a Means if attaining to Wifdom. 309 God is propofed to us in fcripture as the S E x na. molt unexceptionably worthy of our imita- XII. tion ; be ye holy, faith the Lord, as I am holy ; and the example of jefus Chrift, which eometh nearer our cafe, for it fheweth us virtue pradifed to perfeäion in the human nature ; and all that humility, meeknefs, pa- tience, refignation, zeal, and charity, which he recommendeth to us, (hewn to us in life, under the greateft trials and molt grievous fufferings : But (till it feemeth to be a kind of excufe for our coming far (bort of that perfefl pattern, that we have many frailties, irregular defires and paflions, from which he was altogether free. And therefore to cut off all handle of that fort, all pretence whereby we might imagine ourfelves charged of the obligation, we ,fee the rules of religious virtue reduced to praâice in men of like paßions, who alto were compaj d about with infirmities. Though their ex- ample is but imperfect, yet it is very worthy of our imitation, and molt fenfibly reproach- eth our failures. Muft it not carry firong convitcion to fee men, naturally weak as we are, liable to the fame temptations, to va- nity, fenfual affections, pride, fear, and wrath; to fee them conquer their molt ve- hement felfith defires, and their ftrongeft paf- X 3 lions ?
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