The grey hairs of the aged, those "church-yard flowers," (as they have been named,) call aloud upon them, and through them to all men, "Prepare to meet your God." They are remembrancers, to the eye and to the heart, 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 occasions.

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 this experience might teach him 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 humour 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 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 before any body else, as a poor, miserable, dreadful thing, like a spectre or 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

On the

of it in all the being or exercise of grace. 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 the word of the Lord most amply 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 perhaps 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 honour 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. Besides, 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 have been instances of persons, who were favoured with good instructions in younger days, and who appeared to have forgotten God, their instructors, themselves, and every thing else that was good, for a very long portion of their life; but who afterwards were 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 Disposal of Property.

SOME people delay the testamentary disposal of their effects, till the time of sickness or prospect of death; when the mind, if capable of reflection, which is not always the case, should surely be engaged altogether in eternal affairs; and, therefore, for this and other reasons, they are either able to make none at all, or none with suitable judgment and deliberation. The folly and cruelty of this conduct, as it respects either a man's friends or himself, cannot escape the censure of heaven and earth. "Set thine house in order," is a divine command in the preparation for eternity: and the laws of all countries solemnly respect this last instance of attention to social duties.

There are those who make arbitrary, or capricious bestowments, slighting the rules of God's word, the proportional claims of nature, and those reasonable human prescriptions which are founded upon them, and which none but very strong causes, such as the wickedness, idiocy, or certain misapplications of the parties expectant, can properly set aside. Such seem to forget, that, being only stewards, and not absolute proprietors, they are as accountable for the disposal of their temporal goods, as for the acquisition of them.

Others are exceedingly liberal in bequests to public