I 502 CHRISTIAN-MORALITY,. VIZ. CSERM. XS?E. But that I may more eflèctually guard every christian against all the dangers and temptations that may attend a good name, and honour in the world, I would conclude the discourse with these four advices: I. Make not the praise of men your chief aim or de- sign in any thing you do: But let it be your first and chiefest care to approve yourselves. to God and your own consciences. Do those actions that are worthyofpraise and whether the world acknowledge it orino, your souls will find inward peace, your labour of love shall not be forgotten of God, " he is faithful who bath promised," -. Ileb. x. 23. IL If you are so happy as to obtain the esteem of nien, seta guard upon your soul, lest pride. and vanity take occasion to arise and skew themselves. Have a care lest Satan the tempter gain an Advantage against you by the .fruits ofyour virtue and the eminence of your graces. Pride; is such a cursed twining weed, it will sometimes root itself in virtue and honour, :it .will grow up to an equal height,., and make its :supporters wither and die, . III.. Let all the honour you acquire among men, be improved to the honour of your God and Saviour. If you make your own applause your great end, Jesus will say to .you another day, as he did once to the pharisees, " Verily I sayunto you,_ ye have your reward," lliat. vi. 5, 16. The praise of men will be your whole recom- pence, and there is nothing More remains for you. 'Whensoever therefore you receive applause from the world, make the world know that it was not the man but the christian that practised the virtue, and gained the praise. " Not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Cor, xv. 10. ifyou so manage all, your laudable actions, that Jesus Christ. and his name may gain some honour by them, this shall turn to your praise and glory in the day of Christ, as well as to the praise of God your Saviour. IV. When the providence of God and his grace have favoured you se far as to gain a good character in the world, have a care of every thing that may impeach your honour, or sully your reputation. Remember the lesson that Solomon teaches you from so contemptible a thing as a dead fly; a few of them will ".cause the pint- 4
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