" wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, my Father, "thou art the guide of my youth ?" Yes, my dear youth, you need many things. For whatever amiableness and attractions you may possess, you are fallen creatures. You are guilty-and want pardon. You are depraved--and need to be renewed in the spirit of your minds. And you are wanderers.... and DEMAND A GUIDE. Let me try to convince you of this. Now we are expressly assured by the prophet," that "the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man "that walketh to direct his steps." And if this be true of old travellers, who have long been moving Zion-ward, how much more is this the case with those who are only beginning to start? There is nothing we are so unwilling to own as our ignorance....but though "vain man would be wise, he is born like a wild ass's "colt. They go astray from the womb, speaking lies." The human mind is naturally dark. We bring no knowledge of any kind into the world with us....it is all originally external, and drawn in through the senses. It is the consequence of instruction, and is obtained by slow degrees. And as to religious knowledge, we should have been entirely destitute, but for a revelation from God. And when this light is given, it is like the sun shining on a blind man : it affords the medium, but not the faculty of vision. Another work therefore is necessary to make us wise unto salvation....and hence, David prays for himself; "open thou mine eyes, that "I may behold wonderous things out of thy law ;" and hence the apostle prays for the Ephesians; "that the "God of our Lord Jesus e Father of Glory, "may give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revela"tion, in the knowledge of him: the eyes of their "understanding being enlightened; that they may "know what is the hope of his calling, and what the "riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints." Christ, Again. There is one kind of knowledge, in which you must be deficient...that which is derived from trial, and which we call experience. You have not had opportunities to observe, to compare and to distinguish things. You have not remarked the difference there is between appearances, and reality; between the beginnings and the end of enterprizes. You are therefore liable to imposition, and delusion. The less experience we have, the more needful is a guide....but alas, that which makes youth diffident, renders them presumptu ous: ....For they are full of confidence. We read of the meekness of wisdom. And it is certain that intelligence produces modesty; it brings to view difficulties which never strike the superficial observer; it shews us that so far are we from all claim to infallibility, that we are not only liable, but likely to err. For advancing in knowledge is like sailing down a river which widens as we proceed until the prospect expands into an ocean, and we see no land. But ignorance and inexperience generate and cherish rashness and forwardness. A quick-ness of growth, is often in proportion to the shallowness of the soil, as we see in the stony ground....But young people often mistake a readiness of apprehension for a depth of judgment, and a comprehensiveness of mind; hence, they will speak with decision on subjects which perplex others; are positive where the wise are uncertain; and flounder on where talents and years are afraid to step. Now too....the passions and appetites begin to rage in their violence. These becloud the understanding, and prevent reflection: and rendering them averse to reproof, and impatient of controul, urge them on, and plunge them into a thousand improprieties and embar rassments. : Let us also remark their situation and circumstances in this present evil world. If thus ignorant, and inexperienced if thus full of confidence, and, eagerness of desire, they had to travel through a smooth and safe country....it would not be so dangerous. But they have to journey through regions full of pits and snares; where enemies are concealed in ambush; where bye. paths perpetually present themselves; where seducers lie in wait to deceive; and fruits grow on the sides of the road fair to the eye, but deadly in the taste. And here what can be done here—without a guide -Who will cry forbear-there is danger-these steps take hold on hell :-" this is the way, walk ye in it ?" And to close the whole, let us remember the conse quences which will arise from wrong steps taken in youth. Many of these will make work for bitter repentance hereafter. With regard to others, repentance itself will be unavailing: you must endure the connexions you have formed; and carry the infirmities you have entailed upon yourselves, down to the grave.What you now do will give not only a coloring, but a character to the whole of your future life. Youth then needs a guide. But whom will you choose? We have to remind you in the II. piace that God is ready to become your leader, and that it is your duty and privilege to place yourselves under his direction-He would have you cry unto him, saying, thou art the guide of my youth. The Israelites of old in passing through the wilderness to Canaan, found in God all that their situation required. They were exposed to danger-and he was their defence. They were destitute of provisions-and he furnished them with supplies. They were in a tractless desert and knew not the way they should take and he was their guide. By the fiery cloudy pillar, he determined all their encampments and journeyings: as this rose, they rose; as this turned, they turned till, by a right way, it led them to the city of habitation. And he is equally the leader of his people, "A good man's steps are ordered by the Lord. In all thy ways ac"knowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." And who can express the satisfaction of mind, which arises from such a reflection as this?" Well, I have a dan"gerous world to pass through, and I wish to pass "through it safely and usefully, and to reach heaven at Q 2 VOL. II. "me. : last-This is my aim, as well as desire and I am "not a lonely, or an uncertain traveller. God is with I am under the care of his providence. I have "the scripture for my rule. I have also the promise of "the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth....and as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the "sons of God." And this is surely enough to incite you to apply to him. For my dear young friends, what properties could you wish for in a guide, that are not to be found in God ?....He is infinitely wise, and cannot lead you astray. He has conducted millions, and "the way-fa"ring man, though a fool, has not erred" under his direction-He is infinitely powerful. He can support you under the heaviest burdens, deliver you from every adversary, and "make all things work together for "your good."....He is infinitely kind. He will bear with your infirmities, and sympathize with you in all your troubles.....And he is infinitely faithful: not a word shall fail of all that he has spoken; and therefore you may say with David, "this God is our God for "ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death." Thus he leads his people to make himself a glori"ous name." And thus all who have been under his guidance, have extolled their leader....especially after they have finished their course. When they looked back upon his dealings with them, the review furnished them with peculiar songs of wonder and of praise and their language has been "to him that led his people "through the wilderness....for his mercy endureth for " ever!" And this is He, who is willing to become your guide; and who proposes himself as your guide....only in the III. place, remember how you are to engage his attention....you are to cry to him; wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, my Father, thou art the guide of my youth? This familiar expression intends prayer and supplication; and it prevents you from using as an excuse for the omission of the duty-that you are not master of words, and cannot deliver yourselves in proper language. For what is prayer? Is it not the desire of the heart towards God?-If you cannot pray-cannot you cry to him? He can hear the voice of your weeping. He knows the meaning of a sigh; of a look. My desire, says David, is before thee, and my groan"ing is not hid from thee." 66 And let me here remark two things-The first isThat you are not to expect this guidance without prayer. His own declaration is sufficient to decide this" for "all these things, says he, will I yet be inquired of bythe "house of Israel, to do it for them." And the second is -That you are not to despair of this guidance with prayer. It is God's way to produce in us conviction of our need, and to draw forth our desires after the influences and blessings he has to bestow-But he that commands, and inclines us to call upon him, will not suffer us to call upon him in vain. "Ask, and it shall be given "you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be "opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiv"eth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that "knocketh it shall be opened." Therefore "let the heart of them rejoice that seek "the Lord." And if unhappily you have lived without him in the world; if other Lords have had dominion over you but you are now willing to abandon them, and to make mention of his name only, saying, Lord I am thine, save me ; "Grant me thy councils for my guide, "All my desires and hopes beside "Are faint and cold compar'd with this” -be assured he will in no wise cast you out; but will receive you graciously, and love you freely. We have therefore only to observe, IV. that there are particular seasons in which he expects to be sought after by the young, and from which he dates the ex |