out in that honourable course. Such a man must have seen, and known, and passed through a multitude of changes, concerning which others are incapable of forming an adequate conception: and, hence, the statements and counsels of such a man will always, in the nature of things, derive additional weight and importance.

Secondly-An old disciple has had proportionably more opportunities of acting and suffering for his Lord than the generality of his associates; a consideration, which cannot easily fail to give him a peculiar degree of influence wherever he presents himself. Thus the reports of a veteran warrior will always interest us more than those of a raw recruit. The one was never marshalled against the enemies of his country, nor ever had a part in any military transaction; while the other can tell of fighting fields, and even show the honourable scars he has brought away with him from many a bloody conflict. So while the new convert can only talk of recent purposes and newly formed designs, the old disciple can enumerate the hardships he has

actually endured, the temptations he has encountered, and the struggles he has maintained; from all of which he has been brought off even more than conqueror, through the all-prevailing efficacy of divine grace.

Thirdly-This very affecting consideration will always attend an aged disciplethat he is passing through the latest stage of his earthly pilgrimage. His journey through the world has been long and laborious: but it is now speedily drawing to a close. He has long ago parted with his early companions, and is now sedulously drawing off his thoughts from all the fading concerns of time and sense. He is waiting his last summons home: his shoes are on his feet, his staff is in his hand, and he is anxious to be gone. At every new interview his friends appear to be taking their last look of him; and all who meet him by the way, are ready to forebode that they shall see his face no more. It is to a circumstance of this kind that we must impute the very deep impression made by St. Paul's representation of his state to Timothy, in his last epistle to

that christian bishop. The apostle was then an aged man, shut up in a Roman prison, and waiting the order for his execution. His apostolic labours were ended-he had delivered his last sermon-he had written his last epistle-and was now stretching his wings for an homeward flight. In such an attitude, how interesting a spectacle does the apostle exhibit! And in this state of things, we hear him thus addressing his son Timothy-I am now ready to be offered up, and the time of my departure is at hand: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day. In such circumstances as these, we cannot but feel our hearts peculiarly affected at the sight of an aged apostle cheerfully putting off his arms, and calmly waiting to be carried out of the field of conflict to his promised reward. On these accounts, an aged disciple will always be considered as an object of more than ordinary interest: first, on account of the wisdom and experience he has acquired in the things of God-secondly, on account of

the labours and sufferings through which he has passed--and, thirdly, because he is on the point of departing to take his seat at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Such a man was Mnason the Cyprusian, a man of great grace, a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, and a ministering servant of the church of Christ; of whom this venerable ancient had effectually learned, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. It is not known that he and St. Paul ever met a second time in the present world: but, on the occasion here noticed, he had the enviable felicity of entertaining that apostle, with all his companions, for several successive days. Happy were the days which this sacred society passed together under the roof of this old and hospitable disciple! But happier still are those days, which they now spend together in the house of their Father above; where their labours are all ended, their hopes all accomplished, and their blessedness carried up to the highest possible point of consummation.

And now, brethren, if haply there should be found among us a few individuals of this honourable class, men who have patiently

upon

borne the burden and heat of the day, and whom the shadows of the evening are now closing apace-let us remember the great encouragement that is given us, in the records of truth, to cast our increasing infirmities upon a faithful Creator. Our Our gracious Master hath provided rich and powerful cordials for our effectual support: yea, he hath expressly assured us, that, when flesh and heart shall fail, he himself will become the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. His overflowing compassion, as well as his unchangeable covenant, engages him to comfort and relieve his aged disciples; so that we may safely repose all our confidence in him to the very latest scenes of this transitory life. Though all the resources of nature should be exhausted, the fulness of grace can suffer no diminution. Though the life of sense should languish and decay, the life of faith may yet flourish and abound. The outward man may and must perish; but the inward man may, in the meantime, be renewed day by day, growing gradually more lively and spiritual, till mortality be wholly swallowed up of life. In our circumstances, my breth