SER M. expedient for this purpofe, as judging it a XVII, matter not eafily, and without labour to be done. Wherewithal (fays he) fhall` a young man cleanfe his way? Confidering, i. e. the mighty disadvantages he labours under, which way fhall he turn himself to furmount and get above them, to root out the evil propenfions of his nature, and get the better of those difpofitions which at prefent feem to mafter him?

The corruption of nature, and its tendency to vice, is a complaint fo generally made, and fo univerfally justified by every man's experience, that I fhall not here detain you with a laborious proof of that evil, which it will be much harder to conquer in our endeavours after reformation, than to discover in order to convince us how much we want to be reformed; yet let it be obferved more directly to the purpose, that this natural propensity is much stronger and more vigorous in youth than age. When the conftitution is gay and sprightly, and nature in its bloom, it is no wonder the corruptions of nature fhould be most prevalent, the years of childhood and dotage are but little capable of those folicitations which arife from fenfe; the one being paft, the other not yet come to maturity. Between both is that ftate in which nature difplays itself in trueft colours, when the blood and fpi

rits flow with nimbleft courfe, and are SERM. warmed and agitated by an inward fer- XVII. vor. In that state therefore, we may juftly expect that the corrupt propenfions of nature should be, as nature itself is most vigorous and ftrong. Indeed, had mankind perfevered in their original innocence, then the vigour of their nature had only been fubfervient to innocent purposes, and no vicious inclinations had been promoted by it. But no fooner were they fallen from this state of purity, but their paffions grew irregular, and their Reafon blind, and That, which was before, under the Divine direction, and had from thence a tendency to good, came now under the power and dominion of fin. After this lamentable change of their condition, they could do no otherwise than tranfmit the contagion to their offspring, and propagate the feeds of vice as well as mifery. So that from henceforth we muft conclude our whole nature has derived this poifon from our common ancestors; and that the effects of natural corruption will then by confequence be most apt to get head and grow predominant, when nature itself is in its highest bloom, and affects us with the warmeft influence.

And fuch then being the ftrong tempta tions to which young men are expofed, they should seem to want more than ordi

SERM. nary experience and judgment to engage XVII. with them. And yet these alas! are those very qualifications in which we find them ufually defective. It is a very just as well as common obfervation, that youth is for the most part hafty and precipitate, inconfiderate and rafh, forward to determine, but backward to deliberate, judging and prejudging without due examination. So that that which ftrikes in with the first motions of their mind, bids the faireft for their choice and obfervance, and they will feldom be fo cautious as to look to the real moment and confequence of things.

Now the ways of vice, you perceive by what was faid before, being moft grateful and pleasant to fenfe do of course present themselves firft to their view, and whilft virtue is founded not in Senfe but Reason, the first must needs have the advantage in the eye of a fuperficial, injudicious obfer ver. The dictates of fenfe are obvious and unavoidable, so that it is utterly impoffible to escape or overlook them ; but the powers of reafon do rarely operate to purpofe, without ferious counsel and mature deliberation. And then efpecially when reafon and affection differ, it requires much art and management to fupport the fovereign principle, and preferve its just empire and authority. The tendencies of bodily paffion and appetite (do we what we

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can) will have the firft poffeffion, and lay SERM. their bias and prejudice upon us. And XVII. then all the powers of the mind had need be fummoned and confulted, and the utmost address and caution we can ufe will be found little enough to expel and difpoffefs them, and free us from their troublefome folicitations. So that he who is rash and hafty in his judgment (the ufual fault or infirmity of youth) will ever be liable to be feduced by the first view and appearances of things, to desert his reason and follow his affection.

Add to this, that the young man at best is but a novice in virtue, and it is much more difficult to fix and confirm the good habit at first, than it is to continue and preserve it afterwards. The ftream that has long kept its current, runs glibly in the ancient channel; but it is not easy to divert the stream at first, or bring it to the course which we propofe. So when once the practice of virtue is become habitual, its long continuance may make it easy. But at firft entrance, we must expect it fhould be fomewhat rugged and difficult, and require greater caution and affiduity than young men are generally willing to bestow upon it.

Upon fo many accounts then is it that we fo rarely meet with early piety; and the mifcarriages of youth are fo frequent,

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SERM. and almost universal, that the Pfalmift did XVII. not without good reafon make it his fpecial prayer to God, that he would not remember, or impute to him the fins and offences of his youth. But yet these confiderations, however they may in fome mea-, fure extenuate the crimes of youth, yet are they far from pleading a fufficient excufe or vindication of them. For I am in the

SECOND place to fhew, that an early reformation is a matter of the utmost confequence; and although it be difficult, yet not being impoffible, its difficulty fhould make them but the more eager in their inquiries after fome proper method of effecting it, to ask with the Pfalmift in the text, Wherewithal fhall a young man cleanse his way?

The first years of childhood being manifeftly incapable of entertaining a juft fenfe of Religion, it is not easy to say from what point of time we are to date the beginning of the young man's obligation to cleanfe his way, and his be coming chargeable with the crimes which he commits. The powers of reafon without question, do fooner exert themselves in fome than others, and they by confequence are fooner capable of attending to the rules of virtue and religion. But I think it may be truly advanced, that the

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