It follows from the whole, that we ought never to act wrong on the pretence of conscience; and that we should learn to suspect the possibility of guilt’s mixing itself even with what we call our speculative opinions. Error may be innocent; but not so long as truth lies before us, and we may, if we do our duty, discover it. Let our inquiries, then, in all matters of moment, above all in those of religion, be diligent, and strictly honest. Where these precautions are not observed, our mistakes are always blameable, because in some degree they are wilful and insincere.
SERMON XXI.
PREACHED MAY 10, 1767.
St. Luke, vi. 26.
Woe unto you, when all men speak well of you.
Among other woes denounced in this chapter by our Saviour against different sorts of men, we have one in the text against those, of whom all men speak well.
The reason of this severe sentence may not appear at first sight: first, because it may not immediately occur to us, what hurt or inconvenience there can be in every man’s good word; and, secondly, because every man’s good word is not likely to be had.
As to this last particular, it is true, the praise of all men, in the full extent of the words, is not to be obtained. But the sense of the text requires, only, that we understand a very general praise; and this we see many men obtain: And if we only want to know, in what respects, the possession of this praise can be deemed a misfortune, we shall find them, I suppose, (without looking further) in the following considerations.
The WOE, of being well spoken of by all men, may be apprehended, if we reflect, That (taking the world as it is) its good word, so largely bestowed on any man, implies a mediocrity of virtue, at the best;—that it frequently implies, a considerable degree of positive ill-desert;—that it sometimes implies, a thorough depravity and prostitution of the moral character.
From these THREE considerations, I propose to illustrate the woe of the text.—In moral discourses, it is scarce possible to avoid very general assertions. These may sometimes want to be restrained: but ye will do it for yourselves, as ye see cause; for the appeal lies, all along, to your own bosoms and experience.
I. I say then, first; that to be well spoken of by all men, implies A MEDIOCRITY OF VIRTUE AT THE BEST.