A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

5 Lastly, seeing there is such certain danger in following after common copies; give me leave to avert you from all these pestilent examples, and propose to you one worth your praise and imitation. It is the glory of all precedents the life and excellency of what is good in man; that man of God, and God of man JESUS CHRIST. Here is a pattern: the godly, like the Eagle, disdain all objects but the Sun. Summa religionis est imitari quem colis: it is the marrow of religion to imitate him whom thou worshippest. The Italians got up all the excellent Pictures in the world, that out of them all they might make one Master-piece, or most excellent picture. The sweetness of all the best flowers makes most sweet honey. CHRIST in the whole course of his life was a pattern of goodness. In his birth a pattern of humility, in his life a pattern of Innocency, in his death a pattern of patience, in all a pattern of holiness. Si praecipienten sequi non vis, sequere praecedentem, Lactant. If thou wilt not follow him in his word commanding, yet follow him in his work directing. Now saith Paul, Put on Christ. He is put on two ways; by Imputation, and by Imitation: the first justifies, the other sanctifies. He is put on Sacramentally by Baptism. Gal. 3.17. All that are baptised into Christ, have put on Christ. He is put o• internally by faith, externally by imitation. Hebr. 12 2. Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith: look upon him, and so eye him that you may follow him; and so follow him that you may live like him. That you may say; Sic oculos, sic ille manus, sic ora ferebat. When thine eyes be haughty with ambition, did he carry his eyes so? Like a Lamb before that bloody Wolfe Pilate, his look was meek and lowly, though lovely. When thou cursest him that angers thee, did he carry his mouth so? No, Father forgive them. Thou art provoked with words, and returnest blows, did he carry his hands so? No, being stricken, he stroke not again. Heb. 12.3. Consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners. Against covetousness put on the contentedness of CHRIST: against anger put on the meekness of CHRIST: against wrongs put on the patience of CHRIST: against pride put on the humbleness of CHRIST. For as he told Peter.