Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/415

 He attached  to  His  sufferings,  and  with  what  affection He meditated  on  them. His example  was  closely  followed by  His  Apostle,  who  wrote,  "God  forbid,  that  I should  glory,  but  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." (Gal. vi.  14.)  In  the  zenith  of  prosperity,  never  suffer your mind  to  be  so  elated,  as  to  exclude  the  thoughts  of dying.

I. The  Apostles  were  overjoyed  at  so  glorious  a  scene. "Lord," immediately  exclaimed  St.  Peter,  "it  is  good  for us  to  be  here." (Matt. xvii..  4.)  He  wished  to  fix  his dwelling place  on  that  mount,  and  to  make  three  tents, one for  Christ,  and  another  for  each  of  his  companions. Conceive what  heaven  must  be,  if  only  one  drop  of heavenly  joy  could  so  far  inebriate  the  minds  of  the Apostles, as  to  make  them  wish  to  remain  there  forever, forgetful of  everything  else  in  the  world. What an ocean  of  joy  must  heaven  be! "They shall  be  inebriated with  the  plenty  of  Thy  house,  and  Thou  shalt  make  them drink  of  the  torrent  of  Thy  pleasure." (Ps. xxxv.  9.)

II. The voice  of  the  Divinity  was  immediately  heard; "This is  My  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased, hear  ye  Him." (Matt. xvii.  5.)  Ponder  each  word  of  this emphatic sentence,  and  reflect  how  Christ  is  the  only begotten Son  of  the  eternal  Father,  con-substantial  and co-eternal with  Him,  and  equally  immense  and  omnipotent, as  He  is. Examine whether  you  be  accustomed  to hear  Him,  when  He  excites  you  to  higher  perfection,  to a  contempt  of  the  world  and  to  self-abnegation. Say at