[1.] That they are in our eye. It is a saying of Seneca, that men live non ad rationem sed ad similitudinem, not by reason so much as custom and conformity to the practice of others ; as beasts follow the drove, and consider not qua eundum.est, sed quaitur not how all should walk,
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but how others do walk. Certainly example liath a great force in evil, because it is before our eyes. There are two senses of learning — sight and hearing ; and proportionably it is an encouragement in good to see others mortify those fleshly lusts which the greatest part of the world make it their business and work to please, and to rule their senses, appetites, and passions. Certainly it is a greater engagement and en- couragement to us than barely to read of it and hear of it. We see infoece Romuli, in the very dregs of Christianity, some can be self-deny- ing, mortified, and heavenly. God expects we should profit by what we see, and go and do likewise ; for these holy ones were raised up for- tius very purpose, to instruct the present age and. reprove the present age. They are ' the light of the world and the salt of the earth ; * Mat. v. 13, 14, to season and direct the world, if it grow unsavoury and noisome.
[2.] There is a greater provocation in the examples of the living ; there is direction and confirmation in the examples of the saints de- parted, but more of excitement and provocation in the examples of the saints living : 2 Cor. ix. 2, 'Your zeal hath provoked many ; ' and Heb. x 24, ' Let us consider one another, to provoke to love and good works.' There is dyadrj e/w, a holy contention or emulation who shall most excel in godliness. When others are forgetful, negligent, cold, back- ward, we provoke them by the light of a heavenly conversation, which shineth into their consciences, and. we stir them up to the love of the best things.
[3.] These are yet in the way, and not yet past the pikes, and so partly can the better help and pity us, as being within the reach of our commerce : ' Remember them that are in adversity, as being yourselves also in the body/ Heb. xiii. 3. We have the examples of the saints departed, but not their counsel. And partly, besides, they are yet filling up the measure of their hardships and conflicts : 1 Peter v. 9, ' Knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.' They are under like trials ; we are not dealt with more hardly than they ; and so engage us to more patience.
Second distinction. There are the examples of the guides and pastors, and of ordinary and private christians.
1. Ministers are more bound to be examples to the flock • 1 Peter v. 3, ' Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.' To have such a conversation as may be worthy their imi- tation ; and their example is more recommended to us : 'I have be- gotten you to God, therefore be ye followers of me ; ' 1 Cor. iv. 15, 16 ; Heb. xiii. 7, ' Who have spoken unto you the word of the Lord, whose faith follow.'
2. Private christians. Not only public eminent persons, such as apostles or pastors, and public teachers, but those in a private sphere. They might have been discouraged if only the example of an apostle or the more eminent christians had been propounded ; therefore those of a weaker sort are propounded also, who followed his example, who walked so as they had him for an example. The apostle giveth them his example at second-hand, to show that people of their rank and degree might attain this self-denial.
II. What is this imitation or following ? It implieth three things
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— (1.) Factum ; (2.) Alienifacti expressio ; (3.) Stadium et pro- posilum imitandi.
1. There must be factum, an action. To imitate is not to com- memorate, but to walk in the steps of those whom we pretend to imi- tate ; not to admire and commend, but to do likewise. The Jews com- mended Abraham, and stood much upon the honour of Abraham. Christ tells them, ' If ye were Abraham's seed, ye would do the works of Abraham,' John viii. 39 ; as the pharisees, that honoured the dead prophets but persecuted the living, did not imitate the prophets, but their ancestors that persecuted them.
2. Alienifacti expressio. There must be not only an action, or some- thing done, but a correspondent action, or a conformity to the example, both for matter and manner. We must walk as they walk, do such actions with a like mind. As John Baptist is said to ' go before Christ in the spirit and power of Elijah/ Luke i. 17, with the same affections of zeal and courage against sin.
3. Studium et propositum imitandi, a purpose and endeavour of imi- tating. Casually a man may fall on some things which another doeth, but then we propound them as a pattern when we fit and frame ourselves to be like him or them whom we imitate. Christ must be imitated principally ; secondarily, his choice servants, which is done when we study to express their graces to the life ; aKoiruTe, in the text, ' Mark them,' and so resemble them for zeal, faith, patience, and meek- ness. Well, then, here is doing, and doing that which others do, with an endeavour to resemble them. Thus should we look to any one that hath any good thing in him worthy of imitation ; as those that delight in a garden, if they hear others* have any choice flowers, the}'' will be sure to get a slip or a root, that they may also have somewhat of the kind ; the rather because the Spirit worketh uniformly in all the saints.