by the example he then set them, to inculcate the necessity of their performing towards the meanest of their brethren every possible act of condescension and love1. So by St. Peter we are informed, that under still more trying circumstances the Lord Jesus Christ " has set us an example that we should follow his steps/' and more especially in those duties which are most difficult and self-denying. As " he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, and when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suf- fered, threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously113; so we, under all the heaviest trials that can come upon us, are to suffer them with all meekness, " blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who despitefully use us, and persecute usn ;" our determination, through grace, must be, not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good0. In a word, " the whole mind must be in us that was in Christ Jesus p ; and under all imaginable circumstances we must approve ourselves as followers of Christ, walking as he walked q, and doing only those things which will please and honour our Father which is in heaven. It must at all times be " our very meat to do his holy will1."
Now this, I apprehend, is the import of those words, " If any man serve me, let him follow me :" ' let him follow me for all the ends and purposes for which I came into the world, that he may honour me before men, and become fully meet for all the blessedness which I will award unto him.'
To enforce this precept, our Lord adds the richest possible encouragement : " Where I am, there shall also my servant be : if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
Now I would ask, Where was our Lord when he spake these words ? In his human nature he was on earth ; but in his divine nature he was in heaven. For thus he said to Nicodemus ; " No man hath
• John xiii. 12—14. m 1 Pet. ii. 21—23. n Matt. v. 44. 0 Rom. xii. 21. p Phil. ii. 5. * 1 John ii. 6.
r Jolmiv. 34.