The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preached…The way to the highest honour a funeral sermon, on John XII, 26, preach'd…

First, What the Service of Christ implies. In the general Notion, to serve Christ, implies Obedience to his Will as the Rule of our Actions, with aims at his Glory as the End of them. His Will revealed in the Scriptures is a Rule eminently and exclusively. Eminently, for it has all the Perfections of a Rule: 'Tis clear and complete, sufficient to make us wise to Salvation, and to direct us in the Way everlasting. 'Tis called the holy, acceptable, and perfect Will of God. 'Tis a Rule Exclusively. To speak strictly, no Creature can ⟨p. 6⟩be a Rule to another; for they are all in an equal Line of Subjection to the Creator: One may be a Guide or Governor to another according to the Rule of God's Word. The Laws of Men cannot reach and bind the Conscience immediately, but by virtue of God's Command; nor unlimitedly, but as they are consonant with his Laws. Now a universal respect to the Will of Christ, as the Rule of our Lives, is truly to serve him. And the aiming at his Glory in all our Desires and Endeavours, either actually or habitually, is an essential Ingredient in his Service. The actual Intention in every performance is not absolutely necessary: Many good Actions may proceed from the Influence of the habitual Intention: An Arrow that is directed by aim may hit the Mark, tho in its flight the Eye be turned off from it. But the ultimate ⟨p. 7⟩scope of our Life, which ought to be often renewed in our Minds, must be to please and glorify Christ; according to the Apostle's Expression, To me to live is Christ. I will more distinctly open these Things under the following Heads;

First, What the Service of Christ implies. In the general Notion, to serve Christ, implies Obedience to his Will as the Rule of our Actions, with aims at his Glory as the End of them. His Will revealed in the Scriptures is a Rule eminently and exclusively. Eminently, for it has all the Perfections of a Rule: 'Tis clear and compleat, sufficient to make us wise to Salvation, and to direct us in the Way everlasting. 'Tis called the holy, acceptable, and perfect Will of God. 'Tis a Rule Exclusively. To speak strictly, no Creature can ⟨p. 6⟩be a Rule to another; for they are all in an equal Line of Subjection to the Creator: One may be a Guide or Governour to another according to the Rule of God's Word. The Laws of Men cannot reach and bind the Conscience immediately, but by virtue of God's Command; nor unlimitedly, but as they are consonant with his Laws. Now a universal respect to the Will of Christ, as the Rule of our Lives, is truly to serve him. And the aiming at his Glory in all our Desires and Endeavours, either actually or habitually, is an essential Ingredient in his Service. The actual Intention in every performance is not absolutely necessary: Many good Actions may proceed from the Influence of the habitual Intention: An Arrow that is directed by aim may hit the Mark, tho in its flight the Eye be turned off from it. But the ultimate