1 John 2:6 He that said he stays in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. I. THE APOSTLES DO ON ALL OCCASIONS ASSUME THE PRACTICE OF CHRIST AS AN UNQUESTIONABLE GROUND OF OBLIGATION AND AN EFFECTUAL INDUCEMENT THERETO. II. DOING SO HATH A REASONABLENESS GROUNDED ON OUR RELATIONS TO CHRIST — it is comely that the manners of the disciple should be regulated by those of his Master; that the servant should not, in his garb and demeanour, dissent or vary from his Lord; that the subject should conform his humour to the fashion of his Prince. III. FOLLOWING CHRIST'S EXAMPLE IS REQUISITE TO DEMONSTRATE THE SINCERITY OF OUR FAITH, LOVE, AND REVERENCE TO HIM. IV. BY PRETENDING TO BE CHRISTIANS WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRANSCENDENT GOODNESS, WORTH, AND EXCELLENCY OF OUR SAVIOUR; that He was incomparably better and wiser than any person ever was or could be; that He always acted with the highest reason, out of the most excellent disposition of mind, in order to the best purposes; and that His practice, therefore, reasonably should be the rule of ours. V. THE PRACTICE OF OUR SAVIOUR DID THOROUGHLY AGREE WITH HIS DOCTRINE AND LAW — He required nothing of us which He did not eminently perform Himself. He fulfilled in deed, as well as taught in word, all righteousness. VI. It being the design of Divine goodness, in sending our Saviour, to render us good and happy, to deliver us from sin and misery, THERE COULD NOT BE DEVISED ANY MORE POWERFUL MEANS OR MORE CONVENIENT METHOD OF ACCOMPLISHING THOSE EXCELLENT PURPOSES than by propounding such an example and obliging us to comply therewith. 1. Good example is naturally an effectual instrument of good practice; for that it doth most compendiously, pleasantly, and easily instruct; representing things to be done at one view, in a full body, clothed with all their modes and circumstances; it kindleth men's courage by a kind of contagion, as one flame doth kindle another; it raiseth a worthy emulation of doing laudable things which we see done, or of obtaining a share in the commendations of virtue. 2. More especially the example of Christ doth, inefficacy and influence on good practice, surpass all others. (1) In that it is a sure and infallible rule, a perfect rule of practice: deficient in no part, swerving in no circumstance from truth and right, which privileges are competent to no other example. (2) In that He was, by the Divine providence, to this very purpose designed and sent into the world, as well by His practice as by His doctrine to be the guide and master of holy life. (3) In that it was, by an admirable temperament, more accommodated for imitation than any others have been; for though it were written with an incomparable fairness, delicacy, and evenness, not slurred with any foul blot, not anywhere declining from exact straightness, yet were the lineaments thereof exceedingly plain and simple, not by any gaudy flourishes or impertinent intrigues rendered difficult to studious imitation; so that even women and children, the weakest and meanest sort of people, as well as the most wise and ingenious, might easily perceive its design, and with good success write after it. (4) In that it is attended with the greatest obligations (of gratitude and ingenuity, of justice, of interest, of duty), mightily engaging us to follow it. (Isaac Barrow, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.WEB: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked. |
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