SEAM. XXIX.] A. GOOD REPORT, &C. 481 kind, and the public honour of Christ. This is a thing óf good report in. the church. and,.in the world, and it will turn to our own honour in the day of the Lord. But let no man deceive himself, and vainly imagine that he may lay claim to the honour of a public spirit, because he spends half his days in' placesof public resort, and in fruitless enquiries and chatterings about the af- fairs of government, and the business of the state; per- haps he extends his care also to Muscovy and Persia, as well as Great Britain, while the care of his shop is a little thing.with him, the business of his study or counting- house is forgotten, and his family complains of woeful neglect: -Nor are public affairs mended by all his imper- tinence. [If this sermon, be too long, it is best divided here.] III. Regularity in the .conduct of our affairs is a be- coming character, and will gain us a good name amongst men. As there are many and various duties that belong to the natural, the civil, and the religious life ;. it is a piece of eminent wisdom to appoint proper seasons and rules for the performance of them; nor should we think it beneath us, as far as possible, to govern ourselves by those rules, and keep to our own appointed seasons; otherwise all our affairs will be ready to run into cori- fusion; one duty will be apt to intrench upon another, and some -ofthe duties of life or godliness will be neg- lected, or quite forsaken, under a pretence of want of time. One thing that intrenches upon the regular hours and orders of life, is a trifling and dilatory temper, putting off necessary business, whether it be work.or devotion, till the last moment; and then, if the least accident in- tervenes, we have not left ourselves sufficient time to perform it. These are the persons who are frequently found in. a hurry and confusion, because they have neg- lected to do the proper work in the proper season. Their business is always done in haste, and often unfinished. These are they who keep no appointments, who are sel- dom true to their hour, who make their friends wait for. them upen all occasions; who often create uneasi- ness to all the company, and put a whole family out of order. What an unbecoming behaviour is this ! What an ill: aspect it bears ! especially if ,these delayers are in VOL. I. a
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