505 / 514
SERM.
XXX.]
COURAGE AND HONOUR.
497
II.
A man
that
has
obtained
a good
report
and
honour
in the
world,
by
many
reputable
actions,
is
capable
of
much
greater
service
both to
God
and
his fellow
-crea-
tures.
If
we
have
gained
esteem and
reputation
among
men,
they
will be
more ready
to
hearken
to
our
counsel,
and comply with
our
advice.
We shall
have
more influ.
ence
on
mankind,
both
to
promote the
honour
of
God,
and
the benefit
of
men. A word
that
we
speak,
will
make
deeper
impression, and
be
attended
with
greater
success.
A word or
a
look
of Cato
among the Romans, would do
more to
restrain
vice,
and
to
shame the
vicious,
than the
frown
of
an
emperor.
III.
There
is so
much real and inward satisfaction
arises from
a
good
character, obtained
by
a life
of
virtue
and
piety,
that
a
man
who knows
the
pleasure
of
it,
would
not
renounce the practices
which
máy
attain
it.
I
confess
it
is
a more:-important matter
to secure
a good
conscience
than a
good
name,
and
to
obtain praise
in
the
sight
of
God, than
in
the lips of
men
:
But
where
both
these
are
joined
together
by
the favour
of
divine
provi-
dence,
our
virtue
and
piety have a
larger
reward, and
our
natures
are
so
framed and
composed,
that
we
cannot help
taking
some satisfaction in
it.
Prov.
xv.
30.
A
good
re-
port
maketh
the
bones
fat;
that
is,
as
one expresses
it,
it
revives
the heart
to such a degree, as
renders
the body
more
healthful and
vigorous.
Methinks
those
persons
have
something
very
degene-
rate
in them, and
their conduct
is
a little unnatural,
who
seem to have
lost
the
very
desire
of
a good name
or
reputation.
I
cannot but
wonder
to
hear
a
person
boast
of
his
scorn
and contempt of it
in
such language
as
this;
" I
will
pursue
my
own designs,
I
will
gratify and please
myself,
and
I
care
not
what the world
says
of
me."
Surely
if
such language did become
a christian, the scrip-
ture would
not
be
so
solicitous
to recommend a good
name
and
things
of
good
report.
This naturally leads
me
to consider, what influence
christianity
has to
excite
us
to the
practice
of
reputable
actions, and such
,as
deserve
honour
amongst
men.
Here
we
may first
take notice,
how
often the
scripture
proposes
honour
as a
reward
of
goodness
and virtue.
Our
Saviour promises
it
to those
that
are
humble
and
condescending;
"
If
thou
art
ready
at
some
entertain
-
VOL.
I.
M
Ii