For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Ver. 21. Leaving us an example] Gr. υπογραμμον, a copy or pattern. Christ's actions were either moral, or mediatory. In both we must imitate him. In the former, by doing as he did. In the latter, by similitude, translating that to our spiritual life, which he did as mediator; as to die to sin, to rise to righteousness, &e., and this not only by example (as Petrus Abelardus held of old, and the Socinians at this day), but by virtue of Christ's death and resurrection working effectually in all his people i not as an exemplary cause only, or as a moral cause by way of meditation, but as having force obtained by it, and issuing out of it, even the Spirit that kills sin, and quickens the soul to all holy practice. There is a story of an earl called Eleazar, a passionate prince, that was cured of that disordered affection by studying of Christ and his patience. Crux pendentis cathedra docentis, Christ upon the cross is a doctor in his chair, where he reads unto us all a lecture of patience. The eunuch, Acts 8:32, was converted by this praise in Christ. It is said of Jerome, that having read the godly life and Christian death of Hilarion, he folded up the book, and said, Well, Hilarion shall be the champion whom I will follow. (In Vita eius apud Surium.) Should we not much more say so of Christ?