nor

not then be the highest proof of folly, to engage in such a course of action as will unavoidably subject your future hours to regret? And whenever you are seduced into a deviation from duty, you lay the foundation for certain misery : since your best hopes must be placed in the penitence and reformation of succeeding years. You cannot, surely, yield to the temptation of guilt, with the intention of meeting the supreme Judge without repentance : would the most daring transgressor violate the divine law, but under the expectation of a reconciliation with his Maker, before he entered into his more immediate presence. And can the tears of remorse, the vexation of self-reproach, and the fearful terror of eter nal punishment be so desirable, that you will risk the hope of Heaven on the prospect of an uncertain repentance? I allow there are difficulties to be encountered in the progress of virtue; but those who begin the race with the commencement of life, will escape the most formidable evils, and the severest opposition. They will proceed with increasing delight, as they advance in their progress; and the retrospect of the

past will afford fresh encouragement for their ensuing trials. While, on the contrary, those who have been led astray, and have unhappily followed a "multitude to do evil," will experience that the assaults of inclination are strengthened by continued habit; and will find, that a higher degree of resolution is necessary to break the bands of wickedness at once, than to persevere in well-doing.

The season of youth is, in every respect, peculiarly important. It is the period in which the foundation of every future excel. lence must be laid; it is the time best adapted to, and most capable of, improve. ment. The natural and mental powers are then fitted to the acquirement of knowledge; and the docility of temper usually attendant on the early hours of life, render that time particularly favourable to every good im. pression. Neglect not, then, my young friends, the golden opportunity, which, once elapsed, will never return. The forfeiture of your innocence, no power in the universe can restore your transgressions may be pardoned through the merits of the Redeemer; but you can never regain the

satisfaction of looking back with delight on the days of your youth. The recollection of your sins will continue to goad you through the succeeding stages of your journey, and cast a gloomy shade of apprehension and sorrow over your final hour. The consequence of your example will be lessened to the world, while the memory of your evil actions are remembered to your disadvantage; and the principles of piety in your own bosom will be shaken, by the common sophistry of attempting to justify a wrong conduct by the false reasoning of deceitful argument. With a design to assist your endeavours in the practice of habitual goodness, the following pages are submitted to your perusal; and if through their means you are led to serious consideration, or strengthened in any laudable resolutions, the author will be happy in the success of the plan, which was designed entirely for the benefit of the youthful reader,

SUNDAY XV.

ON THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST.

THERE is no higher incentive to great actions, than the contemplation of those examples who have been renowned for heroic virtues, and who have exhibited the prin ciples they taught by a conformable conduct. In this view the life of our divine Redeemer will at all times afford instances of such excellence as will be a perfect model for imitation. No human character is without some defect; and, perhaps, while you admire what is worthy, you may, by the weakness of partial prejudice, be led to copy what is improper. But in every action of the Messiah, you behold the amiable effects of virtue unalloyed by frailty; for though he was in all points tempted like as we are, it was without sin. Yet, perhaps, while you allow the merit of this divine pattern, you will be apt to consider it as beyond the sphere of your emulation, and may object, that the Son of God cannot be proposed to your imitation, since he was

possessed of powers and abilities more than human. But do not the Scriptures inform you, that one of the reasons for which he took our nature upon him was, " to leave us an example, that we should follow his steps." "Be ye therefore," says the apostle, "followers of God, as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us. And many of the actions of his life were performed, as himself informs us, that we should do likewise. It may not, therefore, ́ be improper to trace out some particulars, wherein young persons may imitate their divine Master, and fulfil the sacred cove. nant, of fighting under his banner against the world, the flesh, and the devil. And first, as the grace of humility is so peculiarly amiable at your age, you will find this lowly virtue distinguish the conduct of our Saviour through every part of his life. Although he was in the beginning with God, and all things were made by him, yet he conde. scended to be born without any of those distinctions which the vanity of mankind are so apt to desire; to prove to his disciples, that outward accommodations and external pomp have in themselves no real