But as I wish to trace the progress of human life from first to last, and to show the superior happiness which, in every situation, is enjoyed by the pious and virtuous man; I will now take a view of that period, to which we look forward with little expectation of enjoyment, and consider the duties of the aged. Though most men wish to live to be old, yet it must be acknowledged that many sorrows almost always attend that part of life. "The days of our age are threescore years and ten, and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years, yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow."* These are the evil days, of which Solomon speaks, and the years in which we have no pleasure. The loss of health and of friends, perhaps of some of our faculties; the weariness and disgust which are often the consequence of disappointed hopes, and the fear with which many view the approach of death; these and other circumstances often make extreme old age a state of labour and sorrow. But still it is a state through which many of us must pass, before we leave this world; and I hope to convince you, that even in this gloomy period religion offers support and comfort sufficient to brighten

*Psalm xc. 10.

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the closing scene of life, and to gild with sunshine the evening of our days. In this part of my subject, I cannot set before you the example of our LORD, for his life on earth was short though in the course of that short life he practised all the virtues, which in age as well as in youth must be the support of his faithful servants. I havet herefore taken for my text part of the interesting account, which we find in St. Luke's Gospel, of Anna, the prophetess, who was an illustrious example of piety and virtue in the last stage of life. In the same chapter we find another instance of a similar kind in good old Simeon. Both these excellent persons appear to have been chiefly employed in the duties of religion, and serving GOD in his temple; and from their example we may learn how the latter part of life should be spent; while from the same example we are taught to hope for that heavenly consolation, for which the pious widow gave thanks to GOD, and which enabled Simeon to say, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace!"

Every period of life has its sorrows, and in general it must be confessed that age has many;

but it has also advantages which should be pro

perly considered, and thankfully acknowledged. If the amusements of life have lost their relish ; if you say, as Barzillai did to King David, "I am this day fourscore years old, and can I discern between good and evil? Can thy servant taste what I eat, and what I drink? Can I hear any more the voice of singing men or singing women ?""* Let it at the same time be remembered that you are no longer exposed to the temptations which attend on every earthly enjoyment. The old man rests secure after the storms of life are over. Pleasure or ambition will not now lead him astray; he will not now forfeit his honour, or his character. If his hopes in this world are over, so are his fears. He only wishes "to die in his own city, and to be buried in the grave of his father and of his mother." To those whose hearts have been fixed on the things of this world, age must indeed be a scene of disappointment and sorrow; and I do not know a more melancholy sight than the latter years of such a man; when we see him still wishing for pleasure which he can no longer enjoy, peevish and discontented with all around him, tired and disgusted with this life, and afraid of being called

* 2 Sam. xix. 35.

into the next. But very different are the feelings of the pious and virtuous man; and it shall be my endeavour, in the remainder of this discourse, to point out the comforts which such a man may still enjoy, as well as the duties which he may still perform, even in those days, which, in some respects; all must confess to be evil, and in which the wicked will find no pleasure.

When a good man has passed safe through the different periods of life; when he has acted his part with honour, and secured the esteem and respect of the wise and good; above all, when he has made his peace with God, and hopes for acceptance through the merits of his Saviour; surely he ought to be considered with envy, rather than with pity. He no longer feels those apprehensions, with which every wise man enters into the world. He no longer dreads the allurements of pleasure, or the seductions of vice. His trial will soon be past, and his reward is at hand. When he looks back on his past life, he will remember many errors, as well as many sorrows; but both are over and gone. He has repented of all his sins, and he trusts that the mercy of GOD has forgiven them. Vice has now lost her power over his mind; he knows the vanity

of all earthly pleasures; and those which he can no longer enjoy, he has learned to despise. But has he therefore no enjoyment left? If the dance and the song no longer please, if he cannot taste what he eats or what he drinks, still nobler pleasures remain. If some friends are taken away, they only make him feel more strongly the value of those who are left. He sees the blessing of GOD descend on many generations. He sees the opening virtues of his children's children. He is beloved and respected by them all. Their duty and affection support and comfort him. He points out to them the path in which he has walked; he instructs, he encourages them to pursue it. If he can no longer perform the active duties of life, he has more leisure to think of his GOD. To Him he now entirely devotes the remainder of his days. Like the pious widow in the text, he departs not from the temple, but serves God day and night. He sees with joy the approach of death, for death will lead him to his Saviour's presence. It will lead him to those friends whom he has lost on earth, to the spirits of just men made perfect. Yet he expects it without impatience; enjoying to the last the blessings which God has given him,