ish delusions. His fancied pre-eminence carries with it nothing real or satisfactory : his riches are nothing more than a splendid kind of poverty: his power is but weakness in disguise; and his wisdom is nothing better than a specious pretence. He must moreover, in a very little time, be stripped of all these adventitious ornaments, and perceive himself to be wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. But it is otherwise with him who has become, in deed and in truth, a disciple of Jesus Christ. The highest interests of such a man are everlastingly secure; since he hath found the pearl of great price, and hath chosen to himself that good part that shall never be taken away from him. The views, the feelings, and the whole character of such a man, have undergone a complete change: old things are passed away, and, behold, all things are become new! His heart is purified by grace; his spirit is ennobled by partaking of the divine nature; he is influenced and actuated by heavenly principles; he has the mind in him which was also in Christ Jesus. Such a man loves the light, and cheerfully follows wherever

it leads the way: while he lives, he lives a life of faith in the Son of God; and when he dies, he dies in the exercise of a blessed hope full of immortality. The station of such a man in the present world, may possibly be fixed among the inferior classes of society. Like his adorable Master, he may be despised and rejected of his brethren; or he may be overlooked and set at nought by the hectoring spirits of the age; while, in reality, he is nothing less than a prince in disguise, travelling homeward, in the habit of a pilgrim, to a divine and enduring inheritance.

Such were the ancient prophets and patriarchs, who were well content to lodge in tabernacles below, while they looked to a city above which hath everlasting foundations. Such were the apostles and primitive preachers of the gospel, who, for the joy that was set before them, endured the cross, despising the shame, and fearlessly treading in the steps of their Lord. And such also are all the disciples of Christ, in all their generations, and under all the different forms in which they are presented to the world. They may vary from each other in

many particulars, in station, in tempérament, in attainments, in appearance, and in degrees of grace: but they will invariably bear about them so strong and gracious a resemblance to one another, as may serve to mark them out as children of the same family, and disciples of the same Lord.

And as the followers of Christ differ from one another in many other particulars, so they must of necessity differ from each other in point of age; a distinction, which I am here the more inclined to notice, because Mnason is characterized by the sacred writer, from the single circumstance of his age he was an old disciple. There are not wanting in the sacred brotherhood of Christ's disciples, a lovely multitude of young and blooming saints, who have devoted their freshest age to the honour and service of their Master in heaven. And truly the world cannot present us with a more interesting spectacle than that of a youthful band, rising above the usual toys and trifles of early life, and resolutely bent on imitating the lovely childhood of their condescending Lord, who increased in wisdom as he increased in stature, and in favour

both with God and man. Such was the devoted child Samuel, who was given up to the Lord in the very morning of his days. Such was the beloved Daniel, whose youthful piety excited the admiration of all beholders. Such was John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb. And with these, perhaps, we may venture to number that zealous company of little children, who once saluted Christ in the temple, crying Hosanna to the Son of David! These, and such as these, are to be seen in every generation, proclaiming to the world, with a most sweet and overcoming evidence, that, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, God can perfect his praise.

seem, with the in- ·

It is the It is the prerogarespect; and it is

But Mnason is introduced to us as an aged follower of Christ-not, however, for the purpose of lessening our interest in him; but rather, as it should tention of increasing it. tive of age to command remarked in the book of Proverbs, that the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. A Christian of any considerable standing is always an object of veneration: but, if he be an aged

can neither be described nor exhausted; so the cup of his fury is made up of deadly bitters, without mixture or measure. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

But it is the glory of our gracious God and Father, that he keepeth mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yea, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, to the end that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. And ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye, through his poverty, might be made rich. He gave himself a ransom for all: and in his name the most pressing invitations of grace are going everywhere abroad into the world; so that whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely. Wherefore, I beseech you, brethren, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure: for the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men for this special purpose, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and