that may impede our progress in it ; and determinately engage in it as those who will at least take care not to lose the prize through any fault or negligence of their own. You well know how those who were to contend in the Olympic games denied themselves, and by what a long course of training they endea- voured to fit themselves for their respective contests. O, brethren, enter thus into the prosecution of true piety, " avoid- ing all foolish questions as unprofitable and vains ;" and keeping your eye steadily fixed on the attainment of the Divine image in your soul : then will you " grow up into Christ in all things as your living Head," and then will you find that " you will not labour in vain or run in vain."]
s Tit. iii. 9.
1 Tim. iv. \2. Let no man despise thy youth ; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
TO be earnestly engaged in advancing the welfare of our own souls, is doubtless our first concern. But we should consider, also, how far our conduct may affect the souls of others ; and should endeavour so to demean ourselves, that we may prove stum- bling-blocks to none, but helpers to all. Of course, those who are engaged in the ministerial office, inas- much as their conduct is more noticed than that of others, and their influence consequently more exten- sive, are peculiarly bound to walk with all possible circumspection, " giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed." But the same care is requisite in all : and the exhortation addressed by St. Paul to Timothy may with great propriety be addressed to all young persons professing godliness : " Let no man despise your youth ; but be examples to all around you, and in every thing that is good." To such, therefore, would I apply the Apostle's di- rections, which may be regarded as delivered,
I. In a way of caution —
It is certain that young persons are liable to err —