Thirdly, The properties of this hearing or submission to our great prophet.
1. There must be a resolute consent or resignation of ourselves to liis teaching and instruction. All particular duties are included in the general. First, we own Christ in his offices, before we perform
Mat. XA'II. 5.] Christ's tkaxsfiguration. 3^i7
the duties which each of those offices calleth for at our hands and from us — before we depend on him as a priest, or obey him as a king. As we receive him with thankfulness and love as our dearest Saviour, and with reverence and a consent of subjection as a sovereign lord, so also with a consent of resolution to follow his directions as our pro- phet and teacher, being convinced that he is sent from God to shov/ us the way of life and happiness : John vi. 63, ' Lord, to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life.' His doctrine showeth that there is such a thing, how it was jjurchased, which way it may be had, by God's offer, and the terms prescribed. Before we take any parti- cular direction from Christ about this or that duty, we must first consent in the general that he shall be our teacher and prophet. A particular consent to Christ in this relation is as necessary as to any of the rest.
2. This resignation of our souls to Christ as a teacher, as it must be resolute, so it must be unbounded and without reserves. We must submit absolutely to all that he propoundeth, though some mysteries be above our reason, some precepts against the interest and inclination of the flesh, some promises seem to be against hope, or contrary to natural probabilities. There are some mysteries in the Christian reli- gion, though not against reason, yet above natural reason. Now we must believe them upon Christ's word, captivantes omnem intellectum in obsequium Christi : 2 Cor. x. 5, ' Bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ.' All our disputings and reason- ings against the Christian doctrine must be captivated by a submis- sion to the authority of our teacher and prophet. A disciple is to be a learner, not a caviller ; and some principles are not to be chewed, but swallowed as pills on the credit of the physician, when it appeareth on other grounds that Christ is the great teacher sent from God. And as there are mysteries above our reason, so there be duties against the interest and inclination of the flesh. Many of Christ's precepts are displeasing to corrupt nature — to deny ourselves, to take up the cross, to mortify our appetites and passions, to cut off right hands, and to pluck out right eyes ; that none shall be saved that are not regenerate and holy ; that non-condemnation is the privilege of those that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit ; that if we live after the flesh we shall die ; that we must not seek great things for ourselves ; that we must hate father and mother, and our own life, if we will be Christ's disciples. Flesh and blood can hardly down with these things — that there shall be such an exact day of account, such eternal torments in the other world ; yet if this be revealed by our great prophet, as reason must not be heard against Christ, so the flesh must not be heard against Christ, nor the world heard against Christ ; so if some of our hopes exceed the probability of natural causes : Kom. iv. 18, he 'against hope believed in hope,' as the resurrection of the body. We must be- lieve and obey him in what he offereth and commandeth, notwith- standing the contradiction of our carnal minds and hearts, in what is hard to be believed and practised, as well as in what is easy.
3. It must be speedy as to the great solemn acts of submission. Do not delay to hear him : Heb. iii. 7, ' To-day, if you will hear his voice^ harden not your hearts.' Christ must not be put off with dilatory shifts ;
398 CHRIST'S TRANSFIGURATION. [SeR. 'VI.
if we refuse to hear to-day, Christ may refuse to speak to-morrow. The Father hath his time of waiting, the Son of his gospel-offers, the Spirit of his earnest motions : it is dangerous to slip our day ; therefore, if you will hear him, hear him now ! Hear him betimes ; the season falleth under the precept as well as the duty : ' Now, while it is called to-da)'/
4. Your consent to hear him must be real, practical, and obedien- tial, verified in the whole tenor and course of your lives and actions ; for Christ will not be flattered with empty titles. ' Why call ye me lord and master, and do not the things which I say ? ' Luke vi. 46. If you pretend to hear his word, you must do it also, for you do not hear to please your minds with knowing, but that you may make it your seri- ous care and business to serve, love, and please God. Many study Christianity to form their opinions rather than reform their hearts and practice. The great use of knowledge and faith is to behold the love of God in the face of Jesus Christ, that our own love may be quickened and increased to him again. If it serve only to regulate opinions, it is but dead speculation, not a living faith. A naked be- lief is but the sight of a feast, — it is the gracious soul doth eat and digest it ; when our faith is turned into love and obedience, that is the true faith.