of death and perdition. And most unhappily indeed has he been imitated by all those who are descended from him by natural generation, and have become partakers of his guilt and punishment. But the death of hapless man is not my will, nor do I delight in the perdition of the sinner. Nay, I so loved the world, that I gave my only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him may not perish, but may have life everlasting.[1] This is the second man, from heaven heavenly,[2] who led on earth, not an earthly, but a heavenly life. He it is, therefore, whom I have given for a guide and teacher to the Gentiles, that whosoever follows him might not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. This is, as it were, the living pattern and prototype whom I have sent from heaven, and have dislayed adorned in perfect beauty with all virtues, graces, and endowments, that all might endeavour to imitate it; whom I have foreknown and predestined to be made conformable to the image of my Son, that they too may be themselves joint-heirs with him of my kingdom. The first man was of the earth, earthly ; the second man from heaven, heavenly. Therefore, as you have borne the image of the earthly by transgressing my commandments, like Adam, your first parent, so bear the image of the heavenly by following the ex- ample of Christ, and serving me in holiness and justice all the days of your life.
Look upon Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who, having joy set before him, endures the Cross, despising the shame.
Behold, he is beautiful above the sons of men, and in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead, not in shadow, but corporally.[3] This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ; hear him and folow him. Wouldst thou please me? strive to imitate him; the more thou art like him, the dearer to me wilt thou be. Nay more, as Isaac blessed Jacob only when arrayed in the garments of his first-born, so too shalt thou receive from me no blessing unless thou art clad with the fleece of the spotless Lamb; that is, with the garments or virtues of my only-begotten Son.
Therefore cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light;[4] nay, put on Jesus Christ. Look upon the pattern that I have shown thee, and copy it in thy actions; walk before me by
