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SEAM.
XXVIII]
CHRISTIAN MORALITY,
&C.
455
The
things
that
are
lovely,
are
such as look
well
among
men,
and
have a good
appearance
in
the
eyes
of
the
world
:
Those things
that
gain the love
of our
fellow
-
creatures
:
Not
merely such religious practices,
as
make
us
beloved
by
fellow
-
christians,
but
such a
temper and
conduct
as
commands the esteem
and respect
even
of
the
ungodly,
and
those
that
profess
not
strict religión.
This ought
to
be
the carriage
of
the saints
of
the
Most
High, they
should practise those
things
that
are
grateful
and pleasing to
"human
nature,
so
far
as
innocence al-
lows
:
those things
that
may
recommend our conversa-
tion
to our
neighbours, and
procure
the
love
of
all men.
Is
it
not a
very
desirable thing
to have
it
said
of any
particular
christian,
all
that
know him love him
;
he
.bath
no enemies
but
those
that
are unacquainted
with
him, unless
it
be such
as
hate
him
upon
the
same
ground
as
the devil doth,
and
that
is
because
of
his piety,
and
goodness
?
But
to explain
this
more
fully,
and impress
it
with
more power upon
every one
of our
consciences,
I
will
descend to
particular
instances
of
a
lovely
carriage.
And here
I
shall
mention
but
these
few, viz.
prudence,
moderation,
humility, meekness,
patience, and
love.
I.
Prudence
is
,a
lovely
quality. This
teaches
us
to
speak every word, and perform every action
of
life
at a
.proper
time, in
the
proper
place,
and toward
the
proper
person.
It
is
prudence
that
distinguishes
our
various be-
haviour toward our
fellow-
creatures, according
to
their
different ranks and
degrees among mankind, or the
dif-
ferent relations
in
which
we
stand
to them.
It
is
a
very
desirable excellency,
to
know
when
it
is
proper
to
speak,
and
when
it
is
best to
keep silence
;,
at
what seasons,
and
in
what
company
we
should awaken
our
zeal,
and exert
,our
active powers; or when
we
should hide ourselves,
or
put
a
bridle upon our
lips,
and sit
still,
and hear.
Prudence
is
of
infinite use
in all
the affairs
of
life
and
religion
:
Nor
is
there
any
hour
of
the
day,,
nor
any place
wherein
we
spend
that
hour,
whether alone
or in public,
but
gives
occasion for
some
exercise
of
this
virtue.
It
does
not
belong to
human
nature
to possess this
in per-
fection
:
Perfect
prudence
dwells
with God
alone,
God
the most lovely
of
beings
:
He
that
comes
nearest
to
it,
is
the
wisest
of
men,
and
he
gains'
the
love
and
high
esteem
G4