]\Iat. XVII. 6-8.] Christ's transfiguration. 40D
assumeth the habit of his humiliation ; as Moses did put a veil upon his face, that the people might endure his sight and presence. God's appearing at first may be terrible ; but the issue is sweet and com- fortable : a still, calm voice followed the earthquake, wind, and fire, 1 Kings xix. And God doth good to his people after he hath hum- bled them and proved them, Deut. viii. 16. Here, when the apostles lay like dead men, Christ came and put new life and strength into them. He came out of love and pity to them, that nothing more griev- ous might happen to them, either loss of life or senses. He would not let them perish in these amazements.
2. His touch. He touched them. Christ's touch is powerful, and a means of application. Usually thus Christ conveyed and applied his power : Mat. viii. 3, He touched the leper and cleansed him. Mat. viii. 15, He touched Peter's wife's mother and cured her of a fever. So Mat. ix. 19, He touched the two blind men and they received their sight ; and in many other places. So this touching of the apostles was to apply his power, and to recover them out of their trance.
3. His speech : ' And said, Arise, and be not afraid,' The glori- ous voice of the Father affrights them, and the gracious voice of the Son reviveth and refresheth them. He comforts those whom the ter- rors of the Almighty had cast down. He doth not chide them for their fear or little faith, as he doth at other times ; he considered the great- ness of the cause, their natural infirmity, the governing of which was not in their power, and the terribleness and suddenness left no time for dehberation ; therefore he doth not chide them, but encourageth them. The like was done in other cases, as to Ezekiel in his trance : Ezek. ii. 1, ' Son of man, arise, stand on thy feet, and I will speak to thee.' So too the apostle John : Rev. i. 17, 18, ' When I saw him, I lay at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not ; I am the first and the last' So here, be not afraid. "We must reverence Christ, but not be scared at him. Such a fear as may stand with our duty is required, but not that which disableth us for it, or discourageth us in it ; that is no more pleasing to God than security.
[1.] Observe Christ's tender care over his disciples in their faintings and discouragements.
(1.) That he comforteth and reviveth his disciples, Christ alone can help us, and confirm us against our fears ; the disciples did not stir, but lay prostrate upon their faces, till he came and touched them, and said, ' Arise, be not afraid.' In all the troubles and perplexities of his people, he will be owned as the causer and curer of them : Hosea vi. 1, ' Come, let us return unto the Lord : for he hath torn, and he will heal us, he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.' So Job v. 18, ' He maketh sore and bindeth up, he woundeth and his hands make whole.' As all our troubles and perplexities are from his hands, so must the healing be. If he make the wound, all the world cannot find a plaster to heal it ; and no wound given by himself is above his own cure ; and he woundeth not as an enemy, but as a chirurgeon, not with a sword, but a lancet. All other means are blasted till we come to him.
(2.) That he is exceeding ready, and hath great pity and tender-
410 • Christ's transfiguration. [Ser. VII.
ness towards them. As appeareth by laying aside his glory, and com- ing to the disciples, when they came not to him ; and speedily, that he might not leave them long in the trance, lest worse effects should follow. And is he not like affected to all his people in their perplexi- ties and troubles ? Yes, verily. See Isa. Ivii. 16, ' I will not contend for ever, nor will I be always wroth : for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.' He speaketh as if he were afraid lest man's spirit should fail, being long overwhelmed with terror and trouble. So the apostle, 2 Cor. ii. 7, ' Comfort him, lest he be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." The Lord Christ is full of bowels and compassions, pitieth his people in their infirmities, fears, and troubles.
[2.] The manner and way which he taketh is considerable also— by touch and speech. The touch noteth the application of his power ; and in his speech he saith, ' Arise, be not afraid.' Christ doth not love to confound, but comfort, his servants, and therefore taketh this double course, by secret power enlivening and strengthening their hearts : Ps. cxxxviii. 3, ' I cried unto the Lord, and thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul ; ' that is, God did secretly support him and strengthen him under the trouble. He doth it also by a word ; therefore we read of God's speaking peace to his people : Ps. Ixxxv. 8, ' I will hear what God will say, for he will speak peace to his people and his saints.' Besides an inward strength- ening, there is a necessity of a word from Christ's own mouth ere we can cast off our discouragements. Besides his touching or his laying his right hand upon us, there is need of his word to us.