November 14

"—Fluttereth over her young." Deuteronomy 32:11.

THIS she does to excite and teach them by her own example. And God does the same with regard to us. The eye does much more than the ear. The advantage derivable from example is universally allowed. It not only aids in the illustration of a subject, but also in the impression and influence of it, as it helps the memory, strikes the fancy, reproves indolence, encourages hope, and fires zeal. Wise teachers will therefore always teach as much as possible by example.

How sad is the state of those who are destitute of this advantage in religion! And there are those to be found who have scarcely an instance of godliness within their reach. We pity the son who has indeed a father who instructs him, and by his own example too: but it is to swear; to profane the Sabbath; to despise the house of God. We pity the daughter who has indeed a mother who leads her, and by her own example too: but it is to idolize her person; to read novels and romances—not the words of eternal life; to repair to places of dissipation—not to the throne of the heavenly grace. Is there an individual perusing this page, who is stationed in a neighborhood or a family where he can find no one with whom he can unite in any religious exercise; who moves on alone, and even, perhaps, through reproach and opposition? Let him remember that this may not be the case always. If he walks in wisdom towards them that are without, his endeavors, in time, may be available, and his prayers be heard; and though he has been denied the advantage of having an example, he may have the honor of becoming one, and of leading others into the way everlasting.

But there are few places now in which there are not some instances of divine grace, sufficient to condemn the world, and to encourage those whose faces are Zion-ward. Some, perhaps, have many godly persons around them, and they see how superior these are to other men: how content; how grateful; how supported in trouble; how hopeful in death. Some have pious friends and relations. You have perhaps a sister, who often entreats you. Or a wife, who endeavors to win you. Or a father, who says, My son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. Or a mother who weeps over you, and exclaims, What, my son; and the son of my womb; and the son of my vows? And what is all this but God teaching and exciting you? And if you can read, you have an additional advantage. How many excellent lives have been published. How many fine characters are portrayed in the Scriptures. And by the perusal of all these, you bring a cloud of witnesses and examples before you. And when you see them in the exercise and display of whatsoever is lovely and of good report, do you not see God in all this, like the eagle, fluttering over her young?

But look at him in his more personal conduct. See how he not only teaches and excites by his word, but by his own example. Does he command us to be merciful? He is merciful, rich in mercy, he delighteth in mercy. Does he enjoin us to give? He daily loadeth us with his benefits. He gives us richly all things to enjoy. He spared not his own Son. Does he require us to forgive? He is ready to pardon; he abundantly pardons. "Love your enemies," says he; "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." This is not an optional thing with us: we must resemble him; and are only religious in proportion as we are like him, and are one spirit with him.

To render his example the more engaging, we were going to say he humanized it. God was manifest in the flesh. And this rendered his example not only the more attractive, but even the more complete. For it is obvious that he could not have been our example, and have gone before us in the exercise of any of those graces, or the performance of any of those duties which imply dependence, submission, and suffering, unless he had become incarnate. The Word therefore was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Divine goodness walked up and down the earth for three and thirty years in human form. Here was visible the image of the invisible God. The Sovereign comes down and goes before his subjects to excite and allure them. See, says he, I obey, to teach you to obey; I suffer, to teach you how to suffer; I die, to make you fearless of death. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor."

Let ministers learn from hence to be parental rather than magisterial, and to do more by influence than authority. "Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." This is what Paul enjoined on his son Timothy: "Be thou an example to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." And what was his own practice? "As ye know how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children." "We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us."

And let parents remember this image. Do as well as teach. Be amiable. Render your religion inviting. Let your children see it. Come near them—attach them—draw them:

"And as the bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt her new-fledged offspring to the skies, Employ each art; reprove each dull delay; Allure to brighter worlds, and lead the way."