See then, my brethren, the necessity of submission to God. "Harden not your hearts" against any of his appointments. Learn to form a proper estimate of your own character, to view yourselves as sinners against him to trace his wisdom, justice, goodness, and mercy, in all his dispensatious--to bow to his teaching-to seek his salvation-and to submit yourselves to his commands. Oh, let him not have to say to any of you, as he did to Pharaoh-" How long wilt thou refuse "to humble thyself before me?" "As yet "exaltest thou thyself against me?”1 can never prevail in the unequal contest. All power in heaven and earth is his; and he will establish his authority. He will crush the daring rebel against his will. But now he waiteth to be gracious. Approach him with humility-beg his grace to renew and sanctify your hearts-devote yourselves to his service, and he will be your guide and protector through life, and will at length exalt you to his throne of glory in heaven.

' Exod. ix, 17; x,8

You

SERMON XXII.

THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST THE CHRISTIAN'S PATTERN.

1 PETER ii, 21.

For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

IT is a circumstance which ought never to be dismissed from our recollection, that while the sacred scriptures convey to us the cheering knowledge of a salvation suited to our wants, and adapted to render us truly blessed, they still make it known to us in a way of holiness. They teach us that Christ Jesus was given for us, not only that he might be a sacrifice for 'sin, but also an example of godly life:' and when they urge us to practise those moral duties which belong to to our place and station in society, the motives by which they enforce

them, are for the most part derived from the consideration of the humiliation and sufferings of the Redeemer, and of the infinite value of those benefits, which for his sake, are bestowed upon us.

The passage, of which our text forms a part, illustrates this. The Apostle is exhorting servants to the proper discharge of the duties of their station. At that time, servants were in general slaves; and many of those who are here addressed, were the property of heathen masters, and were often treated in a tyrannical and cruel manner. Yet observe how St. Peter addresses them; "Servants, "be subject to your masters with all fear; not

only to the good and gentle, but also to the "froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man "for conscience toward God endure grief, "suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, "when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take "it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and "suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is "acceptable with God. For even hereunto "were ye called: because Christ also suffered “for us, leaving us an example, that ye should "follow his steps." The Apostle does not at all appear to consider, even the gross misconduct and the cruelty of heathen masters, as authorizing their servants to neglect their

duty towards them. Their path is pointed out, and they are required to walk in it with perseverance and diligence, notwithstanding every provocation, and every temptation, which might entice them to turn aside.

And if, even under such circumstances, christian servants were called to perform their duties towards their masters with perseverance and diligent care; how utterly inexcusable is the conduct of those, who, in unspeakably more favourable situations, are eye-servants, unfaithful to the trust reposed in them, or negligent of the duties required from them. The fact is, that religion, if it be genuine, will produce a decided effect upon every part of the conduct of its professor. It will lead him to a conscientious discharge of his obligations towards all with whom he has to do, however far they may fail in their duty towards him. And we are authorized to say, that wherever a man is allowedly deficient in this respect-wherever he is careless and inattentive in the performance of these duties, "that man's religion is vain," and all his knowledge, and religious professions, will fail of producing any advantage to him.

But though St. Peter, in the words of our text, principally intended to give to servants an exhortation patiently to bear the ill treatment which they received from their heathen

masters; yet, he may also be regarded, as giving us in general, a very important view of the nature of our christian profession, as importing that we not only expect eternal salvation through the merits and death of Christ Jesus; but also, that we are followers of his example in our conduct in the world. For as our church expresses it, 'our profession is to follow 'the example of our Saviour Christ, and to be 'made like unto him.' 1

In this point of view then, the subject of our text is peculiarly worthy of careful consideration; and in speaking upon it, I would endeavour, in the first place, To point out to you a few of those things in which we are especially called to follow the example of Christ; and secondly, To make some remarks upon the motive by which St. Peter here enforces his exhortation to tread in the Saviour's steps.

I. We must here remark, that the things in which we are to follow the example of Christ, are exclusively to be found in his conduct as man; and are not to be sought in any of those things, in which his divine power was displayed, during the time in which he veiled his glory

1 Baptismal Service.