observations of a critical nature, I shall endeavour simply to shew you,
I. What is implied in " remembering our Creator" — Of course, it cannot be supposed that it is a mere act of the memory which is here recommended, but such a remembrance as befits the relation in which we stand to him as his creatures. We should re- member then,
1. His authority over us —
[As the work of his hands, we have received from him all our powers, whether of mind or body. It is of his boimty alone that we have been endowed with the faculty of reason, which elevates us above all the rest of this lower world, and brings us into a near conformity with that higher order of created intelligences, the holy angels. But for what purpose has he thus distinguished us, but that we might render him services worthy both of our present state, and our future destinies ? " He has formed us for himself, that we might shew forth his praise." This is the end for which we are to live : nor is any thing on earth to divert us from the course which HE has marked out for us. Obedience, it is true, is due to our parents, and to all others whom the providence of God has placed over us : but the authority of the creature must always be regarded as subordinate to that of our Creator ; and, if at any time the will of man stand opposed to the will of God, we must then reply, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Whatever solicitations we may have from without or from within to violate any part of God's revealed will, we must withstand them manfully, and resist them even unto death. Knowing that " we are not our own, but God's, we must glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are his."]
2. The commands he has given us —
[We will not here enter into the different commandments of the law, but draw your attention rather to that great com- mandment of the Gospel to believe in Christ : " This is his commandment," says St. John, " that ye believe in the name of his Son Jesus Clnist^." This command should be had in con- stant remembrance. It is addressed to every child of man. There is no one so innocent, as not to need a Saviour; nor any one so guilty, but that he may, through penitence and faith, obtain an interest in that Saviour, whom God has pro- vided for a ruined world. Do not imagine, my young friends, that you are not concerned in this, or that it will be time
^ 1 John iii, 23.