Hagio-mimesis The imitation of the saints

The best of men, are but men at the best. Affirmatively, Therefore our imitation of the Saints it must be but,

¹1. A limited Imitation. And that Limitation, one of the best of men (that were but men) the great Apostle hath given us in his own Person:² Be ye followers of me, (How?) as I am of Christ. If we find holy Paul, not following Christ, he doth not require us to follow him. It was Jehoshaphat's honour that he made choice of the first ways of David to walk in. Indeed we have these intermediate Copies written for our learning: God therein condescending ⟨p. 22⟩to our infirmity, lest our tender eyes should be too much dazzled in continual beholding the transcendent brightness of the Supreme light, 1 Joh. 1.5. But God, and Christ, and the Spirit are the Supreme Original Standard of our Conformity.

¹1. A limited Imitation. And that Limitation, one of the best of men (that were but men) the great Apostle hath given us in his own Person:² Be ye followers of me, (How?) as I am of Christ. If we find holy Paul, not following Christ, he doth not require us to follow him. It was Jehosophat's honour that he made choice of the first wayes of David to walk in. Indeed we have these intermediate Copies written for our learning: God therein condescending ⟨p. 22⟩to our infirmity, lest our tender eies should be too much dazled in continual beholding the transcendent brightnesse of the Supream light,