1 It is new in respect of Christ.
2 Christ hath expresly commanded it: Whenever Christ converted any to Grace, this was his common speech, Follow me, Matth. 4.19. (which if it were not a word of Conversion, yet at least of new Conversion, Mat. 9.9.) and it is a general rule, Luke 9.23. where by following of Christ in the last place is meant imitating Christ, thus it is new in respect of Christs Command∣ment.
2 In respect of Christs efficacy and power working in our hearts, vers. 9. it is wrought and stampt in us by a new work of Christ, in the spirits of his follow∣ers, that they do indeed set their hearts to follow Christ.
2 It is new in respect of us Believers.
1 In regard of the outward hearing of the ear it is new, never so plainly spo∣ken before, Follow me, in all the Old Testament there is not such an expresse letter as follow Christ, imitate Christ, walk as Christ hath walked.
2 In regard of that new work wrought in the hearts of Christians, Ephes. 4.24. that is, but on such a frame of holinesse and righteousnesse, wherein you may lively resemble the new Adam, the new man Christ.
Ʋse 1 As we ought not to affect new-fanglednesse, so we ought not to loathe and reject newnesse; before St. John carefully avoided new fanglednesse, now he commends newnesse.
The ground of this difference is;
1 Look whatever comes from God (the Ancient of days) is always new, and never waxeth old, and as it is new, so it is always old, yea old enough if it come from God, Eccles. 1.9.
2 If it come from God, the newer it is the better it is, because our old Na∣tures, and Corruptions, and Courses should alwayes be abhorred of us, but grace, and that new man, and new wayes of holinesse should be acceptable to us.
3 If it be new, and come from God, it is a greater manifestation of God, we may see a greater light in it than ever before.
Ʋse 2 Never look to fullfill this Commandment of imitating Christ, untill you become new men, for it is a new Commandment, and a new Command∣ment requires new obedience, and new obedience requires new spirits, and a new man, do not therefore think to follow Christ with old spirits; thus much of the quality; now follows the reason, For the darknesse is past, &c.