in the world? How shall he be set above the cares, fascinations, interruptions, disappointments, and injuries of this perishing world? Whence, but from the sublime anticipations of the perfected kingdom of Christ; whence, but from deep and reverential speculations on the costliness of Christ's blood; whence, but from the mysterious instruction of the inner man, by the Spirit of grace; whence, but from the faith, which receives these truths as solid realities, and applies them as powerful incentives to Christian holiness; whence, I say, can his soul be nourished? Talk not to the sick man of the blessing of health, and the enjoyment of vigour and strength! You do but mock his anguish. Tell him, how he may get rid of disease. Send him to the physician. Remind not the man in debt, of the comfort of being free from embarrassment; but tell him, how he shall find means to pay off his debts. And harass not the soul of a man (who, unless he be blind indeed, must be aware of innate cor

ruption) by discussion on the beauty of moral virtue, and the theory of moral sentiments, and a sense of honour. Tell him, how to find ease to his conscience, by applying in the right method, for pardon. Tell him, where to obtain a new spring of inward life and vigour, by which he can become able to bid defiance to the machinations of hell; may look the world in the face; and may command, with effect, every angry, impure, envious, and disorderly passion, "Peace, be still!" And, lo! "the word is nigh thee." Art thou within the covenant, and delayest to appropriate privileges, which God, with condescension infinite, hath bound Himself to ratify? Seekest thou a Saviour, higher than God's own Son? Or more loving than He is, who assumed thy nature, that he might lay down his life for the removal of thy sin? Or, one more constant, than that Saviour, who hath left his Spirit, as a pledge of his return? Or, one more powerful than He is, who will roll up the sky as a scroll; set the earth in

flames, with a word, at the great day; and appoint unto each, his portion, either among the abodes of the eternal paradise, or, in the torments of endless fire? "Lord, to whom, but unto thee, shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life, and we believe, and are sure, that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God 1."

1 John vi. 68.

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LECTURE X.

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1 TIM. iv. 11. TO THE end.

THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH. 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. TILL I COME, GIVE ATTENDANCE TO READING, TO EXHORTATION, TO DOCTRINE. NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE, WHICH WAS GIVEN THEE BY PROPHECY, WITH THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF THE PRESBYTERY. MEDITATE UPON THESE THINGS; GIVE THYSELF WHOLLY TO THEM; THAT THY PROFITING MAY APPEAR TO ALL. TAKE HEED UNTO THYSELF, AND UNTO THE DOCTRINE; CONTINUE IN THEM FOR IN DOING THIS, THOU SHALT BOTH SAVE THYSELF AND THEM THAT HEAR THEE."

IN the foregoing portion of the chapter, St. Paul had been exhorting Timothy, to enforce the essentials of religion, and to disregard the traditionary accounts of Ju

daizing teachers

He had warned him of

the labour to which he must submit, and the reproaches which he must undergo, in proclaiming the spiritual truths, and requisitions of the everlasting Gospel. "These things," continues he (which belong unto vital godliness) "these things," of such immense importance to the soul, "teach." And, be not only content with a formal teaching of them as doctrines, but "exhort" men to give due heed unto them, as indispensable to salvation. He then proceeds, "Let no man despise thy youth." "The author of this Epistle, with many better qualities," observes Paley, possessed, in a great degree, what may be called a knowledge of the world. He knew that, although honours and age, authority of station, and splendour of appearance, usually command the veneration of mankind (unless counteracted by some degrading vice, or egregious impropriety of behaviour); yet, that when great advantages are wanting, where no distinction can be

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