Pride, indeed, will counsel thne: 11 Let othere serve you; it is beneath your dignity tr, minister to thorn." Humility will offer very different advice: "Bear ye one another'; burdens, nnd so fulfil the Law of Christ." IV. THE MOTIVE TO HUMILITY. There are doubtless many motives; but one is so supreme as to leave scarcely any room for any other, i.e. in the Christian's heart. The example of the Lord Jesus is to him all-powerful, all-persuasive. This is so when we think: 1. Of Christ's native greatness, and of his voluntary humiliation in his incar- nation and advent. 2. Of Christ's whole conduct during his earthly ministry, which, es recorded, affords so many instances of condescension, compassion, and loving-kindness. He took the form of a servant, and he lived the life of a servant. 3. Of Christ's obedience unto the death of the cross, in which he" tasted death for every man." If the Lord of glory deigned to die for men, it is scarcely possible for any disciple of Christ to render service to his fellow-men which shall fairly express the devotion to the Master and the consecration to his service which he has a right to expect. It is in Christ that the Christian finds the motive anli the model of unselfishness, humility, and benevolent service. V. THE REWARD OF HUMILITY. 1. Peace of conscience is one happy consequence of this disposition and habit. Pride is the cause of restlessness and of wretchedness. But the meek and lowly spirit finds true and lasting rest. 2. Honour and exaltation by God himself. He abases the proud; he exaltB the lowly and meek. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Before honour is humility.-T. Ver. 15.-The supreme e1£ample. Imitation is a principle of human nature. It is natural, and therefore the means by which a great part of our knowledge and many of our habits are acquired. It is universal, prevailing in all rankR and conditions of society. It is powerful, moulding character, and controlling and directing life. It is ultimate, not to be explained, but to be accepted upon its own authority. Upon this principle human life develops itself; upon this principle education for the most part proceeds. This principle is manifested in religion; Christianity makes special use of it, and Christ is the Model and Exemplar of all his people. I. 'l'IlE CHARA0TEBISTICS IN vmTUE OF WHICH <JURIST IS Alf EXAMPLE TO MEN. 1. He was faultlessly perfect. Although the Bible gives us many examples of virtue and piety, it has often been noticed that both in Old and New Testament Scripture human character is represented as imperfect. In Christ alone no sin was found. His friends can find no words warm enough to praise him; his enemies can find no faults with which to charge him. How fitted, then, is Jesus, our Redeemer, to be also our Model! If we are to have a model and a master, let us choose the highest and the best. Christ always towers above us, and above all his rivals and all his followerd. 2. His example is singularly comprehensive. It must have occurred to the stutlent of Scripture biography that human exemplars are usually quoted as illustrating one or a few excellences; Abraham of faith, Job of patience, Jacob of earnestness i!l. prayer, Moses of wisdom and meekness, Joshua of courage, David of devotion, Daniel of fear- lessness, Peter of fervour, Paul of zeal, John of love. In Christ, and in Christ alone, all goodness is conjoined. It is sometimes supposed that our Saviour exemplified only the softer and milder virtues; but this was not so, although for wise reasons this aspect of his character is dwelt upon most fondly by the evangelists. There was in him Divine harmony and symmetry of character, such as can be found in none beside. 3. His example was divinely authoritative. We base this statement upon his own language: "Learn of me," "Follow me," etc. And upon apostolic teachin,g: "Walk e\'en as Christ walked," "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,'' etc. II. THE RESPECTS IN WHIOH CHRIST IS AN EXAMPLE TO MEN, '!'here are respects in which we cannot imitate him. For example, in his superhuman knowledge and power, and consequently in his voluntary humiliation. 1. But we may imitate the Lord Christ in his consecratiJn to his Father's will. He came to do the will of him who sent him, and he pleased not himself. This same principle and law it is open for us to adopt; life may be to us high and holy, being devoted unto God. 2. In his personal purity. Jesus lived in a sinful world, and mix:ed freely with sinful men; yet he was unspotted by the contact. His goodness was not negative only, but positive; every virtue was perfected iu his life. Can ordinary men, in the busy life of this 206 'l'HE GOSPEL AOOORDlNG TO ST. JOHN. [on. xm. 1-38,
w0rkndl\~ w0rld, be imitatore of Obrist? There are abundant illuetl'l\tione of the possl• bilit_v; the example of Jesus is one which it is practioe.ble t,o follow. 8. Especil\lly in his humility and condescension. This is the virtue to which in thle passngo express nllusion is mado. The lot!son which the Lord wished to convey was e. hl\rd ono • accord- ingly he tRught it, not simply by precept, but by example. A llterol ful.filme~t is not expected, but the spirit of Christ's example may be truly ahared. 4. In his benevo- lence. In the Saviour was not only e. kindly disposition, but e. habit of active bonefl.• c-ence, e. rendin888 to forgive injuries, and to deal patiently e.nd forbearingly with the ~low of heart and the unsympatbizing. In these very difficult virtues there is room for ChriRt's disciples to imitAte their Lord. The work of copying the perfect model is to be e. progressive work. It will noi be completed here; and this fact points on to the future. The perfect conformity is to be attained in heaven, where we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as he is.-'.l'.