with increasing abundance, proceed from it. Our blessed Lord came, not only to save us by his meritorious death and passion, but, to "set us an example that we should follow his steps." To follow him, therefore, we must " walk as he walked." Behold his zeal for the glory of his God and Father ; it even " consumed him," so ardently did it burn within him : such should be our zeal also : it should be " our meat and drink to do our Father's will." Behold his humility % his self-denial '', his meekness", his patience*^, his compassion®, his love^: in all of these we are to resemble him ; and to be progressively " changed into his image from glory to glory by the Spirit of our God" O that all who profess themselves his fol- lowers were more like Him in the whole of his spirit and temper ! It is this that marks the Christian : all without this is hypocrisy and delusion.]
3. To devote ourselves openly to his service —
[It is well to be Christians in our secret chamber: but we must remember, that " our light is also to shine before men." We must confess Christ before men: and if we are ashamed or afraid to do so, we cannot be his disciples. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." His name, his cause, his people are despised by an ungodly world : and we must share in their contempt: we must "follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach." There is no occasion to aifect singularity in trivial matters; (that should rather be avoided:) there are points enough of importance in which we must be singular; we cannot resemble him without being singular; because the ungodly world are as opposite to him as darkness is to light: of course, therefore, we must be "as lights in a dark place, as cities set upon a hill." Nay, we are not to be contented with " abstaining from fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; we are actively and boldly to reprove them ;" and must shew ourselves on the Lord's side; endeavour- ing to maintain his honour, and to advance his interests in the world ]
These are points of universal and unalterable im- portance : and we are required to follow Christ in these respects, no less than the Apostles themselves. This call, I say, is given equally to us ; and it becomes us all to inquire,
II. In what manner we should obey it —
a John xiii. 4, 5, 15. ^ Phil. ii. 5 — 8. "^ John xviii. 2.3.
d Isai. 1. 6. andliii. 7. and 1 Pet. ii. 21 — 2.3. ^- Luke xix. 41. f Eph. v. 1,2.