It is by all confessed that exami^les are most effectual ways of
510 THE POSITIVE WORK OF THE SPIRIT FbOOK IV.
instructioDj and, if seasonably proposed, do secretly solicit the mind unto imitation, and almost unavoidably incline it thereunto. But when unto this jDOwer which examples have naturally and morally to instruct and affect our minds, things are peculiarl}^ designed and instituted of God to be our examples, he requiring of us that from them we should learn both what to do and what to avoid, their force and efficacy is increased. This the apostle instructs us in at large, 1 Cor. x. 6-11. Now, both these concur in the example of holiness that is given us in the person of Christ ; for, —
1st. He is not only in himself, morally considered, the most per- fect, absolute, glorious pattern of all grace, holiness, virtue, obedi- ence, to be chosen and preferred above all others, but he only is so; there is no other complete example of it. As for those examples of heroical virtue or stoical apathy which are boasted of among the heathens, it were an easy matter to find such flaws and tumours in them as would render them not only uncomely, but deformed and monstrous. And in the lives of the best of the saints there is de- clared what we ought expressly to avoid, as well as what we ought to follow ; and in some things we are left at a loss whether it be safe to conform unto them or no, seeing we are to be followers of none any farther than they were so of Jesus Christ, and wherein they were so ; neither, in what they were or did, were they absolutely our rule and example in itself, but only so far as therein they were con- formable unto Christ: and the best of their graces, the highest of their attainments, and the most perfect of their duties, have their spots and imperfections ; so that although they should have exceeded what we can attain unto, and are therefore meet to be proposed unto our imitation, yet do they come short of what we aim at, which is to be holy as God is holy. But in this our great exemplar, as there was never the least shadow of variableness fi^om the perfection of holiness (for " he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth," yea, "in him was light, and no darkness at all"), so were all his graces, all his actings of them, all his duties, so absolute and com- plete, as that we ouglit to aim no higher, nor to propose any other pattern unto ourselves. And who is it that, aiming at any excel- lency, would not design the most absolute and perfect example ? Tliis, tlierefore, is to be found as unto holiness in Christ, and in him alone. And, ^dly. He is appointed of God for this purpose. One end why God sent his Son to take our nature upon him, and to converse in the world therein, was, that he might set us an example in our own nature, in one who was like unto us in all things, sin only ex- cepted, of that renovation of his image in us, of that return unto him from sin and apostasy, of that holy obedience which he requireth of
CHAP. VI.] IN THE SANCTIFICATION OF BELIEVERS. 511
US. Such an example was needful, that we might never be at a loss about the will of God in his commands, having a glorious represen- tation of it before our eyes ; and this could be given us no otherwise but in our own nature. The angelical nature was not suited to set us an example of holiness and obedience, especially as to the exercise of such graces as we principally stand in need of in this world ; for what examples could angels set unto us in themselves of patience in afflictions, of quietness in sufferings, seeing their nature is incapable of such things? Neither could we have had an example that was perfect and complete in our own nature, but only in one who was " holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners." To this end, therefore, among others, did God send his own Son to take our na- ture on him, and therein to represent unto us the perfect idea of that holiness and obedience which he requireth of us. It is evident, therefore, that these two considerations of an instructive example, that it hath a moral aptitude to incite the mind unto imitation, and that it is instituted of God unto that purpose, are both found emi- nently in this of Christ.
But there is yet more in this matter: for, — Ist. As God hath ap- pointed the consideration of Christ as an especial ordinance unto the increase of holiness in us, so his holy obedience, as proposed unto us, hath a peculiar efficacy unto that purpose beyond all other instituted examples; for, — (1st.) We are often called to behold Christ, and to look upon him, or it is promised that we shall do so, Isa. xlv. 22; Zech. xii. 10. Now, this beholding of Christ, or looking on him, is the consideration of him by faith unto the ends for which he is ex- hibited, proposed, and set forth of God in the gospel and promises thereof. This, therefore, is an especial ordinance of God, and is by his Sphit made effectual. And these ends are two: — [1st.] Justifi- cation; [2c???/.] Salvation, or deliverance from sin and punishment. " Look unto me," saith he, " and be ye saved." This was he on the cross, and is still so in the preaching of the gospel, wherein he is "evidently crucified before our eyes," Gal. iii. 1, lifted up as the brazen serpent in the wilderness, John iii. 14, 15, that we, looking on him by faith, as " bearing our sins in his own body on the tree," 1 Pet. ii. 24, and "receiving the atonement" made thereby, Rom. v. 11, may through faith in him be justified from all our sins, and saved from the wrath to come. But this we intend not; for, {2dly.) He is of God proposed unto us in the gospel as the great pattern and ex- emplar of holiness, so as that, by God's appointment, our beholding and looking on him, in the way mentioned, is a means of the increase and gTowth of it in us. So our apostle declares, 2 Cor. iii. 18, " 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 as by the