I mean to say, these are the probable consequences, where the young ones are of low degree. If they be rich, the case is so far altered; but it is only to put on another form of evil. Are not the neglected children of the higher classes mostly they, whose graceless pattern is so often seen affording countenance to all manner of irregularities? the very sort whom the Apostle speaks of as "lovers of pleasures more than lovers "of God";" useless to themselves-mischievous in their generation. But our concern lies more among the other order; therefore let us chiefly look to them.

When we look onward, a few stages further, to what shall be the probable end of such unhappy men, the sight in prospect is more painful still. (I mean their end, as only we can see it; their end in this world-on their dying beds.) What can the dying bed of careless sinners commonly exhibit better than a struggle of distress and shame; of bitter suffering (perhaps) in the body, and of worse suffering within? I would not lay improper stress on what is (after all) no sure criterion; still less would I presume to offer any limits to the free mercy of God: but let us neither

disregard a general truth for its exceptions, nor yet consent to the encouraging of vain hopes, at variance with the clear and undissembled voice of conscience, and with all reasonable understanding of the broad terms of our covenant. If the complexion of a Christian's life which he has led is to make no difference even in his visible end and hope, there is indeed less praise for holiness, and poorer sustenance to faith than we might well look for! But it is not so. Be not deceived: evil communications do corrupt good manners; ungoverned childhood does lead to licentious youth; licentious youth is parent to disordered manhood; and that, in turn, finds its more common end in a heart-chilling, clouded, cheerless death.

And (as you value every one his own salvation) do not imagine, blindly and perversely, because so many among men die alike, with neither worse nor better hope than a large portion of their fellows, that therefore all is tolerably right, and pretty much the same with all. Alas! (so far as we can see, or understand) there must be thousands-tens of thousands-that die beneath the covering of the Christian name, concerning whom the word that Christ hath spoken must reveal, in the great day of reckoning, that they were not,

in any saving sense, among" the dead which died "in the Lord!"

Nor yet (again) consent to be deceived by this vain notion that because, taking all conditions of men and things together, there is no such extravagant degree of worthlessness prevailing as to prevent the work of life from going on, therefore (on that score also) all is well enough; and there can hardly be any such destructive general negligence in training Christian children, as has been now implied. We know, the business of the world does go on: but how does it go on? That is the question. Not, certainly, in love and confidence; not, with good will and cheerfulness; not, in a spirit of contentment and of joy, every man rejoicing and labouring with zeal in his appointed station; not so: but amidst clamour and complaining; amidst stubbornness and carelessness; by force of harsh authority on one side, and of unwilling subjection on the other; amidst oppression and undutifulness; amidst dishonesty, and wrath, and malice, and uncharitablenessa!

Now, these things and the like are the obliquities that meet together to make up that sum of evil, which (it is urged) a proper Christian dis

a Cf. Serm. II. pp. 33-40.

cipline in early years might serve materially to prevent. The greatest need of all young minds is, to be rendered DUTIFUL; not merely to be visited with violent correction here and there, such as may probably defeat its end by the "provoking children to wrath";" but to be chastened in the tone and temper of their whole hearts, while these are yet tender; to have a watchful eye directed to their lesser habits, and their leanings toward evil, lest disobedience and perverseness grow, with their advancing strength, into a portion of their very nature. It is no difficult thing, perhaps, to raise in younger minds, in any stage, a kind of slavish and unwilling fear of men: their need is of a knowledge and an habitual reverence, increasing to a love of GOD. It is to be remembered always, that the disease of man is in his heart; the cure, therefore, to be effectual, must be applied there : nor is it less apparent, that it should, in its first stage, be applied early, since we are born in spiritual infirmity, even from our mother's womb. How can it be so well applied, as in the faith, and under the example, of our Lord, JESUS CHRIST?

To offer two short words of caution only, in

"Cf. Ephes. vi. 4. Col. iii. 21.

the way of conclusion-let it be understood, first, that in thus speaking of the probable consequences of training children in the likeness of their Saviour's childhood, I do not speak as if such care were in itself every thing; without the grace and blessing of the Holy Spirit. Most surely not; since we cannot suppose such care to set about its work except in confident reliance on the heavenly blessing, and in the hope of finding grace to work favourably under it. But having the sure warrant both of reason and of Scripture to believe, that such a care and pains will be well-pleasing unto God, let us (neither here nor elsewhere) ever doubt his blessing, when we are humbly walking in the way that is likely to obtain it. The Christian, of whatever degree, who refrains from doing what he can, in such a case of palpable and bounden duty as the one before us, through doubt of his great Master's approbation, looks like the very servant that "went and hid his talent in the "earth;" and what his end was, is declared.

Again; it is not meant to be affirmed, that the event (whether of neglect, or care) will always be the same, in all like cases, without any exception. A parent's utmost care cannot secure his child's salvation; else had our Saviour had no

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