efpecially we should love our Chriftian Brethren with a pure Heart fervently, and those moft in whom we see most of Chrift's lovely Image and Refemblance, endeavouring to cultivate with them the Intimacies of an holy Friendship. This is what he himself particularly infifteth upon as a genuine Proof of our Difcipleship: A new Commandment (faith he) 1 give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye alfo love one another. By this fhall all Men know that ye are my Difciples, if ye have Love one to another. John xiii. 34, 35.

On

On the Example of Chrift.

DISCOURSE XVIII,

PHILLIPIANS ii. 5.

Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Chrift Jefus.

A

MONG the many Advantages we enjoy by the Gospel Revelations, one of the most fignal is this, that, as we there have the most excellent Precepts given us, fo we have the Example of the Son of God fet before us, an Example the most perfect in itself, and than which none can have a more engaging and extenfive Influence. It hath been already fhewn, that in him we have an admirable Pattern of the most fublime Piety and Devotedness to God, and the

moft

moft abfolute Submission to bis Authority and Refignation to his Will in all Things, as alfo the most unparalleled Charity and Benevolence towards Mankind: But it may be proper farther to take particular Notice of fome other excellent Difpofitions and Virtues which eminently fhine forth in our Saviour's Character, and which well deferve a distinct Confideration, as they may be of great Ufe in exciting and affifting us to exercife a due Self-Government, and to form our Minds to a proper Temper: Such a Purity and Heavenly-mindedness, Self-Denial, Humility, Meekness, Contentment, Patience, Fortitude, Sincerity, and Prudence; of all which our Lord Jefus Chrift hath given us a moft excellent Example: And, with Refpect to them all, we may juftly apply the Words of the Apoftle, Let this Mind be in you, which was alfo in Chrift Jefus.

And, First, Our Lord Jefus Chrift kept himself intirely pure and free from the Pollutions of the World, and maintained an heavenly Frame and Temper. He did not indeed, under the Pretence of an exalted Sanctity and Devotion, retire from the World, and fhun the Society and Converfation of Men; nor did he affect to make an extraordinary Shew of rigid Mortifications and Austerities, in which fome have made the Perfection of Religion to confift:

But,

But, what was a much nobler Attainment, he gave an Example of a Mind raifed above the World, whilft he freely converfed in it. The Things that are in the World, the Luft of the Flesh, the Luft of the Eye and the Pride of Life, had no Influence upon him: There was nothing in his whole Conduct that had the least Tincture of Ambition, Avarice, or Sensuality: All his Affections and Appetites were regular and pure, perfectly under the Government of Religion and Reason. Though he went about through the Cities and Villages, eating and drinking, converfing familiarly with the People, and even with those that were called Publicans and Sinners, which was necessary to the Accomplishing his excellent Design, and the Work upon which he was fent: Yet, in this promiscuous Converfation, he contracted no Pollution, but still was boly, harmless, undefiled: His Virtue was not fowre and morofe, but gentle, humane, fociable, and at the fame Time perfectly pure and Spotless. As one great Design of his excellent Inftructions was to take Men off from an inordinate Love to this prefent World, and to engage them to place their Hearts and Treaures in Heaven; fo this was fignally exemplified in his own Temper and Practice. His Conduct was fuch as became the Lord from