to him111?*' If he submitted to " stripes, that you might be healed," will not you welcome them, if* by any means " he may be glorified" ?" Surely, if you reflect aright on this subject, you will regard the sacrifice even of life itself as a small matter, or rather as a ground for self-congratulation0, and for thankfulness to God, who has conferred upon you that high honour for Jesus's sake1'.]
2. As an incentive to every duty —
[What shall " constrain you'1," if this do not? or what other motive can you wish for, than that which this stupendous mystery affords? Will you hesitate to forego any thing for Him who gave up all the glory of heaven for you? or to en- dure any thing for Him, who endured the penalties of God's broken law, and " became a curse for you?" Methinks, the more arduous the duty is, the more eager you will be to per- form it ; and the more self-denying your labours be, the more will you account yourselves honoured in being called to sustain them. Nothing will be any obstacle to you, if only his will may be done by you, and his glory be advanced1.]
3. As a pattern of every grace —
[In all that Jesus did, he intended " to set you an ex- ample, that you should follow his steps." Mark his steps, then, from the cradle to the grave. Mark him, especially under those peculiar circumstances referred to in my text. See how he held fast his integrity, amidst the fiercest opposition. Do ye the same: nor let all that either men or devils can effect, ever divert you from " well-doing ;" or cause you to violate, in the slightest degree, the dictates of your " conscience before God." Mark what returns he made to his persecutors : never, for a moment, did he render evil for evil ; or cease to seek, to the uttermost, the welfare of his very murderers, praying to his " Father to forgive them." Let this be your invariable line of conduct also ; " blessing them who curse you, and praving for those who despitefully use you, and persecute you8." There is no grace which you may not see exercised by him, during his last hours, in the highest possible perfec- tion. Set him then before you, under all those circumstances; and endeavour to " walk in all things as he walked:" so will you have an evidence that you are his, and that your hope in him is well founded ; seeing that " you have the same mind that was in him," and " purify yourselves even as he was pure1."]
"> 1 Pet. iv. 12, 13. " 1 Pet. iv. 14. ° Phil. ii. 17, 18.
i- Phil. i. 29. 'i 2 Cur. v. 1 I, 1.",. r Acts xx. 24.
Matt, v. 44. l 1 John iii. 3.