SERMON LXXIV.

ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word. PSALM CXIX, 9.

HUMAN life, from the dawn of reason to the hour of death, is of vast importance, and should be carefully improved to the best of purposes; but the time of youth, which may be compared to the spring of the year, is by far the most important. Then the world appears in its most enchanting and delusive forms, and promises its inexperienced admirers many years of pleasure and prosperity. Powerful passions and strong corruptions greatly predominate in young people: they form habits, which influence their conduct, more or less, to the end of life; and enter into connexions which, in their good or ill effects, generally continue in active operation till the hour of dissolution. Thus circumstanced, it is exceedingly desirable that they should be directed to some unerring rule of conduct, which may guide their steps through life: and such a rule, blessed be God, is clearly laid down in our text. It is expressed with brevity, like other parts of Scripture; but the matter which it contains, if enlarged upon to its full extent, would fill many ponderous volumes. In this fine passage we have, First, a serious inquiry; and, Secondly, a judicious answer.

I. A SERIOUS INQUIRY.

The inquiry, "wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way," is suitable to men of every age and rank in life; but a young man is named, because too many, at that time of life, are void of wisdom and experience. There are a few who are wise and prudent in early life; but they are exposed to various and strong temptations. We may also remark, that the inquiry is important to youth of each sex; for that which is proper to the one, will in many cases suit the other. While, therefore, we are particularly addressing young men on this occasion, we hope our highly-esteemed young women will endeavour to improve themselves by that portion of the discourse which may directly apply to their case and circumstances. But, on the present occasion, we have selected a portion of Holy Writ, which particularly relates to the duties and interests of young men.

By the way of a young man, we may understand his general conduct, both in private and in public life. This is either wise and good, or foolish and wicked. If wise and good, he walks in the paths of piety, in the faithful discharge of civil and social duties, and in a prudent management of himself; but the foolish and wicked walk in the paths of impiety, pride and vanity, intemperance and uncleanness. The first of these ways leads to life and happiness; but the second, to death and destruction. Which of the two will my young friends choose? Many of you have already made your choice, and are now walking in the

path of life. To the rest, if such there be in this congregation, I would say, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the gate, and narrow the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. vii, 13, 14. May you not only enter on the narrow way, but walk in it with steady perseverance, that, at the close of life, you may be able to adopt the language of Obadiah to Elijah, "I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth." 1 Kings xviii, 12. To cleanse the way may refer either to that which is past, or to that which is present. If the way in which you have walked, in time past, has been polluted with crimes, it must be cleansed by the pardon of your sins, and the acquisition of that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord; and this must be by Jesus Christ, "who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity; and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Tit. ii, 14. The word n zecha, signifies, to be "clear, clean, pellucid, in a natural sense, as the heavens or stars; and to be clear, clean, and pure, in a moral or spiritual sense:" also "to be without spot or mixture, as the purest glass, or springwater." And the present way of a young man is clean, both in the sight of God and man, when there is no impure mixture in it, either of sin or folly. Then his thoughts, affections, and motives are pure; the words of his mouth are true and faithful; and all the actions of his life are wise and good.

We now come to the question, how or wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? What directions shall I give you, my dear young friends, on a subject so important? Is human reason sufficient to guide you into purity of heart and life? Far be it from me to undervalue this noble faculty; but be asurred it is dangerous to lean to your "own understanding." Prov. iii, 5. Shall I send you to the learned sages of Greece and Rome, and place you in the schools of those heathen moralists? There, indeed, you would see the utmost strength of reason, and hear the finest orators that the world ever produced; but their subtile and profound reasoning, and their elegant orations, would soon convince you that Divine Revelation is absolutely necessary to direct the steps of man. Shall I send you for instruction to the gay, the trifling, the sensual sons of folly? There you might learn the ways of the world, the arts of deceiving, and the abominations of iniquity; but, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18.

As your Pastor, I will direct you to the holy Scriptures, which will be "a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path." Ps. cxix, 105. You must go to the school of the Prophets, to Jesus, and to his holy Apostles. The Prophets, to whom I send you, "spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Pet. i, 21. Jesus, your blessed Saviour, is "the light of the world;" and his holy Apostles spake "forth the words of truth and soberness." Acts xxvi, 25. David, King of Israel, knew the worth and importance of the Sacred Writings. He was a

man of strong intellectual powers, and had vast experience in the ways of men; but he placed no dependance either on the one or the other. That portion of God's Holy Word, which was then given, was his constant guide, and by that he directs young men to cleanse their way. This leads us to consider the second, and most important part of our subject:

II. THE JUDICIOUS ANSWER.

You wish to know, my young friends, how you are to cleanse your way through life. The direction in our text is judicious, and in every point of view exactly suited to your case. Your way must be cleansed, by taking heed thereto, according to the Word of God. The Psalmist refers, principally, to the five books of Moses; but you stand on higher ground, having the whole canon of the sacred Scriptures placed in your hands. Be thankful for this favour, and humbly bless the name of the Lord your God!

The caution, take heed, implies danger. You walk on slippery ground, where, without constant care, you may fall to rise no more. You are exposed to the dangerous counsel and bad example of unholy men, who will do all they can to draw or drive you from your God. The powers of darkness, who seek your ruin, exert their diabolical influence to turn you aside from the way of the holy commandment. Nor is this all; for the evil propensities which you feel within yourselves, are always ready to lead your feet astray. If you proceed carelessly and incautiously, you will run into dangers, snares, and death. Open your eyes, and see your lurking foes; open your ears to the friendly voice of warning; and let the wisdom of God be your constant guide.

Sacred watchfulness is required in the caution of our text. Take heed how you walk in this dangerous road; look carefully on the ground you tread; and, lest you should take a false step, be cautious where you set your foot. But some high-spirited young men, whose nerves are stronger than their understandings, may ask, Why all this caution? We fear nothing, say they, nor shall your solemn remarks make us afraid. This is the cause why so many perish in their sins. They neither fear God, nor regard man; but rush forward, like fools and madmen, to utter ruin. Will you follow their example? Nay, "we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." Heb. vi, 9. But be exact and correct in all your ways; and ever be afraid of sin and danger. That you may stand on your watchtower, seriously reflect, that every thing which is dear to man, is now at stake with you; for health, reputation, usefulness, and happiness in future life depend, in a great measure, on your present conduct.

But you must take heed to your way according to the Word. The Bible is given to you, as a map or chart, to direct your course through the wilderness of this world. Read it with deep and deliberate attention, and in a spirit of prayer; admire its beauties and excellencies; obey its holy precepts; be encouraged by its precious promises; and stand in awe of its awful threatenings. It places before your eyes many bright examples for your imitation; and a few of a contrary nature for your warning. Pay due attention to both, that your profiting may appear to

all. This blessed Book, if steadily followed, will lead you to inward and outward holiness; to honour and glory; and, finally, to a blissful immortality. This is more than we can say of any other book: others have their excellencies; but this excelleth them all.

That you may profit by this holy Book, I shall lay down a few rules to guide you in the right way; referring, all along, to some appropriate passage, under each head, either by way of proof or of illustration. For nothing which you hear from the pulpit, or read in the best human authors, has any weight or authority, if it clash with the Written Word. Human authority, in some instances, has great weight, and should be most seriously regarded; but when you read the Holy Word, always think, this is the authority of God. He is infinitely wise and gracious, and his great design, in all the revelations of his will, has been to make us wise and good, holy and happy.

Would you fully enter into his gracious plans and designs, in your early days? Then receive the Bible as the only certain rule of faith and practice. That you may do so, consider the character of those who wrote it. They were wise and holy men. Examine the stupendous miracles which they wrought, in open day, as proofs of their sacred mission. Search the prophecies which they delivered, of future and distant events, and which must have been revealed by Him who knoweth all things. Pay close attention to the internal worth and excellency of this Book. What a world of information it contains, on the subject of creation, the fall of man, redemption, the influences of the Spirit, providence, and grace! Where will you find doctrines so clear, morals so refined, or consolations so abundant? Fathers, popes, and councils, have greatly erred; but the Bible is free from error. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17.

That you may know your real state by nature and practice, examine yourselves, impartially, by the Sacred Writings. They contain a correct history, and an exact description of man, as he was formed by an Almighty hand; as he is a fallen and degraded sinner; or as he is a child of God by regeneration. In these books, the marks of a natural man, and those of one who is spiritual, are laid down with such clearness and perspicuity, that you may know, with certainty, whether you are in a state of nature, or a state of grace. For instance, if you are still in a state of nature, you are full of unbelief, your affections are estranged from God, your passions are disorderly, you are high-minded, your conversation is corrupt, and your lives are irregular and unholy; but if you be in a state of grace, your understanding is enlightened, you believe in God your Saviour, you love him and his people, you are renewed in the spirit of your minds, and you walk in the ways of the Lord. Carefully "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Cor. xiii, 5.

If, on examination, you find yourselves in an unregenerated state, turn to God your offended Father, on the plan, and in the way, which

is laid down in the holy Scriptures. It is fit you should draw nigh to him with broken and contrite hearts; for he has said, "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isai. lxvi, 2. You should repent of all your sins in dust and ashes, and confess them to Almighty God, with deeply humbled hearts. But when you approach the awful Majesty of Heaven, go in the name of Jesus, the beloved Son of God. He has directed you to do so in the following words: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life : no man cometh unto the Father but by me." John xiv, 6. Powerfully plead his all-sufficient merit, and his intercession at the right hand of God; and humbly hope for salvation through him, both from the guilt and power of sin.

Without this salvation, you can neither practise the duties of religion, nor enjoy its comforts and consolations. A saving change must be wrought in your hearts, by the Holy Ghost, before you can enter into the kingdom of God; and, as this is a subject of vast and vital importance, take heed that you be truly converted, according to the word of God. Conversion, from converto, signifies to turn about; but then we must understand it in its full extent. For in conversion, the soul, with all its powers, and in all its operations, is turned to God; and when this is the case, we turn from sin to holiness, and serve the Lord with perfect hearts and willing minds. This great work is not accomplished by the efforts of nature; but by the grace of God in Christ Jesus. We use the appointed means; but God works the end. When the enlightened sinner repents, and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, his sins are remitted, he is born of God, and his soul is created anew. From this time he becomes a decided character; and if he were not a member of a Christian society before, he now desires to be admitted into the church, that he may enjoy the communion of saints.

Are you at a loss, among the numerous sects that unhappily divide the Christian world, which to choose? In this important step, guard against those outward circumstances, and external appearances, which are calculated to deceive the unwary; and deliberately make choice of that people, for religious companions and friends, whose doctrines, experience, and practice, are most agreeable to the Word of God. Fellowship with the saints will do you honour, and promote your best interests. You need their counsel, prayers, and friendly admonitions. Perhaps you may be tempted by the wicked one, to stand alone; but, in that case, you would be out of the order of God. There is nothing more evident in the holy Scriptures, than that God ever intended his people to live in close union with one another. Thus united, they are compared to a kingdom, under one king; to a family, under one master; to a body, united to one head; to a flock, under one shepherd; and to an army, under one captain. And will you presume to stand alone? Can you who profess to be united to Jesus, live without a union with believers? Seriously reflect on this subject, and say, as Ruth said to Naomi, "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." Ruth i, 16. But you must attend to the duties of life, as well as to those of godliness; because you are required to "provide things honest in the sight