He followeth the way of God in his works, as well as in his word, or he obeyeth God doing as well as commanding. Many of the works of God are infinitely beyond our imitation, yet he works so in other things that he hath descended to our imitation. And though we cannot follow God in any thing as to an equality, yet we may follow him in many things as to the similitude of his workings; we may go the same way that he goeth, and take the same steps that he hath taken, though we cannot take them in that perfection, nor go with such exactness as he hath gone before us. A child may write the same letters, the same words and lines, which the most accurate penman or artist in writing hath prescribed him for a copy, and so the child may be said to hold the steps of his Master, letter for letter, word for word, line for line, though there be a wide difference discernible between their writings. To follow God is our duty, Godliness is Godlikeness, or, an imitation of God, And practical Christianity is nothing else but our imitation of Christ, and that not only in doing but in suffering (1 Pet. 2.21.) For even hereunto are we called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps. 1Christ is not only a principle of holiness in us, or our spiritual life, but he is also a pattern of holiness according to which we ought to live. And the same Apostle represents the holiness of God, both as a rule, and as a motive of that holiness which should be acted by us (1 Ep: 1.15, 16.) As he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written (Lev: 11.14.) Be ye holy for I am holy. To be holy as God is in all manner of conversation, is steadfastly to hold the steps of God. And when (as Christ exhorts Math. 5.55.) We are merciful as our father which is in heaven is merciful. When as ⟨p. 391⟩the Apostle exhorts (Eph. 4.32.) We forgive as God for Christs sake hath forgiven us; when we are patient and long-suffering one towards another, as God is towards us all, then we take hold of his steps; this should be our business every day, to follow God in his word, and in his works, to follow him fully. It is said of Caleb (Num. 14.24.) My servant Caleb hath another spirit, he hath followed me fully.
He followeth the way of God in his workes, as well as in his word, or he obeyeth God doing as well as commanding. Many of the workes of God are infinitely beyond our imitation, yet he workes so in other things that he hath descended to our imitation. And though we cannot follow God in any thing as to an equality, yet we may follow him in many things as to the similitude of his workings; we may goe the same way that he goeth, and take the same steps that he hath taken, though we cannot take them in that perfection, nor goe with such exactnes as he hath gone before us. A childe may write the same letters, the same words and lines, which the most acurate penman or artist in writing hath prescribed him for a copie, and so the childe may be said to hold the steps of his Master, letter for letter, word for word, line for line, though there be a wide difference discernable between their writings. To follow God is our dutie, Godlinesse is Godlikenesse, or, an imitation of God, And practicall Christianity is nothing else but our imitation of Christ, and that not onely in doing but in suffering (1 Pet. 2.21.) For even hereunto are we called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps. 1Christ is not onely a principle of holinesse in us, or our spirituall life, but he is also a patterne of holinesse according to which we ought to live. And the same Apostle represents the holinesse of God, both as a rule, and as a motive of that holinesse which should be acted by us (1 Ep: 1.15, 16.) As he that hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, because it is written (Lev: 11.14.) Be ye holy for I am holy. To be holy as God is in all manner of conversation, is stedfastly to hold the steps of God. And when (as Christ exhorts Math. 5.55.) Wee are mercifull as our father which is in heaven is mercifull. When as ⟨p. 391⟩the Apostle exhorts (Eph. 4.32.) Wee forgive as God for Christs sake hath forgiven us; when we are patient and long-suffering one towards another, as God is towards us all, then we take hold of his steps; this should be our businesse every day, to follow God in his word, and in his workes, to follow him fully. It is said of Caleb (Num. 14.24.) My servant Caleb hath another spirit, he hath followed me fully.
- 1•equere deum. Epict.