pected of rigour, or of superstition, choose not to be distinguished from the promiscuous multitude of worldly men, who know not their God and their Redeemer. No, it is not impossible to deny our master, nor is it easy to be always true to his cause.

It seems, indeed, to be no difficult task, to be a christian, when the religion is creditable, when respect attends upon its institutions, and men throng to the temples, and the profession of christianity leads to public honours. But, my hearers, to say nothing of the struggles, which every disciple of Jesus has to maintain with the corruptions of his own heart, a man must not expect to be a christian, even in the best of times, without suffering some reproach from being true to his christian principles. The standard of the world is low and variable; but the everlasting laws of christian purity, piety and benevolence are not affected by any changes of manners, or fluctuations of opinion. The gospel stands, in the midst of the tide of fashions and fancies, the measure of all opinions, but regulated by none. He, who would be faithful to this religion, cannot pass through the world, without being tempted by the example of others, tried by many severe duties, reproached by some, whom he wishes to love, and neglected by others, whom a little sacrifice of his principles might retain in his favour. Let him, then, be vigilant and resolute.

Again, the fall of Peter teaches a lesson of humility. If there are any presumptuous and enthusiastic christians among us, they may learn from this history, that they are not the most secure. Excessive confidence in religion is hardly to be distinguished from arrogance. It is never the means, and seldom the consequence of a religious life. Let us not trust, then, too much, to any temporary excitements in religion; and much less think ourselves secure, because we have made a competent

profession of our faith. Let us remember, too, that no man is allowed to make wanton trial of his faith and virtue. A man may be justly left to be overcome by a trial, which he has presumptuously sought, when he might have triumphed over a temptation, and stood a test, which was presented to him in the ordinary course of Providence. The spirit of the christian life is, indeed, a spirit of power and fortitude; but it is always joined with humility, distrust of one's self, humble estimation of our own powers, and deep sensibility to the infirmity of human virtue. The daily prayer of the christian is: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Let him, who thinketh, he standeth, take heed, lest he fall.

Again, we learn from the history of Peter, that, though a good man may fall, he is yet distinguished by tenderness of conscience, and deep and severe contrition. Peter went out, and wept bitterly, and returned to his master. The habitual offender may regret his sins, because he retains a lurking fear of their consequences. But the good man suffers, because he feels the shame and ingratitude of his of fences. He feels a stain, as he would a wound, though the world may not have discerned the blemish; he hopes for pardon, but does not cease to

mourn.

To conclude, do not flatter yourselves, because Peter fell, and instantly recovered, that he, who is every day sinking, and falling from his fidelity, is to be as easily recovered. Contrition may purge away the occasional lapses of a man, who lives the life of a disciple; but it is difficult to conceive, how the effects of a depraved life, the example of which has been extending and operating in every direction, are to be expiated or removed by a dying hour of fear and sorrow, however deep, however painful. Watch, therefore, and pray, that ye fall not into temptation.

SERMON XXI.

EPH. VI. 4.

FATHERS, PROVOKE NOT YOUR CHILDREN TO WRATH; BUT BRING THEM UP IN THE NURTURE AND ADMONITION OF THE LORD.

THE subject, upon which I am about to address you, my friends, needs no laboured introduction. I see before me the fathers and mothers of families, who must, ere long, resign the world to another generation; a generation, which will remember them with fruitless reproaches, or everlasting gratitude. There are among us thousands of young creatures, whom our schools and colleges and families are pouring into the world; and I ask, with anxiety, who is responsible to the God of nature, and to the world, for these daily and hourly accessions to the numbers of society? Life, surely, is not all, that you are to give them; support, protection, accomplishments and estates are not all, that you owe to these creatures of your affection. For the time is coming, when all these exterior appendages to life will be heard of no more; the grave will receive your children, as it has their fathers; the accomplishments, with which you decorate them, will have fallen off, and withered in death; even the strong constitution of their bodies will have crum

bled away in the tomb; the possessions, which they have inherited, will have shrunk into the narrow inclosure of a coffin. And is there nothing more? Surely, I see them existing anew in another state, whither they have carried, from this world, the character of their souls. And what is this, and whence came it? It bears your stamp; it proclaims your care, or your neglect; and, in their destination, you may read something of your own.

Fathers, says the apostle in my text, bring up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This, surely, can be interpreted as nothing less, than a precept for the religious education of those, who are committed to your care. It shall be my present object, then, with God's blessing, to offer you some considerations on this interesting subJect; to show you, how you may previously secure the greatest weight to your lessons; to guard you against some of the most common faults in this branch of education; and to point out some of the most suitable topics and modes of instruction. These are the three divisions of our subject.

I. 1. If, then, parents, you would train your chil dren up to be religious beings, and give the greatest weight to your instructions, the first preliminary undoubtedly is, that they should have the highest respect for your characters, entire confidence in your knowledge, and an affectionate sense of your regard for their everlasting good. To any species of education this is an important preliminary; but, to a christian education, it is indispensable. This early deference to the character of the parent, it is, perhaps, the more necessary to inculcate, as the progress of manners and opinions, for many years past, bas tended much to reduce it. If you would preserve in the minds of your offspring this permanent confidence and respect, they must early be sensible of a control, easy and equable, impartial and systematic. You must not fluctuate in your rules, or coun

teract them by your example. Your commands must appear the result of affection; and, especially, your instructions must be supported and enforced by a consistent conduct. For what is more idle, than to talk seriously to your children, when you are not serious yourselves; or to recommend to their regard the interests of eternity, when they see you exclusively solicitous for their present gratification?

2. A second preliminary to the religious education of children, and without which it will be impossible, I fear, to train them up successfully to christianity, is, that, from their earliest years, they should receive a deep impression of its importance. In order to this, they should see, that christianity is a subject, which lies near your hearts; that you mention not the name of God or of our Saviour without respect; that you cannot easily tolerate in your presence the levity, which treats the gospel with indifference, or the impiety, which treats it with contempt. They must see, that you repair with delight to the assembly of God's worshippers, and hear you often acknowledging, in their presence, the obligation and the pleasure of devotion. But, nothing, nothing, which I can recommend, will tend so effectually to generate this early sentiment of reverence, as the performance of family devotion, to which your children should be admitted, as soon as they are old enough not to interrupt it. This will place them, even in infancy, exposed to the most favourable impressions, and the kindest influences of grace. Religion will make a part of their notion of life, and of their course of conduct : christianity will seem to them, from the first, as a necessary circumstance in the character.

3. A third preliminary to the religious instruction of your children, of not less importance to give your lessons their due weight, is this, that they should clearly see, that it is your religion, which