When the soul is relieved and consoled, every one knows how much it will sometimes contribute to the health of the body. But, if it be the will of God to remove the party from this world; surely, in the acts of faith and of the comforts which faith brings, it is the more meet to ascend up to another. Why should a Christian go off thoughtless and sad to celebrate the marriage supper in heaven?

All trials and troubles are meant to take out the dross from the Christian. By grace, they have this effect, more or less, throughout his life: And all his distresses likewise are exactly proportioned to his need The last refinement is in death, in which he is perfectly cleansed and purified from every corruption, and removed to enjoy that pure state, which is void of sorrow and sin to all eternity.

of them.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT TO OLD AGE.

IT is the Lord's express command, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God.". The experience and gravity, the judgment and wisdom, frequently found in old age, demand veneration; and even where these are in some measure wanting, the infirmities and inquietudes of that state call upon people of younger years to abound in compassion towards them.

I know not how it may be with others; but for myself I ever loved the company and conversation of the ancient, preferably to the gay humors of the young, and have been exceedingly delighted at their explanations and informations of circumstances and events, which no books could possibly have given me.

To this day, I cannot meet an aged person, especially if he be infirm, without feeling some kind emotions of heart towards him; and these are always heightened by an anxious pity, if it appear that he hath not yet felt any true concern for himself. All this may be mere nature, it is true; but, however, I do not wish to suppress it.

The gray hairs of the aged call aloud upon them, and through them to all men, Prepare to meet your God. They are remembrancers, at once, of death at hand and of eternity to come.

But the ancient Christian is especially to be considered as a venerable pile, respecting his soul, built up in a long course of grace for the habitation of God himself. The fathers in Christ, having known him who is from the beginning, are to be revered, consulted, and (if need be) defended, by the younger brethren upon all occa

sions.

The apostle, encouraging this tribute of respect to the aged, exhorts, "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father," even when his conduct should be such as is not to be approved. If these have tried grace and long experience, they have also increasing natural weakness and numberless infirmities, by which, it will be no wonder, if in some instances they should be overborne. Could a young man, with a very large portion of grace, change places with them for a day, it is to be doubted, whether he would manage the case any better; though it is not to be doubted, that he would learn extraordinary commiseration in future.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT TO YOUTH.

A HEATHEN could say, that the greatest respect is due unto children. He meant, that nothing should pass before their sight which might either lead them to vices, or encourage vices in them.

There is no need of gloom in any of the things of God. True seriousness wants it not, and is very foreign to it in its nature. It is particularly unnecessary to indulge this sullen and morose humor of the natural heart (for it is seldom little better) before youth, or children. There is an easy cheerfulness and benevolence, remote from all silly levity, and highly consistent with grace and the best good sense, which ought to reside in a Christian's heart, and which he might exhibit particularly upon occasion to younger persons. They are to be drawn by the cords of a man, that is, with natural affections; and though it is not in man's power to render them truly religious, yet surely religion ought not to appear before them, or any body else, as a poor, miserable, dreadful thing, like a ghost, to frighten them away from her. They should see as well as hear, by the example of real Christians, that the ways of religion (or true wisdom, which is the same thing) are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Sourness may indeed be found very plentifully in nature; but there is not one single particle of it in all the being or exercise of grace. On the contrary, its tendency is to correct the natural moroseness of the human heart.

The Psalmist gives this mild and gentle invitation: "Come, ye children, hearken unto me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord." But wherefore? That they might see good, and partake of the blessings, which he immediately sets before them.

Our Lord's benevolence to children is above all comment. He gave an example of good will and tenderness, in this respect, which not the greatest and wisest of his disciples can think himself too wise or too great to follow.

The sincerest faithfulness to their souls is consistent with the greatest good nature to their persons; nay, we cannot be truly good natured to them, unless we are faithful. Instruction, even in the best things, may be set before them in an inviting form, without the least deviation from the soundness of truth; and, by a little gracious skill, they may however be led to perceive, how deep an interest and concern they have in them. If God is pleased to second the instruction, by giving them a true sight of themselves; it is a known case, that they will love and honor those, who gave the instruction, as long as they live. And if God doth not bless it to the desired end, yet the piety and well meant kindness of the instructor will not fail of their approbation and respect; for none can choose but love those, who show any real or disinterested regard for themselves. sides, who can tell, that the seed now sown in early age, though it seem buried and forgotten for many years, may not, in the secret workings of God, be brought forward into life at some future time? There are many

Be

instances of persons, who have been blessed by instructions received in younger days, who appeared to have forgotten God, their instructors, themselves, and every thing else that was good for a very long portion of their life, and yet afterwards have been blessed and made happy, through grace, in the very recollection of those things, which, like bread upon the waters, seemed to have been lost, but which were found, and found with great advantage, after many days.

Sin may be checked, nay punished, and yet the sinner be loved. The sinner shall love in return when he perceives, that love occasioned the correction, or rather,

that there would have been no correction but from love. It is the same in a higher case: "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth :" And he will not do this, but for those who are truly his sons.

It is very much their own fault, if there be not great weight in the conduct of parents and friends with young persons and children. These, it should be remembered, hear their words; but they watch their example. If the doctrine and life be the same thing, they will regard the former for the sake of the latter, with reverence: If the preceptor divide them, it is usual for them to despise both and to treat him with censure, or derision into the bargain.

CHAPTER XVIII.

ON THE DEATH OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

IT was the saying of a man, who had lost his children and all his substance, and who found not one true friend to offer him the least real comfort; "Naked came I into the world, and naked shall I go out : The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

This is the resignation of a believer. He refers every thing to the will and work of God; and, having nothing of his own but sin, and nothing to lose by death but sin, all he hath, being by bounty and favor, should be freely offered up to the disposal of the Giver. This consideration indeed, if by itself and alone, would not satisfy him; but there is another which ought, and being set home upon his heart by grace, most certainly will: "All providences, whether pleasant or trying, shall work together for good to them