Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

In this Chapter, where my Text lies, He admonishes them to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul: he exhorts them to a conversation, that would glorify God, convince the World, and adorn the Gospel: their Zeal ought to be so great of those works that are good; that they should not think much to suffer for well doing. Bona agere, & mala pati; to do good, and to hold on in so doing, though very ill requited for it; this is high and noble indeed; this is an honour not vouchsafed to the elect Angels; who are not capable ⟨image 138⟩of suffering; this is to be a Christian in truth and eminency: and to resemble Christ himself who suffered for us; leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.

In this Chapter, where my Text lies, He admonishes them to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul: he exhorts them to a conversation, that would glorifie God, convince the World, and adorn the Gospel: their Zeal ought to be so great of those works that are good; that they should not think much to suffer for well doing. Bona agere, & mala pati; to do good, and to hold on in so doing, though very ill requited for it; this is high and noble indeed; this is an honour not vouchsafed to the elect Angels; who are not capable ⟨image 138⟩of suffering; this is to be a Christian in truth and eminency: and to resemble Christ himself who suffered for us; leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.

In the words which I have read, you may take notice,

1. Of one end of Christ in Suffering; and that is, that he might leave us an example. To say that this was the principal end of his passion; to deny his satisfaction, as if it were impossible or needless; is heretical in a very high degree; to deny the Blood of Christ to be the price of our redemption, is to deny the Lord that bought us: And truly the only propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin being rejected; there is no other remaining; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and of fiery indignation which shall devour the Adversaries. And yet though Christ bare our sins in his own body on the tree; He is not only our Redeemer, but our Example. He hath bequeathed Blessings never enough to be valued, in his Testament: he has also left us an incomparable Example. The Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], which signifies Example, is either taken from excellent Writing-Masters, who set a fair Copy for their Scholars to write after; or 'tis taken from Painters, who draw a curious Masterpiece, for inferior Artists their Admiration and Imitation.