$119SaRRI 414 CFlRISTÌAN MORALITY. prehends them all in the midst of so many particulars, which is contrary to the use of all writers, and to his awn custom too. I confess if he had said, if there be any other virtue, as he does in the like case; Rom. xiii. 9. when he had omitted any particular, we might then have understood virtue in the general sense ; but now it is evident, that he means a particular excellency, distinct from those before-mentioned ; and the word itself requiresus to understand a brave, bold, and generous spirit and practice. He recommends to them a great and excellent behaviour;wherein their holy courage may appear, when the call of providence gives a just occasion. Courage is avirtue which stands in opposition both to fear and shame ; and it guards the mind of man from the evil influ- ence of both those passions. The man of courage has not such a feeling fondness for his flesh nor his estate, as to be afraid to pro- fess his sentiments, or to fulfil his duty at every call of provi- dence, though his estate may sgffer damage by it, or his flesh be exposed to pain : Nor has he such a tenderness for his honour, as to secure it with the loss of his innocence. He is not ashamed to appear for virtue in an age ofvice and scandal : He stands up boldly for-thehonour of his God, and ventures a thousand perils rather than wound his conscience, or betray his trust : He dares profess and practise temperance among anherd of drunkards, and purity in the midst of the lewd and unclean : Theman of courage can despise the threatenings of the great, and the scoffs of the witty, conscious of his own integrity and truth. He can faceand oppose the world with all its terrors ; and travel onwards in the paths of piety without fear. The righteoús man is as bold as a lion; Prov. xxviii. I. Now it is the apostle's advice to the Philippian converts, thatwhensoever there is any just occasion given to exert their fortitude, whether itbe in the defence óf the rights of mankind, and the liberties of their country, or in vindicationof thecause of God or virtue, let the christian take those opportunities to speak his mind, and shew his courage ; let him make it appear that the meek, of the earth may sometimes resist the mighty oppressors, that the followers of the Lamb dare to oppose the wild beasts of theage, and are ready to sacrifice all that human nature calla dear for theservice of God, or the welfare of their fellow-Crea- tures. The heathen world may derive some arguments from the- light of reason, and some perhapsfrom more corrupt and selfish. principles, to awaken their valour, and to raise heroes amongst them: But there isnothing among all the writings of the philo- sophers, or the examples of their real or their fabled heroes, that can raise and support so illustrious and divine a courage, as the
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