All Christians are Required to Imitate the Life and Example of Jesus Christ.
By Law
Our religion teaches us, that as we have borne the image of the earthly, so we shall bear the image of the heavenly; that after our death we shall rise to a state of life and happiness, like to that life and happiness which our blessed Saviour enjoys at the right hand of God. Since therefore it is the great end of our religion to make us fellow-heirs with Christ, and partakers of the same happiness, it is not to be wondered at, that our religion should require us to be like Christ in this life, to imitate his example, that we may enter into that state of happiness which he enjoys in the kingdom of heaven. For how can we think that we are going to the blessed Jesus, that we are to be hereafter as he is, unless we conform to his spirit in this life, and make it our great endeavor to be what he was when he was here. Let it therefore here be observed, that the nature of our religion teaches us this duty in a more convincing manner, than any particular precepts concerning it. For the most ordinary understanding must feel the force and reasonableness of this argument. You are born to depart out of this world, to ascend to that state of bliss, to live in such enjoyment of God to all eternity, as our blessed Saviour now enjoys; you are therefore to live in the spirit and temper that he lived, and make yourself first like him here, that you may be like him hereafter. So that we need not look for particular texts of Scripture which command us to imitate the life of Christ, because we are taught this duty by a stronger and more convincing authority; because as, the end and design of our religion is to make us one with Christ hereafter, partakers of the same state of life, so it plainly calls us to be one with him here, and to be partakers of the same spirit and temper in which he lived on earth. When it is said, that we are to imitate the life of Christ, it is not meant that we are called to the same manner of life, or the same sort of actions, for this cannot be; but it is certain that we are called to the same spirit and temper, which was the spirit and temper of our blessed Saviour's life and actions. We are to be like him in heart and mind, to act by the same rule, to look towards the same end, and to govern our lives by the same spirit. This is an imitation of Jesus Christ, which is as necessary to salvation as it is necessary to believe in his name. This is the sole end of all the counsels, commands, and doctrines of Christ, to make us like himself, to fill us with his spirit and temper, and make us live according to the rule and manner of his life. As no doctrines are true, but such as are according to the doctrines of Christ, so it is equally certain, that no life is regular or Christian, but such as is according to the pattern and example of the life of Christ. For he lived as infallibly as he taught; and it is as irregular to vary from his example, as it is false to dissent from his doctrines. To live as he lived, is as certainly the one sole way of living as we ought, as to believe as he taught is the one sole way of believing as we ought. I am, saith the blessed Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Christians often hear these words and perhaps think that they have enough fulfilled them, by believing in Jesus Christ. But they should consider, that when Jesus Christ saith he is the way, his meaning is, that his way of life is to be the way in which all Christians are to live, and that it is by living after the manner of his life that any man cometh unto the Father. So that the doctrine of this passage is this, that however we may call ourselves Christians or disciples of Christ yet we cannot come unto God the Father but by entering into that way of life which was the way of our Saviour's life. And we must remember, that there is no other way besides this; nothing can possibly bring us to God but that way of life which first makes us one with Christ, and teaches us to walk as he walked. For we may as well expect to go to a heaven where Christ is not, as to go to that where he is, without the spirit and temper which carried him thither. If Christians would but suffer themselves to reflect upon this duty, their own minds would soon convince them of the reasonableness and necessity of it. For who can find the least shadow of a reason why he should not imitate the life of Christ, or why Christians should think of any other rule of life; it would be as easy to show that Christ acted amiss as that we need not act after his example. And to think that these are degrees of holiness, which, though very good in themselves, are yet not necessary for us to aspire after, is the same absurdity as to think that it was not necessary for our Saviour to have been so perfect himself as he was. For give but the reason why such degrees of holiness and purity became our Saviour, and you will give as good a reason for us to aspire after them. For as the blessed Jesus took not on him the nature of angels, but the nature of man, as he was, in all points, made like unto us, sin only excepted; so we are sure that there was no spirit or temper that was excellent in him, that recommended him to God, but would also be excellent in us, and recommend us to God, if we could arrive at it. If it should be said, that Jesus was the Saviour of the world, that he was born to redeem mankind, was the Son of God, and therefore in a condition so different from ours, that his life can be no rule of our life; to this it may be answered, that these differences do not make the life of Christ to be less the rule and model of all Christians. For as I observed before, it is the spirit and temper of Christ, that all Christians are to imitate, and not his particular actions; they are to do their proper work in that spirit and temper in which Christ did the work on which he was sent. So that although Christians are not redeemers of the world, as he was, though they have not his extraordinary powers, nor that great work to finish which he had, yet they have their work to do in the manner that he did his; they have their part to act, which, though it be a different part, must not be performed with a different spirit, but with such obedience to God, such regard to his glory, for such ends of salvation, for such good of others, and with all such holy disposition, as our blessed Saviour manifested in every part of this life. A servant of the lowest order is in a very different state from his master; yet we may very justly exhort such a one to follow the example of a pious and charitable master, not because he can perform the same instances of piety and charity, but because he may show the same spirit of piety and charity in the actions which are proper to his state. This may show us, that the different state of our Lord and master leaves him still the exact rule and pattern of his lowest servants, who, though they cannot come up to the greatness of his actions, may yet act according to that spirit from whence they proceeded; and then are they true followers of Christ, when they are following his spirit and temper, acting according to his ends and designs, and doing that in their several states which Christ did in his. The blessed Jesus came into the world to save the world; now we must enter into this same design, and make salvation the greatest business of our lives; though we cannot, like him, contribute towards it, yet we must contribute all that we can, and make the salvation of ourselves and others the only great care of our lives. The poor widow's mites were but a small matter in themselves, yet as they were the utmost she could do our blessed Saviour set them above the larger contributions of the rich. This may encourage people in every state of life to be contented with their34capacity of doing good, provided that they do but act up to it. Let no one think that he is too low, too mean and private to follow his Lord and Master in the salvation of souls: let him but add his mite, and if it be all that he hath, he shall be thought to have done much, and be reckoned amongst those that have best performed their Master's will. It is not meant by this, that all people are to be preachers and teachers of religion, no more than all are to be apostles, or all prophets, or all workers of miracles. Christians are like members of one and the same body; they are different from one another as hands and eyes, and have as different offices to perform; yet may their different parts serve and promote the same common end. As the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again, the head to the feet, I have no need of you; [1 Cor. xii, 2;] so neither can the learned teacher say, he hath no need of the private unlearned person. For the work of salvation is carried on by all hands, as well by him that is taught, as by him that teacheth. For an unlearned person, by being desirous of instruction, and careful to comply with it, may by these very dispositions promote salvation in as true a degree as he that is able and willing to instruct. This teachable disposition may more effectually draw others to a like temper of mind, and another man's ability and care of teaching. And perhaps in many instances, the success of the teacher is more owing to the manners and example of some person that is taught, than to the power and strength of the teacher. Therefore, though, as the Apostle saith, all have not the gift of healing, though all do not speak with tongues, yet all have some part that they may act in the salvation of mankind, and may follow their Lord and Master in the great work for which he came down from heaven. We must not therefore think, that it is only the business of clergymen to carry on the work of salvation, but must remember that we are engaged in the same business, though not in the same manner. Had the poor widow thought herself excused from taking care of the treasury, had she thought that it belonged only to the rich to contribute to it, we find that she had been mistaken, and had lost that great commendation which our Saviour bestowed upon her. Now it may be, that some widows may be so very poor, as not to have so much as a mite to give to the treasury, who must therefore content themselves with the charity of their hearts; but this can never happen in the business of salvation; here no one can be so poor, so destitute, so mean and private, as not to have a mite to contribute towards it. For no circumstances of life can hinder us from being examples of piety and goodness, and making our lives a lesson of instruction to all that are about us. And he that lives an exemplary life, though his state be ever so poor and mean, is largely contributing to the salvation of others, and proving himself the best follower of his Lord and Master. This therefore is the first great instance in which we are to follow the example and spirit of our blessed Saviour. He came to save the world, to raise mankind to happiness in heaven; we must therefore all consider ourselves as called to carry on this great work, to concur with our Saviour in this glorious design. For how can we think ourselves to be his followers, if we do not follow him in that for which he alone came into the world? How can we be like the Saviour of the world, unless the salvation of the world be our chief and constant care? We cannot save the world as he saved it, but yet we can contribute our mite towards it. How knowest thou, O wife, (saith the Apostle,) whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 1 Cor. vii, 16. This shows very plainly, that all persons may have a great share in the salvation of those that are near them, and that they are to consider themselves as expressly called to this great work. For the Apostle uses it as the same argument both to husband and wife, which supposes that it is a business in which one is as much concerned as the other. The woman, we know, is not allowed to speak in the church, yet is she here intrusted with some share in the salvation of the world, she is called to this great work, and supposed equally capable of saving the husband, as the husband of saving the wife. Now what is here said of husband and wife, we must extend to every state and relation of this life; brothers and sisters, relations, friends, and neighbors, must all consider themselves as called to the edification and salvation of one another. How knowest thou, O sister, whether thou shalt save thy brother? How knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy neighbor? is a way of thinking that ought never be out of our minds. For this would make brothers and sisters bear with one another, if they considered, that they are to do that for one another, which Christ had done for all the world. This reflection would turn our anger towards bad relations, into care and tenderness for their souls; we should not be glad to get away from them, but give them more of our company, and be more exact in our behaviour towards them, always supposing it possible, that our good conversation may some time or other affect them, and that God may make use of us as a means of their salvation. Eutropius is very good and pious himself; but then his fault is, that he seeks only the conversation of pious and good people; he is careful and exact in his behaviour towards his virtuous friends and acquaintance, always studying to oblige them, and never thinking he has done enough for them; but gets away from and avoids those that are of another temper. Now Eutropius should recollect, that this is acting like a physician that would take care of the healthy and disregard those that are sick. He should remember, that his irreligious friends and relations are the very persons that are fallen to his care, to be edified by him, and that he is as directly called to take care of their salvation, as the husband to take care of the unbelieving wife. Eutropius therefore, if he would imitate his Lord and Master, must apply to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and endeavor by all the innocent arts of pleasing and conversing with his friends, to gain them to repentance. We must not excuse ourselves from this care, by saying that our relations are obstinate, hardened, and careless of all our behaviour towards them, but must support ourselves with the Apostle's argument. How knowest thou, O man, whether it will be always so, or whether thou mayest not at last save thy relation? The Apostle saith, Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. Rom. xiv, 15. We may therefore justly reason thus with ourselves, that as it lies much in our power to hinder the salvation, so it must be in our power in an equal degree to edify and promote the salvation of those whom Jesus Christ died to save. Destroy not therefore by thy negligence, by thy impatience, by thy want of care, that relation for whom Christ died, nor think that thou hast done enough to save those that relate to thee, till there is no more that thou canst do for them. This is the state in which all Christians are to consider themselves, as appointed by God in their several stations, to carry on that great work, for which Christ came into the world. Clergymen are not the only men that have a care for souls, but every Christian has some people about him, whose salvation he is obliged to be careful of, with whom he is to live in all godliness and purity, that they may have the benefit of his example and assistance in their duty to God. So that all Christians though ever so low, and mean, and private, must consider themselves as hired by Christ to work in his vineyard; for as no circumstances of life can hinder us from saving ourselves, so neither can they hinder us from promoting the salvation of others. Now though we have, according to our different stations, different parts to act; yet if we are careful of that part which is fallen to our share, we may make ourselves equally objects of God's favor. Thou, it may be, art not a prophet. God has not honored thee with this post in his service, yet needest thou not fall short of this happiness; for our Saviour hath said, That he that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward. Now this shows us, that though all men have not the same part to act in the common salvation, yet that none will be losers by that state they are in, if they be but true to the particular duties of it. If they do all the good they can in their particular state, they will be looked upon with such acceptance as the poor widow that gave all that she had. Hence we may learn the greatness of their folly, who neglecting the exact performance of such duties as fall within their power, are pleasing themselves with the great things they would do, were they but in another state. Clemens has his head full of imaginary piety. He is often proposing to himself what he would do if he had a great estate; he would outdo all charitable men that are gone before him; he would retire from the world; he would have no equipage; he would allow himself only necessaries, that widows and orphans, the sick and distressed might find relief out of his estate. He tells you, that all other ways of spending an estate is folly and madness. Now Clemens has at present a moderate estate, which he spends upon himself in the same vanities and indulgences, that other people do: he might live upon one third of his fortune, and make the rest the support of the poor; but he does nothing of all this that is in his power, but pleases himself with what he would do, if his power was greater. Come to thy senses, Clemens; do not talk what thou wouldst do if thou wast an angel, but consider what thou canst do as thou art a man. Make the best use of thy present state, do now as thou thinkest thou wouldst do with a great estate, be sparing, deny thyself, abstain from all vanities, that the poor may be better maintained, and then thou art as charitable as thou canst be in any estate. Remember the poor widow's mite. Fervidus is a regular man, and exact in the duties of religion; but then the greatness of his zeal to be doing things that he cannot, makes him overlook those little ways of doing good, which are every day in his power. Fervidus is only sorry that he is not in holy orders, and that his life is not spent in a business the most desirable of all things in the world. He is often thinking what reformation he would make in the world, if he was a priest or a bishop; he would have devoted himself wholly to God and religion, and have had no other care, but how to save souls. But do not believe yourself, Fervidus; for if you desired in earnest to be a clergyman, that you might devote yourself entirely to the salvation of others, why then are you not doing all that you can in the state that you are now in? Would you take extraordinary care of a parish or a diocese, why then are you not an extraordinary in the care of your family? If you think the care of other people's salvation to be the happiest business in the world, why do you neglect the care of those who are fallen into your hands? Why do you show no concern for the souls of your servants? If they do their business for which you hired them, you never trouble your head about their Christianity. Nay, Fervidus, you are so far from laboring to make those that are about you devout and holy, that you almost put it out of their power to be so. You hire a coachman to carry you to church, and to sit in the street with your horses, whilst you are attending upon divine service. You never ask him how he supplies the lack of divine service, or what means he takes to preserve himself in a state of piety. You imagine, that if you was a clergyman, you would be ready to lay down your life for your flock; yet you cannot lay aside a little state to promote the salvation of your servants. It is not desired of you, Fervidus, to die a martyr for your brethren; you are only required to go to church on foot, to spare some state and attendance, to bear sometimes with a little rain and dirt, rather than keep those souls, which are as dear to God and Christ as yours is, from their full share in the common worship of Christians. Do but deny yourself such small matters as these, let us but see that you can take the least trouble to make all your servants and dependants true servants of God, and then you shall be allowed to imagine what good you would have done, had you been devoted to the altar. Eugenia is a good young woman, full of pious dispositions; she is intending, if ever she has a family, to be the best mistress of it that ever was; her house shall be a school of religion, and her children and servants shall be brought up in the strictest practice of piety; she will spend her time, and live in a very different manner from the rest of the world. It may be so, Eugenia; the piety of your mind makes me think that you intend all this with sincerity. But you are not yet at the head of a family,35and perhaps never may be. But, Eugenia, you have now one maid, and you do not know what religion she is of; she dresses you for the church, you ask her for what you want, and then leave her to have as little Christianity as she pleases. You turn her away, you hire another, she comes, and goes no more instructed or edified in religion by living with you, than if she had lived with any body else. And all this comes to pass, because your mind is taken up with greater things, and you reserve yourself to make a whole family religious, if ever you come to be head of it. You need not stay, Eugenia, to be so extraordinary a person, the opportunity is now in your hands, you may now spend your time, and live in as different a manner from the rest of the world, as ever you can in any other state. Your maid is your family at present, she is under your care, be now that religious governess that you intend to be, teach her the catechism, hear her read, exhort her to pray, take her with you to church, persuade her to love the divine service as you love it, edify her with your conversation, fill her with your own notions of piety, and spare no pains to make her as holy and devout as yourself. When you do thus much good in your present state, then are you that extraordinary person that you intend to be: and till you thus live up to your present state, there is but little hopes that the altering of your state will alter your way of life. I might easily produce more instances of this kind, where people are vainly pleasing themselves with an imaginary perfection to be arrived at some time or other, when they are in different circumstances, and neglecting that real good which is proper to their state, and always in their power. But these are, I hope, sufficient to show my reader how to examine his own life, and find out himself, if I have not done it for him.—Law.