Gray Hairs Crowned with Grace — Simeon Ashe

Gray Hairs Crowned with Grace · Simeon Ashe

PROV. 16. 31. The hoary head is a Crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

WHoſoever knew this Reverend man (either by his own acquaintance or the true Report of others) whoſe Funerall doth occaſion this great Aſſembly, will acknowledge that my Text is ſuitable unto the occaſion of our meeting. The Lord make my Sermon as ſerviceable as I know my Text to be ſeaſonable.

Theſe Proverbs are grave Sentences full of worth and weight, which are the rather to be pondered ſeriouſly becauſe of the Authours wiſedom and authority; The Proverbs of Solomon, the Son of David, King of Iſrael; They are intireProv. 1. 1. Propoſitions (eſpecially from the beginning of the 10^th Chapter) and therefore (for the moſt part) to be conſidered without any context or coherence at all. Every Proverb is like a precious Pearl tending to inrich all them with ſpiritual wiſedom, who ſhall make faithfull improvement thereof through Gods ſpeciall grace.

In the handling of this Proverb (which I have choſen to be the matter of my preſent diſcourſe) I deſire you to attend

1. The diviſion of the Text.

2. The interpretation of the words.

3. And the divine truth from hence tendred unto our conſideration.

The parts of the Text (being an intire Propoſition) are two.

1. The Subject.

2. The Predicate.

The Subject or the matter ſpoken unto is, The hoary head. And the Predicate or that which is aſſerted lieth in the words following, It is a Crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteouſneſſe. Wherein two things are notable.

1. The high commendation given of old age, The hoary head is a Crown of glory.

3. The limitation which is warily added, If it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

Thus from the Text divided I put forward to the explication of the words herein uſed; And becauſe the propoſition is conditionall, I will firſt open the words in the aſſertion, and ſecondly, thoſe which are in the condition.

Firſt, In the aſſertion two things are inquirable.

1. What is meant by the hoary head?

2. What is to be underſtood by the Crown of glory?

In this phraſe the hoary head there is a double Metonymy.

1. A Metonymy of the effect for the cauſe, viz. hoary head put for old age the cauſe thereof.

2. And a Metonymy of the adjunct for the ſubject, the hoary hairs for the perſon upon whom they are to be found.

There is alſo a Synecdoche in the expreſſion, viz. one part put for the whole; The head for the whole perſon aged.

And the language is likewiſe Metaphoricall, for man in his declining age ſeemeth to be compared unto the Winter, the latter part of the year, wherein the ſuperficies of the earth is white, being covered with hoary froſt. This Interpretation is according to ſundry parallel paſſages in the holy Scriptures. I am (ſaid Samuel) old and gray-headed; And with 1 Sam. 12. 2. Job 15. 14.us (ſaid Eliphaz) are the gray-headed and very aged men much elder then thy Father. Therefore the Rhetorick being taken off the words, it appeareth, that by the hoary head is ſignified the aged perſon.

If enquiry be made, what is meant by the Crown of glory? I anſwer, that there is an Hebraiſm in the words, viz. a Crown of glory put for a glorious Crown: The word glory noteth credit or excellency, as when the ſtrength of the young manProv. 20. 19. is called his glory. Some do render the phraſe, A Diadem of glory, The Diadem properly ſignifying a wreathed hatband, Diadema a foreign circum, & foreign ligo.with which the ancient Kings did content themſelves, as thinking that a Crown only belonged to their gods. Let it be noted that it is more then a garland which may belong to ſome Conquerour in one exploit, though in all other regards a perſon mean and conſiderable. The Crown is appropriated rather unto Kings and Queens amongſt the children of men,Corona dccoris, eſt metaphora a regibus. Cartw. Corona ornatiſſima vel ornatus vtl Corona ornans. Piſc. and here it is ſet upon the head of the aged perſon to betoken peculiar honour appertaining to old age; Although the phraſe is variouſly rendred by Interpreters a Crown of glory, a Crown of comelineſſe, a Crown of ornament, yet the ſenſe is the ſame in the judgement of all, viz. that old-age is honourable. And to this purpoſe is the Crown applied unto others in the holy Scriptures, viz. by Solomon unto Parents and their children mutually. Childrens children are the Crown of Prov. 17. 6. Phil. 4. 1.old men, and the glory of children are their Parents; and upon the ſame account the Apoſtle Paul calleth the Philippians his Crown, eſteeming it his high honour that they were brought to Chriſt by his Miniſtry.

Secondly, In the condition annexed, If found in the way of righteouſneſſe, there are three things enquirable, viz.

1. What is ſignified by righteouſneſſe.

2. What the word way doth ſuggeſt.

3. What is hinted in this expreſſion, viz. of being found in this way.

For the firſt, I will not ſpend time in reporting either the various acceptions or uſes of the word Righteouſneſſe in the holy Scriptures. In this place it noteth a carefull conformity unto the revealed will of God, all whoſe Commandments are righteouſneſſe; In which reſpect Moſes ſaith, This ſhall Pſa. 119. 138. Dan. 6. 25.be our righteouſneſs if we obſerve to do all theſe Commandments. For in ſo doing we do ſuum cuique trihuere, give every one their right, viz. God, our ſelves, and our neighbours, receive due reſpect by obedience rendred unto laws divine.

Now before I apply Righteouſneſſe in this ſenſe unto the truth in the Text, I muſt neceſſarily diſtinguiſh betwixt righteouſneſſe Legal and Evangelical.

1. Legall righteouſneſſe conſiſts in a compleat conformity unto Laws divine in their utmoſt latitude; And thus ourEccl. 7. 29. 1 Joh. 2. 1. firſt Parents were habitually righteous at their firſt creation, and our bleſſed Saviour was actually Chriſt the Righteous, But all Adams poſterity fall ſhort hereof both in their nature and practice. As in the eſtate of unregeneracy the Apoſtle concludeth all under ſin, and ſaith both of Jews and Gentiles, There is none righteous, no not one; So in the eſtate of Regeneration,Rom. 3. 9, 10. ſo many are the imperfections of them who are moſt compleat on earth, that in the ſenſe aforeſaid they cannot be accounted righteous. Though David is called a man after Gods own heart, yet his praier and teſtimony do atteſtAct. 13. 22. Pſa. 143. 2. this truth, Enter not into judgement with thy Servant, O Lord, for in thy ſight ſhall no man living be juſtified.

2. But in a Goſpel ſenſe, according to the indulgence and conſtruction of free rich grace, Gods gracious ſervants are ſaid to be righteous. Thus God himſelf ſpeaketh of Noah, Thee have I ſeen righteous before me. And this character theGen. 7. 1. Luk. 1. 6. holy Ghoſt giveth of Zechary and Elizabeth, They were both righteous before God. And this Evangelicall righteouſneſſe doth conſiſt 1. partly in their ſincere endeavour to reach perfection, in which reſpect they are deſcribed to be ſuchIſa. 51. 1. who follow after righteouſneſſe, whereupon God accepting the will for the deed doth call them rigbteous. 2. And principally, in the imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe unto them upon2 Cor. 5. 21. Phil. 3. 9. Jer. 23. 6. their humble fiduciall cloſures with him by faith unfained, who is the Lord our righteouſneſſe; Now of this righteouſneſſe is the Text to be underſtood.

The ſe ſecond Quaery was, What doth the word way ſuggeſt?

I anſwer, That Gods Servants being as ſtrangers and ſojourners Pſa. 39. 12.in this world, and their life being a travelling toward heavenHeb. 11. 9, 10, 13, 14. their long home, where they look for their everlaſting abode; their holy converſation on earth is ealled their way, which ſuggeſteth both the activity and progreſſe of Gods grace in the fruits thereof. This Solomon ſeemeth to ſpeak unto, very clearly and fully, The path of the righteous is as Prov. 4. 18.the ſhining light which ſhineth more and more unto the perfect day.

And to the third demand, I anſwer, That a perſon may be ſaid to be found in the way of righteouſneſſe, when there is conſpicuity and permanency in a godly converſation; when the candle of grace lighted in the heart doth diſcover it ſelf by its ſhining, and is kept burning (according to the advice of Chriſt) that men may ſee his good works, as it is ſaid, thatMat. 5. 16. Act. 11. 23. Paul ſaw the grace of God, in the Chriſtians at Antioch; ſo here when the ſeed of righteouſneſſe rooted in the hearts of aged perſons doth ſo bud and fructifie in their lives that ſuch who converſe with them do or may finde apparent effocts of Gods grace in them, then they are found in the way of righteouſneſſe. I ſhall not beſtow any more words, or time, in the Expoſition of the Text, but proceed according to promiſe, unto the handling of that ſeaſonable Point of Doctrine which is held forth from this Text. The hoary head is a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

That Old age attended with the power of grace and the practice Doct.of Religion, is a matter of much honour and commendation.

Let it be conſidered from the language in the Text how farre this Truth doth extend, viz. indefinitely to all aged perſons who be truly pious;

1. Of both Sexes, both men and women.

2. Of all ranks and conditions in the world, whether high or low, rich or poor, whether more nobly deſcended or more mean and contemptible in regard of deſcent, whether on the Throne or at the footſtool.

3. Of all qualities, in regard of naturall or acquired accompliſhments, whether corporally beautified, or deformed, whether more or leſſe enriched with the ornaments of the minde, viz. learning and other abilities for employment either in Church or in Common-wealth.

4. Of all callings and negotiations amongſt men, whether ſacred or civil, whether by land or ſea, whether in times of warre or peace.

5. And this truth, in this latitude, hath been, is, and will be appliable unto all aged perſons, found in the way of righteouſneſſe, in all the ages of the world. This is notable from the Original, for as the propoſition is univerſall in reference to all hoary heads found in the way of righteouſneſſe, ſo there is no verb to limit it unto any term of time, either paſt, preſent, or to come, but the holy Ghoſt aſſerts this truth, in relation to all ages and times of the world: That heretofore, and for the preſent, and for the future, the hoary head in the way of holineſſe, hath been, and now is, and hereafter to the end of the world will be a Crown of glory.

I ſhall proceed gradually in the proof of the Point, in referenceQuo magis homo feſtinat ad finem, tento eſt vere venerabilior, Clem. Alexand. Eccl. 12. 5. Flores camiterii. Iſa. 9. 15. Gen. 25. 8. Judg. 8. 32. 2 Chro. 29. 28. Summa eſt, ſenectutem illam praeſertim quae piis a Deo donatur, honorandam eſſe. Cartwr. in Text. Prov. 12. 26. Acts 21. 16. Luk. 2. 36, 37. to the two branches of it.

Firſt, Old age in it ſelf, is a matter of commendation: The beauty of old men is the gray head: In which reſpect (as ſome Expoſitors judg) the hoary head is compared by Solomon, to the Almond tree flouriſhing, when the white bloſſoms do render it very beautifull. And hence alſo it is, that according to the Heraldry obſerved in the holy Scripture, the Ancient and the Honourable are both placed together, and many of Gods Worthies there recorded, have this character of honour put upon them, that they died in a good old age and full of dayes (viz.) Abraham, Gideon, David.

Secondly, The addition of holineſſe unto the hoary head, addeth much unto the glory of the aged perſon: and this the holy Ghoſt doth chiefly intend in the Text. For the righteous eatenus, becauſe righteous, is more excellent then his neighbour. And therefore under this Notion, many are regiſtred in holy writ to their everlaſting credit in the Church of Chriſt, (viz.) Mnaſon of Cyprus that old Diſciple; and Anna, a Propheteſſe of a great age, a widow of about fourſcore and four years, who departed not from the Temple, but ſerved God, with faſtings and prayers night and day.

Now that righteouſneſſe giveth weight unto the Crown which aged perſons do wear, may be abundantly manifeſted.

1. Becauſe it is one part of Gods image in man, with whichEccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 20. Eph. 4. 24. he was adorned at his firſt creation, which was his glory, loſt by his fall, and which is reſtored by his Regeneration. The new man, after God, is created in righteouſneſſe.

2. Becauſe aged perſons, thus qualified, are the Emblems of God himſelf, who is called the ancient of dayes; and of JeſusDan 7. 9, 13. Chriſt, in whoſe metaphoricall deſcription, this is one expreſſion; His head and his hairs were white like wool.Rev. 1. 14.

3. Becauſe the righteous are admitted into near relation and affection with God who is their Father, and loveth them Matth. 13. 43. Pſal. 146. 8.dearly. The Lord loveth the righteous. The righteous ſhall ſhine in the Kingdom of their Father. Now it was Davids honour (as he valued it) to be Son in law to King Saul: And who1 Sam. 18. 23. doth not judge, that it was much to the repute of Daniel, to be called A man beloved by the Lord. Since thou becameſt Dan. 9. 21. Iſa. 43. 4.mine (ſaith God himſelf to his people) and waſt precious in my ſight, thou haſt been honourable.

From theſe three heads of Arguments jointly conſidered, the truth under hand, may be undeniably concluded. That the hoary head is a Crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

The Application followeth, which I will give, in manifold Uſes, under four heads.

The firſt ſort of Uſes are for Information in three particularsƲſe 1. Information. well worthy our conſideration.

1. Hence it followeth, that no qualification whatſoever, wherewith the children of men can poſſibly be adorned, is of ſo great worth as godlineſſe; becauſe this is ſaid to ſet a glorious Crown upon the heads of them who are bleſſed with it. I grant that there are many natural ornaments and acquired accompliſhments, which may gain reſpect, but it is righteouſneſſe which wins the Crown. Therefore Solomon ſaith not, The hoary head is a Crown of glory, if found in the way of raiſed parts, of great learning, of martiall courage, of large commands in the world, or of ſucceſſefull trading to become wealthy, but if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe. Though people who are under no higher principles then ſenſe and humane reaſon are of another opinion: They bleſſe Pſal. 10. 3. Mal. 3. 15. Pſal. 49. 6. with 18.the covetous whom God abhorreth, and they do call the proud happy, becauſe ſet up, when others are abaſed; becauſe delivered when others are in diſtreſſe: yea though many boaſting themſelves in the multitude of their riches, do bleſſe their own ſouls; yet both God and all thoſe whoſe judgements are guided by his word, are of another minde. My text telleth you the thoughts of wiſe Solomon, and if you will hearken unto his father David, you ſhall underſtand, that his apprehenſions were not different. The Saints (ſaith he) and the excellent in whom is all my delight. Whence it is notable, that thePſal. 16. 2. Pſalmiſt there doth not only expreſs his judgment perſonally, but he typically reports the ſenſe of Chriſt, to give to underſtand, that himſelf a man according to Gods heart, yea and Chriſt Jeſus infinitely above himſelf, give this eſtimate of holy perſons, that they are incomparably excellent. And if this be not ſufficient to clear the truth of my inference, conſider his confident aſſertion to Saul his Courtiers, who prided themſelves in their Courtſhip, and deſpiſed him as a man rejected. Know that the Lord hath ſet apart him that is Pſal. 4. 3. Exod. 19. 5. with ca. 33. 16.godly for himſelf: whereas all other perſons whatſoever are looked upon by the Lord as lumber, theſe are his peculiar treaſure.

2. The ſecond corollary is this: If righteouſneſſe be a Crown, though it be attained in old age only, then how much more honourable are they, who have been found in the way of righteouſneſſe all their life long; from their youth, till their heads are gray. This great commendation, did appertainPſal. 71. 18, 18 unto David. O God (ſaith he) thou haſt taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now when I am gray headed, O God forſake me not. And this honour S^t Paul putteth upon Andronicus and Junia, They are of note among the Apoſtles, who alſo were in Chriſt before me. It makethRom. 16. 7. very much to the credit of Chriſtians, when grace which bloſſomed upon them in the ſpring of their youth, doth abide green and flouriſhing in the winter of their age; This might be many waies illuſtrated, 1. They have ſerved the Lord ſundry Apprentiſhips; It is an honour to ſtand (to have a ſetled abode as ſervants) before Kings: Thus the Queen of Sheba Pro. 22. 29.expreſſeth her ſelf in reference unto them who alwaies waited upon King Solomon, Happy are thy men, and happy are 1 Kin. 10. 8.theſe thy Servants who ſtand continually before thee. Now this, and greater then this, is the renown of them who have been for many years not only retainers but dwelling-ſervants with the Almighty. 2. They have often been in the field with Chriſt their Captain, they have fought many battels, and have received many wounds under his Colours and command: The holy Ghoſt hath ſeen cauſe to record in holy Pages ſome of Davids Worthies who had made many brave adventures, and2 Sam. 23. done famous exploits in years paſt and gone. And what more ordinary then for Souldiers to ſet forth their own commendations, by relating how many years attending on the Army, with hazards run and wounds received; Now the old SouldiersEnumerat milec vulnera. of Jeſus Chriſt are much more worthy high reſpect, having been found all along in the waies of righteouſneſſe; Such a ſtandard-bearer was Samuel who received preſs-money1 Sam. 3. from God while he was a childe, and could when grayheaded ſo pleade his righteouſneſſe that it will be alwaies remembred to his credit and reputation. I am old and grayheaded, 1 Sam. 12. 2, 3.Behold, here I am, witneſſe againſt me before the Lord, and before his Anointed; whoſe Oxe have I taken, or whoſe Aſs have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppreſſed, or of whoſe hand have I received any bribe to blinde mine eyes therewith? and I will reſtore it you: But alas how few amongſt them who have had power in their hands can we finde, that in their age are thus found in waies of righteouſneſſe? 3. They have endured manifold oppoſitions, loſſes, and hardſhips from cruell perſecutors; Many hot Summers have ſcorched them, and many cold winters have pinched them, they have ſuffered much from open enemies and fained friends, becauſe of their couragious faithfulneſſe to Jeſus Chriſt, not daring to depart from the way of righteouſneſſe. The Apoſtle Paul reckoneth up his ſufferings as ſo many Enſigns of honour, I will glory alſo; (ſaith he,) And in what1 Cor. 12. 18. doth he glory? why, he tels you, In ſtripes above meaſure, in priſons more frequent, in deaths oft: Of the Jews five times I 23,received fourty ſtripes ſave one: Thrice was I beaten with rods, 24,once was I ſtoned, thrice I ſuffered ſhipwrack, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeying often, in perils of 25,waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own Countreymen, in perils by the Heathen, in perils in the City, in perils 26,in the Wilderneſſe, in perils in the Sea, in perils amongst falſe brethren; In wearineſſe and painfulneſſe, in watchings often, 27.in hunger and thirſt, in faſtings often, in cold and nakedneſſe: And Paul the aged and now alſo a priſoner of Jeſus Chriſt. Philem. 9.Thus this ancient Champion of Chriſt ſeems to look upon his ſeverall many years hardſhips as ſo many Pearls with which his Crown was beautified and enriched. And doubtleſſe they are ſo in the account of all them whoſe judgements are rectified by the word of truth.

The Third Conſequence or Uſe of Information is this, That it is a very advantagious ſervice to be inſtrumental in promoting the work of Goſpel-righteouſneſſe in the hearts and waies of men, becauſe by means hereof they receive no leſſe then a Crown of glory. Hence it was that Saint Paul writeth thus to Philemon, Thou oweſt unto me thine own ſelf; Philem. 19.How infinitely beyond all ſublunary accomodations are the revenues which come in by grace! The Crown is the higheſt honour that can be beſtowed upon the children of men, and no gain is comparable to that which is received by godlineſſe; Godlineſſe is profitable unto all things, having the promiſe 1 Tim. 4. 8.of the life that now is, and of that which is to come; yea, the greateſt profit which we are capable to receive from God himſelf, is to be made partakers of his holineſſe, and the fruit Heb. 12. 10, 11.of righteouſneſſe is from peculiar paternall love, proper to them whom God doth diſcipline as his Adopted children: This I note, both to diſcover unto the people of the world who are their beſt Friends, and to work in their hearts more high eſtimations of the Miniſters of the Goſpel whom God hath ordained to bring ſinuers to Chriſt, that they might be 2 Cor. 5. 19, 21the righteouſneſſe of God in him. And howſoever the carnall and unthankful world diſregard us, yet the Lord doth ſo highly value this our work, that he will certainly abundantly recompenſe it, They who turn many to righteouſneſs ſhall ſhine Dan. 12. 12.as the Stars for ever and ever: Whereas men do moſt eſteem and moſt liberally reward ſuch who are inſtruments to reſtore their health, to raiſe their outward eſtates, and to preferre them unto places of greatneſſe in the world; The moſt high God who ſetteth a higher price upon holineſſe, will make it manifeſt at the laſt day, that thoſe who ſtudy to bring men into the waies of righteouſneſſe ſhall be moſt advanced. It hath been looked upon as an honourable employment to ſet the Crown on a Kings head, and doubtleſſe it is no leſſe but far greater to be an inſtrument according to divine inſtitution to crown ſinners with righteouſneſſe. Conſider that this was foretold by an Angel as an exceeding great honour to be put upon John the Baptiſt Chriſts harbinger, Many of Luk. 1. 16, 17.the Children of Iſrael ſhall he turn to the Lord their God, and he ſhall go before them in the ſpirit and power of Elias, to turn the diſobedient to the wiſedom of the Juſt.

The fourth and laſt inference by way of Information is this, viz. That therefore the death of aged godly perſons ſhould be much lamented. David and all Iſrael wept over dead Abner upon this conſideration, A great man is fallen; 2 Sam. 3. 31, 34, 58.Now who are to be eſteemed great if not thoſe who are rightfully crowned? And ſuch are the aged being found in the way of righteouſneſſe. The Prophet Iſaiah bringeth in the ancient amongſt thoſe perſons of higheſt place and power,Iſa. 3. 2. whoſe removall doth weaken both Church and State. And this is one ſtrain in Jeremiah his Lamentations, The Crown is fallen; Now in a ſafe ſence, though not the ſame,Lam. 5. 16. we may apply it unto the death of the meaneſt, whoſe hoary heads were found in the way of righteouſneſſe; but it is ſingularly applicable, when an ancient, prudent, pious Miniſter is tranſlated by death: Such a providence upon the death ofIſa. 3. 2. 2 Kin. 2. 12. Elijah cauſed Eliſha to cry out, My Father, My Father, the Charet of Iſrael and the horſemen thereof. And truly ſuch occaſion of mourning is adminiſtred this day upon our loſſe of the Reverend, Learned, and godly man, whoſe Funerall we now celebrate. Neither doth his death alone but the diſſolution of ſundry other grave and gracious Miniſters of theM^r Walker. D^r Gouge. M^r Whitaker Goſpel, not long ſince, in the Neighbourhood, call for our tears and lamentations before the Lord. The Lord rightly affect us with theſe ſtroaks, and give us the ſanctified improvement of them through his grace.

The ſecond Uſe followeth, which is for reproof of threeƲſe 2. Of Reproof. ſorts of people.

1. Of thoſe aged perſons who ſeem to be aſhamed of their old age, by taking courſes to hide it, that they might be accounted young, whereas my Text tels us, that the hoary head is a Crown, and the ſame wiſe Solomon ſaith elſewhere,Pro. 20. 29. The beauty of old men is the gray-head: And the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaketh of his old age as his credit, and that which ſhould render him the more reſpectfull, Being ſuch a one as Philem. 9. Illi canos tingendo, praecipuam reverentiae praerogativam dedecore afficium. Vellendi ſunt non pili, ſed cupiditaces. Clem. Alex.Paul the aged. Some of the Ancients took occaſion in their daies to blame very ſharply ſuch perſons who either picked out their gray hairs, or elſe did colour them artificially, that they might not be reputed old; And this advice was added to the reproof, that they ſhould rather pluck up their luſts then pick out their gray hairs, as rendring them many thouſand times more unlovely and diſhonourable: Beleeve it you gray-headed perſons, that your covetouſneſſe, frowardneſs, hypocriſie, and unrighteouſneſſe do make you reproachfull, whereas your age with holineſſe would be your honour.

2. Of thoſe whoſe wicked converſation doth caſt diſ-reputation upon the Crown which God by their many years hath ſet upon their heads. That Proverb is appliable unto them, As a Jewell of Gold in a Swines ſnout, ſo is a fair woman Prov. 11. 22. Dignitas in indigno, eſt ornamentum in luto.which is without diſcretion. Complexion doth not ſo much beautifie as folly doth blemiſh ſuch a perſon: In like manner it is very unſeemly to ſee ſilver hairs ſoyled with a ſinfull, debauched converſation; How do oaths, lies, ſcurrilous curſed ſpeeches and other wickedneſſes caſt mire and faſten ruſt upon the Crown of old-age. In dealing with theſe grayheaded ſinners I may apply thoſe words of Moſes, Do ye thus reward the Lord ye fooliſh people and unwiſe? Is this the requitallDeut. 32. 6. which you return unto God for his many years patience exerciſed towards you, and the manifold experiences with long-continued goodneſſe ſhowred down upon you? Do not you your ſelves look for better fruit from the trees which you have carefully preſerved many winters, and painfully watered many Summers? But if theſe convincing expoſtulations will not awaken and reform theſe people who are weather-beaten in wickedneſſe, and by long ſoaking in ſin are habituated to do evil, I muſt minde them of that heavy meſſage delivered from the Lord by the Prophet Iſaiah, The ſinner being an hundred years old is accurſed. The old impenitentIſa. 69. 20. ſinner, whatſoever his place, his parts, or his reſpect in the world be, is accurſed. Gods curſe is not only threatned, but already in a great meaſure executed upon him, He is curſed, curſed in his ſoul, and curſed in all his enjoyments and concernments, during the time of his impenitency and unreformedneſſe.Patientia laeſae, vertitur in ſurorem. Here I might be large in diſcovering the expreſſions of divine diſpleaſure againſt people, old in evils as in years, whoſe decayed, decrepid, withered, weakened bodies might expect pity. The Prophet Jeremiah ſaith, I am full of Jer. 6. 11.the fury of the Lord, I will pour it forth upon the aged and him that is full of daies. And Gods threatning runneth thus, that neither he himſelf nor thoſe whom he will incenſe againſt them, ſhall have any compaſſion upon the old man, or him that 2 Chro. 36. 17. Deut. 32. 25.stoopeth for age or the man of gray hairs.

3. Of them who make the aged the objects of their deriſion. M^r Cartwright hath this note upon the Text, that God hath by this Crown of gray hairs vindicated the aged from all the diſcredit which their ſtooping or other infirmities might ſeem to expoſe them unto: And it is obſerved by ſomeNatant Hebraei non ſenilem, ſed decrepitam ſignificari aetatem. Cajet. in Text. that though decrepid old age be ſuggeſted in the language of the Text, yet Solomon doth aſſign it the Crown. This I ſuggeſt the rather to give a check unto the young wanton wits which are apt to break jeſts upon the aged, becauſe of ſome ſeeming uncomelineſſes which accompany that condition of life. Guilty in this kinde was he who ſcoffingly asked the old man whoſe body was crooked by reaſon of old age, Whether he would ſell him a bow? Theſe green heads do not conſider the greatneſſe of this ſin in Gods account, who puts this fault into the catalogue of ſuch miſcarriages which uſher in deſolating judgements, viz. The childe ſhall behave himſelf Iſa. 4. 5.proudly againſt the ancient; And this ſin is the more hainous and provoking, when thoſe aged perſons are abuſed, whoſe near Relations, Offices of honour, accompanied with the power of godlineſſe, do call for all expreſſions of reſpect and eſteem. Solomon is ſmart in his reproof of children, who in this kinde offend towards their naturall parents, The eye that mocketh at his Father and deſpiſeth to obey his mother, the Pro. 30. 17.Ravens of the valley ſhall pick it out, and the young Eagles ſhall eat it. How many times are thoſe brought unto the Gallows (as the confeſſions of ſome in ſuch caſes have manifeſted) through Gods juſt judgement who have been chargeable with guilt of this kinde? And how heavy was the hand of God upon many little children for mocking Eliſha the Prophet, There came forth little children out of the City, and mocked 2 Kin. 2. 23, 24him, and ſaid unto him, Go up thy bald-head, Go up thou baldhead; And he turned back, and locked upon them, and curſed them in the Name of the Lord, and there came forth two ſhe-bears out of the wood, and tare fourty and two children of them. How far this deriſion of the man of God did reach, I now enquire not, whether to his Function, with relation to his Maſter Elijah lately taken up into heaven, or only unto his baldneſs, But this is notable, that childiſhneſſe and ignorance will not ſecure ſuch from divine revenge who do dare to deride the aged: What therefore may they expect who have more years on their backs, and ſhould have more grace in their hearts, then to adventure upon this ſinfull provocation. But yet there is a higher ſtep of aggravation to be added, viz. when righteouſneſſe it ſelf which is the chiefeſt Crown of the aged, is the object of mens deriſion; when meerly the tenderneſs of mens conſciences and their exact walking according to the Word of God doth lay them open unto the jears of men. The Apoſtle telleth us that ſuch deſpiſe not man 1 Theſ. 4. 7, 8.only but God alſo, and he rendreth a double reaſon thereof, viz. becauſe God hath called us to holineſſe, and hath likewiſe given us his Spirit to work it: I remember the words of Solomon, which are appliable to my purpoſe, whoſo mocketh the Prov. 17. 5.poor reproacheth his maker; And the ſpeech (as M^r Cartwright noteth upon the place) extends unto jearing at any bodily defect or deformity whatſoever, whereof God is willing to be accounted the Authour. How much more will the Lord interpret thoſe deriſions to reach himſelf, which people ſhall dare to caſt upon his own image in his ſervants, which isQuiopus aliquod ridet, ridet illius opificem. Mercer their Crown and beauty? For if God take himſelf to be concerned in the creatures affliction, how much more then in that which tends to his perfection? This way of wickedneſſe argueth a graceleſſe frame of heart, and to them who walk in it may be applied the ſharp words of the Prophet, Againſt whom do you ſport your ſelves? Againſt whom make you a wide Iſa. 57. 4.mouth, and draw out the tongue? Are ye not children of tranſgreſſion, a falſe ſeed? Iſhmael by mocking Iſaac made wayGal, 4. 29, 30. with Gen. 21. 9, 10. Pſa. 1. 11. for his own rejection, and doubtleſſe they are not farre from ruine who have travelled ſo long in ſinne that they are got into the Chair of Scorners; When I remember the heavy curſe given out againſt Cham for mocking his old FatherJer. 9. 21, 22, 25 Noah (for it's conceived that he was thus far guilty) when in an uncomely poſture by reaſon of his drunkenneſſe; I tremble to think what will become of them who break briniſh jeſts with prophane Satyricall ſpirits upon Gods ſervants for their ſanctity. We reade in holy Story that Michol Davids wife deſpiſed him in her heart, and ſpake tauntingly to him upon his zealous dancing before the Lord, and the holy Ghoſt hath concluded the Hiſtory with this report, Therefore 2 Sam. 6. 16, 20, 23.Michol the daughter of Saul had no childe unto the day of her death. And ordinarily this curſed courſe is attended with the heavy curſe of everlaſting ſpirituall barrenneſſe. The Lord grant that theſe hints may through his bleſſing, give ſome check unto that prophane boldneſſe, which too frequently breaketh forth amongſt the children of men.

I proceed to the third Uſe which ſhall be for triall; ForƲſe 3. Of Examination. it much concerneth all ſorts to know how this righteouſneſſe may be diſcerned, which is a Crown of glory to the hoary head. The neceſſity of this enquiry may be manifeſted by theſe two conſiderations.

1. Becauſe there are ſeveral miſtakes in this matter of righteouſneſſe amongſt men. For there are many who only appear outwardly to be righteous, when the inſide diſcoverethMat. 23. 28. the contrary, being full of hypocriſie. And there is ſomething like unto juſtice, which is highly eſteemed amongst men, though it be abomination in the ſight of God.Luk. 16. 15.

2. That we may neither arrogate nor deny this Crown to our ſelves groundleſly, and alſo that we may be the better able to judge unto whom we are bound to give this honour which God hath put upon them. For as it is the duty of all, ſo it is the care of Gods people in this particular (as in other caſes) to guide themſelves by diſcretion and judgement.Pſa. 112. 5. Four notes of the righteous.

Now thoſe whom God accounteth truly righteous may be known,

1. By their unlimited reſpect unto Gods whole will revealed in his word, as the rule of their obedience for the matter of it. This is the character given of Zachary and Elizabeth, They were both righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments Luk. 1. 6.and Ordinances of the Lord: Therefore here the Query muſt be, both What is the rule of our converſation? and Whether our endeavours be extended according to the rules of the Scripture univerſally? For multitudes ſteer their courſe rather according to the compaſſe of humane OrdinancesIſa. 29. 15. then divine Inſtitutions; And amongſt them who ſeem to have recourſe unto Scripture guidance, many are meerly partiall, picking and chooſing according to their pleaſure, as Herod who heard John the Baptiſt, and did many things, butMar. 6. 20. Matth. 19. 20, 21, 22. there was one defect wich undid him. And the like might be obſerved concerning the young man, who fell ſhort in regard of his worldly-mindedneſs.

2. By minding the manner, together with the matter of their obedience. To this purpoſe are the words of Moſes, This ſhall be our righteouſneſſe if we obſerve to do all theſe Commandments Deut. 6. 25.before the Lord our God as he hath commanded us. As this Scripture ſpeaketh to the former note, viz. there is an obſerving to do all, q. d. there is a reſpect unto all Gods commands, as David expreſſeth it, So it ſuggeſteth referencePſal. 119. 6. to the modality with the materiality of our performances. A principle of righteouſneſſe will move a man to doeQuemadmodum Calv. Sicut, Vatab. Iſa. 1. 17. Gods Commandments as before him, and as he hath commanded: Whereas his Majeſty requireth that good duties ſhould be well done, they eſteem it juſt and equal to endeavour this, not daring to ſatisfie themſelves with outwardneſſe and formality, opus operatum will not down with the perſon who is regularly righteous; Therefore people in the proof of their righteouſneſſe muſt conſider what care they take to be reverent, humble, affectionate, ſpirituall and upright in their ſervices before the Lord.

3. By labouring after growth in grace and a more full conformity unto the Laws of the Lord and his deſervings; The path of the righteous (ſaith Solomon) is as the ſhining light Pro. 4. 18.which ſhineth more and more unto the perfect day. The Sun doth not more naturally in its progreſſe move towards high noon, then a gracious heart worketh towards perfection. The Apoſtle Paul having reported his own practice in preſſing forward towards the mark, addeth, that thoſe who are ſincere are thus minded, and he calleth them perfect becauſe thus theyPhil. 3. 23, 14, 15. are in their own aims and endeavours, as in divine acceptance. Becauſe (as M^r Bayns expreſſeth it) they take up their arrows alwaies on this ſide the white, therefore they ſtrive to ſhoot better that they might hit the white, that they might in all regards exactly anſwer the minde and expectation of the Lord in their converſation; Therefore thoſe are farre from righteouſneſſe who ſtroak their own heads as though they had fully accompliſhed the minde of God, and ſpeak the language of the Laodicean, I am rich and encreaſed with Rev. 3. 17.goods, and have need of nothing; Setting aſide their ſtaves, as though they were got to their journeys end, not looking after encreaſe of grace, as though they had gained enough alreadyUbi incipis, nolle ficri mel or, ibi defines eſſe bonus. to ſerve their turn. And it will be no violation of the Law of charity to affirm, that he was never truly good who doth not ſtrive to be better.

4. By an humble ſelf denying dependance upon Jeſus Chriſt, looking for divine acceptance through him alone. The holy Apoſtle notwithſtanding his unreproveable courſe before his converſion (as to men, and according to his light) and his unwearied induſtry upon his ſpirituall change, to hit the mark, at which he ſincerely levelled, attended with a holy life, free from outward ſcandall, yet this, this was in his eye and endeavour, to be found in Chriſt (ſaith he) not having Phil. 3. 9.mine own righteouſneſſe which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Chriſt, the righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith. And thus it is alſo with all other Chriſtians who are Evangelically righteous, becauſe they do daily experience their own defects both in the matter, manner, meaſure, and end of their obedience, both to the Commandements of the firſt and ſecond table, therefore in their addreſſes unto God either for recompence or acceptance, they take up the words of the holy Martyr, None but Chriſt, None but Chriſt. This our Apoſtle himſelf aſſerteth, ſpeaking of others as of himſelf, We rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, and have no confidence in Phil. 3. 3.the fleſh, &c. And he is bold to conclude thoſe to be void of true righteouſneſſe who do truſt unto their own parts, priviledges, or performances whatſoever: Iſrael which followed after the Law of righteouſneſſe hath not attained to the Law of Rom. 9. 31, 32.Righteouſneſſe; wherefore? Becauſe they ſought it not by faith but as it were by the works of the Law. By theſe four characters of the perſon who is Evangelically righteous, being faithfully applied, we may be able to know in regard of our ſelves, and to gueſſe in reference unto others (upon converſings with them) unto whom the Crown of glory (ſet upon the hoary head found in the way of righteouſneſſe) doth appertain.

The laſt Uſe followeth which is for Exhortation, and it isƲſe 4. Of Exhortation. to be directed,

1. To them who are old.

2. To them who are young.

I ſhall begin with the aged, both ſuch who are unrighteous and ſuch who are in the way of righteouſneſſe.

Firſt, The aged perſons who abide irreligious are to be perſwaded to endeavour a change both of heart and life; Hearken unto me you who are farre from righteouſneſſe; RememberIſa 46. 12. Qui pulcher eſſe velit, ei quod eſt in homine pulcherrimum, adornandum eſt, nempe mens, quam oportet, pulchriorem, & magis decoram oſtendere. Clem Alexand. 1 Cor. 9. 24, 25 Aetas ſenectutis eſt vita immaeulata. Venerabilis ſenectus virtutum non annorum numero, computata. Non omnis canities promiſcuè. Jun. & Trem. in Text. Rev. 12. 9. & 20. 2. Ʋtrumque ſimul Sumptum. Merc. in Text. 1 Sam. 15. 30. the fore-mentioned particulars, wherein true righteouſneſſe doth conſiſt, and ſtrive with all your ſtrength to attain them, as you do deſire a Crown of glory. The Apoſtle Paul propounds the practice of ſuch who run a race to obtain a corruptible Crown, as an argument to preſſe the like duty. And Scripture-Hiſtories together with the Stories of all ages do record the ſtrange adventures, yea, attempts both ungodly and unnaturall to advance unto a Crown: Should not we therefore in the way of God ſeek this Crown of glory? Now that my advice may be the more prevalent, let theſe conſiderations be well weighed.

1. That the greateſt age attainable on earth without righteouſneſſe will not procure this Crown; Antiquity without piety doth yeeld no more credit then the devil is capable of, who is often called the Old Serpent, having had many thouſand years continuance in the world: But when holineſſe is annexed to the hoary hairs, they honour the head with a Crown. How ambitious are proud men (like Saul) to be honoured amongst the people. Therefore as the laborious Bee ſucketh honey out of weeds, let us graciouſly improve ſuch like examples, to provoke our ſelves to ſeek the honor which cometh in by righteouſneſſe.

2. This righteouſneſſe which is attended with a Crown of glory upon earth will undoubtedly bring that which is very much better in heaven. Hearken what our Saviour promiſeth, The righteous ſhall ſhine forth as the Sun in the Kingdom Mat. 13. 43.of their Father. And obſerve the expectation of David upon this account, As for me I will behold thy face in righteouſneſſe, Pſa. 17. 15.I ſhall be ſatisfied when I awake with thy likeneſſe. Though I may not ſpend words in illuſtrating theſe paſſages, yet I wiſh that the aged would ſeriouſly conſider how much is comprehended in this glorification and this ſatisfaction aſſured upon the righteous at the generall reſurrection.

3. Who doth not (upon ſuch grounds as have been hinted) deſire to die the death of the righteous, as that wretchNum. 23. 10. Balaam did? therefore wiſedom would work endeavours to attain righteouſneſſe in the time of life. I remember a paſſage in the promiſe made by the Angel concerning the ſucceſſe of John the Baptiſt his Miniſtry, He ſhall turn the diſobedient Luke 1. 17.to the wiſedom of the Juſt; There is ſingular wiſedom amongſt the righteous; as in other regards, ſo herein, becauſe as they intend the beſt good as their end, ſo they ſeek to accompliſh it, not only by wiſhings and wouldings, but by the reall uſe of the means ſanctified for the obtaining thereof. Let us therefore herein make, imitation.

4. The unrighteous ſhall not finde any favour with God, becauſe of their gray heads when he cometh to judgement. Somewhat was before ſuggeſted to this purpoſe, therefore now I will onelyonly mention two Scriptures, which may be awakening to aged perſons ſleeping in ſecurity. Though a Eccl. 8. 12, 13.ſinner do evil an hundred times, and his daies be prolonged, yet it ſhall not be well with the wicked: Forbearance is no acquittance, but God will be ſooner or later upon their bones with blows of vengeance; And their ſhutting out of heaven is ſo certain, that the Apoſtle taketh it for granted that none will queſtion it, Know ye not that the unrighteous ſhall not inherit 1 Cor. 6. 9.the Kingdom of God? How can you old people give credit to theſe expreſſions of divine ſeverity without reſolutions to look out after righteouſneſſe?

5. You aged ones are the greateſt monuments of divine patience, which ſhould leade you unto repentance; and the Apoſtle giveth in two conſiderations, to adde ſtrength unto this argument, viz.

1. Becauſe otherwiſe your hearts will be more and more obdurate, and your ſelves become leſſe and leſſe able to reform.

2. Becauſe through your abuſe of Gods forbearance his wrath will be kindled and encreaſed againſt you. Weigh I pray you his words, Deſpiſeſt thou the riches of his goodneſſe Rom. 2. 4, 5.and forbearance, and long-ſuffering? not knowing that the goodneſſe of God leadeth thee to repentance; But after thy hardneſſe and impenitent heart, treaſureſt up unto thy ſelf wrath againſt the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of Jer. 13. 23.God: I have been the more earneſt in preſſing the reformation of the aged ſinners, becauſe it is attained with difficulty through their accuſtomed continuance in wickedneſſe.

Secondly, I ſhall bend my advice to the aged who are through Gods grace really righteous. Theſe perſons are to be perſwaded unto reall gratitude to the Lord, who hath ſet a Crown of glory upon their gray-heads. The Pſalmiſt calsPſa. 148. 12, 13 Senes ad gratiarum actionem excitare. upon old men to praiſe the Name of the Lord; This is one of M^r Cartwright inferences from the Text. And doubtleſſe ſuch aged people have abundant cauſe to be thankfull unto the Almighty. 1. For drawing forth the thred of their lives to ſo great a length. 2. And eſpecially for converting them unto the way of righteouſneſſe.

Firſt, You may be moved to praiſe God for your old age by theſe Meditations.

1. Becauſe his Highneſſe is the maintainer of our lives, and the lengthener of our daies. Notwithſtanding the meansDeut. 30. 20. Act. 17. 28. uſed whether ordinary or extraordinary, food, Phyſick, &c. to continue our daies upon earth, yet it muſt be acknowledged that the Lord holdeth our ſoul in life. And here let it bePſal. 66. 9. Deut. 8. 3. remembred, that Gods bleſſing giveth ſtrength to bread, and efficacy unto all other means of health. Conſider alſo how much of Gods wiſedom, power, goodneſſe, patience, &c. hath been daily, yea hourly exerciſed for your preſervation. Minde likewiſe from how many thouſands of dangers his hand of providence hath ſecured you, both in the time of fool-hardy youth and unwieldy old age. Upon ſuch like thoughts the holy Pſalmiſt thus expreſſeth himſelf to the Lord, Let my mouth be filled with thy praiſe and with thy honour Pſal. 71. 6, 8. 9.all the day.

2. Becauſe by ſtroaks of death ten thouſand have fallen on your ſides, on your right hands, and yet it doth not come Pſa. 91. 7.nigh to you. What multitudes of men and women, and children more likely to have lived long then your ſelves, are dead and gone, but your ſelves ſtill abide in the Land of the living? The good young King Joſiah is deadly wounded by an Arrow; And old Eli the Prieſt of the Lord fell from his 2 Chro. 35. 23, 24. 1 Sam. 4. 18.ſeat backward, and his neck brake; What great numbers have loſt their lives, ſome in war, and others in times of peace; yea, very many, much more fitted for the ſervice of Church and Common-wealth then your ſelves. In this regard you ſhould look upon your ſelves as reſerved to magnifie the God of your lives and mercies.

3. It is threatned as a judgement upon a Family when there is not left one aged perſon belonging to it; There ſhall not be an old man in thy Houſe; Theſe words ſpeak much diſpleaſure1 Sam. 2. 31. againſt Eli; Whereas it is an honour to have old ſtakes ſtanding to ſupport a Family which iſſued out of an ancient ſtock; Like as old Oaks are accounted an ornament to a Park, though they bear neither fruit nor leaves. This is one promiſe made to the man who feareth God, Thou ſhalt Pſa. 128. 6. Pro. 17. 5.live to ſee thy childrens children. And Solomon tels us, The glory of children are their Fathers.

4. Becauſe your many years have enriched you with manifoldEt ſenes magis experientiâ valent, itaque major corum ſolet eſſe dignitar. Mercer. experiences, and this is judged by ſome Expoſitors to add much unto the Crown of old age. This I might enlarge, by manifeſting the advantages of old mens experiences, both in reference unto their own comfort, and the ſervice of others: The holy Pſalmiſt relieveth his drooping ſpirit, in an eſtate of deſertion, by improving of Gods ancient adminiſtrations. I have conſidered the dayes of old, the years of ancient Pſa. 77. 5, 10, 11. Plena eſt voluptatis ſenectus, Si illâ ſcias uti. Seneca.times. I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High, I will remember thy wonders of old. Yea the Heathen could knowingly ſpeak of the ſweet fruits of old age if men had wiſedom to reap them. And all ages do demonſtrate, that ancient men, are moſt meet by their grave counſels to be ſerviceable unto the publick. This Reverend man (whoſe Funerall we now celebrate, was wont to ſay, That a few gray hairs would do more work then many young locks. Beſides other proofs hereof, the Hiſtory concerning the different advice given to Rehoboam, by his young and old Counſellors, will1 Kin. 12. 6, 8. ſufficiently witneſſe this truth.

Theſe conſiderations may quicken the godly aged to gratitude for their hory heads: but I muſt add, that they have much more cauſe to magnifie God, for making them godly, becauſe old age may be the guift of common bounty, whereas righteouſneſſe is the product of peculiar grace. The wicked may become Job 21. 7. Mat. 13. 43.old, but the righteous are the adopted children of God and the heirs of heavens glory; Therefore their ſouls ſhould praiſe the Lord, becauſe when their lives are redeemed from Pſa. 30. 11. with 4.deſtruction, they are alſo crowned with loving-kindeneſſe and tender mercies. Now that I may prevail with you to honour God whoſe hoary heads are crowned with righteouſneſſe, I will briefly propound to your moſt ſerious thoughts theſe following meditations.

1. That your ſelves in the eſtate of depraved nature were of that number of whom it is moſt truly ſaid, There is none Rom. 3. 9, 10.righteous, no not one, and that this righteouſneſſe which is yourEph. 5 9. Crown was the fruit of Gods Spirit; Therefore the glory thereof is due unto the Lord and not unto your ſelves, becauſe he and not your ſelves hath made the difference betwixt1 Cor. 4. 7. you and others.

2. That the greateſt part of mankinde doth abide in the waies of unrighteouſneſſe; The whole world (ſaith the Apoſtle)1 Joh. 5. 19. Gen. 18. 32. lieth in wickedneſſe; The ſmall number of ten righteous perſons could not be found in Sodom and Gomorrha with their Suburbs; And before the Floud God himſelf could not eſpy any other beſides Noah, Thee only have I ſeen righteous before Gen. 7. 1.me in this age; Now by how much the more rare righteouſneſſe is amongſt men, by ſo much the more thankfull ſhould we be if God hath wrought it in us.

3. Can you remember either your own many, ſtrong, and long-continued reſiſtances made againſt divine aſſaults, or the manifold Providences and Ordinances, by means whereof you have been brought into the way of righteouſneſſe; May not Chriſt ſpeak unto you as once to Jeruſalem, How Mar. 23. 37.often would I and ye would not? yea, for a long time might not this be charged upon you, You alwaies reſiſted the holy Ghoſt? Act. 7. 51.And by how many hammerings and humblings, by what ſhowrs and Sunſhine, by what ſhakings with meltings in the Miniſtry of the Goſpel have you been won to the Lord; Now ſhould not all this patience and goodneſſe of God leade you unto thankfulneſſe?

4. Laſtly, Take notice of the various and precious priviledges whereof you are made partakers by means of righteouſneſſe; Theſe I will only mention without amplification:Pro. 3. 16. & 4. 22. Gen. 15. 15. Job 5. 26. Hereupon you may be confident.

1. That your lives are lengthened, not only by common providence, but in the purſuance of ſpecial promiſes made unto them who have received peculiar grace.

2. That you ſhall be ſupplied with all neceſſary accommodations in your paſſage to heaven; Theſe are Chriſts own words unto them who ſeek righteouſneſſe, All theſe things ſhall be added unto you.Mat. 6. 33. foreign.

3. That you ſhall undoubtedly perſevere to glory, The righteous ſhall hold on his way.

4. That all occurrences ſhall be ſanctified to your ſpiritualJob 17. 9. advantage, Say ye to the righteous that it ſhall be well Iſa. 3. 10.with him.

5. That Gods vigilant eye of providence ſhall never be withdrawn from you, in which reſpect you may be the ratherJob 36. 7. aſſured of the ſeaſonable and full accompliſhment of all his promiſes.

6. That upon Natures diſſolution your ſouls ſhall be perfect, Heb. 12. 22.and that at the generall Reſurrection your bodies and ſouls ſhall inherit life eternall. Now who can beleevingly look uponMat. 15. 46. Expreſs thankfulneſſe by a converſation ordered according to Scripture. himſelf intereſted in theſe glorious obligations of Gods grace without a thankful heart?

If by theſe many Arguments the hearts of any aged ones, being reſolved upon gratitude, ſhall enquire how they may in realities expreſſe their thankfulneſſe unto the Lord, both for his long-ſufferance and loving-kindeneſſe towards them. My anſwer is this, That you ſhall be regularly and acceptably thankfull unto God both for your gray-hairs and your graces, by ſtudying and endeavouring ſuch a frame of heart and courſe of life as may anſwer that counſell which himſelf hath left on record for your guidance in the holy Scriptures which I ſhall plainly and faithfully impart unto you. But before I mention particulars to direct your behaviour, I ſhall premiſe theſe two things to move attention with reſolutions to practiſe them.

1. That howſoever, too often, men themſelves do not obſerve when gray hairs are here and there upon them, andHoſ. 7. 9. many times the aged may ſeem youthfull unto others; yet God doth take exact and particular notice of every aged perſon in the world. The holy Ghoſt recordeth when Joſhua waxed old, and was stricken in age, and about what timeJoſh. 23. 1. 1 Sam. 17. 12. Gen. 17. Luk. 2. Jeſſe (the Father of David) went for an old man in Iſrael. The like I might diſcover in regard of Abraham, Sarah, Anna, But I forbear.

2. That the Lord doth punctually obſerve all the good,Gen. 17. 24. 1 Chro. 23 1. 1 Kin. 13. 11. Gen. 19. 4. Eze. 23. 43. and all the evils of them who are ſtricken in years, whether they be his own people or others. This I enlarge not by ſpecifying inſtances, becauſe the naked quotations may be ſufficient.

Having thus briefly premiſed theſe things, I proceed to the directions which I finde regiſtred in the Word of God, that the aged may know how to order their converſation in ſome meaſure of anſwerableneſſe unto that Crown of glory which the Lord by his grace and their gray hairs hath put upon them.

In generall, They muſt be of ſuch behaviour as becometh Tit. 2. 3.holineſſe, whether they be aged men or women, therefore they ought to advance and expreſſe the power of Gods grace by a diligent improvement of all ſuch means as God hath ſanctified. The Apoſtle John writeth to the Fathers who were knowing men, that they might become more holy.1 Joh. 2. 13, 14 Luk. 2. 37. And old Anna, though truly good, yet waited daily at the Temple, that ſhe might grow better. This I might perſwade by many Arguments.

1. There is no one who hath lived the longeſt and hathD^r Taylor on Tit. 2. 2. made the beſt proficiency in Chriſts School, that is come to that pillar on which he may write, Ne plus ultra; But when he hath ſummed up all his rich endowments, ſhall finde cauſe to conclude with the words of the Apoſtle, Not as Phil. 3. 12.though I were already perfect.

2. The grievances of old age are ſuch, and ſo many, as will call for the exerciſe of the ſtrongeſt graces attainable in this life. Solomon reckoneth up ſome of them, and telleth the aged perſon, that they will take away the pleaſures of his Eccl. 12. 2. 3, 4, 5.life; Then all the faith, patience, and other graces which have been gained will be found weak enough, to wield, the burthens of that eſtate: This, this was the only ſupport of the Pſalmiſt, when ſtrength and heart did fail, that God was the ſtrength of his heart, and his portion (to live upon) for ever. Pſa. 73. 26.In this reſpect pains ſhould be taken, that as the outward man decayeth, the inward man may be renewed daily.2 Cor. 3. 16.

3. The aged will lie open unto deriſion and diſreſpect in regard of the imperfections and weakneſſes which attend that condition of life, therefore they ſhould labour by eminency of holineſſe to ſecure their credit amongſt all ſorts of people whatſoever; For nothing doth more awe the hearts of the children of men then the power of godlineſſe appearing in the converſations of Gods Servants; As Paul adviſed young Timothy hereby to prevent contempt, Let no man deſpiſe thee, 1 Tim. 4. 12.but be an example of the beleevers in word and converſation, &c. So by means hereof Job had won great eſtimation amongſt all ſorts; The young men ſaw me and hid themſelves, and the Job. 29. 8.aged aroſe and ſtood up.

4. The miſcarriages of old people are in Gods account the more hainous, becauſe they have had moſt frequent and moſt ancient experiences of his goodneſſe. By this circumſtance the evils of Iſrael are once and again aggravated. God carried them all the daies of old, but they rebelled and vexed Iſa. 63. 9, 10.his holy Spirit: Know that it is an evil thing (more then ordinarily evil) that my fear is not in thee, for of old time I have Jer. 2. 19, 20.broken thy yoke, &c.

5. And I might adde that their wickedneſſe will do muchPerſenem vitioſum religio ſancta deſtruitur. Bern. more miſchief tending more to the diſhonour of God and the infection of others. In all theſe regards it nearly concerneth them whom God hath crowned with age and the profeſſion of his Name, to heed their converſation, that it may be ſuitable unto that dignity which the Lord hath put upon them. It may well become every one of them upon this account, frequently and affectionately to make Davids prayer, Now I am old and gray-headed, O Lord forſake me not, Pſa. 71. 18.until I have ſhewed thy ſtrength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. This in general, the particulars follow.

Firſt, The aged ſhould be full of knowledge as they are full of years; This is taken for granted in many Scripturepaſſages, With the ancient is wiſedom, and in length of daies is Job 12. 12. Iſa. 3. 2.underſtanding; And thence it is that the ancient and the prudent are conjoyned. Ignorance is much more excuſable in the young, who may thus pleade, We are but of yesterday, Job. 8. 9.and know nothing, becauſe our daies upon earth are a ſhadow; but an old Ignoramus is a thing intolerable: Better is a poor and wiſe childe, then an old and fooliſh King. When God hathEccl. 4. 13. ſet a Crown upon a mans head, and he knoweth not how to wear it; Honour (ſaith Solomon) is unſeemly for a fool: AndProv. 26. 1. this diſgrace is the greater when means of knowledge are enjoyed, yea, enjoyed for many years. You (ſaith the Apoſtle to ſome who were members of the Church at Corinth) have not the knowledge of God. I ſpeak this to your ſhame. And1 Cor. 15. 34. in like manner he greatens this defect in others; When for the time ye ought to be teachers of others, ye have need that one teach Heb. 5. 12.you again which be the firſt principles of the Oracles of God: Remember how ſharply Chriſt reproveth Nicodemus, Art thou a Maſter in Iſrael and knoweſt not theſe things? It wouldJoh. 3. 10. be accounted a great diſparagement unto a young man having ſerved out an Apprentiſhip, to be unacquainted with the myſteries of his Trade; Now fifty years is above ſeven years in Sabbath-daies, and yet how many of that age (who have had an addition of many weekly Lecture-daies) are yet palpably ignorant in the myſteries of ſalvation? Theſe things I ſuggeſt to ſhame the aged unto endeavours to become rich in underſtanding.

Secondly, They ſhould not only be knowing but fruitful, The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the palm-tree, they ſhall bring Pſa. 92. 12, 14.forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. This may upon good ground be looked for, from them who are truly good, for though the natural radical heat doth abate in old perſons, yet the ſpirituall vigour which they receive from Chriſt decaieth not. His branches ſhall ſpread and his Hoſ. 14. 6, 8.beauty ſhall be as the Olive-tree, for from me is thy fruit found. Although age taketh them off from ſundry emploiments, yet they ſhould be doing ſomething according to their abilities. The holy Ghoſt telleth us of an old man who came from his work out of the field at even; In the evening of our age, towardsJudg. 19. 16. Sun-ſetting, we ſhould be found acting in one kinde or other for God; and happy is that Servant whom his Lord Luk. 12. 43.when he cometh ſhall finde ſo doing. Here I will inſtance in three particulars.

1. The aged muſt be Teachers of good things, Daies ſhould ſpeak, and the multitude of years ſhould teach wiſedome; ThisTit. 2. 3, 4. Job 3. 2. 7. Gen, 49. Deut. 32. Joſh. 23. 1. Iob 29. 15. Mat. 12. 35. & 13. 52. 1 Tim. 4. 7. was the practice of old Jacob, Moſes, Joſhua, &c. And Job reporteth this as a ground of his comfort, I was eyes to the blinde, unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept ſilence at my counſell. You muſt bring forth of your treaſure good things, both new and old, and not trifle out the latter part of your daies in telling old wives Fables.

2. They muſt communicate their experiences, Hear this, ye old men, Hath this been in your daies? Tell ye your children Ioel. 1. 2, 3.of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. This hath been the cuſtome of GodsPſa. 78. 1. Pſa. 66. 16, 20. Num. 33. 1, 2. Worthies in all ages, according to his command, whereby themſelves have received comfort, others benefit, and God glory. And this I ſeriouſly perſwade, though I have not leaſure to enlarge it. Let future ages underſtand the moſt remarkable paſſages of Gods Providence which you have experienced, whereby ſin may be rendred odious, and Chriſt with the waies of faith and holineſſe may be repreſented precious to the ſouls of ſucceeding ages.

3. They ſhould endeavour to clear both their own credit and conſciences, in reference unto all their converſings in the world. This I propound from the example of Samuel, when he was old and gray-headed, pointing only at the Story,1 Sam. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. which is well worth conſideration and imitation. And in this practice let the honour of Religion be rather vindicated then your own. Give God the glory of your own unreprovable converſation, and for your known miſcarriages expreſſe your repentance, which will produce both preſent inward peace and future reputation.

Thirdly, The aged ſhould poſſeſſe their ſouls with patience, This is one of the particulars which S^t Paul adviſeth Titus to preſſe upon old men, viz. that they be ſound in patience. ThisTit. 2. 2. grace of patience conſidered under a threefold notion, is needfull, and would be commendable in them.

1. Patience in waiting for the full accompliſhment of all Gods Promiſes. You have need of Patience (ſaith the Apoſtle)Heb. 10. 35. that after ye have done the will of God, you might receive the promiſe. And S^t James propounds the practice of the Husbandman to perſwade this; Behold, the Husbandman waiteth Iam. 5. 7.for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it. I may tell you whoſe heads are gray, whoſe lives have been a long ſeed-time in waies of well-doing, Behold, the fields are Ioh. 4. 35.white already to harveſt; Your time of reaping is at hand, therefore hold up your heads and hopes in a patient expectation of your recompence of reward.

2. Patience in forbearing thoſe who load you with provocations. In this caſe let David be your Example, who ſilently2 Sam. 16. 10. without yeelding unto motions made for revenge, ſubmitted unto that affliction with which God did exerciſe him, through the curſings of Shimei. With how much contempt doth the Lion (the King of Beaſts) paſſe on his way, notwithſtanding the barkings of angry dogs? Therefore you aged ones who are crowned both with gray-hairs and graces, Look upon your ſelves as ready to ſet foot into your palace, and to take poſſeſſion of the Kingdom prepared for you; and hereupon with a holy ſcorn ſlieght all the clamors and ſnarlings of them, who ſpeak evil of you becauſe you refuſe1 Pet. 4. 1, 4. to run with them into the ſame exceſſe of riot.

3. Eſpecially Patience in a calm and chearful bearing of all thoſe infirmities and afflictions which are wont to accompany old age. Remember that your age is your Crown, and therefore carry it with contentment, though it cauſe your heads to ake. M. Cartwright upon my Text hath this note,Adverſus ſenectutis incommoda, & difficultates, recreare debet. That the holy Ghoſt doth purpoſely tell the aged, that the hoary head is a Crown, that by this conſideration he might releeve them under all the grievances which attend that condition of life. M. Muffet upon my Text ſpeaketh thus, Old age is born up by theſe two ſtaves, 1. Life well-ſpent, 2. Hope of future glory. And Biſhop Hall hath this expreſſion in his Meditations and Vows: I account old age the beſt age, 1. Becauſe the inconveniences of it are only bodily, with a better eſtate of minde. 2. Becauſe nearer to diſſolution. Hereunto he addeth this Story, When a man told a Philoſopher, that he was ſorry to ſee him ſo old: he returned this anſwer, Be ſorry rather that ever I was young to be a fool: Many ſuch like Meditations might be added to check frowardneſſe, to maintain patience under all the preſſures of old age, but I ſhall referre to the fore-mentioned priviledges which appertain unto them whoſe hoary heads are found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

Fourthly, They ſhould be ſound in faith; 1. Both in the doctrineTit. 2. 2. of faith, in the truth of the Scripture, having had long time for triall, to diſcern betwixt things which differ, and therefore in reference to Fundamentals at leaſt they ſhould be able to ſay with David to God, Concerning theſe thy Teſtimonies, Pſa. 119. 152. Rom. 4. 19. Luk. 2. 25. Deut. 34. 1.I have known of old that thou haſt founded them for ever. 2. And in the grace of faith, being ſtrong in confidence, whereby they ſhall with old Abraham glorifie God, and with old Simeon go ſinging to heaven; It was an eaſie thing with Moſes to die when God had ſhewed him the promiſed Land: And it's a good ſight to behold ancient Chriſtians carried out of this world with full ſail of aſſurance, hearing them to ſpeak, as Job did, I know that my Redeemer liveth, Iob 19. 25, 26, 27.and though after my skin worms deſtroy my fleſh, yet in my fleſh I ſhall ſee God, whom I ſhall ſee for my ſelf, &c. It well becometh them likewiſe in times of trouble to pleade their old experiences with bold confidence, Why withdraweſt thou Pſa. 74. 11, 12. & 71. 17, 19, 21thine hand, even thy right hand, pluck it out of thy hoſome, for God is my King of old. Whereas their infidelity is the more inexcuſable in it ſelf, and the more provoking unto God, becauſe manifold providences both in former and later years, have evidenced unto them Gods power and truth; They Pſa. 106. 21, 22 23, 24.forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Egypt, wondrous things in the Land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red Sea, therefore he ſaid that he would deſtroy them, &c. they beleeved not his Word. And hence it was that both Moſes Numb. 20. 12. Luk. 1. 18.and old Zechary were ſo ſeverely dealt with for their incredulity.

Fifthly, They ſhould be ſound in charity, This the ApnſtleTit. 2. 2. addeth to the former. And it is very reaſonable in many regards; for as they have long lived upon Gods love, ſo they have received moſt kindeneſſes from men in manifold exigences, and the neceſſities of their old age do call for continued and renewed compaſſion from time to time. Here I ſhall only touch upon three Rules to guide this grace in its exerciſe.

1. For purity, their love ſhould be moſt enlarged upon the account of piety. As it was the praiſe of Titus, that his 2 Cor. 7. 15.inward affection was more abundant whileſt he remembred the obedience of the Corinthians; When ſpeciall kindeneſſe is ſhewed towards them who are of the houſhold of faith.Gal. 6. 10.

2. For perpetuity, they muſt not be weary of works of charity: Gal. 6. 9. Charitas quae defini potest nunquam vera fuit. Aug.And doubtleſſe if love be true it will be conſtant, for a friend loveth at all times.

3. For quantity, it ſhould be encreaſed, and it will be to their high commendation if their works of mercy (as of other kindes) be more at the laſt then at the firſt. And thereforeRev. 2. 19. covetouſneſs ſhould be caſhiered, as the cut-throat of charity.

Moreover, I might perſwade from the authority of Saint Paul, ſobriety, temperance, and gravity. For temperance letTit. 2. 2. 2 Sam. 19. 35. old Barzillai be an example unto the aged, whoſe moderation in reference to the dainties of a Court tendred unto him, was very great. And let the ſad conſequences of Noah Gen. 9. 21. Alto aetas alios mores poſtulat.his intemperance give caution for ſobriety unto all ancient perſons whatſoever. As for gravity, it's a vertue oppoſed to lightneſſe and apiſhneſſe; It ſhould be expreſſed in countenance, ſpeech, and apparell, &c. But theſe things I muſt not enlarge. And I will only name what the Apoſtle addeth in relation to old women. They muſt not be falſe accuſers; His word ſuggeſts that falſe accuſers are devil-like, havingforeign. Tit. 2. 3. Ioh. 8. 44. Iam. 3. 6. tongues ſet on fire by hell. This may be a ſufficient watchword to warn them to keep at a diſtance from ſuch exorbitances; The laſt thing which I will adviſe all ancient perſons unto, is conſtancy and perſeverance in waies of righteouſneſſe, according to all the former directions; I would propound the reſolution of David when old and gray-headed for your imitation, I will hope continually, and will yet praiſe thee more and Pſa. 71. 9. - 14.more, &c. You ſhould be unmoveable like unto old Oaks, deeply rooted, which are not turned hither and thither, this way and that way, by every contrary winde. Remember the ſpeech of old Polycarpus when tempted to Apoſtaſie, God hath been my good Maſter for 85 years, therefore I will not forſake him: As Arguments to move endeavours after ſteddineſſe both in the profeſſion and practice of the truth, take theſe ſhort particulars into your ſerious conſideration.

1. In the winter of your age, you may probably be aſſaulted with violent ſtorms. When thou ſhalt be old (ſaith Chriſt to Peter) another ſhall gird thee and carry thee whither Ioh. 21. 18, 19.thou wouldeſt not: This ſpake he, fignifying by what death he ſhould glorifie God.

2. You are in danger of declining. Good old Ely towards1 Sam. 2. 22. with cap. 3. 13. the end of his life was wofully cooled in his zeal for God, as his indulgence towards his Sons, did manifeſt. And when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other 1 King. 11. 4.gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. Theſe examples may give you an Alarum; for neither high parts, nor ſaving grace, will ſecure you from porttall apoſtacie, therefore you ſhould be watchfull.

3. God doth not change or abate in his goodneſſe toward you, but he ſpeaketh unto you as to old Iſrael. You are borne Iſa. 46. 3, 4.by me from the belly which are carried from the womb. And even to your old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you. Now ſhould not Gods immutability in his favours notwithſtanding your great unworthineſſe, engage you ſtrongly to hold cloſe unto his Majeſty without any backſlidings!

4. Your fruitfullneſſe in age, will add to your comfort when you die, and to your honour afterwards. The promiſe of God ſpeaketh thus much: Thou ſhalt come to thy grave in Job 5. 26.a full age, like as a ſhock of Corn cometh in in his ſeaſon. Unto which might be added S^t Pauls experience; I have fought a 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8.good fight, I have finiſhed my courſe, I have kept the faith: Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of righteouſneſſe, which the Mortem plenus expeto. Seneca.Lord the righteous Judg ſhall give me at that day.

Having finiſhed my Exhortation to the aged, I ſhall direct my counſell unto them who are young; wherein I will be the ſhorter, becauſe I have been ſo large in the former, and I will caſt mine advice under three heads.

Firſt, To ſeek the lengthening of their lives, that they may attain the Crown of glory, which belongeth to the hoary head.

And for this end,

1. Let them warily decline all life-endangering practiſes. I will inſtance in ſome. Quarrellings, fightings, whereby many in the flower of their age loſe their lives, wherof there are ſad experiences every where. Whoredom is another life-ſhortningPro. 2. 18. Pro. 7. 11. ſin: Solomon telleth us, that the Harlots houſe inclineth to death, & her paths unto the dead. And he foretelleth the young man, what will be the conſequence of that courſe; Thou ſhalt mourn at the laſt, when thy fleſh and thy body are conſumed. And unto both the former, I may add drunkenneſſe and gluttony, for as the ſtrength of nature is waſted, and the body is filled with diſeaſes through intemperancy; and by reaſon hereof the forementioned evils of quarelling and whoring are much fomented. The words of Solomon are here conſiderable:Pro. 23. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. Who hath wo? who hath ſorrow? who hath contentions, who hath wounds, who hath redneſſe of eyes! They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to ſeek mixt wine, &c. At the laſt it biteth like a Serpent, and ſtingeth like an Adder. Thine eyes ſhall behold ſtrange women, yea thou ſhalt be as he that lieth down in the midſt of the ſea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a maſt. Finally, Take heed of all ſuch wayes of wickedneſſe, which may juſtly bring you under the Magiſtrates ſword, or expoſe you to the deadly blows of divine diſpleaſure: Bloody Pſal. 55. 23.and deceitfull men ſhall not live out half their dayes.

2. Let them betake themſelves unto ſuch courſes, whereunto God hath promiſed length of dayes. The Lord in the fifth Commandement, perſwadeth every child to honour and obey his parents, upon this conſideration, that thy dayes Deu. 5. 16.may be prolonged. Yea the whole courſe of obedientiall conformity unto all Gods Commandements, is preſſed by this argument; What man is he that deſireth life, and loveth many Pſ. 34. 12, 13, 14.dayes that he may ſee good? keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from ſpeaking guile. Depart from evil and do good. AndDiodate. Contingere ſolum iis qui juſtè viverunt, &c. quod ſit foreign. Piſcator. Hujus vitae brevitas, longiore in ſumma beatitate, vita compenſatur. Cart. 2 Tim. 2. 22. ſome Expoſitors do ſuggeſt from my Text, that walking in the way of righteouſneſſe, is a means to obtain the honour of an hoary head. God ordinarily granteth long life unto good men. This is moſt certain, that God will either lengthen the lives of ſuch upon earth, or elſe crown them with life eternal in Heaven. This lets in the ſecond head of advice to be beſtowed upon young perſons.

Secondly, To ſeek righteouſneſſe. This was S^t Pauls counſel unto young Timothy, Follow righteouſneſſe. And the doctrine under hand is a ſtrong argument to back it, which David preſſed upon his ſonne Solomon, when young and tender; who ſpeaking of ſanctifying grace under the name of wiſedom, uſeth theſe words; Exalt her and ſhe ſhall promote Prov. 4. 3, 4, with v. 8, 9.thee, ſhe ſhall bring thee to honour when thou doeſt embrace her. She ſhall give to thine head an ornament, a Crown ſhall ſhe deliver to thee. Righteouſneſſe therefore will be a Crown of glory, unto the green-headed, as well as unto the gray-headed, which ſhould move the young to look out after it.

Now that my perſwaſion may be the more prevalent with young ones, I ſhall commend theſe following particulars unto their ſerious conſideration.

1. Gods expreſſe command: Remember now thy Creator Eccl. 12. 1.in the dayes of thy youth. If you acknowledge his Soveraignty over you, as your Maker, is it not rationall that you ſhould ſuddenly ſubmit unto his government?

2. The examples of ſuch young ones, who came in unto2 Chron. 34. Dan. 1. & 3. 2 Tim. 3. 15. God graciouſly in the morning of their age: Joſiah, Daniel, Shadrack, Meſhach and Abednego, as alſo Timothy; but eſpecially ſet Chriſt before your eyes, who when he wasLuk. 2. 42, 51. twelve years old, did famouſly expreſſe the power of grace. Do you judg godlineſſe commendable in them, wherefore then do you not endeavour imitation?

3. The advantages of ſeeking grace betimes, early in theHeb. 3. 7, 8, 13. Qui non eſt hodie, cras minus aptus erit. 1 King. 14. 3, with 13. Mark. 10. 21. Diſcipulum minimum Chriſtus amavit plurimum. Joh. 21. 20. Pro. 22. 6. Quo ſemel eſt imbutae recens, Joh. 15. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 58. morning of youth. I ſhall name ſome of them without enlargement (viz.) The work will be to your ſelves the more eaſie (as the bowing of the twig while tender,) and to God the more acceptable, when the firſt fruits are conſecrated unto his Majeſty. Chriſt is ſaid to love the moral young man; and it is conjectured, that John had the more tender reſpect, becauſe he came unto Chriſt ſo ſoon. The gracious ſeaſonings in youth, will alſo make the converſation more ſavoury afterwards: And the ſooner you undertake Gods ſervice, the more glory you ſhall bring unto his Name, the larger recompence likewiſe your ſelves ſhall receive. Finally, this will be an encouragement, unto your hopefull addreſſes unto the Lord, as need may require. Mark Davids manner of pleading in prayer; O God thou haſt taught me from my youth, and hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works. Now Pſa. 71. 17, 18.alſo when I am old and gray headed O God forſake me not.

4. The neceſſity of endeavouring to be godly in the time of youth. This might be ſundry wayes manifeſted: Becauſe then moſt ſubject to ſatisfie many ſinfull corrruptions. As the boyling pots caſt up the moſt ſcum, ſo in the heat of youth, there are ſtrongeſt inclinations to paſſions, revenge, laſciviouſneſſe, intemperance. &c. In which reſpect the Apoſtle ſaw cauſe to give Timothy this counſel; Fly youthfull lusts, but follow righteouſneſſe, faith, charity, peace, &c. And the2 Tim. 2. 22. breaking forth of wickedneſſe in youth, will breed bitter complaints in old age. As the aged are wont to feel pain in thoſe bones which were bruiſed or broken, when they were young. Thou writeſt bitter things againſt me (ſaith Job) and makeſt me Job 13. 26.to poſſeſſe the iniquities of my youth. Ephraim alſo maketh pittifull moan, bearing the reproach of youth. Yea, ſuppoſe youJer. 31. 19. ſhould be ſecured from all groſſe evils, while young; yet if ever the Lord bring you home unto himſelf, by the power ofNimis ſerò, ad te veni Domine. an effectual calling, this will be a cut upon your hearts (as it was to Auguſtine,) that you came in to God no ſooner. How will you bewail your folly and great ingratitude untoMal. 1. 8, 13, 14 God, that the devil hath been gratified by your firſt-fruits, and that only the refuſe, dregs, and withered ſtuff of old age, is reſerved for God. And if the Lord ſhould puniſh your obſtinacy in youth, with finall impenitence, how ſad would your reckoning be at the laſt day? for this is moſt certain, that when you have ſowed your wild oats, and ſatisfied the ſinfull deſires of youth, for all theſe things God will bring you Eccl. 11. 9.to judgement. The Lord give young ones to dwell upon theſe meditations, and to lay them ſeriouſly unto their hearts. Here I might juſtly take up a great lamentation, conſidering that averſneſs unto the power of piety, which is every where to be found amongſt young people, notwithſtanding inſtructions, convictions, miniſterial perſwaſions, together with ſome motions of Gods Spirit upon their hearts, with which their ſouls are aſſaulted for good from time to time. They will acknowledge the reaſonableneſſe of our advice; they will ſhed tearsImpius & foelix, ſic ſimul eſſe cupit. being reproved for their regardleſneſſe of God and of their own ſouls; yea they will make fair promiſes of amendment for time to come. But, alas, alas, poor fooliſh creatures, how careleſſe in ſeeking to keep theſe ſpiritual ſparks alive in their own boſomes. How ſoon do theſe good motions die withinBonum quaris, malum facis, in contraria curris. Auguſt. Inter mortis metum & vitae tormenta miſcre fluctuant. Seneca. them. They would have the Crown tendered, but will not reſolutely hold on in the uſe of Gods means to obtain it. Fain they would ſave their ſouls, and yet ſatisfie their ſinfull luſts alſo. And thus they fluctuate as a wave upon the ſea, carried hither and thither by contrary windes. Whereas they ſhould upon a ſerious conſideration (whether it be better to ſerve God or the devil, to ſave the ſoul, or to hazard the loſſe of it unto eternity) work themſelves unto an unmoveable determination, to ſeek the Crown of glory in the way of righteouſneſſe.

Thirdly, To yeeld due, reverent reſpect unto aged perſons, eſpecially to ſuch in whom the power of grace doth moſt eminently appear. M^r Cartwright upon my Text preſſeth this duty, arguing from our honouring them whom men Crown, unto ſuch to whom God aſſigneth the Crown of glory. As there ſhould be teſtifications of high reſpect unto all ſuch, ſo eſpecially 1. To our natural parents Honour thy Father Exod. 20. 12. 1 Tim. 5. 17.and thy Mother. 2. And to thoſe whoſe Office and faithfulneſſe in diſcharging it, doth call for double honour.

Now this honourable reſpect of the aged (eſpecially if godly) muſt be expreſſed,

1. By reverent geſtures: Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary Lev. 19. 32.head, and honour the face of the old man.

2. By giving them the precedencie, in ſpeaking in all caſes to be debated. Elihu ſaid, I am young and ye are very old, Job 32. 6, 7. Adoleſcens bis interrogatus reſpondeat. Bern.wherefore I was afraid and durſt not ſhew mine opinion. I ſaid, Dayes ſhould ſpeak and multitude of years ſhould teach wiſedom.

3. By teſtimonies of due eſtimation to their perſons, even at thoſe times when there may be occaſion to blame ſome of their practices. Rebuke not an Elder, but intreat him as a Father.1 Tim. 5. 1.

4. By ſubmitting unto their grave and gracious counſels. Likewiſe ye younger, ſubmit your ſelves unto the elder. The Apoſtle1 Pet. 5. 5. Philem. 9. ſtileth himſelf Paul the aged, to prevail with Philemon to yeeld unto his advice.

5. By preferring them (if in all other regards compariſon be equall) in diſcoveries of love and eſtimation. As it was agreed upon betwixt Paul and the Diſciples, that he ſhould rather lodge at the houſe of Mnaſon an old Diſciple, then anyActs 21. 16. where elſe. By thus doing, we ſhall witneſſe to the world that our judgements are rectified, and our converſations are ordered by the word of truth, and that therefore we account the hoary-head to be a Crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſſe.

Now having concluded my diſcourſe upon the Text, I know it is expected, that I ſhould ſpeak unto the occaſion of our meeting concerning this Reverend Father (whoſe Funeral we now celebrate) I will premiſe this, that a full Narrative of his long well-ſpent Life, cannot be expected from my report at this time, but I hope that it will in due time be drawn up and handed unto you for his honourable remembrance, and for imitation unto poſterity, by One who wasfully acquainted both with his Life and Death.

In generall this I dare aſſert with confidence (wherein I doubt not your conſent) that his hoary head was a Crown of glory, for it was found in the way of righteouſneſſe. Through Gods good providence, he had a long time worn this his Crown, for he was well nigh Fourſcore years old. Notwithſtanding this his great age, yet (through unuſuall divine indulgence) his ſtrength was not labour and ſorrow, for hePſal. 90. 10. was neither afflicted with the Stone, or Gowt, or Cramp, or any Cough; but he laboured only (as I have often heard him ſay) under the diſeaſe of weak old age. That which is recorded of Abraham, may be applied to him, That he died in a Gen. 25. 8.good old age, an old man and full of years. Neither were the abilities of his minde abated, but his underſtanding and memory continued ſtrong, even unto his end. As all his Works publiſhed, do proclaim his incomparable learning in all kindes: ſo thoſe which were lately printed do witneſſe that Academicall ſtudies (when he was young) were freſh and ready for improvement in his old age. And the promiſe made to the righteous man, was verified in him, He ſhall bring forth Pſal. 92. 14.fruit in old age, he ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. In all which regards, whether we conſider the continued healthfull frame of his body, or the uninterrupted fruitfullneſſe of the gifts and graces of his ſpirit, it may be truly ſaid of him, in reference to his death. That he is come to his grave in a full age, like as a Job 5. 26.ſhock of Corn cometh in in his ſeaſon. But that I may not anticipate the intended Narrative of his whole Life, I ſhall only declare two or three paſſages towards the end of his dayes. When he looked upon the weakning diſtempers (which had cauſed him to keep his bed) as the Arreſt of death, he was pleaſed (through his love to my worthleſſe ſelf) to give order that I ſhould be certified of his weakneſſe, that he might be remembred before the Lord in my prayers; and alſo that I might be requeſted, as from himſelf, to perform the like office of reſpect for him, which I had lately done for his Reverend neighbour M^r Whitaker, by preaching his Funerall Sermon. Upon this intelligence the next morning I haſtened unto him, to witneſſe mine unfeigned love and honourable reſpect of him, as alſo to put this work (which I have now performed) with his approbation, upon an abler hand: but finding him altogether unwilling to excuſe me, I thought it more meet to undertake it, then to diſtemper his ſpirit by my refuſall. By reaſon of his very great weakneſſe he could not ſpeak much, but that which he ſaid was weighty and ſavoury, which I will faithfully relate: His words were theſe; I am now conflicting with my laſt Adverſary, though I beleeve the ſting is taken out. Nature will ſtruggle, but I humbly ſubmit unto the good pleaſure of God. I heartily beg the pardon of my many ſinnes, eſpecially of my want of ſedulity and fidelity in my publick and private charge, hoping to be waſhed with Chriſts blood, and deſiring to be tranſlated out of this reſtleſſe condition. I expect daily, yea hourly to be tranſlated into that everlaſting reſt, which God hath prepared for them who are intereſted in his Chriſt: And I pray God to bleſſe you, and his whole Miniſtery every where.

Theſe were his laſt words unto me, upon which I might much enlarge my ſelf; but I leave the improvement hereof, and of his laborious exemplary Life, unto your conſcientious endeavours. Although he be now dead, yet he ſtill liveth by his worthy Works already printed, unto which I hope many more (which be left ready for the Preſſe) will be added for future profit in the Church of Chriſt. I conclude, with hearty deſires, that this ſad providence, in his death, may be ſanctified unto us all, and eſpecially unto his neareſt Relations, through Gods rich grace in Jeſus Chriſt.

FINIS.

Gray Hairs Crowned with Grace, Sermon