493 / 514
SERM.
XXIX.]
A
GOOD
REPORT,
&C.
485
also be some
allowances
made.
for the
unhappy
engage-
ments
which may
attend
some
particular
callings in
the
world.
Our
own
consciences must
be
the
final
judges
in
this case
:.
But
let
us
be faithful and honest, and fre-
quently make an enquiry,
whether our conduct
be
regu-
lar or
no
;
and
whether it
be
the necessity
of
affairs
that
intrenches
upon
the seasons
of
duty,
or whether
it
be
a
careless
indifference of.spirit.
Good order
in
a
house-
hold,
and
regular hours for
all
the duties and enjoyments
of
life,
give
beauty and ornament
to
life
itself:
Like,
a
musical
instrument,
where every string
is
wound
up to
strike
it's
proper
note, and the skilful musician
keeps
his
time,
how
does it
entertain
the
ear
with
innocent
plea-
sure,
and refresh the heart,
when,
practised
at proper
seasons
?
Such
a
family
appears
like
a
Bethel, a
house
of
God, and the
Lord
himself
delights to
dwell in
it
O
may
it
be
my
lot
and portion
always to
inhabit
in
such
a
tabernacle,
till
I
lay
down this body
in
the dust,
and
my
soul
arises to the
well-
ordered
family
of
heaven
!
IV.
Sorting
ourselves with
the best company
is
an-
other beautiful
part of
christian
conduct,
and
procures
a
good
report.
By
the best
of
company,
I
do
not intend
the
greatest or
the richest, nor the most ingenious
and
witty; for there are
some
of
these
that
are
vain
and
vile
enough
;
but
the best
in my esteem,
are
,those who
are
most virtuous, most
pious,
most knowing
and
wise,
or
those
that,
are seeking
after
virtue; piety, and
wisdom.
Thus
by
conversation
with
the one,
we
may be always
doing good,
and
with
the
other
we
may be
always
re-
ceiving some good.
"
He that
walketh with
wise'men,
shall grow.
yet
wiser,
but
the companion
of
fools shall
be
destroyed,"
Prov.
xiii.
20.
"
Be
not
deceived,
God
is
not mocked,
evil
communications
corrupt
good man
-
ners," A
heathenish
poet,
and an inspired apostle agree
in
these words,
1
Cor.
xv.
33.
If
we
are
engaged much
in
converse with those
that
are light,
and
frothy,
and
vain, we
shall gain the same levity
of
temper.
If
we
talk
much with
the profane,
we
shall be
tempted
now
and
then to a
profane
expression
too.
"Cana
man
touch
pitch
and
not
be
defiled
?"
Can'a
man pass
through the
flames,
and
his
clothes
not
be
singed?
Neither
can those
that
walk
frequently and
delightfully amongst light, vain,
intemperate persons, escape
being defiled
by
them.
2
i3