Like Christ : thoughts on the blessed life of conformity to the Son of God

Preface

In sending forth this little book on the Image of our blessed Lord, and the likeness to Him to which we are called, I have only two remarks by way of preface.

The one is that no one can be more conscious than myself of the difficulty of the task I have undertaken, and its very defective execution. There were two things I had to do. The one was to draw such a portrait of the Son of God, as 'in all things made like unto His brethren,' as to show how, in the reality of His human life, we have indeed an exact Pattern of what the Father wants us to be. What was wanted was such a portrait as should make likeness to Him infinitely and mightily attractive, should rouse desire, awaken love, inspire hope, and strengthen faith in all who are seeking to imitate Jesus Christ. And then I had to sketch another portrait, — that of the believer as he really, with some degree of spiritual exactness, reflects this Image, and amid the trials and duties of daily life proves that likeness to Christ is no mere ideal, but through the power of the Holy Ghost a most blessed reality.

How often and how deeply I have felt, after having

8 PREFACE.

care of the blessed Lord of whose glory it seeks to tell. May He give us to see that there is no beauty or blessedness like that of a Christ-like life. May He teach us to believe that in union v^ith Him the Christ-like life is indeed for us. And as each day we listen to what His Word tells us of His image, may each one of us have grace to say, '0 my Father! even as Thy beloved Son lived in Thee, with Thee, for Thee on earth, even so would I also live.'

A. M.

P.S. — As the tone of the meditations is mostly personal, I have, at the close of the volume, added some more general thoughts, 'On Preaching Christ as our Example. '

Contents

3. As one that seiveth,

11. As the Elect of God, 13. In doing God's Will,

14. In His Oneness with the Father,