he's an Example that had no sin in him; so that we may and must follow him in his Morall Vertues absolutely,Sancta Christi vita est pefe∣ctissima virtu∣tum Idaea, other patterns be imper∣fect and defective, but Christ is a perfect Copy, his steps we must follow, his vertues we must imitate, we must shew forth not a vertue or two, but all those vertues which did shine in the conversation of Christ, and made him glorious in the world, all those must not onely be in us, but must shine forth in our lives also. 1 Pet. 2.9. Matth. 5.16. 2. He's an Example which none can equalize nor sufficiently admire, we are apt to excuse our selves for not imitating Christ, because he's too high, hence God in his wisdom hath provided Examples of a lower rank, of men subject to the like Passions as we are. The Scripture recods what glorious things they have done and suffered for God and his honour. Now these are patterns of our own rank and nature, whom we must not onely imitate, but labour to equalize, and study to out-goe the best pattern of the best Saints that ever were. We can have no excuse in these dayes of light, if we come not up to the best patterns, because we have more of the Spirit, more light, and more clear manifestation of God, then they had.Quest. How far must we imitate the Saints, and be followers of them?Answ. We may not follow any Saint whatsoever simply and absolute∣ly, but onely with a Quatenus, so far as he is a follower of Christ. 1 Cor. 11.7. the Saints have had their failings, and the best have a great deale of the old Adam in them. They are Pillars of cloud for us to walk by, but this cloud hath its dark part, which if we follow, we shall fall as they did. There are 4. sorts of actions which the Scripture tells us were done by Saints.1. Some were sinfull, as Davids adultery, Peters deniall; and these are recorded not for imitation, but for Caution and admonition. 1 Cor. 10.6. these things are examples that we might not lust as they did. Their sins are Sea-marks for men to shun, and not Land-marks to walk by. It's a sad thing to love that in David, which he did abominate in himself. Yet 5. good Lessons we may learn from the falls of the Saints.1. When thou readest of their sins, it should teach thee not to idolize any Saint, they were men as well as others, and had their naevos, and had need of a Mediatour.2. It may teach us that the best Saints may fall into the foulest sins if they do not watch; yea into those sins they most abhorre. Of all sinnes Peter thought himself most free from that of denying Christ, and if a man should have come to Solomon when he had made that rare Prayer before all the people (1 Kings 8.22, 23, &c.) and told him, Well Solomon, for all this Prayer that thou hast made, thou wilt turn Idolater before thou dye; would not he have answered with Hazael, Am I a dog that I should do such things? This shewes that the best have in them the Root of the vilest sins, and if we be not upheld and preserved by Gods assisting grace, we shall certainly fall.3. We may learn what sins are most prejudicial to us. viz. Self-confi∣dence, this brought Peter down, idlenesse and prosperity, this brought David down. Effeminatenesse brought Solomon so low.4. We learn that a holy fear is necessary to salvation. Prov. 28.14. Phil. 2.12. and to have a holy jealousie over our deceitful hearts, be not high-minded but fear,Sit casus majo∣rum, tremor minorum. Aug. for if such great Saints fell to such foul sins, what shall such poor shrubs do?5. As you that never fell must read these Examples to preserve you 0