3. Because of our pattern and example, Jesus Christ, who was exact in all his actions. He declared himself to be the Son of God, useful in all his converses, still aiming at the honour of his father : John viii. 60, ' I seek not mine own glory ; there is one that seeketh and judgeth.' He was careful to please him in all things. Christ came from heaven not only to expiate our offences, but to give us an example ; and ' he that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked,' 1 John ii. 6. Wherein lieth this example ? He telleth us he came 'not to do his own will, but the will of him that sent him,' John V. 30. In temptations, sufferings, reproaches, in the midst of the ingratitude of men, and poverty and meanness of condition, in all his fastings, labours, and death, he sought still to please his father and promote his will : John viii. 29, ' For I do always those things that please him.' This is } onr pattern, christians ; and it is true religion to imitate him whom we an orship : likeness to him is the true note of our communion with him ; if your life be such a life, then there is 'Holi- ness to the Lord ' wriuen upon it from first to last.
4. Our obligations to Christ ; partly because of his dominion, as the Lord-redeemer by right of purchase : Rom, xiv. 9, ' For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of dead and living.' In all conditions and states of life he hath a right in us, therefore in every state of life we should glorify him. Partly from our gratitude to Christ as a Saviour as well as a Lord. What doth he expect from thee, when he hath done so much for thee already,
SERMON UPON ZECHARIAH XIV. 20, 21. 449
and will do much more, but that thou shouldst love him, and live to him ? 2 Cor. v, 14, 15, ' For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead ; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.' What liadst thou been were it not for his love ? What wouldst thou have answered to an accusing conscience in the midst of thy griefs and fears? How wouldst thou have looked God, the judge of all the world, in the face ? Who could free thee from the curse of the law, and the flames of hell, but the Son of God, who parted with all his glory that he might redeem thee to God ? And if thou wilt not part with thy sins, thou justly deservest to suffer for them. Thou lookest for more from him than ever yet thou hast received, to live with God for ever ; what then is thy business, but to glorify him upon earth, that thou mayest be glorified with him for evermore ? Partly by thine own covenant vow ; thou art baptized in his name, and hast often ratified the bond of the oath into which thou art entered ; and what is baptism but a dedication unto God, not to be thine own, but his ? Acts xxvii. 23, ' Whose I am, and whom I serve.' If thou art this, thy whole life should be Christ's. ' We are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh,' Kom. viii. 12 ; with Gal. V. 3, ' I testify to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.'
Use. Is to persuade you to this universal obedience. None enter upon God's service but with a consecration, and none entirely give up themselves to God unless they give up all things with themselves, not one thing reserved ; and if nothing be reserved, nothing must be used but for his glory, otherwise the dedication is a mockery. The consi- derations are plain. Now I shall give you sundry directions, and they will mostly come to the same purpose, but altogether will bind this holiness upon you.
1. Undertake nothing but what will bear this inscription upon it, * Holiness to the Lord,' This question should be put to ourselves, Can I dedicate this to God ? In worship, Am I now acting for God or for myself? In your callings, Is this for God? Is it inconsistent with my great end, or impertinent to it ? If it be inconsistent, it is plain treachery to my covenant vow ; if impertinent, it is a diversion not voluntarily to be allowed : 2 Cor. v. 9, ' Wherefore we labour that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.' In your sports and delights, Eccles. ii. 2, ' What doeth it ? ' When you are carding away your precious time or your substance, which might be better employed, is this ' Holiness to the Lord ? ' That should be legible in all you are and do. In the choice of your relations, disposal of your condition of life, here is your measure still.