The Character of Anna the Prophetess Considered and Applied, Sermon

The Character of Anna the Prophetess Considered and Applied · Sermon

p. 1The Character of Anna, the Propheteſs, Conſider'd and Apply'd.

LUKE II. 37.

She was a Widow of about Fourſcore & four Years, which departed not from the Temple—.

THEY are ſome of the excellent Proverbs of wiſe Solomon,—That, The Memory of the Juſt is bleſſed: That, A Woman which feareth the Lord, ſhe ſhall be praiſed:—And that, The hoary Head is a Crown of Glory, being found in the way of Righteouſneſs.

THAT is the juſt Character of all Saints, which we find given of ſome Women, (Act. 1350.) Devout and Honourable. And none … … norable than the Aged Saints, the Old Diſciples. Theſe ſacred Pieces of Antiquity are truly beautiful and glorious: they ſhould be venerable in our eyes, and ought to have a double Reverence paid them. Great is the reſpect, which GOD has put on his aged Saints. Special Honours have been done them many times in Providence, both living and p. 2dying: and the Regards ſhown them in holy Scripture, are not ſmall no… common.

THE ancient Women as well as Men, have had ſingular Honours do…e them. Theſe Mothers in Iſrael have always been much eſteem'd and reverenc'd in the Church: Many of them have their Names recorded▪ and their virtuous Lives celebrated in Scripture ſtory: and in Divine Providence many times ſignal Favours and Dignities have been confer'd upon them.

TO paſs over other Things, that might be mention'd,—I ſhall only cite two famous Inſtances. We may juſtly eſteem it a ſuperior Glory to the female Sex, That GOD ſent forth his Son, made of a Woman, and this by a miraculous Conception: by which means He has in a great meaſure wiped off the Reproach, that was fallen upon that Sex, upon account of the Woman's being firſt in the Tranſgreſſion.

BUT another thing, whereby this Sex hath been not a little dignify'd, is the extraordinary Honour … upon godly Anna, in her being imploy'd (together with devout Simeon) to … publick Teſtimony to the holy Child Jeſus: An account of which we have before us, in the Chapter containing our Text.

OUR Lord Jeſus Chriſt being made under the Law, humbled himſelf to attend & obſerve all the Inſtitutions and Ceremonies of it. He was circumcis'd, on the day and in the manner appointed. Afterwards at the time preſcribed, when he was about Six Weeks old, His Parents brought Him to Jeruſalem, (being a Firſt-born p. 3Son) to preſent Him to the Lord, and offer a Sacrifice, according to the cuſtom of the Law.

NOW, at the time when the Child Jeſus was preſented in the Temple, there came thither (by the direction of the Holy Ghoſt) a certain Jew, named Simeon, a juſt and devout and (probably) an aged Man, waiting for the Conſolation of Iſrael: who, ſeeing the Child, the Lord's Chriſt, (as it had been revealed to him, He ſhould do before his Death) He took him up into his venerable Arms, with the greater Affection & Joy, with loud Thankſgiving and Praiſe, and with publick Declarations and Predictions, upon the ſolemn and glad Occaſion. [See, Ver. 25, &c.]

AND then (that one of each Sex might bear witneſs to Him, in whom both Men & Women are invited to believe, that they may be ſaved) there came in alſo at that happy juncture a godly aged Woman, to help make up a harmony of Confeſſions, and joyn with Simeon in a Teſtimony to the holy Jeſus:—which was not only a Reputation to the Child, and a Comfort to his Parents, but alſo an… … nour to that venerable Matron. A high Privilege and Favour 'twas ſhe partook of! And 'tis a double Honour put upon her, that Record was made of this; ſo that whereſoever the Bible comes in the whole World, there is this told for a Memorial of her.—But 'tis ſtill a greater piece of Reſpect done her, that in the account thereof, we have not only her Name mention'd, but a very honorable Character p. 4given of her; and this rather more large and particular than that given of Simeon, though an eminent Man in Jeruſalem, 'tis ſuppos'd.

HER Name is called Anna; which in Hebrew is Hannah, and in Engliſh is often abbreviated into Ann. It ſignifies Gracious, or Gratify'd, Anſwered, Comforted. The Woman in our Text, according to her Name, was both gracious and gratify'd. She was ſtrong in the Grace of the Lord. Great Grace was upon her. She was highly favoured, and ſweetly comforted, when ſhe ſaw the Holy Jeſus preſented in the Temple.

Further, WE have her Parentage mentioned. She was the Daughter of Phanuel: A Man of Note, we may ſuppoſe; or, his Name ſignifying The Face of God, it might be bro't in to remind us of Jacob's Penuel or Phanuel‖‖Gen. 32. 30.Gen 32:30; that now (as one obſerves) the myſtery of that ſhould be unfolded, when in Chriſt we ſhould, as 'twere, ſee God face to face, and our Lives be preſerved.

Again, WE are told the Tribe ſhe belong'd to which was that of Aſher; one of the Ten …, that revolted (under the Conduct of Jeroboam) from the Houſe of David, and from the true Worſhip or God, and that were afterwards carried into the Aſſyrian Captivity. But tho' the Generality were in the defection, yet many particular Perſons continu'd in their Allegiance to David's Family, united themſelves to Judah, and remov'd their Habitations thither, p. 5to expreſs their Zeal for the true Line of Succeſſion, and to enjoy the true Religion, the pure Worſhip of God. The pious Woman in our Text, was (probably) the remote O…spring of one that did do ſo, according to that ancient Prophecy, Jer. 50. 4. In thoſe days—the Children of Iſrael ſhall come [to Jeruſalem] they and the Children of Judah together, going & weeping,—to ſeek the Lord their God.

Further, WE have her Age, and her Circumſtances deſcribed. She is ſaid to be a Widow, and ſhe had long been ſo. She liv'd in a marry'd State but about ſeven years; and that it ſeems was in her Youth. 'Tis ſaid, She lived with an Husband ſeven years from her Virginity; which denotes her tender Age as well as undefiled Chaſtity. Her Husband dying, and leaving her a young Widow, ſhe ſpent all the Remain of her Life in a ſolitary State, never marrying again; which the ſacred Hiſtorian ſeems to take notice of to her Commendation. For, in ſome Caſes, this may be a wiſe part, and very praiſe worthy. (See the Apoſtle's Judgment, 1 Cor. 7. 8, & 40.) Yet there are other Caſes, wherein 'tis adviſeable to marry again. (See 1 Tim. 5. 14. 1 Cor. 7. 9.) What Anna's Caſe was, and what the Motives or Reaſons of her abiding in a ſingle State, it doth not appear. But ſo it was, and it ſeems to be commended in her, that ſhe continued a Widow to her dying Day.—And ſhe lived to very advanced Years. Tis ſaid, ſhe was of a great Age: She was a Widow of about fourſcore and four Years. Some take it, ſhe p. 6liv'd ſo long a Widow, which muſt make her to be upwards of an hundred. But others reckon it from her Birth, and call it the meaſure of her Life, not the duration of her Widowhood. Which ſeems rather the more probable: For it is unlikely that a Woman ſo very old, ſhould be capable of faſting and praying at that rate as ſhe is ſaid to have done. And ſuppoſing her to be but Eighty four Years old, this were a great Age; what but very few attain to; and which ſeldom permits any extraordinary Faſtings and Devotions; ſuch as we may think that godly Woman was eminent for.

BUT again, in the Deſcription of Her, we may obſerve, She is ſtyled a Propheteſs. By which ſome think is meant, ſhe had the Spirit of Prophecy, and was inſpired to foretell future Events. But this Title is very ambiguous, and often uſed in a different Senſe in both Teſtaments. Deborah that judged Iſrael, is call'd a Propheteſs: Which, for ought appears, only beſpeaks her to be a Woman of eminent Holineſs and Prudence, and Knowledge in the Law, whereby ſhe was ſingularly qualified for judging of the People, though not endowed with any miraculous Gifts and Graces††Pool's Annota. on Judg. 4. 4.Judg 4:4. And perhaps nothing of extraordinary Inſpiration is intended when the Word is applied to Anna. It may only mean that ſhe was a Mother in Iſrael; a wiſe Woman, knowing in the Scriptures, p. 7and diſpenſing her Inſtructions, Counſels and Bleſſings to all about her, as a Mother to her Children, or a Propheteſs to the People. It was perhaps her ſpecial Employment to teach Children, and ſhe might make it her buſineſs to inſtruct the younger Women, which the Apoſtle makes a ſpecial Duty of aged Matrons. (Tit. 2. 3.) She was a Teacher of good Things: Not a public Preacher, but a private Inſtructor; full of godly Diſcourſe at all times, and (which is the leaſt that can be meant) applying her ſelf to inſtruct thoſe about her. Like another Bathſheba, of whom ('tis thought by many) her Son Solomon deſigns thoſe words as part of her excellent Character, Prov. 31. 26, 29. She openeth her mouth with Wiſdom, and in her tongue is the law of Kindneſs.—Many Daughters have done vertuouſly, but thou excellest them all.—Anna might be call'd a Propheteſs on the account of her pious Diſcourſe, whereby her lips fed many. For godly Counſels & Exhortations are oft-times (as well as Predictions) called Prophecies. Prov. 31. 1. The words of King Lemuel, the Prophecy that his mother taught him.

Furthermore, Another Excellency of this Woman celebrated in our Text, is her uncommon Piety and Devotion. 'Tis ſaid, She departed not from the Temple, but ſerved God with Faſtings and Prayers night and day.

'TIS the Fear of God that crowns & completes the Character of the virtuous Woman. No doubt, Anna was in her general behaviour as becometh Holineſs,—ſober, grave and temperate in all things, juſt and honeſt, true and p. 8faithful, charitable and peaceable, and ſat an Example of moral Virtue in all the Inſtances of it. But 'tis only her Piety towards God, that is expreſsly mentioned▪ all the reſt being of little account without this, and being neceſſarily comprehended in it.

'TIS ſaid of Her, She departed not from the Temple: which implies at leaſt her conſtant attending on the public Worſhip of God. The Generality of Expoſitors think it means no more. Not that ſhe had her Habitation in the Temple, but only gave her Attendence there conſtantly at the times of Divine Service. Thus the Prieſts were bid, (Lev. 10. 7) n…t to go out of the door of the Tabernacle; that is, during the appointed time of their holy Miniſtrations. So 'tis ſaid of the Diſciples, Luk. 24. …. They were continually in the Temple, praiſing & bleſſing God: that is frequently, and always at Temple-hours of Worſhip; as the Sacrifice offer'd Morning and Evening is call'd the continual Burnt offering. It may be explain'd by, Act. 5. 42. where it is ſaid, DAILY in the Temple, and in every Houſe, they ceaſed not to teach & preach Jeſus Chriſt.—Even ſo Anna kept cloſe to the Public Worſhip, was daily in the Temple at the hours of Prayer, Morning and Evening.—It is ſaid, She departed not from the Temple, with Faſtings and Prayers worſhipping night and day ‖‖See the Original.. Some think 'tis Public Worſhip is ſtill ſpoken of. She ſtrictly obſerv'd the Weekly Faſts of the Church, as well as attended the daily Prayers. p. 9In our Saviour's time, ſome tell us, the Jews were wont to have two ſtated and common Faſting days every Week††See Pool's Annota. on Luk. 18. 12.Luke 18:12. And the Diſciples of John, as well as the Phariſees, are ſaid to fast o…t **Mat. 9. 14.Matt 9:14, that is, twice in a Week.—Others think that latter Clauſe relates to her private Conduct, and underſtand it of her voluntary occaſional Faſts and retir'd Worſhip‖‖Dr. Whitby refers it to this. See his Appendix to Mat. 6. 16.—So likewiſe Mr. Henry, & others.Matt 6:16. She was in Faſtings and Watchings often (as 'tis ſaid of the Apoſtles, 2 Cor. 11. 27.) and as it's ſaid of Epaphras (Col. 4. 12.) She laboured always fervently in Prayers. She not only obſerv'd the ſtated hours of common and daily Prayer, but in her Retirements pray'd night and day. She abounded in all private Acts of Devotion: Faſting and Prayer being put for the reſt, and including Meditation, Reading, &c. Religious Exerciſes fill'd up her whole Life almoſt; ſhe having little worldly Buſineſs and Care to take her off, or being paſt Labour.

Note (ſays Mr. Baxter) "It is not prov'd that ſhe deſerted all outward Calling or Labour in the World, on pretence of Religion, while ſhe was able for it: and if it be done but when Age or Sickneſs diſableth one, it is lawful and well.—Again, 'Tis another Note of his on the place, She was not of the ſick mind of the prophane nominal Chriſtians, that cannot abide long Prayers and religious Strictneſs'. No, but ſhe gave her ſelf to Prayer (ſays Mr. Henry on the place) was always in a praying Frame, frequent p. 10in pious Ejaculations, large in ſolemn Prayers, and very particular in her Interceſſions". And if ſhe had a Family, we may well conclude, ſhe alſo worſhip'd God with all her Houſe, and thus pray'd to God alway, as is ſaid of devout Cornelius. Like one that's a Widow indeed, (whom the Apoſtle deſcribes in 1 Tim. 5.) She truſted in God, and continued in Supplications and Prayers night and day. She was very frequent in her Devotions, like the Pſalmiſt, who ſaid, Morning and Evening and at Noon will I pray to thee; and at Midnight I will ariſe to give Thanks to thee: Seven times a day I will praiſe thee.

THUS, this devout Widow liv'd a Life of Prayer; and to help her Devotion, ſhe was much in Faſting. She led a Life of Mortification, us'd her ſelf to all proper acts of Diſcipline and Self-denial, and often employ'd thoſe hours in Faſtings and Prayers, which others generally waſte in ſleeping and feeding and diverting themſelves.—We may well then conclude Her to be an uncommon Saint, one of high Attainments in Grace and Knowlege. For The diligent band maketh rich. And indeed (as our famous and apoſtolical Hooker was wont to ſay) ſuch extraordinary Favours, as the Life of Religion, and the Power of Godlineſs, muſt be attain'd and preſerved by the frequent uſe of ſuch extraordinary Means, as Prayer with Faſting: But (he adds) if Profeſſors grow negligent of theſe Means, iniquity will abound, and the Love of many wax cold.—Our Anna was doubtleſs a very improved Saint, having ſo long and p. 11ſo diligently uſed the beſt of Means; and ſo uprightly. For ſhe was an Iſraelite indeed; in ſingleneſs of heart, fearing God, and whatſoever ſhe did, doing it, as unto the Lord.

IN all, ſhe ſerved God. She faſted to the Lord, and worſhip'd God in Spirit and in Truth. There was a real and an intended Homage to God, in her Faſtings and religious Exerciſes public and private. She glorify'd and pleas'd God. She made this her governing Aim; and this made her Prayers & Faſtings turn to ſo good Account, and come up for a Memorial before God.—The Phariſees (as one††Henry in lo…. obſerves) faſted oft, and made long Prayers, but they ſerved themſelves, and ſerved divers Luſts, their own Pride and Covetouſneſs particularly, in their Faſtings and Prayers: But this Good Woman not only did that which was good, but did it from a good Principle, did it with a good End; aiming at the honour of God; doing the will of God from the heart; with good will, doing ſervice to the Lord, abounding in his work, and not being weary of well-doing.

AND O! how happily, how abundantly was this pious Woman in the iſſue recompenc'd for her long attendence on the Temple, and unweary'd Services and Devotions,—by the Favour of ſeeing the Meſſiah come, & the Honour of bearing an early Teſtimony to Him! As follows in the 38th verſe, And ſhe coming in at that Inſtant (while Simeon had the Child in his Arms, propheſying and praying over him) ſhe p. 12gave Thanks likewiſe (in like manner, juſt as Simeon) unto the Lord.—It might be read, She confeſſed, or gave her Teſtimony, to the Lord, profeſs'd her Faith in the Lord Jeſus: This, at leaſt, is imply'd. 'Tis added, And ſhe ſpake of him to all them that looked for Redemption in Jeruſalem. There were thoſe then in Jeruſalem, who looked for the Redemption of Iſrael by the Meſſiah. In the moſt degenerate Times & Places God hath uſually a Remnant among his profeſſing People, whoſe Hearts are upright towards him, who ſeek him diligently. Even ſo then at that time, tho' ſo dreadfully corrupted, there was a Remnant according to the Election of Grace, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, Rom. 11. 5. There was a devout Simeon, and a praying Anna, and ſome others, waiting for the Conſolation of Iſrael. And thoſe the Holy Ghoſt taketh more notice of than of all the Jewiſh Doctors, all the Scribes and Phariſees, whoſe Names are …riſh'd, while thoſe Juſt Ones are had in everlaſting Remembrance, and what they ſaid and did … on durable Record, to their Praiſe. The … of the Juſt is bleſſed; but the Name of the Wicked ſhall rot, Prov. 10. 7.

THERE were a …ew Names in Jeruſalem at that time, and … ſeems, but a few. For Anna, as it ſhould ſeem, knew them all, knew where to find them, or they where to find her. She ſpake to all them which … for Redemption, in Jeruſalem. She told … the good and great News of the Meſſiah's being come, and inſtructed them concerning Him.—This may teach us what the Saints, eſpecially aged ones, p. 13ſhould make the grand Subject or Topick of their Diſcourſe, even Chriſt Jeſus. We read, Mal. 3. 16. Then they that ſcared the Lord, ſpake often to one another, and the Lord hearkned and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that ſcared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name,—and doubtleſs ſpake of what they thought upon. The Saints ſhould comfort themſelves together, and edify one another, and exhort each other daily. And they that have Underſtanding in the myſteries of the Kingdom, ſhould be ready to impart their Knowlege to others. They that have got an Acquaintance with Chriſt themſelves, ſhould do all they can to bring others to be acquainted with Him. Thus did holy and zealous Anna.

AND ſo I have gone through the whole Account here given of this gracious Widow. But it's only one ſingle branch of her excellent Character, that I have pitch'd upon to be the more ſpecial Subject of our preſent Meditations; and that is, her conſtant devout Attendence at the Temple.

YOU need not (I preſume) be told the ſolemn occaſion, which determin'd my thoughts at this time††Being before the Adminiſtration of the Lord's Supper. to ſuch a Subject; it being known to all, what repeated Bereavements have lately befallen us, in the Death of ſeveral excellent aged Women **Particularly Mrs. Martha Daſſet, who dy'd ſuddenly, and went to Reſt on the Lord's Day, Mar. 17.—And, D…me Bridgit Uſher, who finiſh'd her long Pilgrimage on Earth, May 25.—of our Communion; who were, p. 14as in general exemplary for their Virtue, for their Religion, their Knowlege in Divine Things, their edifying Converſation, their great Freedom from the too common Vices of Speech, and the like: So more particularly remarkable for their moſt diligent and reverent Attendence at the Houſe and Table of the Lord. They were Patterns of Conſtancy to the Publick Worſhip, and a readineſs to hear the Word, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon, upon the Lord's Day, and all other Occaſions: and (which was pretty ſingular in them) they practiced (even to the laſt) the good old Way of writing after the Miniſter. They Were ſwift to hear; and by this laudable (but now too unfaſhionable) Method, took care to hear for the time to come, as the Prophet ſpeaks. Of them we may ſay, as Luke of Anna, They were Propheteſſes; were Widows of a great Age, which departed not from the Temple, (and as we truſt) ſerved God with Faſtings and Prayers, night and day.

BUT 'tis Time now to come to the Obſervations, that I particularly intended to diſcourſe upon, from the Text. We may take occaſion to obſerve—

I. PUBLIC Worſhip is part of that Homage we owe to GOD, and what has been the uſual Practice of His People in all Ages.

BY the Temple in our Text, is meant the Place of God's ſolemn and public Worſhip, in Jeruſalem.

IN that Age and in every Generation, the People of God have had their ſtated Aſſemblies p. 15for religious Worſhip: And they have generally had ſome public and ſettled Places of Convention.—In the beginning of times, even in Abel's days, we read of open and ſocial Worſhip. The Patriarchs, in one age and another, we find erecting Altars for this Purpoſe. The Iſraelites in the Wilderneſs and in Canaan, had their Tabernacle (called, the Tabernacle of the Congregation) for the name of the Lord. In Solomon's days, and afterwards, they had their Temple at Jeruſalem, and Synagogues through all the Land.—And in the times of the Goſpel, Chriſtians have ever had their Aſſemblies for public Worſhip; and have generally had their appointed Places or Meetinghouſes for it.

YEA, the very Heathens have been wont always to pay ſome public Homage to their Deities.

INDEED, I think, the worſhipping God publickly is to be refer'd to the head of natural Religion, in the firſt place. Though there be poſitive Appointment of Goſpel Churches for the maintaining and carrying on the public Worſhip of God; yet this public Homage is founded in natural Reaſons principally, at leaſt is ſupported by them. There are ſpecial Ordinances adminiſtred in Church-Societies, which are purely grounded on the Inſtitution of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is abſolute Head of the Church, and to whom ſupremely belongs the Regulation of the Houſe of God: But public Worſhip in the general, is a Dictate of Nature. Natural Light tells us, that p. 16as we are God's Creatures, and made for His Service, we do (by conſequence) owe Worſhip to Him: And alſo that ſeeing we are formed for Society, we ought (as we have opportunity) to worſhip God in a ſocial Way.—God is the Author, Benefactor, Lord and Judge of Communities, as well as of particular Perſons: Therefore worſhip in Societies is due to God.—Further, The Intereſt we have in each others Welfare as Members of the ſame Body, (and which we are jointly to pray for, and give Thanks for, and endeavour the Promotion of) does afford another and good Argument. The Law of Nature does oblige Men to combine and convene in eccleſiaſtical Societies and Aſſemblies, for mutual Edification, as well as to unite in civil Communities for mutual Security, Strength and Order.

BUT I wou'd not enlarge here. Some further Hints may be given under the next Obſervation: Which is,—

II. GOD's Public Worſhip ought to be conſtantly and diligently attended.

WE ſhould be ambitious of Anna's excellent Character, of whom 'tis ſaid, She departed not from the Temple night nor day. We ſhould love the Houſe of God, the place where His Honour dwells. We ſhould deſire to dwell there always; take all Opportunities to come into God's Sanctuary, and conſtantly wait upon him there in all the Ways of His appointment.

HERE I ſhall only conſider the Reaſons of the Doctrine, or ſhow the Obligations lying on Chriſtians to be conſtant and diligent in their p. 17attending on the public Worſhip. They are various and numerous: But I ſhall endeavour to reduce them all under the following Heads. Now then, conſider—

1. GOD requires this of us in His Word.

THE revealed Will of God is the Rule of Man's Duty. That then muſt be of the greateſt Weight with us in every caſe; and whatſoever that preſcribes to us, we muſt attend and obſerve.

NOW it's evident, that God in His Word requires us to frequent his Houſe, and wait on Him in public Worſhip diligently. It is plain, God required this of the Jews. And 'tis as plainly demanded of Chriſtians. That Prophecy which looks forward to Goſpel times, is a declaration of God's preceptive Will, and Expectations concerning us: Iſai. 2. 3. Many people ſhall ſay, Come ye and let us go up to the houſe of the God of Jacob; and he will teach … of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.

WE have an Apoſtolic Canon expreſly forbidding and rebuking Negligence in this Matter. Heb. 10. 25. Forſake not the aſſembling yourſelves together as the manner of ſome is. This Prohibition of Negligence implies a Demand of Diligence and Conſtancy in attending upon God's Worſhip. It directs Chriſtians to keep up publick Aſſemblies for religious Purpoſes, and requires all to frequent them.—That ancient Command is not yet out of Date. Lev. 19 30. Ye ſhall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my Sanctuary: I am the Lord. We muſt ſhew a due Reſpect and Reverence to the Houſe of God; p. 18and in taken hereof, it is our duty conſtantly to frequent it. The Reverence required is to be underſtood in Oppoſition … contemptuous Neglect, as well as careleſs Attendence. We implicitly … the Church of God, by needleſs Abſence from it; as well as by profane Behaviour in it. Eccl. 5. 1. Keep thy Foot when … g…ſt to the Houſe of God, and be—ready to hear—the Word read and preached there every Sabbath.

BUT …arther, The weekly Revolution of the Lord's Day calls for our frequent attending on his Public Worſhip. God has inſtituted a holy Sabbath, which returns once every Week, and is to be ſolemnized partly, yea principally, by Public Worſhip. The Sabbath is not to be devoted to meer Idleneſs; nor to be employed in private Duties only, but in public Exerciſes alſo.—One End of the Sabbath is to acknowledge God as the common Creator and Benefactor of Mankind. And this End is beſt attained by a publick Appearance and joint Worſhip. Now to accommodate this, one certain Day is appointed to be the Sabbath. And this divine appointment does very evidently beſpeak the Sabbath to be deſigned peculiarly for public Worſhip. For, what need is there of a public Day for private Worſhip? Every Man might have choſen his own Time for this, and ſuited the Day to his own Affairs. But God hath ſeen meet to fix the Sabbath on one particular Day and common Seaſon: And why has He done ſo, but that we might aſſemble together; and might know p. 19when to aſſemble ourſelves, without the conſtant Trouble of agreeing upon the Time?—This Sabbath (as I ſaid) returns every week. The Seventh part of our Time is devoted to it, by the Fourth Commandment: which alſo obliges all to keep the Sabbath, and to obſerve it carefully. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. We muſt no… forget the Sabbath at any time, nor wilfully neglect any of the Duties of it.—By virtue of this Precept therefore, we are bound to give our conſtant Attendence on the public Worſhip, one day every Week. Thus often at leaſt there muſt be a holy Convocation. Thus often we are, without Fail, to worſhip God publickly, if we can.

MOREOVER we may obſerve, The Lord Jeſus Chriſt has inſtituted particular Churches, which are Societies for Worſhip, united and agreeing to walk together in the Faith and Order of the Goſpel. Now the Nature, Ends, and Occaſions of theſe Societies call for their frequent Convention. There are Duties and Ordinances of a public Nature, to be obſerv'd by Chriſtians; which can't be attended by us in our own Cloſets or Families, but require a general Meeting of the ſeveral Members of the religious Body. And theſe Things we are call'd upon to attend with Frequency.

THUS, Prayer is one Part of public Worſhip, and a Church-Duty††… Tim. 2. 1. … Hence God's Houſe is called an Houſe of Prayer, Iſai. 5. 7. And how often are we bidden to pray without ceaſing, p. 20to pray always, &c. Wherefore Prayer ſhould be made without ceaſing of the Church, unto God **Act. 1…. ….Acts 1Every Church ſhould with one accord continue in Prayer & Supplication as in primitive times‖‖Act. 1. 14.Acts 1:14.

AGAIN, Singing of Pſalms and Praiſing of God, is another public Du…y; and what we are bid to be frequent in. Heb 13. 15. Let us offer the ſacrifice to praiſe to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving Thanks to his Name. Eph. 5. 19, 20. Speaking to your ſelves in Pſalms, Hymns, and ſpiritual Songs, ſinging and making Melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving Thanks always—.

AGAIN, Preaching the Word is a public Ordinance. It ſuppoſes the preſence of ſome to hear, and requires a Convention of the Flock to be fed with Miniſterial Inſtructions. Now this Work is to be diligently attended by Goſpel-Miniſters. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. I charge thee before God—, Preach the Word, be instant in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, &c. So 1 Tim. 4. 13. Give attendence to Reading, to Exhortation, to Doctrine. And if Miniſters muſt be diligent in preaching, the People ſhould be diligent in attending.

YEA, Chriſtians are expreſly requir'd to be diligent Hearers of the Word. Jam. 1. 19, 20. My beloved Brethren, let every man be ſwift to hear;—and receive with meekneſs the Ingra…ed word, which is able to ſave your ſouls.

AGAIN, The Sacraments of Baptiſm and the Lord's Supper are public Ordinances. Baptiſm is ſo. Tho' in ſome extraordinary caſes it has p. 21been and may be adminiſtred not in a public Congregation: yet (I preſume) 'tis expedient that it ſhould ordinarily be diſpenſed in Publick, in the Face of the Church. The Nature, Ends, and Uſes of Baptiſm ſpeak it proper and requiſite that it ſhould be openly adminiſtred and receiv'd. Now the Calls and Occaſions for this Ordinance are frequent: and therefore religious Aſſemblies for the Adminiſtration of this (among other Ordinances) ſhou…d be frequent.—Again, The Lord's Supper is a public Ordinance. Chriſtians muſt come together in the Church, into one place, when they would eat the Lord's Supper. (1 Cor. 11. 18, 20.) It is a common Feaſt, and one Inſtrument of the Communion of Saints, with one another as well as with Chriſt. 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. The Bread which we break, is it not the Communion of the Body of Chriſt? For, we being many, are one Bread and one Body; for we are all partakers of that one Bread, or Loaf; the viſible ſign of Chriſt's Body, and emblem of the Union and Fraternity of His People. Now this Ordinance is of ſtanding Obligation, and to be frequently celebrated in the Church of Chriſt. 1 Cor. 5. 8. Let us keep the Feaſt. 1 Cor. 11. 26, 28. As often as ye eat this bread and drink this Cup, ſhew ye the Lord's Death …ill he come. Let a man examine himſelf, and ſo let him eat. This Ordinance is to continue in the Church 'till Chriſt's ſecond and perſonal Coming at the day of Judgment. 'Till then it muſt be kept up and obſerv'd in the Chriſtian World. And every real Chriſtian ought to attend upon it diligently.—It ſhould p. 22be celebrated frequently; as ſeems to be imply'd in the Apoſtle's repeated Phraſe, As often a… ye eat, &c. Beſure the Nature and Deſigns of the Inſtitution call for a frequent Adminiſtration. It is a Feaſt; and we ſhould often ſeed upon our ſpiritual Food, for our Soul's nouriſhment and growth in Grace. Whenever the Feaſt is made, we are invited to come; and if we careleſly neglect it, we are guilty of turning our backs on God, and ſlighting his Kindneſs. It is the Memorial of Chriſt's dying and redeeming Love: which we are oblig'd in Gratitude to be often commemorating in all proper ways. It is called the Communion; being a ſpecial Means of ſweet Fellowſhip with God and near Acceſs to Him. Now we ſhould, be much in Communion with God, frequent in our religious Viſits and Approaches to Him. And therefore we ſhould be often at his Table, in his Houſe—Frequent Participation of the Lord's Supper is then the Duty of Chriſtians; and it is to be continu'd in to the end. Shew ye the Lord's Death, 'till He come; that is, 'till He come to judge the World, or (which is all one) 'till He call you away by Death.

THUS I have made it appear, that by many Divine Precepts (direct of oblique) we are required to give our Attendence on the public Worſhip conſtantly and diligently.—We may now proceed to another Argument. Wherefore let us conſider—

2. A conſtant devout Attendence on public Worſhip is very honorary & pleaſing to God.

p. 23IT is peculiarly well-pleaſing to God. Pſal. 87. 2. The Lord loveth the Gates of Z… more than all the dwellings of Jacob. The Prayer of the Upright in His Delight. He taketh Pleaſure in his Saints, in their Perſons, & their ſincere Performances. Theſe are compared to pleaſant Fruits, and to Spices that are of a ſweet ſmell††Cant. …. 16. There is a ſpecial per…ume in public Duties. Here is a Union of the Graces of many together, a confluence of Pious Breathings; and their united Devotions like ſome Pillar of Smoak or Cloud of Incenſe) go up f… a Memorial before God. 'Tis like a Collection of many Waters, emptying themſelves out of various Rivulets into one common Channel, which makes a pleaſant, a mighty and flowing ſtream. Or it may …e compar'd to a Conſort of Muſick. A ſingle inſtrument well tun'd and well handl…d, will make a pleaſant ſound: but to the muſical Ear, a Conſort will afford vaſtly greater Delight. Even ſo a Conjunction of the Graces of a devout Multitude in public Worſhip, will make a very grateful Harmony in the Ears of our God. When a whole Choir of holy Souls ſend up their concurring Prayers and Praiſes to Heaven, With what a mighty Force muſt they needs aſcend! How loud the Sound, and how ſweet the Melody to the Lord!

HENCE there are ſpecial Promiſes and Encouragements given to Social Prayer. Mat. 18. 20. Where two or three are met together (…aith Chriſt) in my Name, there am I in the midſt of p. 24them. Exod. 20. 24. In all places where I record my Name, I will come unto thee, and I will bleſs thee.—And that of the Apoſtle refers eſpecially to public Worſhip. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 3. I exhort that firſt of all, Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions, and giving of Thanks, he made for all Men. For this is good and acceptable in the ſight of God.—Now it is the Duty of Chriſtians to chuſe the Things which pleaſe God, and to walk before Him to all well pleaſing: and therefore 'tis incumbent on them diligently to attend the public Worſhip, which is thus dear and delightful to Him.

AND further, It is alſo peculiarly honorary to God. Public Worſhip duly performed, contributes more to the Honour of God, and the Credit of Religion, than any private and unſeen Devotions. Public Worſhip is the moſt open Teſtimony to the Being and Perfections and Providence of God. 'Tis a viſible Homage to God, whereby we glorify Him with our Bodies as well as Spirits; and honour Him with our Lips, as well as ſanctify Him in our Hearts. Hereby we confeſs and acknowlege God and Chriſt in the face of the World: and in the …ight of all Iſrael, do avouch Him to be our God, and our common Benefactor, profeſs our ſelves his willing Subjects, ſubmit to His Ordinances, own our Dependence upon Him and our Obligations to Him.—It is a manifeſt Approbation of Religion, and a public Condemnation of Vice and Infidelity. It affords the moſt conſpicuous Example. The more open our Worſhip is, and the more Company joyns p. 25in it, ſo much the more exemplary and valuable it is; carrying in it the moſt illuſtrious Teſtimony for God, a magnificent Homage, and a moſt powerful Influence to preſerve a Senſe of His Exiſtence and Excellence and Beneficence in the minds of Men; to ſtrike an awe upon them, and prom…te the belief and practice of Religion in the World. And ſo it neceſſarily brings a greater Tribute of Glory to God. Hence it's the Duty of Chriſtians to attend on His public Worſhip. This is implicitly required in that ſacred Injunction, Ma…. 5. 16. Let your Light ſo ſhine before Men▪ that they may ſee your good Works, and glorify your heavenly Father. And that Exhortation is more expreſs, Heb. 10. 24, 5. Let us conſider one another to provoke unto Love, and to good Works: not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together.—By duly frequenting the public Aſſemblies, we honour God before others, and take one method to do good to others, by our Example. By this means we make our Light to ſhi…e before Men, which by a natural efficacy tends to engage them in an imitation of us. Whereas, if our Religion …e confin…d to our Cloſets and private Houſes, the Candle is hid under a Buſhel; and tho' it may perhaps burn bright within, yet it doth not ſhine out and give Light to our ſurrounding Neighbours.—If the public Aſſemblies fall, Religion cannot long ſtand, but will be in danger of being loſt.

THESE Reflections abundantly ſhow us what an Aſpect the public Worſhip of God hath upon p. 26his Glory; what an Influence to the promoting of his Honour. And hence it is of the higheſt Obligation upon us. …Tis the chief End of Man to glorify God: And devoutly to Worſhip Him in His public Ordinances, is one ſpecial way of putting honour upon him. And this certainly ſhould be a prevailing Argument with us, to be frequent and diligent in attending public Worſhip. Nothing is more reaſonable than that we ſtudy to glorify God in all things, and give Him the higheſt Honour, the beſt Homage we are capable of: and therefore that we be conſtant and diligent in our public Attendence on Him; which carrying in it the appearance of Love to Him, and Zeal towards his Houſe, and being of happy Tendency as it ſets a good Example to others, it muſt be voted ſignally ſubſervient to the Glory of God. With what Force and Impreſ… … …en ſhould thoſe Exhortations come, which we have in the inſpired Pſalms! Give unto the Lord the Glory due to his Name: bring an offering an… come into his Courts. O worſhip the Lord in the beauty of Holineſs. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worſhip at his holy Hill. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together. I will declare thy Name among my Brethren; in the midſt of the Congregation will I praiſe thee. O that Men would praiſe the Lord! Let them exalt him alſo in the Congregation of the People, and praiſe Him in the Aſſembly of the Elders.

BUT thus much for the Second Reaſon of the Doctrine.

p. 273. WE might draw an Argument from the gracious PROMISES of God to ſuch as do their Duty in this matter.

I mention'd ſeveral Promiſes before, as Evidences of public Worſhip's being acceptable to God. Here I mention them, as an Argument of it's being incumbent on us. I ſhall add in this place but two other Promiſes; and they are great and precious ones. Iſai. 56. 6, 7. Such as joyn themſelves to the Lord, to ſ…ve him, and to love the Name of the Lord; every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my Covenant: Even them will I make joyful in my houſe of Prayer: their Sacrifices ſhall be accepted upon min… Altar—The other place is that; Iſai. 58. 1…, 1…. If thou—call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable▪ and ſhalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleaſure, nor ſpeaking thine own words: then thou ſhalt delight thy ſelf in the Lord.—I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father.

THESE and many other Promiſes there be to ſuch as are conſciencious Sabbatizers, and therefore ſtrict to the public Worſhip. Now theſe words of Promiſe are ſo many Bonds to Duty; Bonds as well as Motives; not only Invitations, but Obligations to it. The Inference is natural and reaſonable, of our Duty from God's Promiſes. For, as one obſerves well, "There ſeems to be little difference betwixt what a Superior poſitively commands, and what He Kindly encourages". We ſhould p. 28reſolve then with them, Neh. 10. 39. We will no… …orſake the houſe of our God.

4. I might draw another Argument from the conſtant Inclination and Tendency of the New Nature in real Chriſtians.

THE Fruit of the Spirit is Love: Love to God, to his Name, Worſhip, and Service; Love to his Day, to his Miniſters and People: A Delight in the Communion of Saints; A Zeal for the public Good; Reſentment of public Evils, &c. All which gracious Diſpoſitions have a tendency to bring us to the Houſe of God frequently: and they are all to be put into the Character of a devout Soul. David ſpeaks the common Language of real Saints, when he ſays, How amiable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord of Hoſts! I have …ved the Habitation of thy Houſe. I was glad, when they ſaid unto me, Let us go into the Houſe of the Lord. Our feet ſhall ſtand within thy Gates, O Jeruſalem.—Becauſe of the Houſe of the Lord our God, I will ſeek thy Good. If I forget thee, O Jeruſalem, let my right Hand forget her Cunning. Let my Tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I prefer not Jeruſalem above my chief Joy; which is builded as a City, whither the Tribes go up, the Tribes of the Lord, unto the teſtimony of Iſrael.

THESE are the Diſpoſitions of a renewed Soul; and they are the fruits of the Spirit. Theſe divine Principles and Paſſions are inſpir'd from above. And they are not implanted in vain: but muſt be improv'd and purſu'd into agreeable practice. This is the Temper p. 29and Conduct of real Saints; and becomes ſo by the direction and operation of the Holy Spirit.

WE may hence then very well form an Argument for public Worſhip, and ſtrongly infer our Obligations to a diligent Attendence on it, as we would approve our ſelves the true Children of God, and not forfeit the Character of Chriſt's Diſciples.

BUT let us conſider in the next place,—

5. OUR Duty is enforced and recommended by many worthy and warranted Patterns of it.

WE have the beſt Examples (worthy of all Imit…ion and Regard) to quicken, direct and encourage us in this matter. I ſhall only inſtance in the Example of Chriſt and His primitive Diſciples.

WHAT more engaging Conſideration is there than the Example of our bleſſed Lord? Whoſe practice it was, in the days of His Fleſh▪ to appear at the public Worſhip in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, ſometimes hearing and ſometimes teaching, in the Temple and in the Synagogues▪ and herein He has le…t us an Example, that we ſhould follow his Steps, and walk as he alſo walked.

THE Apoſtles and primitive Christians were zealous Imitators of Chriſt in this: Of whom we read, Luke 24. 53. They were continually in the Temple, praiſing and bleſſing God. So Act. 2. 42. They continued ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles Doctrine and Fellowſhip, and in breaking of Bread and Prayers. They continued daily with one accord in the Temple (ver. 46.) So p. 30Act. 9. 41. We read, that the Churches were edifyed, walking in the fear (the Worſhip) of the Lord. So we read of ſome (Act. 11. 2….) That a whole year they aſſembled themſelves with the Church at Antioch; where the Diſciples were firſt called Chriſtians. And it ſeems to be ſpoken of as the Cuſtom of the primitive Chriſtians to aſſemble every firſt day; Act. 20. 7. Upon the firſt day of the Week, when the Diſciples came together to break Bread, Paul preached to them. And therefore the Apoſtle John calls the firſt day the Lord's Day (Rev. 1. 10)

NOW theſe Things were written for our Enſample. And we are called upon to be Imitators, Heb. 6. 12. Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promiſes. So 1 Cor. 11. 1, 2, Be ye followers of me (…aith Paul) as I alſo am of Chriſt. Now I praiſe you, Brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the Ordinances, as I delivered them unto you; For (as it follows ver. 23.) I have received of the Lord that which alſo I delivered unto you.

BUT now in the next place,—

6. THE Evidence of our Duty will ſhine with a more convincing Light, if we conſider the frequent, returning Occaſions there are for public Worſhip. There are public Occaſions often calling us up to the Houſe of God. Thus are there not public Mercies, which we ſhare in continually? And do not theſe demand public Thankſgivings from every Member of the Body, and that frequently▪ Again, Is there not continual occaſion for public Prayers? Are there not public Judgments to be deprecated? p. 31Public▪ Wants to be pray'd over? And the Caſes of public Perſons to be commended to God? And ſhould we not therefore frequently meet together for ſolemn Supplications and Interceſſions? Again, Is there not occaſion for public Confeſſions? Is there not public Guilt, to which every particular perſon's Sins do add, which calls for public Humiliations? And ſhould we not therefore frequently aſſemble to offer up our joynt penitent Acknowledgments to God, our Lawgiver and Judge? Again, Are there not religious Covenant-Tranſactions, that demand public Meetings, and which need to be often repeated? Finally (in a Word) Have we not frequent occaſions to inquire at the Oracles of God, to know our Duty; and do we not continually want new Supplys of Grace and Strength to do our Duty? We ſhould often go then to the Houſe of God; where He makes the brighteſt Diſcoveries and moſt bleſſed Communications of Himſelf unto His Children.

THUS, Neceſſity is laid upon us, by a conſtant ſucceſſion of various Occaſions, calling us to the Houſe of God continually. How unreaſonable then muſt we be if we neglect that, which there is ſo much need for! The Reaſons of public Worſhip never ceaſe; the Occaſions for it are continually recurring. We ought then moſt diligently to attend it.

BUT yet further to excite us to our Duty, let us, in the next place,—

7. CONSIDER the Advantages and happy Conſequences of a diligent Attendence on God's public Worſhip.

p. 32THESE are very many and very valuable: So that our Intereſt makes a ſtrong Demand upon us, and loudly pleads for the diſcharge of our Duty.

THERE are many great and glorious Benefits to be had in and by the devout Worſhip of God in His Houſe. Hence thoſe Expreſſions of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 5. 7. As for me, I will come into thy Houſe, in the multitude of thy Mercy. Pſal. 27. 4. One thing have I deſired of the Lord, that will I ſeek after; that I may dwell in the Houſe of the Lord all the days of my Life, to beh…ld the Beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his Temple. So Pſal. 6…. 4. Bleſſed is the Man whom thou chooſeſt, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy Courts; we ſhall be ſatisfyed with the goodneſs of thy Houſe. Pſal. 84. 10. A day in thy Courts is better than a thouſand: I had rather be a Door-keeper in the Houſe of my God than to dwell in the tents of Wickedneſs.—O that we all had more of David's Spirit! More of his juſt Sentiments, and devout Affections!

THE Bleſſings, the Comforts, the Glories, that are to be ſeen and received in the Houſe of our God, are innumerable and invaluable! O let us conſider, what it is we turn our backs upon, and how we neglect our own Intereſt, while we needleſly abſent our ſelves from the Aſſemblies of the Saints.

IN the Temple and Worſhip of God, we enjoy …eſtimable Honours and Privileges. It is a ſignal Honour to have our Feet planted in p. 33the Courts of the Lord. David thought it more honorable to be … P…rter in the Houſe of his God▪ and …it in the very loweſt Seat among his public Worſhippers, than to be a Prin…e and dwell in Palaces of Wickedneſs.

GOD is peculiarly preſent in the Congregation of the Righteous: And a high honour it is to dwell in his Preſence, to approach his ſacred Majeſty, to ſtand before him, and worſhip at his Footſtool.

IN his Houſe we are admitted to approach the Throne of Grace; and God is preſent to hear our united Prayers and Praiſes. And there we have God ſpeaking to us in his Word, and entertaining us at his Table, and confirming his Covenant with us by viſible Seals! There we …it before Him, as his People, are treated as his Domeſticks, as thoſe that are in a ſpecial ſenſe of his Family, have his Name called upon us; have the King …itting with us in his banqueting Houſe, and his Banne… over us is Love! There we behold as in a glaſs the Glory of the Lord, & are changed into the ſame Image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of God. Strength and Beauty are in his Sanctuary; and we ſee his goings there. O what Honour from God is here!

AND what ſignal Bleſſings are to be enjoyed and received in the Houſe of God! Here there is the moſt profitable Company, the moſt beneficial Employments, together with the beſt and moſt ſatisfying Entertainments. Here we are in the way of all manner of Bleſſings!

p. 34HERE many Benefits often accrue to Sinners, to unregenerate Souls. In God's Houſe is exhibited and held forth a bleſſed Saviour, with all his ſaving Bleſſings, to every Sinner preſent. And here it pleaſes God ordinarily to meet his Elect, and begin his good Work in them. Here He graciouſly (by his Word and Spirit) convinces and converts them, opens their eyes, and turns them from darkneſs to light; from the power of Satan unto God: cauſes them to behold wondrous Things out of his Law and Goſpel: brings them to a fight of their Sin and Miſery by Nature, and of their Remedy by Chriſt▪ to a ſenſe of their need of Chriſt, and to a ſaving cloſure with him. In a Word, Here Sinners are brought to know the Things of their Peace, and to acquaint themſelves with God; and are begotten by his word of truth. Pſal. 87. 5. Of Zion it ſhall …e ſaid, This and that Man was born in her.—O what Bleſſings are theſe: Worthy of all Acceptation! Infinitely worth all the Pains that Sinners can be at (and loudly calling upon them) to come unto the Houſe of God for them.

BUT further, Here are many Benefits accruing to the Saints and Children of God. Here Believers are edify'd in Knowledge, Grace, and Comfort. We read (fore-cited Act. 9. 31.) Then had the Churches reſt, and were edifyed, walking in the Fear of the Lord, and in the Comfort of the Holy Ghoſt. Hence thoſe expreſſions of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 84. Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy Houſe.—Bleſſed is the man, whoſe ſtrength is in thee:—They go from ſtrength to ſtrength; p. 35every one of them in Zion, appeareth before God. By the Word and Ordinances of God the new Creature begotten here, is maintained, cheriſhed, and invigorated. Here all the Graces of the Divine Nature in the Saints do receive Vigour and Nouriſhment: and they that wait on God renew their ſtrength, ſo that they mount up, as with Eagles Wings, and have their Converſation in Heaven.

THE public Worſhip of God, if duly attended, has a natural Efficacy, to promote our Holineſs and Heavenly-mindedneſs. The very calling us out of our Houſes, and taking us off from our Secular Affairs, and engaging in religious Exerciſes, even theſe Things have a tendency to wean us from the World, and make us ſpiritually minded.—Again, The Preſence of our Fellow Saints is profitable to us in the Worſhip of God. This hath a natural influence to unite our hearts in brotherly Love; to diſpoſe us unto a becoming Reverence and Solemnity; to awaken our attention, to ſtrengthen our Faith, and to inflame our Devotion. The union of many devout Souls in a joint preſence, mutually raiſes and enlivens their affections. As the Collection of many diſperſed Rays into a narrow Compaſs, gives them a greater ſtrength and heat; or as the laying Coals of Fire together in a body, makes them burn the fiercer: Even ſo the Concurrence of a Multitude in the Solemnities of God's Houſe, tends to kindle and diffuſe a common Ardour in the worſhipping Aſſembly. The grave Faces, the ſerious Airs, and reverent p. 36Geſtures, the ſolemn Voices and Example of our Fellow-worſhippers, all conſpire to warm our Hearts, and compoſe us to a like ſerious frame and carriage, by a natural efficacy.

BUT then there is alſo a ſupernatural Influence and Preſence of the Holy Spirit, our ſupreme Teacher and only Sanctifier; from whom the Saints often receive bleſſed Diſcoveries of God, and ſpecial Communications, when waiting on him in his Houſe. Here they receive increaſe of Knowlege, and freſh ſupplies of Grace in the uſe of holy Ordinances: new Recruits of Strength, to fortify them againſt Temptations, to enable them unto Duty, &c. I might obſerve, 'Twas, when they were all with one accord in one place, aſſembled for the Worſhip of God, that there was ſuch a marvellous Effuſion of the Holy Ghoſt upon the Apoſtles, as we read of, A…t. 2. 1.

FURTHER, How often in the Aſſemblies of the Saints, are there the moſt refreſhing Comforts derived to pious Souls! Here the Lord meets his People, and ſpeaks Peace unto them. They ſee him in his power and glory in his Sanctuary. They ſometimes …it under his ſhadow with great delight, and his fruit is ſweet unto their taſte. They are abundantly ſatisfy'd with the fatneſs of his Houſe, and made to drink of the River of his pleaſures. Here he regales them with the bread of Life, and with wine of Conſolation.

HERE are thoſe Exerciſes, as well as Entertainments, that afford the trueſt, the ſweeteſt Pleaſure and Satisfaction to the ſpiritually p. 37minded. Here they ſing the Songs of Sion, and celebrate the Praiſes of their God and Saviour. Here they pour out their Souls in humble Prayer, and are permitted familiarly to unboſom themſelves (in all their troubles) to their chief Friend and mighty Helper, the bleſſed God. Here they preach or hear the Word of Chriſt, which is better to them than their neceſſary food, ſweeter alſo than honey, and rather to be choſen than fine Gold. Here alſo they are admitted to faederal Tranſactions with God, which are the moſt awful, and yet joyful acts of Devotion. Here they ſit down at the Table of the Lord; where they are brought nigh by the blood of the Lamb, and behold the King in his beauty. Here they feaſt upon the Memorials of Chriſt's dying Love, have their neareſt and moſt delightful approaches to God, and have their whole Souls ſometimes drawn out in ardent breathings and elevations heavenward. Their Hearts are inſpired with devout Fervours: and O how ſublime, how ſweet, the pleaſures of true Devotion! We read of the primitive Chriſtians, They gladly received the word; and they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, being stedfaſt in the Apoſtles doctrine and fellowſhip, and in breaking of bread & prayers; and did eat their meat with gladneſs and ſingleneſs of heart, praiſing God. How often are the Saints enlarged and carried out in Communion with God; and made joyful in his houſe of Prayer, by gracious anſwers of Peace, ſo that they cannot but ſay, It's good being here! Hither they p. 38come (it may be) with their various burdens, their griefs, or fears, their doubts and temptations; as Hannah of old in the bitterneſs of her Soul came to Shiloh, or as Aſaph in his darkneſs and perplexity went into the Sanctuary of God: And here (like them) they receive help from above, obtain light and peace many times, ſo that they go away with their countenances no more ſad, and with their Mouths full of chearful Praiſes.

IN a word, Here our Lord commands the Bleſſing, even Life for evermore. This is the Bleſſing out of Sion, the Bleſſing out of the houſe of God. This is the Benediction pronounced (from the Prieſts lips) upon the Congregation of the Lord: And if there be any Sons of peace among them, it comes down and reſts upon theſe devout Souls. This Bleſsing is on the head of the Juſt. In the houſe of God they have Him by his witneſſing Spirit, ſaying Amen to miniſterial Benedictions given in his Name. Here he ſeals them to the Day of Redemption. Here they often receive bleſſed Aſſurances of their title to Heaven, as well as are trained up and advanced in their meetneſs for Heaven; being inur'd to the Employments and anticipating the Enjoyments of it. So that we may ſay with Jacob, Verily, this is none other but the houſe of God, and this is the gate of Heaven.

WE may well then conclude with the Pſalmiſt, That it is good for us to draw near to God: And truly, the nearer the better. A devout and diligent waiting upon God in his houſe p. 39is the ſure way, and ordinarily neceſſary, to our obtaining thoſe rich and great Bleſſings. Thus runs the Promiſe Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, Jam. 4. 8. So Prov. 8. 34. Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, (ſaith Chriſt) watching daily at my Gates. Pſal. 92. 1…. Th…ſe that be plan…ed in the houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh in the Courts of our God. And the more frequently, and diligently we do attend on the public Worſhip, the greater Benefit we ſhall (by a common bleſſing) receive. The oftner we come to the houſe of God, the better prepared for it we are like to be. Every opportunity duly imployed, will ſerve to confirm our Souls, to quicken and ſtrengthen our Graces, and improve our Comforts.

IN a word, Waiting on God in his Ordinances is the way to obtain thoſe ſpiritual Bleſſings we need: And the more diligent and conſtant we are in the Application of proper means, the more likely we are to ſecure the deſired End.

NONE are got above the need of outward Helps and Means, whatever Proficiency they have already made in Knowledge and Grace.

THE Benefit, the Succeſs of Ordinances is abſolutely in Chriſt's gift.

WE have ground to hope for this Bleſſing to proſper us in the regular uſe of the Means at one time as well as another: And at all times, his Inſtitutions as means, have a like aptitude and tendency to the bleſſed End.

FROM theſe Reflections then it appears, that we may look for a more abundant Bleſſing p. 40to be upon us, the more conſtant and diligent we are in our ſerious attendence on the public Worſhip of God.

NOW, what a ſtrong Incentive to our Duty is here, and what an irreſiſtible Argument is brought us? For every regular Motive affords a good Reaſon, and infers our juſt Obligations to a Thing. When Intereſt and Duty meet together and unite in their Demands, there is a double Bond upon us: And I would here add; None can rationally imagine but that, what hath ſuch an Aſpect upon our preſent and future Well-being, and ſo great a Tenden to our real Happineſs, as a cloſe Adherence to the public Worſhip of God thus apparently hath, muſt needs be our very important Duty, and bound upon us by the Laws of our own Conſtitution. For Self-love is a fundamental Principle in human Nature. Every thing has an innate and invincible Conatus or Endeavour and Propenſity towards it's own Perfection and Welfare: And every regular Exerciſe of this natural Paſſion is undoubtedly our proper Duty.

BUT in the laſt place, I ſhall only add this one Hint further, to inforce all that has been ſaid,viz.

BY a frequent, ſteddy and devout Attendence on the Worſhip of God in his Houſe, we ſhall imitate and hold a correſpondence with the bleſſed Congregation of Saints in the upper world, who are continually praiſing God and ſerving him in his temple above p. 41day and night, and ſhall go no more …t. By worſhipping God aright here, we begin the Employment, that a bleſſed Eternity is to be ſpent in. And by Temple-Worſhip, in a particular manner, we do reſemble and have Communion with the glorious Society above, where Millions perhaps at once join their melodious Songs, and pay their exalted Devotions together. By this means there's a Harmony between Heaven and Earth; yea, in ſome ſort, a Heaven upon Earth. Churches walking in the faith and order of the Goſpel, are ſo many little Emblems of Heaven: and every pious Soul, when joyning in the public Aſſemblies, may juſtly look upon himſelf as tranſported into the very ſuburbs of the Heavenly Jeruſalem; it being the neareſt Reſemblance and Approach to it in this World. In the ardours of his Devotion, the pious Soul mounts up, as upon Eagles Wings, and by faith joyns with the innumerable Company of glorify'd Spirits; mingling his humble praiſes with their triumphant adorations, and having ſometimes Joy unſpeakable and full of glory.—Altho' indeed, it is a Joy that a ſtranger intermeddles not with, and a Glory which the carnally minded know nothing of.

BUT thus I have ſomewhat largely (much more largely than I at firſt intended) ſhown our manifold Obligations and Inducements to be very conſtant and diligent in the practice of public Worſhip.

p. 42AND now, to apply in ſome general hints, what has been ſaid:

HENCE much Compaſſion is due to ſuch pious Souls, as love and long for the Houſe of God, but are deny'd the advantage of public Worſhip, either wholly or frequently. Such are truly to be pity'd and pray'd for, and (as there is opportunity) viſited and comforted††See a Sermon, by my Rev. Father & Collegu… Mr. Wadſworth, on Pſal 122 1. Where you will find moſt of the Heads of Application, that I only hint at, pathetically enlarg'd upon.Ps 122:1.

AGAIN, Hence 'tis a fault and folly in Chriſtians (for the ſake of worldly Accommodations) to ſettle, and content themſelves in ſuch places, where the public Worſhip of God cannot be enjoy'd; where they forſake God, and forget his holy Mountain.

AGAIN, Hence 'tis the important duty of every Place and People deſtitute of God's public Worſhip, to ſeek after the Settlement of Goſpel-Ordinances among them.

AGAIN, Chriſtians ſhould quicken and exhort and call upon one another (as there is occaſion) to go up to the Houſe of the Lord. Heads of Families ſhould command their Houſhold to keep the way of the Lord. Parents ſhould bring their Children betimes (as ſoon as can be convenient) with themſelves to the Houſe of God, and ſhould reach them an early Reverence and Eſteem for his public Worſhip.

AGAIN, Great is the Folly and Impiety of thoſe, who deſpiſe or lightly eſteem the public Worſhip, or any part of it; who count p. 43the public Attendence in God's Houſe a Burden, and the Sabbath a Wearineſs, and his Table or any of his Ordinances contemptible. Some there are who altogether abſent themſelves from public Worſhip: others that come to it but ſeldom; and Multitudes that attend it very careleſly; or very defectively, omitting ſome of the main duties of it.—But how great is the folly and guilt of all ſuch! O that they might be brought to Conviction and Reformation; and no longer let any fooliſh Luſts, or carnal Reaſonings, or ſmall Inconveniences, detain them from the Houſe of God, or hinder them from their Duty in any Inſtance!

BUT again, What has been ſaid, ſuggeſts matter of Humiliation to us all; in that we have no more affection and zeal towards the Houſe of God; that we are no more thankful for the Sanctuary-Opportunities we are ſo happily diſtinguiſhed withal above moſt in the World; that we bring forth no better fruit; and that we are ſo diſpos'd upon any trivial pretences many times to tarry away from the public Worſhip. O what a heavy Account, have multitudes of us to give up to God, of our abuſed or neglected Privileges!

FURTHER MORE, What has been ſaid may ſerve to encourage and comfort ſuch as are careful duly to attend upon and to maintain the public Worſhip of God. Surely theſe ſhall receive the Bleſſing from the Lord, and Righteouſneſs from the God of their Salvation! They take the beſt method to ſecure their own Happineſs, as well as to promote the Glory of p. 44God; and herein approve themſelves Men of Wiſdom and good Underſtanding.—And O how happy is the People, how happy the Places, that abound with Perſons of ſuch an excellent Spirit, and among whom the Houſe of God flouriſhes, and his Children like Olive-plants ſtand round about his Table. Happy is the People, that is in ſuch a Caſe. Surely Salvation is nigh to ſuch a People, and Glory dwells in their Land. Peace will be within their Wails and Proſperity in their Palaces. This they have ground to hope for, from that Promiſe, in Jer. 17. 24, &c.

Finally, LET what has been ſaid, excite us all diligently and devoutly to frequent the public Worſhip of God, and not depart from his holy Temple. Let us all be firmly perſuaded of our Duty, and Intereſt, and innumerable Obligations, in this matter. Let none neglect the Houſe of God out of Profaneneſs. Take heed leſt there be any prophane Perſon among you, as Eſau, deſpiſing Goſpel-privileges. Let none neglect the public Worſhip out of ſpiritual Pride, as thinking themſelves wiſer than their Teachers, or better than their Neighbours, and of too high Attainments to ſtoop to the common forms of Worſhip. Let none neglect public Worſhip from a miſtaken notion as if they could perform their Devotions as acceptably, and get as much Good, at Home, as in the Church of God. This will appear a miſchievous Error, if what has been ſaid before be impartially weigh'd. O let there not be occaſion to complain, as to any of us, p. 45Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a Fool to get wiſdom, ſeeing he hath no heart to improve it.—Let us conſider how inexcuſable an unneceſſary Abſence at any time from the Houſe of God is; how dangerous frequent Abſence, and what a ſad ſymptom of a carnal mind it carries in it. And let us not indulge at any time thoſe frivolous and ſcandal…s Pleas (as One††See the Monitory Letter to ſuch as abſent themſelves from Public Worſhip. well calls them) which are too commonly made uſe of by many, in excuſe of their profane Abſence from public Worſhip. Thoſe little pretences of Weather, Indiſpoſitions, want of Cloaths, or Diſtance, and the like, will not juſtify us at the bar of God. Theſe Evaſions only ſpeak our Pride & Sloth & Lukewarmneſs. They are Refuges of Lies, & will afford us no cloke for our Sin. Let …ot then a little inconveniencie, a ſeeming indecency, or any ſuch ſlight occaſions, keep us at home, when call'd to the Houſe of God. But notwithſtanding theſe ſorry Objections, theſe tri…ing difficulties, let us take all Opportunities to wait on our God in his Sanctuary; bringing with us as many of our Houſhold as we conveniently may. Let us as often as we can attend the Occaſional Meetings for public Worſhip, as on Lecture-days, Faſt-days, &c. But eſpecially let us be conſtant on the Lord's-Day; and not content our ſelves with one part of it, as the manner of ſome is, but make Conſcience to attend both Morning and Evening-Exerciſes, if poſſible, as becomes thoſe to whom ſacred Time is precious, and God's p. 46Altars amiable. And let us attend all the parts of divine Service: coming ſeaſonably, that we may not miſs the Prayer (or any branch of it) which uſually begins the public Worſhip; and …arr…ing patiently, that we may not miſs the Benediction, which uſually concludes it. And let none content themſelves with the ſtanding Exerciſes only, without attending thoſe more ſolemn and extraordinary parts of public Worſhip, the Sacraments of Baptiſm and the Lord's Supper. They that neglect theſe, are very defective in their Worſhip & Chriſtianity: and ſuch are now ſolemnly call'd on to repent of and reform their criminal Delinquencies. If we would be accounted righteous before God, we muſt walk in all the Ordinances & Commandments of the Lord, without any blameable Omiſſions. And (I might add) without any blameable mixture of humane Inventions. Let us adhere ſtedfaſtly then to that way of Worſhip, which we find to be moſt Scriptural; and ſtick cloſe to thoſe Aſſemblies, in which we impartially judge is the moſt of true Goſpel-Order & pure Religion.—But then let us not ſatisfy our ſelves with enjoying pure Inſtitutions and right Methods of Worſhip and Diſcipline: there muſt be in us a clean Heart, and a right Spirit; elſe bodily Exerciſe will profit us little. We muſt be ſincere and ſerious, as well as regular and frequent and abounding in our Worſhip. Let us then be careful in our Preparation at all times, and watchful in our Attendence, fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord: and whatever we do, do all in the name of Chriſt. So ſhall we ſecure the great p. 47and good Ends of our public Worſhip, and our Souls ſhall be …at and flouriſhing in the Courts of the Lord.

BUT it is time now to come to the other Obſervations from the Text; which I muſt give only a few Glances upon, having extended my Diſcourſe already beyond the uſual Limits. Wherefore—

III. WE may obſerve, it's mention'd here in COMMENDATION of Anna, that ſhe departed not from the Temple: and it affords us this Leſſon, That 'tis a commendable thing, in Aged Perſons eſpecially, to be conſtant and diligent (as they are able) in attending upon the public Worſhip of God; and 'tis what they ſhould ſtudy to be exemplary for.

IT is a Duty, incumbent on them, in common with others. However eſtabliſh'd & improv'd in Grace they may be, yet they are not above the need of Ordinances: and however advanc'd in Years, they muſt never think themſelves paſt them, as …it only for young Beginners. It is expected of them that have dwelt in the Houſe of the Lord, that they ſtill bring forth Fruit even in old Age, (Pſal. 92. 14.) That they continue their Attendence on public Ordinances, and grow in their Fruitfulneſs under them.

MOST commonly Aged Perſons have ſingular Advantages and Accommodations to attend God's Houſe with a greater frequency than others; I mean particularly, in reſpect of freedom from Buſineſs, and worldly Avocations. They have ordinarily more Leiſure, and fewer Impediments from the World. And having p. 48thus ſpecial Opportunities, it is peculiarly incumbent on them, to be living a Life of Devotion & Communion with God; and therefore to …it looſe from the Cares and Buſineſs of the World, as well as to be weaned much from the Diverſions & Converſation of it. Indeed Elder Perſons, as well as Younger, ſhould have ſome Calling or Employment, in which they ought to ſpend part of their Time, for the ſerving of their Generation, and not devote themſelves (as the manner of ſome is) to Sloth and Eaſe; which often betrays them into many fooliſh and hurtful Luſts. However, It is not expected of the Ancient, nor is it commonly needful, that they attend their ſecular Affairs with that Induſtry and Application, which is both lawful and commendable in younger People. Perſons in Years may be allowed more Relaxations, and may in ſome caſes exchange a difficult or inferiour Calling, for a more eaſy and honourable Employment. Nevertheleſs, in their ſerving of God and working out their own Salvation, it is incumbent on them and becomes them to be eminently zealous and induſtrious. The …igher their Life is to a Period, the more ſhould they abound in the work of the Lord, and in the Communion of Saints. Heb. 10. 25. Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is; but exhorting one another: and ſo much the more as ye ſee the day approaching.

THE Houſe of God is an Emblem of Heaven, whither aged Saints are haſtning to take up their everlaſting Abode. How amiable then p. 49ſhould God's Tabernacles be to them; and his Worſhip how much their Delight, how conſtantly their Buſineſs▪ … beautiful to them ſhould be the Feet of thoſe, that bring the Tidings of Salvation and preach the good Word of God! How pleaſant his Sabbaths; and how glad ought they to be, when called upon to go up to the Houſe of the Lord! There they ſhould be waiting for the Salvation of God! And not depart from his Temple!

IT is expected of aged Saints, that their long Experience of the Sweetneſs and many Benefits of God's public Worſhip do inflame their Zeal and Love to his Houſe.

AND then who ſhould be Examples to others▪ if not the aged Saints? Theſe ſurely are in an eminent degree obliged to be exemplary. They ſhould ſtudy to be living Rules to their Juniors; bright Patterns of all Piety, and Virtue; particularly of a love to and diligent attendence at the houſe of God. It is required of the Aged, that they be in behaviour as becometh Holineſs, and that they be Teachers of good things by pattern as well as precept. (Tit. 2. 3.) A ſteddy and zealous Attendence upon the public Worſhip and Ordinances of God's houſe, is one inſtance of good Behaviour becoming Holineſs, in aged Saints eſpecially; and is one of thoſe good things, which they are requir'd to teach the Younger, and lead them into by their own inviting practice. Example is generally more attractive and engaging than bare Inſtruction. The Example of Aged Perſons carries a peculiar Authority & Impreſſion with it; their Juniors p. 50being led, by a principle of Reverence and Eſteem, to the Imitation of them. When therefore Aged People are careleſs and indifferent about the public Worſhip, and omit any Duties or Ordinances of it. They ſet an ill Example, that will probably prove infectious and inſ…aring, eſpecially to younger Ones, to their Children, and Servants, and others. It is then a very aggravated miſ-behaviour, and double Guilt in aged Perſons, to neglect the Houſe of God, or the Table of Chriſt. In them it ſeems to be an open condemning the Divine Appointments, and giving a Judgment in favour of Irreligion, upon long obſervation or experience: whence it often proves a ſtumbling and Temptation to younger People. It is therefore a very unſeemly, unnatural, and criminal thing in them. Hence then aged Perſons ſhould beware they don't ſet an ill example in this matter: but on the contrary, let their Light ſo ſhine before others, that they may (by the winning Pattern) be induced in like manner to glorify God. Elder Chriſtians ſhould go before others, and lead by their example in a diligent, reverent and early attendence on the public Worſhip: Thus they'l take one happy method to propagate the ſpirit of Devotion, and a Love to God's houſe, unto coming Generations.

Finally. IN a word, It behoves aged People, to be very frequent, and double their diligence, in attending on public Worſhip, in order to redeem the many Opportunities they have loſt in the courſe of their Lives, to repair p. 51former Defects, and make amends for paſt Neglects, if it might be. Omiſſions are a grievous Article of Guilt, in the Saints Accompts; Paſt Unprofitableneſs will lie heavy on a gracious heart, and be moſt ſenſibly reſented by the moſt faithful Servant; And his Inference is, Then let me redeem and improve the few days to come, with ſo much the more Zeal! Let me loſe …o more of this ſhort and expiring Life; Let me fill up the poor remains of it with more and better works.††Mr. Colman's Sermon on the Duty and Honour of Aged Women. p. 32. O Let this be the diſpoſition & language of us all, and particularly of the Aged Diſciples among us. Remember Brethren, the Time is ſhort; and walk circumſpectly, redeeming the Time. And knowing you muſt ſhortly put off this your Tabernacle, conſider what manner of Perſons you ought to be in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs. You that look for Heaven in a little while, methinks, ſhould be very ſpiritually minded, have your Converſation much in Heaven, and give your ſelves to Prayer and Devotion. With good old Simeon and Anna, you ſhould be dwelling in the Temple of the Lord, and waiting for the Conſolation of Iſrael.

BUT this may ſuffice for the Third Obſervation. Another Note may be,—

IV. THERE have been Aged Perſons, & devout Women in particular, very exemplary for a Spirit of Devotion, and a moſt unweary'd At…endence at the Houſe of God.

p. 52IN every Generation God has had ſome, that have faithfully adhered to him, publickly own'd and worſhip'd him. Some of all Ages, ſome of both Sexes; Old and Young, Male and Female. My Text leads me only to take notice of the Ancient, and the Female. Anna is the Inſtance in our Text, who was a Widow of great Age, and departed not from the Temple. And in the Chapter preceeding, we have another famous inſtance in aged Eliſabeth, of whom that excellent Character is given, ſhe was righteous before God, walking in all the Ordinances & commandments of the Lord blameleſs.—And how many may we ſuppoſe were Aged Women (beſides Mary the Mother of our Lord) among the Daughters of Jeruſalem, that followed Jeſus to his Croſs; concerning whom we have that honourable Record, Act. 1. 14. They continued (with the Brethren) in prayer and Supplication with one accord.—Alſo among the honourable Women & devout Greeks, of whom we read, (Act. 17.) that they received the word with all readineſs, and ſearched the Scriptures daily,—We may ſuppoſe not a few were Aged Ones.—No doubt they were chiefly ancient Matrons, that compos'd the Women's Meeting, to which Paul preached; as we read, Act. 16. 13. On the Sabbath we went out of the City by a Riverside, where Prayer was wont to be made, and we ſat down and ſpake to the Women, which reſorted thither. We read of Mark's pious Mother, at whoſe houſe many were gather'd together praying, Act. 12. 12. Furthermore, How celebrated is Timothy's Grand-Mother Lois, and p. 53his Mother Eunice, for the unfeigned Faith, that dwelt in them, and which (no doubt) was expreſſed in all Worſhip and Devotion. Again, What a notable Woman was Priſcilla (one in Years Probably) whom we find attending the Public Aſſemblies, and in private inſtructing Apollos a public Teacher; whom the Apoſtle calls his Helper in Chriſt, and unto whom ſays he) not only I give Thanks, but alſo all the Churches of the Gentiles. Again, we read of the Elect Lady (with her Siſter) walking in the Truth, and beloved of all them that have known the Truth.—So we read of …be, a Servant of the Church; whom the Apoſtle commends to the Chriſtians at Rome, that they ſhould receive her in the Lord, as becometh Saints.

BUT what ſhall I more ſay? For the time would fail me to tell of Eve (the Mother of all Living) and Sarah, and Rebekah, and Deborah her Nurſe; of Miriam, who preſided in an Aſſembly of pious Women of Iſrael, leading the Song in the praiſes of God, as afterwards did Deborah that judged Iſrael; ſo likewiſe Huldah, the Propheteſs, who is ſaid to dwell in the College at Jeruſalem; and Naomi, and Hannah, and Bathſheba, and many other holy Women in old time, who truſted in God, and continued in Supplications and Prayers; who brought forth fruit in old Age, and were ſtill flouriſhing in the Courts of the Lord.

IN all Ages of the Church there have been ſome ſuch; Daughters that have done virtuouſly; and aged Mothers in Iſrael, that have p. 54excelled in Virtue and been ſhining Patterns of vital Piety and Devotion. In Church Hiſtory we meet with many Inſtances, worthy to be added unto thoſe which the Scripture-Story preſents us withal.

AND no part of the World (I believe) is capable of furniſhing out a better Hiſtory, than New-England, the place of our happy Abode; which (through the Grace of God) has hitherto been very highly favoured and honored in this Regard. From the beginning to this day, our pious praying Mothers (who always make up a conſiderble part of our Congregations for Worſhip) have been in no little degree the Strength and Beauty of our Churches.

BUT alas! How is the Glory departing from us, in this reſpect as well as others! The firſt ſtock of godly Men & Women is long ſince extinguiſhed. Their Succeſſors fell ſhort of them abundantly, both in number and worth; as the preſent Generation does even of them. Yet (bleſſed be God) there is ſtill a remnant among us, in whom the power and life of Religion is viſible; ſome aged Women as well as Men profeſſing Godlineſs, whoſe grave Faces and good Deportment in the Houſe of God and at his Table, add no little beauty and ſolemnity to our worſhipping Aſſemblies.—May they ſtill live, our Glory and Joy, our Strength and Safety! And the Lord God of our Fathers make them a thouſand times ſo many as they are; and bleſs them as He hath promiſed, ſaying, Even to old age I am He, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you and deliver you! Iſai. 46. 4.

p. 55BUT I haſten now to the laſt Obſervation from the Text; which is—

V. AMONG other Saints, the aged Handmaids of the Lord do particularly deſerve a Name in Iſrael; are to be highly eſteem'd and honour'd, and their Memory reverenc'd after their Deceaſe.

WE are required to honor all them that fear the Lord, but eſpecially the aged Saints. Theſe are, while living, to have a peculiar Reſpect ſhown them. Whatſoever, Infirmities natural or moral may attend them, yet they are worthy of double Honour from us. Lev. 19. 32. Thou ſhalt riſe up before the hoary Head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God. So 1 Tim. 5. Rebuke not (magiſterially) an aged Perſon, but intreat him as a Father, and the elder Women as Mothers. Honour Widows that are widows indeed, who truſt in God, and continue in prayers night and day, and are well reported of for good Works. Such aged Women muſt be honour'd, valu'd, reverenc'd, and (if poor) well maintain'd. Eſpecially the Children of ſuch ſhould put this Honour upon them. Hence the Apoſtle adds, If any Widow have Children or Nephews (Grand-children or other near Relations) let them learn firſt to ſhew Piety at home, and to requite their Parents, for this is good and acceptable before God.—The fifth Commandment requires Children to honour their Father and Mother, and that however aged. It is great Impiety to neglect, or any way diſregard our Parents eſpecially in their advanced Age. Hence that Caution, p. 56Prov. 23. 22. Hearken to thy Father that begat thee, and d…ſp…ſe not thy Mother when ſhe is old. Our gracious Mothers are of great price in the ſight of God: And they deſerve to be of high Eſteem with us. We ſhould honour their hoary heads; ſtudy to make their age eaſy to them as much as poſſible; wiſh for the lengthening out of their pious and uſeful Lives; and not be weary of them nor contemn them (as the manner of ſome is) altho' they ſhould out-live their Serviceableneſs. Our bleſſed Saviour has ſet us a bright Example of filial Duty to our aged Parents, who ſeeing his poor widow-Mother ſtanding by his Croſs (as he was dying) ſaid to his beloved Diſciple, Behold thy Mother! And from that hour, that Diſciple took her to his own home, (Joh. 19. 27.) The very light of Nature, and the cuſtom of moſt civiliz'd Nations teach us to honour Old-Age, eſpecially when crowned with Virtue: And particularly to honour it in our own Parents. Hence the Apoſtle paſſes that ſevere Sentence upon Children that do not ſhew Piety at home, That they have denied the Faith, and are worſe than Infidels. Thus then we are obliged to put honour upon aged Saints, and particularly our aged Mothers while living. They are alſo to be honoured after their Deceaſe.

THUS, the Death of ſuch is to be lamented. The Loſs of any real Saint is to be conſider'd and bewail'd: But eſpecially the Loſs of elder Chriſtians. Yea, the Death of aged Women that fear the Lord (whatever p. 57ſlighty thoughts ſome may have of the Loſs) is to be reſented: And the Death of ſuch aged Women as have done good in Iſrael and been eminently uſeful in their places, doth challenge a great Lamentation: Such as that was over Deborah (Rebekah's Nurſe) whom Jacob bury'd under an Oak, and called the Name of it Allon-Backuth that is, The Oak of Weeping, in memorial of that aged godly Woman, and in alluſion to the great Mourning over her there. Gen. 35. 8. So we read concerning. Do…cas, when ſhe dy'd, The Saints and Widows ſtood about her weeping for their Loſs, and extolling her piety and good Works. Acts. 9. 39.—When ſuch godly Women die, they are not to be ſlid into their Graves with Silence and Contempt. Though full of days, and gathered as a Shock of Corn in it's ſeaſon, Yet their Death is to be lamented. This is part of that Crown of Glory, which God has decreed to the hoary Head found in the way of Righteouſneſs.—O that this Church then may ſuitably reſent and improve the repeated Strokes of this nature, which we are from time to time called to mourn over: Let us feel our Loſſes, and lament them with a godly Sorrow.

THEY are alſo to be had in Remembrance, and their Memory to be bleſſed. They are to be remembered with Love and Honour; and being dead, yet with Abel to be ſtill ſpoken of with Praiſe. This is part of the Duty required in the fifth Commandment. This is what the Evangeliſt ſets us an Example of. Godly p. 58Anna (of whom we have ſuch an honorable Mention here) doubtleſs was deceaſed long before the Goſpel of Luke was written; tho' her Death be not expreſly taken notice of. The deceaſed Children of God are not to be ſoon forgotten. Eſpecially eminent Saints whether Men or Women, their Names ſhould live with us, after they are dead; and their Memories be dear and precious to us. As to their Infirmities and Blemiſhes, theſe indeed ought to be bury'd in oblivion and ſilence: But their Virtues and Excellencies are to be remembered and ſpoken of with honour. The Dead may be praiſed (as they deſerve it) with good Authority, the inſpired Hiſtorian having ſet us a pattern; as well as the royal Prophet (long before) in his funeral Encomium on his Brother Jonathan. And how full of Elegy is the Eleventh Chapter to the Hebrews; wherein we have the Apoſtle celebrating the Names of many ancient Worthies, and ſummarily rehearſing their Story: Among whom we find ſeveral Women (mention'd or refer'd to) as aged Sarah; the Widow of Sareptha; and the Shunammite, who was (probably an aged as well as) a great Perſon.

AND did not our Saviour decree that honour to a Woman (Mark 14. 9.) Verily I ſay unto you, Whereſoever this Goſpel ſhall be preached throughout the whole world, this alſo that ſhe hath done, ſhall be ſpoken of for a memorial of her! He recommends this Woman's Piety to the Applauſe p. 59of his People in all ſucceeding ages; and by his direction, the memory of it is perpetuated in the ſacred Records, which of all the Trumpets of Fame, will ſound the longeſt as well as loudeſt. Though the honour of Christ is principally deſigned in the Goſpel, yet the honour of his Saints and Servants is not altogether overlook'd. The memory of this Woman was to be embalmed; not by dedicating a Church to her, (as One††Mr. Henry. remarks,) or keeping an annual Feaſt in honour of her, or preſerving a piece of her broken Box for a ſacred Relique: but by reſerving a Record of her Piety, in the Archives of the Church, and making mention of it in the preaching of the Goſpel: wherby Honour redounds to Chriſt himſelf, who in this world, as well as in that to come, will be glorified in his Saints, and admired in them that believe.

Finally, AS their Memory is to be preſerv'd and reverenc'd, ſo their exemplary Piety is to be imitated by Survivers. The Dying of old Chriſtians ſhould be the Quickning of young Ones. As the old Stock of Profeſſors goes off, there ſhould be a freſh Supply out of the ſucceeding Generation, that the Cauſe of God may not …ink, and the work of Chriſt fail, for want of Hands to ſupport and proſecute it.

LET it then be a brief Addreſs to the riſing and ſtanding Generations among us, in the p. 60Words of the Apoſtle, (Heb. 6. 12.) Be ye followers of them, who through faith and patience do inherit the promiſes. Let us endeavour by a diligent Imitation of them (as well as we can) to fill up the Vacancies that are made by the removal of one and another of the paſſing Generation. Let the Daughters of Zion particularly be exhorted, to ſtudy a Conformity to the excellent Patterns, which you have ſeen in the holy Lives of ſome of the devout Mothers in Iſrael. Let our young Women preſerve a great Eſteem for the aged Handmaids of the Lord; improve them while they live; lament them when they die; and as you riſe up in their room, labour to make good their ground, ſtand in the gaps, and repair the breaches; that there may be as little miſs of them as poſſible. Seek God betimes. Seek firſt the Kingdom of God. Flee youthful Luſts. Follow Holineſs, and adorn your ſelves with good Works, as did the holy Women in the old time. Wherein they followed Chriſt do you follow them. Whatſoever you have ſeen virtuous, pious, & praiſe-worthy in any gone before you, diligently imitate the ſame. Cry to God for a double portion of that good Spirit which was in them, and give him no reſt, till it be fallen upon you. With God is the reſidue of the Spirit. Ask and ye ſhall receive.

TO conclude, Let all the Servants of Chriſt among us ſend up their fervent Cries to the Throne of Grace, in behalf of the riſing Generation, that God would pour out his Spirit p. 61from on high upon them, that they may be a godly Seed, a Generation of his praiſe. Beg of God, that He would graciouſly cloſe up the Breaches made in our Walls by the removal of the Prudent and the Ancient, the Honorable and the Devout, of both Sexes: That He wou'd raiſe up of our Sons and our Daughters to be Nazarites, ſeparated and ſanctified ones, in order to repair the Loſſes, and bind up the Wounds we are at preſent bleeding under: That our Sons may be as Plants grown up in their Youth, and our Daughters as Corner-Pillars, poliſhed and prepared for the Temple of God. That the Lord would appear in his Glory, and build up our Sion; ſtrengthen the bars of her Gates, and bleſs her Children within her.

THUS ſhall the Generation going off, lay down their hoary Heads in the Grave, with Comfort, ſeeing a hopeful Progeny coming on, to take and fill their places.

THUS ſhall the Throne of Chriſt endure among us, and our Candleſtick not be removed.

THE Beauty of the Lord our God will be upon us, and Glory dwell in our Land. Wiſdom and Knowlege will be the Stability of our Times, and the Fear of the Lord our Treaſure. Happy is that People, that is in ſuch a caſe: Happy is that People whoſe God is the Lord!

p. 62PRAISE the Lord, O Jeruſalem: Praiſe thy God, O …!

PRAISE the Lord, all ye People; both Youngmen and M…ens, Oldmen and Children: Let them …aiſe the Name of the Lord; for his Name …one is excellent. AMEN, AMEN.

FINIS.

End of the text · Thomas Foxcroft, The Character of Anna the Prophetess Considered and Applied (1723)