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which our minds are incapable of conceiving. St. Paul heard words which man is unable to repeat: and here the three apostles are dazzled with a brightness which could be produced by no earthly skill.

How wonderful and how inspiring is the thought, that this brightness, this glory, is prepared for those, who here belong to Christ Jesus! St. Paul assures us, that he "shall raise our vile body, that it may be made like unto his glorious body." Christ was "made flesh," as ourselves: he bore the body of earth the body of "weakness:" of "dishonour." And so do we. "As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy." We bear the image of the earthy. But on the mount where this wonderful transfiguration took place, Christ put on the appearance of "incorruption," of "glory," of "power:" the glory and power of the celestial body. So likewise will his true and faithful disciples. "As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly." "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." This will take place at that last hour, when "the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed: when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality!3

This we believe: Lord, "help our unbelief!" and teach us more and more to live as those should live, who look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come!

Moses and Elijah, we are told, appeared on this scene, talking with Jesus.

3 See 1 Cor. xv. 42-54.

Here some may be disposed to ask, How were these dead raised up and with what body did they come?

It is enough to answer, God gave to them a body as it pleased him: and to each, his own body. "Is anything too hard for the Lord ?"

4. Then answered Peter and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Such was the wonderful glory of this scene, and such the rapture in which Peter viewed it, that he could not bear the thought of leaving it, and returning again to common things: to the business and trials of life its cares, its sorrows, its temptations. And all would feel the same; would desire to "depart," and to "be with Christ," if their faith were more pure and entire, so as to realize to their minds what Scripture discloses and promises.

But at least we may unite with the apostle in these words, It is good for us to be here to be where he was, and where he wished to remain, in the company of Christ Jesus, and of Elias, and of Moses. We are with Moses and Elias, while we walk as they walked, in all the ordinances and commandments of the law blameless. We are with Christ Jesus, while we abide in his faith. He is one with us, and we with him. He has said, "If any man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

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It is indeed good for us to be so.

May we never be where Moses and Elias might not also be: never act unworthily of such presence: never desire what they might not favour, or do what they might be ashamed to witness, or speak what they would be grieved to hear !

5. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.

6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid.

7. And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

As soon as the apostles had recovered from the surprise occasioned by the voice from heaven, they looked round, and perceived no longer Moses and Elias. In the same manner, short glimpses of heavenly things are sometimes vouchsafed to the people of God during their pilgrimage on earth: thus they are cheered on their way, and strengthened to pursue it. Those more especially who are called to encounter great difficulties, to suffer heavy trials of sickness or sorrow, or who are exposed to grievous persecution for righteousness' sake-those more especially are permitted to enjoy such blessings. The Spirit gives them, not a view of Moses and Elias, but a sense of everlasting glory, which enables them to do what they are called to do, and to suffer what they are called to suffer.

But those unusual favours are not lasting. It is intended, that our life on earth be by faith, and not by sight. We must, here, depend upon God's word: depend upon what he promises we shall behold hereafter, and not expect that it will now be clearly displayed before our eyes.

9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell this vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

10. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

11. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12. But I say unto you, that Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

13. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

The prophecy was rightly apprehended, that one typified under the title of Elijah, (See Mal. iii, 1; iv. 5,) "a burning and a shining light in a dark age and country," should precede the expected coming of the great deliverer. But they had not perceived that this prophecy was already accomplished in the ministry of John the Baptist. He had restored all things; that is, he had established them in the state in which they must needs be when Christ appeared: he had called men to repentance, the first step towards restoration, and awakened the hearts of those who had ears to hear.

The error of the apostles reminds us, how much of the meaning of Scripture, how much of its spiri

tual force, how much of its personal application, may remain unperceived, unless through the grace of its Divine Author it is brought home to our minds.

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May he so open our eyes" that we may see the wondrous things of his law!

Mark ix. 14-29. Luke ix. 37-43.

LECTURE XLIII.

POWER OF FAITH.-TRIBUTE MONEY PAID.

MATT. xvii. 14-27.

14. And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15. Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into

the water.

16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

18. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him and the child was cured from that very hour. 19. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of

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