.iTION OF BELIEVERS. SOI is increased. This the apostle instructs us in at large, 1 Cor. x. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Now, both these concur in the example of holiness that is given us in the person of Christ: For, First, He is not only in himself morally considered, the most perfect, absolute, glorious patternof all grace, holiness, virtue, obedience, to be chosen and preferred above all others, but he is only so; there is no other complete exampleof it. As for those examples of heroi- cal virtue, or stoical apathy; which are boasted of a- mong the heathens, it were an easy matter to find such flaws and tumours in them, as would render them not only uncomely, but deformed and monstrous. And, in the lives of the best of the saints, there is declared what we ought expressly to avoid, as well as what we ought to follow; and, in some things, we are left at a loss, whether it be safe to conform unto them or not, seeing we are to be followers of none any further than they were so of Jesus Christ, and wherein they were so; neither is what they were or did, absolutely our rule and example in itself but only so. far as there- in they were comformable unto Christ. And the best of their graces, the highest of their attainments, and the most perfect of their duties, have their spots and mperfeetions; so that although they should have ex- ceeded what we can attain unto, and are thereforemeet to beproposed unto our imitation, yet do they come short of what we aim at, which is to be holy, as God is holy. But, in this our great exemplar, as there was never the least shew of variableness from the perfection of holiness, (for bedid no sin, neither was there any guile found in him, yea, in hfm was light, and no darknessat all) so wereall his graces, all his actings of them, all his dutiesso absolute and complete, as that we ought to aim no higher, nor to propose any other pattern unto our- selves. And who is it, that aiming at any excellency, would not design the most absolute and perfect exam- ple? This therefore is to be found as unto holiness in Christ, and in him alone. Sect. 56.And, Secondly, He is appointed of God . for this purpose. One end why God sent his Son to takeour nature upon him, and to converse in theworld therein, was, that he might set us an example in our own nature, in one who was like unto us in all things, sin only excepted, oflthat renovation of his image in us, of that return untohim from sin and apostacy, of that IN TILE SANCTIFIC and amazes, rather than enlightens; but every degree of light, which tends unto it, is connatural and pleasant to the eye. So is it wills the sanctified mind and spiritual truth. There is a measure of light issuing from spiritual truths, that our minds are capable of: what is beyond this measure, belongs to glory; and the gazing after it will rather dazzle than enlighten us: and such is the issue of over- strained speculations, whenthe mind endeavours an excess as to its measure. But all light from truth, which tends to the filling up of that measure, is pleasant and natural to,the sanctified mind. It sees wisdom, glory, beauty, and usefulness, in the most spiritual, sublime, and mysterious truths, that are revealed in and by the word; labouring more and more to comprehend them, because of their excellency. For want hereof, we know how the truths of the gospel are by many despised, reproached, scorned, as those which are no less foolishness unto them, to be believed, than the precepts of it are grievous to be obeyed. Sect. 5h. (h.) He is so, as he is the exemplary cause of our holiness. The design of God in working grace and holiness in us, is, that tee may be conformed unto the image of his Son, that he may be the first-born among many brethren, Rom. viii. 29. And our design in the attaining of it, is, first, that we may be likehim, and then express or shew forth the virtues of him .oho hall called us out of darkness into his marvellous light, unto his glory and honour, 1 Peter ii. 9. To this end is he proposed in the purity of his natures, the holiness of his person, the glory of his graces, the innocency and usefulness ofhis conversation in the world, as the great idea and exemplar, which in all things we ought to conform ourselves unto. And, as the nature of e- vangelical holinessconsists herein, namely, in an univer- sal conformity unto him, as he is the image of the invi- sible God, so the proposal of his example unto us, is an effectual means of ingenerating, and increasing it in us. Sect. 55. It is by all confessed, that examples are most effectual ways of instruction, and, if seasonably proposed, do secretly solicit the mind unto imitation, and almost unavoidably incline it thereunto. But when, unto this power, which exampleshave naturally and mo- rally to instruct and affect our minds, things are peculi- arly designed and instituted of God to beour examples, he. requiring of us, that from them we should learnboth what to do, and what to avoid, their force and efficacy
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