But there are other actions of Christ, in wt
acted as God : he fasted forty days, he judge
hearts of the Pharisees, he took the ass of anoth(
to ride upon, as if it had been his own ; he sc<
the buyers and sellers out of the temple ; he ft
future events, and performed a great number of
cles. To imitate these in the letter of then
christian knows very well, is utterly impossible
to attempt it absolutely unlawful. But, thouj
matter of them is only proposed to his fait]
spirit of them or the mind with which he did
is also proposed to his imitation. His taking
him the form of a servant, when he was in the f
God, and his giving himself a sacrifice unto G<
sweet-smelling savour ; though for the matter of
11^ oy are actions utterly incapable of imitation



39

€*ven tliese high acts, in the true spirit of them, the
christian will endeavor to transcribe, by a humble and
condescending behavior, and by walking in love, as
Christ also loved him. — As John the baptist did go
before the Messiah in the spirit and power of Elias ;
though there was a great difference betwixt the indi-
Tidual actions of these two great men : so he goes in
the power and spirit of Christ, notwithstanding the
huge distance that must always be between the Sa-
vior aiid the saint.
