SERMON VII. CHRISTIAN MORALITY, VIZ. THINGS, OF GOOD RE PORT, &c. PHILIPPIANS iv. 8. Whatsoever things are of good reportof these things. -think THE value of a good name was so great under the Jewish dispensation, that the Spirit of God does not think it beneath his care to recommend it to his own chosen people by the mouth of Solomon, the wisest of men. It is better and more worth than precious ointment, Eccl. vii. 1. It was counted an ornament and entertainment at public feasts, to have rich oils poured upon the head; the price of some of them was exceeding great; they gave refreshment to the natural spirits, and spread a perfume through all the company. But a good name is of greater price, it is a rich ornament to the character of him that possesses it, and has considerable influence towards his happiness; so that to use the words of It is rather to be choSolomon again, Prov. xxii. I sen than great riches. The blessed apostle of the gentiles is of the same mind, and he recommends to the Christian world, the practice of those things that are of good report, which is the way, whereby a good name is to be obtained. He had just before recommended to us the things that are lovely in the eyes of men, and such as will render us well beloved among our neighbours. Now he invites us to the practice of those things that are of good report in the world, such as will procure us reputation and a good name, where we may live, especially among the wise and sober part of mankind. This hath some difference in it from the former, though it must be granted, that all things that are lovely, have also a tendency to obtain a good name. There are many things in the conduct of life, which do not so directly offer themselves to us, as parts of necessary justice, piety, or goodness. But yet they are such as bear a good character in the world, and they give to the man that practises them, a good reputation among his fellow creatures; on the contrary, there are several other practices, which is not easy to prove directly sinful, yet they are of ill report, and they ought not to be 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 and esteem, according to the age and place wherein we dwell; others always and in all places among sober and wise men, obtain the same character; they have been in all ages and in all nations, esteemed things of good report; the nature of them seems to be unchangeable; and it is this sort of actions only that I shall take notice of. By various particulars this head will be better illustrated and improved, than it can be by any general descriptions. It is a matter of good report to mind our own business, 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 things lawful, 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. 1. It is a thing of good report to mind our own business. The holy apostle requires it. Thess. iii. 11. That we 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 philotimeisthai signifies that we should be ambitious of quietness and diligence in our calling, for it is a matter of honour and credit. In whatsoever station we are placed, it is industry must gain reputation. There are other great and valuable advantages of it, but I confine myself now to this one, that it is a thing of good report among men. If persons are called to magistracy, let them attend to the work of their superior post. Let them rule and govern with all diligence, and fulfil that office well, with which God has intrusted them. Let them employ themselves much in their proper sphere, and not wear the honourable title in idleness, or bear the sword in vain, which hath been too frequent a practice in this great city, and thereby vice has grown rampant, and reformation of manners hath been shamefully discouraged. Those who are made ministers of the gospel, let them make 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. Let him that ministers, wait on his ministry: he that teacheth, on teaching; he that exhorteth, on exhortation." Rom. xii. 7. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Let us not waste our time and our best talents in the pursuit of laborious trifles, in intricate and perplexing controversies, which are less necessary to the life of Christianity, or on useless and angry squabbles, which divide and tear the church. Nor let us throw away those thoughts and hours, on pompous ornaments of learning, on critical or polite studies, or curious and artificial works, which should be devoted to matters of more sacred importance. If we are engaged in trades, manufactures, or merchandise in the world, let us shew all industry, and honest labour and care, and thus walk with God, every man in his calling wherein he is called, till the providence of God evidently lead him to other work, 1 Cor. vii. 24. And thus we may refute the calumnies of those who would seek all occasions to reflect upon us for our stricter profession of religion. There are many encouraging promises given to diligence in the word of God. I shall mention but one at present that agrees with my present subject. Prov. xxii. 29. Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men. That is, his good report and his reputation shall grow and increase, that he shall be brought into more honourable company, and to a more exalted station." If we are servants, let us devote our time and thoughts to the business which our superiors have intrusted us with, and seek their interest with an honest soul. If we are children and scholars under instruction, let us apply our minds to learn the things we are taught, and attend to the instructions of those who teach us. Every one of us have our proper work, which demands our application to it. There are many enemies of this virtue, many practices inconsistent with the character of diligence, as it is celebrated and recommended in the word of God. First, sloth or laziness stands foremost in this rank. Surely the powers of our mind and body were never made to be useless. Go to the ant, thou sluggard, and learn industry of that little animal. Can we think we were born to be cumberers of the ground, and mere burdens of the earth we dwell on? Let us shake off this stupid and infamous humour, let us rise to an active life, and answer the ends of our creation. And for the same reason it is, that there ought to be a restraint put upon an excess of sleep and slumber. You know the character of the drowsy wretch, that turns from side to side upon his bed, as a heavy door upon its hinges; and the sluggard, who with folded hands sits still and lets the weeds grow over his corn; but these men shall be clothed with rags, Prov. xxvi. 14. Secondly, luxury and an intemperate love of pleasure, is another enemy to diligence in our callings. It is an odious character that is given to the inhabitants of Crete by one of their own poets; and the Spirit of God confirms the truth of it, Tit i. 12. The Cretans are evil beasts, slow bellies; so shamefully engaged in gluttony and the luxury of the palate, that they render themselves heavy, stupid, and unfit for business; a lazy generation of men, that have much more inclination to eat and drink, and live like brutes, than to employ themselves in any honest labour, that is worthy of human nature, or becomes a man. Under the same reproof I may justly bring an exeessive indulgence of sports or recreations, beyond |