The Imitation of Christ, Continued
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” 1 Joun 2: 6.
From these words in the previous discourse we drew the doctrine, that every man is bownd to the imitation of Christ, under penalty of forfeiting his claim to Christ. In the discussion of this point, we have shown what the imitation of Christ imports, and what are the imitable excellencies in the life of Christ. It now remains to show,
Il. Way ati THaT prorEss CHRIST ARE BOUND TO IMI-TATE HIS EXAMPLE. The necessity of this imitation of Christ will appear,
1. From the established order of salvation, which is fixed and unalterable. God, who has appointed the end, has also established the means by which men shall attain the end. Conformity to Christ is the method in which God will bring souls to glory. ‘For whom he did foreknow, he also did. predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.” Rom. 8:29. The same God who has predestinated men to salvation has, in order thereunto, predestinated them unto conformity to Christ, and this order of heaven is never to be reversed; we may as well hope to be saved without Christ, as to be saved without conformity to him.
2. The relation of believers to Christ as his mysticat body requires this conformity; otherwise the body of Christ must be of a nature different from the head, and how uncomely would this be. Christ the head is holy, and therefore unsuitable to sensual and earthly members. The apostle in his description of Christ-mystical, describes the members of Christ as of the same nature with the head. “As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” 1 Cor. 15: 48, 49. That resemblance of Christ which shall be complete and perfect after the resurrection, must be begun in its first draught here by the work of regeneration.
3. This conformity to Christ appears necessary from the communion which all believers have with Christ in the same spirit of grace and holiness. Believers are called Christ’s fellows, or copartners, Psalm 45:7, from their participation with him of the same spirit. 1 Thess. 4:8. God giveth the same Spirit unto us, which he more plentifully poured out upon Christ. Now where the same spirit and principle is, there the same fruits and operations must be produced, according to the measure of the Spirit of grace communicated; and this reason is farther enforced by the very design of God in imparting the Spirit of grace: for it is plain, from Ezek. 36:27, that practical holiness and obedience is the design of that gift of the Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit of God in men, is to elevate their minds and set their affections upon heavenly things; to purge their hearts from earthly dross, and fit them for a life of holiness. Its nature also is assimilating, and changes them in whom it is into the same image with Jesus Christ their heavenly head. 2 Cor. 3:18.
4. The necessity of this imitation of Christ may be argued from the design of Christ’s exhibition to the world in a body of flesh. For though we detest the doctrine of the Socinians, which makes the exemplary life of Christ to be the whole end of his incarnation, we must not run so far from an error as to lose a precious truth. The satisfaction of his blood was the principal end of his incarnation, according to Matthew 20:28; but it was a great design of the incarnation of Christ to set before us a pattern of holiness for our imitation; for so speaks the apostle, ‘‘ Leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.” 1 Pet. 2:21, And this example of Christ binds believers to imitate him. “Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5.
5. Our imitation of Christ is one of the great articles which every man is to subscribe whom Christ will admit into the number of his disciples. ‘‘ Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27. And again, ‘If any man serve me, let him follow me.” John 12:26. To this condition we have submitted, if we are sincere believers; and therefore are strictly bound to the imitation of Christ, not only by God’s command, but by our own consent. But if we profess interest in Christ when our hearts never consented to follow and imitate his example, then are we self-deceiving hypocrites, wholly disagreeing from the Scripture character of believers. They that are Christ’s are such as “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8: 1. And “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.’ Gal. 5 2265.
6. Lhe honor of Christ calls for the conformity of Christians to his example, else what way is there to vindicate the name of Christ from the reproaches of the world? How can wisdom otherwise be justified of her children? By what means shall we cut off occasion from such as desire it, but by regulating our lives by Christ’s example? The world has eyes to see what we practise, as well as ears to hear what we profess. Therefore show the consistency between your profession and practice, or you can never hope to vindicate the name and honor of the Lord Jesus.
InrerencE 1. If all that profess interest in Christ are bound to imitate his example, it follows that religion is very unjustly charged by the world with the scandals of them that profess ut.
The Christian religion severely censwres loose and scandalous actions in all professors, and therefore is not to be censured for them. It is absurd to condemn religion for what itself condemns. Sin no way flows from Christianity, but is most contrary to it: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” Tit. 2:11, 12. It is an evidence for the Christian religion that even wicked men covet the name and profession of it, though they only cloak their evils under it. I confess it is a great abuse of such an excellent thing as religion is; but if it had not an awful reverence paid it by the consciences of men, it would never be abused to this purpose by hypocrites. If this objection from the faults of professed Christians be valid, there can be no religion in the world; for what religion is not scandalized by the practice of some that profess it? So that this practice has a natural tendency to atheism; and is, no doubt, encourga by the devil for that end.
2. If all men for, ‘fet ther claim to Christ who nae not to umitate him in the holiness of his life, then how small a number of real Christians are there in the world. Indeed, if talking without accurate walking, if common profession without holy practice, were enough to constitute a Christian, this quarter of the world would abound with Christians. But if Christ owns none but those that copy his example, the number of real Christians is very small. The generality of men that bear the Christian name walk after the flesh. Rom. 8:2. According to the course of this world, they yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. Rom. 6:13. Strict godliness is a bondage to them; narrow is the way, and few there be that walk therein.
3. What blessed times should we see, if true religion generally prevailed in the world. How would it humble the proud and spiritualize those that are carnal. The perverse world charge religion with all the tumults and disturbances in it; whereas nothing but religion, in the power of it, can cure these epidemical evils. O if men were brought under the power of religion indeed, to walk after Christ in holiness, obedience, meekness, and self-denial, no such miseries as these would be heard of among us. ‘The sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’s den; they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isa. 11:8, 9.
4, Hence it also follows that real Christians are the sweetest companions. It is a comfortable thing to walk with them that walk after the example of Christ. The holiness, heavenliness, humility, self-denial, and diligence in obedience which was in Christ, are, in some measure, to be found in all sincere Christians. They show forth the virtues of him that calleth them; the graces of the Spirit more or less shine forth in them. And O, how endearing and engaging are these things. Upon this account the apostle invited others into the fellowship of the saints, ‘‘ That ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:38. And is it not sweet to have fellowship with them who have fellowship with Christ? O let all your delights be in the saints, and in the excellent of the earth, who excel in virtue. Psalm 16:3. Yet there is a great difference between one Christian and another, and even the best Christians are sanctified but in part. If there is something engaging, there is also imperfection in the best of men. If there is something to draw forth your love, there is also something to exercise your patience. Yet notwithstanding all their infirmities, they are the best company this world affords.
5. In a word, if no man’s claim to Christ be warranted but theirs that walk as he walked, how vain and groundless are the hopes and expectations of all wnsanctified men, who walk after their own lusts. None are more forward to claim the privileges of religion than those who reject the duties of it; multitudes hope to be saved by Christ, who yet refuse to be governed by him. But such hopes have no scripture warrant to support them, but have many scripture testimonies against them. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind; nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6:9. O how many vain hopes are laid in the dust, and how many souls are sentenced to hell by this one scripture!
6. If this be so, it calls all the professors of Christianity to strict godliness in their life, as ever they expect benefit by Christ. O professors, be ye not conformed unto this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds. Set the example of Christ before you, and labor to tread in his steps.
This is the great business of religion, the main scope of the gospel. Give me leave, therefore, closely to press it upon your hearts by the following morrvss:
(1.) Christ hath conformed himself to you by his abasing incarnation; how reasonable therefore is it that you conform yourselves to him in the way of obedience and sanctification. He came as near to you as it was possible for him to do, strive you therefore to come as near to Christ as it is possible for you to do; he has taken your nature upon him, Heb. 2:14, and with your nature your infirmities, Rom. 8: 3, and your condition also, for he came under the law for your sakes. Gal. 4:4. He conformed himself to you, though he was infinitely above you; that was his abasement: do you conform yourselves to him; that will be your advancement. His conformity to you emptied him of his glory, your conformity to him will fill you with glory: he conformed himself to you, though you had no claim upon him; will you not conform yourselves to him, who lie under infinite obligations so to do?
(2.) Yow shall be conformed to Christ wn glory; how reasonable is it then that you should now conform yourselves to him in holiness. The apostle says, ‘“‘ We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 8-2. Not only your souls shall be like him, but your bodies, even these vile bodies of yours shall be changed, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. How forcible a motive is this to bring men to conformity with Christ here, especially seeing our conformity to him in holiness is the evidence of our conformity to him in glory. Rom. 6:5; 2 Pet.3:11. O professors, as ever you hope to be with Christ in glory, see that ye walk after Christ’s example in holiness and obedience.
(3.) The conformity of your lives to Christ your pattern, is your highest excellency. The measure of your grace is to be estimated by this rule. The excellency of every creature rises higher according as it approaches nearer to its original. The more you resemble Christ in grace, the more illustrious and resplendent will your lives be in true spiritual glory.
(4.) So far as you imitate Christ in your lives, you will be beneficial wn the world. So far as God helps you to follow Christ, you will be helpful to bring others to Christ, or build them up in him; for all men are forbidden by the gospel to follow you farther than you follow Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1. And when you have finished your course, the remembrance of your ways will be no farther sweet to others than they are ways of holiness and obedience to Christ. 1 Cor.4:17. If you walk according to the course of this world, the world will not be the better for your walking.
(5.) To walk as Christ walked is a walk worthy of a Christian; this is to “walk worthy of the Lord.” 1 Thess. 2:12; Col. 1:10. By worthiness the apostle does not mean meritoriousness, but the comeliness or decorum which befits a Christian. As when a man walks suitably to his calling in the world, we say he acts like himself; so when you walk after Christ’s pattern, you act like yourselves, like men of your profession. I ‘ beseech you that yé walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Eph. 4:1 This walking accords with your obligation to live unto him who died for us. 2 Cor.5:15. This only suits with your designation, for you are “‘ created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before: ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. In a word, such walking as this only becomes your expectation. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3: 14.
(6.) How comfortable will the close of your life be, if you have walked after Christ’s example. A comfortable death is ordinarily the close of a holy life. ‘Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 87:37. <A careless life gives terrible stings to death. As worms in the body are bred of the putrefaction there, so the worm of conscience is bred of the moral putrefaction that is in our nature and life. O then be prevailed with by all these considerations to imitate Christ in the whole course and compass of your life.
7. I would leave a few words of support to such as sincerely endeavor to follow Christ’s example, but being weak in grace, and meeting with strong temptations, are frequently carried aside from their holy purposes, to the great grief of their souls. They heartily aim at holiness, and say with David, ‘‘O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes.” Psalm 119:5. They follow after holiness, as Paul did, “if by any means they might attain it.” Phil. 83:12. But finding how short they come of the ’ pattern, they mourn as he did, ‘‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom. 7:24. If this be thy case, be not discouraged, but hearken to a few words of support with which I shall close.
(1.) Such defects in obedience make no flaw in your justification, for that is not built upon your obedience, but upon Christ’s, Rom. 3:24; and how defective soever you are in yourselves, ‘‘ye are complete in. him which is the head of all principality and power.” Col. 2:10. Woe to Abraham, Moses, David, Paul, and the most eminent saints that ever lived, if their justification with God had depended upon the perfection of their own obedience.
(2.) Your deep sorrow for the defectiveness of your obedience does not argue you to be less, but more sanctified than those who make no such complaints; for it proves you to be better acquainted with your hearts; to have a deeper hatred of sin, and to love God with a more fervent love. The most eminent saints have made the bitterest complaints upon this account. Psa. 65:3; Rom. 7: 28, 24.
(3.) The Lord makes use even of your wnfirmaties to do you good. By these he hides pride from your eyes, beats you off from self-dependence, makes you admire the riches of grace, makes you long more ardently for heaven, and entertain sweeter thoughts of death. Does not the Lord then make blessed fruits to spring up from such a bitter root? O the blessed chemistry of heaven, to extract such mercies out of such miseries.
(4.) Your bewailed infirmities do not break the bond of the covenant. That bond holds firm, notwithstanding your defects and weaknesses. Jer. 32: 40. Iniquities prevail against me, says David; yet he adds, as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Psalm 65:3. He is still thy God and thy Father.
(5.) Though the defects of your obedience are grievous to God, your deep sorrows for them are well pleasing in his eyes.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, 0 God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17. Ephraim was never a more pleasant child to his father than when he bemoaned himself and smote upon his thigh. Jer. 31:20. Your sins grieve him, but your sorrows please him.
(6.) Though God has left many defects to humble you, yet he has given many things to comfort you. ‘This is a comfort, that the desire of thy soul is to God, and to the remembrance of his name; that thy sins are not thy delight as once they were, but thy shame and sorrow; that thy case is not singular, the same complaints are found in all gracious souls; and in one word, this is the comfort above all others, that the time is at hand in which all these infirmities and failings shall be done away: ‘‘ When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” 1 Cor. 13:10.
‘or ever blessed be God for Jesus Christ.
Thus I have finished the third general use of examination whereby every man is to try his interest in Christ, and discern whether ever Christ hath been effectually applied to his soul. What remains is a use of lamentation, wherein the miserable and most wretched state of all those to whom Jesus Christ is not effectually applied will be yet more particularly discovered and bewailed.