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the mean grandeur and pride of life; thofe fhining, but deceitful toys, which the bulk of mankind purfue with fuch activity and ardour. Nay, fo poor was his condition, that, as he himself tells us, "the foxes have "holes, and the birds of the air have nefts; but the "Son of man had not where to lay his head (b).". What amazing condefcenfion was this! and how juftly may it difcredit all the grandeur and greatnefs of this world!

Vain, foolish men, who mistake their own happinefs, are apt to place their affections on earthly things, and to value themfelves on a large fhare of worldly enjoyments; but the Son of God, whofe judgment was according to truth, chofe to be born in a low condition, and to live in poverty, that he might teach us mortification and contempt for the world.

In this manner, then, we ought to live in imitation of Chrift's example, inwardly pious and devout towards God, fubmiffive and refigned to his will, merciful and kind to our fellow-creatures, humble and lowly in every part of our behaviour, meek and pa-t tient under affliction, and, with regard to this world, defpifing its pomp, and placing our affections on things above.

II. We proceed, 2dly, To perfuade you to com-` ply with this important duty, by fome few arguments addreffed to your confideration.

1. Confider, that it was one great defign of God, in fending Chrift into the world, to fet us an example that we might follow his fteps.

And here we would not be understood to mean, that this was the only, or even chief defign of his coming; for, it plainly appears, from feveral paffages in the facred Scripture, that the great and principal defign which God had in fending his Son into the world, was to reconcile finners to himself, and U accomplisk

(6) Matt. viii. 20.

accomplish their falvation from eternal death. Christ came, not merely to teach us our duty by his doctrine, and to lead us to the practice of it by his example, but chiefly to act the part of a Mediator between God and man, to reconcile us to God, and to obtain eternal redemption for us. This, our Lord himfelf tells us, was his Father's defign in fending him : "God fent not his Son," fays he," into the world, "to condemn the world, but that the world through "Him might be faved (r)." But, though this was the grand and principal defign of his miffion, it does not hinder but that other noble and worthy purposes might also be served by it. Such, plainly, is the cafe before us. Though God fent his Son into the world to deliver his people from the guilt of fin, and to fave them from eternal mifery, as the moft effential part of his miffion; yet he alfo fent him to lay before us a fair tranfcript of our duty, in the example of his life, and by that means to lead us to the practice of it. If this then was the defign of God in fending Chrift into the world, are not all profeffing Chriftians obliged, in point of duty, to place the example of Chrift before them, as a standard for their imitation? Ought we not, in compliance with the intention of God, to have him always in our eye, and to endeavour after the nearest poffible refemblance of him? Confider, God is our Sovereign; He has the jufteft claim to our obedience; his almighty power and everlasting love have done great things for us: and, does not this lay us under the strongest obligations to ferve and obey him? Let us then fhew our regard to God, by complying with this his gracious defign. Let us follow our Redeemer in the practice of every virtue; and, as we profess to abide in him, let us walk as he alfo walked.

2. Confider, likewife, that the example here proposed to your imitation, is absolutely pure and per

fect,

(r) Joha iii, 17.

fect, and so carries in it the force of a law. Every other example in this world, however fair and lovely, is ftained with imperfection. But the example we recommend to your imitation, is altogether pure and fpotlefs; it is the life of the Son of God himfelf, who poffeffed every divine excellence in its highest perfection, who taught the most excellent and intructive precepts, and whofe whole conduct was nothing else but one fair and unblemished tranfcript of the precepts which he taught. He was holy, harmless, and undefiled; his life was a standing pattern of real and fubftantial goodness, the very beauty of holiness made visible in human nature. In an eafy and familiar manner he converfed publicly in the world. His example, like a light placed on an eminence, was fitted for the most extenfive usefulness. And, what is apt to excite our attention, and animate our endeavours, he exemplified, in our own nature, as compaffed with finlefs infirmities, all his divine pre cepts. For these reasons, his example is every way fair and lovely, perfect and complete, a pattern worthy of our imitation. Who would not with to refemble the Son of God, and to follow fo perfect an example? If, then, we poffefs any ambition, let the contemplation of our Saviour's life influence our defires, and inspire us with the most vigorous refolutions, let us endeavour to imitate this glorious original, that fo we may be changed into the fame image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the

Lord.

3. Confider, farther, That the example here propofed to your imitation, is that of your Lord and Mafter, your beft Friend, and moft generous Benefactor. And, furely, this is a confideration that ought to have the greatest influence on your conduct. You profefs to be the followers of Jefus; you acknowledge him for your Lord and Mafter. Is it not then highly reasonable, that you fhould refemble Him?

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The followers of the ancient philofophers regarded the practice of their refpective matters more than the precepts which they taught, and were careful to record their actions, in order that they might have the benefit of their example. Were thofe then fo ambiticus of imitating their particular teachers, even when in many things they were faulty and vicious; and fhall not we, who profefs to be Chriftians, refemble the great Auther of our religion, whofe precepts and practice were equally perfect? If we profels to be the difciples of Jefus, this certainly obliges us to an imitation of him: nay, it is an honour for the difciple to be as his mafter, and the fervant as his lord. "Ye call me," faid our Saviour to his difciples, "Mafter and Lord, and ye fay well; for fo I am. “If I, then, your Lord and Mafter have washed your " feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet: "for I have given you an example, that ye should ❝ do, as I have done unto you.”

But, again, he is your best friend; he condefcends to call you his brethren, and he has engaged you by the most endearing acts of kindness: And does not this lay you under an obligation to resemble your great benefactor, and to love him with all your heart? If you have any sense of gratitude within you, this will lead you to imitate the example of Him, who laid down his life for you, and fealed his love to you with his blood.

4. Confider, likewife, how bafe and difhonourable it is to call ourselves the difciples of Chrift, while wę take no care to be like him. Nothing, indeed, can be more inconfiftent. By our profeffion of Chriftianity, we declare ourfelves the followers of Jefus,. the greatest and most perfect teacher that ever appeared in the world. Now, what is a follower of Chrift, but one who hearkens to his inftructions, and walks as he also walked? We are, therefore, guilty of the highest abfurdity and contradiction,

when

when we profefs to be the difciples of Chrift, and, at the fame time, neglect to imitate his example. Such conduct is plainly inconfiftent with itfelf; it is as our Lord beautifully expreffes it, to have a name to live while we are dead, or to profefs to know God, when in works we deny him. Are we not afhamed, then, to make fuch, an empty profeffion; and can we expect either the approbation of God, or the teftimony of a good confcience? No; fuch a hope were. vain. If we justify ourselves, by pretending to be the difciples of Chrift, while we are really frangers. to his Spirit, our own hearts will condemn us; and if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and will; condemn us alfo. Be not deceived, therefore; it is a corresponding practice which gives truth and dignity to your profeffion; without works, your faith is dead, and you yourfelves the children of the devil.

Confider, in the last place, that, by neglecting to imitate the example of Chrift, we expofe religion to reproach, and reflect difhonour on its bleffed Author. Of all the arguments that were ever" brought against religion, none has made greater impreffion, than the irregular lives of its profeffors. This has inflicted the deepest wound, and given occafion to its enemies. to blafpheme that worthy Name by which we are called. An impious and immoral profeffor of Chriftianity, is the greatest enemy to the crofs of Chrift.. He confirms the infidel in his unbelief; he hardens the finner in wickedness; and expofes religion to contempt. When they, who pretend to be the followers of Chrift, are unlike their Mafter, and, inftead of that holinefs for which he was diftinguifhed, are unjust, intemperate, and ungodly; what muft the world think? Will they not be ready to fay, that religion, and the perfect example of Jefus Chrift, are not calculated, in their own nature, to influence the character and conduct of men? I will not pre

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