compared with that of Cod. 2E7 it being confirmed, by the concurring tefti- SERM. mony of unerring wifdom ; and how can he XI. but be pleafed with himfelf, who knows that -' -' perfeét reäitude and goodne.fs is pleafed with him ? Agreeably to the natural fentiments of our minds, our Saviour and his apoftles promife honour from God as a real and im- portant reward to the praäice of virtue. As our bleffed Lord himfelf obtained the appro- bation of his father by his obedience, for he therfòre loved him, becaufe he chearfully fulfilled the difficult commandment of laying down his life ; fo he affures his fervants that by imitating his example and doing his will, they fhall in like manner receive honour from God. * If any man fèrve me, him will my Father honour ; which is the moll: earneftly to be defired, and will yield the higheft delight to every one who is not under the power of an evil heart cf unbelief in departing from the living God; as were the infidel yews to whom our Saviour lays, -f° How can ye believe who receive honour one from another, and leek not the honour that cometh from God only ? How vain, how infignificant is all the reputation which can be attained from weak, and fal- lible, and depraved men ? But it is a high John xii z6. i John v. ¢4. honour
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