him. He was so bold as to set upon the Second Adam, but was foiled by "the Captain of our salvation." If you read the history of Christ's temptation, Matt. iv. 1—11, you may perceive that nothing from the tempter fastens upon our Lord Jesus. The subtlety of the old serpent was in vain; and by the sword of the Spirit all his force was repelled. Christians are to look upon the evil one as an enemy that Christ has conquered; and this should encourage them in their conflicts with him. They are to despise his offers. They are not to be persuaded, by his misapplication of scripture, to any thing that is unjustifiable and irregular. "The word of God should abide in them;" that they may be "strong, and overcome the wicked one." (1 John ii. 14.) The Head always resisted: shall the members yield to this destroyer? Let not your hearts be filled with Satan; let not your heads and hands be employed by him who works in the children of disobedience.

4. Christ is to be followed in his contempt of the world's glory, and contentment with a mean and low estate in it.-Never was the world so set forth, in such an alluring dress, as when the god of it, "in a moment of time," showed unto our Lord Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world, and all the glory of them." (Luke iv. 5, 6.) Yet the heavenly mind of Christ is not taken with the sight. He knew he saw nothing but what was vanity; and his kingdom, which was not of this world, was a far better thing than the world's best kingdom. Instead of pursuing, he flees from, a crown, which the people were ready to force upon his head.

Ambition and covetousness after worldly grandeur and gain, which make us so unlike to Christ, should be far from us. If the world be the great thing with us, mammon will have us at command, and Christ will have but little service from us. Why should that be high in the esteem and affection of your hearts, which Christ so little minded? "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." (1 John ii. 15.) "Set your affection on things above, not on things that are on the earth." (Col. iii. 2.) If you have the world's riches, let not your minds be high, "nor your hearts set upon them;" (Psalm lxii. 10;) and "be rich in good works." (1 Tim. vi. 18.) If you are in a meaner estate, be satisfied; remember who said, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." The best men in the world, that have done most good in the world, have least cared for the world; and have been most willing to leave the world, and go to a better.

5. Christ is to be followed in his living a life so very beneficial, doing good being his perpetual business.-The apostle Peter, who was one of his greatest and most constant attendants, says, that "he went about doing good." (Acts x. 38.) To do thus, was meat and drink to him. How great were his kindness and compassion to souls! How much mercy does he show to the bodies of men!

You that are Christians, be very active, in the best sense. The true members of Christ have the Spirit of the Head in them, whose "fruit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth." (Eph. v. 9.) What

have you faith for, but that it may work by love? Why are you "created in Christ Jesus," but that you may be employed in "good works, which God hath before ordained that you should walk in them?" (Eph. ii. 10.) Be sure to "do justly:" be injurious to none: render unto all their dues. And do not only consult the dues of others, but their needs also; and "love to be merciful;" (Micah vi. 8;) and let the perishing souls, as well as the distressed bodies, of others have a great share in your compassions. "As you have opportunity, do good unto all men," and good of as many sorts as may be, "especially to the household of faith." (Gal. vi. 10.) The apostle speaks with great authority and asseveration, when he presses Christian practice: "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus iii. 8.) A Christian by profession, who lives wickedly, is not a true member, but a monster in the church; and will not be endured long, but is near to be cut off and destroyed. It is a true saying, Ψυχην θανατος ουκ απολλυσιν, αλλα κακος βιος. " Death does not destroy the soul; but it is an ill life that ruins it."

6. Christ is to be followed in his most profitable and edifying communication. We read, that "grace was poured into his lips." (Psalm xlv. 2.) "The gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth," were the wonder of the hearers. (Luke iv. 22.) Exact truth always accompanied his speeches: he never spake a word that was offensive to God, or injurious to any man. Was he chargeable with "guile?" Or "when he was reviled, did he revile again?" (1 Peter ii. 22, 23.) No, no: he gave a better example: he speaks words to awaken sinners; to search hypocrites. And how does he comfort the mourners! calling "all the weary and heavy laden to come to him for rest." (Matt. xi. 28.) He takes occasion almost from every thing to discourse of the heavenly kingdom. His parables of the sower, of leaven, of the merchant-man seeking goodly pearls, and such-like, plainly show that the most ordinary things may spiritually be improved unto great usefulness.

All professors, and especially you of London, "set a watch before the door of your lips;" (Psalm cxli. 3;) and let your words be like the words of Christ Jesus. Your lying and corrupt communication, your slanderous and backbiting words, your passionate and angry speeches and revilings,-are these like Christ's language?" An unbridled tongue," though it utters many a falsehood, yet it speaks one certain truth,—that “ your religion is but vain." (James i. 26.) Let conscience be tender; and purpose, with the Psalmist, "that your mouths shall not transgress." (Psalm xvii. 3.) Let the word of Christ be more in your hearts; "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." "Let your speech be always with grace." (Col. iv. 6.) Discourse as those who do believe [that] you are debtors of edifying words one to another; that "idle words" are heard by Him that is in heaven, and "an account must be given of them in the day of judgment." (Matt. xii. 36.)

7. Christ is to be followed in his manner of performing holy duties. -Never was he negligent in an ordinance. His "cries" were "strong,' his "tears many." (Heb. v. 7.) And how does he wrestle with his heavenly Father!

Christians should take heed of doing the work of God deceitfully. (Jer. xlviii. 10.) They should be "fervent in spirit," when "serving the Lord." (Rom. xii. 11.) Look to your hearts in all your per'formances; for God's eye is fixed upon them; and if they are not present and right with him, your duties are but dead duties; and dead duties are really dead works; so far from being acceptable, that they are an abomination. When Christ was here upon the earth, as he taught in other places, so he went to the temple, and to the synagogues; though there was much corruption in the Jewish church. Christians should learn so much moderation, as to own what is good even in them in whom there are mixtures of much that is bad; and there should be a cause that will pass for just and sufficient at the great day, before they resolve upon a total separation from their brethren.

8. Christ is to be followed in his great humility and meekness.— "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matt. xi. 29.) Pride overcame the first man: he affected Divinity, and would needs be as God. But, behold the Lord Jesus, who is the Eternal God; and he humbled himself and became man. Humility was the constant

attire and ornament of the man Christ Jesus.

Though this great Redeemer be "the chief of all the ways of God;" (Job xl. 19;) though more of God is visible in him than in the whole creation besides; though he glorifies his Father more than all the creatures in heaven and earth put together; and though he is exalted "far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come;" (Eph. i. 21;) yet our Lord never was in the least highminded.

Humility is one most remarkable feature in the image of Christ ; therefore resemble him in being humble. Be not proud of habit, hair, and ornaments. Την ταπεινοφροσυνην εγκομβώσασθε. (1 Peter v. 5.) Etymologists derive the word from xoubos, which signifies nodus, "a knot." "Be clothed," or "be knotted," "with humility." I wish that other knots were less, and this, which is incomparably most becoming, were more, in fashion. Let not your estates puff you up. "Riches are not always to men of understanding;" (Eccles. ix. 11;) and there may be a great deal of gold in the purse where there is no true wisdom in the head, no grace at all in the heart. Let not your natural parts, your acquired endowments, your spiritual gifts, though never so excellent, make you to look upon others with contempt, upon yourselves with admiration. You owe

all glory to that God from whom you have received all. Let humility look out at your eyes. "A proud look" is one of the "seven things which the Lord doth hate." (Prov. vi. 16, 17.) Let

humility express itself at your lips; let it attend you in all your addresses to God, and beautify your whole behaviour and converses with men. The more humble you are, the more of every other grace will be imparted to you, the more rest and peace you will have within yourselves; and, since you will be ready to give him all the praise, the Lord is ready to put the more honour upon you in making you useful unto others.

9. Christ is to be followed in his love to God, great care to please him, and fervent zeal for his name and glory.—"That the world may know," says Christ, "that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." (John xiv. 31.) He obeyed that "first and great commandment," and "loved the Lord his God, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength." Christ's love made him do whatever his Father pleased: "He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." (John viii. 29.) Christ's love was stronger than death: no waters, no floods, could drown it;" neither could the baptism of blood 66 quench it." (Canticles viii. 7; Matt. xx. 22.) Christ was "consumed" with divine and holy "zeal;" (John ii. 17;) and he matters not what [might] befall him, so he might but "glorify his Father," and "finish the work which was given him to do." (John xvii. 4.)

O let us bring our cold and careless hearts hither to the consideration of this Great Example! that the frost may melt, care may be awakened, and there may be something in us, that may deserve the name of " warm zeal for God." Let us be importunate in prayer,

and restless till we feel the constraints of the love of God forcible; till we find really the greatest delight and pleasure in doing that which pleases him; and, aiming at his glory, we think not much of labour, difficulty, and hazard, that this our end may be attained.

10. Christ is to be followed in his sufferings and death.—And unto this my text has a more particular reference. Christ's "faith was strong," though he was under a dismal desertion. "The Sun of Righteousness did set in a dark cloud. He submitted to his Father's will; and, being confident of a joyful resurrection, he "endured the cross, and despised the shame." (Heb. xii. 2.)

When Christians come to die, their faith should be most lively, as being near finishing. It should by no means fail when there is most need of it. << Though he slay me," says Job, "yet will I trust in him." (Job xiii. 15.) Christians should submit, when the Lord of time will grant no more time to them; and they should gladly enter upon a holy and blessed eternity. When the body is about to be "sown in corruption," by faith they should see that its lying there will be to advantage; for it will be "raised in incorruption and glory." (1 Cor. xv. 42, 43.) Let death be more natural or violent, it is yours in the covenant, if you are true believers. (1 Cor. iii. 22.) Fear not to follow our Lord Jesus through that dark passage into the "house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Cor. v. 1.) And, all the while you remain on earth, study a conformity to your

Lord's death, by crucifying the flesh, and dying to the world: the more dead you are with Christ in this sense, you will live to the better purpose, and die in the greater peace.

III. In the third place, I am to produce some arguments to persuade to the imitation of our Lord Jesus.

1. Consider the greatness of the Person that gives you the example. -Christ has this "name written on his vesture, and on his thigh; KING of kings, and LORD of lords." (Rev. xix. 16.) A Roman historian * commends a prince who is maximus imperio, exemplo major, "greatest in authority, and yet greater by his example." "Every thing in heaven, and earth, and under the earth does bow" and is subject to the Lord Jesus; (Phil. ii. 10;) and yet whose obedience ever was so exact as his was? He gives us precepts, and he himself is the great Pattern of performance. Claudian, the poet, has a notable passage concerning the examples of monarchs, and what a mighty influence they have :—

Tunc observantior æqui

Fit populus; nec ferre negat, cum viderit ipsum
Autorem parere sibi. Componitur orbis

Regis ad exemplum. Nec sic inflectere sensus

Humanos edicta valent, ut vita regentis.

Mobile mutatur semper cum principe vulgus.†—

De quarto Consul. Honorii Aug. Panegyris, 296–301.

Kings have many observers, who very much eye them; and their high estate both awes and allures their subjects to the imitation of them. If they keep within the bounds of their own laws, their subjects will be the more unwilling to transgress them. Christ is the universal Sovereign, who commands both heaven and earth, and has the whole creation at his beck. He has kept the laws [which] he gives his church. It is duty, it is interest, it is reasonable, it is honourable, to resemble him in obedience.

2. Remember the relation wherein you that are saints do stand unto the Lord Jesus.-You are espoused to him and should you not consent to be like to him, "who has betrothed you unto himself in loving-kindness, mercy, and faithfulness for ever?" (Hosea ii. 19, 20.) Nay, "you are members of his body." (Eph. v. 30.) Therefore you "should grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ." (Eph. iv. 15.) You should discover such a mind as Christ had; you should manifest the same spirit; and act as he acted when he was here in the world.

3. Consider, that God did fore-ordain you that are believers to a conformity to the Lord Jesus." For whom he did foreknow, he also

• VELLEIUS PATERCULUS, lib. ii.

"Be first thyself obedience to observe,

And none will from thy laws attempt to swerve.
To mandates of their own if monarchs bow,

The people readily their force allow.

The sovereign's actions modify the whole:

No powers the human mind so well control,

As bright examples beaming from the throne:

The prince to copy, are the vulgar prone.”—HAWKINS'S Translation.