SERM. life facrificed, and confcience prostituted for XII. this end. Very often the defire operateth ftrongly in fecret, and when we ourselves do not attend to it; but if we narrowly examine a great part of our conduct, we shall find there is no other reason to be given for it. In the modes of living and outward deportment, which take up a great deal of our thoughts and cares, what other view is purfued than conforming to cuftom? what other rule than fashion, which has really no other standard than the general approbation, or the judgment, it may be, the humour and caprice of perfons who are more eminent, and therefore esteemed. The original defire itself was planted in the human nature for excellent purposes, and, if duly regulated, is very useful to engage us to one another for our common advantage, and to direct and strengthen us in the practice of the focial virtues. The defire of approbation rifeth yet higher in ferious and thoughtful minds, who have a juft fenfe of the divine majefty, believing that he feeth them, and is perfectly acquainted with all their ways, even the most secret motions of their hearts, and therefore form their difpofitions and conduct to please him. This is what the fcripture calleth walking with God, and walking walking before him; and in proportion as SERM. But, 2dly, this is to be attributed to the force of example. As the proneness of mankind to imitation is very well known, good examples are proposed to us in fcripture as an help to the practice of religion. The apostles call upon chriftians to be the followers of them, whofe lives are indeed bright patterns of every thing that is pure, and true, and just, and honest, and lovely; and they set before us fhining precedents in the lives of the ancient faints, that being compaffed about with fo great a cloud of witneffes, we may lay afide every weight, and the fin which doth easily beset us, and run the race fet before us. If we confult experience, we may fee the force of example in others, X 2 and SERM. and feel it in ourselves; the things to which XII. we were merely indifferent, perhaps difin clined, or thought them scarcely practicable, when we see them done before our eyes, we are immediately inflamed with a defire of doing them ourselves. As to the practice of virtue, in particular, the influence of example may be thus accounted for; it is rendered familiar to us, and appeareth very amiable when set before us in such a lively and affecting manner. As a good picture ftriketh the mind with a greater force, and giveth a more lively idea of the object reprefented by it, than any defcription by words can do; fo to reprefent religion in precepts, doth not fo powerfully move the affections as when we fee it delineated, in life. The beauty of holiness must appear very great to any one who understandeth it, and powerfully attract the defires; but in the prefent imperfection of human nature, and when we have so many contrary inclinations, this prejudice lieth against it, that it seemeth extremely difficult, which prejudice is removed by example; for we are thereby convinced, that it is not a lovely phantom made to entertain a curious imagination, but that there is a reality in it, and that it is practicable in human life. The example of God God is proposed to us in fcripture as the SER M. most unexceptionably worthy of our imita- XII. tion; be ye boly, faith the Lord, as I am holy; and the example of Jesus Christ, which cometh nearer our cafe, for it fheweth us virtue practised to perfection in the human nature; and all that humility, meekness, patience, refignation, zeal, and charity, which he recommendeth to us, fhewn to us in life, under the greatest trials and moft grievous fufferings: But still it feemeth to be a kind of excuse for our coming far fhort of that perfect pattern, that we have many frailties, irregular defires and paffions, from which he was altogether free. And therefore to cut off all handle of that fort, all pretence whereby we might imagine ourselves difcharged of the obligation, we fee the rules of religious virtue reduced to practice in men of like paffions, who alfo were compassed about with infirmities. Though their example is but imperfect, yet it is very worthy of our imitation, and most fenfibly reproacheth our failures. Muft it not carry strong conviction to fee men, naturally weak as we are, liable to the fame temptations, to vanity, fenfual affections, pride, fear, and wrath; to fee them conquer their most vehement selfish defires, and their strongest paffions? X 3 SERM. fions? What pretence can there be for our XII. defects? they had as exquifite a fenfe of pleasure, of pain, of profit, and lofs, of honour and dishonour, as we; yet have overcome their most violent corrupt inclinations, and overcome the world by their faith, and through the influence of the gospel motives. Had they the affiftance of divine grace? the fame affistance is offered us. Did they know how to be abafed, and how to abound; and were inftructed to be full, and to be hungry; to abound, and to fuffer need; in every state to be content, as St. Paul speaketh of himfelf, Phil. iv. 12. who faith expreffly, at the 13th verfe, he could do all this through Chrift ftrengthening him? The fame Lord is able and willing to ftrengthen other of his fervants; he is rich unto all who call upon him, his grace is fufficient for them, and his ftrength made perfect in their weakness. 1 It is farther to be observed, to the purpose of the text, that still the nearer the example is, the greater force it hath. The distant report of confeffors and martyrs, their heroic atchievements and fufferings, the most grievous perfecutions for the cause of pure religion; and rather than make fhipwreck of faith and a good conscience, though they are much more illuftrious, yet may |