SERMON VI. On the LOVE of PRAISE. SERM. VI. JOHN, xii. 43. For they loved the praife of men more than the praife of God. T HE ftate of man on earth is manifeftly defigned for the trial of his virtue. Temptations every where occur; and perpetual vigilance and attention are required. There is no paffion, or principle of action in his nature, which may not, if left to itself, betray him into fome criminal excefs. Corruption gains entrance, not only by those paffions which are apparently of dangerous tendency, fuch as covetoufness, and love of pleasure; but by means of thofe alfo VI. alfo which are feemingly the most fair and SERM. innocent, fuch as the defire of esteem and praise. Of this the text fuggefts a remarkable inftance. When our Lord appeared in the land of Judæa, the purity of his doctrine, and the evidence of his miracles, procured him a confiderable number of followers, chiefly among the lower claffes of men. But the Pharifees, who were the leading and fashionable fect, galled with the freedom of his reproofs, decried him as an impoftor. Hence it came to pass, that though fome of the rulers believed in him, yet, because of the Pharifees, they did not confefs him. Rulers, perfons who, by their rank and education, ought to have been fuperiour to any popular prejudice, were fo far overawed by the opinions of others, as to ftifle their conviction, to diffemble their faith, and to join with the prevailing party in condemning one whom in their hearts they revered : for which this reafon is given, that they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Since, then, the love of praise can mislead men into fuch culpable and disho SER M. neft conduct, let us, with fome attention, VI. examine the nature of this paffion. Let us confider how far it is an allowable principle of action; when it begins to be criminal and upon what accounts we ought to guard against its acquiring the entire ascendant, WE are intended by Providence to be connected with one another in fociety. Single unaffifted individuals could make fmall advances towards any valuable improvement. By means of fociety our wants are supplied, and our lives rendered comfortable; our capacities are enlarged, and our virtuous affections called forth into proper exercise. In order to confirm our mutual connection, it was neceffary that fome attracting power, which had the effect of drawing men together, and ftrengthening the focial ties, fhould pervade the human fyftem. Nothing could more happily fulfil this purpose, than our being fo formed as to defire the esteem, and to delight in the good opinion, of each other. Had fuch a propensity been wanting, and felfish principles left to occupy its place, fo VI. ciety must have proved an unharmonious SER M. and difcordant ftate. Inftead of mutual attraction, a repulfive power would have prevailed. Among men who had no regard to the approbation of one another, all intercourfe would have been jarring and offenfive. For the wifeft ends, therefore, the defire of praise was made an original and powerful principle in the human breast. To a variety of good purpofes it is fubfervient, and on many occafions co-operates with the principle of virtue. It awakens us from floth, invigorates activity, and stimulates our efforts to excel. It has given rife to most of the fplendid, and to many of the useful enterprizes of men. It has animated the patriot, and fired the hero. Magnanimity, generofity, and fortitude are what all mankind admire. Hence fuch as were actuated by the defire of extensive fame, have been prompted to deeds which either participated of the fpirit, or, at least, carried the appearance of distinguished virtue. The defire of praise is generally connected with all the finer fenfibilities of human nature. L 4 SERM. ture. It affords a ground on which exhortation, counsel, and reproof can work a proper effect. Whereas to be entirely destitute of this paffion, betokens an ignoble mind, on which no moral impreffion is easily made. Where there is no defire of praise, there will be alfo no fenfe of reproach; and if that be extinguifhed, one of the principal guards of virtue is removed, and the path opened to many opprobrious pursuits. He whofe countenance never glowed with fhame, and whofe heart never beat at the found of praise, is not destined for any honourable diftinction; is likely to grovel in the fordid quest of gain, or to flumber life away in the indolence of selfish pleasures. Abstracting from the fentiments which are connected with the love of praise as a principle of action, the esteem of our fellow-creatures is an object which, on account of the advantages it brings, may be lawfully pursued. It is neceffary to our fuccefs in every fair and honeft undertaking. Not only our private intereft, but our |