SERM. goodnefs; for he that hath the heart with refolution and LXV. conftancy to do well, notwithstanding any worldly dif couragement, although he thereby doth cross the humour of the world, and incurreth the displeasure, envy, hatred, cenfure, and obloquy of men, he thus having exalted his virtue above the favour and fear of the world, hath fet it in a safe place, hath rendered it impregnable. The confideration of having attained so happy and so worthy a victory over the most dangerous temptations 1 John v. 4. (the victory of faith over the world) will be very comfortable; and the sufferings which (from the disfavour, enmity, and oppofition of men) do attend fuch a practice, being a kind of martyrdom, will yield all the joys and comforts (together with the hopes and rewards) of an heroical patience. It will afford great fatisfaction of mind to reflect on the confequences of fuch a practice; and to confider that our refolution hath engaged or confirmed others in goodness, hath preserved them from fin, hath withdrawn them from bad courses, and faved them from perdition; that we have* been inftrumental to the falvation and happinefs of any foul; that, befide our own fins, (which are a burden too heavy for any man well to bear,) we have not the fins of others to account for, and shall not be loaded with the guilt of those whom our neglect of duty, our compliance with fin, our ftupid coldness and indifference in regard to fpiritual affairs, our diffimulation or connivance at the scandalous violation of God's honour and tranfgreffion of his laws, might have encouraged in fin; that we are not liable to Ezek. xiii. that reproof in the Prophet, Ye have ftrengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way. 22. We fhall highly oblige those whom by our good endeavour or example we shall convert to righteousness, or reclaim from iniquity, or fhall anywife ftop in their career to ruin; who when they fhall recover from their error, 2 Tim. i. and foberly reflect on their cafe, (when they fhall avavýpav, become again fober, getting out as it were of their drunken fit,) will heartily thank us, will blefs us, will pray for us, as having laid on them a very great obliga 26. tion, and done them the greatest kindness that could be; SERM. fo that they will be ready to fay to us, as David did to LXV. Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Ifrael, who fent thee 1 Sam. xxv. this day to meet me: and bleed be thy advice, and blessed 32. be thou, which haft kept me this day from fhedding of blood; this will be the confequence of plain dealing in fuch cases, and that will be fulfilled which the Wife Man faith, He Prov.xxviii. that rebuketh a man afterwards fhall find more favour 23. xxvii. 6. than he that flattereth with the tongue. We thereby fhall escape the fore complaints and fell curfes of those whom our naughty or careless demeanour hath involved in finful practice; for when their confcience is awakened into a sense of their guilt, when they feel the ftings of remorfe, when they perceive the extreme damage and woe which they have incurred, then will they discharge their refentments of heart against those who have anywise been acceffary to their fall into fuch a condition; then in their bitterness of foul, in the agony of their forrow and perplexity, they will be apt to exclaim, Curfed be the day that I knew fuch an one, or that I did converse with him, who did betray me into this plight, who did inveigle me into temptation, who did not pluck me back from that finful practice by which I now fo deeply fuffer; curfed be his bafe cowardice, his fond modesty, his affected wisdom, his treacherous negligence, his unconfcionable indifference, his impious want of zeal for God's honour and charity for my foul, which did keep him from checking me in my bad courses and reclaiming me to my duty by wholesome reproof, by seasonable advice, by exemplary practice before me: it will furely be a great comfort to us, that we have not given occafion for fuch complaints; but in proportion may fay with St. Paul, I am pure from the blood of all men ; for I have not A&ts xx. Shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 26. Ezek. vii. It is also no small advantage to us, that by a good con- 17.xxxiii.7. verfation we fhall procure the particular friendship and affection of good men; for it is that which discovereth good men to one another, which kindleth their affection toward each other, which draweth them together, and breedeth SERM, a familiarity between them, and knitteth their hearts toLXV. gether in a holy love; from whence they come to enjoy, the faithful advice, the kind affiftance, the feasonable confolations, and the hearty prayers each of other; the which great benefits are loft by concealment of ourselves, and reservedness in doing good; for how can any man know him to deserve love, whose goodness is not discernible ? Matt. v. 14. Conft. A Such confiderations may induce all perfons, of every rank and condition, to obferve this apoftolical precept, fo far as their capacities do reach; I fhall only adjoin, that it especially doth concern persons of quality, in proportion to their eminency in dignity, power, authority, reputation, or any peculiar advantage, whereby the beneficial efficacy of good converfation is increased. Such perfons are like a city feated on a mountain, which cannot be hid; the height of their station and luftre of their quality do expose them to the observation of all; and their authority doth recommend their practice to the imitation of obfervers. Their example cannot fail of having a mighty influence; its light doth guide men, its weight doth fway them; it doth seem to warrant and authorize practice; inferiors would be afraid or afhamed to difcoft from it. They have not the temptations which other men have to comply with fin out of fear, out of complaifance, out of defign; they being to lead and give law, not to follow or receive it; they being the first movers in conversation; the fashion being regulated by them, or indeed being merely a conformity to their deportment. They should by their innocence qualify themselves to poft. ii. 17. reprove others with authority and courage. They in gratitude to God, who hath bestowed on them fuch advantages, are obliged to employ them for his service. They particularly were defigned and endowed with Rom. xiii. thofe advantages, that by them they might countenance, might encourage, might reward, might by all means promote goodnefs in the world. 3-6. 1 Pet. ii. 14. They accordingly are refponfible for the influence LXV. their converfation hath; fo that in the final account moft SERM. actions of men will lie at their door, fo that they shall refpectively be either highly rewarded for the virtues and good works, or feverely punished for the vices and fins of mankind: the which most weighty confideration I leave by God's grace to be seriously applied by them, who are concerned therein. SERMON LXVI. PROVIDE THINGS HONEST IN THE SIGHT OF ALL MEN. 2 COR. viii. 21. Providing for honeft things, not only in the fight of the SERM. IF we obferve the world, we may eafily therein difcern LXVI. many persons, who being inwardly well difpofed (standing right both in judgment and affection to goodness) are yet loath to appear very good, and hardly will own Chriftian virtue in the constant discharge of public duties, or in strict abftinence from finful practices; but commonly (against the dictate of their reason, and fenfe of their heart) neglect the one, and comply with the other: an odd fort of hypocrites or diffemblers; who studiously conceal their better part, and counterfeit themselves worse than they are; who adore God in their hearts, and address devotions to him in their closets, but scarce will avow him in their visible profeffion and practice; who have a confcience, but are fhy of difclofing it, or letting it take air, and walk in open light, confining it as a criminal to close restraint or obfcure retirement; who gladly would be religious and ftaunch, if there might be no notice taken of it, but take care of being remarkable (or as it were fcandalous) for it; who think fit to compromife and compound the business between God and the world, maintaining a neutrality and correspondence with both, so as privately to court the one, and publicly to close with the other. |