advice which has been offered, in order that it may make a more lasting impression on the memory. Once more then, my young friends, let me entreat you to consider the world as a state of trial, and youth as a time of danger. Let me beg you to guard against the temptations of vanity and presumption, of bad company, of idleness, and of vice. Above all, let me entreat you to "remember your Creator in the days of your youth,"+ and to study, and endeavour to imitate, the bright example of perfect purity, and freedom from every kind of vice, which was presented to the world by Him, "who was in all things tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

To him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be glory, now and for ever. Amen.

+ Eccles. xii. l.

SERMON IX.

ST. MATTHEW Xix. 5, 6.

For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

I

PROPOSE in this discourse to consider the duties of married persons, to each other, and to their children, according to what we learn on these subjects from the Holy Scriptures.

In these particular situations of life we cannot gain instruction from the example of our Saviour, as he did not appear to us in the character of a husband or a father; but in the words of my text he expresses, in the strongest manner possible, his approbation of the sacred engagement of

Sur

warded by seeing her happy! With what delight will she prepare his cheerful fire and comfortable meal; and meet him with smiles of duty and affection! If he be sick, she is his nurse; if he be distressed, she is his comforter. rounded by smiling, healthy, happy children, with what transport will they unite in forming their infant minds to piety and virtue! If they live together to a good old age, from such children they may expect support and comfort; and even when the hour of trial comes, and death calls the husband from the wife, or the wife from her husband; through all the anguish of that dreadful moment, they will still hear a voice which tells them not to sorrow as those who have no hope, and they will look forward to an eternal union in a happier world.

Such should be the happiness of the marriage state, but I am very sorry to say that it is not often thus; and I will endeavour to point out the faults which prevent it. In the first place, if we expect happiness in marriage, we must be careful in our choice. Be not guided by the eye, by the fancy of a moment; but inquire into the real character of the person with whom you are to pass your life. Has she been edu.

cated by virtuous parents, or has she by any other means been well instructed? Has she been accustomed to honest industry and frugality? Has she been free from vice, and does she dislike the company of bad people? Is she respected and beloved by those who are good; and above all, has she a just sense of her duty towards Gon? These are points upon which every prudent person, whether man or woman, would wish to be satisfied, before an engagement is formed which only death can dissolve. When that engagement is to be made, let each of the parties reflect on the solemn nature of it. In the awful presence of GOD, they are to make a vow which binds them to the end of life. no man, let no woman, dare to make that vow, without a firm resolution to perform it. That vow is recorded in Heaven, and the performance of it will be required at the judgment-seat of GOD.

Let

Secondly, do not expect too much from each other. We are all poor, weak, sinful creatures, and require that indulgence from our friends, which we all hope from our Creator. We are too apt to expect that the object of our love is to be without faults, and we are out of humour when we are disappointed; but we should not