way contributes largely to their common happiness. For it is hateful to think of living in the midst of bad characters only: and that single consideration should excite us powerfully to keep the face of things from having that look. But further, the sense of shame was given us by our Maker for a guard to our sense of duty. And as we want, on many occasions, every guard that we can have; we know not what evils may follow throwing aside this. Persons, who care not what they are thought, are in a very likely way not to care what they do. And, therefore, St. Paul hath most judiciously intermixed, as being intimately connected, regard to principle, and régard to character. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things*. But were contempt of reputation ever so consistent with our innocence, it would be greatly contrary to our interest notwithstanding. A lost, or even doubtful fame, in some points, fixes an almost indelible mark upon persons, which deprives them of many advantages in life, and often delivers them over to scorn and wretchedness, for the rest of their days. Nay, even when nothing bad can be said of any one, yet, if but little good can, this alone will usually have an unhappy influence on his future situation; whereas an eminently fair character prepossesses every body in the favour of him who bears it: engages friendly treatment, begets trust and confidence, gives credit and weight. Such will always be sought after and employed, respected in their prosperity, assisted under distresses: in short this distinction is, *Phil. iv. 8. in effect, beyond all that can be named, honour, and power, and wealth. But then further, it is pleasure too, which only one other, near akin to it, can exceed or equal. For next to the consciousness of being good and worthy, that of being esteemed so, especially by those, who are such themselves, is undoubtedly the joyfullest feeling in the heart of man, and diffuses the highest satisfaction through every intercourse of life. But very afflicting must their inward sensations be, who know, they are justly hated, suspected, or despised: and in the midst of society must wander about, unesteemed and friendless. Another very material consideration is, that, though offenders often return completely to their duty, it is but seldom and imperfectly that they ever regain their characters, when once forfeited: whereas, by preserving them, they secure not only many and great present benefits, but the pleasing prospect, in which our Maker hath, with unspeakable goodness, formed us to delight, of leaving an honourable memory behind them for their family to inherit; and a valuable bequest it frequently proves: while hereditary infamy is the cruel portion, that others leave to their posterity and kindred. Have regard to thy name, saith the wise son of Sirach, for that shall continue above a thousand great treasures of gold. A happy life hath but a few days; but a good name endureth for ever*. On all accounts then it is our wisdom as well as our duty, to provide for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of ment. Still, it must be owned, there are occasions on which neglecting both parts of this rule may appear the shortest way to worldly prosperity. But these Ecclus. xli. 12, 13. +2 Cor. viii. 21. appearances are often deceitful. And when they prove such, what hath the wretch, who ventures upon this course, done; he hath lost his honour, and lost his peace, and got nothing for them. But whatever he gets, he will find his bargain at last a very dear one. He will feel himself inwardly no longer the same man, that he was: he will see himself treated, by the better part of mankind at least with the coldness, which he knows to come short of his desert; the respect paid him by the rest will be of very uncertain duration; and while it lasts, he will perceive it by many a token to be mere outside. He will be afraid perpetually, that some turn of affairs may take away from him the advantages of his baseness, and leave him only the ignominy of it. Or, how well soever he may escape, or how little soever he may value, the shame of this world; that of the next can neither be avoided nor contemned. There can be no doubt then, but reputation deserves a very great regard. And therefore I proceed, II. To warn you against shewing an over great regard to it. Many seem to think, that a fair appearance is all they want and accordingly take little care to sup port it by reality. But, without the latter, the former will quickly be seen through. And in the mean time, while few or none else knows them, their knowledge of themselves, and perpetual fears that others will find them out, must surely leave them very small pleasure in having, as the Scripture expresses it, a name that they live, and being in truth dead*. Many more, if they are guilty of nothing which the world thinks enormous, imagine they are quite as good as they need to be: forgetting, that the Lord * Rev. iii. 1. seeth not as man seeth*, but often that, which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of Godt, who knows the secret springs, whence every word and action flow. Let us reflect then, that we are to approve our lives and hearts, not merely to our fellow-creatures; but to our Maker, who is perfect in holiness: that we may indeed have whereof to glory before men; but we can not before God; in whose sight shall no man living be justified § by his own works. Blessed is he to whom faith in Christ, productive of continual study to amend and improve, is counted for righteousness: for to him the Lord will not impute sin||. But a still worse degree, if possible, of immoderate regard to our reputation is, when, to raise or preserve it, we transgress our duty. And it is surely a strange perverseness in human nature, that, though fear of disesteem, with every other motive added to it, is frequently insufficient to keep us from acting wrong; yet, on other occasions, that fear alone, in opposition to every other motive, is abundantly sufficient to keep us from acting right. Custom and fashion have brought some parts of morals, and almost the whole of piety, into utter disgrace. At least too many either imprudently chuse, or unhappily fall into such acquaintance, that they must lose their character with them, unless they will throw off their virtue and religion. No wonder if poor thoughtless creatures often sink under this temptation. But woe to those, by whom the offence cometh who, not content to be vicious and profane themselves, add unprovoked, the further and greater wickedness of 1 Sam. xvi. 7. + Luke xvi. 15. Rom. iv. 2. Ps. cxliii. 2. Rom. iii. 20. Gal. ii. 16. iii. 11. persecuting others by ridicule and invective into the same guilt. A persecution however far from being formidable enough to afford any tolerable excuse for such as yield to it. The vain, and shewy, and bold, who call themselves the world, and pretend to dispose of contempt and applause as they will, have it not so entirely by any means in their own hands, as they would seem. For, besides that the nature of things cannot be altered; were the numbers of such persons larger than it is, yet their weight is not answerable to it. And though the wise and good may, in proportion, be few; yet their judgment is, and will be, respected by many. So that whoever is truly disposed to be pious and virtuous will never want competent protection, if he doth but seek for it by cultivating proper friendships; but let the generality be ever so bad, will gain, upon the whole, more reputation than he loses, by adhering to his duty. Yet, supposing this were otherwise, it should be considered, that the esteem of the worthless is very ill purchased at the price of becoming like them: and that the most fatal consequences daily proceed from persons being led by the folly of others, rather than their own good sense, and that of their discreeter and more experienced friends. But above all, it should be considered, how small a thing it is to be judged of man's judgment, when he that judgeth us is the Lord*: who hath expressly said, what he will assuredly verify, them that honour me, I will honour: and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed†. Seldom will this fail in the present life; but never in the next: when they, who sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Therefore, notwithstand↑ Dan. xii. 2. * 1 Cor. iv. 8, 4. VOL. III. +1 Sam. ii. 30. |