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below. I would sit at thy feet, and learn of thee; and, while I trust thy death, would wear thy image, and reflect, in some humble degree, thy lovely likeness. Like thee, may I be patient, humble, meek. Like thee, may I requite evil with kindness, and enmity with love. To thee may my life, my all be consecrated; and may death appear but a kind messenger, sent to fetch me to thyself. From this hour may my youth, my health, my strength be thine. May thy love animate me; thy precepts guide, and thy example direct me; thy promises cheer, and thy cautions warn me; thy hand support me; and, at the last, let me lean my dying head on thy compassionate arm, and find death swallowed in victory. Then may I praise thee in up those brighter courts, for that grace which discovers to me the way of life, and which inclines me now to yield my fair but fleeting youth to thee.

But what, great God, am I! and what my resolutions and desires! Alas! I am weak as a reed, and my resolutions have been like the morning cloud or the early dew; yet, let me plead with thee, for thy promised Spirit. Hast thou not promised, that thou wilt give the Holy Spirit to them that ask thee? Bestow on me his sacred influences. With them water and refresh my soul. Let his holy motions incline me to every gracious act and desire. My soul is naturally like a dark and barren desert; but, blessed with his influences, the darkness will disperse, and the wilderness will blossom as the rose. He must teach me to know thee, or I shall never know thee aright. He must teach me to love thee, or divine love will be for ever a stranger

CAUTIONS AGAINST FALSE HOPES.

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to my breast. He must discover to me all the excellencies of my great Redeemer; for, without his teaching, all other would be in vain. Great

and blessed God, give me thy Holy Spirit, and let me yield my heart to his sweet and gentle guidance. Let him lead me into all important truth. Let him fashion my soul anew; and create in me a clean heart; and renew a right spirit within me. By him, may all those dispositions that shall flourish in heaven, be formed within my soul during its abode on earth.

Father of all mercies, hear and grant my requests, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

CHAPTER V.

CAUTIONS AGAINST SOME DELUSIVE SUPPORTS, ON WHICH MANY REST THEIR HOPES TO THEIR ETERNAL RUIN.

§. 1. IT is extremely evident, from the word of God, that many fatally deceive themselves, with respect to their spiritual state. They say to themselves, Peace, peace; while God declares, there is no peace to persons in their condition. Like a captive, who dreams of liberty; but, wakes and sees the horrid walls of his dungeon around him: so they indulge the hope of heaven, till death puts an end to the deceitful dream; they awake in eternity, and find themselves for ever undone. Such is the deceitfulness of the human heart, that you cannot too solicitously guard against its delusions, and those of the world, that would blast all your hopes of happiness, and cover you with confusion and horror, when expecting joy and glory.

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§ 2. One of the most common is, the belief, that all those are Christians who bear the Christian name, whose lives are virtuous, and whose deportment and temper are lovely. But, alas! all this is found in thousands, who know nothing of real religion; and, with respect to eternity, all these fair appearances and pleasing recommendations will avail not, if there be not true piety within. Perhaps this can scarcely be made more evident, than by referring you to the history of one, who possessed these qualifications in no common degree, but who still wanted the one thing needful.

In Matt. C. 19, Mark, C. 10, or Luke, C. 11, an instance of this kind is recorded. "When the Lord had gone forth into the way, there came one (a young ruler) running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good master, what shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?" He was so moral a person, that he could say, with respect to many of the commandments of God (at least as far as his outward conduct was concerned), “all these have I observed from my youth." "And Jesus beholding him, loved him; and said, One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved. He was very sorrowful, for he was very rich." There cannot be a reasonable doubt, that this young man was in a state of sin and death, notwithstanding all that seemed so promising and fair; and, perhaps, this little history is recorded, to show how far a person may go in morality and a concern for religion, and yet fall short of heaven. There are but few,

OF THE YOUNG RULER, MARK, X.

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in the morning of life, so amiable, and, according to worldly views, so good as this young man; and, yet, with much that was lovely, he was a stran. ger to real piety. He came running to the Lord, to inquire how he might reach a better world. Thus he manifested earnestness and humility. He was not ashamed to seek instruction, but went to Jesus with that most serious question, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" His thoughtfulness about eternity was the more observable, as he was rich, and exposed to the snares that accompany wealth. Justly has it been observed, "that his concern about his soul was not a sick-bed meditation, for he was in health; nor a melancholy qualm of old age, for he was young; nor was it the effect of his being discontented and out of humour with the world, for he was rich and prosperous." The manner often recommends the action; and there was much that was pleasing in his manner. Though possessed of wealth and honour, and coming to one that appeared poor and despised; yet, he used no haugh. ty freedom, but approached his instructor with humility and respect. Besides all this, there was something more substantial in his character. Instead of running into licentiousness and riot, he had attended to the divine commandments. His life had been moral; he had been a dutiful son; was most probably affectionate and kind; and doubtless had secured the esteem of his friends; when even the Lord saw so much that was pleasing in him, that, beholding him, he loved him. But, when the blessed Saviour put him to the test, whether he would part with all for Christ and heaven, then his heart failed him: and he showed, that with so much that was lovely about him, he still

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was in reality a lover of this world; and if any man, young or aged, wicked or virtuous, "if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Yet, even the manner of his departure proved the interest he took in the question he had proposed; he went away grieved, and was very sorrowful. In short, he was such a one, that we may readily wish all young persons were like him; and, yet, he was such a one, that we must wish them to be much more than he was. In the general, you may learn from this affecting little history, that all which may gain the esteem of man, will be of no avail, as to the salvation of your immortal soul, if that true piety, which leads the soul to count all things loss for Christ, be wanting.

Having taken a brief view of this instructive case, let me lead your thoughts to a few more particular cautions.

§ 3. Guard against their dreadful delusion, who put a knowledge of some sacred truths in the place of religion itself. Many such self-deceivers abound in the world. They can discourse on the hallowed themes of the gospel; but, are strangers to its influence and power. To hear them talk, you might think them Christians; to see them act, you might suppose them heathens. The word of God declares, that all knowledge without charity (or love), is vain, and that its possessor is nothing. Fallen and infernal spirits probably know much more of some sacred subjects than the most eminent Christians in this life, yet they are devils still.

§ 4. Watch against resting your eternal hopes on outward privileges. You live in what is term

1 John, ii. 15.

1 Cor. xiii. 2.

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