There is an imitation of men that is impious and wicked, which
consists in taking a copy of their sins. Again, there is an imitation
which though not so grossly evil, yet is poor and servile, being in
mean things, yea, sometimes descending to imitate the very
imperfections of others, as fancying some comeliness in them: as some
of Basil's scholars, who imitated his slow speaking, which he had a
little in the extreme, and could not help. But this is always
laudable, and worthy of the best minds, to be _imitators of that which
is good_, wheresoever they find it; for that stays not in any man's
person, as the ultimate pattern, but rises to the highest grace, being
man's nearest likeness to God, His image and resemblance, bearing his
stamp and superscription, and belonging peculiarly to Him, in what
hand soever it be found, as carrying the mark of no other owner than
Him.