I 1. t 6 -Conformity unto Cl)rift, renewed and exemplified io the Humane Nature of Chrifi. And thereon, without the knowledge of him, the wifefi of men have taken thofe things to render men mofr like unto God \Vhich were adverfe unto him. Such were the mofi of tho[e things which the Heathens adored as Heroick Yertues. But being perfeCtly exemplified in Chrifi, it is now plainly reprefented unto us in the Gofpel. Therein with openface we beholdas in aG!afs tbe Glor_yJJftbe Lord, ,md are chang,ec! into the fame Image, 2 Cor. 3· r8. The Vail being taken away from Divine Reveiations by the Doctrine of the Gofpel, and from our hearts lry the Lordthe Spirit, we behold the Image of God in Chrifi with open face, which is the principal means of our being transformed into it. The Gofpel is the Decla– ration of Chrifi unto us, and the Glory ofGod in him, as unto many other ends, fo in efpecial, that we might in him be– bold and contemplate that Image ofGocl we are gradually to be renewed into. Hence we are fo therein to learn the Truth as it is in-Jefus, as to be renewed in the fpirit of our minds, and to put on that 11ew man which after God is created in righ– teoufnefs ({nd true holinefs, EpheJ4· 20, 2 3, 24that is, that is renewecl after the-Image ofhim who created him, Col. 3. 10. + It is therefore evident, that the Life of God in us con– fills inconformity unto Cbrifl; nor is the Holy Spirit as the principal and efficient caufe of it given unto us for any other end, but to unite us unto him, and make us like him. Where– fore the original Gofpel Duty which animates and refrifies all others, is a defign for conformJty unto Chrifi in all the gracious principles and qualifications of his holy foul,where· in the Image ofGod in him cloth conftfi. As he is the Proto– type and Exemplar in the Eye of God for the communication ofall Grace unto us; fo he ought to be the great Example in the Eye of our Faith in all our Obedience unto God, in our compliance with all that he requireth of us. God
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