This book shews the vanity of all things out of Christ; that they are fleeting, insubstantial, and disappointing; that they elude the grasp of their followers, and leave the soul in darkness, misery, and woe. Having learnt so much by deep heart-felt experience, of the power of grace and the power of sin, and having been deeply taught by the Holy Ghost, he advises as a father to his children, how to act, before the sad days of tribulation come on; and this is agreeable to his own declaration, _The prudent man foreseeth the evil_ (i.e.) _day and hideth himself_, _but the simple pass on and are punished_. Thus in this chapter he exhorts, which, through God’s assistance, I shall consider in an experimental manner; and shew, I hope, the mind of the Spirit upon this important theme. I have often been grieved when this precious text has been taken by mere Moralists, who knew nothing of the Spirit’s work upon the heart, as the testifier of Jesus; and applied to youth, literally, who are destitute of the grace of God—and by a mere moral harangue, they have set youth to perform a task they themselves never did. Hence, in general, Sermons are preached to young people from this passage, when the very passage shews they are characters that have been taught of God; else why exhort to a remembrance of that glorious object, Thy Creator? it must imply some knowledge of him; and this great Creator can only be known by his own Word and Spirit; only seen in his own light, _for the world by wisdom knows not God_, nor can all the works of God lead us to God, as some dream; there is no coming to a knowledge of trusting in, or loving, or obeying God, but by the glorious Mediator, and the impulse of the Holy Ghost. I consider it necessary then, my dear Brother, to shew you, _First_, The Characters addressed in this important exhortation—the _Youth_. _Secondly_, the grand object recommended to their attention, _Thy Creators_. _Thirdly_, What is implied in the idea of _remembering him_. _Fourthly_, The _Arguments_ the wise man makes use of to urge this important act, viz. _The approach of evil days and years_—which I shall endeavor to explain in a scriptural and experimental way, to comfort some poor mourner; to show the value of a precious Saviour; and endear salvation, by free grace alone.