two are better than one, and that as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend.

5. At this season of holy communion with God, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I well pleased. There Christ was expressly acknowledged to be the Son of God, by a voice from the excellent glory. In like manner, God is never more likely to acknowledge his children,—to give them a comfortable perception of their justified state, than when they are deeply engaged in communion with him. It is readily granted, that there is a great diversity in God's treatment of his children. To some, the evidence of their own adoption is much more satisfactory, than to others; and some, there is reason to believe, are continually distressed with doubts. Very few general rules will apply to all cases. But many have, in prayer, experienced the most clear and comforting light of God's countenance. They have not indeed heard a voice from the excellent glory, pronouncing these words, "Thou art my beloved Son," but they have felt that blessed submission to God, that earnest desire of soul to become perfectly like him and eternally with him, which afforded very joyful hope of their being really and truly his children. But we are not to suppose that the Christian's state of mind will be always alike, any more than was the condition of his Master, while on earth; for although Christ was, at his baptism, and on the mount, acknowledged by a voice from heaven to be the Son of God, yet in the hour of darkness, we hear him exclaim: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? No wonder that the servant should not fare better than his lord, nor he that is sent, better than he who sent him. No wonder, that the disciples of Christ, experience hours of darkness, and apparent desertion, even after they have obtained a degree of evidence of their good state, which is generally to their satisfaction and joy.

6. Though Christians sometimes experience that enlargement in religious exercises, that delight in conversing with God, which no language can fully express, and to which no worldly

enjoyments bear any proportion, yet it is far most prudent to speak of these comfortable seasons but sparingly, and never but among intimate Christian friends. When our Lord, with three of his disciples, had enjoyed such a heavenly scene and interview, on the mount: they kept it close, and told no man, in those days, any of those things, which they had seen. When Moses had been honored with a vision of God, in Horeb, and received his commission to lead out the children of Israel from Egypt, he returned to his father in law, Jethro, to request liberty to visit his brethren; but said not a word of the vision, nor of his intercourse with God.

Under prudent restrictions, however, it may be very profitable and edifying to converse on these devout enjoyments; but in this as well as in all temporal and spiritual concerns, wisdom is profitable to direct.

7. Notwithstanding Peter was admitted to this heavenly vision on the mount; to behold his divine Master, whose face shone as the sun, and whose robes were white as the light, and to see Moses and Elias, appearing in glory, yet afterwards, this same Peter was left to deny this same glorious Master.-Hence we ought to learn, that no enlargement in prayer, and no manifestation of the divine love, ought to make us feel secure against sin, or lead us to imagine that our mountain stands strong. We must still view ourselves as feeble, inconstant, sinful creatures, who possess no strength, but what they obtain from above. We must still watch and strive against sin; we must still view ourselves, as encompassed with infirmities, and possessing those corruptions of heart, which will, unless guarded against and resisted, bring affliction and sorrow to ourselves, and dishonor to Christ: Therefore let him that standeth, take heed lest he fall.

8. We perceive that this scene of glory, and this interview with glorified spirits were exceedingly delightful. Peter exclaims, It is good for us to be here and then makes a very singular proposal-let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses and one for Elias; as if glorified spirits needed, or would accept tabernacles built on earth! For this strange purpose howVOL. II.

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ever, the evangelist makes an apology, that Peter was so astonished and delighted that he wist not what he said. It is very evident that he wished the happy and glorious scene might be of long continuance. Nor is there any occasion to wonder at such a desire. Never was social worship, on earth, attended with such views and enjoyments. As they retired to this mountain, on purpose for prayer, their minds no doubt were in a solemn contemplative frame as they ascended. Soon after they had arrived at a convenient place on the mountain, the prayer of Christ began; even the prayer of him, who is the great Mediator betwixt God and man, and whom the Father always heareth. At the same time the fashion of his countenance was altered, his face did shine as the sun; his raiment became white as the snow,-glistering even as the light. His robes were the robes of glory; and from his divine countenance, in every direction, issued streams of light. But Peter and they that were with him, did not see the beginning of this glorious vision, nor hear the whole of this wonderful and edifying discourse; but being wearied by the labors of the day before, they were quite overburdened, and sunk down with sleep; but being awakened by the brightness of those rays, which pierced the darkness of the night, they saw to their inexpressible astonishment, his unusual glory, and the two men, who were standing with him, and heard the conclusion of their discourse, whence they collected who they were. It is to be noticed, not only that Christ himself was transfigured, and made the most astonlishing and divine appearance; but that these eminent saints appeared in glory, i. e. with a dignity and splendor becoming their character, and suitable to the bright and glorious regions whence they came. Well might the disciples have exclaimed, like Jacob How dreadful is this place! This is no other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven! Here was Moses, the great law-giver of the Jews, and type of Christ; here was Elijah, that bold and persecuted prophet of the Lord, both of whom had for many ages been reaping, in celestial fields, the rich harvest of all their earthly toils. Here was the blessed

:

Jesus, not in the humble form, which he usually wore in the days of his humiliation; but with illuminated countenance and shining vesture, such as he was about to assume after his ascension to God's right hand.

In addition to all this, they find themselves suddenly invested with a cloud, and hear a voice issuing from the cloud, and saying, in regard to Christ: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

We conclude the present discourse with some reflections on the glories of heaven, of which this scene of the transfiguration was only a shadow. In heaven, there will be not only Moses and Elias, but all the saints of every age. All the patriarchs, who served as lights in the midst of a benighted world; all the prophets, whom God inspired to foreshow his designs of grace to men; all the apostles of Christ, and witnesses of his gospel, who "loved not their lives unto death." There shall be a Noah, Abraham and Joshua, an Isaiah and Daniel; a St. Paul and all his fellow helpers to the kingdom of God: I beheld, said the holy seer of Patmos, and lo, a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation unto our God, who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. All this innumerable multitude of sanctified ones shall appear gloriously arrayed in white garments, enjoying the most blissful and honorable intercourse with angels. Jesus Christ shall there appear in full majesty not only in that glory, which he had with the Father before the foundation of the world, but with that additional splendor and elevation, which he acquired, by accomplishing the work of man's redemption. He will then sit on the "right hand of power, far above all principality, and might, and dominion, and every name, that is named; all things being put under his feet. The worshippers shall no more feel bodily fatigue, like these disciples, who fell asleep, even when their Lord was praying. The worship of heaven shall be rational, vigor

ous, and fervent. No one will feel indifferent, or languid; but each will join in it, with his whole heart. Peter, to prolong the splendid and happy scene, which he enjoyed on the mount with Christ, proposed to build three tabernacles. The saints, in much greater happiness, shall be assured of its perpetuity :they will have no fears, that their pleasures will ever cease, or be diminished. Those rivers of pleasure, which flow at God's right hand, continue forever more: The tabernacles of God shall be with men :-God himself shall be among them. Eternity will not exhaust his love to them, nor their satisfaction and delight in him. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things, which God has prepared for them that love him. God grant we may experience, throughout eternity, the inadequacy of all our present conceptions.