410 7,1S6CELLANEOUS THOUGHTB. Advices to a Young Man. I. KINSMAN, I presume you desire to be happy here, and hereafter: you know there are a thousand difficulties which attend this pursuit; some of them perhaps you foresee, but there are multitudes which you could never think of. Never trust therefore to your own understanding in the things of this world, where you can have the advice of a wise and faithful friend ; nor dare venture the more important concerns of your soul, and your eternal interests in the world to come, upon the mere light of na- ture, and the dictates of your own reason ; since the word of God, and the advice of heaven, lies in your hands. Vain and thoughtless indeed are those children of pride, who choose to turn heathens in the midst of Great Britain ; who live updn the mere religion of nature and their own stock, when they have been trained up among all the superior advantages of christi- anity, and the blessings of divine revelation and grace. 11. Whatsoever your circumstances may be in this world, still value your bible as your best treasure -; and whatsoever be your employment here, still look upon religion as your best bu- siness. Your bible contains eternal life in it, and all the riches of the upper world ; and religion is the only way to become a pos- sessor of them. III. To direct your carriage towards God, converse parti- cularly with the book of Psalms; David was a man of sincere ami eminent devotion.- To behave aright among men, acquaint yourself with the whole book of Proverbs: Solomon was a man of large experience and wisdom. And to perfect your directions in both these, react the gospels and the epistles ; you will find the best of rules and the -best of examples there, and those more immediately suited to the christian life. IV. As a man, maintain strict temperance and sobriety, by a wise government 'of your appetites and passions ; as a neigh - bóur, influence and engage all around you to be your friends, by a temper and carriage made up of prudence and goodness ; and let the poor have a certain share in all your yearly profits. As a trader, keep that golden sentence of our Saviour's ever before you, " Whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, do you also unto them." V. While you make the precepts of scripture the constant rule of your duty, you may with courage rest upon the promises of scripture as the springs of your encouragement. All divine assistances and divine recompenses are contained in them. The spirit of light and grace is promised to assist them that ask it. Heaven and glory are promised to reward the faithful and the obedient. VI. In every affair of life, begin with God. Consult him in every thing that concerns you. View him as the author of all your blessings and'all your hopes, as your best friend and your
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