SERMON XXX. 422 approbationonly : But where these two benefits may be happily conjoined, we are not bound to separate them. God never requires us to seek infamy and reproach, or to abandon that honour that belongs to truth and goodness. But that I may more effectuallyguard every christianagainst all the dangers and temptations that may attend a good name, and honour in the world, I would conclude the diseóurse with thèse four advices I: Make not the praise' of men your chief aim or design in any thing you do.: But let it be your first and chiefest care to approve yourselves to God and your own consciences. Do those actions that areworthyof praise ; and whether the world acknow- ledge it or no, your souls will find inward peace, your labour of love shall not be forgotten of God, he is faithful whobath promi- sed; lieb. x. 23. II. If you are so happy as to obtain the esteem of men, set a guard upon your soul, lest pride and vanity take occasion to arise and shew themselves. Have a care lest Satan the tempter gain an advantage against you by the fruits of your virtue and the eminence of your graces. Pride is such a cursed twining weed, it will sometimes root itself in virtue and honour, it will grow up to an equal height, and make its supporters wither and die. III. Let all the honouryou acquire amongmen, be impro- ved to the honour of your God and Saviour. If you make your own applause your great end, Jesus will say to you another day, as he .did once to the pharisees, Verily I say unto you, ye have your reward; Mat. vi. 2, 5, 16. Thepraise of menwill be your whole recompence, and there is nothing more remains for you. Whensoever therefore you receive applause from the world, make the world know that it was not the man but the dhristian that practised the virtue, and gained the praise. Not I, but the grace of God, which was with me; 1 Cor. xv: 10., If you so manage all your laudable actions, that Jesus Christ andhis name may gain some honour by them, this shall turn to your praise and glory in the day of Christ, as well as to the praise of God your Saviour. IV. When the providence of God and his grace have fa- voured you so far as to gain a good character in the world, have a care of every thing that may impeach your honour, or sully your reputation. Remember the lesson that Solomon teaches you from so contemptible a thing as a dead fly ; a few of them will cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour; so does a little folly disgracea man who is in reputation for wisdom and honour; Eccl. x. 1. The blemish that arises from one base or foolish action will darken a bright character,
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