Pattern 3. The self-denial of Christ is the pattern of believers, and their conformity unto it is their indispensible duty, Phil. ii. 4, 5, 6. 2 Cor. viii. 9. " For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus " Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became " poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.,, Jesus Christ, for the glory of God, and the love he bare to the elect, denied himself all the delights and pleasures of this world, Matt. xx. 28. " The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minis- " ter, and to give his life a ransom for many ;" he was all his life- time in the world, " a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," Isa. liii. 5. more unprovided of comfortable accommodations than the birds of the air, or beasts of the earth, Luke ix. 58. " The " foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the (s Son of man hath not where to lay his head *." Yet this was the least part of Christ's self-denial : What did he not deny when he left the bosom of his Father, with the ineffable delights and pleasures he there enjoyed from eternity, and instead thereof to drink the cup, the bitter cup of his Father's wrath, for our sakes ? O Christians, look to your pattern, and imitate your self-denying Saviour. There is a threefold self you are to deny for Christ.
First, Deny your natural self, for him, Luke xiv. 26. Hate your own life, in competition with his glory, as well as your natural lusts, Tit. ii. 12.
Secondly, Deny your civil self for Christ; whether they be gifts of the mind, Phil. iii. 8. or your dearest relations in the world, Luke xiv. 26.
* Vulpibus in saltu rupes e.risa latcbras Frccbet, et aereis avibus dat silva quietem : Ast hominis Nato nullis succedere tectis
Est licitum. Heins. in loc.
The craggy rock to foxes holes affords, The pleasant woods a resting-place to birds ; For Christ no fixed habitation's found. But what was borrow'd, or the naked ground.
SERM. XXIX. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 407
Thirdly, Deny your moral and religious self for Christ; your own righteousness) Phil. hi. 10. Deny sinful self absolutely, Col. hi. 4, 5, Deny natural self conditionally, i. e. be ready to forsake its interests at the call of God. Deny your religious self, even your own graces, comparatively, not in the notion of duties, but in the notion of righteousness : and to encourage you in this difficult work, consider,
First, What great things Christ denied for you, and what small matters you have to deny for him.
Secondly, How readily he denied all for your sakes, making no objections against the difficultest commands.
Thirdly, How incapable you are to put any obligation upon Christ, to deny himself in the least for you, and what strong ob- ligations Christ hath put you under, to deny yourselves in your greatest interests upon earth for him.
Fourthly, Remember that your self-denial is a condition con- sented to, and subscribed by yourselves, if ever you received Christ aright.
Fifthly, In a word, consider how much your self-denial for ( foist, makes for your advantage in both worlds, Luke xviii. 29. O therefore, look not every man upon his own things, but upon the things that are of Christ ; let not that be justly charged upon you, which was charged upon them, Phil. ii. 21. " All seek their " own, not the things which are Christ's."
Pattern 4. The activity and diligence of Christ in finishing the work of God which was committed to him, was a pattern for all believers to imitate. It is said of him, Acts x. 38. " He went about doing good." O what a great and glorious work did Christ finish in a little time ! A work to be celebrated to all eternity by the praises of the redeemed. Six things were very remarkable in the diligence of Christ about his Father's work.
First, That his heart was intently set upon it, Psal. iv. 8. " Thy law is in the midst of my heart," or bowels.
Secondly, That lie never fainted under the many great discou- ragements he frequently met withal in that work, Isa. xliii. 4. " He shall not fail, nor be discouraged."
Thirdly, That the shortness of his time provoked him to the greatest diligence, John ix. 4. "I must work the work of him that " sent me, while it is day, for the night cometh, when no man " can work."
Fourthly, That he improved all opportunities, companies, and occurrences to further the great work which was under his hand, John iv. 6, 10.
Fifthly, Nothing more displeased him than when he met with
408 THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XXIX,
dissuasions and discouragements in his work ; upon that account it was that he gave Peter so sharp a check, Mat. viii. 33. " Get thee behind me, Satan."
Sixthly, Nothing rejoiced his soul more, than the prosperity and success of his work, Luke x. 20, 21. When the disciples made the report of the success of their ministry, it is said, " In that hour " Jesus rejoiced in Spirit" And O what a triumphant shout was that upon the cross at the accomplishment of his work, John xix. 30. It is finished !
Now, Christians, eye your parent, look unto Jesus ; trifle not away your lives in vanity. Christ was diligent, be not you sloth- ful. And to encourage you in your imitation of Christ in labour and diligence, consider,
First, How great an honour God puts upon you in employing you for his service : every vessel of service is a vessel of honour, 2 Tim. ii. 21. The apostle was very ambitious * of that honour, Rom. xv. 20. It was the glory of Eliakim to be fastened as a nail in a sure place, and to have many people hang upon him, Isa. xxii. 33.
Secondly, Your diligence in the work of God will be your great security in the hour of temptation ; for " the Lord is with you " while you are with him," 2 Chron. xv. 2. The schoolmen put the question, How the saints in heaven became impeccable ? and resolve it thus, that they are therefore freed from sin, because they are continually employed and swallowed up in the blessed visions of God. \
Thirdly, Diligence in the work of God is an excellent help to the improvement of grace. For, though gracious habits are not acquired, yet they are greatly improved by frequent acts ; " To " him that hath shall be given," Mat. xxv. 29. It is a good note of Luther, Fides pinguescit ojperibus, Faith improves by obedience.
Fourthly, Diligence in the work of God is the direct way to the assurance of the love of God, 2 Pet. xv. 10. This path leads you into a heaven upon earth.
Fifthly, Diligence in obedience is a great security against back- sliding : small remissions in duty, and little neglects, increase by degrees unto great apostasies, you may see how that disease is bred by the method prscribed for its cure, Rev. ii. 5. Do thy first works.
Sixthly, In a word, laborious diligence, in the day of life, will be your singular comfort when the night of death overtakes you, 2 Pet. i. 11. 2 Kings xx. 3.
Pattern 5. Delight in God, and in his service, was eminently con-
•J/Aory/xs/Aa/, ambio. dictum verbum ab amore honoris. Zanch.