Gospel Reconciliation, Sermon 2
OLD AGE IS A Crown of Glory, Eſpecially When found in waies OF RIGHTEOVSNESS. Preached before the Company of Mercers at their Chappel. May, 20. 1641
Proverbs, 16, 31.
The hoary Head is a Crown of Glory, if it be found in the Way of Righteouſneſs;
I Have lately in this City Preached unto Young men, and at this time ſuppoſing this auditory to be intended chiefly for grave Citizens (though others come in) I have prepared to ſpeak ſuitable unto them; Pſal. 148.12. Young men and Old men are called to praiſe the name of the Lord; as it was a bleſſed time when the children cried Hoſannah, upon Chriſts comming to purge the Temple (for that was the occaſion) ſo it ſhal be and is a bleſſed time, when Old men are coming into God, in the praiſe of his great works, when God ſhal reign Gloriouſly before the ancients of Iſrael: we have ſuch a propheſie in Iſa. 24. verſe the laſt. When the Lord of Hoſts ſhal reign in mount Zion, in Jeruſalem, before the antients Gloriouſly; A bleſſed time when the ancients ſhal behold the Glorious reign of Chriſt, and be joyful in it: and in Revela. 4. It is prophecied again of the Elders (in the latter end of the chapter) that the Elders fel down and worſhipped him that liveth for ever, and caſt down their crownes before him. This text of mine it is a proverbial ſentence, ſetting out of the Glory of Old men in the waies of righteouſneſs, we may ſpare dependance, for the proverbs are not as jewels linked in a Bracelet together, but as ſo many ſeveral Diamonds lying one by another, and ſome of them ſeveral Diamonds lying (as it were) in a box together; Now this proverb hath in it two Diamonds ſet upon the crown of Old men, one below it, and the other a top of it, that below it is the Hoary Head, and a top of it is found in the way of righteouſneſs. The hoarie head is a crown to Old men, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſs. Two doctrinal points we have in the words, the Firſt is.
Doct. 1. That Old Age is an honorable thing, it is a Crown of Glory. Doct. 2. But then eſpecially honorable, when it is found in the way of righteouſneſs.
For it is not wholly limmited to the way of righteouſneſs, the word [IF] is not in the original, it is honorable howſoever, but then moſt honorable when found in the way of rigoteouſneſs.
I ſhal firſt proſecute the firſt Doctrine.
It is a high expreſſion of the Holy Ghoſt here The Hoary head is Glory and it is a Crown of Glory, Corona ornatiſſima ſaith one Interpreter, a Glorious Crown, Corona exaltationis, a Crown of exaltation ſaith another Corona pulchritudinis, a crowne of beauty ſaith another, The hoary head is a glorious crown, a crown of exaltation, a crown of beauty.
1. God honors Old Age, as by ſpeaking honorably of it in Proverbs, 20.29. Gray hairs are the beauty of Old men.
2. God honors it by promiſing Old Age to the keeping of the commandements, in Deut. 4.40. And you know that firſt commandement with promiſe, the fift Commandement, honor thy Father and thy Mother, that thy daies may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
3. God honors it by preferring it before al riches, and before al other kindes of honors Proverbs 3.16. It is ſaid, that in the right hand of wiſdom is length of daies, in her left hand is riches and honors, riches and honor is but in the left hand of wiſdom, and length of daies is in the right hand, thus God honors Old Age.
4. God honors it by giveing a charge unto others to honor it, in Leviti. 19.32. Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the Old man, and feare thy God, I am the Lord; It is one of the moſt ſolemneſt charges that we have in the ſcripture, mark with what gravity and ſolemnity the charge goes; thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the Old man, and fare thy God, I am the Lord; your feare of God is layed upon this, And becauſe I ſee many young ones here, I ſhal ſomewhat direct my ſpeech to you, to you that make any profeſſion of Religion, you muſt manifeſt it in this; would you make it appear that you fear the Lord? Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the Old man, and feare the Lord; this is one worke of fearing of God, to do this in obedience to God, and if you be bold and impudent before the Aged, know this is an argument that the feare of God is not upon you; The beauty and glory of religion is to be ſhewen in the duties of our relations, as between Father and Child, Servant and Maſter, inferior and ſuperior, young and old, except religion doth manifeſt it ſelf in our relations it is al in vain, Thou ſhalt honor the face of the Old man, and feare the Lord; God laies the feare of his name upon this, and this is a great honor that God putts upon Old Age.
Secondly, It is honored by all good men. Job. 32.5.6. And ſo Elihu there honors the Aged in diverſe verſes, and when Paul writ to Phylemon, in verſe 9. of that Epiſtle, he maketh it as an argument, and Paul the aged, knowing it was a powerful argument indeed with Phylemon.
Thirdly, Old Age is honored by the heathen themſelves. I remember I have read of the Lacedemonians, when their Embaſſadors were at Athens, upon a time they were in a Theatre, where abundance of people were gathered together, there cometh a grave Old man in, and preſently the Lacedemonian Embaſſadors in reverance to the Aged man, they roſe up to make the Aged man roome and place, upon this al the Athenians gave a great ſhoute in applauding this their work, that they being ſtrangers would ſhew ſuch reſpect to age, and this was when they came into a Theater. This is a good rule when they come not into Theaters, but into places of Gods aſſemblies, when Aged men come not into Theaters to ſee plaies, but when they come to worſhip God, and hear his word, that young men ſhould riſe up before them, and reverance their Age, and ſhew reverance and reſpect to them; and know I ſpeak not this as a moral work, but as that wherein you ſhould ſhew the feare of God.
Fourthly, It hath been accounted in ſcripture a ſign of great humanity, when the Aged are ſo honored. In Deuteronomy, 28.50. There is a notable Place, God threatens that he would ſend a nation of fierce countenance, which ſhal not regard the perſon of the Ol…: It is an inhumane nation, of fierce countenance, that ſhal not regard the perſon of the Old.
Fiftly, When God would threaten a judgment againſt a family, he threatens that there ſhould be no Old man in it. 1 Sam. 2.31.32.
Queſt. But why ſhould Old Age be ſo honored?
I have not time to ſearch fully into the reaſons of it, (there are others things that I eſpecially intend at this time that are behind) but yet ſomewhat I muſt ſay. Firſt.
Anſw. 1 They had the poſſeſſion of the world before you, and they have been means to keep the world, inſtruments to keep it in that order, and in that good condition in which it is.
2. They are to be ſuppoſed to have knowledg, Prudence, and underſtanding, and Old Age is knit together diverſe times in ſcripture, and I remember the Chaldee paraphraſe upon that place, thou ſhalt riſe up before the Old man, tranſlate it with this word, qui doctus eſt in Lege, before him that is taught in the Law, ſuppoſing that al Old men ſhould be men of underſtanding, and men of knowledg, and indeed an ignorant Old man in theſe times of knowledg is a monſter in the world, having had ſuch a time of light as we have had ſhinning ſo clearly, dazeling our very eyes, and ſparkling continually in our conſciences. Again.
3. Old Age is that that al deſire to come unto, and therefore honorable.
4. There is a kind of image of Gods eternity upon it, God himſelf hath this title of the ancient of daies.
USE. 1.
If God then thus honors it, and puts this honor upon it, O! let us al honor old age, let there be a reverent carriage of you towards them let them ſee the work of Godline… the fruit of Godlyneſs, eſpecially governors in in their ſervants, parents in their Children, that they may ſee that ſince they were more godly, they have more reverence to old age, Adviſe with them, be willing to be guided by them, and yet not ſo far as to give ſo much unto age, as to make it to be a rule of actions, as to be led into any error by it. When antiquity is pleaded for that which is not truth, it is but the very mould (as it were) of error, many men when they are (as it were) mired in their error, and know not how to get out, eſpecially in way of diſpute, then they wil ſeeke to helpe themſelves by antiquity as we read of Jeremiah when he was put into the mire, they put old rotten ragges under his arme-holes to lift him up, ſo many being plunged in diſput, when they have nothing elſe to ſay, they thinke to get together old rotten ragges of antiquity, no true antiquity, for that is antiquity that is according to the firſt original of al antiquities meus Jeſus Chriſtus ſaith Ignatius, and Criſoſtom ſaith, Chriſt ſaid not that I am cuſtom, but that I am the truth. There is a great deal of power I confeſs in old age, for to prevail with the younger ſomtimes in tha that is evil, and in this ſence the holy-ghoſt bids us cal no man father, no man muſt be called Father, to have the authority, to be a rule of our actions againſt the truth; we have a notable ſtory in the 1. Rings. 13.11. of the prophet that God charged not to returne back again the ſame way he came, and when he came to the Court, not to ſtay, nor eate in that place, but when he came to the Court, then they laboured to perſwade with him that he would returne, that he would ſtay and eate, and he could eaſily put off a company of yong gallants at Court, but when he came unto the old prophet, Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel, (ſaith the text) and this old prophet he comes and he prevails with him to go againſt the command of God, it ſeemes he had ſome reverent reſpect unto his age, and ſo he prevailed with him when the other Courtiers could not. We muſt take heed that antiquity never ſo prevaile with us, no, not any old prophet, but though we muſt not be led into error through our reſpect unto them, yet ſtil keep our reverential reſpect towards them, eſpecially you that be Children, reverence you your old parents, in Prov. 23.22. there is a charge, hearken to thy father that begat thee, and deſpiſe not thy mother when ſhe is old; Hear thy Father that begate thee, and deſpiſe not thy mother, becauſe they being weaker are more ready to be deſpiſed, therefore God giveth a charge that none muſt deſpiſe their mothers when they are old.
2. Give reſpect to them by being dutifully obedient, hearkening to their counſels. Even Eſau himſelfe that was ſo wicked, yet he would ſeeme to give ſome reſpect unto his old father Iſaac, as in Geneſis. 18.8. And Eſau ſeeing that the daughters of Canaan pleaſed not Iſaac his Father, then went Eſau to Iſhmael, and took unto the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Iſhmael Abrahams Son &c. When Eſau ſaw the daugh…ers of Canaan did not pleaſe his father, Eſau would go and take the daughter of Iſhmael Abrahams Son, he would not diſpleaſe his own old father, no not an Eaſu, no, not a prophane Eſau he would not diſpleaſe his own old father, not in his match, in his choice, but would chooſe thoſe that he thought were moſt agreeable unto the minde of his old Father.
3. Give reſpect unto your parents in bearing good wil to them. The very reaſon why many would fain have their old parents to be from them, or they from their old parents, is indeed an argument (if it were conſidered) why they ſhould rather deſire to have their parents with them, namly, becauſe they have many weakneſſes, therefore thou ſhouldeſt rather deſire to have thy parents with thee, that thou mighteſt cover their weakneſſes, and bear with their weakneſſes, who is fitter to do it than thee to thy parents? the ſtork wil teach thee to provide for thy old parents, they wil helpe them to fly, and feed their old ones when they are not able to do it themſelves.
1. It is a great evil in a common-wealth, and a ſigne of great confuſion, when younge ones ſhal behave themſelves proudly againſt the old, in Iſaiah. 3.5. when the young come and behave themſelves proudly againſt the old, it is noted as a great argument of Gods Judgments upon a Kingdome, and indeed it is a ſad and grevious diſorder, we love the houſes and the Towns in which we were borne, much more then the loynes and the womb in which we were borne, to which we ſhould give a greater reſpect. And.
2. God threatens thoſe that are diſobedient and ſtout to their parents, that the very ravens ſhal pick out their eyes, and under the law they were to be puniſhed with death, if any parent would come and charge his ſon with diſobedience, he was to be ſtoned to death.
USE. 2.
You that are old and ancient, ſeeing God hath put honor upon you, take heed you diſhonor not your hoary haires. God ſaith you are a Crown of Glory, diſhonor not you this your Cown of Glory, for your white haires wil make your ſins ſo much the blacker; and we read in Numb. 6.7. that the high prieſt might not defile himſelfe becauſe the conſecration of God was upon his head. There is a Crown of Glory upon thy head, therefore defile not thy ſelfe. I have read of a Lacedemonian that wore his beard very long, and it was white, and one asked him why he wore it ſo long, he gave this anſwer; I wear it long that I ſeeing my white hairs may do nothing diſhonorable to them, may do nothing unbeſeeming thoſe white haires of mine. If thou ſhouldeſt do any thing unbeſeeming thy Hoary head and Crown of Glory, thou takeſt the beauty away from thee, there is a Puerilis Senectus, an Old man may be a Child, as wel as a young man may be Old. A young man may be Old in reſpect of his ſpirit, and demeanor, and carriage. And much vanity may appeare in thoſe that are Old, to make them be as Children. Titus. 2.2, 3. you have there the exhortation of the Holy Ghoſt to Old men, how they ſhould carry themſelves with al gravity, and with modeſty. It is a notable place that we are to obſerve that Rehoboam though he were above forty years Old, yet the ſcripture (you ſhal find in 2. Chron. 13.7.) cals Rehoboam a Child, he was but a Child, one that had a very childiſh Effeminate heart, when Rehoboam was young and tender hearted, and could not withſtand them, young, a child, tender hearted, of a ſoftly heart, a fooliſh Effeminat childiſh ſpirit, that is the meaning of it, and yet this Rehoboam was above forty years Old, whereas Joſeph was a young man, and the ſcripture in Gen. 45. cals him a Father unto Pharoah. But Thirdly.
USE. 3.
If it be an honor to live many years in this world, O! What an honor is eternity then to live for ever? It hath been counted a great honor to have but any monuments of men after they are dead, to laſt for a great while, Julius Ceaſar he hath appointed his aſhes to be kept in an urine in a Room to this day, (as they ſay) ſo very honorable is a monument. But then to live to al eternity with God, what honor is in that? If the hoary head be a crown of glory, what crown of glory is it for a man to have eternal life? to have that eternal crown of glory put upon him, what are a few years here in this world, in compariſon to eternity? but a little plaſh of water in compariſon of the infinite ocean. If thou haſt cauſe to bleſs God for a few dayes that he hath lengthened out to thee here, what cauſe haſt thou bleſs him for the hope of eternal life? Again.
USE. 4,
If the hoary head be ſuch a Crown of Glory, if it puts honor upon men, What then doth eternity it ſelfe put upon God? If men be to be honored becauſe of a few years here in this world, how is God to be honored then that is eternal? God doth glory himſelfe in his eternity, I am he that inhabiteth eternity. And the Elders in Revel. 4.8. they fel down and worſhipped him that was, and is, and ſhal be for evermore. I remember Pareus tels us of a cuſtom of the Turks, that they uſe every morning to have one proclaim aloud, The lord that was, and that ſhal be for ever, the Lord is eternal, he hath no beginning at al. Thou art but of yeſterday, though thou haſt lived now many years, the Lord he ſhal have no end at al, but though thou liveſt long, yet it wil be ſaid within a little time, ſuch an one lived ſo many years and is dead; as it is in Gen. 5. There Methuſelah and others lived thus and thus many years, and Adam and others, and they died. And I have read of one that hearing that Chapter read, that ſuch an one lived ſo many hundred years and he died, and ſuch an one lived ſo many hundred years and he died, it made ſuch an impreſſion upon his ſpirit, as took him off from al the things of the world, and cauſed him to mind the proviſion of his eternal eſtate, and was the cauſe of his converſion, by reading the years of ſo many mens ages, and yet they dyed. Remember it muſt be ſaid one day, ſuch a man was ſeventy or eighty years Old and he dyed, but God abides for ever, we are but as graſs. And therfore if God wil have honor put upon you becauſe of your Age, put you honor upon God becauſe of his eternity: God he can have no time added to his time, there is no ſucceſſion of time with him, God cannot be ſaid to have continued, or to have lived a longer time now, than he did live before the world began, there is no time added to him, he is beyond all meaſure of time, and it is good for us when we injoy any continuance of time in any comfort, to worſhip the eternal God, to have our hearts to delight in that eternal God that is beyond al time. It is a very obſervable place that we have in Geneſis concerning Abraham, it is in Gen. 21 That when Abraham had been going up and down a while, and afterwards had a reſting place, the text ſaith Abraham planted a grove in Beerſheba: that notes that he was to abide where he planted a grove: and what then? and he called there upon the name of the Lord, the everlaſting God. This is the firſt time that God is called in Scripture the everlaſting God, and then did Abraham call upon the name of the Lord, the everlaſting God, when God did grant unto him …ome abiding in that place where he was, that he could ſtay and plant a grove. Hath God cauſed an abiding in you, that you have lived a long time in this Ci…y in a proſperous condition? do you learn to cal upon the name of God the everlaſting God, give honor to the eternal God? But we muſt paſs from this firſt point though it be a point of great uſe; yet the ſecond is the principal, The hoary head is a crown Glory; but when? When it is found in a way o… righteouſneſs. That is the Second.
Doct. 2. That it is the way of righteouſneſs that puts the Crown of Glory indeed upon the hoary head.
That is the Diamond that is a top of the Crown, if the hoary head be an honor, this is the honor of that honor, if it bee a Crown, righteouſneſs it is the Crown, of that Crown Menſura vitae non eſt longitudo ſed honeſtum, The meaſure of life is not the length of it, but Godlineſs is the great honor we are to meaſure our life by. I ſuppoſe you have heard the ſpeech of him that ſaid, I have been long, but I have not lived long. Old men except they be righteous, they are long, but they can ſcarce be ſaid to live long. If it be found in the way of righteouſneſs, that is, ſuppoſing that you have been Godly from your youth, and ſo grow up to be Godly while you are, then that honors indeed: for though it be good for men to begin to come into the waies of Godlineſs at any time, and it is never to late to come in, yet to be Elementarius Senex, that is rather a diſhonor to be a beginner when you are Old, in the great work, you ſhould be treading in al your daies, rather a diſhonor (I mean) that you do but then begin, therefore ſurely the text means this: If it be found, that is if you have gone on in the courſe of your life in righteouſneſs, and ſo your Old Age doth not begin righteouſneſs in you, but findeth you in the way of righteouſneſs, you are in the way of righteouſneſs, then it honors. It is ſpoken to the honor of that diſciple Manaſon, in Acts, 21.16. There went with us alſo certaine of the Diſciples of Ceſaria, and brought with them one Manaſon of Cyprus an Old Diſciple, with whom we ſhould lodg; An Old Diſciple, it is a mark of honor unto him that he was an Old Deſciple; and ſo Obadiah. 1 Kings, 18.12. I have feared God from my youth, (ſaith Obadiah) and he ſpeaketh of it, and the Holy Ghoſt records it as a great honor unto him, I have feared God from my youth. If any of you (for at that time Obadiah was growen ancient, if any of you) can ſay ſo, with Obadiah, The Lord hath now given me length of daies, and I bleſs his name that (though in weakneſs yet) I have feared God from my youth; Oh! this is honorable. As it is reported of Policarpus, Policarpus when he was about to die by Martyrdome, they would have him to renounce the truth, Oh! (ſaith he) theſe eighty ſix years I have ſerved Chriſt, and found him a good maſter, ſhal I leave him now? What an honorable ſpeech was this for him to be able to ſay, theſe eighty ſix yeares have I ſerved Chriſt and found him a good Maſter. Wil you appeale whether you can ſay, theſe ſixty, theſe ſeventy years, or forty years I have ſerved Chriſt, and found him a good Maſter, if you can, this is honorable if you be found in the way of righteouſneſs.
1. This is a great evidence of the deep rooting of your Grace, and ſo puts a greater honor upon you, it is an argument Grace had a very deep root, in that it hath held out al this while, and flouriſhed al this while. You know the ſeed that was ſown in the ſtony ground, it came up a little for the preſent, but vaniſhed away, but that that was ſowen in the good ground, it came up and flouriſhed though in the heate of the Sun. Many have a good beginning as Nero, …hough he were an abominable wretch afterwards, yet his firſt five years were very eminent for forwardneſs in Godlineſs, but afterwards fel off. But now if you ſhal go on and hold out til you be aged, Oh! it is a bleſſed evidence of the deepneſs of the root of Grace in your hearts. That is the firſt.
2. Thoſe that are Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, they cannot but be ſuppoſed to be very eminent in Grace and Godlineſs, they have gotten much in the waies of Godlineſs, they have growen to ſome excellency in holy waies; John he began young, and continued Old in Godlineſs, for ſo he was, he was neare a hundered years Old, he could not be leſs, for his baniſhment was in Domitians time, which was eighty years after Chriſt, that he was baniſhed into the Iſle of Pathmos, and then he could not be leſs than above a hundred years Old, and then he had divine revealations revealed unto him. Thoſe that have continued long in Godlineſs, grow to a great eminency in Godlineſs. Obadiah (as ſome think) was that prophet Obadiah afterwards, that had continued long in the waies of Godlineſs; It is not with Grace as with nature, nature cometh to a period, and then decayes, but Grace groweth and flouriſheth, though the body grow downward, yet Grace wil grow upward; It is the promiſe of God in Pſal. 92.14. That thoſe that are planted in the houſe of God, they ſhal flouriſh in the courts of God; Thoſe that are planted in the houſe of the Lord, ſhal flouriſh in the courts of God, they ſhal ſtil bring forth fruit in Old Age, they ſhal be fat and flouriſhing; that is the promiſe of God, and therefore it cannot but be imagined, that there is a great deal of eminency in ſuch, and therefore to be honored, haveing a crown of Glory upon them. And thirdly.
3. Thoſe that have continued long in the waies of righteouſneſs, they have had many experiences of God, wonderful experiences of the waies of God, the faithfulneſs of God, the mercies of God, the truth of God, in the courſe of his providence unto his Churches, and this is an honorable thing, David in Pſal. 25.6. he ſpeakes of Gods mercies of Old; and in Pſal. 74.12. there you have been ſpeaking of God, he was a King of Old, and in Pſal. 44. And the begning, there our Fathers have told us things of Old what thou haſt done Pſal. 119.152, I have knowen thy teſtimonies of Old. To have the experiences of Gods wil, and of Gods waies in the paſſages of his providence of Old, is a glorious thing, and ſo they that are Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, they come to know exceeding much of Gods minde in that regard; and this is a crown of Glory. And Fourthly.
4. They that are Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, that they give a good teſtimony to the waies of righteouſneſs that they are good; An Old Servant that wil not leave his maſter, gives a good teſtimony of the goodneſs of his Maſter. The Bee that ſticks long at the flower and wil not go away, gives a teſtimony that there is a great deal of honor to be ſucked out there. As Apoſtates that fal from Gods ſervice diſgrace it, and (as much as in them lies) tel to the world, that there is not that good in the ſervice of God as others beare them in hand there is, but thoſe that are Old, and can ſay as Policarpus, I have found him a good maſter al this while, they honor Gods waies.
5. It is honorable becauſe there are ſo few that continue til they be Old in the waies of Godlineſs; If we ſet many plants, and moſt of them vaniſh and come to nothing, but there is one or two that flouriſh, and come to be trees, and ſo proſper, we love them the better, and delight in them the more: ſo becauſe God ſees there are ſo few that continue in his waies, therefore thoſe that do are the more prized by God, and the more honored by God; So Paul he tells us that of the moſt he was forſaken; 2 Tim. 1 15.16. He praies for the houſe of Oneſiphorus, becauſe he had kept by him when moſt in Aſia had forſaken him; that is honorable. Again,
Thoſe that continue in the waies of Godlineſs they are honorable before the Lord, becauſe they have paſſed through many difficulties in the waies of God. A ſouldier that hath paſſed through man… dangers and dfficulties in the Kings ſervice, is ſo much the more honored. We reade of Solomon, 1 Kings, 2.26. That he honored Abiathar becauſe he had ſuffered ſo much affliction with his Father of Old: ſo God wil honor thoſe that have ſuffered many difficulties, thoſe that have gone through many changes of time, and yet continued upright God wil exceedingly honor; in Luke, 18. Becauſe you have indured with me in the time of temptation, therefore I have appointed unto you a Kingdom, (ſaith Chriſt.) Again.
It is an honorable thing to be Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, becauſe theſe have much acquaintance with God, they come to be of Gods long acquaintance. Now we delight much if we can meet with one that is of our old acquaintance, we ſay Oh! Such an one is my Old acquaintance, he was my fathers acquaintance, therefore we prize him now. Now an Old man that hath been a Godly man a long time, he is our Old acquaintance, an Old acquaintance of God our Father, and therefore we honor him; in Exodus, 15.23. Where Moſes praiſes God (ſaith he) he is our God, and our Fathers …od. Is it an honor to God that he was our Fathers God? Then it is an honor to you that you are Gods that are our Fathers, that you are our Fathers Saints; if God be honored for being our Fathers God, then you are honored for being one of our Fathers Saints, Gods Saint who is our Father. We reade of Moſes that having been but forty daies converſing with God upon the Mount, and his Face did ſhine, if converſing with God forty daies makes his face ſhine, what wil it be to converſe with God forty years? Oh! how muſt their faces needs ſhine being ſo long acquainted with him.
8. Thoſe that continue gracious Old, they have done a great deal of ſervice, and therefore honorable; eſpecially if they have been in publique places. A publique Miniſter that hath, co…inued to be Old in ſervice for God, he is an object o… …uch honor, to be exceedingly reverenced. I remember it is reported of Baſil, that when the officers came to apprehend him, the ſtory ſaith he was about holy duties, and the gravity and ſparkling holineſs of countenance, made the officers to fal down backwards, they were not able to beare it. A man that hath lived long in the ſervice of God, is very honorable before the Lord, & before men we honor our Old Servants, if any one hath been your Old ſervant, you wil not ſee ſuch an one want; he hath been my Fathers ſervant, before me, and an ancitent ſervant to the family, and therefore not to be diſreſpected; ſhal we reſpect ancient ſervants to the family and company, then how much more is an ancient ſervant to the Lord to be reſpected? How wil not many Glory in this, that they have been in the Kings ſervice thus long? Oh! this is worthy of Glory, that thou haſt been in the ſervice of the Lord ſo long.
9. Oh! It is a crown of Glory to be Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, becauſe thou art neare to that eternal crown. Rom, 13.11. Our ſalvation is nearer than when at firſt we beleeved. Thou art even almoſt at the heaven, and when thou art looked upon thus, thou art to be honored in that regard, An Old ſouldier that by being long in ſervice, cometh to have the next place of preferment to be due to him, he is looked upon with reſpect and regard. It may be the next place in heaven is like to be thy portion, thou art neare unto thy Glory. Young men are to go on in their warfare here, but thy warfar is even accompliſhed, in Iſa. 40. Comfort you, comfort you my people, for their warfar is accompliſhed. Now thoſe are to be honored, it is a glory for a man to be neare the Kingdom of heaven, to be near this crown of eternal Glory.
10. If thou continueſt Old in the waies of righteouſneſs, then thy crown of Glory ſhal be exceeding great, exceeding glorious. The longer thou ſtayeſt for it, the more glorious it ſhal be; the longer thy crown is a framing, the more ful of Diamonds and Pearls it wil be when it cometh. I have read of an Emperors Son, that one ſpeaking to him about the glory he was like to have hereafter, I, (ſaith he) the Cooks are a long time preparing the dinner, but we ſhal have the better cheer when it cometh. So though God hath let thoſe that are ancient and Godly, live here in their Pilgrimage a long time, yet when it cometh they ſhal have the greater Glory. Put al theſe together, and certainly it muſt needs be, that the hoary head muſt needs have a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſs.
USE. 1.
We have cauſe to lament, that we have ſo few objects to honor as we have. Indeed It is a moſt glorious ſight to ſee an Old gracious holy man, that hath been from his youth holy and Godly, it is indeed a moſt glorious ſight, and may wel draw the eyes of al to behold it. I remember Joſephus ſaith, that Moſes when he was but little, he had that beauty upon him, that al that paſſed by were even enamoured with his beauty, and they could not paſs by but they muſt ſtand and look upon him. Truly if there be a beautiful honorable object in the world, it is to ſee a hoary head in the waies of Righteouſneſs; but O! wo to us that we have ſo few of them among us, bleſſed be God that there are any, but how happy we if we had more ſuch objects to honor. That there are but few I give you theſe evidences. Firſt.
1. How few old ones have we that delight when they come together, when they meete in their companies, to relate the experiences of the waies of God, of the paſſages of Gods providence, of the faithfulneſs of God, and of the goodneſs of God to them, and to his people, ſo as to give glory to his name: when they come together they tel a great many of old tales, or old fables, they delight themſelves in telling the tricks of their youth, what they have done in ſuch an Inn, in ſuch a Tavern, or in ſuch a company; they can revive their youthful ſins again: but to diſcourſe of the providence and waies of God to them of old, to give glory to him, where finde you this? Again ſecondly.
2. How few old ones have you that are fit to inſtruct young ones, and to come & incourage them in the waies of Righteousneſs, and to tel them what they have found in Gods waies, and ſo to provoke them on to the wais of righteouſneſs?
3. How few old ones have you that can delight to ſee God, yet appearing more gloriouſly in his waies, in his truth, and ordinances than he hath done? nay, are not many vexed, and think to caſt off al with an apprehenſion of novelty? new things that we have, and ſo upon that vex and fret, and wiſh that things were as they were formerly of Old?
4. How many have we that are ancient, that are ſpiritual and heavenly, that can ſay with Paul, Now I have finiſhed my courſe, and have fought the ſight of faith, and henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Glory, Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly. Certainly if old age be found in the way of ſin, it is as diſhonorable as it is glorious when it is found in the waies of righteouſneſs 95 Iſaiah 20. a ſinner a hundred years old ſhalbe accurſed (ſaith God) a ſiner a hundred years old; we read in Exe. 8.12. When God would ſhew the ſuperſtitious idolatry of his people there, he brought Ezekiel and ſhewed him what the ancients of Iſrael did. O! it is a ſore and heavy thing when as the ancients of Iſrael ſhal any waies countenance the waies of ſuperſtition and Idolatry; and therefore in 9 Ezek. 6. when God would come againſt his people in the waies of his Iudgments, then God had the deſtroying Angel begin at thoſe that were old, firſt, and ſtrike them firſt; I, it is a bleſſed thing when the Hoary head is found in the waies of righteouſneſs, but when we have white hairs and black conſciences, that is a grievous thing; Inſtead of being old in the waies of righteouſneſs, to be old in adulteries, in Ezek. 23.43. it is ſaid there, ſhe was old in adultry, that is an aggravation of her ſin, that ſhee was old in adultery: yea, to have the wantonneſs of their youth, that be now come to their old age, to have their old age be a ſinke to the diſeaſes of their youth. Thoſe that are old in ſin, they ſhal have old wrath heaped up for them, Ezek. 25.15. it is an agravation of wrath, that it is ſaid to be old wrath, there is old wrath as wel as old ſins; An old enemy of God is a moſt dreadful thing, for him and his forefathers to have bin old enemies to God, an old earthy muckworme; to be old and yet ignorant and ſuperſtitious, to be an example to draw others to that that is evil, through the venerableneſs of their age, this is a ſore and a very grievous, and an evil thing; the Lord ſpeak to the hearts of thoſe that are ſo, becauſe they have ſo little time to make proviſion for their ſouls, to make up their peace with God, and it is hard for them to do it; they that have bin in captivity ſeventy years, as we read of the children of Iſarael, that they had bin in captivity ſeventy years together: and ſo there are many men and women, that have bin in captivity under ſatan for theſe ſeventy years, perhaps for eighty years together, O! how hard is it to work upon them? as if a candle lay a longe time in the wet, it is hard to light that candel: it is as hard to worke the work of Grace upon any, that have layne ſoaking a long time in their corruptions, I wil not ſay it is impoſſible, but give me an example of one man, that hath bin converted when he was old, only one ſeemeth to have fom probability of it, and that was Manaſſeh, but (except that) I know no example of any, not that it is impoſſible, only this I ſpeak to cauſe thoſe that yet have not made up their peace with God, and yet they have one foot in the grave, to look about them while there is time, it is poſſible, but we muſt make account of it as a mighty great thing. God muſt magnifie his free grace towards you, for how ſhal God have his ende in working upon you? what ſervice ſhal God have from you, when you have given away your former time in the waies of ſin? the Lord ſpeak to your conſciences, and humble them before him at this day, for their condition is ſad, and it is a moſt dreadful object. As it is a moſt glorious object to behold one righteous in his old age, ſo it is a dreadful object to ſe an old drunkard, an old ſwearer, an old prophane man is a moſt dreadful and fearful object to behold, but we hope that the Lord hath ſome objects among us, that cal for much reverence and reſpect, and to them I deſire rather to ſpeake.
ƲSE, 2
By way of incouragement, and by way of exhortation, much peace and comfort is due unto ſuch, the Lord and ſaints look upon them as honorable. Thou art a Father in Iſrael, and God remembers al that thou haſt done for him theſe for…y, theſe ſixty years. I remember Luther ſaith, That one gracious action is more excellent than heaven and earth, Millies quam caelum et terra (ſaith he) one gracious action; and there is a truth in it, there is no gracious action but hath more excellency in it, than the frame of heaven and earth. Then thoſe that have continued long in the waies of God, and have grown Old in them, Oh! how excellent are they that have performed ſo many gracious actions, and al are treaſured up with the Lord; know the Lord hath Old mercies for thee, who haſt been an Old diſciple, and he wil not forſake thee when thou art Old. Pſal. 71.9. Caſt me not off in the time of Old age, forſake me not when my ſtrength faileth. And in verſe. 18. now alſo when I am Old and gray headed, Oh God! forſake me not. If thy conſcience tells thee, tha… …hou haſt indeavored to ſerve God from thy youth, to do good in the place God hath ſet thee in, thou mayeſt now go with comfort unto God; Oh Lord! now forſake me not whe… am Old, leave me not when I am Old. Now thou …aſt the bleſſings of the people of God upon thee, and whenſoever thou goeſt out of the world, Oh! the ſweet ſavor that thou wilt leave behind thee, thou art a glory and honor to all thy children, and ſhalt be after thou art dead and gone in Proverbs, 17.6. Childrens children are the crown of Old men, and the Glory of children are their fathers. [The glory of children are their Fahers] I, when their Fathers are gracious and Godly, then …ey are the glory of their children. As now? what an honor is it, that a child came of ſuch an one? Oh! this young man he had a very gracious Father, an ancient grave Citizen, he did worthily in his time, he did God a great deal of ſervice, he was a man of excellent guifts in the place where God had ſet him, ſurely there is a bleſſing for this child that had ſuch a Father; why? The very mention of thee that art Old, is an honor to thy child after thee; wherefore, ſeeing God hath put a crown upon thee, labor ſtil to brighten this crown more and more, to make it more glorious before thou dieſt, and that is the buſineſs I have to do, (and then I ſhal wind up all) to ſhew to you what Old men ſhould do to make their crown more glorious, how they ſhould exerciſe the work of righteouſneſs ſo, as indeed to be glorious when they live, and when they die, and ſo, eternally afterwards. The firſt is this.
1. Bewail the ſins of thy youth; that is one worke that is a very ſuitable work for Old men, wherein their righteouſneſs ſhould run; bewaile the ſins of thy youth, and bleſs God that thou haſt time to bewail them. Thus David in Pſal. 25. Oh! remember not againſt me the ſins of my youth, Oh! the many evills of my youth that have paſſed from me! Oh! happy had it been for me that I had beg…n ſooner in the waies of God. It was Auſtins grievous complaint, Domine nimis Sera &c. Oh Lord! I love thee too late, ſaid Auſtin when he was an Old man. So al you that are Old and ancient, look but to your former times, whether you did be… to grow gracious when you were young, if you have cauſe to ſay, Oh Lord! I began to love thee too late, it had been happy for you had you begun ſooner.
2. Labor to redeem the time, to do much for God while he continues thy time. It is a little time thou haſt to live, Oh! let much be done in that time; The beſt of you have neglected the fore-part of your times, double now your diligence in the latter part of your times, labor to redeem it, by putting on others in the waies of Godlineſs that they may be more forward than your ſelves, to leave a ſucceſſion of Godlineſs after you are dead and gone. Think with your ſelves, what ſhal I go out of this world and do God ſo little ſervice as I have done? how little and poor ſervice God hath had from me all my daies. Again.
3. Incourage thoſe that are young, that are to come after you; as David, come children and I wil teach you the feare of the Lord, tel them what you have found in the waies of God, how ſweet and how good they have been to you, labor with your ſervants and children, that when you die you may die ſo much the more comfortably, take heed of checking of young ones in their forwardneſs in the waies of God, take not advantages againſt them, that if they do offend thee in the leaſt degree: I, this is your religion, this is your forwardneſs, this is your profeſſion. Oh! if you were gratious your ſelves, you would be wary of checking of them in the waies of religion. It is true, if any of your ſervants or children, make profeſſion of religion more than others, and yet ſhal be negligent in their duties, they are to be rebuked ſo much the more ſharply, I but you muſt do it with Gravity, and tenderneſs of affection, and with ſence of the name of God how that ſuffers, and this would beſeem you to ſpeak to them as in the name of God, to charge things ſolemnly upon their conſciences and to ſanctifie them by prayer: but in every paſſion to be checking them for their forwardneſs in religion, ſurly this is an evil; If they ſhould make their moan to God, and appeal to God, that thy indeavor to pleaſe you what they can, but you take the rather advantage againſt them, becauſe of their forwardneſs in religion, O! this wil be heard in heaven againſt you.
4. You that are Oldl, abor to beautify the crown of your glory; bleſſe God that you live to ſee any manifeſtation of the name of God, further than formerly you have done, that you live to this day to ſee Chriſt appearing for his people, and for his children, and his ordinances more than formerly, whatſoever many of you may think of it, yet certainly if many of your fore-fathers were left to live again, and to ſee theſe times in which we live, they would bleſs God with their Faces upon the ground for that you live to ſee. And I dare ſay, There is no gracious Old man living this day in England, but ſees indeed cauſe of giveing God abundance of praiſe, that ever they lived to ſee ſo much appearing of God as they do. Do not becauſe of ſome troubles and interuptions vex and fret. Zachary, 3. And the latter end, that at the laying of the Foundation of the Temple, the old men that were there they fel a weeping and crying, the young men they ſhouted indeed, and they praiſed God, but the old men they cryed, becauſe they knew what was before; ſo? many young men now they ſhout, and bleſſe God for what they ſee, but many old men they weep, becauſe it is not as formerly, they can remember a great deal more peace in Queen Elizabeths daies; now there is ſuch a deal of diſtraction & diſſention, therfore they are ready to weep, when the foundation of the Temple, when the work of reformation is laid; Oh! they are ready to weep becauſe of ſo much diſtraction, but put all together, and certainly never any man ſince England was a nation, no, nor ſince the begining of the world, hath ſeen more of God and of his gracious waies to a people, than you have ſeen, therefore be not froward for that which is amiſs, but give God the praiſe and glory for that that is wel begun.
5. Shew your righteouſneſs in this, that you are willing to open your hearts, to imbrace what truths God ſhal come further reveal to you. Say not, what ſhal we have now? Shal we be wiſer than our forefathers? Take heed of ſuch arguments from your fore-fathers, you know that place in 1 Peter. 1.18. Chriſt was ſaid to come to lay down his life, to redeem us from our vaine converſation, received by tradition from our fathers; therefore ſtick not ſo much to old cuſtoms, to what was in your fore-fathers times, but if God come to manifeſt any further truth, be ready to imbrace it, and bleſs his name for it, for there are truths that do riſe in ſeveral generations. If your fore-fathers in time of reformation, ſhould have ſaid (as many of them ſaid) ſhould we be wiſer than our fore-fathers? We ſhould have continued in Popery ſtil, and yet we did think wel that they before us did decline from their forefathers, therefore we muſt look to the truths that are come up, that are manifeſted in ſeveral Generations; not that any truth is new, but the manifeſtation of ſome truths are more evident in ſome generations than in others, and therefore in 1 Peter, 1.12. The Apoſtle ſpeakes of being eſtabliſhed in the preſent truth. As in Luthers time there was a preſent truth, the point of juſtification that was the preſent truth of that age, and ſo in theſe times there are preſent truths made knowen, both concerning our outward and ſpiritual liberties. There was a great deal of falſe divinity before preached amongſt you, even concerning your eſtates, that you had nothing of your own, but al was at the abſolute wil of thoſe above you, you had no propriety at al; and for ſpiritual liberty, we know in what bondage we were there. Therefore labor now to underſtand theſe truths, and give God the glory of them, before you do imbrace theſe preſent truths. It is ſtrang that men ſhould be ſo much ſet upon former things, as to neglect the grace of God for the preſent, and al becauſe of thoſe that were before. As now among the Fathers (as we cal them Fathers) though they be to be reverenced for their graces, yet they living among heathens, and coming newly out of heatheniſme, they were faine to yeild as much as ever they could, to the heathens among whom they lived, and did ſo, and therefore there were many corruptions among them, and ſo the firſt reformers coming newly out of popery, they were fain to yeild, and did yeild ſo far as they could for the gaining of them, therefore we muſt not make that that was heretofore, the rule of things, but bleſs God for what is revealed at the preſent.
6. Another work of Old men for beautifying their crown in righteouſneſs is this, you that are ancient often think of eternity, you are now juſt a launching into the ocean of eternity, and in a few years there wil be a mighty difference between your conditions, between that that is now, and that when you ſhal be entered upon an eternal eſtate. Think much of eternity al you that are ancient. Al young ones ſhould have their thoughts much weighed with eternity, nothing wil take of the thoughts of Old and young more, than to have them ballaſed with the thoughts of eternity, eſpecially thoſe that are ancient.
7. Take heed of thoſe things that are the uſually diſtempers that accompany Old age; as namely, timerouſneſs, Oh! you would faine die in peace, you have lived al this time in peace, and are loath to ſuffer any thing for the truth; Policarpus did not ſo, when he was eighty ſix yeares of age, he was couragious. So labor you for young mens courage for God, even in the time of your old age. Take heed of ſuch a ſurlineſs and pettiſhneſs of ſpirit, that becauſe you have not heretofore received ſuch things, therefore now you wil not. Remember it is reported of the Senate of Rome, that when Tiberius would have had Chriſt to be honored as a God, Oh! it muſt not be done, (forſooth) why? Becauſe the Senate did not firſt motion ſuch a thing, becauſe it was not firſt motioned by the Senate. Many times in your meetings, though many be convinced of a good thing, they wil give notes againſt it, why? becauſe they that were moſt ancient did not firſt move it, becauſe it was put on by the young ones firſt, therefore though it be never ſo good, they wil ſtick to their Old waies, O! take heed of ſuch a ſurlineſs and pettiſhneſs of ſpirit, Remember the Gretians, it was ſaid of them, that when they wiſhed a curſe upon their enemies, it was that they ſhould pleaſe themſelves in bad cuſtomes; and it is a greivious curſe indeed, when old men are ſet upon ſuch things, that they wil not bauk what they have done heretofore; And then again, another thing for the honor of your crown in the waies of Righteouſneſs, is,
8. When God ſhal take you out of this world, (as ere longe muſt needs be) labor before to prepare your ſelves ſo, as you may die in faith, in the hope of the glorious things, that God is working for the Church in this latter age, for certainly God is doing great things for his Church in this latter age of the world, greater things than ever yet have bin done, and thoſe that are a live may live to ſee glorious workings of God in the world, more than before; and though you are not like to live to ſee the great things that God intendeth to do, yet thus far you may glorifie God before you die, die in faith; as old Jacob did. It is a notable expreſſion of old Jacob, when he lay a dying he called his ſons to him, and ſaith in Gene. 48.21. And Iſarael ſaid to Joſeph, behold I die, but God ſhal be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers; So you that are old when you ly upon your death beds, when other young ones com about you, ſay thus to them, behold I die, but aſſure your ſelves God wil be faithful in his promiſes to the Church, there are glorious things adoing for his people; in Heb. 11.22. the faith of Joſeph is there commended, in that when he dyed he gave order concerning his bones; why? what work of faith was it, for him to give order for his bones to be caried out of Egypt? yes, it was a work of faith, that he beleeved God would fulfil his promiſes; do you die ſo beleeving that God wil fulfil thoſe bleſſed promiſes he hath made to the Churches. And,
9. Take heed now in this your old age of a worldly ſpirit, this is that that is charged upon old men, and yet it is the moſt ſtrange and unreaſonableſt thing that can be, and it is very obſervable, that God hath promiſed length of daies to the quite contrary, and yet we ſee this diſtemper of heart prevails with old men exceedingly, in Prov. 28.16. but he that hateth covetuoſneſs ſhal prolong his daies; and yet it is obſervable that old men are moſt ſubject to it, and yet the ſcripture promiſeth length of daies by hating covetuouſneſs; none of you but would fain live a year longer, now hate covetuouſneſs eſpecially in theſe times. There is nothing wil more diſhonor your crowne, than the ſin of coveteouſneſs in theſe daies, becauſe if ever there were times that God called for ſpiritual and heavenly hearts, now it is; in Keve. 4, we read of the diſcription of the ſeveral ages of the Church, one was like a Lion the ſecond a Calf, the third a Man, the forth an Eagle, the laſt ſtate of reformation of the Church ſhould be like an Eagle that is the hearts of thoſe that lived in that ſtate ſhould be Eagle like, ſoaring a loft in heavenly and ſpiritual things, and ſo it becometh thoſe that are old. Be not now baſey ſparing and pichning becauſe God hath now great works to do for his people. I have read of a people in India, that worſhipped the tooth of a beaſt, and when it was taken from them, they offered an incredible maſs of treaſure to recover the tooth of the beaſt againe, becauſe they put religion in it; If theſe heathens ſhould be willing to diſburſe an in creedible maſſe of treaſure, to regaine that religions relique of a tooth of a beaſt; how willing ſhould you be freely to lay out your eſtates for the reformation of religion for the getting of the truth… and ordinances of God to be in freedom amongſt us; We know that both the ſtate and neceſſity of our brethren cals for free liberal hearts, and you that have the crown of glory in regard of age &c. are to go before others, be you free to lay out for them; Remember it is reported of the Romans for the honor of them, that at the very time that Hanibal was in the feild, they would be purchaſing of thoſe fields when their enemy was there, and would give a round ſume for them. Be not ſo diſtruſtful, but be willing to diſburſe in this way, that may be ſo much for the reliefe of our brethren in Ierland, and for the ſetting up of the goſpel there, though for the preſent there be ſome hazards; Ordinarily thoſe that are Old are ful of fears and diſtruſt, but of al they ſhould be the freeſt from them; And in the laſt place.
10. Let your praiers be, and your imbracing of the goſpel ſo for the preſent, as you may have hope when you die, that you ſhal leave the goſpel as an inheritance to your children afterwards; with what comfort may an aged man or woman die, unleſſe they may have hope the goſpel ſhal be left to their children; Not many years ſince when old people died, that had any ſight in the waies of God, they died with trembling hearts, for they thought, Now I am going, and what miſeries my Child may be brought to ſee I know not, it may be he may be brought up in popery and Idolitry, but now when you die, you may have a hope to leave the Goſpel as an inheritance to your Children; eſpecialy if your prayers be ſtrong, and your imbracements of it as it ought to be; It is ſaid of Juſtin the younger, that he ran mad with this conceite, that the Roman Empire ſhould decay, in his time, he was ſo extreamly perplexed with ſuch a thought. So it ſhould be with every generation, what! that the goſpel ſhould decay, and the entail and evidence of it be cut off in my time, it ſhould go near every one of us, and therefore incourage your ſelves, and let there be a youthful vigour in your ſpirits, to ſee to propagate the Goſpel, that you may have hopes to leave it to your poſterities when you are gone and it is not longe you ſhal have it, for conſider, you have had a bleſſed talant of grace in the time God hath afforded to you, I dare ſay that there was never eighty years ſince the world began, ſo happy for the revelation of the miſtry of Godlyneſs, as hath bin for theſe laſt eighty years, they that have lived them have had ſuch an eighty years, that cul out any eighty years ſince the begining of the world, never had a nation ſuch an eighty years as this nation hath had, therefore know that you have much to anſwer for, and remember this, If you have any Godlineſs at al, you have made many covenants and vows to God in your times, fulfil them before you dy, die not in Gods debt, you have put up many praiers, and every prayer is an ingagement to you in the waies of Godlineſs, and if you thus beautify your Crown, when you come to die, O! how ſweet wil death be to you, your pilow wil be ſoft when you come to die if you can ſay ſo (according to your meaſure) as Chriſt did, in Joh. 17. Father, glorifie me with thy ſelfe, I have finiſhed the work thou haſt given me to do; Think but with your ſelves you that are ancient, if you were to die, whether you are able to ſay thus as Chriſt did, for ſo you may ſay in your meaſure, though not ſo perfectly as Chriſt did Father glorifie me with thy ſelfe, I have finiſhed the work thou haſt given me to do; Thou knoweſt it hath bin my care in the daies of my poor pilgrimage, to finiſh this great work thou gaveſt me to finiſh in this world, O! How ſweet wil death be to ſuch an one that ſhal die ſo.
ESE 3
One word to you that are young, (and ſo I have done al) Is it ſuch a crown of Glory to be found Old in the waies of righteouſneſs? Do you then begin to be Godly betimes, that if you live in this world you may have this crown ſet upon your heads when you are ancient, for is it not better for you to be plants of Gods houſe, then weeds upon the dunghil, Thoſe that are wicked are but as weeds upon a dunghil, but you that are Godly are as plants in Gods own orchard in the laſt of the Romans, 3. We find that Andromicus and Junia are commended, becauſe they were in Chriſt before ſaint Paul, They were in Chriſt before me. It is an honorable thing to be in Chriſt before others, this is honorable when you are yong, and then going on in the waies of Godlineſs al your young time, and ſo in your midle age, and til you come to be Old. Here in my text you have this crown prepared for you, for ſo ſaith the Holy Ghoſt here, The hoary head is a crown of Glory, if it be found in the waies of righteouſneſs.
FINIS.
End of the text · Jeremiah Burroughs, Gospel Reconciliation (1657)