SERMON VII.

EDUCATION.

PROV. xxii. 6.

Train up a Child in the Way he fhould go; when he is old, he will not depart from it.

and

HE corruption of human nature is

TH

a fact too vifible and notorious, to require any proof, or admit any doubt. It is indeed, by all thinking men, universally perceived, confeffed, and lamented. But, however certain we are of the effect, yet the causes, the true caufes, are not perhaps fo clear, as we commonly imagine: or if the causes themselves be plain; there is however just reason to apprehend, that we mifcalculate their influence and efficacy. We lay fufficient ftrefs, and probably more than VOL. I. I fufficient,

fufficient, on the original caufe; but on other fubfequent ones, feldom enough. We are generally very willing that our faults and our follies fhould be afcribed to our first parents; and accordingly place the greatest fhare of them to their account: not confidering how much may be due to our immediate parents, and how much certainly is due to ourselves.

Though many difbelieve it, and more difregard it, it is an evident truth, that nothing contributes more to the depravity of the world, and the corruption of men's minds and manners, than a loofe, careless, licentious education. Whenever and whereever this disorder prevails, humanly speaking, it is not to be expected that virtue fhould gain ground, or even find any footing. On the contrary, in proportion to the neglect of education, vice and wickednefs are fure to grow, and fpread, and gather ftrength from one generation to another. If the minds of children be not cultivated, they naturally run wild; and if bad feed be fown in them, nothing is ordinarily to be expected but a harvest of immorality, or fuperftition. This is abundantly manifeft from reafon, from revelation, and from experience; and there are numberless inftances

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inftances of it in all places, and in all

ages.

But that the ufe and importance of a good education may more distinctly appear, I shall briefly confider it under the three following heads, to which it may not improperly be reduced: I mean those of inftruction, difcipline, and example. Concerning the

Firft of thefe, inftruction; every one fees the neceffity of it; which is fo plain and obvious, that no man can mifs it who thinks at all on the fubject. It is well known, that whatever portions of truth men obtain afterwards, they brought none into the world with them. The minds of The minds of young children are mere blanks; which may be written on, or blotted, at the difcretion of those to whom they belong. Though they are endued with certain powers, faculties, and affections; yet they are originally deftitute of all ideas. Though they are produced and formed with a capacity for knowledge; yet the materials for it are received afterwards, and gathered by degrees. By nature they are prepared for inftruction, and qualified to learn; but nevertheless are totally ignorant at firft, and fet out, as it were, in the dark.-Yet however unfurnished they may begin, they will not long continue fo. External

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External objects prefent themselves early, and crowds of fenfible ideas are flowing in upon them every moment. And as the mind is naturally active; if good and useful thoughts be not infufed into it betimes, it will easily be mifengaged, and apt to take up with any thing that offers. The minds of children must have employment; they will be in motion, as well as their bodies: and it depends almoft intirely on the care and conduct of those about them, whether they fhall imbibe truth or trafh, wifdom or folly. Without due cultivation, and proper instruction, their understandings will naturally run wild, and fhoot up weeds of various kinds; till at length they are over-run and quite covered with error and abfurdity. The prejudices of education are matter of univerfal complaint; and yet are oftentimes the leaft part of the grievance. Corrupt notions and vicious principles are too frequently the confequence of the fame fatal neglect; and hence it comes to pass, that the minds of youth are tainted, and their manners incurably depraved: even so far as to become men in mischief, while in years and understanding they are mere children. Bad thoughts and bad words are infenfibly picked up by these little ones, before they be well

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