"practise virtue for its own beauty and rea"sonableness here; yet the wisest man in that "case might be unhappy from the perversity "of accident; but He who adds to the pleasures "of virtue, the hopes of religion hath no ex"cuse for sinking under any misfortune; and "without the extravagance of philosophical

pride may always find a resource in his mind, "as much superior to all human events, as the "infinite extent of eternity is beyond the short "bounds of human duration."

Give these considerations, my young friends, their due weight, and can you answer it to yourselves to treat religion with indifference? When, from the nature of its principles, and the influence it hath on the conduct, it is a thing of such evident importance, of such great utility, can you treat it with neglect? Can you regard the conduct of those who either discard the truths, or neglect the practice of religion, in another light than that of those who act a part most unfriendly to society; doing what they can to banish from the world, a reverence for principles of the greatest efficacy, to restrain the inordinate passions of men, and

to sooth their grief? It would not be candid to suppose, that this conduct can meet with your approbation. Let then your minds be possessed with those just and deep sentiments of the reasonableness and utility of religion, which may secure your practical regards to it, and be a fence against the snares of the scorners.

Religion, when not dressed in the habits of superstition, nor clothed in the gloomy garb of melancholy, is useful-rational-manly. Turn not away with contempt and disgust from this heavenly power. Hear her pleading for your regard. See her diffusing the blessingsof righteousness and peace; and pay to her the homage of your understanding, your heart, and your life.

To conclude this part of our subject with one advice-Be persuaded to pay a devout and habitual attention to the exercises of devotion,* and to the public institutions of the gospel.

"The best season for acquiring the spirit of devotion "is in early life; it is then attained with the greatest facility; "and at that season there are peculiar motives for cultivat"ing it. The spirit of devotion will be very hard to kindle

in the frozen bosom of old age, and not very easy to intro.

These are necessary expressions of inward piety -and they are useful means of strengthening. a sense of religion upon the heart. With respect to human friendship, absence, as it prevents personal intercourses, and the neglect of correspondence, as it is a bar to the endearing recollection of our friends, have a great tendency to diminish our affection and love for one another. On the same principles, communion with God and the Saviour of mankind, in the ordinances of religion is necessary to keep alive the sacred sentiments of esteem and gratitude, and to fan the flame of divine love.

"duce through the giddy heads into the busy hearts of man"hood, or advanced youth.—If the spirit of devotion be not "formed in early life, there is much danger that it will "never be acquired at all.-Do not fear to admit the senti"ments, and to cultivate the spirit of devotion, there is no"thing tedious, dull, or irksome in it. It is pleasant, even " as pleasure's self. What has been said of liberty, with some "degree of truth, may, with the most perfect truth, be said "of the genuine spirit of devotion, it alleviates trouble "and enhances pleasure:

"It makes the gloomy face of nature gay,

"Gives beauty to the Sun, and pleasure to the day.”"

Addison's Cato,

See Cappe's excellent "Discourses on the Providence and

Government of God." P. 225, 27, 30, 31.

In particular, a compliance with that rite, which is the appointed badge of the Christian profession, is necessary to fix you the disciples of Christ, and the friends of religion. Secret prayer, public worship, and an attendance on the Lord's Supper, are necessary to preserve you faithful to your God and Redeemer. The renewal of these acts will be the renewal of your own vows: they will invigorate and confirm your pious affections.

Perhaps, indeed, you may be ready to look upon these services as too grave and solemn for your years. But if, my friends, you reflect that religion is not inconsistent with chearfulness, the solemnity of its services should not frighten you from the closet of devotion, and from the house of God. Nay, the affections called into exercise by these acts of piety, are all (except penitent contrition, which is not without its pleasures) of the delightful and exhilirating kind : such as the joy in the contemplation of the divine benevolence, and of the amiable character of Christ, love of goodness, gratitude for benefits received, and the lively hope of nobler blessings in reserve.

Besides, your affections are more vigorous than those of persons in riper life: your feelings are more lively. Ye may therefore expect to experience more sensible delight and pleasure in the duties of religion, than when the ardor of youth shall subside, or novelty shall withdraw the aid, that it lends to improve the satisfactions of an entrance upon a pious course. Your delights will rise higher. You will feel little of that deadness and langour, which the friends of piety in more advanced years often lament. The pleasures that you will taste in the paths of devotion, will lead you to view religion in its most amiable and inviting forms; and will strengthen your attachment to it: an attachment, which being formed under such favourable circumstances, will probably last till the end of life; till you rise to "the presence of God," where there is fulness of joy, where there are "pleasures for evermore,"

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