LECTURE.

We go on happily with our reading, when the history and miracles of our Lord bring us to this confession and belief, that he is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." "For these things were written," saith St. John, “that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that believing we might have life through his name." It is, therefore, necessary in the first place that you should know and consider what you want from him, and for what end you believe in him. Need I tell you what it is? You have just now heard, it is for life, it is for the recovery of our souls, redemption from sin and death by the forgiveness of our sins, a new will to live to God in obedience, to seek the things which are above, and to value our interest in Christ as the dearest treasure of our hearts. If you have a true knowledge of your condition, with an earnest desire of his help, you may be sure that the Spirit has begun his work in you, and, according to his office in the world, will show you the glory of Christ, as the anointed of God, the Son of God, and the Head to which we must be joined for life: and you may be as sure of obtaining the life he has, and is appointed to give, to your present comfort and everlasting salvation. It cannot be repeated too often, that every word he spake, and every miracle he wrought, is a pledge and assurance of his power and will to help you according to the exigency of your case; and that every one who lays hold on him in faith for peace with God, will be a partaker of all he did and suffered for the life of mankind, according to the declared end and design of his coming into the world. And, if you thus read the Gospels, with the simplicity of little children, and with the sole design of being made wise unto salvation, all the

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difficulties which now seem so great to you will vanish If the heart receives what is written, it is a sufficient explanation of it, and no other will do you any good. In this disposition, you will find your own case, more or less, in every thing you read, cry after Jesus for your own healing, and turn all Scripture into a prayer. To bring you to this self-application, and trust in Jesus, under a sense of your lost condition, knowing that he will relieve you, and that none else can, is the great end, as you have heard, for which the Scripture was written; and what I have chiefly in view, in reading and opening it to you. The Lord open it to your hearts, and speak all there, where I cannot; for flesh and blood never revealed Christ to any man; I mean, as a Saviour, giving rest to the conscience, and purifying the heart unto obedience and love of the truth. This is the work of God in every man; and when we can say truly and effectually that Jesus is the Lord, we may be as sure it is by the Holy Ghost, and by a faith of God's giving, as that we did not make ourselves.

Suppose now that Christ was present at this time and place, to ask you as he did the disciples, "Whom say ye that I am?" What would you say to him? Have you the answer ready, and could you say, as Peter did, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, through whom we have forgiveness of sins, peace of mind and conscience, and the hope of everlasting life? Blessed is that soul to whom Christ, the Son of the living God, is thus revealed. And, if he is not thus revealed to every one of us, he is no Saviour to us. If we have no clear sight and knowledge of his blessings, how great they are in themselves, and how much wanted by us, and so of course no desire of them, or faith in him for them, we have no benefit by him; he is no Christ to those who do not make him their hope, and the great wish of their souls,

and through him live unto God. When we do so, this passage of Scripture informs us, viz. when we savour the things that be of God, and the strong bent, the prevailing relish and desire of the soul, is for the salvation of Christ, and the blessings of eternity. Then we can submit to his teaching, and think it our duty and happiness to be governed by him, resolving with ourselves not to lose our portion in him, whatever self-denial it puts us to. The man who confesseth and believeth in him as the Son of God, and the Saviour of the world, makes him his trust for pardon and life, and sees no hope in any thing else, will commit his life to him in that hope, and be prepared for any cross he thinks fit to lay upon him in his way to glory; always remembering those words which are deeply engraved in the hearts of believers - "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Let us, therefore, pray that we may so believe in and learn Christ, and account it our duty and great business in the world, as Christians, to be prepared for that time, when the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with the holy angels, to reward every man according to his works.

PRAYER.

Lord, we beseech thee, reveal thy Son to us as the way, the truth, and the life; that believing the forgiveness of our sins through him, and rejoicing in thy peace, we may yield ourselves unto thee as alive from the dead, and walk worthy of the mercy thou hast showed us. Ground us on the rock Christ Jesus, and build us up on our most holy faith unto obedience and love of the truth. Send thy Holy Spirit into our hearts, to excite us to prayer, and to groan within us for the blessings of thy covenant, to keep us in thy love, and in patient

waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Purge us from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; deliver us from all worldly and vain desires; remove all the hinderances to thy coming and gracious presence in our souls, and enable us, by the mighty power of thy grace, to follow the Captain of our salvation through all difficulties and temptations; that, living unto him that died for us, we may be owned by him as his faithful servants, and find mercy at the great day, for his sake, thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

SECTION XXXVI.

ST. MATTHEW, xvii. 1.

AND after six days, Jesus taketh Peter, James, and JohnWhy not all the disciples? They would relate what they had seen to the rest, for the confirmation of their faith; as we now hear it for the same end.

Ver. 2. And was transfigured before them. It was to give them a sensible demonstration of his being the Christ. St. Peter knew what use to make of it; and alleges it as an infallible proof of his power and coming, 2 Pet. i. 16.

was a convincing argument of his power, or divine nature, breaking through the outward covering of his flesh. And as he appeared then, so he will again at his coming, and work the same change in us; as another apostle affirms, Phil. iii. 21. But what, my friends! Is it so indeed? Will he then "change our vile body, that may be fashioned like unto his glorious body?" Yes; if we are first changed into the divine image, by the renewing of our minds. Lord, how complete is thy re

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demption! How great is thy power, in the transformation of soul and body into thy likeness! Accomplish thy work; raise up thy own life in us, and prepare us for thy glory, as we know assuredly thou wilt, if we put ourselves into thy hands for it.

Ver. 3. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. In the hearing of the three, disciples, concerning a point in which they were but newly instructed, and as yet slow of belief, viz. his sufferings and death, Luke ix. 31. It was an extraordinary method which God took with them, to prepare them for this event. And I doubt not but all Christians have means afforded them suited to their case, and sufficient for their establishment; though we too often fail in our trials, as they did.

Ver. 4. Then answered Peter and said unto Jesús, Lord, it is good for us to be here, &c. As if he was at the height of his wishes, and already in possession of heaven. Another evangelist says plainly, "he knew not what he said." Christ had not yet finished the chief business for which he came into the world; and, if his ministry had ended here, we should all have perished. He had also a great work for Peter to do, and much higher glory in reserve for him, at the end of it. Let us not take up our rest in any thing short of heaven; and let us, in the meantime, be contented to be doing Christ's work.

Ver. 5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased-As bringing many sons unto glory; and with all others, as being in him, and partaking of his Spirit.

-Hear him. Now Moses and Elias must give place, and he only be heard. Only let it be remembered that he must be heard. And what has he not done to engage our attention, secure our love, and sweeten our obedience? O my soul, hear him!

Ver. 6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid-To hear the voice of