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delighteth to carry on our salvation by contraries. Christ emptied himself to fill all things, became poor that we might be rich, brought life out of death, covered his glory, wherewith he would enrich the world, under shame and disgrace. In the same way that Christ pur- chased it we obtain it. A christian is tossed with tempests, and yet the peace of God preserveth his heart. He hath nothing, and yet hath all things ; was disgraced in the world, and yet approved of God. There was nothing stronger than Christ's seeming weakness ; in his lowest abasement he discovered the greatest power of his godhead. He satisfied the justice of God, overcame death and his Father's wrath, triumphed over Satan, crushed his head when he bruised his heel. The apostle telleth us, 1 Cor. i. 25, ' The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men,' to ixwpov koI to ua-Oevk. The foolish part and the weak part, that which in man's opinion hath least wisdom or strength in it. Nothing is such a glorious act of wisdom and power as salvation by Christ dying, Christ abased ; as also to bring a christian to heaven by afflictions, rather than to suffer him to be prosperous in the world.
2. By way of pattern and example. Christ, that came to set open the way to heaven, would also teach us the way to heaven, not only by his doctrine, but example. Christ made himself of no reputation, and therefore we should be dead to the reputation and grandeur of the world, which is the great diversion and hindrance to the heavenly life. The apostle, when he bringeth this instance, he saith, ' Let the same mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus,' Phil. ii. 5. This very thing is propounded to our imitation. The Son of God had wisdom to choose, right to enjoy, power to procure, the best condition which the world affordeth ; but yet he chose a mean state of life, subject to many afflictions and sorrows. Here I shall show — (1.) The power of Christ's example in the general ; (2.) What he teaclieth us by emptying himself, or making himself of no reputation.
First, His example hath an alluring power, or great force in moving ; this is the example, not of an equal or inferior, but of a great person, one far above us. This great person is Jesus Christ our Lord, the great messenger of the God of heaven, who came to reclaim mankind from their vain courses, and to instruct them in the way of life.
[L] His example is a perfect and unerring pattern ; for his life is religion exemplified, a visible commentary on God's word. He came not only to restore us to God's favour by his merit, but to set us an example : 1 Cor. xi. 1, ' Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.' Then you cannot err, if you follow Christ in his imitable actions.
[2.] It is an engaging pattern. Christ's submission to a duty should make it lovely to us. The disciple is not above his lord, nor the servant above his master : ' If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet,' John xiii. 14. Shall we decline to follow such a leader ? 1 John ii. 6, ' He that saith he abidcth in him, ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.' Alexander, conqueror of the world, achieved most of his great exploits by his example. When hardly beset, he would make the first in every danger and desperate action ; when his army grew sluggish, as laden with spoils of their enemies, he commanded all his carriages to be
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fired ; and when they saw their king devote his rich treasures to the flame, they could not murmur if their mite and pittance were con- sumed also. If Christ had only taught us contempt of the world, and not given us an instance of it, his doctrine would be less powerful.
[3.] It is an effectual pattern. The Spirit of Christ goeth along with it, as well as his doctrine : 2 Cor. iii. 18, * We are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.' His steps drop fatness. He hath left a blessing behind in all the way that he hath trodden before us, and sanctified it to us, that we may follow after him with comfort.
[4.] It is a very encouraging pattern ; for he sympathiseth with us in all our difficulties, having entendered his own heart by experience : Heb. ii. 18, ' In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted ; ' Heb. iv. 15, ' We have not an high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are.' He knoweth the weak- nesses and reluctances of human nature in our hardest duties, and will pity and pardon our infirmities.
[5.] The example of Christ will be armour of proof against all temptations. The apostle saith here, ver. 5, ' Let the same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus ; ' and in 1 Peter iv. 1, ' Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind.' If this mind be in you, temptations will have little force upon you.