not aware how strong a bias there is within them, or through what a delusive medium they behold the things around them. Their prejudices are all in favour of the world : their passions are pleading strong for indulgence : self-denial is in its very nature painful : and, if only they keep within the bounds pre- scribed by custom, they can see no reason why they should debar themselves from any species of indulgence. By gratifi- cation, their dispositions, their habits, their very sentiments, are confirmed ; and thus they proceed in their vain career ; " calling good evil, and evil good; putting darkness for light, and light for darkness ; bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter^:" in a word, whilst they feed on ashes, a deceived heart turns them aside ; so that they cannot deliver their souls, or say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand*^?" How needful for them the counsel in our text is, must be obvious to every considerate mind.]
3. They are surrounded on every side with evil counsellors and vicious examples —
[The great mass of mankind are walking after the imagi- nation of their own hearts, and not after God. Nor are they ashamed of what they do : yea, rather, they glory in their shame, and with undaunted effrontery persuade all around them to " follow their pernicious ways." The votaries of real piety, on the contrary, are few ; and in their habits they affect an unobtrusive concealment. Of course, young people con- ceive that the great majority are right; and that those who are walking in a narrow and unfrequented path, are actuated by some vain conceit, against which it will be well to guard. The invitations too of the gay are welcome, because they meet with a congeniality of sentiment and feeling in the youthful bosom ; whilst the lessons of wisdom and piety find a very reluctant admission into the soul. We need only observe how different an ear young people turn to the counsels of wisdom, and of folly, and we shall see the importance of the admoni- tion in our text, and the necessity of " exhorting them to be sober-minded."]
Having shewn what need young people have of counsel, I will,
II. Suggest such counsel as their situation requires —
Under this head we might range through the whole field of practical wisdom, and bring forth topics which would occupy a whole volume. But we must content ourselves with a few brief hints :
i> Isai, v. 20. " Isai. xhv, 20.