in the Day of .yudgment. 197 in us which was alfo in him, and we imi- SE x m tate his example of holinefs and charity. VIII. Now furely it will be acknowledged a juft ground of hope towards God, that we are like him, are made partakers of a divine nature, and conformed to the image of his fon. It will appear at firft view the high dignity of our nature, that it is capable of re- fembling its author, and the greateft glory we can poffefs, to imitate his purity and good - nefs without any finful defec`l. This is what our hopes ultimately terminate upon, as the very effence of that glory which fhall be revealed in us. Now, indeed, we come far fhort of it ; and it * does not appear what we (hall be, but when he (hall appear we (hall be like him, for we fhall fee him as he is. Our hopes therefore mull he more lively and ftrong, or we mull have the greater boldnefs the liker we are to him now, or the more we are in this world as he is. In the lafl place, the apoftle farther illuf- trates the great advantage of perfeaion in love, by its calling out tormenting and dif- quieting fear. There is indeed a religious principle commonly in fcripture called the fear of God, which is not here intended, I John iii. 2. 03 and,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=