XII.

SERMON bear a total abstraction from the world. There remains a vacancy which they cannot fill up. Incapable of being always employed in the exercises of religion, and often little qualified for the entertainments of the understanding, they are in hazard of becoming a burden to themselves, and to all with whom they are connected. It is, therefore, the duty of the aged, not so much to withdraw entirely from worldly business, as to contract its circle; not so much to break off, as to loosen their communication with active life. Continuing that train of occupation to which they have been most accustomed, let them pursue it with less intenseness; relaxing their efforts, as their powers decline; retiring more and more from public observation, to domestic scenes, and serious thoughts; till as the decays of life advance, the world shall of itself withdraw to a greater distance from their view, its objects shall gradually yield their place to others of more importance; and its tumults shall sound in their ears, only like a noise which is heard from afar.

If it be the duty of the old, to retreat betimes from the fatigue of worldly care,

XII.

it is still more incumbent on them to SERMON quit the pursuit of such pleasures as are unsuitable to their years. Cheerfulness, in old age, is graceful. It is the natural concomitant of virtue. But the cheer

fulness of age is widely different from the
levity of youth. Many things are allow-
able in that early period, which, in ma-
turer years, would deserve censure; but
which, in old age, become both ridiculous
and criminal. By aukwardly affecting to
imitate the manners, and to mingle in the
vanities of the young, as the aged depart
from the dignity, so they forfeit the privi-
leges of grey hairs. But if, by follies of
this kind, they are degraded, they are ex-
posed to much deeper blame, by descending
to vicious pleasure, and coutinuing to hover
round those sinful gratifications to which
they were once addicted. Amusement and
relaxation the aged require, and may enjoy.
But let them consider well, that by every
intemperate indulgence, they accelerate
decay; instead of enlivening, they oppress,
and precipitate their declining state. Ease,
safety, and respect, are the proper enjoy-
ments of age.
Within these bounds let it

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remain,

1

XII.

SERMON remain, and not vainly attempt to break through that barrier by which nature has separated the pleasures of youth from the comforts left to the concluding years of life.

A material part of the duty of the aged consists, in studying to be useful to the race who are to succeed them. Here opens to them an extensive field, in which they may so employ themselves, as considerably to advance the interest of religion, and the happiness of mankind. "To them it belongs, to impart to the young the fruit of their long experience; to instruct them in the proper conduct, and to warn them of the various dangers of life; by wise counsel, to temper their precipitate ardour; and, both by precept and example, to form them to piety and virtue.

It is not by rigorous discipline, and unrelaxing austerity, that they can maintain an ascendant over youthful minds. The constraint which their presence will impose, and the aversion which their manners will create, if the one be constantly awful, and the other severe, tend to frustrate the effect of all their wisdom.

They

XII.

They must assume the spirit of the com- SERMON panion, and the friend; and mix, with the authority of age, a proper degree of indulgence to the manners of the young. Instead of lessening the respect due to their years by such condescension, they take the surest method to increase it. Old age never appears with greater dignity, than, when tempered with mildness, and enlivened with good humour, it acts as the guide and the patron of youth. Religion, displayed in such a character, strikes the beholders, as at once amiable and venerable. They revere its power, when they see it adding so much grace to the decays of nature, and shedding so pleasing a lustre over the evening of life. The young wish to tread in the same steps, and to arrive at the close of their days with equal honour. They listen with attention to counsels which are mingled with tenderness, and rendered respectable by grey hairs. For, notwithstanding all its presumption, youth naturally bends before superiour knowledge and years. Aged wisdom, when joined with acknowledged virtue, exerts an authority over the human mind, greater even than that which

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SERMON which arises from power and station. It XII. can check the most forward, abash the most profligate, and strike with awe the most giddy and unthinking.

In the midst of their endeavours to be useful to others, let not the aged forget those religious employments which their own state particularly requires. The first of these, is reflection on their past behaviour, with a view to discover the errours which they have commited; and, as far as remaining life allows, to apply themselves to repentance and amendment. Long has the world bewildered you in its maze, and imposed upon you by its arts. The time is now come, when this great seducer should mislead you no more. From the calm station at which you are arrived, sequestered from the crowd of the deceiving and the deceived, review your conduct with the eye of Christians and immortal beings. After all the tumult of life is over, what now remains to afford you solid satisfaction? Have you served God with fidelity, and discharged your part to your fellow-creatures with integrity and a good conscience?

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you