408 CHRISTIAN MORALITY. themselves guilty of the several disorders that are committed in the family; which would be rectified, or entirely prevented bythe presence of the master. I confess sometimes necessary business detains a person beyond his usual and appointed hour : there must also be some allowances made for the unhappy engagements which may attend some particular fallings in the world. Our own consciences must be the final judges in this case: But let us be faithful and honest, and frequently makean enquiry, whether our conduct be regular or no : and whether it be the necessity of affairs that in- trenches upon the seasons of duty, or whether it be a careless indifferenceofspirit. Goodorders in a household, 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 its proper note, and the skilful ;musiciankeeps his time, how does it entertain the ear with inno- cent pleasure, and refresh the heart, when practised at proper seasons ? Sucha family appears likea Bethel, a house of God, and the Lordhimself delights to dwell in it. Omay it be my lot and portion always to inhabit in such a tabernacle, till I lay down this body in the dust, än4 my Soul arises to the well-ordered family of heaven! IV. Sorting ourselves with the best company is another beautiful part of christianconduct, 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 aresome of these that are vain and vile enough ; but the best in my esteem, are those whoare most virtuous, most pious, most knowing and wise, or those that are seeking after virtue, piety, and wisdom. Thus byconversation with the one, we may be always doing good, andwith the other we may be always receiving some good. He that walketh withwisemen, shall grow yet wiser, but the companion of fools shall be destroyed ; Prov. xiü. 20. Be not deceived, God zs not mocked,, evil communications corrupt good manners. A heathenish poet, and an inspired apostle agree in these words; 1 Cor. xv. 33. Ifwe are engagedmuch in converse with those that are light, and frothy, and vain, we shall gain the same levity of temper. Ifwetalk much with the profane, we shallbe tempted now and then to a profane expression too. " Can a 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 fre- quently and delightfully amongst light, vain, intemperate persons, escape being defiled by them, It is true, the apostle tells us, if we would utterly seclude ourselves from all manner of converse with persons of ill charac- ter, we must abandon society, and almost go out of the world;
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