the time we have reached three score years and ten, we have looked around us, and become familiar with the whole scene; and though not satisfied, we are sated. Then we feel our need of a new residence ; a new sphere of activity; and new sources of employment and enjoyment." This is a striking remark; and we may observe, that if at such a period, religion with its motives and promises is not present to the mind, the man, wearied of existence, and feeling every thing here to be vanity, is likely to become the victim of an insupportable oppression, and in a moment of rashness, may welcome self-destruction. Have we had no instances of this? Here the Christian is guarded; here he is provided for. As this world palls upon him, another opens to his view. This prospect enlivens the solitudes which bereavement and decays of nature have produced. This prospect becomes a substitute for the scenes and charms which have faded and fled. This prospect entertains and engages, now the days are come in which he says, I have no pleasure in them. The outward man perisheth, but the inward man is renewed day by day. His heart and his flesh fail; but God is the strength of his heart and his portion for ever. He departs but he leaves what is not his rest, what is polluted, what is nigh unto cursing, and whose end is to be burned-while he enters a creation where every thing that is new, and marvellous, and pure, and attractive, and beautifying, says, Arise, and come away. And the hour that obscures and quenches for ever all other glories, immortalizes LECTURE VIII. THE CHRISTIAN, IN HIS SPIRITUAL SORROWS. 240 LECTURE IX. THE CHRISTIAN, IN HIS SPIRITUAL JOYS. LECTURE X. THE CHRISTIAN, IN DEATH. PSALM xxxvii. 37.-"Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- LECTURE XI. THE CHRISTIAN, IN THE GRAVE. JOB Xvii. 13.-"If I wait, the grave is mine house.” LECTURE XII. THE CHRISTIAN, IN HEAVEN. 2 TIM. i. 10.—"Who hath brought life and immortality to light 295 324 through the gospel." 354 |