former inftances what he requires is chiefly negative, in this it is wholly positive.

Now our Saviour's character, it is acknowledged on all hands, was in the strictest fense perfect. So that when he requires us to follow him, in order to our becoming his disciples, it may feem as if he expected that of us, which is in its own nature impoffible, I mean an abfolute perfection of character. Before therefore we proceed to illustrate the duty here enjoined, it may be proper to obviate this farther prejudice against religion, as we have already thofe which arise from the duties of felf-denial and bearing the cross.

It is a prejudice which affects both the énemies and the friends of religion, at least fome of them. As to the man who hath a fecret diflike to what is ferious and good, he is glad to avail himfelf of every circumftance, which may seem to justify his infidelity and disobedience. With warmth therefore and it may be an air of triumph, he puts in his exceptions to this command, as too refined and spiritual ever to become practicable. "You tell me that all my objections to felf-denial are vain; for that it ❝is a duty which very well confists with a " reafon

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"reasonable love of myself. And in like "manner that the offence I have been apt "to take at the cross is groundless; for that "the bearing it very well confists with a

prudent concern for my temporal in"terests. Be it fo. Yet to follow Chrift, "that is, to come up to that perfection of "character which he is faid to have poffeffed, "is what no man is capable of in the pre" fent life. It is therefore vain to attempt "it." And then on the other hand as to the serious dejected Chriftian, though he is ftruck with the excellencies of Chrift, and fincerely aims to copy after them; yet he hath perhaps through weakness fixed the standard of religion fo high, and is at the fame time fo deeply fenfible of his own defects and imperfections, that he can scarcely allow himself to be a difciple of Jefus. " I "would fain resemble my Master. But ah! "his likeness is fo imperfectly drawn out "on my temper and life, that I fear it "will be prefumption in me to rank among "his followers." Now in order to obviate this objection, it is to be observed,

1. That perfection in the ftricteft fenfe of it, is not required of a disciple of Christ. The expreffion we do indeed often meet

with in the bible. Abraham is commanded to walk before God and be perfect'. Our Saviour exhorts his disciples to be perfect, even as their Father in heaven is perfect". And the apostles with great earnestness press us to go on unto perfection". Nay one of them declares, that he who is born of God finneth not °. But it would argue either very great weakness or perverseness, to infer from fuch expreffions, the neceffity of an abfolute freedom from all impure mixtures in the prefent life. For this is an attainment fo impoffible in its own nature, so contrary to the experience of the most eminent Christians, and fo intirely inconfiftent with the viciffitude trial and affliction which attend them through this world, that no fober confiderate man can imagine a book divinely inspired would affirm it to be necessary.

Nay it afferts the direct contrary. If we Jay that we have no fin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Nor does it exhibit any one character to our view, except it be that of our Lord Jefus Christ, without apprizing us of its imperfections as well as its excellencies. Is Abraham applauded for his faith, Job for his patience, or Mofes for

his meekness? Their mistakes are alfo. faithfully reported, and even their failures in those very graces for which they were fo much renowned. And he who reads the hiftory of the New Testament, will see many blemishes in the characters of the apostles; whilst he is obliged to acknowledge them upon the whole, men of ftrict integrity and exalted piety. And then as to Chrift, though his character hath no defect in it, and it is unquestionably our duty to imitate it; yet our being required to follow him does not oblige us to an exact resemblance of him, but only to use our utmost endeavours to that end.

"But it will be faid, though abfolute per"fection is not expected in the prefent life;

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yet our Lord requires fuch an imitation of "his example, as carries the idea of religion "to a height of purity and spirituality which "is fcarcely attainable, or however not with"out the greatest difficulty." It is therefore farther to be obferved,

2. That the following Chrift fuppofes a principle of religion already implanted in the heart; and hath connected with it the promise of all needful influences from above, to aid us in our duty. To a carnal heart, a heart wholly under the dominion

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of fin, the leffons which Chrift teaches may seem too hard to be learned, and the precepts he enjoins too fevere and difficult to be obeyed. Nay to the Chriftian himself, under certain circumftances, they may seem almost impracticable. But furely where there is a firm faith of the great realities of religion, a fixed abhorrence of fin, a fincere love of God, and a tafte for the refined pleafures of devotion; the commands of Chrift even in their utmost latitude, will appear truly excellent and defirable.

With what an eager gust of affection does the pfalmift utter these words O that my ways were directed to keep thy ftatutes ! The tender feelings of that amiable woman Ruth for her mother Naomi, rendered the idea of following her, how painful foever on fome accounts, eafy and pleasant. She was not difcouraged, as her fifter Orpah seems to have been, by the fad thought of leaving her native country, and sharing with this poor deftitute widow in her future hard fortunes. His commands, faid the beloved difciple of Jefus, whofe heart was impregnated with an unconquerable affection for his divine Master, are not grievous. You fee then a principle of religion will greatly

q Pf. cxix. 5.

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1 John v. 3.

facilitate