SERMON

I.

IN confirmation of this doctrine it is to be observed, that the honour which man. acquires by religion and virtue is more independent and more complete, than what can be acquired by any other means. It is independent of any thing foreign or external. It is not partial, but entire respect which it procures. Wherever fortune is concerned, it is the station or rank which commands our deference. Where some shining quality attracts admiration, it is only to á part of the character that we pay homage. But when a person is distinguished for eminent worth and goodness, it is the man, the whole man, whom we respect. The honour which he possesses is intrinsic. Place him in any situation of life, even an obscure one; let room only be given for his virtues to come forth and shew themselves, and you will revere him as a private citizen; or as the father of a family. If in higher life he appear more illustrious, this is not owing merely to the respect created by rank. It is, because there a nobler sphere of action is opened to him; because his virtues are brought forth into more extended exertion; and placed in such

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conspicuous view, that he appears to grace SERMON and adorn the station which he fills. Even in the silence of retirement, or in the retreat of old age, such a man sinks not into forgotten obscurity; his remembered virtues continue to be honoured, when their active exertions are over; and to the last stage of life he is followed by public esteem and respect. Whereas, if genuine worth be wanting, the applause which may have attended a man for a while, by degrees dies away. Though for a part of his life, he had dazzled the world, this was owing to his deficiency in the essential qualities having not been suspected. As soon as the imposture is discovered, the falling star sinks in darkness.-There is, therefore, a standard of independent, intrinsic worth, to which we must bring in the end whatever claims to be honourable among men. By this we must measure it; and it will always be found, that nothing but what is essential to man has power to command the respect of man's heart.

IT is to be farther observed, that the universal consent of mankind in honouring

real

SERMON real virtue, is sufficient to shew what the

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genuine sense of human nature is on this subject. All other claims of honour are ambulatory and changeable. The degrees of respect paid to external stations vary with forms of government, and fashions of the times. Qualities which in one country are highly honoured, in another are lightly esteemed. Nay, what in some regions of the earth distinguishes a man above others, might elsewhere expose him to contempt or ridicule. But where was ever the nation on the face of the globe who did not honour unblemished worth, unaffected piety, stedfast, humane, and regular virtue? To whom were altars erected in the Heathen world, but to those whom their merits and heroic labours, by their invention of useful arts, or by some signal acts of beneficence to their country, or to mankind, were found worthy, in their opinion, to be transferred from among men, and added to the number of the gods?-Even the counterfeited appearances of virtue, which are so often found in the world, are testimonies to its praise. The hypocrite knows that, without assuming the garb of virtue,

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every other advantage he can possess, is in- SERMON sufficient to procure him esteem. Interference of interest, or perversity of disposition, may occasionally lead individuals to oppose, even to hate, the upright and the good. But however the characters of such persons may be mistaken or misrepresented, yet, as far as they are acknowledged to be virtuous, the profligate dare not traduce them. Genuine virtue has a language that speaks to every heart throughout the world. It is a language which is understood by all. In every region, every clime, the homage paid to it is the same. In no one sentiment were ever mankind more generally agreed.

FINALLY, the honour acquired by religion and virtue is honour divine and immortal. It is honour, not in the estimation of men only, but in the sight of God; whose judgment is the standard of truth and right; whose approbation confers a crown of glory that fadeth not away. All the honour we can gain among men is limited and confined. Its circle is narrow. Its duration is short and transitory. But

the

SERMON the honour, which is founded on true good

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ness, accompanies us through the whole pro-
gress of our existence. It enters with man
into a future state; and continues to brighten
throughout eternal ages.
What procured
him respect on earth, shall render him esti-
mable among the great assembly of angels
and spirits of just men made perfect; where,
we are assured, they who have been eminent
in righteousness shall shine as the brightness
of the firmament, and as the stars for ever
and ever-Earthly honours are both short-
lived in their continuance, and, while they
last, tarnished with spots and stains. On
some quarter or other, their brightness is
obscured; their exaltation is humbled. But
the honour which proceeds from God, and
virtue, is unmixed and pure. It is a lustre
which is derived from heaven; and is likened,
in Scripture, to the light of the morning when
the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds;
to the light which shineth more and more unto
the perfect day. Whereas the honours which
the world confers, resemble the feeble and
twinkling flame of a taper; which is often
clouded by the smoke it sends forth; is

*Daniel, xii. 3. † 2 Sam. xxii. 4.; Prov. iv. 18.

always