SER.XIV. talk vainly about ourselves, and uncharitably about others.

Lastly, It is no unusual Thing to hear fome complaining, that their Abilities to do Good, and to abound in Works of Charity, are cramped within a narrow Sphere, though their Inclinations are very large and extenfive. Now, if these Men are in earneft, I will point out one Kind of Charity, which will be not expensive to themfelves, and yet endear them to their FellowCreatures. Their Circumftances may not enable them to cherish Merit by their Generosity, and to relieve Distress by their Charity: But this charitable Office is daily in their Power, to caft in Shades their Neighbours Misconducts, and to set out in the moft advantageous Point of View their good Qualities; to extenuate their Failings, and to do Juftice to their Virtues; to produce an obfcure Character into Light, and to rescue an injured one from Obloquy. Silver and Gold they may have little or none;

but fuch as they have, they may give, viz. what is better than Silver and Gold, a Good Name and Reputation to their Neighbours.

I fhall conclude with fome Advice to those who fuffer in their Reputation.

Let

Let them confider, that "if the Invec-SER.XIV. "<tives against them are true, they ought " rather to correct themselves, than make Reprisals upon others *: But if falfe, a Contempt of them will deftroy the Be"lief of them; but a Concern will argue "the Truth of them." Let them endeavour to put to Silence the Ignorance of foolifb Men, by well-doing. Let them make it their Business to acquire a fufficient Stock of Merit; and great Merit, like Light, cannot be intirely concealed, though it is most amiable, when it does not fhew itself in too open and full a Glare. The Veil of Modesty cannot long hide genuine Worth; any more than the Mask of Hypocrify can long cover our Vices. He, who is fubstantially good, will, in Despite of all Defamation, e'er long appear fo. The Arrow may be

drawn to the Head, and levelled with a dexterous Aim; but cannot reach a Virtue, which rises to an uncommon Height. Let them, lastly, put their Truft in that Being, who will make their Righteoufnefs as clear as the Light, and their juft Dealing as the Noon-Day.

The Advice of Mecenas to Auguftus in Dio Caffius.

SERMON

SERMON XV.

On the Love of God.

MARK XII. 30.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy Soul, and with all thy Mind, and with all thy Strength. This is the Firft Command

ment.

I

T is the improved Ability of the Head, SER. XV. that forms the Philofopher: But 'tis

the right Difpofition of the Heart, that chiefly makes the Chriftian. "Tis our Love directed to that Being, who is most worthy of it; as the Center, in which all Excellencies unite; and the Source from which all Bleffings proceed. Love is the fulfilling of the Law.

"Tis

not the mere Action that is valuable in itfelf. 'Tis the Love, from which it pro

ceeds,

SER. XV. ceeds, that stamps a Value upon it, and gives an endearing Charm and Beauty to it. When a fervile Fear engroffes the whole Man, it locks up all the active Powers of the Soul, it cramps the Abilities, and is rather a Preservative against Sin, than an Incentive to Virtue. But Love quickens our Endeavours, and emboldens our Refolutions to please the Object beloved; and the more amiable Ideas we entertain of our Mafter, the more chearful, liberal, and animated the Service, that we render him, will confequently be.

Upon Love therefore the Scriptures have juftly laid the greatest Stress, that Love, which will give Life and Spirit to our Performances. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, and with all thy Soul, and with all thy Mind, and with all thy Strength. This is the First Command

ment.

In difcourfing on which Words I fhall

It, Inquire into the Nature and Foundation of our Love to God.

IIdly, I fhall endeavour to state the Meafure and Degree of it.

IIIdly,