VI. SERM." intrepidity; to resolve for the good of mankind, and 'till providence itself clofes the ungrateful scene, to ftand "our ground as illuftrious examples of a depreffed, conflicting, triumphant virtue; "and, in a word, to wait the regular fummons of nature, which is the only "authentic call of heaven, to quit the "the trials of the prefent life, and enter upon the rewards and honours of im"mortality." SER SERMON VII. On the Example, and moral Character of CHRIST. I PET. ii. 21. Leaving us an example, that ye HE examples of great and SERM. of moral goodness, and for the purity, ftrength, and fublimity of their virtues, have in almost all ages of the World been held in high veneration; and it has been thought of confiderable fervice to the cause of virtue, as well as a respect SERM. refpect due to the memories of those who VII. have excelled in it, to propofe fuch uncom mon, fuch noble and useful characters, as a proper pattern for the rest of Mankind to imitate. And for this there is an evident foundation in reafon, and in the frame of Human Nature. For it is undeniable from experience, that the force of good examples is much more univerfally felt, than that of the wifest precepts, or the most exact and accurate reafonings: They not only inftruct but powerfully perfuade; they excite admiration, inspire refolution, work upon the inward native sense of ingenuity, and charm and animate it to exalted and divine improveWere we to have the most elaborate draught of moral excellence prefented to us in fpeculation only, we should be apt to esteem it as a fine picture, and be ftruck, perhaps, with the beauties and graces of it; but might think it, at the fame time, wrought up to a romantic ftrain, and too fublime to be copied in real life. But when we fee it as it were fubftantiated, and are fully convinced that it has been actually exhibited in living Charac ments. . Characters, the ground of defpondency SERM• and inactivity is removed; a worthy VII. emulation is excited; and we ourselves are not only prompted, but encouraged, to excell. As for the Example which the Text fpeaks of, and which Christianity has called us to imitate, it is by far the most high and noble that was ever proposed to the World: As the Perfon who fet it was, both in office and original dignity, the first and chief of Men; being indeed, before his incarnation, at the head of all the angelical powers; and voluntarily condefcending to affumé our Nature, for this among feveral other moft wife and gracious purposes, that he might go be fore us as our Pattern and Conductor in the paths of virtue and piety. And the Example of Chrift contains more ample inftruction in it than any other, and is adapted to all ranks and stations in human life, as it abounds both with common and univerfal, and with more extraordinary and heroic virtues; it is an Example of unfpotted innocence, and therfore, when rightly understood, an unerring and invaVOL. III. riable M SERM, riable rule: And finally it is an Example VII. that is peculiarly perfuafive, calculated to impress our minds, and determine and influence our conduct - being that of the Author of our Religion, of our amiable and compaffionate Saviour, of the greateft benefactor and friend to Mankind. We ought therefore, though we can never hope to conform perfectly to it, to aim at as near a resemblance of it as is poffible, from every motive of decency, gratitude, and intereft. "By this we fhall adorn "the Chriftian name, render it glorious, "and the object of delight and venera❝tion; whereas when it is debased and "fullied by vice, by a low irregular bru"tal life quite the reverse of the pure " and fublime life of Christ, it is a vain "and infignificant distinction in itself, the jeft of the licentious and prophane, "and the fcorn of the sober infidel.” BUT then, on the other hand, it must be remember'd, that there are certain general rules neceffary to be obferved in the imitation of all examples; and especially of fuch as tranfcend common life, and are adorned and heighten'd by great and |