II. As Christ is propounded by way of pattern and example, ' In him was no sin.' I shall first speak a little of the innocency of Christ ; secondly, show how he is set forth as a pattern and example of holiness unto us.
1. The scripture sets forth the Lord Jesus as an eminently holy and innocent person, that he had no sin, and did no sin. He had no sin, being by his miraculous conception exempted from the contagion of original sin : Luke i. 35, ' The Holy Ghost shall overshadow thee, and that holy thing Avhich shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.' Thus was our Redeemer fitted to be completely lovely in the eyes of God, and to be a pattern of holiness to all his followers. Not only free from actual sin, but as having a perfect holy nature in him ; to show that we should not only prevent the outward act, but be free from the lust ; and not only lop the branches of sin, but destroy the root by a thorough change of heart. Evil practices in us do not flow from a present temptation, but an evil nature ; therefore we should get the divine nature. It is true it cannot be said of us that we have no sin, but yet the carnal nature should not be predominant in us ; we should have another spirit. Secondly, He did no sin : 2 Peter ii. 22, ' He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.' Christ did not in the least ofiend either God or man ; as guilty of no transgression, so of no defect in his obedience or conformity to the law of God. It is true he was accused of sin, but who could convince him of sin ? John viii. 46, •Which of you convinceth me of sin ? ' Though his name was buried under many calumnies and reproaches, yet none of his malicious
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adversaries could ever make it good that he was guilty of one sin. It is true he was tempted to sin, and the most venomous of Satan's fiery darts were shot at him, as you may see, Mat. iv, ; but though he was tempted in all other points like us, yet sin is excepted, Heb. iv. 15. He was spotless and free from sin, there was nothing in liim to befriend a temptation, John xiv. 30. This, christians, is our glorious Lord and chief ; he had no sin, nor did no sin. When shall it be said so of us ? We wait the time, but it will be so at length ; ere Christ hath done with us it must be so.
2. That he is set forth as a pattern and example of holiness in our nature. Christ, that did open heaven by his merit, would also teach lis the way thither, and teach us as a good teacher should, not only by his doctrine, but by his example. In moral things his example is to be imitated by us ; these reasons enforce it —
[1.] The scriptures do everywhere call for this imitation and suitable walking : Phil. ii. 5, * Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus ; ' Mat. xi. 29, ' Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly.' So 1 Peter ii. 21, ' He hath left us an example, that we should follow his steps ; ' 1 John ii. 6, ' He that saith he abideth in him, ought also himself to walk even as he walked.' I have brought these places to show how binding the example of Christ is.
[2.] That the Spirit is sent and given us to change us into his like- ness : 2 Cor. iii. 18, ' But we all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even by the same Spirit of the Lord.' We can no more follow his example than obey his doctrine without the same spirit. Here one part helpeth another ; in living as he did, we come to be like him.
[3.] What advantage we have by this example. First, all example hath an alluring power and great force in moving; but this is an example of examples, not of equals or ordinary superiors, but of our glorious head and chief. Now this example should be more cogent. First, Because it is a perfect and unerring pattern. Clirist's life is religion exempli- fied, a visible commentary on God's will and word : 2 Cor. xi. 1, ' Be ye followers of me, as I am also of Christ.' Here you cannot err if you follow Christ's submission in his imitable examples and actions. Secondly, It is an engaging pattern. Submission to any duty should make it lovely unto us : ' The disciple is not above his lord, nor the ser- vant above his master ; ' John xiii. 14, ' If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet, ye ought also to wash one another's feet.' Shall we decline to follow such a leader ? Thirdly, It is an effectual pattern. Christ's steps drop sweetness ; 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 it with comfort. Fourthly, 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, ' For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted ; ' Heb. iv. 15, ' For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' He knoweth the weaknesses and reluct- ances of nature in our hardest duties, and will surely pity and pardon our infirmities, and cover them with his own perfect righteousness.