ally attributed the cause why, the objects of sense, once so highly gratifying, now loose their relish and their charms; and to the same cause is owing the failure of the mind, memory, with the powers of recollection and retention, all which become gradually visible in proportion as we advance to old age. Who but must here perceive the strong connection which exists between the body and the mind, which generally share with each other, whether in sickness or health, the vivacity of youth, or the decrepitude of age! a case this, not dissimilar to the declining sap of the tree in autumn, the leaves of which first loose their beauty, then contract their fibres, tremble in the breeze, and finally fall to the earth! Ah, my hearers, what is man in all his boasted prime? By time, disease, and sins, he wastes away, and death concludes the scene. By the failure of the heart, a still more important subject demands our attention; it is the languor of the SOUL. For the heart being the seat of animal life, and the spring of action to the whole body, it is used in the scriptures, as the most expressive emblem, and indeed the only one, to describe the soul of man. Every one that believes he has a soul within him, is equally conscious, that according to its own principles and qualities, it is the spring to all actions in life, whether good, or evil. Now, although the heart, the soul of a christian, be regenerated by the Spirit of Christ, and enriched with his celestial grace: while it inhabits the body and is in conflict with a corrupt

nature, and a variety of temptations: it is too frequently subject to depression and failures in its exercises; the truth of which is shown in the history of every saint recorded in the scriptures, as well as in the experience of every one who has received the grace of God in truth. Such depressions, not unfrequently attend the christian the nearer he advances to his last conflict in death. A review of the errours and omissions in life; the violence of temptation; the absence of the sensible presence of God; the rising powers of unbelief which calls in question the certainty of an interest in Christ; the apprehensions of death and eternity: these aided by the infirmities of the body, and reduction of animal spirits all these whether severally or combined, are causes sufficient to lay the heart prostrate in the sight of God. Still, under all these clouds of darkness, and anguish of mind, it is worthy to be observed, that, such persons will not resign their hope; nor, let their Saviour go; but, with confidence adopt the resolution of Job, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.Such conflicts our departed friend, M Lewis, painfully endured; but, her God did not forsake her, nor leave her without a smile. This leads me to explain.

II. The RELIEF which David enjoyed, the Lord is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. This was not only adequate for David's present support, but formed a strong excitement to his prospect of eternal felicity.

God is the strength of my heart. This is true of the Lord, as he is the God of nature, the Creator and Preserver of the animal body; For in him we live, and move, and have our being. Under the variety of our pains and sufferings, he cherishes the animal spirits, and gives strength to the system to bear the pressure of our burdens. This he sometimes performs by his secret hand; and not unfrequently by external means, which he is pleased to bless to answer the design. Thus the Lord strengthens them upon the bed of languishing: and makes all their bed in their sickness. Psm. 41. 3. These natural supports, communicated to the feeble constitutions of men, however valuable, are but as a shade, when compared with those which the Lord, as the God of all grace in Christ Jesus, communicates to his children in distress. ever severe and weighty their burden, Christ is the Rock of the heart; and by his Spirit he creates in them that confidence in his immutable promises, which bear up the mind under all the pains and infirmities of the body. Of this, David was an experienced witness, and thus devoutly acknowledged the favour to his God; in the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psm. 138. 3. Thousands of the saints in every age, and under the most distressing calamities, have enjoyed the same support from the hand of the Lord. Paul, both knew and felt under all his sufferings, that, as the outward man decayed, so the inward man

How

was renewed, day by day; and, that the Lord would make his strength perfect in our weakness. Humility, patience, peace, hope, resignation, comfort, are as so many cordials which God is pleased to convey to the fainting heart, in such proportions, and at such times as may best relieve the anguish of the soul under the pressure of suffering. Especially, when his children recline on the dying bed, and sin and satan make the last violent attack, the Lord drives the shades of sin away; expels the poisonous darts of temptation and heals the wounds by the sacred balm of his gospel; shows that the sting of death, by the conquest of Christ, is taken away; and that the kingdom of heaven is open to all believers; then, casts his heavenly smiles upon the heart and says, though thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the floods they shall not overflow thee, for I am the Lord thy God. Isa. 43. 2. 3. By such, and various other communications, the Lord becomes the strength of the heart, and proves the faithfulness of his ancient promise, as thy Days, so shall be thy strength. Deu. 33. 25. If there were nothing more than these supporting favours which David, and a multitude of others have received from their God, when under affliction, and in the prospect of death, they prove the virtues of religion, and demand the highest expressions of gratitude and praise !— But David enjoyed more than these. The Lord was not only the strength of his heart, when

flesh failed, but His portion for ever. Let therefore the flesh fail, and the body return to its native dust; there is a more enduring substance beyond the grave, a portion in reserve that fadeth not away. It is the Lord, in all the fuiness of his glory, in the highest heavens. My God-my Saviour-my Heaven-my inheritance--my endless happiness! What can I say more? Blessed portion this; immense, rich, inconceivable ; so secure that it can never be destroyed; and lasting as eternity. What ever knowledge or experience we have of this while in the body, it is but as a glimpse, and foretaste of what is to be fully enjoyed in the regions of immortality. No wonder therefore that David, in this Psalin, with such devout extacy exclaimed, whom have I in heaven but THEE? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides THEE-Psm. 73. 25. Blessed Saviour, as thou hast graciously promised to be our portion in the world which is to come, prevent us from choosing any other with superlative attachment, while inhabiting this world of sorrow!

I informed this assembly, that I was directed to the choice of this text, as it afforded so much support and consolation to our departed friend in the last stages of her earthly existence.Mr Rachel Lewis, in her domestic relations, was a tender and affectionate mother, both to her children and grand-children. Possessed of talents to soothe anothers grief, her friendly attention was extended to many other families which