Having thus attended to the import of the honorable testimony which my text bears to the profession of Mnason, what a happiness it would be, if looking round on the ancients assembled on the present occasion it might be affirmed, that the remarks I have now made are capable of illustration, by a reference to your individual characters: could it be said, that each of you entered the school of Christ at an early period of your lives, that you have manifested a growing desire to understand the principles taught by him, that your attainments, in knowledge, and holiness, have raised you to distinguished honor in the church of God, and that stability has added dignity to your profession; if all this could be affirmed of you my aged friends, your happiness would be great beyond expression. However, let what has been advanced fix your attention on yourselves, lead you to enquire how a long, and now departing life has been employed; let it quicken your regard to the vast concerns of your souls; and in proportion as you are sensible of past negligence, may you be roused into action. Since the day is far spent, and the night is at hand, the call to watch and be sober comes to you with redoubled force. How sad

the state of those concerning whom it may be said, that ever learning, they never attain to the knowledge of the truth! that sitting under the means of instruction from year, to year, they are still strangers to the grace of God! My wish is to promote the serenity of your last days, and therefore urge you to a timely attention to the state of your religious improvement, that instead of setting behind a cloud, your sun may go down with splendor and beauty.

I now proceed, as proposed, in the

II. place to represent the effect, which a character, like that delineated in the text, may be supposed to have on those by whom it is observed.

(1.) It commands veneration. In few instances has it been better supported, than by him, whose grave we have just left: and I may ask if it had not the effect of which I now speak on every beholder from the child to the ancient? Persons of different denominations are assembled on the present occasion, but is there an individual present, who does not feel himself constrained to pay the tribute of merited respect? And as in this, so in every

in

stance, the hoary head will be a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness, I will here beg permission to convey my sentiments in the language of a celebrated writer, "Rarely (says he) or never is old age con"temned, unless, when by vice or folly, it "renders itself contemptible. Though length "of time may have worn off superficial orna❝ments, yet what old age loses in grace, it "gains in dignity. The veneration which "grey hairs command, puts it in the power of "the aged to maintain a very important place "in human society. They are so far from "being insignificant in the world, that families 66 long held together by their authority, and ❝ societies accustomed to be guided by their "counsels, have frequently had cause to regret "their loss, more than that of the most vigorous "and young. I said days shall speak, and "multitude of years teach wisdom; therefore "thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and "honor the face of the old man, and fear thy "God."

(2.). The character of an old disciple, as delineated under the former head, is calculated to impress on the mind a sense of the excellency and importance of religion. Make your

observation on persons of an opposite description; look at mere worldly men, and you will perceive that they are seeking happiness from sources, entirely different from those which yielded them delight in their youthful days. That which then pleased now disgusts: having exhausted the springs from whence they were formerly supplied, disappointment is the issue of every new expectation which they entertain. Vanity, and sometimes even vexation of spirit, is the mortifying result of their fondest hopes. Hence that restlessness, and discontent, which mark their deportment: enquiring of every one who will shew us any good? they meet with no person able to afford them solid satisfaction.

How different the case with an old disciple of Christ. In that drooping period, when flesh and heart usually fail, God is the strength of his heart. His pleasures, far from declining, often increase with his years. The wells of salvation, to which he formerly resorted, continue to cheer his soul. His relish for them is the same, and so is their refreshing virtue. Age and time have no influence on the everlasting gospel, unless it be to display its glory, with superior lustre, and confirm its truth with

a growing evidence. I may appeal to your acquaintance with your deceased pastor, in support of what I am saying. Was there a time, in all the long period of your connexion with him, in which the Gospel was more dear to his heart, than in his last days? when the gratifications of sense were gone, and the world had lost its power to charm, still Christ was precious, the promises were reviving, the covenant of grace contained his salvation and all his desire, so that in the language of the pious Watts he could say,

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"Jesus, the vision of thy face

Hath overpow'ring charms."

What infinite importance then, must that gospel possess, which having supported its professors through all their trials, fortifies their minds in the prospect of danger, and death, maintaining its cheering influence to the last moment of their existence! Who, that rightly attends to the subject, but feels disposed to adopt the words of Balaam, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

(3.) The character and experience of an old disciple may be considered, as highly encouraging to young professors of christianity.