SERM. The last claufe in the text is: If there be XV. any virtue, and if there be any praise. In which two particulars it may be either supposed, that the Apostle would summarily comprehend every thing already mentioned : or, that he would be understood to say: “ And if there be any thing else that is vir “ tuous and praise-worthie, think of it, and “ reckon yourselves obliged to it."

One thing, which I apprehend to be defigned and implied, both here and elsewhere, is discretion or prudence : which, certainly, is fraise-worthie, for the honour of particular persons, and societies, and religion in general.

You are to condescend very often. But
yet it must be sometimes without familia-
rity. You are to reprove with mildnesse :
but yet you are not to connive at faults that
are manifest. You are to be kind and cha-
ritable : but yet you should not be imposed
upon.

And it will neither be for
nor for the credit of religion, to maintain
the robust and strong in sloth and idlenesse.
You are to comply: but still you must con-
fider, when, to whom, and how far. You
are to be courteous and affable and conde-

scending :

your credit,

SERM. scending : but yet you should keep the dig-
XV. nity of your character. You should forgive,

if men repent, and acknowledge their fault :
and
you
should

pray for them that perfecute you, , and speak evil of you. But you are not obliged to confide in all, without discrimination, nor to put trust in those who shew enmity to you. There is a necessity of weighing circumstances, and calmly considering persons, tempers, times and seasons. We should join those two considerations, and ob ferve those two properties : if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise : whatever things are true, and of good report. Meeknesse is a virtue. But it is apt fometimes to invite injuries. He who by an imprudent exercise of what he calls meeknesse, neglects his own safety and security from unreasonable men, and thereby often brings troubles upon himself, and those concerned with him, consults not his own credit, nor the credit and reputation of the religious principles he professes.

These are the several branches of virtue and goodnesle, which the Apostle here recommends. And they should be thought of

by

by all in the sense, and manner before ex- SERM.
plained and described. For the exhortation XV.
is addressed to all. Every one should think
of what suits his station and condition. The
Bishops, or Overseers, and the Deacons in
this church, to whom the Apostle was writ-
ing, were to attend to and perform the du-
ties of their offices. The rich and the hono-
rable were in like manner to perform the du-
ties of their circumstance and station : they
should endeavor to be useful in the world,
and think of every thing that is good and
laudable. The poor likewise were to think
of what suits them, and be resigned, con-
tented, humble, industrious, faithful, thank-
ful. For such things are virtuous, and praise-
worthie in them. Such is the exhortation
to the Christians of that time. And it is to
be attended to by the followers of Jesus in
every age.

HI. I shall now conclude with a few in

ferences by way of application.
1. We hence learn, that there are some
things, which are fit and excellent in them.
selves, true, just, and virtuous,

SERM.
XV.

2. We also perceive hence, that the Christian religion teaches and recommends every branch of virtue and goodnesse: and that Christians ought to reckon themselves obliged to every thing that is true, just, lovely, of good report, virtuous and commendable, according to the stations they

are in.

3. The Christian doctrine does not exclude, or altogether neglect and overlook any reasonable argument to the practise of real duty. Indeed many precepts are delivered in the Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testament, in an authoritative way, as the will of God, and with promises of happinefse, or threatenings of woe and miserie, which none but God can perform and accomplish. Nevertheless arguments from the internal excellence, or the apparent

comelinefse of things, are not entirely omitted. Nor ought they to be overlooked or slighted by us. The Apofle here advises, and directs : If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on those things.

4. We cannot eafily forbear observing, that this exhortation of the Apostle is not only excellent for the sense, but engaging

allo

also for the manner of addresse. He treats the SERM.
Philippian Christians, as men of understanding. XV.
And without a prolix enlargement propounds
it to them to think of, and reckon themselves
obliged to, whatever things are true, bonest,
virtuous and praise-worthie. The same things
are now in a like manner proposed to you.
The fewer words are used in recommending
them, the more do you think of them : that
you may be fully satisfied of their reason-
ablenesse, and be ever ready to practise them,
as occasions require, in the most agreeable
and acceptable manner.

SER