The Duty and Honor of Aged Women, Doctrine

The Duty and Honor of Aged Women · Doctrine

p. 7DOCT. That it is Eminently the Duty and the Honour of Aged Women, that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holineſs.

p. 8IN Speaking to theſe words, I ſhall firſt enquire more in General,

I. What is that Chriſtian Behaviour incumbent on Us all, & becoming Holineſs?

II. What peculiarly is becoming Women profeſſing Holineſs?

III. What more Eminently becometh Holineſs in Aged Women?

IV. Why are They Eminently obliged to ſuch Behaviour?

I. WHAT is that Chriſtian Behaviour in General which becometh Holineſs? It is a Law to us all, Phil. i. 27. Only let your Converſation be as becometh the Goſpel of Chriſt. The Goſpel is the Rule of Holineſs to us, in the holy Doctrines, Laws, Examples, and Motives of it. From theſe we may eaſily gather what the Behaviour is that becometh Holineſs.

IT muſt be ſuch as becomes the Holy Doctrines of Chriſtianity: the Being and Holineſs of GOD; the nature of Sin, the Redemption from it, the Mediation of CHRIST, the Covenant of Grace, the Immortality of the Soul, the Eternal Judgment, &c. Now what kind of Behaviour do theſe Doctrines imply to be pleaſing to p. 9GOD, honourary to Him, and neceſſary to our being for Ever bleſſed in Him? Truth like the Light, is both to Irradiate and Purify: 1 Pet. i. 22. Ye have Purifyed your ſouls in Obeying the Truth.

AGAIN, Our Behaviour muſt be ſuch as the Holy Laws of the Goſpel do require. What is written there? how readeſt thou? So live and do; and thy Behaviour will be as becometh Holineſs.

SO likewiſe, if it becomes the holy and glorious Example, which our Lord Jeſus Chriſt has given us in his bleſſed Life. For here-unto are we called, to walk even as He walked, to be as He was in the World, to follow His Steps, who was Holy, harmleſs, undefiled, ſeparate from Sin, &c. ‖‖Mat xi 29 1 Pet ii. 21. 1 Joh ii 6. Heb vii. 26.Matt 11:291 Pet 2:211 John 2:6Heb 7:26.

MOREOVER, Our Behaviour muſt be ſuch as becomes the bleſſed Promiſes and holy Motives of the Goſpel: the glorious Hopes which it wou'd beget us to: the direct Influence whereof is ††2 Cor vii. 1. 2 Pet i. 4. 1 Joh iii 3.2 Cor 7:12 Pet 1:41 John 3:3to put us upon Purifying our ſelves as GOD is Pure; to p. 10be cleanſing our ſelves from all filthineſs of Fleſh and Spirit, perfecting Holineſs in the fear of the LORD; and that by them we might be made partakers of the Divine Nature, having eſcap'd the Corruption that is in the World thro' Luſt.

TO conclude, Our Behaviour muſt be ſuch as becomes the fair Profeſſion which we make, the Vows that we are bro't under, the Means and long Day of Grace which we enjoy. We muſt adorn our Profeſſion, and walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith we are called, and conſider what manner of Perſons we ought to be, in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs under our peculiar Advantages & Bonds.**Titus ii. 10. Eph iv. 1. 2 Pet. iii. 11.Titus 2:10Eph 4:12 Pet 3:11.

THIS is the Behaviour that we profeſs, and which Chriſtianity calls for and binds unto, as the genuine fruit of Internal Holineſs, and the only ſufficient Teſt of it. By theſe holy Doctrines, Laws and Motives; by this Profeſſion, bond and means of Holineſs, we muſt order our ſelves; Our looks, words, actions, garb, deportment; our friendſhips, viſits, diſcourſes and relative p. 11Obligations; our eating and drinking▪ our buſineſs and dealings; our civil Mirth, recreations and diverſions; at Home and Abroad; and then is our Behaviour ſuch as becometh Holineſs.

II. MORE particularly let us Enquire, What is the Behaviour becoming Holineſs in Chriſtian Women? There is that which is peculiarly obliging, decent and ornamental to them. As Nature, and Cuſtom, the publick judgment of Nature and Nations; ſo alſo the Holy Scriptures, do command and commend to them, an Eminence in Modeſty, reſerve, purity, temperance, humility, truth, meekneſs, patience, courteſie, affability, charity, goodneſs, mercy, compaſſion: Diſcretion, prudence, Piety and Devotion, guarding, influencing, and ſhining brightly forth in all.

IT is Your great Honour, that more is expected in your Behaviour, of all that is nicely Vertuous and Exemplary. How do we diſtinguiſh You by expecting of You, that whatſoever things are honeſt & juſt, pure and lovely, of good report and praiſe, p. 12that you do excel in all theſe things!

THE things that do not become Holineſs, or that are contrary there-unto, are doubly diſhonourable & guilty in You, by the Eſtimation of the World: for Inſtance, Lightneſs in Behaviour, ſenſual luſts, wantonneſs and impurity, boldneſs and rudeneſs, in Look, Word or Geſture; drinking, profaneneſs, malice, railing, &c. How Odious are theſe things juſtly held in Women! More Scandalous, tho' not more Guilt before GOD, than in Men! Save as there may be the greater Rape committed on the Conſcience of Decency, and the Reluctance of native Shame; ſtrengthned by a vertuous Education, and the Admonitions of the Holy Word.

NOR is the Weakneſs of Sex any Indulgence really (whatever ſome may think or grant) for any Vanities of Apparel, pride, impotent Envies, Cenſoriouſneſs, talkativeneſs, gadding, backbytings, or the like Evils; which look yet meaner & viler in Men than in Women, and ſo ſeem an Exception from the Rule before laid down: for all theſe too do leave a Stain and diſhonour p. 13on the Perſons that can Stoop to 'em, tho' there be not a Proſtitution to things of groſſer Turpitude.

LET Chriſtian Women read from the **Context. 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2, &c.1 Tim 2:91 Tim 2:101 Tim 2:111 Tim 2:121 Pet 3:11 Pet 3:2Holy Scripture the Exemplary Behaviour, which is expected from them: Scil, That they adorn themſelves in modeſt Apparel, with ſhamefac'dneſs & ſobriety; not with broider'd hair, or gold or pearls, or coſtly Arraye; (not affecting, nor exceſſive in, bodily Ornaments) but which becometh Women profeſſing Godlineſs, with good Works: Not uſurping authority, but learning in ſilence, with all ſubjection: Continuing in faith, in charity, and holineſs. Their Converſation is requir'd to be chaſt, coupled with fear; their Adorning the hidden Man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the ſight of GOD of great price: for after this manner in old time, the Holy Women alſo who truſted in GOD adorned themſelves. Finally, In our Context They are warn'd & exhorted, p. 14Not to be falſe Accuſers, nor given to much wine; But to be ſober, diſcreet, chaſte, keepers at home, good, tender, faithful & affectionate in their domeſtick Relations; that the Word of GOD be not blaſphemed.

THIS is that Behaviour which the HOLY GHOST has preſcribed unto Women as becoming Holineſs in them. The Price of this rare Perſon is, as Solomon ſays above Rubies, She does every one Good and not Evil all the days of her life. She's diligent, charitable & beneficent. She ſtretcheth out her hands to the poor, ſhe reacheth forth her Arms to the needy. Strength & Honour are her Cloathing, & ſhe ſhall rejoyce in time to come. She op'neth her Mouth with Wiſdom, and in her tongue is the Law of Kindneſs. She looketh well to the wayes of her Houſehold, and eateth not the bread of Idleneſs. Her Children riſe up and call her Bleſſed, her Husband alſo & he praiſeth her. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own Works praiſe her in the Gates. Prov. xxxi. 10.—31.

p. 15III. I PASS now to the Third Enquiry, which is, What is more Eminently becoming Holineſs in the Aged, and particularly in Aged Women? What is peculiarly requiſite in their Behaviour?

I ANSWER, 1. All that has been already ſaid is to be ſuppoſed in Them in a Superior degree, ſo as to be Examples & Patterns, teaching and living Rules, ſhining in all Gravity, Wiſdom & Heavenlineſs; that their Preſence & Words may always command Veneration, Awe & reſpectful Attention from their Juniors, and powerfully commend the Wayes of Religion and Vertue to them.

2. MORE eſpecially, the Aged ſhould excel in the Spirit of Devotion, & lead by their good Example in a devout, reverent & early Attendance on the Publick Worſhip of GOD. As Myriam & Deborah led the Dau'ters of Iſrael in the Praiſes of GOD: or as Aged Anna departed not from the Temple. Indeed there are no greater Ornaments in our Congregations for Worſhip, than the gracious Faces and deportment of ſuch religious p. 16Matrons; to whom under the Influences of the HOLY SPIRIT the Beauty & Solemnity of our Aſſemblies is not a little owing, and the Spirit of Devotion Propagated to the riſing Generations. But here our Defects oblige me to ſay more particularly,

THAT it is highly becoming Holineſs in the Aged, that they let their Dau'ters ſee them at the Table of Chriſt, walking like Elizabeth in all the Commandments & Ordinances of the LORD blameleſs. What a Miſs-behaviour, and unſeemly thing is it, to ſee grave aged Perſons leaving the Houſe of GOD when that holy Ordinance comes on! judging themſelves not yet meet for that holy Approach with the Faithful unto Chriſt! or confeſſing their Neglects of Preparation therefor unto this Day! And if they have been of grave & laudable Deportment before their Children & Houſhold, what a Stumbling is it to them! an Excuſe for their ſtaying away, eſteem'd ſufficient by too many! and too often an effectual Bar to them who are inclin'd to come! their Reverence to their Elders (ſurely one p. 17of the worſt Abuſes that ever was of a thing ſo good, or of anothers good life) reſtraining them from this plain piece of Duty and Obedience to GOD.

BUT beſides theſe Publick Devotions in the Church, a high Spirit of Devotion ſhou'd govern the Aged in their more private Converſation; in their Families & occaſionally among their Friends. They ſhou'd let their Houſholds ſee that they neglect not their Cloſets; tho' what paſſes there let be Secret with GOD. Religious Diſcourſe muſt next Adorn the Aged Lips, and Edify the Family and Viſitors. The many Mercies of a paſt Life may ſuitably be often call'd to Mind; the Snares of an evil World warn'd againſt; the need and good of Afflictions be thankfully remembred; and Alſufficient Grace be frequently admir'd & ador'd that carries the Children of GOD ſo well thro' them, & Legions of worſe but more ſmiling Temptations. The Aged Believer will be often looking back; now making his abaſing Reflections on an unprofitable Life paſt, (how little done for GOD, how little fruit bro't forth, how much time & coſt in effect loſt, and how full of Sin:) then with a p. 18brighter tho't and face Adoring the Grace that has been ſo long magnify'd to ſo unworthy a Creature: the Grace that has waited on him unto all Long-ſuffering! that has ſo freely ſuccour'd, ſtrengthen'd, preſerv'd ſupply'd him hitherto! that has pity'd, pardon'd, reſtor'd him, and will finally Save him. The Aged in their pious and devout Reflections, ſhou'd be frequently leaving their Teſtimony behind them, with thoſe that are riſing after them in their places, of the Goodneſs of the wayes of Religion, whereof they have made a happy Experiment; and of the Faithfulneſs of GOD to them in all the Providences that have paſs'd over them. Let 'em declare what GOD has done for their Souls, how Pleaſant the wayes of Wiſdom have been found by them, and what Peace in the End of thoſe Paths. They may alſo ſay what they have Seen of Others, both the Righteous and the Wicked: that they have been Young and now are Old, yet have they not ſeen the Righteous forſaken, nor his Seed; that on the other hand, they have ſeen the Wicked taking root, and ſpreading himſelf like a green Bay-tree, yet he paſſed p. 19away and lo he was not; they have ſought him and he cou'd not be found. From a full Conviction they may amply declaim on the vanity of this World, the Poverty of a Portion in it, and the Emptineſs of thoſe flattering Temptations, which ſo eaſily beguile & bewitch us: Few & Evil, at the beſt and longeſt, do they find the days of the years of their Pilgrimage. Finally, Death and Eternity ſhou'd be the familiar ſubject of Aged Perſons diſcourſe. A natural Entertainment for them, and from them, who are ſo near it. The proper Effect of a daily Preparation, and the good Symptom of actual readineſs.

TO cloſe this Head, Let me from the excellent Words of the Pſalmiſt ſhow the Aged, what the Devotional Reflections, Acknowledgments, Supplications and Reſolutions are, which become them: Pſalm. lxxi. 5.—14,—18. Thou art my Hope, O Lord GOD, thou art my Truſt from my Youth. By thee have I been holden up from the Womb; Thou art He that took me out of my Mothers Bowels; my Praiſe ſhall be continually of thee. —Caſt me not off in the time of Old Age, forſake me not when my Strength faileth.—But p. 20I will hope continually, & will yet Praiſe thee more & more. My Mouth ſhall ſhew forth thy Righteouſneſs, and thy Salvation all the day: for I know not the Numbers thereof. I will go in the Strength of the Lord GOD, I will make mention of thy Righteouſneſs, even of thine only. O GOD, thou haſt taught me from my Youth, and hitherto have I declar'd thy wondrous Works: Now alſo when I am old & grey-headed, O GOD, forſake me not! Thus ſhou'd the Aged excel in the Spirit of high Devotion: to which Head I might alſo reduce this which follows,

3. IT is highly becoming Holineſs in Aged Perſons, that they take all Occaſions fitting, Privately to inſtruct, counſel, admoniſh, countenance & encourage Younger People, eſpecially their Families, in the wayes of GOD. Their Years give 'em Authority, their Experiences may greatly accompliſh them, their Wiſdom and Diſcretion will direct and Preſerve them therein. I ſaid, Dayes ſhou'd Speak, and Multitude of Years ſhou'd teach Wiſdom: Scil, to Younger People, like my ſelf, ſaid wiſe Elihu before his Fathers. With the Ancient ſhou'd be Wiſdom, and in length of dayes Underſtanding, p. 21Job. xii. 12. And one Eminent Uſe of it is to adviſe the Younger of ſmall Experience.

THEREFORE ſayes our Context, Let the Aged Women be Teachers of good things. Scil, let 'em teach the Young Women, to be Sober, to love their Husbands, to be diſcreet, chaſte, keepers at home, good, Obedient, &c. Aged People ſhou'd in their reſpective Places ſo far imitate the Apoſtle, Paul the Aged, as to be able to ſay of their Families, as he did to the Churches: 1 Theſ. ii. 11, 12. As ye know how we Exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of You, as a Father doth his Children, that ye would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto his Kingdom & Glory. Let the Aged be imparting Liberally their Prayers, Bleſſings, Reproofs, and Spiritual Experiences among their Offſpring: As long as they are in this Tabernacle, let 'em ſtir up thoſe that are riſing after 'em; knowing that they muſt ſhortly put it off, and that their time of Uſefulneſs is juſt at its End. This is truly becoming Holineſs in them.

4. GRAVITY in Garb & Deportment is highly becoming Holineſs in Aged Women. It is a great Miſsbehaviour, and unbecoming p. 22Age, to affect Youth; or indulge in it ſelf the Modes, Liberties and Cuſtoms lawful and decent in Youth. Even the World wont allow this, and leſs will Religion. It brings a Perſons Prudence, even where it does not her Grace into queſtion. It leſſens the Character, where it does not loſe it. Gravity to the Aged ſhou'd be like Modeſty to the Young, never to be forfeited or treſpaſs'd on. The Air of Youth in Age is a Cloud & Slur, even where there is much Wiſdom and many Graces, bright Devotion and many Excellencies conſpicuous. It is a Blemiſh, makes a but in the Character, and leſſens Eſteem. GOD and Nature never meant theſe Extremes of Life to meet: that it ſhould be a Circle and at Seventy years the round ſhou'd be begun again. A Saint in Age ſhou'd ſhow a Soul above the Vanities of this Life and the Pleaſures of Senſe, yea a Mind Mortify'd to them. As old Barzillai excus'd himſelf to his Prince, that his Age forbad him the pleaſures of the Court: let young Chimham take 'em, ſaid he, for how long have I to live? let me return to the Grave of my Father. 2 Sam. xix. 34. One wou'd not p. 23dreſs Airily, nor trip with levity, to one's Grave: No, but look toward it and meet it with all poſſible Gravity & Awfulneſs. Elder People ſhou'd rather Wear their gray hairs as their Ornament, and (if I might ſay ſo) make 'em their Pride; for as Solomon truly ſayes, Prov. xx. 29. The Glory of Young Men is their ſtrength, and the Beauty of the Old Man is the gray head.

5. THAT Aged Women may be in Behaviour as becometh Holineſs, they muſt take heed to bear with Decency the Evils and Troubles that are Incident to Old Age, and ſtrictly watch againſt the peculiar Infirmities & Temptations, the common Diſhonours of it.

THESE Evils and Troubles are partly from within, as weakneſſes, ails, pains, and diſtempers of various kinds under the decay of Nature; or, which are more trying, from without, — neglects, diſeſteem, Inſignificancy; or, which are yet worſe, Ingratitude, Undutifulneſs, and Wrongs. To bear all theſe with temper, wiſdom and reſignation, from the views of another World, is noble Fortitude, Divine Faith, and heavenly Greatneſs of Spirit. The height of Paſſive Glory, as One calls it.

p. 24TO this Exemplary Reſignation and Truſt in GOD,— to this Superiority over the World, and the deareſt & moſt obliged things in it, the deſolate aged Widow is often called: And we ſometimes ſee 'em act this laſt & moſt difficult part of Life in a truly Divine & Heroick manner: too Great and Wiſe to ſeem to ſee what they bitterly ſuffer; and only thereby driven the more to GOD, in Whom they may ſafely truſt; and to Whom they may freely Weep and Pray. SHE is the Primitive Widow indeed: deſolate ſhe truſteth in GOD, and continueth in Supplications and Prayers night & day. 1 Tim. v. 5.

BUT then again, there are the Peculiar Infirmities, and common Diſhonours of old Age, which muſt be ſtrictly watcht againſt. Such are diſcontent & frowardneſs, ſeverity and cenſoriouſneſs; together with a contempt & diſdain, if not Envy, of the Advantages or Worth of Younger Perſons: and finally, which one wou'd leaſt ſuſpect, Covetouſneſs, anxious cares, and fears for to Morrow; diſtruſt of Providence as well as Relatives. Theſe are ſome of the Sins and Guilts of Age; they are contrary to the p. 25Spirit of Holineſs. Theſe Errors blemiſh your own Name, and diſhonour Chriſts; they break your Peace, your Communion, your Walk with God; and ſo unfit You for the Meeting of Death with that comfort and calm which you ſhou'd deſire and aim at. Therefore,

LET Aged People watch againſt Peviſhneſs of Spirit, and a readineſs to Suſpect their friends of Unkindneſs and want of reſpect. Watch againſt a Timorous Spirit & diſtruſt of Providence; fear of Want, and the natural Conſequent thereof, Coveteouſneſs. Let 'em watch againſt Severity and Cenſoriouſneſs; a too rigid Expectation from their Youngers, or too ſevere Judgments of their Innocent Liberties. Look not for your own grey hairs, on their green heads.

WATCH alſo againſt the Evil Spirit of Envying thoſe that are riſing, their Gifts, their Applauſes, and their time of Action & Uſe; for every Generation will find ſome of their Own to magnifye, and to be ſerv'd by; nor can Grace endure that they be deſpis'd & cruſht meerly becauſe Juniors in Years; when often they Promiſe not to p. 26be ſo either in Wiſdom or Grace, if GOD ſpare 'em to be old, & they keep with Him.

THESE, and ſuch-like Temptations of Age, the advanced Believer muſt watch againſt, if he wou'd be in Behaviour as becometh Holineſs.

6. AND laſtly, It is highly becoming Holineſs in Aged Women, to ſee them of a Beneficent, compaſſionate, condeſcending, obliging Spirit to their Poorer Nei'bours, eſpecially in Sickneſſes and under any Troubles. Then courteouſly to viſit, aſſiſt, ſerve and help: to Waſh the Saints feet if need were, and to be ready unto every Good Work. Much of Pure Religion and Undefiled before GOD, have we often ſeen in the Exemplary Humility, Courteſie, Charity, which gracious Matrons of a Superior Rank, have readily ſhown in their Viſits of this nature to their Nei'bours in their Affliction. Their leiſure time is thus fill'd up with doing Good: their Age is no time of Idleneſs, ‖‖— Senes ut in Otia tuta recedant. Hor. Serm. Sat. Prim.. Their Knowledge and Experience is thus profitably communicated, both for the relief & help of Soul & Body, as occaſion offers. Their friendly Countenance p. 27and Sympathies are relieving to the Afflicted, to whom pity ſhou'd be ſhown: But more the diſtribution of their Alms together with their courteous Words, if they are Rich and have where-with to give.

TO ſay the truth; We ſcarce ever ſee the Apoſtles PRECEPTS to the Romans more brightly Exemplifyed, than in ſome of our Grave & Good Mothers: Scil, Love without diſſimulation; the being kindly Affectioned; in Honour preferring others; ſhewing Mercy with chearfulneſs: Abhorring that which is evil; cleaving to that which is Good; fervent in Spirit, Patient in Tribulation, inſtant in Prayer: diſtributing to the neceſſity of Saints, given to Hoſpitality, rejoycing with them that rejoyce, and weeping with them that weep: not minding high things, but condeſcending to them of low degree. Rom. xii 9,—16.

THIS is a glorious fruit of Age and growth in Grace. A Life worthy to be Prolonged, or even to be Reſtor'd, if it pleas'd GOD, like that of Tabitha's: who was ſuch a Woman, full of good Works & Alms-deeds which ſhe did; whom when ſhe was p. 28dead — how did her Nei'bours Praiſe and bleſs! and the needy Widows, whom ſhe had reliev'd, ſtood weeping over her! but GOD at the Prayer of Peter gave them back the Bleſſing which they had Mourn'd themſelves bereav'd of: He called the Saints and Widows and preſented Her alive! Act. ix. 41.

IN Short; This beneficent Spirit (to uſe the Words of an Excellent Author) will make a Woman a Mother to many when ſhe ceaſes to bear, and tho' ſhe no more increaſes one Family, ſhe ſupports many. Never may we write her Barren, who is ſo fruitful in good works! the Orphans are her Children, and their Loins bleſs her! in Theſe— Sing O barren! thou that didſt never bear! GOD's Grace & Spirit in thee is better than ten Sons. Certainly, the fertility of the Womb is not ſo valuable as this of the Bowels. Fruitfulneſs can be but a Happineſs, Compaſſion is a Vertue.

THUS I have endeavour'd to ſhow ſomething of that Behaviour which becometh Holineſs in Aged People; more eſpecially in aged Women. The laſt Enquiry is,

p. 29IV. WHY are They Eminently obliged to be of ſuch Behaviour?

I ANSWER, 1. Becauſe Improvement & Excellence may well be expected in Age. The Aged have had time for Growth, & a long day of Grace under Means & Advantages. Suffer me alſo to ſuppoſe of them, that they were wro't upon in their Younger dayes by the Spirit of GOD, and that they are grown Old in the Service of Chriſt. More has been done for them than for Others, more Pains taken with them, more have been their Opportunities; and in ſome proportion now more ſhou'd be the ripe fruits of Holineſs brought forth by 'em, meet for the Hand that has ſo long manur'd, dreſs'd & tender'd them. While we look on your hoary heads, we muſt needs ſuppoſe and ſay, Behold, they are white already to the Harveſt.

2. BECAUSE of the Influence of Their Example. They give a Judgment for Vice or Vanity upon Experience, if they are vicious, light or frothy. Younger People are apt eno' to learn Evil of 'em, and they invite them to do ſo. Children are very p. 30nice Obſervers of the Liberties which their Parents & Superiors give themſelves, and prone to Imitate: Eſpecially from the defects of thoſe whom they reverence as People of Vertue & Religion, to take a Licence, and juſtify themſelves therein. For, would ſo grave & gracious & ſtrict a Perſon do ſo, ſay they, if there were any Evil in it?

3. THE Temptations of the World are paſt with the Aged, & therefore Holy Behaviour may be expected more eſpecially of them. Shall they Sin on Stupidly without Temptation? and dream on in the wayes of Sin & Senſe without Enjoyment, without Taſt, and deſire failing? The World can no longer flatter them with its Promiſes & Proſpects of Pleaſures, Profits & Glories, as when they were Younger. Their blood is chill'd in their Veins, their Senſes & Reliſhes decay'd. Can I diſcern between (Senſitive) good & evil? ſaid Aged Barzillai, Can thy Servant taſt what I eat or what I drink? Can I hear any more the Voice of Singing men and Singing women?

SENSUAL luſts, the flames of Youth, are quencht by the Ice of Age, or gone out for want of Ezel. In the Involuntary Mortification p. 31of theſe, Nature may ſeem at laſt not only to ceaſe its Reluctance againſt, but to come in to the Aſſiſtance of Grace. And now what manner of Exemplary Behaviour may we not expect from ſuch, who are thus advanc'd by Years above the fatal Temptations of Youth and middle Age, the luſt of the fleſh, and the pride of life! who are paſt the World and its Snares by the very Teſtimony of their Senſes.

4. ELDER People are ſo near their End, ſo ſoon to dye, and to give up their great Account, that ſurely they above any ſhou'd be very careful about their Behaviour. Waiting for their Lord, getting into actual Readineſs for their Summons hence; wiſe and wakeful, and trimming their Lamps. The Certainty of their near approach to Death, ſhou'd quicken them to more than ordinary Caution, Watchfulneſs and Diligence. To be every day, as they wou'd have Death find & not Surpriſe 'em. This was Barzillai's Guard & Motive; How long have I to live—? and what at this Age have I to do but to be Meditating my deſcent to the Grave of my Father? let me retire then and ſpend the few remaining p. 32dayes in the moſt fixt Preparations for a better World.

5. ELDER People ſhou'd Eminently be in behaviour as becometh Holineſs, as much as may be to repair the Omiſſions, defects & tranſgreſſions of a paſt Life. Theſe are too many, and ſad to reflect on, even where there has been the greater Circumſpection, Induſtry and Labours. And the moſt faithful Servant will moſt ſenſibly confeſs his great Unprofitableneſs. The loſs of paſt time and Opportunities lies heavy on a gracious heart. Omiſſions are a grievous Article of guilt, in a gracious Saints Accompts. And his Inference is, Then let me redeem & improve the few dayes to come, with ſo much the more Zeal! let me loſe no more of this ſhort Life! let me fill up the poor Remains with more and better Works! Knowing the Time, that now it is high-time, to awake out of Sleep.

6. AND laſtly, Elder People ſhould Emimently &c. Becauſe it is the way to arm themſelves againſt the Diſadvantages & Infirmities of Age, & the natural Fears of Death.

HOLINESS is the beſt defence & protection of Age, under its natural Weakneſſes, p. 33and Inevitable decayes. It carries People above Expectations from this World, and raiſes 'em in the deſires and Hopes of a better. It Enables them to reſign any further Pretenſions here below, and with a Nobleneſs of Soul to leave theſe Inferior things to Others. It fortifies unto, and exerciſes it ſelf in Patience before GOD, as to all preſent Trials. It claims and even forces Reverence from others, and covers a Multitude of faults to which Age is incident. It is Elijahs Mantle caſt over his Paſſions, and the Tranſlation of the Saint is expected and attended with the utmoſt Honours.

BUT then as to Death's Terrors nothing tends to prevent & take away theſe like this Holy Behaviour. Bleſſed are thoſe Servants whom the LORD when He cometh ſhall find ſo doing! and if He come in the ſecond Watch, or come in the third Watch and find them ſo, Bleſſed are thoſe Servants. Luk. xii. 38. Like Old Aaron ††Numb xx 26.Num 20:26unclothing himſelf in the Mount, there to die; ſo may we hope that the Aged waiting Believer may be willing to be Unclothed: p. 34Or like the Apoſtle ‖‖1 Tim. iv. 6. 2 Cor. v. 2. Phil i. 23.1 Tim 4:62 Cor 5:2Phil 1:23ready to be Offer'd, groaning earneſtly to be clothed upon, and having a deſire to depart and be with Chriſt, which is far better.

IT now remains to make ſome brief IMPROVEMENT, and it ſhall be in theſe three USES.

I. TO Admoniſh & Awaken the Wicked in Age.

II. TO Quicken and Encourage Aged Saints in the Wayes of Holineſs.

III. TO Exhort Younger People to the Reverence of Aged Saints, and to Imitate them in all holy Behaviour betimes.

I. THE firſt USE may be, to admoniſh and awaken the Wicked in Age. Whoever they be that are Old and Graceleſs, Old and Vicious.

ENTREATING You as Fathers, yet let me lay before you the Rebukes of GOD. If Holineſs be ſo becoming the Aged, then how Unſeemly, how Aggravated, how Dangerous is your State of Sin? With what Bluſhes, with what Tears ſhou'd I p. 35beſpeak you, or You hear what has been already ſaid? With what fear and trembling ſhou'd you look back on a Life of Sin, not yet begun to be repented of? And with what Horror ſhou'd you look forward into a Miſerable Eternity, if you die in this State? And yet every Night may you look that your Soul may be required!

SURELY You ſhou'd Inſtantly bewail your long Aggravated Habits of Sin, and Contempts of the Goſpel; and ſeek earneſtly to CHRIST, if you may be renewed once at length unto Repentance! if poſſibly you may be forgiven! if yet free Grace may be magnify'd toward You!

AH! What a Curſe to ones Self, and what a Woe to the World, is a Life advanc'd in Vice, and ſpent in Ungodlineſs! The Sinner an hundred years Old is but the more Accurſed. Iſa. lxv. 20. The Reflections of this Perſon muſt needs be very bitter, and his Proſpect before him proportionably ſad. His Bones are full of the Sins of his Youth, and his Conſcience of the remembrance of their dire Guilts.

p. 36WHAT a grim Face will Death have to Morrow to the old Impenitent Sinner! It Stares dreadfully upon him that is never ſo Young, but what Flames are in its Eyes as it ſeiſes the Aged, in Sin! What Legions of Guilts committed from the dayes of Youth & upward, will come in Arraye! the black Guard and Train that attends the King of Terrors in that Execution! How many more, and much ſorer laſhes of Conſcience, ſuppoſe ye, muſt he undergo, who from his Childhood has been trampling the Goſpel, the Blood of CHRIST with His Authority under foot! Alwayes reſiſting, grieving, quenching, and doing deſpite to the SPIRIT of Grace! Had he dy'd thus in Youth he had been chaſtis'd with cruel whips, but now with what Scorpions!

O THEN, My Fathers, Let me beſeech you in the Bowels of Chriſt to bethink your ſelves as You are going off the Stage, of your wretched fearful State. If Death ſhou'd Serve its Arreſt on you to day, where wou'd you be? What wou'd become of your precious Souls? and whither wou'd you goe? Ask your ſelves—. p. 37Has your Behaviour been, or is it thro' Grace as becometh Holineſs? And if not—, Can you hope to See GOD? Or can you bear to be rejected, Accurſed of Him? With what Sorrow muſt you ly down at laſt, no new Birth having paſt upon you! How will you riſe to Judgment with theſe Complicated Guilts upon you! Shou'd you go on in Sin with theſe trembling Knees! ſtooping, crouching, and at laſt ſinking under the loads of Guilt! What a Shame are vicious Inclination, Inconſideration, and ſupine Forgetfulneſs of your Souls at your Years! And how Aſtoniſhing is the Hazard you ſtagger on in! Yet at laſt Remember, ſeek and ſubmit to your long forgotten Saviour, and his Alſufficient Grace.

BUT I muſt take leave; loſt in this Maze of Miſery, and willing to paſs out of it, to a Second USE, more comfortable and pleaſant; which is,

II. TO Quicken and Encourage Aged Saints in the Wayes of Holineſs. O how Becoming, how good and pleaſant is it to ſee you here! to ſee your Devotion, to ſit at your feet and hear your Wiſdom!

p. 38YOU do not Live Uſeleſs now you're Old: You do not cumber the Earth: No, but are its Ornaments and Bleſſing. You are the Salt, you are the Light of the World: without You it wou'd be Unſavoury and full of darkneſs.

WE bleſs GOD, who has ſhown ſuch Grace to Men! that any live to adorn the Doctrines of CHRIST to this length and degree. It is like that Infinite Bounty and gracious Care for our World, which has plac'd ſo many Bodies and Stars of light in the viſible Heavens, that from Generation to Generation it may be Enlightned by their Beams, warm'd cheriſht and Enricht by their Influences.

IF You are Old in Grace, then GOD has greatly Glorify'd Himſelf in and from You: the Power of his Grace, and the Riches of his Mercies have been Magnify'd toward You: the Immutability, Freeneſs and Sufficiency thereof. You have liv'd to the Edification of others: been Benefiting the World, by your Example, Prayers, Services & good Works. The Good of your own Souls has been all the while abundantly conſulted & promoted: You p. 39have made rich Advances, we hope, and grown Strong in the Grace of the Lord Jeſus. You may know more (its likely) than many of your Teachers of a life of Communion with GOD: and be arriv'd to ſome happy Meaſures of Aſſurance. Great alſo is your Reward in Heaven, after a long Service to your Saviour here on Earth: Not having been Weary of well doing, in due Seaſon you ſhall Reap; and that not Sparingly, if you ſow Plentifully. If you have been recover'd late from a Courſe of Sin, the more have you to admire, with deep abaſement, of the Exceeding Power and riches of Soverain Mercy; and the more be quickned to the further working out your own Salvation with fear and trembling.

BE Exhorted to hold on and Perſevere in Holy Living; truſting in and caſting your ſelf upon that free Grace, which You have already ſo much Experienc'd. Pray for and Bleſs the Generations riſing after You. Impart Your Spiritual Experiences, Charges and Counſels among them. Freely You have received, freely Give.

p. 40AS to Your Selves,—Be neither weary of Life, nor afraid to die: but Live expecting your Change, and believe in GOD to carry You well thro' it. GOD has done for You more Already, than all that remains to be done, in order to Your happy paſſing the Gulf of death. He that has kept You in Life, and ſhown You Grace; will not now at laſt leave You in Death. His Rod and his Staff have comforted You thus long, and what Evil can you now fear? will theſe be remov'd (think you) juſt as you are entring the Shadow of death? O thou of little Faith, wherefore doſt thou doubt!

TO conclude this Exhortation: Be thankful for Life, reſigned as to Death, and let the laſt part be beſt Acted, if it may be; that You may paſs off the Stage with Decency and Honour. As Nature grows paſt Worldly and Secular Action, remember You are the more at Liberty for, and call'd off unto, the Exerciſes of the Spiritual Life. As Mr. Baxter exhorts the Aged, — "Cleave cloſer than Ever to Chriſt, being preſently to be caſt upon p. 41Him as your Saviour, and to appear before Him as Your Judge. As the Body withers, let your Souls retire to Him, as the Root of your Spiritual Life, which is hid with Chriſt in God.

III. LET the laſt USE be of Direction and Exhortation to Younger People, to Reverence Holineſs in their Elders, and to Imitate them therein betimes.

1. HONOUR their Perſons with double honour: paying both the Reſpect which is due to their Age, and alſo the Veneration due to the Grace of GOD crowning them in it. Internal Eſteem and Love, together with External reſpects, are due to them whom GOD has ſo Enobled in their Souls and dignify'd. Even Pharaoh paid a Reverence unto Jacobs venerable Face, and receiv'd a Bleſſing from his lips. Much more did Joſeph haſtily deſcend from his Princely Chariot, to bow down to his feet Solomon roſe from his Throne to meet and bow himſelf before his Royal and Gracious Mother, who had ſo well taught & charg'd p. 42Him, after She had born Him. The Form of Aged Samuel is hence repreſented (no matter by whom) as the Viſage of the Gods: ſaid the Woman to Saul, I ſaw Gods aſcending, — An Old Man and cover'd with a Mantle, — and Saul ſtooped with his face to the ground and bowed.

2. LET Young People Imitate the Holy Behaviour of the Aged betimes. This is the only ſure way to be like them in Holineſs, if you live to be Old. Lay a good foundation: begin early: 'tis hard to change hereafter. Vice roots and fixes it ſelf by Indulgence in Youth: Cuſtom in Sin hardens, and Age ſtupefyes. If we wou'd ever be Old in Grace, it muſt be found in us while we are Young: for One converted in Age is but a Young Saint; old in years but New born; Born again, tis true, but out of due time.

TO Us who are Young GOD has exhibited his Grace in thoſe that are gone or going before us, to excite us to ſeek it Emulouſly for our ſelves, to be our Guide and Guard thro' life, and our Crown at the p. 43end of it, as it is theirs. So live we therefore now, treading in their ſteps wherein they have follow'd Chriſt, that We may be (by the ſame Grace of GOD) to the next Generations, ſhou'd we live, what Theſe are to us; Our Glory and Joy, our defence and ſafety, the Ornament and Munition of the Church.

LET us retain in Mind their Excellencies, and bury their Infirmities; not taking our Judgment of them from their preſent Decayes, but their paſt Uſe and Services, and their abiding growing Devotion.

LET us Pray for them, how much ſoever our Superiors in Gifts and Graces; and return their cries to Heaven for us, in humble Requeſts for their final Perſeverance. Let us deſire and ask the Continuance of ſuch ancient Bleſſings. Let the World never be weary of theſe Monuments of the Preſence of GOD in it, and His Image continued on it. Let us pray to the GOD of the Spirits of all fleſh, that He wou'd take of His Spirit on His Moſes & Aarons, and put it upon many Others; that there may be a Succeſſion of Holy Saints in the p. 44Generations to come, Joſhuas and Calebs in future times, to ſit in Moſes Seat, and Shine in his Grace. Let us even bleſs our Elders, and ask for them a Growth in all Goodneſs unto their lateſt hour, and the Conſolations of the SPIRIT of GOD to be increaſed to them; that like a Taper which has ſeem'd long a going out, giving its uncertain broken flaſhes now and then, They may in their laſt Moments revive, and give the brighteſt light of all.

FINALLY, When GOD takes away His Aged Saints, let thoſe that Survive weep for themſelves in their Death. Tho' they die in a good Old Age, and as Corn full ripe are gather'd into the Garner; yet our Loſs is great in their Infinite Gain: the loſs of their Example, and Faith, and Prayers. Iſai. iii. 1, 2. For behold, the Lord, the LORD of Hoſts, doth take away from Jeruſalem & from Judah — the PRUDENT, and the ANCIENT.

IT is ſuch a Bereavment of this Town, in the Deceaſe of the Excellent Mrs. FOSTER, whoſe Mourning we wear to day, that has led me to theſe Meditations.

p. 45AN Aged GENTLEWOMAN, Who was from Her Youth up, in Her whole Behaviour, in every Relation & State of Life, in the Height of Proſperity, and in the depths of Adverſity, as becometh Holineſs.

A BRIGHTER and more Amiable Pattern is ſcarce to be found in an Age, of High Devotion, Gravity, Prudence, Humility, Courteſie, Compaſſion, and Beneficence.

I SHALL by no Means attempt Her Character, but I propound Her Life to You all that knew Her, as a much better Sermon on my Text, than I am able to bring You. And how much harder and more Excellent is it to Live theſe Rules than to Preach 'em!

I AM Glad to ſay, That thro' the Grace of GOD we have Many other Gracious Matrons of Exemplary Sanctity Surviving, and Some Reſtor'd to us lately from the Brink of the Grave; the LORD Continue p. 46page missing long to His Glory, and Increaſe Their Numbers and Graces, and raiſe up many of Our Dau'ters, of every Rank; and more eſpecially ſo Adorn the very Vertuous DAU'TERS of the Deceaſed; that They may fill up Her Place, and Shine in Her Spirit, and Tranſcribe Her Exemplary Life.

LET THIS be the Teſtimony of Your Filial Honour and Veneration, which Ruth paid to Her Gracious MOTHER-IN LAW, by Whoſe Holy Behaviour She had been won to GOD: Ruth. i. 16, 17. Intreat me not to leave Thee, or to return from following after Thee: for whither thou goeſt, I will go; and where thou lodgeſt I will lodge: Thy People ſhall be my People, and thy GOD my GOD: where thou dieſt, will I die, and there will I be buryed: the LORD — forbid it, that even Death it ſelf ſhou'd part Us.

FINIS.

End of the text · Benjamin Colman, The Duty and Honor of Aged Women (1711)