498 CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ. ISLRM. ment to seat thyself in a lower place,. Luke xiv._ 10: the master of the feast shall exalt thee, and thou shalt have worship in the presence of those that sit at meat with thee ; for he that humbleth himself shall . be' exalted." St Paul tells the christians " do that which is good and thou shalt have praise from the ruling power, for magistrates are appointed for the praise of them that do well ; ". 1 Peter ii. 14. Solonnmproposes the same mo- tive ; Prov. iv.. 7, 8. Wisdom -is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost.embrace.her :The. apostle recommends often to the christians of his day a.-good nan e. amongst infidels and heathens; a good ; veport of trein which are without; and he mentions it as an.éminent character of a companion of Titus, that his..praise is in the gospel throughout all. the churches ; 2 Cor. viii. l 8.. And it is recorded to the honour of Demetrius by St. John, that he had a good report of all men, even of.the. truth itself, 3-John, ryerse.l -,Q.: ;Christians andt.heathens. speak _Well of him, and his good character _is just and true.. Tor must it be forgotten; that in.this little collection ,of ad- vices in my. text, the apostle 'twice :recommends -such practices as deserve honour among: men, viz. things of good report, and things worthyof praise. Surely if we did but consider how much our Saviour and his gospel gain by it in.the world, we should ever be engaged in works of good .report,-: and practising that which may redound to our praise, for hereby we spread a good savour of the name of Christ wide in the :world, and dur holy religion reaps sensible honour and advan- tageby it. When the name of any person is celebrated amongst men for something great and useful, when his deeds are mentioned with public praise, it is quickly en- quired, " - What religion is he of?" Is he a heathen ? Then the glory. will be ascribed to idolaters, and the ho nour perhaps given to their idols. Is he a christian ? Then, the name of Christ our Lord will gain reputation by it, and men will speak more favourably of that doc- trine which was adorned with such' eminent virtue and piety. This did unknown service to' the gospel in the first propagation of it, when it appeared. in the world, that the Characters and the lives of christians were lovely, that their works were all goodness, that they were per
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