least part. Wherefore as that woman which suffered from an issue of blood, when she had
touched the Lord’s border was made whole,2651 so the Church which came from out of the
Gentiles, was made whole by the preaching of Paul. What wonder if the Church is signified
by white raiment, when you hear the Prophet Isaiah saying, “Though your sins be as scarlet,
I will make them white as snow”?2652 Moses and Elias, that is, the Law and the Prophets,
what avail they, except they converse with the Lord? Except they give witness to the Lord,
who would read the Law or the Prophets? Mark how briefly the Apostle expresses this; “For
by the Law is the knowledge of sin; but now the righteousness of God without the Law is
manifested:” behold the sun; “being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,”2653 behold
the shining of the Sun.
3. Peter sees this, and as a man savouring the things of men says, “Lord, it is good for
us to be here.”2654 He had been wearied with the multitude, he had found now the mountain’s
solitude; there he had Christ the Bread of the soul. What! should he depart thence again to
travail and pains, possessed of a holy love to Godward, and thereby of a good conversation?
He wished well for himself; and so he added, “If Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles;
one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” To this the Lord made no answer; but
notwithstanding Peter was answered. “For while he yet spake, a bright cloud came, and
overshadowed them.”2655 He desired three tabernacles; the heavenly answer showed him
that we have One, which human judgment desired to divide. Christ, the Word of God, the
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Word of God in the Law, the Word in the Prophets. Why, Peter, dost thou seek to divide
them? It were more fitting for thee to join them. Thou seekest three; understand that they
are but One.
4. As the cloud then overshadowed them, and in a way made one tabernacle for them,
“a voice also sounded out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son.” Moses was
there; Elias was there; yet it was not said, “These are My beloved sons.” For the Only Son is
one thing; adopted sons another. He was singled out2656 in whom the Law and the prophets
glorified. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him!” Because ye have
heard Him in the Prophets, and ye have heard Him in the Law. And where have ye not heard
Him? “When they heard this, they fell” to the earth. See then in the Church is exhibited to
us the Kingdom of God. Here is the Lord, here the Law and the Prophets; but the Lord as
the Lord; the Law in Moses, Prophecy in Elias; only they as servants and as ministers. They
2651 Mark v. 34.
2652 Isa. i. 18.
2653 Rom. iii. 20, 21.
2654 Matt. xvii. 4.
2655 Matt. xvii. 5.
2656 Commendabatur.
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On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, ‘After six days Jesus taketh…