If they will needs be separating, let them separate from the world, from scandalous, careless, riotous persons, else Satan rules in division. He knows he is best able to deal with them that are alone, and therefore draws Eve from Adam, and one Christian from another, and so quickly overcomes them. If in company one fall, another may help him up ; if he be cold, another may warm him by exhortation and example.
Consider, therefore, who are best minded, and mind the best things u-ith them.. If we find we have attained to a greater degree in grace than others, endeavour to bring them to us. The communion of saints is an article of our faith. Every one beheves it, but few knows what it means; and therefore no marvel they desire it not.
VERSE 17.
Brethren, he followers together of me.
These words contain another exhortation, with a friendly compellation, which I pass over, having heretofore had often occasion to speak of it. The exhortation is to imitation of the apostle, ' follow me.' And because I cannot ever be with you, therefore follow those among you that walk as I do.
Whence we learn, that together with the rules of religion we must joropound
122 EXPOSITION OP
God's graces in us, as examples for others to imitate ; and this arises not from pride, but from confidence of truth and holiness in our own hearts and conversations ; and religion makcth this a virtue and duty, without which it were boasting ; and so it doth many things, of themselves not eeemly, very fitting. David's dance was in worldly esteem counted but folly, yet having respect to God's glory is commendable. And therefore we must not be captious when we see such things in others, that men ordi- narily count indiscretion. But mark their ground, and by it esteem of them, and accordingly follow such. ' Be ye followers of me,' saith St Paul ; that is, observe what my doctrine is, and what I do and acknow- ledge, follow and imitate me. The apostle's doctrine consists chiefly of three heads ; whereof the first, concerning our natural condition, as Rom. 1st, 2d, od chapters, and Eph. ii. And the second, concerning our remedy by Christ Jesus, God and man, being king, priest, and prophet, as in the Hebrews. And the third, the manner how Christ is become ours by im- putation, and is laid hold on by faith, which is given to us by God, who being unchangeable and true, we persevere in this rule and course of obedience, by the mercies of God, though with many combatings and strivings, even to fulness of glory. The apostle's example see in part in this chapter, in holiness of life and death to sin, and esteem of the goods of this world as base. In the Acts see his pains in the ministry, his calling, his heavenly and holy mind in the next verse.
And therefore, let us read these often, and consider them. They are an excellent glass, that will transform us into an holy form and fashion. Many things there are in him that are extraordinary and not imitable. He wrought in another calling for his living. He was an apostle, had extraordi- nary gifts by revelation, and indeed not so much by study as the ministers of the gospel now, to whom God gives gifts, but in the faithful and painful * use of the means ; and therefore are they not bound to imitate the apostle in this thing as in other things which he did as an apostle ?
But to proceed to particulars. Imitation implies four things :
First, A doing that ivhich another doth.
Second, A doing it in the same manner.
Third, A doing thereof grounded upon the same ajfections, not as in a stage play, where he that acteth the person of a king is often a varlet. But it implies such an imitation as is in a child, that endeavoureth to be like the father in disposition as well of mind as of body.
Fourth, It implies a doing, studio imitandi, with an earnest desire to be like him. For he that doth that which God commands, and not as express- ing his desire of imitation, he is no follower ; and therefore in all our actions we ought to desire to be like God, and endeavour to express in action what we desire ; and to this end we are to search for examples and patterns in the Scripture, for those that are more excellent. For the most excellent in all kinds are the best rules for others ; and because in many things we off'end all, let us follow the examples of men no further than they follow Christ, 1 Cor. xi. 1. And it was one end of Christ's incarnation, that he might be an example unto us. ' As I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, so ye ought to wash one another's feet,' John xiii. 14 ; ' and learn of me, for I am meek,' Mat. xi. 29.
Hence we may gather the ground why we have not only rules in Scrip- ture to live by, but also examples. For, first, they shew that the things commanded are ptossihle to he done. Then they shew us the way and means * That is, ' painstaking.' — G.