2. To exhort us to strengthen our faith with such like reasons, even to the full assurance thereof, 1 Iohn 1.3, 4. For although we our selves have not seene these things, yet we must as strongly and firmely believe them, as if we our selves had seene them with our eyes, Iohn 20.29. This pertaines unto the thankfulnesse which we oweu to God, that he would not barely declare unto us his will, but also confirme it by testimonies, Luke 1.2. For this was one of the speciall offices of the Apostles, to witnesse those things which they had seene of Christ, Acts 1.22. & 232. Doct. 5. A great Majesty was sensibly perceived by the Apostles.
This is gathered from these words, We have seene his Majestie. So great was this Majestie, that the Disciples could not beare it, Matth. 176. It astonished and amazed Peter, Marke 9.6. Vse 1. This may serve to instruct us, to conceive by this proofe, how great the glory and Majestie of Christ is now in Heaven, how great it shall be at the last day, and how great we also shall be made in the life to come. 2. To exhort us, to have Christ in high estimation: We have no cause to be ashamed of so great a Majestie; according to that of our Saviour; If any one be ashamed of me in this adulterous generation, him will I be ashamed of before God and his Angels.
Doct. 6. This majestie was expressed in those words of God, This is my beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased.
In these words is contained both the power and comming of Christ, whereof the Apostles witnessed, and wherein is contained the summe of the Gospell, as we said before. This is gathered from the connexion of the words, which these have with the former, We made knowne, &c. For in the title of Sonne is declared the honour and glory of Christ, where he is called this my Sonne: in the title of beloved is shewed the comming of Christ, and the end thereof, namely to reconcile us unto God, and make us beloved of him: whence he is called, My beloved in whom I am well pleased. By the title of Sonne is chiefly signified the kingdome of Christ, by the title of beloved in whom I am well pleased, is signified the Priest-
