for their everlasting abode their holy conversation on earth is ealled their way which suggesteth both the activity and progresse of Gods grace in the fruits thereof This Solomon seemeth to speak unto very clearly and fully The path of the righteous is as Prov. 4. 18. the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day And to the third demand I answer That a person may be said to be found in the way of righteousnesse when there is conspicuity and permanency in a godly conversation when the candle of grace lighted in the heart doth discover it self by its shining and is kept burning according to the advice of Christ that men may see his good works as it is said that Mat. 5. 16. Act. 11. 23. Paul saw the grace of God in the Christians at Antioch so here when the seed of righteousnesse rooted in the hearts of aged persons doth so bud and fructifie in their lives that such who converse with them do or may finde apparent effocts of Gods grace in them then they are found in the way of righteousnesse I shall not bestow any more words or time in the Exposition of the Text but proceed according to promise unto the handling of that seasonable Point of Doctrine which is held forth from this Text. The hoary head is a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse That Old age attended with the power of grace and the practice Doct. of Religion is a matter of much honour and commendation Let it be considered from the language in the Text how farre this Truth doth extend viz. indefinitely to all aged persons who be truly pious 1. Of both Sexes both men and women 2. Of all ranks and conditions in the world whether high or low rich or poor whether more nobly descended or more mean and contemptible in regard of descent whether on the Throne or at the footstool 3. Of all qualities in regard of naturall or acquired accomplishments whether corporally beautified or deformed whether more or lesse enriched with the ornaments of the minde viz. learning and other abilities for employment either in Church or in Common-wealth 4. Of all callings and negotiations amongst men whether sacred or civil whether by land or sea whether in times of warre or peace 5. And this truth in this latitude hath been is and will be appliable unto all aged persons found in the way of righteousnesse in all the ages of the world This is notable from the Original for as the proposition is universall in reference to all hoary heads found in the way of righteousnesse so there is no verb to limit it unto any term of time either past present or to come but the holy Ghost asserts this truth in relation to all ages and times of the world That heretofore and for the present and for the future the hoary head in the way of holinesse hath been and now is and hereafter to the end of the world will be a Crown of glory I shall proceed gradually in the proof of the Point in reference Quo magis homo festinat ad finem tento est vere venerabilior Clem. Alexand Eccl. 12. 5. Flores camiterii Isa 9. 15. Gen. 25. 8. Judg. 8. 32. 2 Chro. 29. 28. Summa est senectutem illam praesertim quae piis a Deo donatur honorandam esse Cartwr in Text. Prov. 12. 26. Acts 21. 16. Luk. 2. 36 37. to the two branches of it First Old age in it self is a matter of commendation The beauty of old men is the gray head In which respect as some Expositors judg the hoary head is compared by Solomon to the Almond tree flourishing when the white blossoms do render it very beautifull And hence also it is that according to the Heraldry observed in the holy Scripture the Ancient and the Honourable are both placed together and many of Gods Worthies there recorded have this character of honour put upon them that they died in a good old age and full of dayes viz. Abraham Gideon David Secondly The addition of holinesse unto the hoary head addeth much unto the glory of the aged person and this the holy Ghost doth chiefly intend in the Text. For the righteous eatenus because righteous is more excellent then his neighbour And therefore under this Notion many are registred in holy writ to their everlasting credit in the Church of Christ viz. Mnason of Cyprus that old Disciple and Anna a Prophetesse of a great age a widow of about fourscore and four years who departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day Now that righteousnesse giveth weight unto the Crown which aged persons do wear may be abundantly manifested 1. Because it is one part of Gods image in man with which Eccl. 7. 29. Rom. 3. 20. Eph. 4. 24. he was adorned at his first creation which was his glory lost by his fall and which is restored by his Regeneration The new man after God is created in righteousnesse 2. Because aged persons thus qualified are the Emblems of God himself who is called the ancient of dayes and of Jesus Dan 7. 9 13. Christ in whose metaphoricall description this is one expression His head and his hairs were white like wool Rev. 1. 14. 3. Because the righteous are admitted into near relation and affection with God who is their Father and loveth them Matth. 13. 43. Psal 146. 8. dearly The Lord loveth the righteous The righteous shall shine in the Kingdom of their Father Now it was Davids honour as he valued it to be Son in law to King Saul And who 1 Sam. 18. 23. doth not judge that it was much to the repute of Daniel to be called A man beloved by the Lord. Since thou becamest Dan. 9. 21. Isa 43. 4. mine saith God himself to his people and wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable From these three heads of Arguments jointly considered the truth under hand may be undeniably concluded That the hoary head is a Crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse The Application followeth which I will give in manifold Uses under four heads The first sort of Uses are for Information in three particulars Vse 1. Information well worthy our consideration 1. Hence it followeth that no qualification whatsoever wherewith the children of men can possibly be adorned is of so great worth as godlinesse because this is said to set a glorious Crown upon the heads of them who are blessed with it I grant that there are many natural ornaments and acquired accomplishments which may gain respect but it is righteousnesse which wins the Crown Therefore Solomon saith not The hoary head is a Crown of glory if found in the way of raised parts of great learning of martiall courage of large commands in the world or of successefull trading to become wealthy but if it be found in the way
sed decrepitam significari aetatem Cajet in Text. that though decrepid old age be suggested in the language of the Text yet Solomon doth assign it the Crown This I suggest the rather to give a check unto the young wanton wits which are apt to break jests upon the aged because of some seeming uncomelinesses which accompany that condition of life Guilty in this kinde was he who scoffingly asked the old man whose body was crooked by reason of old age Whether he would sell him a bow These green heads do not consider the greatnesse of this sin in Gods account who puts this fault into the catalogue of such miscarriages which usher in desolating judgements viz. The childe shall behave himself Isa 4. 5. proudly against the ancient And this sin is the more hainous and provoking when those aged persons are abused whose near Relations Offices of honour accompanied with the power of godlinesse do call for all expressions of respect and esteem Solomon is smart in his reproof of children who in this kinde offend towards their naturall parents The eye that mocketh at his Father and despiseth to obey his mother the Pro. 30. 17. Ravens of the valley shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it How many times are those brought unto the Gallows as the confessions of some in such cases have manifested through Gods just judgement who have been chargeable with guilt of this kinde And how heavy was the hand of God upon many little children for mocking Elisha the Prophet There came forth little children out of the City and mocked 2 Kin. 2. 23 24 him and said unto him Go up thy bald-head Go up thou bald-head And he turned back and locked upon them and cursed them in the Name of the Lord and there came forth two she-bears out of the wood and tare fourty and two children of them How far this derision of the man of God did reach I now enquire not whether to his Function with relation to his Master Elijah lately taken up into heaven or only unto his baldness But this is notable that childishnesse and ignorance will not secure such from divine revenge who do dare to deride the aged What therefore may they expect who have more years on their backs and should have more grace in their hearts then to adventure upon this sinfull provocation But yet there is a higher step of aggravation to be added viz. when righteousnesse it self which is the chiefest Crown of the aged is the object of mens derision when meerly the tenderness of mens consciences and their exact walking according to the Word of God doth lay them open unto the jears of men The Apostle telleth us that such despise not man 1 Thes 4. 7 8. only but God also and he rendreth a double reason thereof viz. because God hath called us to holinesse and hath likewise given us his Spirit to work it I remember the words of Solomon which are appliable to my purpose whoso mocketh the Prov. 17. 5. poor reproacheth his maker And the speech as Mr Cartwright noteth upon the place extends unto jearing at any bodily defect or deformity whatsoever whereof God is willing to be accounted the Authour How much more will the Lord interpret those derisions to reach himself which people shall dare to cast upon his own image in his servants which is Quiopus aliquod ridet ridet illius opificem Mercer their Crown and beauty For if God take himself to be concerned in the creatures affliction how much more then in that which tends to his perfection This way of wickednesse argueth a gracelesse frame of heart and to them who walk in it may be applied the sharp words of the Prophet Against whom do you sport your selves Against whom make you a wide Isa 57. 4. mouth and draw out the tongue Are ye not children of transgression a false seed Ishmael by mocking Isaac made way Gal 4. 29 30. with Gen. 21. 9 10. Psa 1. 11. for his own rejection and doubtlesse they are not farre from ruine who have travelled so long in sinne that they are got into the Chair of Scorners When I remember the heavy curse given out against Cham for mocking his old Father Jer. 9. 21 22 25 Noah for it 's conceived that he was thus far guilty when in an uncomely posture by reason of his drunkennesse I tremble to think what will become of them who break brinish jests with prophane Satyricall spirits upon Gods servants for their sanctity We reade in holy Story that Michol Davids wife despised him in her heart and spake tauntingly to him upon his zealous dancing before the Lord and the holy Ghost hath concluded the History with this report Therefore 2 Sam. 6. 16 20 23. Michol the daughter of Saul had no childe unto the day of her death And ordinarily this cursed course is attended with the heavy curse of everlasting spirituall barrennesse The Lord grant that these hints may through his blessing give some check unto that prophane boldnesse which too frequently breaketh forth amongst the children of men I proceed to the third Use which shall be for triall For Vse 3. Of Examination it much concerneth all sorts to know how this righteousnesse may be discerned which is a Crown of glory to the hoary head The necessity of this enquiry may be manifested by these two considerations 1. Because there are several mistakes in this matter of righteousnesse amongst men For there are many who only appear outwardly to be righteous when the inside discovereth Mat. 23. 28. the contrary being full of hypocrisie And there is something like unto justice which is highly esteemed amongst men though it be abomination in the sight of God Luk. 16. 15. 2. That we may neither arrogate nor deny this Crown to our selves groundlesly and also that we may be the better able to judge unto whom we are bound to give this honour which God hath put upon them For as it is the duty of all so it is the care of Gods people in this particular as in other cases to guide themselves by discretion and judgement Psa 112. 5. Four notes of the righteous Now those whom God accounteth truly righteous may be known 1. By their unlimited respect unto Gods whole will revealed in his word as the rule of their obedience for the matter of it This is the character given of Zachary and Elizabeth They were both righteous before God walking in all the Commandments Luk. 1. 6. and Ordinances of the Lord Therefore here the Query must be both What is the rule of our conversation and Whether our endeavours be extended according to the rules of the Scripture universally For multitudes steer their course rather according to the compasse of humane Ordinances Isa 29. 15. then divine Institutions And amongst them who seem to have recourse unto Scripture guidance many are meerly partiall picking
wisedom who shall make faithfull improvement thereof through Gods speciall grace In the handling of this Proverb which I have chosen to be the matter of my present discourse I desire you to attend 1. The division of the Text. 2. The interpretation of the words 3. And the divine truth from hence tendred unto our consideration The parts of the Text being an intire Proposition are two 1. The Subject 2. The Predicate The Subject or the matter spoken unto is The hoary head And the Predicate or that which is asserted lieth in the words following It is a Crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteousnesse Wherein two things are notable 1. The high commendation given of old age The hoary head is a Crown of glory 3. The limitation which is warily added If it be found in the way of righteousnesse Thus from the Text divided I put forward to the explication of the words herein used And because the proposition is conditionall I will first open the words in the assertion and secondly those which are in the condition First In the assertion two things are inquirable 1. What is meant by the hoary head 2. What is to be understood by the Crown of glory In this phrase the hoary head there is a double Metonymy 1. A Metonymy of the effect for the cause viz. hoary head put for old age the cause thereof 2. And a Metonymy of the adjunct for the subject the hoary hairs for the person upon whom they are to be found There is also a Synecdoche in the expression viz. one part put for the whole The head for the whole person aged And the language is likewise Metaphoricall for man in his declining age seemeth to be compared unto the Winter the latter part of the year wherein the superficies of the earth is white being covered with hoary frost This Interpretation is according to sundry parallel passages in the holy Scriptures I am said Samuel old and gray-headed And with 1 Sam. 12. 2. Job 15. 14. us said Eliphaz are the gray-headed and very aged men much elder then thy Father Therefore the Rhetorick being taken off the words it appeareth that by the hoary head is signified the aged person If enquiry be made what is meant by the Crown of glory I answer that there is an Hebraism in the words viz. a Crown of glory put for a glorious Crown The word glory noteth credit or excellency as when the strength of the young man Prov. 20. 19. is called his glory Some do render the phrase A Diadem of glory The Diadem properly signifying a wreathed hatband Diadema a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 circum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ligo with which the ancient Kings did content themselves as thinking that a Crown only belonged to their gods Let it be noted that it is more then a garland which may belong to some Conquerour in one exploit though in all other regards a person mean and considerable The Crown is appropriated rather unto Kings and Queens amongst the children of men Corona dccoris est metaphora a regibus Cartw. Corona ornatissima vel ornatus vtl Corona ornans Pisc and here it is set upon the head of the aged person to betoken peculiar honour appertaining to old age Although the phrase is variously rendred by Interpreters a Crown of glory a Crown of comelinesse a Crown of ornament yet the sense is the same in the judgement of all viz. that old-age is honourable And to this purpose is the Crown applied unto others in the holy Scriptures viz. by Solomon unto Parents and their children mutually Childrens children are the Crown of Prov. 17. 6. Phil. 4. 1. old men and the glory of children are their Parents and upon the same account the Apostle Paul calleth the Philippians his Crown esteeming it his high honour that they were brought to Christ by his Ministry Secondly In the condition annexed If found in the way of righteousnesse there are three things enquirable viz. 1. What is signified by righteousnesse 2. What the word way doth suggest 3. What is hinted in this expression viz. of being found in this way For the first I will not spend time in reporting either the various acceptions or uses of the word Righteousnesse in the holy Scriptures In this place it noteth a carefull conformity unto the revealed will of God all whose Commandments are righteousnesse In which respect Moses saith This shall Psa 119. 138. Dan. 6. 25. be our righteousness if we observe to do all these Commandments For in so doing we do suum cuique trihuere give every one their right viz. God our selves and our neighbours receive due respect by obedience rendred unto laws divine Now before I apply Righteousnesse in this sense unto the truth in the Text I must necessarily distinguish betwixt righteousnesse Legal and Evangelical 1. Legall righteousnesse consists in a compleat conformity unto Laws divine in their utmost latitude And thus our Eccl. 7. 29. 1 Joh. 2. 1. first Parents were habitually righteous at their first creation and our blessed Saviour was actually Christ the Righteous But all Adams posterity fall short hereof both in their nature and practice As in the estate of unregeneracy the Apostle concludeth all under sin and saith both of Jews and Gentiles There is none righteous no not one So in the estate of Regeneration Rom. 3. 9 10. so many are the imperfections of them who are most compleat on earth that in the sense aforesaid they cannot be accounted righteous Though David is called a man after Gods own heart yet his praier and testimony do attest Act. 13. 22. Psa 143. 2. this truth Enter not into judgement with thy Servant O Lord for in thy sight shall no man living be justified 2. But in a Gospel sense according to the indulgence and construction of free rich grace Gods gracious servants are said to be righteous Thus God himself speaketh of Noah Thee have I seen righteous before me And this character the Gen. 7. 1. Luk. 1. 6. holy Ghost giveth of Zechary and Elizabeth They were both righteous before God And this Evangelicall righteousnesse doth consist 1. partly in their sincere endeavour to reach perfection in which respect they are described to be such Isa 51. 1. who follow after righteousnesse whereupon God accepting the will for the deed doth call them rigbteous 2. And principally in the imputation of Christs righteousnesse unto them upon 2 Cor. 5. 21. Phil. 3. 9. Jer. 23. 6. their humble fiduciall closures with him by faith unfained who is the Lord our righteousnesse Now of this righteousnesse is the Text to be understood The se second Quaery was What doth the word way suggest I answer That Gods Servants being as strangers and sojourners Psa 39. 12. in this world and their life being a travelling toward heaven Heb. 11. 9 10 13 14. their long home where they look
uti Seneca times I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High I will remember thy wonders of old Yea the Heathen could knowingly speak of the sweet fruits of old age if men had wisedom to reap them And all ages do demonstrate that ancient men are most meet by their grave counsels to be serviceable unto the publick This Reverend man whose Funerall we now celebrate was wont to say That a few gray hairs would do more work then many young locks Besides other proofs hereof the History concerning the different advice given to Rehoboam by his young and old Counsellors will 1 Kin. 12. 6 8. sufficiently witnesse this truth These considerations may quicken the godly aged to gratitude for their hory heads but I must add that they have much more cause to magnifie God for making them godly because old age may be the guift of common bounty whereas righteousnesse is the product of peculiar grace The wicked may become Job 21. 7. Mat. 13. 43. old but the righteous are the adopted children of God and the heirs of heavens glory Therefore their souls should praise the Lord because when their lives are redeemed from Psa 30. 11. with 4. destruction they are also crowned with loving-kindenesse and tender mercies Now that I may prevail with you to honour God whose hoary heads are crowned with righteousnesse I will briefly propound to your most serious thoughts these following meditations 1. That your selves in the estate of depraved nature were of that number of whom it is most truly said There is none Rom. 3. 9 10. righteous no not one and that this righteousnesse which is your Eph. 5 9. Crown was the fruit of Gods Spirit Therefore the glory thereof is due unto the Lord and not unto your selves because he and not your selves hath made the difference betwixt 1 Cor. 4. 7. you and others 2. That the greatest part of mankinde doth abide in the waies of unrighteousnesse The whole world saith the Apostle 1 Joh. 5. 19. Gen. 18. 32. lieth in wickednesse The small number of ten righteous persons could not be found in Sodom and Gomorrha with their Suburbs And before the Floud God himself could not espy any other besides Noah Thee only have I seen righteous before Gen. 7. 1. me in this age Now by how much the more rare righteousnesse is amongst men by so much the more thankfull should we be if God hath wrought it in us 3. Can you remember either your own many strong and long-continued resistances made against divine assaults or the manifold Providences and Ordinances by means whereof you have been brought into the way of righteousnesse May not Christ speak unto you as once to Jerusalem How Mar. 23. 37. often would I and ye would not yea for a long time might not this be charged upon you You alwaies resisted the holy Ghost Act. 7. 51. And by how many hammerings and humblings by what showrs and Sunshine by what shakings with meltings in the Ministry of the Gospel have you been won to the Lord Now should not all this patience and goodnesse of God leade you unto thankfulnesse 4. Lastly Take notice of the various and precious priviledges whereof you are made partakers by means of righteousnesse These I will only mention without amplification Pro. 3. 16. 4. 22. Gen. 15. 15. Job 5. 26. Hereupon you may be confident 1. That your lives are lengthened not only by common providence but in the pursuance of special promises made unto them who have received peculiar grace 2. That you shall be supplied with all necessary accommodations in your passage to heaven These are Christs own words unto them who seek righteousnesse All these things shall be added unto you Mat. 6. 33. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. That you shall undoubtedly persevere to glory The righteous shall hold on his way 4. That all occurrences shall be sanctified to your spiritual Job 17. 9. advantage Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well Isa 3. 10. with him 5. That Gods vigilant eye of providence shall never be withdrawn from you in which respect you may be the rather Job 36. 7. assured of the seasonable and full accomplishment of all his promises 6. That upon Natures dissolution your souls shall be perfect Heb. 12. 22. and that at the generall Resurrection your bodies and souls shall inherit life eternall Now who can beleevingly look upon Mat. 15. 46. Express thankfulnesse by a conversation ordered according to Scripture himself interested in these glorious obligations of Gods grace without a thankful heart If by these many Arguments the hearts of any aged ones being resolved upon gratitude shall enquire how they may in realities expresse their thankfulnesse unto the Lord both for his long-sufferance and loving-kindenesse towards them My answer is this That you shall be regularly and acceptably thankfull unto God both for your gray-hairs and your graces by studying and endeavouring such a frame of heart and course of life as may answer that counsell which himself hath left on record for your guidance in the holy Scriptures which I shall plainly and faithfully impart unto you But before I mention particulars to direct your behaviour I shall premise these two things to move attention with resolutions to practise them 1. That howsoever too often men themselves do not observe when gray hairs are here and there upon them and Hos 7. 9. many times the aged may seem youthfull unto others yet God doth take exact and particular notice of every aged person in the world The holy Ghost recordeth when Joshua waxed old and was stricken in age and about what time Josh 23. 1. 1 Sam. 17. 12. Gen. 17. Luk. 2. Jesse the Father of David went for an old man in Israel The like I might discover in regard of Abraham Sarah Anna But I forbear 2. That the Lord doth punctually observe all the good Gen. 17. 24. 1 Chro. 23 1. 1 Kin. 13. 11. Gen. 19. 4. Eze. 23. 43. and all the evils of them who are stricken in years whether they be his own people or others This I enlarge not by specifying instances because the naked quotations may be sufficient Having thus briefly premised these things I proceed to the directions which I finde registred in the Word of God that the aged may know how to order their conversation in some measure of answerablenesse unto that Crown of glory which the Lord by his grace and their gray hairs hath put upon them In generall They must be of such behaviour as becometh Tit. 2. 3. holinesse whether they be aged men or women therefore they ought to advance and expresse the power of Gods grace by a diligent improvement of all such means as God hath sanctified The Apostle John writeth to the Fathers who were knowing men that they might become more holy 1 Joh. 2. 13 14 Luk.
2. 37. And old Anna though truly good yet waited daily at the Temple that she might grow better This I might perswade by many Arguments 1. There is no one who hath lived the longest and hath Dr Taylor on Tit. 2. 2. made the best proficiency in Christs School that is come to that pillar on which he may write Ne plus ultra But when he hath summed up all his rich endowments shall finde cause to conclude with the words of the Apostle Not as Phil. 3. 12. though I were already perfect 2. The grievances of old age are such and so many as will call for the exercise of the strongest graces attainable in this life Solomon reckoneth up some of them and telleth the aged person that they will take away the pleasures of his Eccl. 12. 2. 3 4 5. life Then all the faith patience and other graces which have been gained will be found weak enough to wield the burthens of that estate This this was the only support of the Psalmist when strength and heart did fail that God was the strength of his heart and his portion to live upon for ever Psa 73. 26. In this respect pains should be taken that as the outward man decayeth the inward man may be renewed daily 2 Cor. 3. 16. 3. The aged will lie open unto derision and disrespect in regard of the imperfections and weaknesses which attend that condition of life therefore they should labour by eminency of holinesse to secure their credit amongst all sorts of people whatsoever For nothing doth more awe the hearts of the children of men then the power of godlinesse appearing in the conversations of Gods Servants As Paul advised young Timothy hereby to prevent contempt Let no man despise thee 1 Tim. 4. 12. but be an example of the beleevers in word and conversation c. So by means hereof Job had won great estimation amongst all sorts The young men saw me and hid themselves and the Job 29. 8. aged arose and stood up 4. The miscarriages of old people are in Gods account the more hainous because they have had most frequent and most ancient experiences of his goodnesse By this circumstance the evils of Israel are once and again aggravated God carried them all the daies of old but they rebelled and vexed Isa 63. 9 10. his holy Spirit Know that it is an evil thing more then ordinarily evil that my fear is not in thee for of old time I have Jer. 2. 19 20. broken thy yoke c. 5. And I might adde that their wickednesse will do much Persenem vitiosum religio sancta destruitur Bern. more mischief tending more to the dishonour of God and the infection of others In all these regards it nearly concerneth them whom God hath crowned with age and the profession of his Name to heed their conversation that it may be suitable unto that dignity which the Lord hath put upon them It may well become every one of them upon this account frequently and affectionately to make Davids prayer Now I am old and gray-headed O Lord forsake me not Psa 71. 18. until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come This in general the particulars follow First The aged should be full of knowledge as they are full of years This is taken for granted in many Scripture-passages With the ancient is wisedom and in length of daies is Job 12. 12. Isa 3. 2. understanding And thence it is that the ancient and the prudent are conjoyned Ignorance is much more excusable in the young who may thus pleade We are but of yesterday Job 8. 9. and know nothing because our daies upon earth are a shadow but an old Ignoramus is a thing intolerable Better is a poor and wise childe then an old and foolish King When God hath Eccl. 4. 13. set a Crown upon a mans head and he knoweth not how to wear it Honour saith Solomon is unseemly for a fool And Prov. 26. 1. this disgrace is the greater when means of knowledge are enjoyed yea enjoyed for many years You saith the Apostle to some who were members of the Church at Corinth have not the knowledge of God I speak this to your shame And 1 Cor. 15. 34. in like manner he greatens this defect in others When for the time ye ought to be teachers of others ye have need that one teach Heb. 5. 12. you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God Remember how sharply Christ reproveth Nicodemus Art thou a Master in Israel and knowest not these things It would Joh. 3. 10. be accounted a great disparagement unto a young man having served out an Apprentiship to be unacquainted with the mysteries of his Trade Now fifty years is above seven years in Sabbath-daies and yet how many of that age who have had an addition of many weekly Lecture-daies are yet palpably ignorant in the mysteries of salvation These things I suggest to shame the aged unto endeavours to become rich in understanding Secondly They should not only be knowing but fruitful The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree they shall bring Psa 92. 12 14. forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing This may upon good ground be looked for from them who are truly good for though the natural radical heat doth abate in old persons yet the spirituall vigour which they receive from Christ decaieth not His branches shall spread and his Hos 14. 6 8. beauty shall be as the Olive-tree for from me is thy fruit found Although age taketh them off from sundry emploiments yet they should be doing something according to their abilities The holy Ghost telleth us of an old man who came from his work out of the field at even In the evening of our age towards Judg. 19. 16. Sun-setting we should be found acting in one kinde or other for God and happy is that Servant whom his Lord Luk. 12. 43. when he cometh shall finde so doing Here I will instance in three particulars 1. The aged must be Teachers of good things Daies should speak and the multitude of years should teach wisedome This Tit. 2. 3 4. Job 3. 2. 7. Gen 49. Deut. 32. Josh 23. 1. Iob 29. 15. Mat. 12. 35. 13. 52. 1 Tim. 4. 7. was the practice of old Jacob Moses Joshua c. And Job reporteth this as a ground of his comfort I was eyes to the blinde unto me men gave ear and waited and kept silence at my counsell You must bring forth of your treasure good things both new and old and not trifle out the latter part of your daies in telling old wives Fables 2. They must communicate their experiences Hear this ye old men Hath this been in your daies Tell ye your children Ioel. 1. 2 3. of it and let your children