December 1

Leaving us an example. — 1 Peter 2:21.

JESUS not only came to teach men the doctrine of the gospel, and to give them a code of spiritual laws, but he came to exhibit in himself that spirit and conduct, which it would be both our duty and advantage to imitate. His life expounded his discourses, and his discourses were but so many

2 N statements of the conduct which he displayed. He is eminently therefore the christian's example, and we are called upon to embody the same principles, and to follow his steps. Let us consider the blessed Jesus in the example he hath left, as to the government of himself. How meek in spirit, how careful in speech, how temperate in his habits! In patience and happy contentment, he kept his soul continually. He never manifested any unseeming wrath, was a total stranger to malignity, never evinced a spirit of resentment, but was constantly calm, and tender, and mild. His humility too was very striking; he sought not great things for himself; he refused to be made a temporal prince, and sought not the applause or sounding titles of men. Often he charged those he had healed to be silent, that he might not be annoyed with the applaudits of the people. Is Jesus our example in this respect? Do we endeavour to govern ourselves by this model? Are we careful over our spirits, and speech, and conduct? Are we temperate, contented, and meek, and lowly of heart? Do we avoid envious, wrathful, censorious, and malignant dispositions and tempers? Are we like minded with the blessed Jesus in these things? Careful examination will enable us to judge rightly of ourselves, and let us constantly feel impressed with the necessity of imitating our Divine Lord, who bath left us an example, that we should follow his steps.