friends forsake them, their old acquaintance look shy on them; their children sometimes turn their backs upon them; the world is almost weary of them, and wisheth them gone. But their God is the same powerful, wise and gracious Being, that He ever was. 'His arm is not shortened, that He cannot save; nor his ear heavy, that he cannot hear;' nor doth his affection for his aged servants lessen. It was a remarkable saying of Cardinal Wolsey, at the close of his life; If I had served my God, as long and as faithfully as I have served my prince. He would not have cast me off in my old age. Thro' all succeeding generations the Lord shall endure. This adds the strongest security to his promises and covenant; and is an encouragement to his people to hope in Him, whatever changes and alterations there may be in the world about them; for his covenant will he not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips.' In this, therefore, you may rejoice, as the Psalmist doth, this God is our God, for ever He will be our guide even unto death.' These are the reasons suggested in the text, why the aged servants of God should confide in his almighty and gracious care. He is their Maker, He hath been their supporter and benefactor hitherto, and He is an unchangeable God. Let me now add some Reflections from the subject.

REFLECTIONS.

and ever :

1. How unreasonable and unbecoming it is for

aged Saints to sink under their burdens and infirmities!

Be they ever so many and great, you have the promise of God to depend upon, that He will bear, and carry, and deliver you. It is too common a case for Christ's old disciples to grow sorrowful and dejected, and spend the conclusion of their lives in fretfulness and complaining; which renders them uneasy to themselves, doubles all their crosses, destroys all their comforts, and makes them burdensome to those about them. But this is a very unreasonable and unbecoming disposition; very dishonourable to God, whose goodness you have so long and largely tasted: it is very injurious to religion, of which you ought to be patrons and ornaments, and likely to prejudice others against it, as if, after a long trial, you had found it to be an uncomfortable, melancholy service. Suffer me to expostulate with you, Fathers, on this head, and to ask you, as Eliphaz did Job, Are the consolations of God small with thee?'* Do all his good and comfortable words carry no meaning in them? Doth He intend to deceive his creatures, and even his children? Check, then, the first appearance of a complaining spirit: labour to keep up your courage, and maintain your chearfulness. In order to this, have faith in God and his promises, especially that precious one, which we have been contempla

Job x. 11;

ting. Plead it before God, and commit the keeping of your souls and the disposal of all your inferior concerns to him, as a faithful Creator. When your heart is ready to be overwhelmed, and doubts and fears to get the better of your faith, recollect David's observation, 'I said this is my infirmity, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.'* Recollect the long experience you have had of God's care and kindness; and imitate Abraham, who, when a hundred years old, was strong in faith, and staggered not at the promise of God thro' unbelief. Fear not, for He will be with you; be not dismayed, for He is your God; He will strengthen you, yea, He will help you, yea, He will uphold you with the right hand of his righteousness.' And may his spirit help your infirmities, and strengthen your faith; and then you will find his promises your joy and song amidst your pilgrimage, and a cordial to support you, when flesh and heart faileth. In this circumstance I heartily wish your souls and mine may be in the same frame, as that of a pious Scotch minister, who being asked by a friend during his last illness, whether he thought himself dying; answered, 'Really, friend, I care not whether I am or not; for if I die, I shall be with God, and if I live, He will be with me.'

2. Aged Saints are under great obligations to God, and should be faithful unto death.

You are under innumerable obligations to God, as your creator, preserver and benefactor; as the guide of your youth, and the stay of your advancing years. You are under the highest obligations to him for Christ and the promises; for all the operations of his grace upon your hearts, and all the displays of his love, faithfulness and immutability. What then doth the Lord require of you, but that you hold fast that which you have, and go on to perfection? If you expect these supports and consolations, proceed vigorously in the service of God; and let not your infirmities be made an excuse for neligence and sloth. It is your duty to bring forth fruit in old age. Labour to maintain the seriousness and spirituality of your devotions, tho' your thoughts may not be so regular, nor your affections so lively, as they have been. Let your hoary heads never be spotted with any sin, but found in the way of righteousness; and then they will be crowns of glory to you. you can do for the honour of God,

Consider what and the interest

of religion how you can shew your gratitude to God, and your love to the Lord Jesus Christ. If God giveth you strength and ability for active services, abound in them; for death is at hand. If you cannot glorify him by active services, labour to adorn and recommend religion, by patience and resignation to his will, and by quietly waiting for his salvation. Shew to the rising generation the knowledge of God, his wonderful works for you, for your fathers, for his church; and be teachers of

good things; that you leave a savour of religion, whenever you quit the stage. Thus, Fathers, should your last days be employed, and then you will be useful even to the close of life. Thus will you finish your race with honour and joy, and, thro' the riches of divine grace, receive a distinguished reward from the God, whom you have faithfully served.

3. Young persons should chuse God, as the guide of their youth, if they desire that He should be the support and comfort of their age.

To you, who are young, our text speaks; and if you desire to have God for your friend and helper, amidst the temptations and sorrows of life, the decays of nature, and the attacks of death, you must secure an interest in him now, by repentance, and faith in the Redeemer; by devoting yourselves to his service, and spending your days in his fear. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before those evil days come, in which there is no pleasure; no earthly pleasure: nothing but the pleasure of a good conscience, of a reviewing a life spent în serving God, and chearful hope of approaching happiness. This will be the stay and staff of old age, and delight the soul, when nothing else can. If you desire this, let habits of serious, lively devotion be contracted while young: a stock of religious qualities and dispositions laid up in the mind, that may be improved and strengthened as long as