speaks of his sufferings and death. Let us learn of him never to lose sight of that moment which is to separate us from this world. In the midst of joy, and even of spiritual prosperity, we ought to remember that we must purchase the joys of the heavenly Jerusalem by the sacrifice of ourselves. Christ's decease, or departure out of the world, comprehends. two things: his death, which, being suffered in obedience, opens heaven, as that of Moses, happening by the express command of God, was almost immediately followed by the people's entrance into the land of promise; and his ascension, which was prefigured by the taking up of Elias into heaven. 32. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. The sight of Christ's glory, and the presence of Moses and Elias, are a representation of that lively faith concerning heavenly things, and of that knowledge of the Scriptures which Christ gave to his apostles and to apostolical men to qualify them for the work of the gospel. The sleep and waking of the disciples are an emblem of the sleep of death, and of our being awaked at the resurrection, which will open our eyes to the beauties of eternity, and unfold to us all the mysteries and truths of the law and the prophets. O desirable moment, when, being waked, as it were, out of a profound sleep, all the beauty of this world will appear to us only as a dream, and the light of eternity shall clearly show us Jesus Christ and his whole church glorified in God! 33. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. They know not the nature of the Christian religion, who would fain enjoy rest and glory before labour and suffering. The rest and satisfaction which prayer and meditation afford, is very sweet and pleasant to one who has a relish of truth, and a mind open to the mysteries of the Scriptures, so as to discover in them Christ and his church. This is, as it were, a third heaven, which a man must leave, in order to form Christ and his church in hearts by the ministry of the word, when he is called thereto by God. 34. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. God frequently permits a cloud to overshadow the light which has illuminated a man in prayer, and fear to succeed the consolation which he has tasted therein. He thereby teaches souls to rely on nothing here below, and entirely to depend upon him from one moment to another. Christ enters into the cloud when he leaves us under the obscurity of faith, by withdrawing from us that light and sensible comfort which we sometimes experience in our devotions. The secret is, to believe, and to put our whole trust and confidence in God. 35. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. See here a representation of the perfect adoption of the children of God. Christ is substituted in the place of Moses, to give us not only the law, but the spirit and truth of it. Whom will we hear, if we refuse to hear Jesus Christ? He speaks to us in so many divers manners, by his life, by his death, and by all his mysteries; by his gospel, by his church, and by his servants; by his benefits, by his chastisements, and by his inspirations. Shall we be deaf to so many different voices? 36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. Jesus alone is to us instead of the law, the sacrifices, and the prophets. Our true happiness consists in looking upon him alone as our law and pattern; in following him alone as our Moses in the desert of this world; and in desiring his Spirit alone instead of that of Elias. Since truth is not properly ours, but God's, we must be so faithful as not to speak of divine truths but only so far as the Spirit moves us thereto, either by himself or by those who have a right to open our mouths. It is always the safest way not to divulge or publish extraordinary favours and graces: they are a treasure which ought to be carefully hid, for fear lest vanity should rob us of it. SECT. V.-THE LUNATIC.-THE PASSION FORETOLD. 37. And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. After the sweetness of retirement and the repose of prayer, a man must return to his employment and resume his labour. God shows the ministers of the gospel the fruit of retirement and prayer, in the eagerness of the people, who came either to hear the word or to seek a cure. It is a very great comfort to a pastor, when those whom he ought to seek in all places, come on purpose to meet him, and in some measure anticipate his pastoral care. 38. And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son; for he is mine only child. He who begs one look of mercy, begs every thing. God has already looked upon that person, who, knowing the absolute necessity of this look, desires and implores it. To beg it with a loud cry, is to beg it with a great faith and an ardent prayer. There are but few among the crowd whose faith cries out after this manner. That which it ought above all things to believe is, that Christ is Lord of the heart, and can with one single look change and cure it. Our soul, our heart is, as it were, our only child. He who thinks seriously of this, must conclude that he has no other business in the world besides the salvation of this only child, the loss of which is irreparable. 39. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him, hardly departeth from him. How dreadful is that man's condition whom sin has possessed from his youth! The devil is absolute master of his heart, renders his tongue a world of iniquity, causes him by continued relapses to cleave more and more to the earth, and kindles every day new passions which shake and torment him. The intervals are very rare and short in a habitual sinner: a lively and ardent passion is always seeking to satisfy itself, and by so doing renders itself more incurable. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to grant eyes to sinners, that they may perceive the total subversion of their hearts, and all the disorder and confusion which sin has caused therein. 40. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. God often suffers sinners to struggle a long time against their evil habits, on purpose to make them sensible of the nature of sin. The first endeavours of a sinner, represented to us by the prayer of this man, are not altogether fruitless, though they may seem to be so, since they increase his desire of deliverance, and convince him that Christ alone is the Saviour. 41. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. Want of faith is an obstacle to abundance of graces. It is with great justice that Christ blames it, and that not without some indignation, after all which he had done to establish faith and confidence in his sovereign power. This reproach and emotion are not an effect of impatience, but a transport of zeal, which makes his long patience to be more particularly observed. It hereby evidently appears, that he did not seek his own satisfaction, when he continued so long with this faithless and perverse people. Who, after this, will suffer himself to be guided by his aversions or inclinations? 42. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. When a soul is willing to be converted, the devil makes his last efforts; but Christ renders them ineffectual by his grace. Whatever he permits the devil to do against his elect, is only for the glory of his own grace, and to the confusion of the tempter. It is by his almighty power that he casts the devil out of the body and the soul, and puts his Spirit into possession of the heart of man. He need only exert one single act of his will, in order to make all things obey him; and no created will can hinder that which the Omnipotent will would have me do, by causing me to will it. 43. ¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, 44. Let these sayings sink down into your ears: * for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. [*Fr. Hearts.] It is not enough to admire the effects of the mighty power of God; we must also apply ourselves to consider the sufferings of Christ, which are far more inconceivable to human understanding. Happy the child of the cross, who carries a livelier impression thereof in the bottom of his heart than in his memory! It is a thing extremely rare and uncommon, for us to endeavour to alter the minds of those who are intent on admiring us, by setting before their eyes whatever is most humbling, and tends to create the meanest opinion of us. The example which Christ gives us of this, is not very grateful to the children of Adam. To see a God suffer in the flesh, is something much more wonderful than to see him cast out devils by his Spirit. He delivers men from the power of the devil; and he suffers himself to be delivered into the hands of men: his power gives way to his love. 45. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. How much above the understanding of man are the designs of God concerning the death of his Son! We must show more fidelity and humility in adoring them, than curiosity in desiring to pry into them. The carnal man does not willingly consider objects which exact of him great duties, and such as are grievous to nature. He who fears that he shall find in the passion of Christ an obligation to suffer, and to crucify the flesh with him, does not love to employ his thoughts on that mystery. Lord, deliver me from this carnal fear; and make me love to ask thee, and to inquire concerning this subject, by meditating upon thy Scriptures, and invoking thy Spirit by prayer. SECT. VI.—HE WHO THINKS HIMSELF THE LEAST, IS THE GREATEST.—HE WHO IS NOT AGAINST CHRIST, IS FOR HIM. 46. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. What blindness is it in the members of a head intent on nothing but humbling himself, to think of nothing but exalting themselves! Self-love must needs be strangely delighted with |