A good man making a good end. The life and death, of the Reverend…

VI. A CHRISTIAN is one, who Endeavours to Imitate the Example of the Lord Jesus Christ, in those Things, wherein He ha's required our ⟨p. 82⟩Imitation of Him. Indeed, there are Mediatorial performances and preheminencies of our Lord Jesus Christ, wherein He is Inimitable. But such was the Ordinary Conversation of our Lord Jesus Christ upon Earth, as that He could say, in Job. 13.15 I have given you an Example, that ye should do as I have done. The Example of our Lord Jesus Christ, is in this Book of His, mightily Inculcated on every Christian; yea, our Lord says unto us, in Luk. 14 27. Whosoever doth not come after me, cannot be my Disciple; which is to say, He cannot be a Christian! The Images of the Lord JESUS CHRIST on the Wall, are not Agreeable unto a well instructed Christian. But instead of that, the Christian would fain have an Image of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Dispositions of his own Heart & Life. The Christian lays up his chief Happiness, in being made like unto the Lord Jesus Christ; and he daily aspires to be changed into that Image, from Glory to Glory. What is a Christian? Briefly; He is a Christ like man; and one, who, as He that hath called him is Holy, so, would be Holy in all manner of Conversation. There have been Persons in the world called, Ciceronians; & their Fancy ha's been, that whatever Phrase or Word, they could not find in the Works of Cicero, they would hardly make use of it. Thus, if men dislike every Thing, that is contrary to what might in the Walk of Christ be met withal, Why, These are your Christians. ⟨p. 83⟩What says the Apostle, in 1 Joh. 2.6. He that saith, he abideth in Christ, (or, is a Christian,) ought himself also to Walk, so as He Walked. Alas, Tis not a Recitation of a Creed, but an Imitation of a Christ, that will make a Christian. Among the Jews, the Rechabites, would plant no Vineyards, and build no Houses, because they would be like old R•ckab, their Grand father, from whom they were called so. Thus, if we would be Christians, we must live like our Saviour Christ, from whom we are called so. Among the Papists, the Benedctines, the Franciscans, the Dominicans, and the other Irreligious Orders, y themselves to Imitate the Lives of these men, from whom they have their Names. In vain have we the Name of Christians from our Lord Jesus Christ, i our Lives be not conformed unto His.