[page 165 of volume 5]
Brethren, be followers together of me.
These words contain another exhortation, with a friendly compellation, which I pass over, having heretofore had often occasion to speak of it. The exhortation is to imitation of the apostle, ‘follow me.’ And because I cannot ever be with you, therefore follow those among you that walk as I do.
Whence we learn, that together with the rules of religion we must propound God’s graces in us, as examples for others to imitate; and this arises not from pride, but from confidence of truth and holiness in our own hearts and conversations; and religion maketh this a virtue and duty, without which it were boasting; and so it doth many things, of themselves not seemly, very fitting. David’s dance was in worldly esteem counted but folly, yet having respect to God’s glory is commendable. And therefore we must not be captious when we see such things in others, that men ordinarily count indiscretion. But mark their ground, and by it esteem of them, and accordingly follow such. ‘Be ye followers of me,’ saith St Paul; that is, observe what my doctrine is, and what I do and acknowledge, follow and imitate me. The apostle’s doctrine consists chiefly of three heads; whereof the first, concerning our natural condition, as Romans 1st, 2nd, 3rd chapters, and Ephesians 2. And the second, concerning our remedy by Christ Jesus, God and man, being king, priest, and prophet, as in the Hebrews. And the third, the manner how Christ is become ours by imputation, and is laid hold on by faith, which is given to us by God, who being unchangeable and true, we persevere in this rule and course of obedience, by the mercies of God, though with many combatings and strivings, even to fulness of glory. The apostle’s example see in part in this chapter, in holiness of life and death to sin, and esteem of the goods of this world as base. In the Acts see his pains in the ministry, his calling, his heavenly and holy mind in the next verse.
And therefore, let us read these often, and consider them. They are an excellent glass, that will transform us into an holy form and fashion. Many things there are in him that are extraordinary and not imitable. He wrought in another calling for his living. He was an apostle, had extraordinary gifts by revelation, and indeed not so much by study as the ministers of the gospel now, to whom God gives gifts, but in the faithful and painful use of the means; and therefore are they not bound to imitate the apostle in this thing as in other things which he did as an apostle?
But to proceed to particulars. Imitation implies four things:
First, A doing that which another doth.
Second, A doing it in the same manner.
Third, A doing thereof grounded upon the same affections, not as in a stage play, where he that acteth the person of a king is often a varlet. But it implies such an imitation as is in a child, that endeavoureth to be like the father in disposition as well of mind as of body.
Fourth, It implies a doing, studio imitandi, with an earnest desire to be like him. For he that doth that which God commands, and not as expressing his desire of imitation, he is no follower; and therefore in all our actions we ought to desire to be like God, and endeavour to express in action what we desire; and to this end we are to search for examples and patterns in the Scripture, for those that are more excellent. For the most excellent in all kinds are the best rules for others; and because in many things we offend all, let us follow the examples of men no further than they follow Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1. And it was one end of Christ’s incarnation, that he might be an example unto us. ‘As I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, so ye ought to wash one another’s feet,’ John 13:14; ‘and learn of me, for I am meek,’ Matthew 11:29.
Hence we may gather the ground why we have not only rules in Scripture to live by, but also examples. For, first, they shew that the things commanded are possible to be done. Then they shew us the way and means more plainly, how to do them. Thirdly, they shew how graceful and acceptable they are when they are done. So as the Scriptures are not penned altogether in a commanding fashion, but have mingled sweet alluring examples. For there are four ways of teaching: rule, reason, similitudes, and examples. The two former enjoins, but works not on the affections. Similitudes are but slight; only examples conforms us in a most sweet alluring manner.
Use 1. And therefore we ought to be exemplary, as to follow others, and especially those that are above others. They should be burning and shining lights, as stars giving light to passengers in the darkness of this world. To this end observe some means. And,
Direct. 1. First, Reverence not only the eye of God but of weak Christians, maxima debetur puero reverentia. We are to be awful of our carriage, that we may give no ill example to them; and to this end we are to know that we should give account for those sins that we either cause or suffer others to fall into if we may hinder them. Give therefore no offence or scandal to the little ones.
Direct. 2. Labour to deny ourselves in liberties, especially when we are in the presence of such as will take scandal; and to this end labour for the grace of love, which will cause us to endure much, and put up many things which we count injuries.
Direct. 3. Thirdly, In our carriage we are so to demean ourselves that we value, esteem, and respect those with whom we converse; for else our actions being visible to others, they will seem to be done out of a self-respect, and so will not affect or work on them. Grace will teach us to honour the meanest, as those that may be dearly beloved of God, who also may excel us in many excellent qualities, and in some kind of grace may also go beyond us.
Use 2. Secondly, If we be bound to give good example, then woe to the world for offences. What shall become of those who wound and vex continually the hearts of those with whom they converse? Many are in hell, propter alienum peccalum. In the eyes of God, who knows the heart and intentions, sin is committed before it be acted, and therefore it is all one whether thou committest it or not. But it is not thus before men; for when it is committed it turns to scandal, and opens the enemies’ mouths, and grieves the Spirit of God in his children. The prophets complain hereof; and we may observe God correct his children most to keep them from scandalizing others, and that others may beware of scandal. So David’s sin was pardoned, yet because he gave scandal the child died.
Use 3. Thirdly, As we must give good example, so we must endeavour to take good from others’ example; and to this end,
1. First, We must eye them, and pry into their actions; for this end hath God left us a continual succession of examples.
2. Secondly, We must eye them not to observe their weaknesses, to uncover their shame; for this is a poisonous disposition, proceeding even from the devil. Neither are we to observe them, thereby to take liberty to the flesh from their ill example; but we are to eye them as we view glasses, to deck and adorn ourselves by them, and to compose ourselves in a good course.;
3. Thirdly, In imitation we are to observe the best, and the best of the best, and not to compare ourselves with those that are inferior to us. For he that thinks himself good by comparison, he is not good, as a runner will not conclude he runs swiftly, because he hath outrun a lame man. And therefore St Paul says elsewhere, ‘Brethren, follow me as I follow Christ,’ 1 Corinthians 4:16, propounding to himself the most excellent pattern of all,
Christ Jesus. Contrariwise he blames the Corinthians because they measured themselves by themselves, 2 Corinthians 10:12.
4. Fourthly, We must learn truths before we practise, for the best have their blemishes. So that we must learn to know how to avoid them. The papists urge us with the succession and universality of their church. No, say we, it is the doctrine that must try the church, whether it be true or false, for men are mensura mensurata. It is the doctrine is mensura mensurans, the measure measuring, whereby our actions ought to be squared and framed aright. The papists urge us with an implicit faith. Alas! what example, what imitation can there be, when they know not what to imitate? They know not what the church believes, and yet they must believe as the church believeth.
5. Fifthly, We must labour to have soft hearts, sanctified with grace and mollified, for a stony hard heart will receive no impression; and to this end are we to use the means, to embrace the word, to receive the sacraments, and to pray that God would open our eyes and soften our stony hearts.
6. Sixthly, We are to look to every one that hath any good thing worthy of imitation, as those that delight in gardens, where they hear of any choice flowers, they will have a slip for their own garden. Thus it should be with us; where we see any flower of any grace, get that and place it in our own gardens. In every Christian there is something imitable, and something that may further us; and therefore this apostle longed to see the Romans, that he might be comforted by their faith, Romans 1:12. It is with the church as with the firmament, ever some are rising and some are setting-Let us look to the stars of our time, and walk by their light. It is not enough that we can commend the martyrs, for that is ordinary, as it was with the Jews in Matthew 23:29. Though they budded the sepulchres of the prophets, if they had been alive together with them, they would have persecuted them; and therefore Christ saith, ‘They killed the prophets.’ And the ground of it is because it is a dishonour to God not to take notice of his goodness and glorious graces in others; and therefore if the stars do praise him, surely these stars must much more set forth his glory, that being of themselves sinful wretched men, by his power are made glorious lights for others to walk by.
7. And in the seventh place, In things whereof there is no certain ride to direct us, we ought to imitate the example and custom of the most holy and sober sort. As in apparel much question is, what sort, what fashion is most to be imitated, let the most sober and moderate of thine own rank be guide unto thee. It is singularity to differ from such, with a desire to be noted, and it savours of pride; and such shall be condemned by their examples, even as Noah condemned the old world.
Use. For use of all this, learn hence what is the best succession. That is the best and surest note of succession which is both in doctrine and example. Local succession is nothing. They are the children of Abraham that do the works of Abraham. They are Jews which are Jews inwardly in the spirit. The papists they cry out against us we have no succession, but it is they have no succession. Their doctrine everywhere crosses the doctrine of the ancient Church of Rome. Their practice is without precedent. What precedent have they for rebellion, for their equivocation, and the like? They follow, indeed, but as corruption doth generation.
Standing Before God, This We Are and No More 