Thus do these few words direct as to
the highest Christian virtue. Indeed; the whole tenor of the Gospel, is
to offer us every help, direction, and motive, that can enable us to
attain that degree of perfection on which depends our eternal good.

_Of the Example set by our Saviour, and his Character._

54. What an example is set before us in our blessed master! How is his
whole life, from earliest youth, dedicated to the pursuits of true
wisdom, and to the practice of the most exalted virtue! When you see
him, at twelve years of age, in the temple amongst the doctors, hearing
them, and asking them questions on the subject of religion, and
astonishing them all with his understanding and answers--you will say,
perhaps, "Well might the Son of God, even at those years, be far wiser
than the aged; but, can a mortal child emulate such heavenly wisdom! Can
such a pattern be proposed to my imitation?"--Yes, certainly;--remember
that he has bequeathed to you his heavenly wisdom, as far as concerns
your own good. He has left you such declarations of his will, and of the
consequences of your actions, as you are, even now, fully able to
understand, if you will but attend to them. If, then, you will imitate
his zeal for knowledge, if you will delight in gaining information and
improvement, you may even now become "wise unto salvation."

55. Unmoved by the praise he acquired amongst these learned men, you see
him meekly return to the subjection of a child, under those who appeared
to be his parents, though he was in reality their Lord; you see him
return to live with them, to work for them, and to be the joy and solace
of their lives; till the time came, when he was to enter on that scene
of public action, for which his heavenly Father had sent him from his
own right hand, to take upon him the form of a poor carpenter's son.

56. What a lesson of humility is this, and of obedience to
parents!--When, having received the glorious testimony from heaven, of
his being the beloved Son of the most High, he enters on his public
ministry, what an example does he give us, of the most extensive and
constant benevolence!--how are all his hours spent in doing good to the
souls and bodies of men!--not the meanest sinner is below his
notice:--To reclaim and save them, he condescends to converse familiarly
with the most corrupt as well as the most abject. All his miracles are
wrought to benefit mankind; not one to punish and afflict them. Inste