tion of what he is in himself, the relation which he bears to us in Christ Jesus, as well as the multiplied favours we daily receive from his hand. Thus, it may easily be perceived, that the law of our first creation, which demands our love and obedience, and which we have so grossly violated, are now restored, not only by Christ our law fulfiller, but by the new creation, according to the Gospel of the grace of God; so that, instead of the Christian making void the law through faith, with Paul, he establishes the law. Romans iii. 31. This is an important consideration in the life of a Christian, and is equally true of his justification and sanctification by Christ the Lord. It cannot be forgotten, that it pleaseth the God of all grace, for the wisest purposes, when he produces this new creation in the soul of man, in order to form the Christian character, to permit the old man, which is corrupt according to the flesh, still to remain in the same person; and where is the Christian but what more or less has found it so? This produces a continued conflict, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. This internal warfare, more than all external afflictions, shows the Christian more of the depth of the evils which lodge in his heart, and clothes him with humility; it teacheth him the importance of an increase of faith, and the value of the promises of God; it teacheth him also his constant need and use of Christ, in the fulness of his grace, and thus leads him more frequently in prayer to his

God; and often produces a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better than to dwell in such conflicts upon earth. Read the history and experience of the servants of God recorded in the Old and New Testament, as well as thousands since in every age, and you will find the same features of character exhibited in them all.

I have been the more explicit in this statement, because of its importance; and that the reader may be induced to search the Scriptures, and attain clearer perceptions on this wonderful work of God in creating the Christian character, and that he may attain the best satisfaction concerning himself. We certainly must confess, that God is a Sovereign in bestowing his gifts upon any of the guilty race of man, and whether he is pleased to confer the blessing of spiritual life in the bloom of youth, the strength of manhood, or in old age, while it lays the possessor under eternal obligation and praise, he will not fail to say, The life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Happy is the man that can say, THIS CHRISTIAN LIFE IS MINE!

II. We shall often find the old Christian employed in reviewing the diversified scenes of his past life, and which has a peculiar effect upon his mind, when he realizes the period when time with him shall be no more. To that person, especially, who has known the Lord from his youth, this review affords him a multitude of subjects, at once

calculated to produce humility, and raise the expressive song of gratitude for the goodness and mercy of the Lord, which have followed him all the days of his life. So David was employed, and as the result of his contemplations, he has given us a description of the grateful feelings of his heart in the seventy-first Psalm:-Thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Happy conclusion this, for an aged person, on the review of his former days! But that aged man who has only drank the cup of salvation in his latter days, will have different scenes to review, and they will produce different effects. For recollecting the many years he had lived in ignorance and sin, without God, without Christ, and without hope in this sinful and deluding world, he is astonished at the forbearance and long-suffering of his offended God; while, at the same time, he adores the riches of the gift of grace to him, that such an old sinner should be born again, and that he can now claim the character of a young Christian in his old age. Surprising grace! But the long-tried Christian in the ways of the Lord will, however, occasionally find a vast variety of subjects occuring to his mind, that will engage his reflections, as though they had happened but as yesterday. The time and means of his conversion to God, and of his publicly professing

himself to be a disciple of Christ, together with the many privileges and comforts he has enjoyed in the house of his God. The various changes he witnessed in his own person, station, family, friends, and the country at large; particularly the events of a gracious Providence, in relation to the increase of the kingdom of Christ; all these, with numerous other events, some grievous and others joyful, make ample employment for the range of the good old man's mind, while each review leads him still nearer in adoration of his God and Saviour. Should this aged Christian have been in the habit of keeping a DIARY of the particular events of his life, the special exercises of his mind, and the signal instances of God's favour to him, it will be a valuable aid to his. frail memory; he will esteem the little book next to his Bible, and call it a part of his most valuable treasure, because it contains the history of God's mercy to himself. How charming to find an old Christian thus piously employed in remembering all the way in which the Lord his God has led him so many years through this dreary wilderness, purposely that he might know what was in his heart, prove the sincerity of his love to his God, realize the faithfulness and care of his gracious Redeemer, and be more habitually prepared to pass over the Jordan of death, to inherit the Canaan of everlasting rest!

III. We will next mark the feeling of the aged Christian under the infirmities and afflictions which frequently attend the closing scenes of life. And

it is not uncommon to find that many such persons endure a greater share of suffering than they had experienced in the days of their strength, and now less able to support the burden. True, it is recorded, that Moses died at the age of 120, and that his eyes were not dim, nor his natural strength abated; but few indeed are the instances, at any period of time, where persons have been so highly favoured by a relief from painful infirmities. In the case of Jacob, whose long life had been exposed to severe disappointments and hardships of an unusual kind, God was pleased to grant him his last seventeen years in the enjoyment of peace and comfort in the land of Goshen. Instances of such indulgence are very rare, and those that enjoy them are under high obligation of gratitude! On the contrary, the general history of the aged informs us, that they frequently meet with their severest afflictions at the end of their pilgrimage, and when they most need the cup of consolation. The loss of worldly property, the failure of confidential friends, the visitation of death, which cuts off endearing relatives, and sometimes deprives him of a much loved grandchild, from whose blooming virtue the aged man expected so much gratification in his last days. And there are more parents than David who could tell you of an Absalom, a son wicked enough to plunge the dagger of distress into the very bosom of the father who begat him! Under such trials, the animal and mental powers of nature, already made frail by age, must certainly bend very low. But, in addition to these, the influence of Satan's tempta