance, both to the Jews and us Gentiles.
1. To the Jews in that age ; for there were three opinions con- cerning Christ. Some had a blasphemous opinion of him, as if he were an imposter, and called him Samaritan and devil. So the chief priests and Pharisees, Mat. xxvii. 63, ' We remember that that de- ceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again ;' and Mat. xii. 24, ' This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.' Generally they looked upon him as an enemy to Moses: John ix. 29, 'We know that God spake to Moses ; as for this fellow, we know not whence he is.' Others had a more moderate opinion, who were alarmed by his miracles, and con- vinced by his holiness : Mark vi. 14-16, ' Some said it is Elias, others said it is a prophet, Jeremias, or one of the prophets ; but Herod said it is John whom I beheaded, who is risen from the dead, and there-