also speaks, II. Cor. v.: "We know that if our earthly house
of this tabernacle were broken down, that we have a house built by
God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven, and for the same
we long earnestly, for our dwelling which is from heaven. For as long
as we are in this tabernacle we earnestly long," &c. Also, "but yet
we are consoled and know that while we are at home in the body we are
absent from the Lord, but we have far greater desire to be out of the
body and to be at home with the Lord." There the Apostle Paul speaks
also of the body as a house, and makes two homes, and two
sojournings. So Peter speaks here of the body as a tabernacle wherein
the soul rests, and he makes it mean enough; he will not call it a
house, but a hut or pent-house, such as shepherds have. Great is the
treasure, but small is the house in which it lies and dwells.

V. 14, 15. _For I know that I must soon lay off my tabernacle, even
as the Lord Christ hath showed me. But I will take care that ye by
all means, after my departure, may keep such things in your
remembrance._ Here Peter testifies of himself that he has become
assured of eternal life, and to him God had shown beforehand when he
should die; but this took place for our and our faith's sake, for
there must have been some such persons as knew assuredly that they
were elected, who should lay down and settle faith, that we might
know that they preached not the doctrine of men, but the word of God.
But ere they have come to such an assurance, God has thoroughly
proved them first, and purified them. Thus Peter now says, I will not
only remind you with the living voice, but set such things also in
writing, and charge you, through others, that ye ever hold them in
remembrance, through my life and after my death, and not let them go.
There see how great anxiety the Apostle had for souls; yet, alas! it
has helped nothing.

V. 16-18. _For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we
have made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, for we have been witnesses of His majesty, when He received
from God the Father honor and praise, by a voice which came to Him
from the excellent glory, this is my well-beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased; and this voice, which came from heaven, we heard, when
we were with Him on the holy mount._ There St. Peter touches upon the
history written in the Gospel, Matt. xvii., how Jesus took to Himself
three of his