496 CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIE. [SERM. XXX. goldenhour, and not suffer a heathen to prevent or ex need him. And among christians, let those who profess the severest virtue, and the,purest methods of christian- ity, be the persons who seize most of these opportunities to perform actions worthy of praise. But when there is any thing mean andbase, scandalous and sordid, appears in the world, as it never should be said that a christian has done it, so neither would I ever have such a scandal fall upon any person who professes the strictest forms of godliness. I come in the next place to consider, what arguments may be drawn from the light ofreason, to excite us to acs tions of good report, and such as are worthy of special praises ; for in the foregoing discourse .I told you, that I should join the arguments or motives together, whichbe long to both these exhortations. L Ifaperson practises things of good report, and ac- quires to himself reputation and praise amongst men, he does himself and his family a considerable kindness by it. If a man has not a good name, he can neither expect to be entertained in any society with pleasure, nor to receive any special benefits from the world. A person of ill re- port is rather hated than beloved, he is shunned and avoided rather than desired, and his neighbours will treat him with neglect rather than assistance. His very name is mentioned with disgrace instead of praise. 'Whereas, on the other hand, a man whose excellent character has deserved a good report and honour among his fellow-ci- tizens, has every one ready to invite him to their com- pany, and willing to reach out to him their friendly hand when he is fallen into danger or distress. Besides, such a person lays up honour for his house- hold, and provides the friendship of mankind for the help of his family in generations yet to come, It is confessed indeed, that the spirit of the world has too much baseness in it, and too great a neglect of real merit; Yet when a Man has deserved exceeding well of his country, and ac- quired any special degrees of praise or renown amongst them, the world is not yet quite so brutal and degene- rate, but that it has given many instances of bounty and goodness to the posterity of a man of honour. His name shall be had in everlasting remembrance, and the generation of the upright shall be blessed." Ps. cxii. 2, G.
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