Wisdom Vault — onlinknow.co.za

as Ours can poſſibly be of Them. From this univerſal Diſ- 4 polition to obſerve and judge, proceeds, no doubt, that : _ Approbation, or vehement Diſlike of Good and ad Examples. For what indeed gives us a more ſenſible Satisfaction, than the ſeeing Men in every Point agrecable to their Character?

When They, who call themſclves\ by the Name, of Chriſt, and pretend in a peculiar manner to 15 _ and be reſigned up to him, are eminent in good - Ork © tirely to his Yoke, and think nothing too much to do or © ſuffer in Obedience to his Will; how charming, how de- > lightfula Sight is this?

And again, how offenſive, how very ” ſhocking, when they, who make the ſame outward Pro- feſſion, ſhall diſhonour and defile it by a Scandalous and Pro- ; fligate Converſation; and inſtead of that ſevere, that Spi- ritual and Heavenly Life, to which their very Name, and the Pattern of their Maſter obliges them, abandon themſelves to all manner of Exceſs, and wallow in the moſt brutiſhand | deteſtable Pollutions?

But, even where Men do not degene- rate into all this Beaſtlineſs ; where Cares and Buſineſs of the | World divert and draw them off from better Employments ; *tis unſeemly to others, and of ill Conſequence to them- sand Heavenly Diſpoſitions; when they ſubmit en- ſelves, to neglect their proper Concern, and engage their Thoughts and Time in Matters foreign to their main De- f ; . <P; v. | | ; * : Quicken therefore your ſelf up to Duty. by theremem- brance of your Station, who you are, and what you have obliged your ſelf to be.

Bear conſtantly about you a lively Idea of Chriſt Crucified. Conſider carefully his Life, and let the Per fection of That ſhame you into the reforming your own: Your own, I ſay, whole very Bapti/m repre- ſents your Profeſſion, Which is, to follow the Example f our Saviour, and to be made like unto him; and yet, after ſo many Years being called a Chriſtian, you are till too far from being one, if Dying to Sin and Living to Righteouſneſs, as your Jeſus died and roſe again for you, be that which makes a Chriſtian, and diſtinguiſhes him from other Men.

If Perſons dedicated ta Piety and Virtue would but with due Attention fix their Thoughts upon the Actions and Suffer- ings of Chriſt, this ſingle Subject would furniſh them _ | — 7 lh 60 Ok the Imitation Bock I. Inſtructions and Motiyes abundantly ſufficient for their Pur - poſe.

Paul we ice, determined to know nothing but Feſus Chriſt and him Crucified, 1 Cor. xi. and this indeed, truly known, is the beſt, the moſt uſeful, and moſt com- 3 prehenſive Learning. This fires Men with an eager holy Zeal, and rendersthem | | not only exact, but chearful in their Duty; it makes them perform what he commands with Diligence, and ſuffer all that he ordains with Patience and Contentedneſs.

Whereas a negligent and lukewarm Chriſtian conſpires againſt himſelfʒ his Life is one perpetual Torment, for want of entire Re · ſignation and fervent Love. The Trials and afflictions bear hard upon his Spirit, and the Good he attempts is ſtrained and againſt the Grain.

He feels not the ſupport of Spiritual Comforts; he knows he muſt not have recourſe to Worldly ones; Or, if he might, they will not do his Buſineſs; and ſo he is left deſtitute of all. For by tranſgreſſing the Rules of Chriſtian Diſcipline, he hazards the ſafety of his Soul; And by ſeeking Reliet in Inconvenient Liberties, he creates freſh Torments to himſelf ; Becauſe theſe cannot ſatisfy his _ Conſcience, but will be fure to leave ſome Diſpleaſure and Bitterneſ behind them.

And who can ever be eaſy, who is reproached with his own ill Conduct, and chuſes a Remedy worſe than the Diſtemperſſ rr To this Pattern ſet us by Chriſt himſelf, it will be of great uſe to add thoſe of the Apoſtles, and other eminent ights in the Churchheretofore.