[1.] Because they are so many and various, and suited to persons of all degrees and ranks of men, and for all christian ends. In the word of God we have many examples on record fit for all persons to imitate. The prince in Josiah and Hezekiah ; the counsellor in Hushai ; the rich man in Abraham ; the poor in the Shunamite ; officers in court, in the eunuch of Candace ; the captive in Daniel and the three chil- dren ; the afflicted in Job ; the banished in Joseph ; the soldier in Cornelius ; women in Sarah, 1 Peter iii. 6 ; the magistrate in Moses and Joshua or Nehemiah ; ministers in the apostles of Jesus Christ, a zealous, self-denying company, who left their all to promote the gospel. And then of all graces, Abraham for faith, David for devotion, Job for patience, Timothy for temperance, Paul for diligence and activity in the Lord's work.
[2.] Because these show that there is nothing impossible in our duty, and nothing so difficult but hath been overcome, and may be overcome through Christ strengthening and enabling us. That which is done and hath been done may be done. Our duty is reconcilable with our frailty. The saints departed had the same nature with us, and we the same assistances and encouragements with them. They the same nature with us ; flesh and blood as we are : James v. 17, ' Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are/ They had the same interests, relations, concernments, wants, weaknesses, doubts, fears ; and we the same encouragements with them, the same cause, the same recom- pense of reward, the same God, the same Saviour ; and did he not suffer as much for us as for them? and therefore we should follow them, and walk in their steps.
112 SERMONS UPON PHILTPPIANS III. [SeR. XII.
[3.] Their examples are a standing testimony to confirm by experi- ence the truth and reality of our blessed hopes, therefore called 'a cloud of witnesses,' Heb. xii. 1. They all spake to future generations to believe constantly in God as they did, that we may receive the like reward. The scripture telleth us that every one that believeth ' hath put to his seal that God is true,' John iii. 33. Much more these eminent ones ; they are an instance of God's fidelity to those that faith- fully adhere to him and self-denyingly believe in him, and so they con- firm our faith, and excite and quicken our hope and love.
(1.) It doth confirm our faith. Are the wisest and soberest that ever the world knew deceived ? or were the comforts wherewith they were sustained in the most grievous sufferings fantastical impressions ? They continually professed the certain knowledge of and comfort in the hopes of an unseen glory, and died in the Lord, Heb. xi. 13, com- mending their souls into the hands of Christ. And is not this to our satisfaction, that surely there is such an estate ? Aud should not we believe to the saving of our soulsPHeb. x. 30. That bringeth in the catalogue.
(2.) It doth excite and quicken our love and hope, or that desirous expectation of the promised glory which maketh us delightfully and patiently to continue in the love, service, and honour of God, that we may be where they are : Ps. lv. 6, ' Oh, that I had the wings of a dove ! for then would I flee away and be at rest.' And may come to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. xii. 23. We are entered into that society now, and are companions with them in the faith and patience of the gospel, that at length we may be companions with them in heavenly glory.
2. The example of the saints now living ; for God hath left us a continual succession of good examples. Every age hath its stars, or some that shine as lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse gener- ation: Phil. ii. 15, 16, ' Holding forth the word of life.' We still have our examples of faith, and patience, and sobriety, and watchfulness, and self-denial, and heaveuly-mindedness. And present examples are of great use ; for though the ways of God be lovely in themselves, and worthy to be chosen, though few or none walk in them : Josh. xxiv. 15, ' Choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served, that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell : but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord ; ' Ps. cxix. 126, 127, ' It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy com- mandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.' In the most degenerate times we should not slacken our zeal. Yet it is no small comfort and encouragement to have companions in the way to heaven. Woe to him that is left alone. The coals by lying together enkindle one another ; and not we alone, but divers others, make the ways of God their choice and practice. Present examples add this above those that are past.