blessed in heaven. We are, I fear, through a corruption which we bring into the world, not naturally disposed to devotion, but are rather averse from it. Yet, through the grace of God, habit and custom may render prayer so grateful, that we shall be uneasy if we are hindered from performing it. And, if the benefit of it in procuring the blessing of God is set before children, it will encourage and familiarize them to it; and a sense of the advantages of it, as reason improves, will confirm the young person in a regular discharge of this duty; the which, if it is constantly and seriously performed, must guard him against many temptations, and can hardly fail of calling him back to God, if he has unhappily gone astray. Now the worship of God being one of the prime beatitudes of heaven, and the exercise of it in the present life so instrumental in leading us thither, when can we so properly begin the practice of devotion, as while the mind is not stiffened and fixed in an indisposition to it, by worldly cares or guilty pleasures, but is pliable and teachable, and, as retaining yet as much innocence as human nature allows of, is cheerful in itself, and more easily turned to think of God and draw nigh to him? Indeed, youth is the best season for learning every thing;-sciences, arts, or labours,

which are acquired by an habitual exercise of mind or body. And, though religion is not a science of the mind, nor a work of the hands, but somewhat of a higher kind, in which the grace of God is the first mover; yet, it so far partakes of the nature of human attainments, as to go on most happily by being begun early. The sense of the greatness and goodness of God, of our dependence on Him and duty to Him, which is imprinted on the mind in youth, is most lively and most lasting, as all impressions are which are then received.

And, though the young are often strongly tempted by the love of pleasure and lusts of the flesh, the aid and assistance which Heaven offers them will overbalance the temptation, if, instead of putting themselves in the way of it, or easily yielding to it, they fly to God, their Protector and Father, and pray to Him to defend and strengthen them. He who has commanded them to flee youthful lusts, and to keep themselves unspotted from the world, does not give them commands which it is impossible to perform; but for which his grace is sufficient. By these he tries them, whether they will be lovers of God more than lovers of pleasure. And happy are they, if the natural warmth and generosity of youth are so sanctified by his Spirit, as to disdain

the slavery of sin, and to prefer the free service of their Creator.

In the second place, it is well to be considered by the young, that their youth may be the only time allowed them for the trial of their obedience; and, if it should please God to continue their lives, piety and virtue will lay the best foundation of happiness in age, and are most likely to preserve them to it. Need I remind them, what numbers of mankind die young; some, by the lingering diseases to which their growing years are subject; some, by violent fevers or other disorders; and others, by sudden accidents? When, therefore, everlasting happiness is at stake, can it consist with the reason which God hath given them, to risk the loss of it on the hazard of living to an age which they may never attain; or, if they live on, of repenting and reforming in age, when it is much likelier, that, having been long deluded by the deceitfulness of sin, they may be more and more deceived and blinded by it? What a melancholy thing it must be to young persons who have spent their time in sin and folly, if they should die early, to reflect, in their expiring moments, that they have thrown away the choice time of life, the advantages, of being born in a Christian country, of being received into the ark of Christ's

church by baptism, and blest with all the means of salvation; and have lost the opportunity of being happy for ever! But, if they have the testimony of a good conscience, that they have feared and loved God, have believed his holy word, and kept his commandments, with what hope and joy will they think of his mercies in Christ; with what comfort will they see death approaching, even in the season when life seems most desirable; since, if they are separated from their beloved friends here, they will find others who will receive them into everlasting habitations; and will exchange the uncertain hopes and prospects that were before them on earth, for a crown of never-fading glory in heaven, to which the pleasures, profits, honours, and possessions of this world are nothing!

Still, the young persuade themselves that they have many days to live; which persuasion is as a house built on the sands, which the floods may undermine, or the winds overturn unawares. But, supposing the hope they have of long life to be as reasonable, from the appearances of health and vigour, as the changes and chances of frail mortality will admit, this life is the gift of God; and the greater the expectation of enjoying it, the greater reason there is for gratitude, love, and obedience, to Him from whom it is

expected, and to whom we are beholden for every moment of its continuance, and for every capacity of enjoying it. It is not, merely, the breathing of this air, and the walking upon this ground, that is to be called life; and if we expect true comfort and solid satisfaction in life, these must be built on the fear of God, and obedience to his commandments: for, from hence will arise, trust in his good providence, hope of his protection and blessing, contentment with the lot which he has assigned, humble assurances of his mercy here, and of his favour hereafter. These will produce peace of mind, and moderation of our passions and appetites. But what moderates the passions, and inspires contentment and comfort of mind, being joined with that temperance which religion teaches, generally promotes the health of the body, and conduces to the continuance of life. And the love of our neighbour, being inseparable from the real love of God, will not only ensure the esteem of all whose esteem is worth having, but will guard against many evils which spring from hatred, emulations, wrath, strife, and other turbulent and unfriendly passions. And, therefore, as Saint Peter exhorts, "He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile;