hardened by habitual guilt, nor fentenced to perpetual barrenness by the judgment of a righteous God. Efteem, embrace, improve the precious but flying feafon. Hearken to the inftructions of parents; the admonitions of paftors, the leffons of providence, and the dictates of God's holy spirit fpeaking by the confcience. Think of the amiableness of early piety in the' fight of men; and its acceptablenefs in the fight of God" I love them that "love me," fays he by his prophet; "and they that seek "me early fhall find me."

(2.) Be not fatisfied with, or truft in outward privileges. If you are the children of pious parents, who have lived near to God; if you have been favored with early inftruction, unless thefe advantages are improved, they will not plead for, but against you, at the great day. This is the di&tate both of fcripture and reafon, "to "whomfoever much is given, of them much will be re"quired." There is a common faying, that is neither agreeable to truth nor experience, and yet fometimes obtains belief in a blinded world, that the children of good people are as bad as any as if early education, which is of fo much influence in learning every thing elfe, fhould have no effect in religion. On the contrary, where do we expect to find pious youth, but in pious families, or fober and induftrious youth, but in fober and induftrious families? I fhould call that man prudent in the conduct of life, who in the choice of a fervant, an apprentice, or a partner in bufinefs, would pay almoft as much attention to the blood and parentage, as to the perfon with whom he was to be immediately connected. But if we take notice of what probably gave occafion to the mistake, viz. that the wicked children of pious parents are the worst of any, it is a truth of the utmost mament, and eafily accounted for. They burft afunder the ftrongest ties, they are under the unhappy neceflity of maftering confcience by high-handed wickedness, and commonly come to fpeedy and deferved ruin: "He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, fhall fuddenly "be deftroyed, and that without remedy."

(3.) Do not fatisfy yourselves with a name to live, while you are dead. Though fome young perfons religiously educated, by falling into diffolute fociety, become open profligates, there are others who retain the form without the life of religion: Therefore, if nature hath given you amiable difpofitions; if these have been cultivated by a pious and prudent education; if you feel the restraint of natural confcience; if you are defirous of public praise, or afraid of public fhame, do not neglect any of these prefervatives from fin; but yet endeavor to obtain, and see that you be governed by a principle fuperior to them all, the hope of final acceptance with God through Chrift. Afk of him to give you a new heart, and a new spirit, to" create you a-new in Chrift Jefus unto good works, "which God hath before ordained, that we fhould walk in "them."

In the laft place, this fubject fuggefts fome important inftructions to the hearers of the gospel in general. (1.) Lofe no time in providing for your great and best interest. Every argument that tends to fhew the importance of early piety, may be applied, with equal or greater force, to thew the danger of delay in more advanced years. What is wife or amiable in youth, is necessary to those who are nearer their journey's end. But confidering myfelf as fpeaking to profeffing Chriftians, what I would earneftly advise you, is, to apply the principles above laid down, to particular purposes, as well as to your general conduct. If confcience or providence has pointed out to you any thing that you may do to advantage, either for yourselves or others, lofe no time in setting about it, becaufe you do not know how little time may be yours: So fays the wife man, Ecc. ix. 10. "Whatsoever thy hand "findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no "work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wifdom, in the "grave whither thou goell."

(2.) Do not forget the improvement of this fubject, which our Saviour himfelf has pointed out; imitate the temper of children; learn to be humble and teachable, gentle and easy to be intreated. Both watch and pray against all violent attachments, rude and boisterous paf

fions, and deep rooted refentment. Obferve how the little lambs lay down their refentment, and forget their quarrels. Under this particular, it is proper to recommend a decency of deportment, and a contempt of all vanity and affectation, as well as fimplicity and fincerity of fpeech, and a contempt of all artifice and refinement. The apostle has given an excellent description of this, 2 Cor. i. 12. "For our rejoicing is this, "the teftimony of our confcience, that in fimplicity "and godly fincerity, not with fleshly wifdom, but by "the grace of God, we have had our converfation in the "world."

(3.) Set a good example before others in general, but especially young perfons. The old rule, Maxima debetur pueris reverentia, ought to be pondered as well as recollected. It is of much importance what our visible conduct is, at all times, and in all places, because wę continually contribute to form each others tempers and habits; but greater caution is neceffary in prefence of young perfons, both because they are moft prone to imitation, and becaufe they have the leaft judgment to make proper diftinétions, or to refufe the evil, and choofe the good. Some inftances might be given, in which things might be faid or done, before perfons of full underftanding, without injury, that could not be done without injury, or at leaft without danger, before persons in early life.

(4.) In the laft place, be not wanting in your endeavors and prayers for the public intereft of religion, and the profperity of the Redeemer's kingdom. Support, by your conduct and converfation, the public credit of religion. What is more powerful over the minds of men and the manners of the age, than public opinion? It is more powerful than the moft fanguinary laws. And what is public opinion? It is formed by the fentiments that are most frequently heard, and most approved in converfation. Had we a juft fenfe of the importance of viûble religion, what a powerful principle would it be, of prudent, watchful, guarded conduct, in every ftate and circumftance of life? Whatever reafon there may be to

complain of the frequency of hypocrify, or feeking the applause of men, I am afraid there is no lefs reafon to complain of the want of attention to that precept of the apostle, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others;" or of our Lord himself, Matt. v. 16. "Let your light fo fhine be"fore men, that they may fee your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." I apprehend that these seemingly oppofite faults, are not always feparated, but often found in the fame perfons; that is to fay, there may be a strong defire after, and endeavor to obtain public applause, by a few fplendid and popular actions, and yet but little attention to that prudent and exemplary conduct, which promotes public usefulness. Confider what you have heard, and the Lord give you understanding to improve and apply it, for Chrift's fake. Amen,