A SERMON

DELIVERED IN ANDOVER, MAY 3, 1812, AT THE FUNERAL OF SAMUEL ABBOT, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

Heb. 6: 12. THAT YE BE NOT SLOTHFUL, BUT FOLLOWERS OF THEM, WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES.

In this passage, the Apostle directed the thoughts of the Hebrews to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and other saints, who through faith in the promises and patient expectation of their accomplishment, and through meekness and fortitude under the sufferings of life, had gone beyond the reach of trouble and danger, and were in possession of the heavenly inheritance. He directed their thoughts to those ancient believers, not to excite their admiration, nor to gratify their curiosity, but to rouse them to diligent imitation.

It is our duty, brethren, as it was the duty of the Hebrews, to imitate the example of believers.

I would by no means intimate that the character of believers, even those most distinguished for holiness, is without fault. The best Christians on earth must not be set up as infallible guides; they must not occupy the place of Jesus Christ.

The general consideration by which I would enforce the duty of following the saints, is the excellence of their example. They all have the spirit of Christ, and walk in his steps. They are

clothed with humility. The love of God is the governing affection of their hearts, and shows itself by obedience. The law of God is the rule of their actions. Their religion does not consist in bare profession or ostentatious zeal, but in a good life-life of sincere benevolence and piety. Such, in a measure, is the life of all Christians. A Christian without the spirit of Christ—a good man without a good life, is a palpable absurdity.. If Christians had nothing but profession; if with all the respect which they occasionally show for religion, they were as covetous, selfish, false, and useless, as men of the world are; their example would mislead and destroy. But with all their lamented imperfections, they are the excellent of the earth. By the Spirit of God they have been renewed to holiness; and are comely through the comeliness which divine grace has put upon them. Now it is plainly our duty to imitate them in everything that is excellent and praiseworthy. We should imitate the faith, by which they confide in the infallible truth of the word of God; by which, especially, they receive Christ as he is offered in the gospel. We should imitate their humility, by which they are brought to take their place at the feet of Jesus, and to prefer others to themselves. We should imitate their supreme love to God and their active benevolence to men, by which they comply with the spirit of the moral law. We should imitate their patience in affliction, their forgiveness of injuries, their zeal to do good, their spiritual mindedness, and their habitual devotion. Whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are excellent, whatsoever things are lovely in them, we ought diligently to copy.

It is hardly necessary to remark, that good example more clearly shows the beauty of holiness, and is much better calculated to make a salutary impression on our minds than mere precept. This is true of the good example of every intelligent being, of whatever rank. But the example of believers has peculiar advantages, being the example of those who are possessed of the same nature, and subject to the same trials with ourselves. Are we weak and depraved, and exposed to temptations and difficulties from without and within? So were all the saints whose names

are recorded in the Scriptures. Nay, in most instances, the difficulties they had to encounter were far greater, than those which exist at the present day. Their example then clearly shows that religion is attainable; that duty may be practised; that all the excellent virtues, which their life manifested, may be manifested in ours.

But the good influence of Christians is much increased if they live in our own times, in our own country, in our own circle; and above all, if we have a personal acquaintance with them. In these circumstances, we obtain clearer views of their character. We do indeed see more of their failings. But we also see more of their virtues; and we see them in their own proper light. The moral features of those who are distant from us, are liable to be misrepresented and misconceived. When you paint the character of a Christian of a distant age or place, you may set it off with all the glowing colors which the imagination can give it; and you may make it a finished character. But it is the character of no Christian on earth. Nor is it the character of any saint or angel in heaven; for no painter can give an exact portrait of one whom he never saw. Whom then does it resemble? No one. It is a false picture. And the impression it will make upon us, will be as slight, as the image is false. But when we fix our eyes upon a follower of Christ who is near us, and with whom we are personally acquainted; we are brought back to realities. We see a character which the grace of God has formed. We discern its features exactly. We want no picture; for we have the original before us. The beauties we behold are true and substantial; and unless some great fault in us prevents, the sight of them will contribute to our lasting improvement.

The example of believers is attended with greater advantages still, if, besides acquaintance with them in the common intercourse of life, we have known their more private views, trials, and enjoyments. In these ways, we come to a more exact discernment of their character. We learn the secret springs of their actions. They show us something of that spiritual life, which is hid with Christ in God. We see the faithfulness of their conscience, the