A35574:104
Hagio-mimesis The imitation of the saints : opened in some practical meditations upon the death of Mrs. Anne Browne, late wife of Mr. Peter Browne of Hammersmith / by Thomas Case ...
London: printed by A.M., 1666
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Next to these, the Saints and Angels in Heaven, are our lights of a second magnitude;1 Thy will be done on Earth, as it is done in Heaven.
These are our exact and perfect Exemplars, in which there is no defect or imperfection.
But all our Earthly Patterns (be they never so excellent) have their errors and deficiencies; which may mislead us, if we follow them without due limitation. And therefore all these inferior Patterns, are to be reduced to the Original Standard and ⟨p. 23⟩Exemplar; and wherein they are found either erroneous or defective, we are to correct and perfect them by the Original; we must by faith eye the Pattern in the Mount: we may imitate our terrestrial Copies, but we must not terminate in them. The Saints are good Leaders, but not infallible useful Copies, but such as have need to be corrected by the Original.
But all our Earthly Patterns (be they never so excellent) have their errours and deficiencies; which may mislead us, if we follow them without due limitation. And therefore all these inferi•ur Patterns, are to be reduced to the Original Standard and ⟨p. 23⟩Exemplar; and wherein they are found either erroneous or defective, we are to correct and perfect them by the Original; we must by faith eye the Pattern in the Mount: we may imitate our terrestrial Copies, but we must not terminate in them. The Saints are good Leaders, but not infallible useful Copies, but such as have need to be corrected by the Original.
Our imitation of them therefore, must be bounded by Scripture-limitation.
12. Our Imitation of the Saints must be exact and uniform: though we are not to imitate the Saints in all their actions, yet we are to imitate them in all their Graces, and gracious conversation. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just. Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise in the Saints and Servants of God, these things we must think of; and in these things we must labour to be like unto them. We must take heed of Partiality, in our following the Saints; of preferring one before another, one Saint before another; or one Grace in the Saints before another, unless it be such Saints, and such ⟨p. 22⟩[…] ⟨p. 23⟩[…] ⟨p. 24⟩Graces, as God himself hath preferred by putting upon them more abundant honour, some special remark of excellency; we must take heed of picking and choosing, taking what we please, and rejecting what we list, according to our own private fancies and interest: We must follow them in every path, and in every step, wherein they have f•llowed the Captain of their salvation: Whether in their doing-work, or in their suffering-work St. Paul's charge to Timothy will not in this case be improper for us; I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 2and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by Pa tiality. To this end,
12. Our Imitation of the Saints must be exact and uniform: though we are not to imitate the Saints in all their actions, yet we are to imitate them in all their Graces, and gracious conversation. Whatsoever things are true, whats•ever things are just. Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise in the Saints and Servants of God, these things we must think of; and in these things we must labour to be like unto them. We must take heed of Partiality, in our following the Saints; of preferring one before another, one Saint before another; or one Grace in the Saints before another, unless it be such Saints, and such ⟨p. 22⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 23⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 24⟩Graces, as God himself hath preferred by putting upon them more abundant honour, some special remark of excellency; we must take heed of picking and chusing, taking what vve please, and rejecting what we list, according to our own private fancies and interest: We must follow them in every path, and in every step, wherein they have f•llowed the Captain of their salvation: Whether in their doing-work, or in their suffering-work St. Paul's charge to Timothy will not in this case be improper for us; I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 2and the elect Angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by Pa tiality. To this end,
13. Our Imitation of the Saints must be a vigorous and industrious Imitation. Truly to follow the Saints fully and exactly, is not a business of an easy and ordinary dispatch, it will require a vigorous and industrious intention and contention of our spirits, as a work that will take up all the faculties of our souls, and parts of our bodies: Our Judgments to discern (according to the word) what is to be chosen, and what to be eschewed in the Patterns we propound to our selves: Our Understandings, to discover ⟨p. 25⟩the beauty and amiableness of the Graces and Holiness that is in the Saints. Our Memories, to keep always before our eyes these excellent Presidents, lest at any time we let them slip; we shall stand in need of such Looking-glasses continually, to see our faces in; we shall want our Guides at every turning, to tell us the way, when we are turning to the right hand, or to the left.
13. Our Imitation of the Saints must be a vigorous and industrious Imitation. Truly to follow the Saints fully and exactly, is not a business of an easie and ordinary dispatch, it will require a vigorous and industrious intention and contention of our spirits, as a work that will take up all the faculties of our souls, and parts of our bodies: Our Judgments to discern (according to the word) what is to be chosen, and what to be eschewed in the Patterns we propound to our selves: Our Unde•standings, to discover ⟨p. 25⟩the beauty and amiableness of the Graces and Holiness that is in the Saints. Our Memories, to keep alwaies before our eyes these excellent Presidents, lest at any time we let them slip; we shall stand in need of such Looking-glasses continually, to see our faces in; we shall want our Guides at every turning, to tell us the way, when we are turning to the right hand, or to the left.
Our Wills and Affection, to love our Guides, to take delight and complacency in beholding these beautiful pieces; if we see no beauty in the Saints, why we should desire them, we shall never be zealous imitators of their Persons.
Our Wills and Affection, to love our Guides, to take delight and compl•cency in beholding these beautifull pieces; if we see no beauty in the Saints, why we should desire them, we shall never be zealous imitators of their Persons.
Our Consciences: we stand in need of the impartial Testimony of an awakened conscience, to accuse or excuse us according to our fidelity or neglect in this duty of so great concernment. Moreover it will cost us much prayer, meditation, often reflection upon our selves, watchful observation, self-denial, mortification, &c. Yea, much labour and pains even of the outward man much fasting, striving, wrestling, and watchfulness, to carry on this great important duty, of imitating the Saints. Surely a slothful, lazy professor, will never ⟨p. 26⟩make any earnings in so curious and laborious a work as this is.
Our Consciences: we stand in need of the impartial Testimony of an awakened conscience, to accuse or excuse us according to our fidelity or neglect in this duty of so great concernment. Moreover it will cost us much prayer, medita•ion, often reflection upon our selves, watchfull observation, self-denial, mortification, &c. Yea, much labour and pains even of the outward man much fasting, striving, wrestling, and watchfulness, to carry on this great important duty, of imitating the Saints. Surely a slothful, lazy professor, will never ⟨p. 26⟩make any earnings in so curious and laborious a work as this is.
That's h ghly observable in the Text; That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through f•ith and patience, &c. Sloth, and Imitation of the Saint are inconsistent.
It is a matter of great labour and diligence to be a follower of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the rest of the Heroes •od Worthies of God, in their faith, and patience, and other Graces: A delicate short spirited professor will never carry on this spiritual and blessed trade to any purpose; therefore says the Apostle (he•e) We desire that every one of you do show the same diligence, &c. All the strength and industry you have, will be little enough to lay out in this arduous and excellent design.
It is a mattet of great labour and diligence to be a follower of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the rest of the Heroes •od Worthies of God, in their faith, and patience, and other Graces: A delicate short spirited professour will never carry on this spiritual and blessed trade to any purpose; therefore sayes the Apostle (he•e) We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence, &c. All the strength and industry you have, will be little enough to lay out in this arduous and excellent design.
Assure your selves, it will afford you no time for security, and the indulging of the flesh.
It cost the Saints much holy contention, to write and leave these excellent Copies to the succeeding world; and it will cost you no less industry to write exactly after them. You must not think to make to your selves a religion of your own, or ⟨p. 27⟩[…] take up this imitation, and lay it down •gain when you please. Therefore,
It cost the Saints much holy contention, to write and leave these excellent Copies to the succeeding world; and it will cost you no less industry to write exactly after them. You must not think to make to your selves a religion of your own, or ⟨p. 27⟩〈…〉 take up this imitation, and lay it down •gain when you please. Therefore,
14. Our Imitation of the Saints must be constant and persevering Imitation; so in •he verse before my text.
