vour of ourselves, and of certain good qualities, by which we imagine we stand distinguished from others. And then an open profession of these our regards to Christ, amidst the violent, though unreasonable prejudices of many against the gospel, will be likely to draw upon us the contempt, if not abuse, of such persons. Thus, however, it behoves us to follow Christ, in the face of the greatest opposition; to consider his religion as our highest glory; and to be ever ready zealously to maintain and defend it. I am not ashamed, said the apostle, of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek a. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world b. And again, Doubtless I count all things but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith c.

A due regard also to the positive institutions of Christ, as well as this general profession of his doctrine, is included in the idea of following him. Convinced of the truth of his religion, and endued, in our measure, with the real spirit of it, we are to put on Christ by baptism. So it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness, as he himself expresses it, when he descended into the watery tomb, and was therein baptized of John. An institution this, by which, in obedience to his authority, we declare our faith in his death and resurrection, and our resolution henceforth, in a dependence on his grace, to walk in newness of life. Thus initiated into the service of our divine Master, we are to join ourselves to some society of Christians, that with them we may enjoy all those means of instruction, counsel, and reproof, which Christ hath appointed in his church; and particularly the sacred ordinance of the Lord's supper, a feast which he hath required his followers to observe, to the end of time, in commemoration of his death, and the blessed fruits which result from it. So the primitive Christians, having been Phil. iii. 8, 9.

Rom. i. 16.

Gal. vi. 14.

baptized, were added to the church, and continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers a.

Once more, And indeed

Thus, by a faithful and regular attendance on all the duties of public worship, and, I may add, of family and private devotion too, we are to follow Christ. And whoever considers the true intent of these his institutions, after what manner he hath commanded us to observe them, and the indifference, if not contempt, in which they are held by too many who call themselves Christians; will see that not a little zeal and resolution is requisite to the character of a real disciple of Christ. 3. To follow Christ is to imitate his example. it is to little purpose, that we are warm advocates for his doctrine and institutions, if we are all the while estranged from his spirit and temper. Nay, if this be the case, we do but affront him, amidst our highest professions of zeal for his service. A more deformed and wretched character can scarcely be imagined, than that of a man whose head is filled with religious speculations, while his heart is devoted to his lusts; and who, at the very same time he hath the assurance to say to Christ, as the Pharisees did of old, Master, thou teachest the way of God truly b, is thus, in effect, taking measures to betray him. No. If we will be his real disciples, while we acknowledge him as our guide, and confide in him as our Saviour, we must resolve to copy after him as our pattern. And a most bright and perfect pattern it is which he hath set us. It is an example exhibited to our view, amidst all the weaknesses of humanity, and so is exactly suited to our condition. An example free from every imaginable defect, and so hath the authority of a command. And the example of a friend, to whom we are under the greatest obligation, and so hath in itself every possible motive of generosity and love to engage our imitation. Let us take a general view of it

As to his piety towards God, it was truly noble and exalted. The most striking expressions of reverence, confidence, submission, devotion, and obedience, appeared in the whole of his conduct. He daily conversed with God, by his word and works, by prayer and praise, in his retirements, and in public and so

a Acts ii. 42.

b Matt. xx. 16.

cial acts of worship. He carefully eyed the hand of God in every event, and improved all the occurrences of life to the great purposes of religion. The utmost abhorrence he ever expressed at all appearance of vice and sin, and the warmest affection and zeal for truth and holiness. In his Father's will, however contrary to his temporal interests, he cheerfully acquiesced; and in his faithfulness and goodness, amidst the darkest scenes of adversity, he firmly confided. In a word, the glory of God he pursued with unwearied ardour and resolution, though at the expence of his outward ease and happiness, and many times with little appearance of success.

As to social duties, need I tell you how prudently, uprightly and benevolently he acquitted himself, in the whole of his conduct towards mankind? Every character and relation of life he filled up, with the greatest propriety and exactness. Towards his parents he carried himself with all filial reverence, duty and affection. Towards his disciples and friends, with all sincerity, tenderness and fidelity. And towards his enemies with a patience and forbearance, and yet a sensibility and spirit, which exceed description. The strictest integrity and truth were stamped upon all his actions; and at the same time, prudence and discretion were tempered with all his native simplicity and plainness. He was ever respectful to his superiors, and condescending to those of low estate. Ever ready to redress the grievances of the oppressed, and to shew compassion and kindness to the afflicted. Ever meditating designs of general good, and ever vigorously carrying them into execution. His dress, his gesture, his familiar talk, his journeys from place to place, his public discourses, his miracles, in short, all the actions of his life, were uniformly directed to this one point, the doing good.

And then, his temper and conduct in regard of himself, were no less amiable and exemplary. In meekness and humility, temperance and sobriety, contentment and patience, spirituality and heavenly-mindedness, he shone with unrivalled lustre. Though conscious to himself that he possessed a perfection of wisdom and goodness, yet he was of a humble and lowly temper, and his carriage was free from all appearance of affectation and pride. Sensible as he was of the value and use of worldly en

joyments, he had a sovereign contempt for them all, in comparison with the refined pleasures of religion. No offers of worldly wealth or grandeur could tempt him from his duty; nor could the extremities of poverty or want depress his spirits, or make him discontented and uneasy. Amidst the most violent storms of adversity, he stood calm and serene; and amidst the insults of his haughty and cruel enemies, he was unmoved by passion or anger. In a word, with the most unparalleled meekness and fortitude, and with the most constant affection for those in whose stead he suffered, he met the rage of devils, the frowns of justice, and the terrors of death itself. Such are the outlines of his character, the general expressions of his temper and conduct.

Now, to follow him, is to copy after this his perfect example. It is, with respect to God, to take pains to come at the knowledge of his will; to converse with him in holy duties, and by the various mediums of intercourse he hath appointed; to rely firmly on his faithfulness in adversity, and gratefully to acknowledge his goodness in prosperity; to avoid sin as the greatest evil, and to aim sincerely to please and glorify him. As to men : to follow Christ, is to conduct ourselves with prudence and circumspection, with integrity and truth, with charity and kindness in every relation and character of life, and in all our dealings and concerns with one another. And as to ourselves : to follow him, is to be sober and temperate in the use of all our worldly enjoyments; to be humble and condescending, when elevated above others by our attainments and successes; to be meek and forgiving amidst our provocations to anger and resentment; to be contented with the things which we have, and patient under the afflictions which we suffer; to mingle cheerfulness with gravity; to make religion the grand object of our pursuit; and in a dependence on the grace of God, to persevere in our duty to the end.

High and noble attainments these, and which no mere man hath ever possessed in their utmost perfection! Nor can we expect to succeed in any of these instances of duty, without suffering many discouragements in the attempt. Satan, the world, and what is still more to be dreaded, our own foolish and corrupt hearts, will unite their utmost force to obstruct us in our

course. Yet, if we will be his disciples, it must be our resolution, amidst every discouragement and imperfection, to make it our aim thus to follow Christ.

And now, having considered the several duties enjoined in the text, and the difficulties, both real and imaginary, which attend them; let me ask, what man who duly weighs these things, and by the grace of God, enters into the spirit of them, can have any objection to the becoming a disciple of Jesus? His service is most reasonable, advantageous, and honourable. We have every imaginable consideration to engage us to enter upon it, and to animate us in it. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light a. Nay, more than this; his ways are ways of pleasantness, and all his paths are peace b. But I shall not enter on these things at present: they will be the subjects of the following discourses.

In the mean while let us examine ourselves, whether we are the disciples of Christ. Is it our concern, in the sense our Saviour is to be understood, to deny or please ourselves? to take up the cross, or to shun it? to follow Christ, or the world? These are interesting questions. It will be happy if we can make a favourable reply. Be the answer, however, what it may, God grant that henceforth we may be persuaded, by the alluring influence of divine grace, to make his service the object of our main attention, and most cheerful pursuit !

DISCOURSE VI.

THE DIFFICULTIES OF RELIGION SUR-
MOUNTED.

MATT. XI. 36. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So

spake the blessed Jesus in the days of his flesh, when he condescended himself, with his own kind lips, to publish the

a Matt. xi. 30.

b Prov. iii. 17.