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think old folks to be fools.' But who should know the dangers that more immediately belong to the several stages of human life, if they do not, who have passed through them, and made observations as they went along? However, many of both sexes, inattentive to the most seasonable and useful advice of parents and others, seem determined to walk in the ways of their own hearts, and in the sight of their own eyes, whatever may be the consequences and it has often happened, that the consequences have been fatal; for there is no period of life more dangerous than that of youth. Then the passions are strongest, and the temptations to indulge them almost in, numerable; against which they will not be cautioned, if they think they know as well already as any one can inform them. Should the anxious parent embrace a private opportunity of conversing with his child, in order to guard him against evil company and practices; to lay before him the danger of his conduct and connexions, how will his enmity rise, and he think him his enemy because he tells him the truth. And having caught him once alone, he will be careful not to give him, if he can prevent it, a second opportunity, He will make any excuse to get out of the way, when he imagines the old man his father designs to give him a private lecture. Thus many young people, being reproved, harden their necks; and by a course of sinning sear their consciences, and become at length ready to comply with every temptation of Satan.

2. We too often find in youth a prevailing fondness for company; in the choice of which they are determined by their most predominant

passion. They prefer those who think as they do, and pursue the same course of gratification with themselves; and the connexion once formed acquires strength by its continuance. Hence young persons linked in with the sons of vice, find it hard to forsake their company. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evil." You may form connexions with profane youth much easier than you can break them. I doubt not but there are some in the present assembly, who are ready to testify to the truth of this remark. Alas, the fatal tendency of bad company! "Evil communications corrupt good manners." We have seen the promising youth, the father's favourite, the hope of the family, who was naturally sedate, and averse to atrocious vices; by falling in with a company of young prodigals, led to cast off the restraints of education and conscience, and to commit iniquity with greediness. At first indeed he might discover a certain fear of complying with the temptation; but being prevailed on once, his mind was prepared for the commission of that, or of a greater sin; till at length, getting rid of all tenderness of conscience, and being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, he could indulge every vicious appetite without remorse.

Should I descend to a consideration of the particular evils to which bad company often leads, they would be found to be numerous. Such as,

(1.) Impatience under restraint, however necessary. If youth who are under age fall in with a set of vicious companions, they are never easy but when they are among them. Hence, should

a parent or master attempt to restrain them, they esteem it a very great hardship; especially if some of their associates are allowed greater liberty than they. The most serious and rational persuasions are insufficient to convince them, that he who restrains them, thereby seeks their advantage. Thus fretting and restless, they wear away the years in which they are obliged to obey. But no sooner are they at an end, than they let loose the reins of lust, and sin without control; saying, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." Now, says the unhappy prodigal, I will go when I please, and come when I please; and who shall call me to an account? And thus setting out in the full career of sensual gratification, he seldom stops, till he has by his voluptuousness and debauchery ruined his character and constitution, and become a vagabond in the world.

Restraint, it must be acknowledged, may be carried to an extreme. Great wisdom is requisite in those who have the care of youth in any capacity, to direct when and how far to restrain, as well as to indulge. It may be of singular use in this matter, to consider their tempers and dispositions, the place in which they live, and the company they seem to prefer. As they have different nat ural tempers, they should be dealt with in different ways. The maxims that would be good in one case would be bad in another.

(2.) Disobedience to parents is another of those evils which their own refractory tempers, and the baneful influence of bad company, lead them to commit. This is a vice which reason explodes, and revelation condemns. Under the law of Moses, the disobedient to parents were to

be stoned to death.* In the New Testament, the inspired writers often inculcate the duty of filial obedience; from whence we learn the necessity and importance of it. Disobedience may first exert itself by opposition of heart to a parent's just commands. It may then shew itself by looks and gestures, a frown, or some indecent behav iour, and at length burst forth in the language of contradiction and abuse; not only deny the parent a most reasonable desire, but treat him with unkindness to his face. More especially have some parents met with such treatment, when through age, infirmity or poverty they have become dependent on their children. Unmindful of every favour they have received from them, and the binding obligations they are under to them, their conduct declares that they wish them dead; murmuring from time to time on account of the trouble they occasion, and the expense of their support. Thus they add affliction to the afflicted.

Should there be any children present of a character so abandoned, give me leave to say, you act incompatible with the dictates of reason, and the oracles of God. The aged parent, whom Providence hath cast upon you, and you treat unkindly, hath been the help and support of your infancy. He provided well and carefully for you, when in the most feeble state: he hath reared you from infancy to childhood, from childhood to youth, and supplied, as far as he was able, your many wants. He hath nursed you many tedious hours in sickness; was always at your service, whether by day or by night. He hath done that

*See Deut. xxi. 18-22.

for you which no one else would have done. When you knew nothing of it, he hath wept over you, and prayed for you; anxious for your body, but supremely anxious for your soul. And is this all the return he may expect from you? Is no regard to be paid to his relation to you, his care over you, his love for you, his multiplied kindnesses? Have you no heart to pity him in his trouble, who has always borne a part of yours? Is not his affliction great enough already? Is he not now in the view of death, and loaded with infirmity. and sickness? Why will you add to his distress? O base ingratitude! Think not that God will prosper your undertakings. Rather look for the reward of disobedience; or that a just God will blast your endeavours. Know thou that for this thing he will bring thee into judg

ment.

(3.) Profane swearing is another odious vice which young men are too prone to learn from their companions. It is not easy to converse continually with those who scarcely speak a sentence without an oath, and not to learn the shocking language. That this iniquity prevails among us, will not be denied by him who is in the least degree observant as he walks the streets of this metropolis. Your little ones, who have but just learned to speak plain, are heard to utter blasphemy against the God who made them. Whether they learn it at home or abroad is not for me to determine but certain it is they have learned it. Verily we shall find children, young men and fathers uniting in this heaven-daring practice. But who will appear to vindicate it? Who will not condemn it? What is it but making sport with

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