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that live in the habitual Neglect of this important Duty. When he was in his greatest Sorrow and Distress at his last Sufferings, we find him earnestly praying; and here, when he was entering on the brightest Display of his Glory that ever he exhibited during his humbled State on Earth, we find him praying. And, whilst he was thus engaged, that Glory came upon him: As he prayed, his Countenance was altered.

Thus I have confidered the firft Thing I propofed, which was the Manner in which the Evangelifts introduced the Account they give of our Saviour's Transfiguration, and what Things they were that immediately preceded this wonderful Event.

I proceed now, Secondly, to confider the Description that is given us of the Tranffiguration itself, and the most remarkable Circumstances that attended it.

And here there are feveral Things that deserve to be distinctly examined.

First, The fudden and wonderful Change that paffed upon our bleffed Lord himself, with Refpect to his outward Appearance, which became amazingly refplendent and glorious.

Secondly, The Account that is here given us of some of the heavenly Inhabitants

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appearing

appearing with him in Glory, and converfing with him.

Thirdly, The Teftimony given to our bleffed Lord, by an audible Voice, from the Midft of the Cloud of Glory.

Fourthly, The Effect and Impreffion all this had upon Chrift's Difciples that were then prefent.

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I. The first Thing that here offereth itfelf to our Thoughts is the fudden and .glorious Change which paffed upon our bleffed Lord himself, with Refpect to his outward Appearance. This is represented by the Evangelifts in a Variety of Expreffions, all of which are very fignificant. St. Matthew obferves that he was tranffigured before them, and his Face did fhine as the Sun, and his Raiment was white as the Light. St. Mark, after having told us, that he was transfigured before them, adds, that his Raiment became shining, exceeding white as Snow, fo as no Fuller on Earth can white them. Mark ix. 3. St. Luke expreffeth it thus, that the Fashion of his Countenance was altered, and his Raiment was white and gliftering. Luke ix. 29.

First, it is in general faid, that he was tranfigured. The Word ufed in the Orininal fignifieth a Change in the outward Form and Appearance, not in the Subftance of his Body, which continued the

fame

fame that it was before. And therefore St. Luke explaineth it thus, that the Fashion, or Appearance, of his Countenance, or Perfon, was altered, or became different from what it had been before. This Change is defcribed, both with Refpect to his Body and to his Garments. And, firft, as to his Body, especially his Face, for the rest of his Body was probably covered with his Garments, it is here faid that his Face did Shine as the Sun. No Expreffions could give us a ftronger Idea of the wonderful Splendor of his Appearance; fince it is here compared to that of the Sun, the moft refplendent Body that we know in the whole Creation. We are told, that the Face of Mofes fhone, when he came down from the Mount where he had been converfing with God forty Days, fo that the Ifraelites were afraid to look upon him; and therefore he put a Vail upon his Face when he talked with them. So it pleafed God to order it, to raise a greater Veneration in their Minds for that Divine Majesty, from whom Mofes had been receiving Laws, and that they might have a Regard to Mofes as his Minifter, and to the Laws he delivered in his Name. Exod. xxxiv. 29, 30, 33. But we have Reafon to think that that Brightnefs of Mofes's Face was vaftly inferior to the Splendor of our Lord's

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Lord's Countenance at his Transfiguration. For it is only faid concerning Mofes, that the Skin of his Face fhone; but concerning Jefus, that his Face did fine as the Sun; fo that we may on this Occafion apply thofe Words of the Apostle, when, fpeaking of the fuperior Excellency of the evangelical Difpenfation above the Mofaical, he faith, that that which was made glorious had no Glory in this Respect, by Reafon of the Glory that excelleth. 2 Cor. iii. 10. We may conceive from the Evangelift's Expreffions, that Rays of Glory came beaming forth from our Lord's Countenance, and spread an unalterable Splendor all around him, which, like that of the Sun, was wonderfully bright and dazzling.

Nor was this all; for we are next informed, that not only his Face or Body, but his Raiment also had a new and a quite different and moft glorious Appearance. St. Matthew tells us, that his Raiment was white as the Light. A noble Simile. He compareth his Face to the Sun, his Raiment to the Light, the most beautiful and glorious Objects in this whole vifible World. In this Refpect thofe magnificent Expreffions of the Pfalmift might be applied to our Saviour, he covered himself with Light as with a Garment. Nor was

this improper for him who was, in an eminent Senfe, the Light of the World. The Evangelift Mark expreffeth it thus, his Raiment became fhining; not only his Face fhone but his Raiment too, though with a milder Splendor, not equal to that of his Countenance, which is compared to the Sun, but fuch as produced a luminous White, a pure unsullied Brightness, not to be imitated by any human Art; exceeding white as Snow, fo as no Fuller on Earth can white them. Mark ix. 3. Whatever the Colour of his Raiment was before, now it was of a fplendid White, the Emblem of unfpotted Purity and Innocence, of Joy and Glory; and hence the Purity and Felicity of the heavenly Inhabitants is reprefented by their Walking in White, and having on white Robes. Rev. iii. 4. vii. 9. St.

Luke agrees with the reft in his Account of it, and tells us that bis Raiment was white and gliftering. The Word in the Original which we render gliftering is very emphatical, it fignifieth a Brightnefs like that of Lightning. His Raiment, or Body through his Raiment, darted forth a strong and vigorous and penetrating Light that aftonished the Beholders. The Glory of Mofes's Face could be covered by a Vail, but Chrift's hone through his Garments.

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