XXXIV. instruction of our understanding, to the forcibly SERM. inclining our reason, to the vehement excitement of our passions, to the delightfully affecting our imagination in subserviency to good practice; let us make that due and profitable use of them, which we should and may do. Let us, with diligent attention perusing the sacred history, meditate upon the lives of holy men therein propounded as patterns of a persevering faith in God, and conscionable obedience to his commandments. Let the light of their exemplary practice in all kind of piety and virtue continually shine upon our souls, to direct our minds, to inflame our affections, to quicken our resolutions, to detect the errors and correct the faults of our lives, that we, imitating their virtuous and pious conversation, may partake of those comfortable rewards, of that joy and bliss whereof they rest possessed. The which God Almighty, and our blessed Saviour, the Author and Finisher of our faith, by his gracious aid and blessing grant unto us; to whom be all glory and praise for ever and ever. Amen. Of the two MS. copies of this Sermon, one, and probably the earlier, has this date, Aug. 20, 1661; and, at the end, the following prayer. He graciously watch over His Church; preserve our King and the Royal Progeny; bless our Students; and protect us this day and all our days from all sin and danger; through Jesus our B. L. and R. SERMON XXXV. ABIDING IN CHRIST TO BE DEMONSTRATED BY SERM. Rom. viii. I JOHN II. 6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. O abide in Christ, to be in Christ, to put on Christ; and reciprocally Christ's being in us, living, dwelling, being formed in us; and the like Eph.iii. 17. expressions occurring in holy scripture, do not Gal. iv. 19. denote any physical inherence, or essential conjunc 10. Gal. ii. 20. tion between Christ and us, (such as those, who affect unintelligible mysteries rather than plain sense, would conceit,) but only that mutual relation accruing from our profession of being Christ's disciples, our being inserted into his body the Church, being governed by his laws, partaking of his grace, with all the privileges of the Gospel, relying upon his promises, and hoping for eternal salvation from him. By virtue of which relation, we may be said, in a mystical or moral manner to be united to him, deriving strength and sustenance from him, as the members from the head, the branches from the tree, the other parts of the building from the foundation; by which similitudes this mysterious union is usually expressed in scripture: in effect, briefly, to be in, or to abide in Christ, implieth no more, but our being truly in faith and practice Christians; XXXV. so that the meaning of St John's words seemeth SERM. plainly and simply to be this: Whoever pretends to be a Christian, (that is, to believe the doctrine and embrace the discipline of Christ,) ought to walk (that is, is obliged to order the whole course of his life and actions) as Christ walked, (that is as Christ did live and converse in the world:) or, it is the duty of every one, professing Christianity, to conform his life to the pattern of Christ's life, to follow his example, to imitate his practice. This is the importance of the words, this the subject of our present discourse. I For illustration and confirmation of which point, we may observe, that the holy apostles do upon all occasions assume this supposition, when they would persuade their disciples to the practice of any virtue, or performance of any duty; enforcing their exhortations, by representing the practice of Christ as an unquestionable ground of obligation, and an effectual inducement thereto. Hence they incite them to holiness; But, saith St Peter, as he 1 Pet.i. 15. that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: to charity; And walk in Eph. v. 2. love, saith St Paul, as Christ also loved us: to patience; Because, saith St Peter, Christ also suf- 1 Pet. ii. fered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps. And, Let us, saith the apostle to Heb. xii. 1, the Hebrews, run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross: to humility; Let, saith St Paul, Phil. ii. 5, the same mind be in you, which was also in Christ 6, 7. Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of 21. 2. XXXV. xỉ. I. 2, 3. SERM. no reputation: to charitable compliance, and inoffensive demeanour toward others; intimated by St 1 Cor. x.33; Paul, when he says, Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved: Be ye followers of Rom. xv. me, as I am of Christ: and again, Let every one please his neighbour for his good to edification; for even Christ pleased not himself. Thus do the apostles take all occasion, from the like practice of Christ, to persuade the performance of duty; and the strength of their argument lieth upon the evidence of this supposition, that all professing themselves Christians are especially obliged to imitate Christ's example. And their authority may be backed and enforced by several reasons. 2 Doing so hath a reasonableness and decency grounded upon our relations to Christ: it is fit and comely, that the manners of the disciple should be regulated by those of his master; that the servant should not, in his garb and demeanour, dissent or vary from his lord; that the subject should conform his humour to the fashion of his prince; especially that we should thus comply and conform to such a Master, such a Lord, such a Prince, whom (upon highest considerations) by a most voluntary choice, and in a most solemn manner, we have absolutely devoted ourselves unto: John xiii. this reason our Lord doth himself urge: Ye, saith he to his disciples, call me Master and Lord; and ye say well, for so I am: if I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye ought to wash one another's feet. 13, 14. 3 Following Christ's example is requisite to demonstrate the sincerity of our faith, love, and XXXV. reverence to him. It is the most natural way of SERM. testifying affection and respect, to imitate the manners of those persons who are the objects of those acts and dispositions, to esteem what they approve, to delight in what they affect, and consequently (since actions do proceed from affections) to do as they do. Contrary actions are plain arguments of contrary judgments, inclinations, and affections. Who can imagine we sincerely believe in Christ, or heartily love him, or truly honour him, that seeth us to loathe what he liked, or affect what he detested; to contemn what he prized, or value what he despised; to neglect what he pursued, or embrace what he avoided? But if our lives resemble his, any man will thence collect our respect and affection to him: this argument our Saviour doth also intimate: By this, saith he, shall all men know John xiii. ye are my disciples, if ye love one another; that is, it will be an evident sign and strong argument, that ye really do believe in, love, and honour me, if ye imitate me in my charity. 4 By pretending to be Christians we acknowledge the transcendent goodness, worth, and excellency of our Saviour; that he was incomparably better and wiser than any person ever was, or could be; that he always acted with the highest reason, out of the most excellent disposition of mind, in order to the best purposes; and that his practice therefore reasonably should be the rule and pattern of ours. For the best and exactest in every kind is the measure of the rest. All that would obtain exquisite skill in any art or faculty, think best to imitate the works of the best masters therein; a painter, to draw after the pieces of Zeuxis or 35. |