d20 CHRISTIAN MORALITY. good name amongst infidels and heathens, a good report of them which are without; and he mentions it as an eminent character of a companion of Titus, that his praise is in the gospel through- out all the churches ; 2 Cor. viii. ls.. And it is recorded to the honour of Demetrius by St. John, that he had a good report of allmen, evenof the truth itself; 3 John verse 12. Christians and heathens speak well of him, and his good character is just and true. Nor must it be forgotten, that in this little collection of ad- vices in my textthe apostle twice recommends such practices as deserve honour among men, viz. things of good report, and things worthy of praise. Surely if we did butconsiderhowmuch our Saviour and,his gospel gain by it in the world, we should ever be engaged in works of good report, and practising that whichmay redound to our praise, for hereby we spread a good savour of the name of Christ wide in theworld, and our holy religion reaps sensibleho- nour and advantage by it. When the name of any person is celebrated amongst men for somethinggreat and useful, when his deeds are mentioned withpublic praise, it is quickly enquired, " What religion is he of ?" Is he a heathen? Then the glory will be ascribed to idolaters, and the honour perhaps be given to their. idols. Is he a christian ? Then the name of Christ our Lordwill gain reputation by it, and men will speak more favour- ably of that doctrine whichwas adorned with such eminent virtue and piety. This did unknown service to the gospel in the first propagation of it, when it appearedin the world, that the charac- ters and the lives of christians were lovely, that their works were all goodness, that they were persons of an excellent spirit, and obtained a good report among their heathen neighbours : theysaw their good works, and were thereby led, by degrees, to glorify their heavenly Father, and their Saviour. And where there is any separation made from the public worship of a nation, with a profession to reform any corruptions of doctrine or practice, how much honour would be done to these reforming principles, and how much service to this interest, if every one that is engaged in it were always practising things of good report, and aiming at some eminency and uncommongood- ness in their various stations of life. If therefore we have any love for Christ our Lord, if we have any zeal forhis glory, if we have any regard to the honour of the gospel, or if we would bring any credit to the particular profession we make, let us set a severe watch upon ourselves against every thing that would blemish our character in the world, and let us aspire to, all supe- rior excellencies that are within our reach, that we may be to the praise of the glory of his grace, who bias made us accepted in the beloved ; Eph. 1. 6.
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