Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

In the third place, I am to produce some Arguments to persuade to the imitation of our Lord Jesus.

In the third place, I am to produce some Arguments to perswade to the imitation of our Lord Jesus.

1. Consider the greatness of the Person that gives you the Example. Christ has this Name written on his Vesture, and on his Thigh; King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19.16. A Roman Historian commends a Prince who is maximus imperio, ¹exemplo major, greatest in authority, and yet greater by his example. Every thing in Heaven, and Earth, and under the Earth does bow, and is subject to the Lord Jesus, and yet whose obedience ever was so exact as his was? He gives us precepts, and he himself is the great Pattern of performance. Claudian the Poet has a notable passage concerning the examples of Monarchs; and what a mighty influence they have: — Tunc observantior aequi Fit populus; nec ferre vetat, cum viderit ipsum Autorein, parere sibi; componitur Orbis Regis ad exemplum; nec sic inflectere sensus Humanos edicta valent; quàm vita Regentis.

1. 1Velleius Paterculus. l. 2.

Kings have many observers, who very much Eye them, and their high estate both awes and allures their Subjects to the imitation of them. If they keep within the bounds of their own Laws, their Subjects will be the more unwilling to transgress them. Christ is the universal Sovereign who commands both Heaven and Earth; and has the whole Creation at his beck. He has kept the Laws, he gives his Church; 'tis duty, 'tis interest, 'tis reasonable, 'tis honourable to resemble him in obedience.