depravity, and the suitableness of the gospel to the state of the world; and did we joyfully embrace every opportunity of inculcating right principles, rectifying mistakes, and making pertinent remarks: young people would be more generally preserved from scepticism, and a considerable barrier would be placed to the incursions of infidelity and impiety. Our Lord himself hath taught us this way of improving conversation in the most simple and easy manner imaginable, he deduced profitable instructions from every occurrence; and grafted the most important admonitions, even on the insidious questions and impertinent objections of his enemies. We cannot indeed expect to speak with his consummate prudence, and irresistible energy: yet we should remember that in this, as in all other things, he hath left us an example that we should follow his steps; and promised to give his disciples "a mouth and wisdom, which "all their enemies shall not be able to resist."

We are also taught in scripture to encourage young persons in asking questions on religious subjects, by giving them plain and satisfactory answers: and some institutions seem to have been in a measure intended. to give occasion for such enquiries'. "The Lord "established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a "law which he commanded our fathers; that they "should make them known unto their children; that "the generation to come might know them, even the "children that should be born, who should arise and "declare them to their children, that they might set "their hope in God."

Exod. xii. 35, 37.

2 Pf. lxxviii. 5-8.

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BAD EFFECTS OF IMPROPER EDUCATION.

[SERM

The neglect of this duty is a very dark sign of the present times. Children in general are trained up amidst those very vanities, which they who presented them for baptism solemnly vowed they should renounce, They are early initiated into the corrupt maxims and fashions of this evil world, and brought to join in its frivolous and fascinating pleasures; and instead of being cautioned against the dangers of conformity to it, are taught to fear nothing so much as the appear, ance of singularity. Nay those persons, who profess a serious regard to religion, often act as if they were anxious to give their children a relish for those seducing trifles, from which they themselves appear to be weaned; and afraid lest they should too early choose the good part that can never be taken from them! It is inexpressible how much these things promote ungodliness, and prevent the permanent success of the gospel. But let us, my brethren, aim" to bring up 66 our children in the nurture and admonition of the "Lord;" hoping and longing that they may be "a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood," an holy and peculiar people, by whom true religion may be sup ported after our decease, and transmitted to future ages. In this view we may consider them as real bles sings: but in what other light can a pious parent behold his beloved offspring without the most painful reflections?

We ought not, however, to confine our efforts within the limits of our own families, but should endeavour to propagate our religious principles in the world. What reason indeed can we have to be ashamed of them? Or how can we timidly conceal

II.]

DUTY OF OPENLY PROFESSING THE GOSPEL.

37

them without being ashamed of Christ and his words? We live it is true among men called Christians: yet it is almost deemed an outrage on good manners, to speak seriously of the doctrine and salvation of our Lord and Master! Shall we then hold our peace, and sanction the conduct of a lukewarm or apostate generation by. our example? God forbid! God forbid! We are commanded to bind the great truths and precepts of his word, " as a

sign upon our hands, and as frontlets between our

eyes; and to write them on the posts of our houses, "and on our gates." This can imply nothing less than an open profession, that we are the worshippers of God, and the disciples of Christ; that we believe the scriptures, embrace the gospel, and make the commandments of the Lord the rule of our conduct. These things should be clearly understood by our friends and connections, that when they enter our houses they may say, God is worshipped in this family;' that they may be restrained from evil in our presence, by the consideration of our character and profession; and be prepared to hear from us such pious reflections, as may occur in the course of conversation.

We shall rejoice at the last day, to have our faith and piety made known before the assembled world: what then can induce us to conceal them at present, but fear of ridicule or reproach? We should recollect therefore that an intrepid profession of the truth, without ambiguity or prevarication, is expressly required by the Lord Jesus from all his disciples; that this is one grand means of promoting his cause in the world; that the scorn, to which it may expose us, is a clear demonstration of the great contempt, in which

38

REASONABLENESS OF DILIGENCE AND ZEAL. [SERM.

the divine Saviour is held even among his professed disciples; and that this is evidently a cross to be borne by us, for his sake, "who bare our sins in his own "body on the tree." Let us then,

III. Consider the reasonableness of such a conduct.

Should a liberal and honoured benefactor earnestly demand our attention to a message he had sent us; we should doubtless examine it with studious accuracy, and implicitly comply with his desires. Should a friend bequeath us a legacy, we should not be wanting in examining the favourable clause of his testament, and availing ourselves to the utmost of his kind remembrance. But the message of God, in all respects, is far more entitled to our strictest regard. He who made us, and against whom we all have sinned, condescends to teach us, how we may escape eternal misery and obtain eternal happiness! Is it not then most reasonable, that we should diligently observe his instructions, and recommend them with our whole influence? The world is against us; the broad road to destruction is thronged; false religion unites with impiety in rendering our situation most perilous; God himself condescends to guide us in the safe and happy path; and shall we reject his counsels? Our own hearts are deceitful, the powers of darkness unwearied in their subtle efforts to delude us: and shall we not use every means of escaping their wiles, and warning others to elude their devices? New forms of delusion start up every day: shall we not then bestow pains to distinguish the truths of revelation from damnable heresies?

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THEIR IMMENSE AND MANIFOLD ADVANTAGES. 39 Surely it is most reasonable, both to study the scriptures, and to pray without ceasing for the teaching of the holy Spirit, that we may be kept from the ways of the destroyer, establised in the pure principles of Christianity, preserved from innumerable dangers, find unfailing resources of support and comfort in trying circumstances, be rendered useful in our respective stations, meet death with joyful hope, and leave the world in full assurance of everlasting felicity!

The knowledge and wisdom, which may be derived from a careful investigation of the scriptures, will be found of the utmost importance, even in conducting our temporal concerns. We shall thus learn the best discretion in estimating characters, and judging of men's pretensions and professions: be directed how to act even in respect of their prejudices and mistakes; and learn to accommodate ourselves to varying circumstances, without countenancing evil by improper compliances, or preventing our own success by violent opposition, where gentleness might have obviated the difficulty.

But the subject is too copious to be fully discussed on this occasion. It must suffice to observe, that the advantages of diligence and earnestness, in the grand concerns of our holy religion, far more than counterbalance the self-denial that it requires. For what is it, but bestowing pains to be happy and useful? to live and die in comfort; and to use proper means of rendering our children and relatives happy; that they too may serve their generation according to the will of God, leave the world with joyful hope, and meet with us in