These conversed with him respecting his own approaching death —
[One might have expected that they should have talked of heaven : but they had a subject in which all were yet more deeply interested ; a subject, in which the inexhaustible trea- sures of divine wisdom and knowledge are contained; a subject, which fills all heaven with wonder, and which eternity itself
d Mark. ix. 3. VOL. XII. c c
will not be sufficient to unfold. Yes, that subject, universally exploded from the societies of men, was the one which occupied their attention during this delightful interview; " they spake of his decease which he should accomplish in Jerusalem." O what do we lose by lending ourselves so entirely to other topics, and so totally discarding this ! And how infatuated are men, that, even in the society of their dearest friends, they do not improve their hours by conversing on a subject of such universal importance !]
Nor were his earthly followers wholly excluded. We read of,
III. The peculiar privilege granted to some of his disciples —
Some more distinguished favourites were admitted to this heavenly vision —
[Christ has sanctified human friendships by manifesting the same attachments as are common among men. He not only chose twelve out of the body of his Disciples to be his stated followers, but admitted three of them to more peculiar intimacy than the rest : and even of these three there was one, who lay, as it were, in his bosom, and was called, by way of eminence, "The Disciple whom he loved." But the three, who had been taken up to the mountain to spend their time in prayer, had fallen asleep, and lost thereby much of the vision, which they might have seen, and of the conversation, which they might have heard. Alas ! What an irreparable loss did they sustain ! Well might Jesus have said to them, " Sleep on now and take your rest." But the effulgence of his glory roused them at last, and they both beheld this bright assem- blage of persons, and heard the sublime discourse which passed between them. Happy were their eyes which saw, and their ears which heard, such things ! Can we wonder that Peter should exclaim, It is good for us to be here ! and that he should propose to erect tents for the accommodation of Christ and his heavenly guests, regardless of his own ease, if he might but protract his present enjoyments? But though well meant, it was an ignorant proposal ; for it was needful both for themselves and for the world, that they should speedily resume their wonted labours, and fulfil the work assigned them. Peter however may well be excused, for " he knew not what he said."]
They also heard the testimony, which the Father on that occasion bore to Christ —
[While the Apostles were wishing to rest in their present comforts, they were overshadowed with a cloud, and their joys were turned into fear and dread. The cloud perhaps was like
1508. J THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST. o87
that which guided the Israelites through the wilderness as a symbol of the Divine presence: and what can we expect, but that, as sinners, they should tremble at the near approach of the divine Majesty? But the testimony which they heard, amply compensated their transient fears : their divine Master was proclaimed as the only beloved Son of God ; and they were bidden to " hear him," him chiefly, him constantly, him exclusively. Such was the singular honour conferred on him : and though they were forbidden to mention it for a season, lest it should provoke their enemies to wrath, and their fellow- disciples to jealousy, yet doubtless it tended much to support them in their subsequent conflicts.]
Infer —
1 . How indisputable is the truth of our holy religion —
[This was a most remarkable testimony to the character of Jesus ; and it was given by God himself: and would God interpose in this manner in order to deceive? or could those Disciples be mistaken in what they so plainly saw with their eyes, and heard with their ears? Surely, strange as the tidings of the Gospel may be thought, here is evidence enough that it is " not a cunningly devised fable." It is remarkable that St. Peter selects this very event out of the many thousands to which he was a witness, in order to establish beyond a doubt the truth of that doctrine which he preached e. Let us then receive that Gospel which is so well authenticated, so firmly established. Let us " hear Jesus," our divinely appointed Teacher, and make him " our beloved" Saviour, " in whom our souls are well pleased."]