SERM. XXX.] .COURAGE AND 'HONOÚR. 493 before his eyes, and gives it such an attractive influence, such a sovereign conquest over all his fears; it even braces the sinews of nature, and exalts the spirits to des- pise danger and pain. What wonders of holy fortitude might a christian perform, if the eyeof his faith were kept always open, and firmly fixed on those bright and ever- lasting invisibles ? But I shall enlarge no farther on this argument of Christian courage, and I am the more inclined to dismiss . this subject at present, having reserved some discourses on it for another season*. I proceed therefore to the last exhortation in my text. If there be tiny praise, any actions that deserve honour amongst men, think of these things,. engage yourselves in the practice, and obtain the honour. The praise which the apostle here recommends, may be described as Cicero; the famous Roman orator, describes glory ; it is, " The concurrent and unanimous commendation of good men, or the general voice of wise and uncorrupted judges, concerning any eminent practice of virtue:" The holy apostle had just before recommended things of good report, and now heexhorts them to the practice of laudable actions, or things that merit praise. The difference between these two is this :,a good report signi- fies a clear and unblemished character, fair reputation among men, a good name among those with whomour daily acquaintance lies, and our civil conversation and business. But praise implies a considerable degree of, applause or honour, obtained by some eminent ,actions, or some extraordinary instances of wisdom, courage, or goodness. A man that has never attained to any great degree of excellence above his neighbours, mayyet have a fair reputation in the world : But the word praise seems to imply a great and honourable name, as well as a good one. I shall mention but two general instances, wherein we may suppose the apostle recommends to us the practise, of those things that are laudable : One is, an extraordi= .nary conduct in common affairs ; the other is an im- provement of the seasons, or occasions of extraordinary virtue. * See the first and second sermons in the second volume. s
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