both in his own and his Father's glory; that he should not be attended by twelve weak disciples, but surrounded by myriads of celestial spirits, with numberless hosts of mighty angels; nor should his rewards be the great offices and large possessions of a temporal kingdom; but the joys and comforts of immortality.

Thus did the Blessed Jesus fully explain to his disciples the true nature of his kingdom; but, lest his doctrine of being appointed the universal judge might appear incredible to them at that time, on account of his humiliation, he told them, that some who then heard him speak should not taste of death till they saw him coming in his kingdom. Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. There are some here present that shall not die till they see a faint representation of the glory in which I shall come at the last day.

It was not long before this Divine prediction was most amply fulfilled. About eight days after, our Lord being with the multitude in the country of Cæsarea Philippi, left them in the plain, and, accompanied only by his three most intimate apostles, Peter, James, and John, ascended a very high mountain, where, while he was employed in prayer, he was suddenly transformed into another kind of appearance. His face became radiant and dazzling, shining like the sun in his meridian clearness. 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. And to heighten the grandeur and solemnity of the scene, Moses, the great law-giver of Israel, and Elias, appeared in the beauties of immortality, in the robes which adorn the inhabitants of the heavenly Canaan, and familiarly conversed with him on the subject of his future sufferings and death.

At the time this transfiguration took place our Lord's three disciples had fallen asleep, but waking while the three heavenly messengers were in converse, they were exceedingly surprized and terrified at the sight of so much glory and majesty. Peter, indeed, begged of his Master, that they might continue in that happy place: Master

VOL. iii.

3 F

(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. He imagined that Jesus had now assumed his proper dignity; that Elias was come according to the prediction of the prophet Malachi, and that the Messiah's kingdom was at length begun. He therefore thought it necessary to provide some accommodation for his master and his august companions, intending, perhaps, to bring the rest of the disciples, with the multitude, from the plains below, to behold his matchless glory.

But while Peter was talking and arguing with himself, on the sight before him (scarce knowing what he said in his fright and transport) a bright shining cloud came over them, and a voice from thence proclaimed, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased-hear ye him. At the sound of these words, the apostles were struck with a much greater consternation than before, and prostrating themselves on the ground, continued in that posture for some time, till at length the blessed Jesus approached, and dispelled their fears, by saying, Arise be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Our Blessed Lord, after continuing all night with his three disciples on the mountain, returned, early the next morning, to the plain, 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 meaning 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.

But the doctrine of the resurrection, to which the transfiguration alluded, was what greatly puzzled the apostles; besides which they were greatly surprized, at the sudden departure of Elias, and could not comprehend what the Scribes and Pharisees meant by having asserted that that prophet was to come upon the earth before the Messiah. They, therefore, after a long debating among themselves, asked their Master this question: Why say the Scribes that Elias must first come? To this our Lord answered,

that Elias should truly come first, according to the prediction of the prophet Malachi, and restore all things; but, at the same time he assured them, that he was, in effect, come already, and that he had received the like bad treatment from his countrymen, that himself, in a short time, had reason to expect. 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 also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

CHAP. VIII.

Our Blessed Lord cures a youth who was dreadfully tormented with an evil spirit. He foretels his death to his disciples, to whom he recommends humility and forgiveness of injuries. Conforms to the custom of the country by paying the tribute, which he raises by a miracle. Refuses to destroy the city of Samaria, which would not receive him in his journey to Jerusalem. Harangues the multitude at the Feast of Tabernacles. Exempts the woman taken in adultery from the punishment annexed by the Jews to that crime. Preaches to the people the mysteries of Christianity, and promises eternal life to his disciples. Prefers Mary's choice, and both teaches and encourages his disciples to pray. Inveighs against the Scribes and Pharisees. Preaches against Covetousness, and exhorts the people to Watchfulness, a preparation for death and judgment, and for a timely repentance.

AS our Blessed Lord was descending from the mount with his three disciples, after his transfiguration, he saw a great multitude surrounding the nine whom he had left in the plain, and on his nearer approach found that they and the Scribes were in deep debate together. 'The Blessed Jesus asked the Scribes what was the subject of their debate with his disciples; to which one of the multitude answered, "Master, I have a son who hath an " evil spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth "him; and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth, and

66

pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples, that they "should cast him out, and they could not."

It was evident from this answer being made by one of the multitude, that the Scribes had been disputing with the disciples on their not being able to cure this afflicted youth. Perhaps their making this unsuccessful attempt had given the Scribes the opportunity of boasting, that a devil was at length found which neither they nor their Master were able to conquer. This seems to be indicated by the manner in which our Saviour addressed himself to these arrogant people. Oh faithless generation (says he) how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Will no miracles ever be able to convince you? Must I always bear with your perverseness? You have surely seen sufficient demonstrations of my power, notwithstanding which ye still discover the most criminal infidelity.

After our Lord had spoken in this manner to the Scribes, he turned himself to the father of the young man, and said, bring thy son hither. The man instantly obeyed the divine command, but no sooner was the youth 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 ground, and wallowed foaming. Our Blessed Lord could easily have prevented this attack; but he permitted it, that the minds of the spectators might be impressed with a more lively idea of the distress of the youth. 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 replied, Of a child. And 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, and help us.

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, together with 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 strongly as serted; and therefore he could not help expressing his doubts and fears on the occasion. But the Blessed 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 spoke caused the people to gather together from every quarter, and in the presence of the whole multitude Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. No sooner was the powerful exit pronounced, than the devil, with a hideous noise, and convulsing the suffering patient in the most deplorable manner, came out, leaving the youth senseless, and without motion: till Jesus, taking him by the hand, restored him to his senses, and delivered him perfectly recovered to his father.

During the whole of this transaction, the nine disciples remained totally silent. They were, doubtless, vexed to think, that they had lost, by some fault of their own, the power of working miracles, lately conferred upon them by their Master; and for this reason were afraid to ask him the cause of it in the presence of the multitude. However, as soon as they had retired to a private place, they besought our Lord to tell them, why they failed in their attempt to heal that remarkable youth? To which Jesus replied, Because of your unbelief. But, to give them some encouragement, he added, If ye have faith, nothing shall be impossible unto you. 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,

From the Mount of Transfiguration our Lord proceeded through several parts of Galilee towards Capernaum, in the way to which he acquainted his apostles, the second time, with his approaching death and resurrection, at the same time desiring them to take particular notice of what he said. But the hopes of a temporal kingdom had so forcibly impressed their minds, that they found it very difficult to believe, or conceive, what he said, and yet they were afraid to ask him for an explanation.

Soon after this, and while they were still on their journey, there arose a dispute among the apostles which of them should have the chief place of dignity in their