2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample to you to follow us. Paul relinquished his right to support, that he might set a much needed example of industry- Let us consider — I. EXAMPLE IN RESPECT OF OTHER THINGS WHICH HAVE GREAT INFLUENCE ON CONDUCT. 1. Advice is persuasive, but example more so. Let a man advise his friend contrary to his own conduct, and his friend will imitate his conduct and reject his advice. 2. Authority is great, but example is greater. A parent's habits have more force than his precepts. 3. The law of the land is not equal to the law of example. Written law must yield to common law, and common law is only immemorial example. II. THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE ON THE VARIOUS STAGES OF LIFE. 1. Children are wholly subject to it. 2. Youths, thrown into the society of men, immediately assume the airs and manners of men, have their own leaders, and follow them. 3. Men aim at distinguishing themselves, but can only do so by imitating the distinguished in every department of active or studious life. 4. Old men both set and follow examples. III. THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE ON HUMAN SOCIETIES. 1. A family is a small but important society; and here it is not so much what parents command or others advise as what everybody does, that forms the characters and manners of children. Take a child from one family (although a foreign one), and place him in another, and he will more resemble that in which he was brought up than that in which he was born. 2. If you go into a little neighbourhood, parish, or town, you will find a similarity in their manners and customs which can be due to nothing but the force of example. 3. If we consider the peculiarities in national characters, we must ascribe them to the same. A nation takes its character from the stock from which it originates. IV. EXAMPLE GOVERNS ALL THE MODES OF HUMAN CONDUCT. 1. The modes of speaking, reading, writing, vary according to the practice of the best instructors. 2. The higher branches are subject to the same sovereign authority. Sometimes mathematics, sometimes metaphysics, sometimes fine arts are in fashion; and each of these is principally cultivated according to the example of those who reign in the republic of letters. 3. Example governs the various modes of building. Different nations, states, towns, and even villages, commonly construct their houses in a different manner. 4. Example fixes the various degrees of reputation which belong to various stations and employments. Among the Jews it was reputable to labour in any of the mechanic arts. To cultivate the soil was honourable among the Romans. Elsewhere manual labour is thought a degradation. 5. The same law applies to the affairs of government. A single nation follows some great general or politician, and one nation treads in the steps of another. 6. So even in religion. The peculiarities and ceremonies of each took their origin from the opinion and practice of one or a few; and when a sect is formed, example preserves its existence and its peculiarities. Take the Friends, for examples. 7. Modes of mourning and rejoicing take their rise from the same cause. Savage nations mourn and rejoice according to nature; polished nations according to art. 8. In dress, modes of living, and diversion, example reigns alone and supreme. Example commands the French always to change, and forbids the Spaniards ever to alter. V. THE IMPROVEMENT. We learn from the great influence of example — 1. Why parents are so unsuccessful in the education of their children. They defeat their instructions and corrections by their examples. 2. Why it is so difficult for any not to deviate from the path of virtue. It was through example that so many of the good men of the Bible went astray. 3. The importance of avoiding bad company. 4. That no man can live in the world without doing good or hurt to others. 5. The account which great and influential men will have to give for their use of example. 6. How easy it is to effect a reformation. A few can do it anywhere by a good example. (W. Emmons, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. |
    |