To verify which prediction, the disciples | particularly to Peter. At beholding the lived to see their master coming in his kingdom, when they were witnesses of his transfiguration, resurrection, and ascension, and had the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit conferred upon them; lived to see Jerusalem, with the Jewish state, destroyed; and the gospel propagated through the greatest part of the then known world. About eight days after this discourse, our blessed Saviour being with the multitude in the country of Cesarea Philippi, left them in the plain, and accompanied with Peter, James, and John, ascended an exceeding high mountain. In this solitude, while Jesus was praying with these three disciples, he was transfigured; his face became radiant and dazzling, for it shone like the sun in its meridian clearness. At the same time his garment acquired a snowy whiteness, far beyond any thing human art could produce; a whiteness bright as the light, and sweetly refulgent, but in a degree inferior to the radiance of his countenance. Thus as it were, for an instant, the Son of God, during his state of humiliation, was irradiated with heavenly glories; and to heighten the grandeur and solemnity of the scene, Moses, the great law-giver of Israel, and Elijah, a zealous defender of the laws, appeared in the beauties of immortality, the robes in which the inhabitants of the heavenly Canaan are adorned. The disciples, it seems, did not see the beginning of this transfiguration; happening to fall asleep at the time of prayer, they lost that pleasure, together with a great part of the conversation which these two prophets held with the only begotten Son of God. They, however, understood that the subject was his meritorious sufferings and death, by which he was to redeem the world; a subject that had a few days beore given great offence to the disciples, illustrious sight, the disciples were greatly amazed; but the forwardness of Peter's disposition prompting him to say something, he uttered he knew not what: "Master (said he) 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." Mark ix. 5. This disciple imagined that Jesus had now assumed his proper dignity, that Elias was coming according to Malachi's prediction, and the Messiah's kingdom was at length begun. ; Accordingly, be thought it was necessary to provide some accommodation for his Master and his august assistants, intending, perhaps, to bring the rest of the disciples with the multitude from the plain below, to behold his matchless glory. This he thought was much better for his Master than to be put to death at Jerusalem, concerning which Jesus had been talking with the messengers from heaven, and the design of which Peter could not comprehend. But 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." Matt. xviii. 5. When the three disciples heard the voice, which, like the roaring thunder, burst from the cloud, and was such as mortals were unaccustomed to hear, they fell on their faces, and continued in that posture till Jesus approached, raised them up, and dispelled their fears, saying unto them," Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only." Matt. xvii. 7, 8. Jesus having continued all night with his three disciples in the mountain, returned to the plain early in the morning, charging them to conceal what they had seen, till after he was risen from the dead. He well knew that the world, and even his own disciples, were not yet able to comprehend the design of his transfiguration and that if it had been published before his resurrection, it might have appeared incredible: because nothing but afflictions and persecutions had hitherto attended him. "He was truly a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." CHAP. XVII. Our Saviour relieves a Youth tortured with a dumb Spirit. Conforms cheerfully to the Custom of the Country by paying the Tribute Reproves the Pride of his Disciples, and delivers some excellent Moral Precepts. HEN our Lord approached the descent of the mountain, accompanied by his three disciples, he saw a great multitude surrounding the nine who were on the plain, and the scribes disputing with them. The people, seeing Jesus coming from the mountain, ran to him, and saluted him with particular reverence. After which Jesus asked the scribes, what was the subject of their debate with his disciples? to which one of the multitude answered, "Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit: And wheresoever he taketh him he teareth him: and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples, that they should cast him out; and they could not." Mark ix. 17, 18. But the doctrine of the resurrection, to which the transfiguration alluded, was what the disciples were utterly unable to understand. They had never learned that the Messiah was to die; far less that he was to be raised from the dead. They were, on the contrary, persuaded, that he was to abide for ever; and that his kingdom was to have no end. They were also greatly surprised at the sudden departure of Elias, and could not comprehend what the scribes meant by affirming that he must appear before the Messiah erects his empire. They, therefore, after long debating among themselves, asked their Master, "Why say the scribes, that Elias must first come ?" To which Jesus answered, that Elias should truly come first, according to the predic- multitude, and not by the scribes to which This answer being made by one of the tion of Malachi, "and restore all things;" the question was directed, indicates, that but at the same time, he assured them, that Elias was already come, and described they had been disputing with the disciples on the treatment he had met with from that youth: perhaps their making this unsuccesstheir not being able to cure this afflicted stiff-necked people; giving them to underful attempt had given the scribes occasion stand that he spake of John the Baptist. to boast, that a devil was at length found "But I say unto you, that Elias is come which neither they nor their Master were already, and they knew him not, but have able to conquer. This seems to be indicated done unto him whatsoever they liked: like-by the manner in which our Saviour address wise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist." Matt. xvii. 12, 13. faithless generation, says he, how long shall ed himself to these arrogant rulers. "Oh I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?" Will no miracles ever be able to convince you? Must I alway bear with your infidelity. You have surely seen sufficient demonstrations of my power, notwithstanding ye still discover the most criminal infidelity. After speaking in this manner to the scribes, he turned himself to the father of the young man, and said, “bring thy son hither." But no sooner was he brought in sight of his Deliverer, than the evil spirit attacked him, as it were, with double fury, "the spirit tare him, and he fell on the gound, and wallowed foaming." Mark ix. 20. Jesus could easily have prevented this attack; but he permitting it, that the minds of the spectators might be impressed with a more lively idea of this youth's distress. And for the same reason it was, that he asked the father, how long he had been in this deplorable condition? To which the afflicted parent answered, "Of a child. Aud oft-times it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him; but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us." Mark ix. 21, 22. The inability of our Lord's disciples to cast out this spirit had greatly discouraged the afflicted father; and the exquisite torture of his son, and the remembrance of its long continuance so dispirited him, that he began to fear this possession was even too great for the power of Jesus himself, as the scribes had before affirmed; and therefore could not help expressing his doubts and fears. But Jesus, to make him sensible of his mistake, said to him, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." On which the father cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe ; help thou mine unbelief." The vehement manner in which he spake causing the crowd to gather from every quarter," Jesus rebuked the foul spirit; (saying unto him) Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, Come out of him, and enter no more into him." Mark ix. 25. No sooner was the powerful exit pronounced, than the desil, with a hideous howling, convulsed the suffering patient in the most deplorable manner: till Jesus, taking him by the hand, restored him to life, and delivered him perfectly recovered to his father. The nine disciples, during this whole transaction, remained silent. They were doubtless mortified to think that they had lost, by some fault of their own, the power of working miracies, lately conferred upon them by their Master: and for this reason were afraid to speak to him in the presence of the multitude. But when they came into the house, they desired Jesus to inform them, why they failed in their attempt to heal that remarkable youth? To which Jesus answered, "Because of your unbelief." But to encourage them, he described the efficacy of the faith of miracles. "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matt. xvii. 29. Nothing shall be too great for you to accomplish, when the glory of God, and the good of the Church are concerned, provided you have a proper degree of faith; even yonder moun tain, which bids defiance to the storm, and smiles at the attacks of its mingled horrors, shall, at your command, leave its firm basis, and remove to another place. The expulsion of the dumb spirit seems to have astonished the disciples more than any other they had seen their Master perform; so that our Saviour found it necessary to moderate their high admiration of his works by again predicting his own death, and retiring for a time into the unfrequented parts of Galilee. But they could not comprehend how the Messiah, who was to abide for ever, and was come to deliver others from the stroke of death, should himself fall by the hand of that universal destroyer. And because he spake of rising again the third day, they could not conceive the reason for his dying at all, and for his laying so short a time in the chambers of the grave. Though they were alarmed at this declaration, they remembered that he had often. inculcated this doctrine, and reprimanded Peter for being unwilling to hear it. After a short tour through the desart part of Galilee, Jesus returned into Capernaum, the place of his general residence. Soon after his arrival, the tax gatherers came to Peter, and asked, whether his Master would pay the tribute? That disciple, it seems, had promised that Jesus would satisfy their demand; but on a more mature consideration feared to ask him concerning his paying taxes on any pretence whatever. Jesus was, however, no stranger to what had happened, and the fear of Peter to ask him; and therefore turned the discourse to this subject, by saying unto him, "What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, then are the children free ;" insinuating, that as he was himself the Son of the great King, to whom heaven, earth, and sea belong, he had no right to pay tribute to any monarch whatever, because he held nothing by a derived right. Or, if we suppose this contribution was made for the service and reparation of the temple, he meant, that he was himself the Son of that Omnipotent Being to whom the, tribute was paid, he could have justly excused himself. But the blessed Jesus was always careful not to give offence; and therefore sent Peter to the lake with a line and a hook, telling him, that in the mouth of the first fish that came up, he should find a piece of money equal to the sum demanded of them both. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give it unto them, for thee and me." Matt. xvii. 27. No. 7. Our Lord took this extraordinary method of paying the tribute money in this manner, because the miracles were of such a kind as could not demonstrate that he was the Son of the great monarch worshipped in the temple, and who rules the universe. In the very manner, therefore, of paying this tribute, he shewed Peter that he was free from all taxes; and at the same time gave this useful lesson to his followers, that when their property is affected only in a small degree, it is better to recede a little from their just right than to offend their brethren, or disturb the state, by obstinately insisting on it. Notwithstanding our blessed Saviour bad lately foretold his own sufferings and death, and though these melancholy accounts had greatly afflicted the minds of his disciples, yet their grief was of no long continuance ; for within a few days they forgot the predictions of their Master, and disputed with each other about the chief posts of honour and profit in the Messiah's kingdom. This debate was overheard by the blessed Jesus, though he did not. mention it till after the tax-gatherers were retired, when be asked them, what they were disputing about on the way? This question rendered them all silent. They were fearful of discovering the cause that had given rise to the debate, as they knew it would draw on them a reprimand from their Master. Jesus, perceiving that they still continued silent, sat down, and ordered them to stand round him, and attend to what he was going to deliver. If any man, said the Saviour of the world, is ambitious of being the greatest person in my kingdom, let him endeavour to obtain that dignity by preferring others in honour, and doing to them all the good offices in his power, "If any man desirè to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." Mark ix. 35. since he must have entertained very high notions of their Master's power, at seeing the devils leave the bodies of them on mentioning the name of Jesus. "Forbid him not ; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me." Mark ix. 39. accordingly they drew near to their Master, desiring him to decide a point which had often given occasion to disputes; "Who (said they) is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" Matt, xviii 1. Jesus, to check these foolish emulations in his disciples, called a little child unto him, and placed him in the midst, that they might consider him attentively and said unto them, " Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matt. xviii. 3. Unless ye be humbled by the power of divine grace, and brought to a due sense of the vanity of all earthly preferments, riches and honours, and become meek and humble in spirit, ye shall be so far from becoming the greatest in my kingdom, that ye shall never enter its borders. But whosoever shall be satisfied with the station in which God has placed him, receives with meekness all the divine instructions, however contrary to his own inclinations, and prefers others to himself, that man is really But on the other hand, the least discouthe greatest in my kingdom. "Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself, as this ragement given to his disciples in the propalittle child, the same is greatest in the king-gation of the gospel, come from what quarter dom of heaven." Matt. xviii. 4. Our Saviour, to demonstrate how truly acceptable the beauty of the grace of humility is to the Almighty, took the child in his arms, declaring, that whoever humbled themselves, like a little child, and shewed kindness to their fellow-creatures, should have the same kindness shewed them in the great day of accounts, especially if they per formed these worthy actions, in obedience to his commands. from circumstances, that It appears, from James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were principally concerned in this debate; for we find that John endeavoured to divert it, by telling his master, they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and had forbidden him, because he did not join himself to their company. To which Jesus replied, that they should not have forbidden him, You should, added the blessed Jesus, consider that every one who does not persecute us, our friend; and that the ejection of devils in my name will advance my reputation, and promote my interest, even though exorcist, and the devils themselves should design the contrary. He also told his disciples that the least degree of respect shewed him by any one, even though it should be no more than the giving a cup of cold water to his thirsty disciples, is acceptable to him, and should not fail of meeting with an adequate reward. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink, in my name, because you belong to Christ, verily, I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." Mark ix. 41. it will, shall be punished with the greatest severity." And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea." Mark ix. 42. From this saying Jesus inferred, that it was more advantageous to deny ourselves the highest enjoyments of this world, and to part with every thing, however precious, represented by a hand, a foot, or an eye, than by these to cause the weaket of his friends to stumble. And as the disciples were appointed to sow the seeds of virtue and religion in the world, or according to the metaphor to salt the people for an offering to heaven, in allusion to sacrifices being salted at the temple, Jesus exhorted them to mortify themselves, that they might appear worthy of so high an office as that of |