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SERMON VI.

THE SUPPORT OF THE AGED.

ISAIAH, xlvi. 4.

"Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear ; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”

THE example of our blessed Saviour is full of instruction to persons of all ages, and under all circumstances. At twelve years of age He was an example of heavenly wisdom and humble obedience to the young, and healthy, and light-hearted: but when His hour drew near, and the fear of death stole over Him, and He exclaimed, "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?" then He was an example for those who are conscious of failing strength, and whose eye grows dim; for those who are subject to pain and sickness, and who feel that the hour of their departure is drawing near. According to His holy example they may learn to prepare themselves for death, by perfect submission to

1 St. John, xii. 27.

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the will of God, and confidence, notwithstanding all discouragements, in His providential care.

We may observe, my brethren, the same adaptation to the varied states of life, in the promises which have been read in your hearing to-day: some are suitable for those who are but growing up towards manhood; others for those who are declining from their manhood's strength. In the morning lesson we shall find promises most suitable to the young; in the evening lesson, most gracious promises to the aged. In the former chapter Almighty God says, "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring: and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the watercourses;" in the latter, "Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you : : I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."2

By these sacred images, dear brethren, is the allvarious grace of Christ set forth, that same refreshing and invigorating grace, which was typified by the stream that flowed from the smitten rock, and supplied the necessities of the children of Israel in their weary wanderings in the desert.

As the old and the young, the feeble and the strong, the healthy and the sick, all drank of those waters, and found health and refreshment in them, so also is Christ. In Him is health, and refreshment

2 Isaiah, xliv. 3, 4; xlvi. 3, 4.

for us all. But more than this, He has special grace for each according to his needs; wisdom, and strength, and holy purposes for the young; peace and comfort, support, fulness of love, and perfection of hope for the aged. He is like the sun, which is one in its glory and beauty-perfect light; and the Church is like the rainbow, beautiful in the blending of many colours; and yet receiving all its beauty from the one sun. Or again, as the sun gives light, and heat, and beauty, to leaf, and flower, and fruit, and brings out the brilliant whiteness of one flower, and the deep purple of another, and the bright scarlet of another, and the tender blue of another-so also is Christ in the Church. Various as the colour, and odour, and sweetness of flowers are, so are the characters of Christians. Some are remarkable for courage, and some for gentleness, and some for patience, and some for humility, and some for hope, and some for wisdom, and some for simplicity, and some for severity, and some for ardour of love, and some for quiet contentment; but all these receive their grace, and their loveliness, from Christ Jesus; and all blend harmoniously in the Church, and soften and tinge one another, as the melting hues of the rainbow. "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His Name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known

Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one."3 He who came down to give life unto the world has a portion of meat for each in due season; milk for the infants, strong meat for those who are of full age, and restoratives and cordials for the old and feeble.

Accordingly, in the text we have suitable promises for the aged Christian; "Even to your old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs I will carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." Observe how exactly suitable the promise is for each. For the young the germ of life, and the principle of growth, "I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring. And they shall spring up.... as willows by the water-courses;" but for the aged, support and deliverance. "I will bear, . . . . . I will carry, and will deliver." And this, I say, is suitable to their several conditions. The young have still their race to run, their battle to fight, their work to do, their fruit to bear. Therefore they need the vigour of life, and the power of growth, and increase of strength, for the contest. "I write unto you, young men, because ye are strong." But the aged Christian may say with St. Paul, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Their trial is well nigh over. Their race is run. They are look

31 St. John, ii. 12-14.

42 Tim. iv. 6, 7.

ing for rest. And they are granted rest, or at least a peace which is very like rest, even in this world.

But still death is to be undergone before they can And death, we know, is

enter into perfect rest. awful at all times, and trying to the natural feelings. There is the last sickness to be borne, and perhaps great pain and a fearful struggle. All this must be passed through (unless Christ should first come), and the aged know and feel this. But does this disturb them? Are they excited and alarmed by it? If they are obedient children of God, seldom, very seldom. As they draw near the valley of the shadow of death, its shadows partly clear away, and in the midst of the shadows they see a calm and gentle light, pure and refreshing, which encourages them to step down into the deep valley, and walk steadfastly into the apparent gloom till they are lost to the sight of men. He who has guided them hitherto, guides them still. He who has upheld them in all trials, still upholds them—they find the promises fulfilled in them. "Even to your old age I am He; ... I will bear; ... I will carry, and will deliver you." They sing to themselves this holy song, not learnt now for the first time, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me." 995

The heavenly gift accords with their circumstances and their wants. They do not feel as they once felt, even on spiritual subjects. Their disposition has undergone a great change. It is so with us all, in

5 Psalm xxiii. 4.