SERMON XXIX. 405 of the state; perhaps 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 impertinence. If this sermon be too long, it is best dividedhere.] III. Regularity in the conduct of our affairs is a becoming 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 thoserules, and keep to our own appointed seasons ; otherwise all our affairs will be ready to run into confusion, one duty will be apt to intrench upon another, and some of the duties of life or godliness will be neglected, or suite forsaken, under a pretence of want oftime. One thing that intrenches upon the regular hours and orders .of life, is a trifling and dilatory temper, putting oil' necessary business, whether it be work or devotion, till the last moment; and then, if the least accident intervenes, we have not left our- selves sufficient time toperform it. These are the persons who are frequently found in ahurry and confusion, because they have neglected 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, whoare seldom true totheir hour, who make their friends wait for them upon all occasions, who often create uneasiness to all the company, and put a whole familyout of order. What an unbecoming behaviour is this ! What an ill aspect it bears ! especially if these delayers are in any degree inferior, or the younger parts of a house. And yet itmight easily be prevented, by taking the first opportunity for every business. O it is an excellent, a golden rule, " Never leave that till to-morrow, which may be done to-day, nor trust the business of this hour to the care of thenext," for the next is not spine. When servants are of this dilatory and trifling humour, they waste their master's time perpetually, and put their superiors to many inconveniences. They prevent one another's business as well as neglect their own. You would wonder how they could spend three or four hours in a common errand, and make family wait half a day for a message, that might be dispatched inhalf an hour. They cannot keep their eyes or their ears from attending to every object they meet; their endless curiosity of enquiry, and their irresistible inclinatión to talk of every thing that does not concern them, is an everlasting hinderance to their proper
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