Ambrose - BT200 A42 1658

520 Book.IV. For the firft wherein we · mull: conforme ? I anfwer,-~ x. Negatively; we muft not, cannot conforme to Chrifi in thofework5 proper to his God .head, as in working miracles 1 deny not but that the works of miracles were by way of priviledge, and temporary difpenfation granted to the Apofiles and fome others, but this was but for minifify and fervice, not for their fanC\:ity or falv01tion ; nor mufi we conforme to Chrifr in thofe works of his mediation, as in redeeming fouli, in fatisfying divine jufiice for our finne, 110 mal} can redeem hio brother, nor give Pfal . 'f9· 7· to God a ranfome for him : there u but one Mediarour between God .md man, the man Chrifl 'fefm; nor mufi we conforme to Chrifr in thofc works ofhis government, and influence into his Church. as inhis difpcncingofhis Spirit, in quickning of his Wo'rd, in fob~ duing of his enemies, in colleC\:ing of hisemembers, all thefe are perfonal honours, which belong unto Chrill ·as he is head of the Church, and t'o thefe works, if we fuould endeavour to conforme, we fuould crack our fincws, di!folve our Glvercoards, and never the nearer .---nor ne.ed wee to conforme to Chrifi in fome other particulars, in his voluntary poverty, he hecame poore for our fakp. 2 Cor. 8.. 9· In his ceremonial performances, as in going up to [eruf.r!em at the feaU:s; in his perpetual grave deportment, we neverread that Jefus laughed; and but once or twice that he rejoyced in fpirit: alas ! the deden!ions of our natures cannot come up to this patterne, nor dq I look at thefe pa!fages as any aCts of moral obedience at all. · 2. Affirmatively, or pofitively; we mull conforme to Chrifi:s life. 1. ln refpeC\: of hi£ judgement, will, affections, cornpaffions. Look we at his Spirit, obfervc what mind was in J~fus Cbrift, and ~tpe.r.ein do : we 'endeavour to con'forme , let the fame Phil. t• ~· minde be in you · (faith the Apofile) which WIU in C'hrift, Phil. 2. 5· and we have the 'lnindeof Chrift (faith the Apofit·e) 1 Cor. 1Cor.:t.I6. 2 !6. 2 In refpeCI: ofhis vertues , graces, habitual hol indfe. Lr~m Mlt . 11 " 1 9· af me ( faith Chrift) f or I am mee k__ and lowly in heart : Chrifi was · 1 Cor. 10. :t. of a meek and gentle Spirit, I he[ e<'ch yeu by thee m ~r kzi,JJe and gentlen<Jl. eofChrijf, faith Pa?sl, and Cbri.ft was of an humb-le and Phil. :t. 6, 7 • lowly Spirit, IHir.g in the f orme of God, he thought it tto robbery to be

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