If this Divine person, the Author of our religion, notwithstanding the exceeding dignity of his nature, yet condescended to become truly and really a man; subjecting himself to all the infirmities of human nature, and being in all things made like unto his brethren, sin only excepted; This may convince us of the reasonableness of our Holy Religion; and of the possibility of our paying obedience to its laws. Had God sent his Son in great Glory, and in the Form of God, to reveal his Will to us by his absolute command only; such an extraordinary Revelation, like the Mountain that burned with Fire, would indeed have sufficiently convinced us of the necessity of Religion and the indispensableness of obedience. But when this great person vouchsafed to become, not only the Author of our Religion, but in our own nature the pattern also of our duty; this demonstrated to us, that our Obedience was to be as reasonable, as 'twas indispensable. For by this means we have a perfect and familiar example of Holiness and Obedience set before us; by which we plainly see, that God requires nothing of us, but what our Saviour himself, when he submitted to become Man, did think reasonable to practise. Indeed, we cannot be in all things perfect, as he, who is our pattern and example, was perfect: But to follow a most perfect Pattern, is, even to an imperfect Copier, a singular Advantage; and our Duty, is not to equal, but to imitate so far, as the infirmities of our nature will permit, with Sincerity and Constancy. We shall in our proportion, be made as like him in our happiness as we have been in the performance of our duty.
Perhaps Clarke's words might be making some regular readers of laudable Practice mutter darkly over their mulled wine, in a rather un-festive fashion. Christ as our "perfect and familiar example" is surely what is only to be expected from a theologian with less than orthodox views: what on earth has happened to the sound Old High views of laudable Practice?
As the introduction to the various extracts from Clarke during Advent emphasised, however, his sermons were consistently admired across the 18th century Church of England. And that would have been no less so with this Christmas Day sermon, for Christ our Redeemer is indeed also our "perfect and familiar example". This understanding has deep scriptural roots:
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you - John 13:15;
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus - Philippians 2:5;
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps - I Peter 2:21;
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked - I John 2:6.
As many 18th century Church of England sermons would have therefore rightly insisted, to claim redemption but not to follow the example of Christ is to spurn redemption.
We also proclaim Christ as our "perfect and familiar example" in the carols of Christmastide:
Christian children all should be / kind, obedient, good as he ('Once in Royal David's City);
teach us to resemble thee / in thy sweet humility ('See Amid the Winter's Snow');
Love shall be our token / Love be yours and love be mine / Love to God and all men ('Love came down at Christmas').
Clarke's words from his Christmas sermon, therefore, should be a matter of joy at this season and throughout the year. Christ is "a perfect and familiar example", the One in Whom we behold "a most perfect Pattern" of life in communion with God our Father and our neighbour. By His Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection, we are redeemed that we may follow this pattern, heeding the song of the angelic host: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men".
(The photograph is of St. James's Piccadilly. Clarke was rector of the church from 1709 until his death in 1729.)
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After a break for Christmas, laudable Practice will return on 6th January, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.
A Merry Christmas to all readers.
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