XII. it does not follow, that on that age all SERMON iniquity is accumulated. It is the form, perhaps, more than the quantity of corruption, which makes the distinction. In the worst of times, God has assured us, that there shall be always a seed who shall serve him*. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself otherwise †. Former follies pass away, and are forgotten. Those which are present, strike observation, and sharpen censure. Had the depravation of the world continued to increase in proportion to those gloomy calculations, which, for so many centuries past, have estimated each race as worse than the preceding; by this time, not one ray of good sense, nor one spark of piety and virtue, must have remained unextinguished among mankind. One of the vices of old age, which appears the most unaccountable, is that covetous attachment to worldly interest, with which it is often charged. But this, too, can naturally be deduced from the sense of Eccles. vii. 10. 16. • Psalm xxii. 30. SERMON its feebleness and decay. In proportion as XII. the vigour both of body and mind declines, timidity may be expected to increase. With anxious and fearful eye, the aged look forward to the evils which threaten them, and to the changes which may befall. Hence, they are sometimes apt to overvalue riches, as the instrument of their defence against these dangers, and as the most certain means of securing them against solitude and disrespect. But, though their apprehensions may justify a cautious frugality, they can by no means excuse a sordid avarice. It is no less absurd, than it is culpable, in the old, from the dread of uncertain futurity, to deny themselves the enjoyment of the present; and to increase in anxiety about their journey, in proportion as it draws nearer to its close. There are more effectual methods of commanding respect from the world, than the mere possession of wealth. Let them be charitable, and do good. Let them mix beneficence to their friends, with a cheerful enjoyment of the comforts which befit their state. They will then receive the returns of real respect and love. Whereas, by their riches, they XII. they procure no more than pretended de- SERMON monstrations of regard; while their illjudged parsimony occasions many secret wishes for their death. As increasing years debilitate the body, so they weaken the force, and diminish the warmth of the affections. Chilled by the hand of time, the heart loses that tender sensibility, with which it once entered into the concerns and sorrows of others. It is, in truth, a merciful appointment of Providence, that as they who see many days, must behold many a sad scene, the impressions of grief upon their heart should be blunted by being often repeated; and that, in proportion as their power of vancing the prosperity of others decreases, their participation of the misfortunes of others should also lessen. However, as, in every period of life, humanity and friendship contribute to happiness, it is both the duty and the interest of the aged, to cherish the remains of the kind affections; and from the days of former years, to recall such impressions as may tend to soften their hearts. Let them not, from having suffered much in the course of their long pilgrimage, beVOL. I. Y come SERMON come callous to the sufferings of others. XII. But remembering that they still are men, let them study to keep their heart open to the sense of human woe. Practised in the go ways of men, they are apt to be suspicious of design and fraud; for the knowledge and the distrust of mankind too often together. Let not, however, that wary caution, which is the fruit of their experience, degenerate into craft. Experience ought also to have taught them, that amidst all the falsehood of men, integrity is the best defence; and that he who continueth to the end to walk uprightly, shall continue to walk surely. Having thus offered some admonitions concerning the errours most incident to age, I proceed, II. To point out the duties which peculiarly belong to it. The first which I shall mention is, a timely retreat from the world. In every part of life, we are in hazard of being too deeply immersed in its cares. But during its vigorous periods, the impulse of active spirit, the necessary business of our station, and the allowable endeavours to advance our In .XII. our fortune by fair industry, render it SERMON difficult to observe true moderation. old age, all the motives of eager pursuit diminish. The voice of nature then calls you to leave to others the bustle and contest of the world; and gradually to disengage yourselves from a burden, which begins to exceed your strength. Having borne your share of the heat and labour of the day, let the evening of life be passed in the cool and quiet shade. It is only in the shade, that the virtues of old age can flourish. There, its duties are discharged with more success; and there, its comforts are enjoyed with greatest satisfaction. By the retreat of old age, however, I do not mean a total cessation from every worldly employment. There is an errour in this, as well as in the opposite extreme. Persons who have been long harassed with business and care, sometimes imagine, that when life declines, they cannot make their retirement from the world too complete, But where they expected a delicious enjoyment of leisure and ease, they have often found a melancholy solitude. Few are able, in any period of their days, to |