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kind? Let every one then be ambitious of having a share in this glorious work! Let every man, (in a stronger sense than Mr. Herbert meant,)

"Join hands with God, to make a poor man live."

By your generous assistance, be ye partakers of their work, and partakers of their joy.

3. To you I need add but one word more. Remember (what was spoken at first) the solemn declaration of Him, whose ye are, and whom ye serve, coming in the clouds of heaven! While you are promoting this comprehensive charity, which contains feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, lodging the stranger, indeed all good works in one, let those animating words be written on your hearts, and sounding in your ears; "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto ME."

SERMON CV.

ON PLEASING ALL MEN.

· Let every man please his neighbour for his good to edification.” ROMANS XV. 2.

1. UNDOUBTEDLY the duty here prescribed is incumbent on all mankind; at least on every one of those to whom are intrusted the Oracles of God. For it is here enjoined to every one, without exception, that names the name of Christ. And the person whom every one is commanded to please is his neighbour, that is, every child of man. Only we are to remember here, what the same Apostle speaks upon a similar occasion, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." In like manner we are to please all men, if it be possible, as much as lieth in us: but, strictly speaking, it is not possible; it is what no man ever did, nor ever will perform. But suppose we use our utmost diligence; be the event as it may, we fulfil our duty.

2. We may farther observe, in how admirable a manner the Apostle limits this direction; otherwise, were it pursued without any limitation, it might produce the most mischievous consequences. We are directed to please them for their good; not barely for the sake of pleasing them, or pleasing ourselves; much less of pleasing them to their hurt, which is so frequently done; indeed

continually done, by those who do not love their neighbour as themselves. Nor is it only their temporal good, which we are to aim at in pleasing our neighbour; but what is of infinitely greater consequence; we are to do it for their edification. In such a manner as may conduce to their spiritual and eternal good. We are so to please them, that the pleasure may not perish in the using, but may redound to their lasting advantage; may make them wiser and better, holier and happier, both in time and eternity.

3. Many are the treatises and discourses which have been published on this important subject. But all of them that I have ei her seen or heard were miserably defective. Hardly one of them proposed the right end: one and all had some lower design in pleasing men, than to save their souls, to build them up in love and holiness. Of consequence, they were not likely to propose the right means, for the attainment of that end. One celebrated tract of this kind, entitled-The Courtier, was published in Spain, about two hundred years ago, and translated into various languages. But it has nothing to do with edification, and is therefore quite wide of the mark. Another treatise, entitled, The Complete Courtier, was published in our own country, in the reign of King Charles the Second, and (as it seems) by a retainer to his court in this there are several very sensible advices, concerning our outward behaviour and many little improprieties in word or action are observed, whereby men displease others without intending it: but this Author, likewise, has no view at all to the spiritual or eternal good of his neighbour. Seventy or eighty years ago, another book was printed in London, entitled, The Art of Pleasing. But as it was written in a languid manner, and contained only common, trite observations, it was not likely to be of use to men of understanding, and still less to men of piety.

4. But it may be asked, Has not the subject been since treated of by a writer of a very different character? Is it not exhausted, by one who was a consummate master of the Art of Pleasing? And who, writing to one he tenderly loved, to a favourite son, gives him all the advices which his great understanding, improved by various learning, and the experience of many years, and much converse with all sorts of men, could suggest? I mean, the late Lord Chesterfield, the general darling of all the Irish, as well as of the English nation.

5. The means of pleasing, which this wise and indulgent parent continually and earnestly recommends to his darling child, and on which he, doubtless, formed both his tempers and outward conduct,

“Till death untimely stopp'd his tuneful tongue,”

were, first, Making love, in the grossest sense, to all the married women whom he conveniently could. (Single women he advises him to refrain from, for fear of disagreeable consequences.) Secondly, Constant and careful dissimulation, always wearing a mask : trusting no man upon earth, so as to let him know his real thoughts, but perpetually seeming to mean what he did not mean, and seeming to be what he was not. Thirdly, Well-devised lying to all sorts of

people, speaking what was farthest from his heart: and, in particular, flattering men, women, and children, as the infallible way of pleasing them.

It needs no great art to show that this is not the way to please our neighbour for his good, or to edification. I shall endeavour to show, that there is a better way of doing it: and indeed a way diametrically opposite to this. It consists,

I. In removing Hinderances out of the way; and,

II. In using the Means that directly tend to this end.

1. 1. I advise all that desire to "please their neighbour for his good to edification," first, To remove all hinderances out of the way; or, in other words, to avoid every thing which tends to displease wise and good men, men of sound understanding and real piety. Now cruelty, malice, envy, hatred, and revenge, are displeasing to all wise and good men, to all who are endued with a sound understanding and genuine piety. There is likewise another temper, nearly related to these, only in a lower kind, and which is usually found in common life, wherewith men in general are not pleased. We commonly call it ill-nature. With all possible care avoid all these: nay, and whatever bears any resemblance to them as sourness, sternness, sullenness, on the one hand; peevishness and fretfulness on the other: if ever you hope to "please your neighbour for his good to edification." 2. Next to cruelty, malice, and similar tempers, with the words and actions that naturally spring therefrom, nothing is more disgustful, not only to persons of sense and religion, but even to the generality of men, than pride, haughtiness of spirit, assuming, arrogant, overbearing behaviour. Even uncommon learning, joined with shining talents, will not make amends for this: but a man of eminent endowments, if he be eminently haughty, will be despised by many, and disliked by all. Of this the famous Master of Trinity College in Cambridge, was a remarkable instance. How few persons of his time had a stronger understanding or deeper learning than Dr. Bentley! And yet how few were less beloved! Unless one who was little, if at all inferior to him in sense or learning, and equally distant from humility, the Author of the Divine Legation of Moses. Whoever, therefore, desires to please his neighbour for his good, must take care of splitting upon this rock. Otherwise the same pride which impels him to seek the esteem of his neighbour, will infallibly hinder his attaining it.

3. Almost as disgustful to the generality of men as haughtiness itself, is a passionate temper and behaviour. Men of a tender disposition are afraid even to converse with persons of this spirit. And others are not fond of their acquaintance, as frequently, (perhaps when they expected nothing less,) meeting with shocks, which if they bear for the present, yet they do not willingly put themselves in the way of meeting with again. Hence passionate men have seldom many friends; at least, not for any length of time. Crowds, indeed, may attend them for a season, especially when it may promote their interest. But they are usually disgusted one after an

other, and fall off like leaves in Autumn. If, therefore, you desire lastingly to please your neighbour for his good, by all possible means, avoid violent passion.

4. Yea, and if you desire to please, even on this account, take that advice of the Apostle, "Put away all lying." It is the remark of an ingenious Author, that of all vices, lying never yet found an 22 apologist, any that would openly plead in its favour, whatever his private sentiments might be. But it should be remembered, My Addison went to a better world, before Lord Chesterfield's Letters were published. Perhaps his apology for it was the best that ever was, or can be made for so bad a cause. But after all, the labour he has bestowed upon it "has only semblance of worth; not substance." It has no solidity in it; it is nothing better than a shining phantom. And as lying can never be commendable or innocent, so neither can it be pleasing: at least when it is stripped of its disguise, and appears in its own shape. Consequently it ought to be carefully avoided, by all those who wish to please their neighbour for his good to edification.

5. But is not flattery, a man may say, one species of lying? And has not this been allowed in all ages, to be the sure means of pleasing? Has not that observation been confirmed by numberless experiments;

[graphic]

"Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit ?"

"Flattery creates friends, plain-dealing enemies."

Has not a late witty writer, in his "Sentimental Journal," related some striking instances of this? I answer, It is true. Flattery is pleasing for a while, and that not only to weak minds: as the desire of praise, whether deserved or undeserved, is planted in every child of man. But it is only for a while. As soon as the mask drops off, as soon as it appears that the speaker meant nothing by his soft words, we are pleased no longer. Every man's own experience teaches him this. And we all know, that if a man continues to flatter, after his insincerity is discovered, it is disgustful, not agreeable. Therefore, even this fashionable way of lying is to be avoided, by all that are desirous of pleasing their neighbour to his lasting advantage.

6. Nay, whoever desires to do this, must remember that not only lying, in every species of it, but even dissimulation, (which is not the same with lying, though nearly related to it,) is displeasing to men of understanding, though they have not religion. Terence represents even an old Heathen, when it was imputed to him, as answering with indignation, "Simulare non est meum :" "Dissimulation is no part of my character." Guile, subtlety, cunning, the whole art of deceiving, by whatever terms it is expressed, is not accounted an accomplishment by wise men; but is, indeed, an abomination to them. And even those who practise it most, who are the greatest artificers of fraud, are not pleased with it in other men, neither are fond of conversing with those that practise it on themselves. Yea,

the greatest deceivers are greatly displeased at those that play their own arts back upon them.

II. Now if cruelty, malice, envy, hatred, revenge, ill-nature; if pride and haughtiness; if irrational anger; if lying and dissimulation, together with guile, subtlety, and cunning, are all and every one displeasing to all men, especially to wise and good men, we may easily gather from hence, what is the sure way to please them for their good to edification. Only we are to remember, that there are those in every time and place, whom we must not expect to please. We must not, therefore, be surprised, when we meet with men, whe are not to be pleased any way. It is now as it was of old, when our Lord himself complained, "Whereunto shall I liken the men of this generation? They are like unto children sitting in the market-place, and saying to each other, We have piped unto you, but ye have not danced: we have mourned unto you, but ye have not wept." But leaving these froward ones to themselves, we may reasonably hope to please others, by a careful and steady observation of the few directions following.

1. First, Let love not visit you as a transient guest, but be the constant temper of your soul. See that your heart be filled at all times and on all occasions, with real, undissembled benevolence, not to those only that love you, but to every soul of man. Let it pant in your heart, let it sparkle in your eyes, let it shine on all your actions. Whenever you open your lips, let it be with love, and let there be in your tongue the law of kindness. Your word will then distil as the rain, and as the dew upon the tender herb. Be not straitened or limited in your affection, but let it embrace every child of man. Every one that is born of a woman has a claim to your good-will. You owe this not to some, but to all. And let all men know, that you desire both their temporal and eternal happiness as sincerely as you do your own.

"Be

2. Secondly, If you would please your neighbour for his good, study to be lowly in heart. Be little and vile in your own eyes, in honour preferring others before yourself. Be deeply sensible of your own weaknesses, follies, and imperfections; as well as of the sin remaining in your heart, and cleaving to all your words and actions. And let this spirit appear in all you speak or do. clothed with humility." Reject with horror that favourite maxim of the old Heathen, sprung from the bottomless pit, Tanti eris aliis, quanti tibi fueris: "The more you value yourself, the more others will value you." Not so on the contrary, both God and man "resist the proud:" and as "God giveth grace to the humble," so humility, not pride, recommends us to the esteem and favour of men, especially those that fear God.

3. If you desire to please your neighbour for his good to edification, you should, Thirdly, labour and pray, that you may be meek, as well as lowly in heart. Labour to be of a calm, dispassionate temper, gentle towards all men. And let the gentleness of your disposition appear in the whole tenor of your conversation. Let all

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