MR. brown's third reply. 175 



Towxsend's Arrangement. Explanation of the Miraclo. 



on the mount [of Transfiguration] was to give a figurative sig- 

 nification of the ahrogation of the Mosaic Law, and the com- 

 mencement of the Christian Disjyejisation, upon ivhich it ivas 

 to he estahlished. Moses and Elias, as the representatives of 

 the Law and the Prophets, who had successivelj testified of 

 the promised Messiah, it appears to me, were now in their 

 glorified state permitted to behold on earth the magnificent 

 completion of all their predictions; and by their farewell testi- 

 mony to the truth of his Divinity afford to man the most 

 powerful evidence that human reason could either receive or 

 require. By their testimony they aclxiioicledged the accom- 

 plishment of all their prophecies, and that the commencemenfc 

 of the Messiah's kingdom was established on the Law and the 

 Prophets ; and when the disciples, in an ecstasy of happiness, 

 desired to erect three tabernacles, Grod himself proclaimed, 

 * This is my beloved Son ; hear ye him !' Moses and Elias 

 instantly disappear, overshadowed by the bright cloud, and 

 Christ alone remains the undivided object of all their worship. 

 To Him alone are they to build their altars ; to Him alone are 

 they to look for happiness and glory ; and He shall come again 

 with His holy angels, and ten thousand times ten thousand 

 shall stand before Him.'' 



So much for the Miracle. Now for the Divine explanation 

 of the Miracle, which fixes the first day of the week, or the 

 day of Christ' s Resurrection as the Sabbath of the Christian 

 Dispensation. 



1. It is the Resurrection of ^Ulie Lord of the Sahbath." 

 He had then all authority to change the day, so as to distin- 

 guish the new dispensation from the old. And to honor this 

 day as His own chosen day, He met His assembled disciples 

 on it, and said, Peace be unto you. Not till a full week 

 afterwards was accomplished, did he meet with them again. 

 (John XX. 26.) Was there no significance in this ? AVhy 

 did He not meet them sooner ? Why not on the Jewish Sab- 

 bath ? 



