Gospel reconciliation, or, Christ's trumpet of peace to the world wherein is shewed (besides many other gospel truth) ... that there was a breach made between God and man ... to which is added two sermons / by Jeremiah Burroughs.

USE. 1.

If God then thus honors it, and puts this honor up∣on

it, O! let us al honor old age, let there be a reverent car∣riage of you towards them let them see the work of God∣line•••• the fruit of Godlyness, especially governors in in their servants, parents in their Children, that they may see that since they were more godly, they have more reverence to old age, Advise with them, be willing to be guided by them, and yet not so far as to give so much unto age, as to make it to be a rule of actions, as to be led into any error by it. When antiquity is pleaded for that which is not truth, it is but the very mould (as it were) of error, many men when they are (as it were) mired in their error, and know not how to get out, especially in way of dispute, then they wil seeke to helpe themselves by antiquity as we read of Jeremiah when he was put into the mire, they put old rotten ragges under his arme-holes to lift him up, so many being plunged in disput, when they have no∣thing else to say, they thinke to get together old rotten ragges of antiquity, no true antiquity, for that is anti∣quity that is according to the first original of al antiqui∣ties meus Jesus Christus saith Ignatius, and Crisostom saith, Christ said not that I am custom, but that I am the truth. There is a great deal of power I confess in old age, for to prevail with the younger somtimes in tha that is evil, and in this sence the holy-ghost bids us cal no man father, no man must be called Father, to have the authority, to be a rule of our actions against the truth; we have a notable story in the 1. Rings. 13.11. of the prophet that God charged not to returne back again the same way he came, and when he came to the Court, not to stay, nor eate in that place, but when he came to the Court, then they labour∣ed to perswade with him that he would returne, that he would stay and eate, and he could easily put off a com∣pany of yong gallants at Court, but when he came unto the old prophet, Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel, (saith the text) and this old prophet he comes

and he prevails with him to go against the command of God, it seemes he had some reverent respect unto his age, and so he prevailed with him when the other Cour∣tiers could not. We must take heed that antiquity never so prevaile with us, no, not any old prophet, but though we must not be led into error through our respect unto them, yet stil keep our reverential respect towards them, especially you that be Children, reverence you your old parents, in Prov. 23.22. there is a charge, hearken to thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old; Hear thy Father that be∣gate thee, and despise not thy mother, because they being weaker are more ready to be despised, therefore God giveth a charge that none must despise their mo∣thers when they are old.

2. Give respect to them by being dutifully obedient, hearkening to their counsels. Even Esau himselfe that was so wicked, yet he would seeme to give some respect unto his old father Isaac, as in Genesis. 18.8. And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his Father, then went Esau to Ishmael, and took unto the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abrahams Son &c. When Esau saw the daugh••ers of Canaan did not please his father, Esau would go and take the daughter of Ishmael Abrahams Son, he would not displease his own old father, no not an Easu, no, not a prophane Esau he would not displease his own old fa∣ther, not in his match, in his choice, but would choose those that he thought were most agreeable unto the minde of his old Father.

3. Give respect unto your parents in bearing good wil to them. The very reason why many would fain have their old parents to be from them, or they from their old parents, is indeed an argument (if it were con∣sidered) why they should rather desire to have their pa∣rents with them, namly, because they have many weak∣nesses, therefore thou shouldest rather desire to have

thy parents with thee, that thou mightest cover their weaknesses, and bear with their weaknesses, who is fitter to do it than thee to thy parents? the stork wil teach thee to provide for thy old parents, they wil helpe them to fly, and feed their old ones when they are not able to do it themselves.

1. It is a great evil in a common-wealth, and a signe of great confusion, when younge ones shal behave themselves proudly against the old, in Isaiah. 3.5. when the young come and behave themselves proudly against the old, it is noted as a great argument of Gods Judgments upon a Kingdome, and indeed it is a sad and grevious disorder, we love the houses and the Towns in which we were borne, much more then the loynes and the womb in which we were borne, to which we should give a greater respect. And.

2. God threatens those that are disobedient and stout to their parents, that the very ravens shal pick out their eyes, and under the law they were to be punished with death, if any parent would come and charge his son with disobedience, he was to be stoned to death.