400 CHRISTIAN MORALITY. indulged among christians. Among these practices of good report, some are changeable with the times and customs of the country, and they obtain a different character andesteem, accord- ing to the age and place wherein we dwelt; others always andin all places among sober and wise men, obtain the samecharacter ; they have been in all ages and in all nations, esteemed thingsof good report : The nature of them seems to be unchangeable : And it is this sortof actions only that I shall takenotice of.. By various particulars this head will be better illustrated and impro- ved, than, it can beby anygeneral descriptions. It is a matter of good report to mind our ownbusiness, yet to be of a public spirit, to be regular in our conduct, to keep the best company, to abstain from the utmost bounds of Chines law- ful, and in doubtful matters, to follow the practices of'the wisest and the best: As I discourse upon each of these particulars, I shall observe what are those opposite practices of evil report, which we ought to avoid. I. It is a thing of good report to mind our own business.- The holy apostle requires it ; 1 Thess. iii. 1l. That ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business. One would think there should be no need of study and application in order to be quiet ; but some persons are of so turbulent and restless a temper, that they naturally intermeddle with every thing : They had need take pains with themselves to keep themselves quiet, and.busy only in their proper work. The word in the Greek cptx074.10-.9ae signifies that we shouldbe ambitious of quietness and diligence in our calling, for it is a matter of honour and credit. In what- soever station we are placed, it is industry must gain reputation. There are other great and valuable advantages of it, but I con, finemyself now to this one, that is a thingof good report among. Men. If persons are called to magistracy, let them attend to the work of theirsuperior post. Let them rule and govern with all diligence, and fulfil that office well, with which God has entrust- ed them. Let them employ themselves much in their proper sphere, and not wear the honourable title in idleness, or bear the sword in vain, whichhathbeen toofrequent a practice in this great city, and thereby vice has grown rampant, and reformation of manners bath been shamefullydiscouraged. Those whoare made ministers of the gospel, let themmake it their business to win souls to salvation, to bring in sinners to faith and holiness, and to edify the saints by their exhortations, by their doctrine, by their example. We should be instant in season, and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine i 2Tim. iv. 2, Let him that ministers &n t, on his ministry: Ile that teacheth, an teaching; he that. Amon
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