added a candour in judging, a patience in enduring, a tender- ness in forgiving, a liberality in bestowing; an assemblage of such graces as these is the brightest ornament of a child of God ; and, as we all admire them when exemplified in others, we should make it our daily study to illustrate them in our own conduct.
Further still, there are many things that are " of good report," in which also it should be our ambition to excel. A noble disinterestedness of mind, that rises superior to all selfish considerations, and consults the public good, is an attainment which the heathens themselves accounted most truly honour- able. With this we may rank a nobleness in the ends which we seek to accomplish, a wisdom in the means whereby we labour to effect our purpose, a discretion in the manner of employing those means, a due consideration of all circum- stances of time and place, a willingness to yield in things indifferent, and a firmness in maintaining what we consider to be right and necessary ; a happy combination of these will not fail to exalt a character in the eyes of men, and to procure us respect from those who know how to appreciate such rare endowments. These therefore, with whatever else ensures to men a reputation for magnanimity, or goodness of heart, (pro- vided it be good and proper in itself) we should pursue with ardour, and practise with constancy.]
Passing over many other excellencies, such as dili- gence, contentment, friendship, gratitude, with num- berless others to which the Christian's duty extends, let us proceed to notice,
II. The importance of it —
The manner in which the Apostle inculcates these things, very strongly marks his sense, at least, of their importance. His distinct enumeration of so many things, his comprehending of them all a second time under the extensive description of things virtuous and laudable ; and lastly, the energetic manner in which he recommends them to our attention and regard, all prove, that he was extremely solicitous to impress our minds with a sense of our duty, and to secure to his exhortation the attention it deserves.
Let us then consider how important the observance of our duty in these respects is,
1. To ourselves —