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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	divine_a	scripture_n	word_n	4,862	5	4.4594	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85175	The genealogie of Christianity and of Christians. Declared in a sermon at Mercers Chappel before the Right Honourable the Lord Maior of the City of London, April 28. 1650 and now thus published for the undeceiving of those, who say they are Christians, and are not, but do lie; and for the establishment and encouragement of those, who having named the name of Christ, do indeed depart (even in this hour of apostacy) from all iniquity, by C.F. one of the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ in the ministery of the new Testament.	Feake, Christopher, fl. 1645-1660.	1650 (1650)	Wing F570; Thomason E599_2; ESTC R202091	31,190	41

from the present History Est nominum impositio alia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how this name or appellation was given whether occasionally and accidentally or from deliberation by election and choise as they usually distinguish in this point If upon consideration whether by Paul and Barnabas or whether by the people of Antioch that were without discerning this people in their doctrine and practise to exalt the name and honour of the Lord Jesus Christ onely and altogether Or whether it was given by their enemies by way of reproach As they were called also Nazarens calling them Christians after the name of Christ in a scornfull and ignominious manner Or lastly whether it were imposed by the special direction of the Spirit this is not easily determined here by a negligent Reader although it be a truth most evident that this name was given at the first to the Disciples of Iesus Christ But yet other Scriptures will help us in this thing nay I cannot but bring this verse under trial in order to the finding out of the true ground of the imposition of this name upon the Disciples of Jesus Christ for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereas it is in the translation rendred paslively they were called and so no account is given by whom they were so called or named if you render it actively the text will bear it so a clear account is given of the nomenclators who they were viz. Paul and Barnabas for thus it may be read And it came to passe that they assembled together with the Church a whole year and that they taught much people or a great multitude and that they called or named the Disciples Christians first in Antioch But if the most skilfull in this language will contend for the passive construction of the verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings translators version I shall not further intermeddle though much may be said I perceive pro and con in this dubious case concerning the two first words of this verse in reference to the last clause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but as I said let it suffice that there are other texts of Scripture which do significantly enough expresse the divine approbation of this title as here it s at the first imposed as in 1 Pet. 4.16 he had said in the 14. verse Jf ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye c But let none of you Saints Disciples suffer as a murtherer or as a thief or as an evil doer or as a busie bodie yet if any suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed neither of the name nor of the sufferings or punishments but let him glorifie God on this behalf So that you see plainly the Holy Ghost owneth this name however it might be given at the first Vox sit propria determinata et adae quata rei significandae brevis canon sed tres vocis magnas virtutes complectitur Keck log lib. 1. cap. 1. Pontificii non parum officiunt doctrinae de Ecclesia et ejus membris cum vocem Clerus quam Ap. Petrus tribuit omnibus fidelibus Christi membris quadam arrogantia temeraria ad turbam Sacerdotum restringuntet sacrificulorum quasi illi soli sint sors illa et hareditas Domini at que idcirco reliquae Christi ●embra quodnm supercilioso respectu vocant Laicos or by whomsoever it being a name or title very proper and very significant a word adaequate to the persons named and intended in that name why therefore it is to be accepted as given of God to the Disciples of Jesus Christ yea and this precious truth this noble appellation is not to be parted with easily by the saints they may safely appropriate it to themselves the whole and the onely family of Jesus Christ to any other sort of men besides how clamourous soever in their claims it doth not appertain As in a like case both in the Catholick Church of Rome and the national Church of England as from custome and by tradition and not from Scripture they do call it the Priests the Prelates and their Curates do assume and arrogate to themselves onely the word Clergy the Lords lot or inheritance calling the ordinary people the Laity and and the best of them lay-Elders themselves Divines the Clergy yea the Church whereas in the word of truth the Saints all of them great and small are the Lords Clergy the Church * 1 pet 5 3.2 Pet. 1.4 partakers of the Divine nature and therefore how necessary is it to reform and rectifie the very names and titles of things and persons lest otherwise the strangers intermeddle with the childrens joy and that worthy name * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby they are of right named and distinguished should through their ignorance filence and negligence come to be more and more blasphemed and abused Now for the managing of this truth for the best advantage I shall first proceed to the removal of all those which walk in any degree of contrariety thereunto from having any part or fellowship in the dignity of this honourable appellation so far as in me is and that is by way of negation peremptorily denying those to be justly or properly called Christians who indeed are not such upon the terms mentioned in the text visibly Disciples Secondly I shall insist upon the true notation of the word Christian and then give by way of affirmation the honour of that title to whom the honour thereof is due Thirdly I shall be ready to give an account what congruity in reason what rational ground there is from Scripture and otherwise to enervate nay to make void the title of meer pretenders and usurpers and in the authority and power of divine truth to put the Disciples of Iesus Christ in possession of that honourable prerogative which of right belongs unto them And these three things I am the more carefull to fix upon because as in all other writings and discourses we must necessarily put a difference between an abusive word or phrase and a proper expression So here we must keep close to the form of sound words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not call or account any man a Christian that is not a Christian in deed and truth that was never yet a Disciple of Jesus Christ no not by night and secretly for fear of the Jews as Nicodemus it is to commit an abuse in speaking Vocabula sunt propria cum his ipsis rebus significandis adhibentur propter quas sunt instituta huic virtuti opponitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magna obseuritatis saepe etiam erroris causa it is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which hath been of very evil consequence in this matter for many generations as afterward you will well perceive The first of these I shall speak to in the general and in particular therefore in the general consider that the worst and

persons signified by these two words viz. Christ and a Christian in the new-Testament sence do both partake of the self same unction with this difference that every Chirstian is more remote from the fountain of unction then Christ is he receiving it * immediates immediately the Christian receives what he receives by * mediante christo means of Iesus Christ first Christ afterwards they that are Christs This word Christ is also expressed in the old-Testament by a word proper to that language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now the self same word that is attributed to christ sgiven to others besides him indeed it belongs unto him eminently and emphatically the Messiah John 1.41 Joh. 4.25 we have found the Messiah which is being interpreted the Christ and the Translators read Daniel 9.25 the Messiah * Although there be no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 emp haticum prefixed to either word the Prince as in the 105. Psal there you shall find plainly the holy Ghost doth not speak of the Messiah yet those there specified are called by that name touch not mine anointed and do my Prophets no harm verse 15. Touch not my Christs Psalm 105. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mine anointed psalm 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his anointed my Messiahs the same word that is in the second Psalm his anointed his Christ as it is interpreted by Peter Acts 4. v. 26.27 And before I passe from hence you may understand this anointing is no other thing then the anointing of the Spirit The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to Preach c. as you read in the 61 of Isaiah the first ver so there is the notation of the word Christian gramatically But now thirdly You must observe the word according as it hath congruity of reason in its logical notation Christians so called from Christ they have this denomination in congruity of reason upon a four-fold account or in four respects First in respect of doctrine 2. in respect of conversation 3. in respect of interest 4. in respect of principles First Christians are so called from Jesus Christ upon this account of * Grammatica nudam vocem non naturam considerat Gr. log Logicus vocem considerat non qua vox sed qua ad ●entis intelligentiam refertur et rem explicat Keker in log reason because they and they onely do understand receive and embrace the truth as it is in Iesus and no other sort of people in the world do the like * Non sonum solum nominis expectes sed et sensum Tert. Receperunt nominari Christiani a Christo sicut Platonici a Platone Lyran in locum this is one distinguishing Character every Master or Rabbi or Teacher hath had his Disciples that hath attained to any eminency in any new and singular kind of learning There were among the heathens of old about Christs time and before the disciples of Plato the disciples of Aristotle Aristotelians and Platonists so distinguished because that the one followed the doctrines and teachings of Plato others followed Aristotle and imbraced for truth what he taught them there were disciples that were called Epicurians of Epicurus the Philosopher others were Stoicks the Disciples of that Doctrine as the Holy-Ghost gives you to understand Acts. 17.18 but it s no way necessary to acquaint this audience with the severall particular doctrines and oplnions of these Masters Only thus to our present purpose every one of these Masters of learning they had their Disciples and their disciple-ship consisted in this in owning and cleaving to the doctrines and opinions of their Teachers as they were doctrines distinct from all other doctrines in the world upon all occasions letting the world know by their disputes and professions by whose name they had chosen to be known and distinguished from other men Now as I said Christians in like manner derive their name as other disciples from their great Doctour the Lord Jesus Christ in respect of the particular distinct doctrine of the Gospel learned from him and that in a singular manner differing from all other doctrines in the world John 9 28. VVe are Moses disciples Mar. 2.18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees distinguished from Christs disciples They cannot be called Moses his Disciples * neither can they be called Iohns Disciples neither can they be called the Disciples of the first Adam considered as in the estate of innocency as they speak in respect of their own righteousness but they are the Disciples of Christ in regard they own and cleave to the pure proper Evangelical truth those divine supernatural truths which are revealed by the Son from the bosome of the Father which neither Adam in his first estate nor the children of men since that time have been able by strength of rational enquiries to find out understand and entertain yea such truths as the holy Angels themselves were not aware of Iuc 1.31 c. John 1.14 1 Tim. 3.16 Ephes 1.4 Rom. 3.28 Gal. 2.20 Rom 8 11 Heb 7 25 26 until revealed viz. In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God Joh. 1.1 And the word was made flesh And great is the mystery of godlinesse Christian godlinesse God was manifested in the flesh and the rest of the doctrine of the Incarnation Again Election in Christ before the world began Iustification by faith without the works of the law Living by the faith of the Son of God The i●●dwelling of the Spirit in the hearts of beleevers The sending of the Spirit from the Father and the Son The man Christ Iesus The doctrine of Christs intercession at the right hand of the Majesty on high and that in our nature With many other glorious Gospel truths which the Angels desire to look into thus you may see what I intend by the doctrine of Christ as distinct from all other doctrines And surely those that are ignorant of these and other Gospel truths strangers to this divine learning cannot properly be called Christians Indeed Antichrist and his disciples pretend to be Christians and disciples of Christ as you heard and its true some of these doctrines forementioned they profess to cleave unto but that of 1 Titus is verified in them they professs that they know God but on works they deny him c. And because of the admixture of contrary doctrines summed up in the confession of faith made at the Councell of Trent their doctrine may be called a mungrel doctrine and so their worship like that set up of old by the Jewish-Priest among the several nations 2. Kings 17.33.41 they served the Gods of the lands and of the Countries and they served Iehovah there was a mixture in their doctrine and worship and you know what the learned writers and best schollers that contend against the Papacy say of them their doctrine and worship their

they ought to walk and to please God as the Disciples and Churches here mentioned walked and pleased God I think it meet to give you a brief narrative of such passages from the first Chapter unto this present Scripture as will make up a proper and a necessary manuduction unto the ensuing and intended doctrine After the Ascention of the man Christ Iesus into heaven Heb. i. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sit down on the right hand of the Majesty on high as the Holy Ghost phraseth it there were about an hundred and twenty men and women assembled together with one accord in one place Disciples they are called waiting for the mission of the holy spirit Christ had foretold or told them before that unlesse he went away the Comforter would not come now he being gone to the Father and they by virtue of his command abiding at Jerusalem and waiting for the promise of the Father the sending and descending of the Spirit Behold in the second chapter the Holy Ghost comes down suddenly in a most glorious ministration that the like was never heard of in the world before and sate upon each of the Apostles in the appearance of cloven tongues like as of fire whereby they were enabled on a sudden to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance so that the Jews and Proselites out of every nation there reckoned up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 most part of the nations in the world at least under the Roman Empire heard them speak in their own language or proper dialect the wonderfull works of God Peter speaking a few words in the middest of an amazed and mocking multitude the Lord did so prosper and blesse what he and the rest spake that about three thousand souls gladly received the word and were added to that first new Testament-church Afterward the multitude of the Disciples increased exceedingly But now Satan the God of this world who blindeth the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them indeavoured what he could to prevent the progresse of it by raising up a cruel persecution against the Church Hereupon the Church was scattered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Faedum in modum verber●bus lacero faedum in modum tracco 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haling dragging men and women to prison all except the Apostles so there was the first new-Testament-Church scattered which was but lately gathered but by an over-ruling hand of providence the scattering of that first Church was the gathering of many for some went one way some another way and where ever they came they were instant in preaching the word preaching the Lord Jesus holding forth the doctrine of the Gospel Philip went down to Samaria and there brought in aboundance of people to Jesus Christ In this interim there were planted Churches throughout all Iudaea Galile and Samaria And in this eleventh chapter that we may make haste to the words of the text at ver 19. you have an historical account of the glorious successe of the Gospel in the more remote parts among the Gentiles Now they that were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travailed as far as Phaenice and Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to none but the Iews onely They thought they alone were the people ro whom the glad tidings of the Messiah should be published and proclaimed but now at this Antioch the hand of the Lord was so with them Vide Calvin in locum that a great number of the Graecians believed and turned to the Lord. This being reported to the Church which was in Jerusalem for the Apostles being at Jerusalem had oportunity of bringing in others to the obedience of the faith in stead of the dispersed Disciples it was matter of great joy and and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch Civitas ab Antiocho magno denominata Lyr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antioch it bare the name of one of the Kings of Syria one of them was a bitter enemie of the Church of the Jews Antiochus Epiphanes and for his rage and madnesse they changed Epiphanes into Epimanes and so instead of Antiochus the Illustrious they called him Antiochus the * furious Or Antiochus the mad In this City Antioch as formerly in Samaria two eminent thrones of Satan the Gospel wonderfully prevailed and was readily imbraced by a great number much people was added to the Lord Paul and Barnabas come hither assemble themselves with the Church a whole year and teach much people And now when Christ had Disciples among the Jews and Disciples among the Gentiles when he had a Church at Ierusalem That is A. Congregation of Saints called out of the world by the word to the fellowship of the Gospel Churches in Iudea Galile and Samaria * a Church at Antioch being a very considerable number of people distinguished from the rest of the children of men having Laws and Ordinances ways of Worship differing from all other they are called by a new distinguishing name they are called Christians And the Disciples were called Christians first at Antioch that was the first place where they received this appellation and from thence the other Churches of Jesus Christ who hitherto were called Saints Distinctio voeis ambiguae primum sit in omni rerum consideratione Kec Who is as the wise man and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing Eccl. 8.1 Disciples and Disciples of the Lord c. Continuance of time hath rendred this word a very ambiguous word I mean the word Christian and therefore this being the time of reformation I speak not of carnal external reformation but of a reformation intended by Christ and his Spirit we must indeavour to reform not onely persons and things but the names of things and indeed reformation of this nature is nothing else but a Reduction of persons and things and names to their original causes in their first constitution to form them again as it were which cannot be understood without explication and distinction as the rule of the School is yea that maxim in al the Schools of Philosophie and Theologie is most true useful 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Planto in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that man which would teach aright must first of all make a diligent enquiry into the names of things whereby they are called lest being miscalled or misnamed there be a misapprehension or a misunderstanding of things themselves so then this is the truth which I shall from these words recommend unto this audience this day and I desire it may take hold upon all your hearts not onely in the explication of it but application also The name or title or appellation CHRISTIANS was given originally unto the Disciples of Iesus Christ. I mean Disciples exclusively and inclusively excluding all others including all such Now it is somewhat dark as

unworthiest men have assumed to themselves and dignified themselves with the most glorious Titles and Names that have been current among the sons of men The Turks at this day call themselves Musslemans i.e. right beleevers and all the world besides are mistaken in their Faith if you beleeve themselves concerning themselves The Papists they assume to themselves the name of Catholicks Christians and they are the true Apostolick Church and dignifie themselves with all the glorious titles of this nature that are abroad in the world why now on the contrary those that have had most right to this illustrious title of Christians and the like they have been robbed and disrobed of their ornaments and garments in this respect If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more them of of his houshold Mat. 10.25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in stead thereof men have put upon them the most odious and hatefull names Christ himself the head of the Christians was called a Samaritan and they said he had a Devil Paul a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarens a seditious fellow a very * pest as the word is and so formerly in this nation as in the time of Popery rampant the choises● and most precious of the people of God weie called Hereticks Lollards and of late days in the time of the Prelaetes domination Schismaticks Puritans Sectaries and such like terms of reproach they were branded withal But now consider what is to be said in this first particular the generality of men and women are not to be called Christians for from the beginning it was not so those that are not Christs Disciples are not to be called and accounted Christians This is a time of reformation justice and right must be done to every one by the authority of the word of God I may pronounce sentence against the far greatest part of the people in Christendome Men commonly and generally content themselves with taking Christs part in that which is honourable the name and title not caring for that which is answerable that is to die unto the word and to live unto God Vald. as it is called who walk contrary to the example of Christ the practises of Christians and the principles of Christianity they are degraded by the vertue of the truth in this word The Disciples the Disciples of Iesus Christ are to be called Christians and none other throughout the world But more particularly First Although the Papists or Disciples of Antichrist are called Christians in contradistinction to the Turks the Disciples of Mahomet as you know that are intelligent men in Histories yet notwithstanding at the best they are but Antichristian Christians nay indeed they are Antichristians not Christians for take the choisest of the Papists the most devout and the most holy of the followers of Antichrist why they are not Christians their doctrine is Babilonish doctrine for the most part their devotion is Babilonish devotion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 religious and honest women Act. 13.50 it is Antichristian holiness their worship doctrine tion favours not hath not the spirit no not the tincture of Christianity and if the devoutest disciples of the man of sin the tens and the hundreds of these are not Christians much less their thousand and their millions of * Natural bruit-beasts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 pet 2.12 brurish sensual epicures all these are cut off from any interest in this honour 2 There are Vnchristian Christians as well as Antichristian these as they are not against Christ as those aforementioned are against him so neither are they with him and * Mat. 12.30 the words of Christ are he that is not with me is against me and I call them Vnchristian Christians in a contra-distinction to the Antichrist and his disciples unto the Papists known usually by another word occasioned in the convention of some Princes of the Empire in Germany at Smalcaldy where in their writings to the Emperour they begin every head of their Articles with the word Protestamur we protest and from that time those who did come off and separate from the Church of Rome were called protestants and that word and apellation past over the sea into England and so to other parts they were afterwards sub-divided into Lutherans and Calvinists Protestant christians for the most part not real christians in Qu. Eliz. days called Protest●nts at large and carnal Gospellers Now the degenerate protestants of these times because they are not Antichristians do esteem and account themselves our Orthodox Christians and yet the generality of them may be reputed Vnchristian Christians that is such as have the title of Christians undeservedly being altogether unlike to Jesus Christ whose name they glory in as if it did de jure belong unto them And of these two sorts there are first all loose lewd protestants Secondly all formal hypocritical professours of Christianity 1 First all licentious protestants we must remove them from having any interest in this title by way of negation Christians they are not though so they call themselves and assume as if worthy thereof the honour of this name for as Chrysostome said of old concerning nominal Christians of dissolute conversation that they are not men in propriety of speech 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so may I affirm of these Vnchristian protestants their actions and transactions in the world savour not relish not of the spirit of a man they are so brutish in their lusts so filthy in their lives the eldest sons of Belial in their generation and upon this account there will be discarded and set by many thousands of people in this nation men and women high and low rich and poor Priests and people that have the title and name of Christians or protestants baptised as they say into the name of Iesus Christ and yet do live more like unto Devils incarnate in all manner of wickedness and licancsousness committing sin with greedinesse than unto the first or primitive Christians who were indeed the disciples of Jesus Christ * If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sed dicet aliquis etiam de nostris excedere quosdam a regula disciplinae desinunt tum ehristiani haberi penes nos Tert. apo who followed his doctrine and conversation who obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered * Rom. 6.17 2 Secondly all formal professours that is such as make a plausible shew and carry it in their outward garb as not onely Christians in name but Christians upon the best account * Acts 9.1 the disciples of the Lord and yet notwithstanding are no way worthy of that worthy name for they are not Christians inwardly in spirit and in power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but onely in o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal 6.12 appearance or face or word or letter * 2 Tim. 3.5

whole religion is a Miscelany made up partly of the Jewish Doctrines and practises and partly of the heathenish doctrine and practises and partly of the doctrines and practises of Christians but that is the least part it being composed chiefly of Mosaicall and heathenish institutions unwritten traditions and many ridiculous ceremonies and the more any shall indeavour the introduction of those doctrines which are not taught by the Lord Jesus and his Apostles the more improbable is it they should be esteemed the disciples of Jesus Christ and consequently Christians at the last day for as you see he that is a true Christian understands the truth as it is in Iesus and receives it and cleaves unto it according to the a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mary sate at Jesus feet to hear his word Luc. 10.39 measure of faith given unto him and as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith sitting at Iesus his feet to hear his word as the manner of Disciples was of old time b Paul brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and taught c. Acts 22 3. and is unto this day Secondly Christians are so called from Christ in congruity of reason in this respect because so soon as they are Christians there is such a sweet similitude between Christ and them in point of conversation that they mutually and reciprocally resemble each other to the observation of the Angels and discerning men where there is a great dissimilitude betwixt the Lord Jesus Christ and the children of men there is wanting a ground in reason to call such men Christians As it is an utter absurdity to call the Jews or Turks or wicked persons Christians because no similitude in them because utterly unlike to Jesus Christ so on the other side where any are found beleeving as Christ teacherh and walking as he walked observed to be in the world as he was in the world it is most proper to call and account such as these are Christians and disciples and when beleevers grow up to eminency in faith and practise reflecting much of the glory of Christ upon the world in these two Oh then how fitly may they receive this honourable appellation Christians Disciples of the highest form their Profiting appearing unto all This part of their discipleship is properly called imitation or following of the Lord. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ the words are * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.1 be ye imitators of me 1 Cor. 11.1 and so 1 Thes 1. Ye became followers of us and of the Lord * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imitators of us and of the Lord. And saith Paul thou hast ●ully known my doctrine manner of life In the margin of some of your Bibles it is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.12 thou hast been a diligent follower of my manner of life Now this imitating and following of Christ in the manner of his life consists in these three particulars first in being second in doing third in suffering after the manner that Iesus Christ was and did do and suffer in the world * A Christians conversation in point of demeanour in the world is like Christs demeanour First of all they are in the world as Christ was in the world not of it while they are in it you may know what was the frame and temper and as I may so say the d●vine Genius of the spirit of Jesus Christ in regard of his father how he delighted to converse with God in prayer and communion with him that way by meditation and the like And you know the genius and property and the frame of the heart of Jesus Christ towards his Disciples that had received the same spirit how much love and delight in their company to teach them and to reveal to them the great things of God that they might grow in grace c. You know his demeanour and carriage while he was in the world to Publicans and sinners how he did reveal the love of God to them in the world and tels them that * John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth on him should not perish but have everlasting life And I am he that God the father hath appointed and sealed and sent into the world He did not lift up his voice in the streets he was not tumultuous nor turbulent but there was abundance of sweetnesse meeknesse and gentlenesse thus he was in the world and we should be so in the world and by how much the more Christians are like unto Jesus Christ by so much the lesse they are of the world as it is in the 17th of Iohn in the midst of that chapter twice repeated by Christ to the father Father saith he they are not of the world as I am not of the world And then secondly 2 In respect of their doings their actions and transactions in the world they are followers of Christ For their actings Jesus christ did not keep al his goodnesse to himself while he lived and make others the better for him when he died as the custome of rich men is they will keep their estates close while they live and do little or no good * That is comparatively or in any proportion to ability and opportunity in the place of their abode they dy there is a resurrection of their estates when they themselves go down to the grave then their estates shall rise up in their stead but oftentimes it attains not the end which they propounded But now from the time that Jesus christ was anointed at his Baptism and the holy Ghost came down upon him in the shape of a Dove and a voice was heard saying This is my wel beloved son in whom I am wel pleased which voice we heard saith Peter from that time forth for three years and a half the whole space of his life * Acts 10.38 he went up and down doing good preaching the Gospel of the Kingdome healing sicknesses and performing all duties and offices that belonged to him as he was the Son of Man the Man Christ Iesus so ought Christians in conformity to him to have their conversation here in the world to be willing to distribute ready to communicate * Christianns popullus per omnia sanctus est et non in templis tantum et ritibus Ecclesiasticis sed in omni vita omnitempore omnibus in rebus omnibus factis ac studiis nomins gloriae Christi consecratus Musc to order their whole conversation aright doing what the wil of the Lord is as Christ said I come to do thy will O God and so to be imitators or followers of him not onely in outward demeanour and behaviour which yet is exceeding comely and commendable viz. to be in behaviour as it becommeth Saints but also more especially in our actions practises and whole course of life And moreover