that live in the habitual Neglect of this important Duty. When he was in his greatest Sorrow and Distress at his last Sufferings, we find him earnestly praying; and here, when he was entering on the brightest Display of his Glory that ever he exhibited during his humbled State on Earth, we find him praying. And, whilst he was thus engaged, that Glory came upon him: As he prayed, his Countenance was altered.

Thus I have confidered the first Thing I proposed, which was the Manner in which the Evangelists introduced the Account they give of our Saviour's Transfiguration, and what Things they were that immediately preceded this wonderful Event.

I proceed now, Secondly, to confider the Description that is given us of the Tranffiguration itself, and the most remarkable Circumstances that attended it.

And here there are several Things that deserve to be distinctly examined.

First, The sudden and wonderful Change that passed upon our blessed Lord himself, with Respect to his outward Appearance, which became amazingly refplendent and glorious.

Secondly, The Account that is here gi

ven us of fome of the heavenly Inhabitants

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appearing

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appearing with him in Glory, and converfing with him.

Thirdly, The Testimony given to our blessed Lord, by an audible Voice, from the Midst of the Cloud of Glory.

Fourthly, The Effect and Impreffion all this had upon Chrift's Disciples that were then present.

I. The first Thing that here offereth itfelf to our Thoughts is the sudden and glorious Change which passed upon our bleffed Lord himself, with Respect to his outward Appearance. This is represented by the Evangelists in a Variety of Expreffions, all of which are very fignificant. St. Matthew observes that he was tranffigured before them, and his Face did shine as the Sun, and his Raiment was white as the Light. St. Mark, after having told us, that he was transfigured before them, adds, that his Raiment became shining, exceeding white as Snow, so as no Fuller on Earth can white them. Mark ix. 3. St. Luke expresseth it thus, that the Fashion of his Countenance was altered, and his Raiment was white and glistering. Luke ix. 29.

First, it is in general faid, that he was tranfigured. The Word used in the Orininal fignifieth a Change in the outward Form and Appearance, not in the Sub

stance of his Body, which continued the fame

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same that it was before. And therefore

St. Luke explaineth it thus, that the Faftion, or Appearance, of his Countenance, or Perfon, was altered, or became different from what it had been before. This Change is defcribed, both with Respect to his Body and to his Garments. And, first, as to his Body, especially his Face, for the rest of his Body was probably covered with his Garments, it is here faid that his Face did Shine as the Sun. No Expreffions could give us a stronger Idea of the wonderful Splendor of his Appearance; fince it is here compared to that of the Sun, the most resplendent Body that we know in the whole Creation. We are told, that the Face of Mofes shone, when he came down from the Mount where he had been converfing with God forty Days, so that the Ifraelites were afraid to look upon him; and therefore he put a Vail upon his Face when he talked with them. So it pleased God to order it, to raise a greater Veneration in their Minds for that Divine Majesty, from whom Mofes had been receiving Laws, and that they might have a Regard to Mofes as his Minifter, and to the Laws he delivered in his Name. Exod. xxxiv. 29, 30, 33. But we have Reason to think that that Brightness of Moses's Face was vastly inferior to the Splendor of our

Lord's Countenance at his Transfiguration. For it is only said concerning Mofes, that the Skin of his Face shone; but concerning Jefus, that his Face did shine as the Sun; so that we may on this Occafion apply those Words of the Apostle, when, fpeaking of the superior Excellency of the evangelical Dispensation above the Mofaical, he faith, that that which was made glorious had no Glory in this Respect, by Reason of the Glory that excelleth. 2 Cor. iii. 10. We may conceive from the Evangelist's Expreffions, that Rays of Glory came beaming forth from our Lord's Countenance, and spread an unalterable Splendor all around him, which, like that of the Sun, was wonderfully bright and dazzling.

Nor was this all; for we are next informed, that not only his Face or Body, but his Raiment also had a new and a quite different and most glorious Appearance. St. Matthew tells us, that bis Raiment was white as the Light. A noble Simile. He compareth his Face to the Sun, his Raiment to the Light, the most beautiful and glorious Objects in this whole visible World. In this Respect those magnificent Expreffions of the Pfalmist might be applied to our Saviour, he covered himself with Light as with a Garment. Nor was

this improper for him who was, in an eminent Sense, the Light of the World. The Evangelist Mark expresseth it thus, bis Raiment became shining; not only his Face shone but his Raiment too, though with a milder Splendor, not equal to that of his Countenance, which is compared to the Sun, but such as produced a luminous White, a pure unfullied Brightness, not to be imitated by any human Art; exceeding white as Snow, so as no Fuller on Earth can white them. Mark ix. 3. Whatever the Colour of his Raiment was before, now it was of a splendid White, the Emblem of unfpotted Purity and Innocence, of Joy and Glory; and hence the Purity and Felicity of the heavenly Inhabitants is represented by their Walking in White, and having on white Robes. Rev. iii. 4. vii. 9. St. Luke agrees with the rest in his Account of it, and tells us that bis Raiment was white and gliftering. The Word in the Original which we render glistering is very emphatical, it fignifieth a Brightness like that of Lightning. His Raiment, or Body through his Raiment, darted forth a strong and vigorous and penetrating Light that aftonished the Beholders. The Glory of Mofes's Face could be covered by a Vail, but Chrift's shone through his Garments.