Serm.XLVIII. with the Ways,andMeans ofkrloznzng them. 3 3 Agesew Ages, find that the things which are generally praifed in the Lives of Men, and recommended to the Imitation of Polterity are Piety and De oti:n, Gratitude and Juftice, Humanity and Charity; and that the contrary to th.:fe are marked with Ignominy and Reproach ; the former are commended even in Enemies, and the latter are branded even by thofe who had a kindnefs for the. Perlons that were guilty of them. So confiant bath Mankind always been in the Commendation of Virtue, and in the Cenfure of Vice. Nay we find not only thofe who are virtuous themfelves, giving their Teftimony and Applaufe to Virtue, but even thofe who are vicious; not out of love to Goodnefs, but from the Convi &ion of their own Minds, and from a fecret Reverence they bear to the common Confent and Opinion of Mankind. And this is a great Teftimony, becaufe it is theTeflimony of an Enemy extorted by the meer light and force of Truth. And on the contrary ; Nothing is more ordinary than for Vice to reprove Sin, and tohear Men condemn the like, or the fame things in others, which they al- low in themfelves. And this is a clear Evidence, that Vice is generally condem- ned by Mankind, that many Men condemn it in themfelves ; and thole who are fo kind as to (pare themfelves, are very quick-lighted to fpie a Fault in any body elfe, and will cenfure a bad A&iondone by another, with as much Freedom and Impartiality, as the molt virtuous Man in the World. And to this Confent of Mankind about Virtue and Vice, the Scripture fre- quently appeals. As when it commands us to provide things hone(b in the fight of all Men; and by moll doing to put to ftlence the Ignorance of foolifb Men; intima- ting that there are forte things fo confeffedly good, and owned to he latch by fo general a Vote of Mankind, that the worft of Men have not the Face to open their Mouths againft them. And it is made the Chara&er of a virtuous A&ion, if it be lovely, and commendable, and ofgood report. Philip. 4. 8. kVhatfoever thingsare lovely, whatfoever things are of good report, if there be any Virtue, if there be any praife, make account of thefe things ; intimating to us, that Mankind do ge- rteral!y concur in the Praife and Commendationof what is Virtuous. z. Men do generally glory and Rand upon their Innocency, when theydo virtuoufly; but are afhamed, and out of Countenance, when they do the con- trary. Now Glory and Shame are nothing elfe but an Appeal to the Judgment of others concerning the good or evil of our Affirms. There are indeed Tome filch Moutiers as are impudent in their Impieties, but thefe are but few in corn- parifon. Generally Mankind is modelt, the greateft part of thofe who do evil are apt to blufh at their ownFaults, and to confels them in their Countenance, which is an Acknowledgment that they are not only guilty to themfelves that they have done amifs, but that they are apprehenfive that others think fo. For Guilt is a Paflion refpe&ing our (elves, but Shame regards others. Now it is a fign of Shame, that Men love to conceal their Faults from others, and commit them fecretiy, in the dark and without Witneffes, and are afraid even of a Child or a Fool : Or if they be difcovered in them, they are fòlicitous to excufe and extenuate them, and ready to lay the fault upon any body elfe, or to transfer their Guilt, or as much of it as they can, upon others. All which are certain Tokens, that Men are not only naturally guilty to themfelves, when they com- mit a Fault ; but that they are fenfible alto what Opinions others have of thefe things. And on the contrary, Men are apt to Rand upon their Juftification, and to glory when they have done well. The Confcience of a Man's own Virtue and Integrity, lifts up his Head and gives him Confidencebefore others, becaufe he is farisfied they have a good Opinion of his A&ions. What a good Face does a Man naturally fee upon a good Deed ? And how does he fneak, when he bath done wickedly, being fenfible that he is condemned by others, as well as by him- felf? No Man is afraid of being upbraided for having dealt honeftly or kindly with others, nor does account it any Calumny or Reproach, to have it reported of him, that he is a lober and chart Man. NoMan bluiheth, when he meets a Man with whom he bath kept his Word, and difcharged his Truft : but every X x 2 Man
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