hard, the encouragement which our Lord affords us is amply sufficient for the support of our minds. His injunction is, " If any man serve me, let him follow me," even unto death. And for his encouragement I assure him, that where I am there shall also my servant be : yea, if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Here we have, on the most unquestionable autho- rity,
I. Our duty set before us.
II. Our encouragement to perform it.
I. Our duty is to " serve" the Lord Jesus Christ, " whose we are and whom therefore we are bound to serve." But how must we serve him? Our Lord says, " If any man serve me, let him follow me :" Let him follow me,
As his Teacher, to instruct him. As his Master, to rule him. As his Saviour, to save him.
As his Example, whereby to regulate the whole of his conduct.
We must follow Christ as our Teacher, to instruct us. " Christ is a Teacher come from God." He has " left the bosom of his Father, and come down to earth to declare him to us," and to make known to us his mind and will. In particular, He is come to inform us what plan his heavenly Father has devised for the restoration of a guilty world to his favour ; and in what way they must walk so as to please and honour him. And he expects that we come to him with the docility of little children, and receive in- struction from his lips : " Learn of me," says he, " for I am meek and lowly in heartb;" that is, ' Learn of me, for I can bear with your infirmities, and will carefully convey instruction to you as you are able to receive it.' It was in this way that Mary sat at his feet, whilst her more earthly-minded sister Martha was cumbered about providing for the guests whom she was about to entertain : and this was " the good
b Matt. xi. 29.