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.

Doct. 2. That it is the way of righteous∣ness that puts the Crown of Glory indeed upon the hoary head.

That is the Diamond that is a top of the Crown, if the hoary head be an honor, this is the honor of that honor, if it bee a Crown, righteousness it is the Crown, of that

Crown Mensura vitae non est longitudo sed honestum, The measure of life is not the length of it, but Godliness is the great honor we are to measure our life by. I suppose you have heard the speech of him that said, I have been long, but I have not lived long. Old men except they be righteous, they are long, but they can scarce be said to live long. If it be found in the way of righteousness, that is, supposing that you have been Godly from your youth, and so grow up to be Godly while you are, then that honors indeed: for though it be good for men to begin to come into the waies of Godliness at any time, and it is never to late to come in, yet to be Elementarius Senex, that is rather a dishonor to be a beginner when you are Old, in the great work, you should be treading in al your daies, rather a dishonor (I mean) that you do but then begin, therefore surely the text means this: If it be found, that is if you have gone on in the course of your life in righteousness, and so your Old Age doth not begin righteousness in you, but findeth you in the way of righteousness, you are in the way of righteous∣ness, then it honors. It is spoken to the honor of that disciple Manason, in Acts, 21.16. There went with us also certaine of the Disciples of Cesaria, and brought with them one Manason of Cyprus an Old Disciple, with whom we should lodg; An Old Disciple, it is a mark of honor unto him that he was an Old Desciple; and so Obadiah. 1 Kings, 18.12. I have feared God from my youth, (saith Obadiah) and he speaketh of it, and the Holy Ghost records it as a great honor unto him, I have feared God from my youth. If any of you (for at that time Obadiah was growen ancient, if any of you) can say so, with Obadiah, The Lord hath now given me length of daies, and I bless his name that (though in weakness yet) I have feared God from my youth; Oh! this is honorable. As it is reported of Policarpus, Policarpus when he was about to die by Mar∣tyrdome, they would have him to renounce the truth,

Oh! (saith he) these eighty six years I have served Christ, and found him a good master, shal I leave him now? What an honorable speech was this for him to be able to say, these eighty six yeares have I served Christ and found him a good Master. Wil you appeale whe∣ther you can say, these sixty, these seventy years, or forty years I have served Christ, and found him a good Master, if you can, this is honorable if you be found in the way of righteousness.

1. This is a great evidence of the deep rooting of your Grace, and so puts a greater honor upon you, it is an ar∣gument Grace had a very deep root, in that it hath held out al this while, and flourished al this while. You know the seed that was sown in the stony ground, it came up a little for the present, but vanished away, but that that was sowen in the good ground, it came up and flourished though in the heate of the Sun. Many have a good beginning as Nero, ••hough he were an abominable wretch afterwards, yet his first five years were very emi∣nent for forwardness in Godliness, but afterwards fel off. But now if you shal go on and hold out til you be aged, Oh! it is a blessed evidence of the deepness of the root of Grace in your hearts. That is the first.

2. Those that are Old in the waies of righteous∣ness, they cannot but be supposed to be very eminent in Grace and Godliness, they have gotten much in the waies of Godliness, they have growen to some excellen∣cy in holy waies; John he began young, and continued Old in Godliness, for so he was, he was neare a hunder∣ed years Old, he could not be less, for his banishment was in Domitians time, which was eighty years after Christ, that he was banished into the Isle of Pathmos, and then he could not be less than above a hundred years Old, and then he had divine revealations revealed unto him. Those that have continued long in Godliness, grow to a great eminency in Godliness. Obadiah (as some think) was that prophet Obadiah afterwards,

that had continued long in the waies of Godliness; It is not with Grace as with nature, nature cometh to a peri∣od, and then decayes, but Grace groweth and flouri∣sheth, though the body grow downward, yet Grace wil grow upward; It is the promise of God in Psal. 92.14. That those that are planted in the house of God, they shal flourish in the courts of God; Those that are plan∣ted in the house of the Lord, shal flourish in the courts of God, they shal stil bring forth fruit in Old Age, they shal be fat and flourishing; that is the promise of God, and therefore it cannot but be imagined, that there is a great deal of eminency in such, and therefore to be honored, haveing a crown of Glory upon them. And thirdly.

3. Those that have continued long in the waies of righteousness, they have had many experiences of God, wonderful experiences of the waies of God, the faith∣fulness of God, the mercies of God, the truth of God, in the course of his providence unto his Churches, and this is an honorable thing, David in Psal. 25.6. he speakes of Gods mercies of Old; and in Psal. 74.12. there you have been speaking of God, he was a King of Old, and in Psal. 44. And the begning, there our Fa∣thers have told us things of Old what thou hast done Psal. 119.152, I have knowen thy testimonies of Old. To have the experiences of Gods wil, and of Gods waies in the passages of his providence of Old, is a glorious thing, and so they that are Old in the waies of righteous∣ness, they come to know exceeding much of Gods minde in that regard; and this is a crown of Glory. And Fourthly.

4. They that are Old in the waies of righteousness, that they give a good testimony to the waies of righte∣ousness that they are good; An Old Servant that wil not leave his master, gives a good testimony of the goodness of his Master. The Bee that sticks long at the flower and wil not go away, gives a testimony that there

is a great deal of honor to be sucked out there. As Apo∣states that fal from Gods service disgrace it, and (as much as in them lies) tel to the world, that there is not that good in the service of God as others beare them in hand there is, but those that are Old, and can say as Policarpus, I have found him a good master al this while, they hon∣or Gods waies.

5. It is honorable because there are so few that conti∣nue til they be Old in the waies of Godliness; If we set many plants, and most of them vanish and come to no∣thing, but there is one or two that flourish, and come to be trees, and so prosper, we love them the better, and delight in them the more: so because God sees there are so few that continue in his waies, therefore those that do are the more prized by God, and the more honored by God; So Paul he tells us that of the most he was forsaken; 2 Tim. 1 15.16. He praies for the house of Onesiphorus, because he had kept by him when most in Asia had forsaken him; that is honorable. Again,

Those that continue in the waies of Godliness they are honorable before the Lord, because they have passed through many difficulties in the waies of God. A souldi∣er that hath passed through man•• dangers and dfficulties in the Kings service, is so much the more honored. We reade of Solomon, 1 Kings, 2.26. That he honored Abiathar because he had suffered so much affliction with his Father of Old: so God wil honor those that have suffered many difficulties, those that have gone through many changes of time, and yet continued upright God wil exceedingly honor; in Luke, 18. Because you have indured with me in the time of temptation, there∣fore I have appointed unto you a Kingdom, (saith Christ.) Again.

It is an honorable thing to be Old in the waies of righteousness, because these have much acquaintance with God, they come to be of Gods long acquaintance. Now we delight much if we can meet with one that is of

our old acquaintance, we say Oh! Such an one is my Old acquaintance, he was my fathers acquaintance, therefore we prize him now. Now an Old man that hath been a Godly man a long time, he is our Old acquain∣tance, an Old acquaintance of God our Father, and therefore we honor him; in Exodus, 15.23. Where Moses praises God (saith he) he is our God, and our Fathers ••od. Is it an honor to God that he was our Fathers God? Then it is an honor to you that you are Gods that are our Fathers, that you are our Fathers Saints; if God be honored for being our Fathers God, then you are honored for being one of our Fathers Saints, Gods Saint who is our Father. We reade of Moses that having been but forty daies conversing with God upon the Mount, and his Face did shine, if con∣versing with God forty daies makes his face shine, what wil it be to converse with God forty years? Oh! how must their faces needs shine being so long acquainted with him.

8. Those that continue gracious Old, they have done a great deal of service, and therefore honorable; espe∣cially if they have been in publique places. A publique Minister that hath, co••••inued to be Old in service for God, he is an object o•• ••uch honor, to be exceedingly reverenced. I remember it is reported of Basil, that when the officers came to apprehend him, the story saith he was about holy duties, and the gravity and spark∣ling holiness of countenance, made the officers to fal down backwards, they were not able to beare it. A man that hath lived long in the service of God, is very ho∣norable before the Lord, & before men we honor our Old Servants, if any one hath been your Old servant, you wil not see such an one want; he hath been my Fathers servant, before me, and an ancitent servant to the fami∣ly, and therefore not to be disrespected; shal we respect ancient servants to the family and company, then how much more is an ancient servant to the Lord to be re∣spected?

How wil not many Glory in this, that they have been in the Kings service thus long? Oh! this is wor∣thy of Glory, that thou hast been in the service of the Lord so long.

9. Oh! It is a crown of Glory to be Old in the waies of righteousness, because thou art neare to that eternal crown. Rom, 13.11. Our salvation is nearer than when at first we beleeved. Thou art even almost at the heaven, and when thou art looked upon thus, thou art to be honored in that regard, An Old souldier that by being long in service, cometh to have the next place of preferment to be due to him, he is looked upon with respect and regard. It may be the next place in heaven is like to be thy portion, thou art neare unto thy Glory. Young men are to go on in their warfare here, but thy warfar is even accomplished, in Isa. 40. Comfort you, comfort you my people, for their warfar is accomplished. Now those are to be honored, it is a glory for a man to be neare the Kingdom of heaven, to be near this crown of eternal Glory.

10. If thou continuest Old in the waies of righteous∣ness, then thy crown of Glory shal be exceeding great, exceeding glorious. The longer thou stayest for it, the more glorious it shal be; the longer thy crown is a framing, the more ful of Diamonds and Pearls it wil be when it cometh. I have read of an Em∣perors Son, that one speaking to him about the glory he was like to have hereafter, I, (saith he) the Cooks are a long time preparing the dinner, but we shal have the better cheer when it cometh. So though God hath let those that are ancient and Godly, live here in their Pil∣grimage a long time, yet when it cometh they shal have the greater Glory. Put al these together, and certainly it must needs be, that the hoary head must needs have a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteous∣ness.

USE. 1.

We have cause to lament, that we have so few objects to honor as we have. Indeed It is a most glorious sight to see an Old gracious holy man, that hath been from his youth holy and Godly, it is indeed a most glorious sight, and may wel draw the eyes of al to behold it. I remember Josephus saith, that Moses when he was but little, he had that beauty upon him, that al that passed by were even enamoured with his beauty, and they could not pass by but they must stand and look upon him. Truly if there be a beautiful honorable object in the world, it is to see a hoary head in the waies of Righte∣ousness; but O! wo to us that we have so few of them among us, blessed be God that there are any, but how happy we if we had more such objects to honor. That there are but few I give you these evidences. First.

1. How few old ones have we that delight when they come together, when they meete in their companies, to relate the experiences of the waies of God, of the passag∣es of Gods providence, of the faithfulness of God, and of the goodness of God to them, and to his people, so as to give glory to his name: when they come together they tel a great many of old tales, or old fables, they delight themselves in telling the tricks of their youth, what they have done in such an Inn, in such a Tavern, or in such a company; they can revive their youthful sins again: but to discourse of the providence and waies of God to them of old, to give glory to him, where finde you this? Again secondly.

2. How few old ones have you that are fit to instruct young ones, and to come & incourage them in the waies of Righteousness, and to tel them what they have found in Gods waies, and so to provoke them on to the wais of righteousness?

3. How few old ones have you that can delight to see

God, yet appearing more gloriously in his waies, in his truth, and ordinances than he hath done? nay, are not many vexed, and think to cast off al with an apprehension of novelty? new things that we have, and so upon that vex and fret, and wish that things were as they were for∣merly of Old?

4. How many have we that are ancient, that are spiri∣tual and heavenly, that can say with Paul, Now I have finished my course, and have fought the sight of faith, and henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Glory, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Certainly if old age be found in the way of sin, it is as dishonorable as it is glorious when it is found in the waies of righteousness 95 Isaiah 20. a sinner a hundred years old shalbe accursed (saith God) a siner a hundred years old; we read in Exe. 8.12. When God would shew the superstitious idolatry of his people there, he brought Ezekiel and shewed him what the ancients of Israel did. O! it is a sore and hea∣vy thing when as the ancients of Israel shal any waies countenance the waies of superstition and Idolatry; and therefore in 9 Ezek. 6. when God would come against his people in the waies of his Iudgments, then God had the destroying Angel begin at those that were old, first, and strike them first; I, it is a blessed thing when the Hoary head is found in the waies of righteous∣ness, but when we have white hairs and black consciences, that is a grievous thing; Instead of being old in the waies of righteousness, to be old in adulteries, in Ezek. 23.43. it is said there, she was old in adultry, that is an aggrava∣tion of her sin, that shee was old in adultery: yea, to have the wantonness of their youth, that be now come to their old age, to have their old age be a sinke to the diseases of their youth. Those that are old in sin, they shal have old wrath heaped up for them, Ezek. 25.15. it is an agravation of wrath, that it is said to be old wrath, there is old wrath as wel as old sins; An old ene∣my of God is a most dreadful thing, for him and his fore∣fathers

to have bin old enemies to God, an old earthy muckworme; to be old and yet ignorant and superstiti∣ous, to be an example to draw others to that that is evil, through the venerableness of their age, this is a sore and a very grievous, and an evil thing; the Lord speak to the hearts of those that are so, because they have so little time to make provision for their souls, to make up their peace with God, and it is hard for them to do it; they that have bin in captivity seventy years, as we read of the children of Isarael, that they had bin in captivity seventy years together: and so there are many men and women, that have bin in captivity under satan for these seventy years, perhaps for eighty years together, O! how hard is it to work upon them? as if a candle lay a longe time in the wet, it is hard to light that candel: it is as hard to worke the work of Grace upon any, that have layne soaking a long time in their corruptions, I wil not say it is impossible, but give me an example of one man, that hath bin converted when he was old, only one seemeth to have fom probability of it, and that was Manasseh, but (except that) I know no example of any, not that it is impossible, only this I speak to cause those that yet have not made up their peace with God, and yet they have one foot in the grave, to look about them while there is time, it is possible, but we must make ac∣count of it as a mighty great thing. God must magnifie his free grace towards you, for how shal God have his ende in working upon you? what service shal God have from you, when you have given away your former time in the waies of sin? the Lord speak to your consciences, and humble them before him at this day, for their con∣dition is sad, and it is a most dreadful object. As it is a most glorious object to behold one righteous in his old age, so it is a dreadful object to se an old drunkard, an old swearer, an old prophane man is a most dreadful and fearful object to behold, but we hope that the Lord hath some objects among us, that cal for much reverence and

respect, and to them I desire rather to speake.

ƲSE, 2

By way of incouragement, and by way of exhortati∣on, much peace and comfort is due unto such, the Lord and saints look upon them as honorable. Thou art a Father in Israel, and God remembers al that thou hast done for him these for••y, these sixty years. I remember Luther saith, That one gracious action is more excellent than heaven and earth, Millies quam caelum et terra (saith he) one gracious action; and there is a truth in it, there is no gracious action but hath more excellency in it, than the frame of heaven and earth. Then those that have continued long in the waies of God, and have grown Old in them, Oh! how excellent are they that have performed so many gracious actions, and al are treasured up with the Lord; know the Lord hath Old mercies for thee, who hast been an Old disciple, and he wil not forsake thee when thou art Old. Psal. 71.9. Cast me not off in the time of Old age, forsake me not when my strength faileth. And in verse. 18. now also when I am Old and gray headed, Oh God! forsake me not. If thy conscience tells thee, tha•• ••hou hast indea∣vored to serve God from thy youth, to do good in the place God hath set thee in, thou mayest now go with comfort unto God; Oh Lord! now forsake me not whe•• am Old, leave me not when I am Old. Now thou ••ast the blessings of the people of God upon thee, and whensoever thou goest out of the world, Oh! the sweet savor that thou wilt leave behind thee, thou art a glory and honor to all thy children, and shalt be after thou art dead and gone in Proverbs, 17.6. Childrens children are the crown of Old men, and the Glory of children are their fathers. [The glory of children are their Fahers] I, when their Fathers are gracious and Godly, then ••••ey are the glory of their children. As

now? what an honor is it, that a child came of such an one? Oh! this young man he had a very gracious Father, an ancient grave Citizen, he did worthily in his time, he did God a great deal of service, he was a man of excel∣lent guifts in the place where God had set him, surely there is a blessing for this child that had such a Father; why? The very mention of thee that art Old, is an ho∣nor to thy child after thee; wherefore, seeing God hath put a crown upon thee, labor stil to brighten this crown more and more, to make it more glorious before thou diest, and that is the business I have to do, (and then I shal wind up all) to shew to you what Old men should do to make their crown more glorious, how they should exercise the work of righteousness so, as indeed to be glorious when they live, and when they die, and so, e∣ternally afterwards. The first is this.

1. Bewail the sins of thy youth; that is one worke that is a very suitable work for Old men, wherein their righteousness should run; bewaile the sins of thy youth, and bless God that thou hast time to bewail them. Thus David in Psal. 25. Oh! remember not against me the sins of my youth, Oh! the many evills of my youth that have passed from me! Oh! happy had it been for me that I had beg••n sooner in the waies of God. It was Austins grievous complaint, Domine nimis Sera &c. Oh Lord! I love thee too late, said Austin when he was an Old man. So al you that are Old and ancient, look but to your former times, whether you did be•••••• to grow gracious when you were young, if you have cause to say, Oh Lord! I began to love thee too late, it had been happy for you had you begun sooner.

2. Labor to redeem the time, to do much for God while he continues thy time. It is a little time thou hast to live, Oh! let much be done in that time; The best of you have neglected the fore-part of your times, double now your diligence in the latter part of your times, labor to redeem it, by putting on others in the

waies of Godliness that they may be more forward than your selves, to leave a succession of Godliness after you are dead and gone. Think with your selves, what shal I go out of this world and do God so little service as I have done? how little and poor service God hath had from me all my daies. Again.

3. Incourage those that are young, that are to come after you; as David, come children and I wil teach you the feare of the Lord, tel them what you have found in the waies of God, how sweet and how good they have been to you, labor with your servants and children, that when you die you may die so much the more com∣fortably, take heed of checking of young ones in their forwardness in the waies of God, take not advantages against them, that if they do offend thee in the least de∣gree: I, this is your religion, this is your forwardness, this is your profession. Oh! if you were gratious your selves, you would be wary of checking of them in the waies of religion. It is true, if any of your servants or children, make profession of religion more than others, and yet shal be negligent in their duties, they are to be rebuked so much the more sharply, I but you must do it with Gravity, and tenderness of affection, and with sence of the name of God how that suffers, and this would beseem you to speak to them as in the name of God, to charge things solemnly upon their consciences and to sanctifie them by prayer: but in every passion to be checking them for their forwardness in religion, su∣rly this is an evil; If they should make their moan to God, and appeal to God, that thy indeavor to please you what they can, but you take the rather advan∣tage against them, because of their forwardness in reli∣gion, O! this wil be heard in heaven against you.

4. You that are Oldl, abor to beautify the crown of your glory; blesse God that you live to see any manifesta∣tion of the name of God, further than formerly you have done, that you live to this day to see Christ ap∣pearing

for his people, and for his children, and his ordinances more than formerly, whatsoever many of you may think of it, yet certainly if many of your fore-fathers were left to live again, and to see these times in which we live, they would bless God with their Faces upon the ground for that you live to see. And I dare say, There is no gracious Old man living this day in England, but sees indeed cause of giveing God abundance of praise, that ever they lived to see so much appearing of God as they do. Do not be∣cause of some troubles and interuptions vex and fret. Zachary, 3. And the latter end, that at the laying of the Foundation of the Temple, the old men that were there they fel a weeping and crying, the young men they shouted indeed, and they praised God, but the old men they cryed, because they knew what was before; so? many young men now they shout, and blesse God for what they see, but many old men they weep, because it is not as formerly, they can remember a great deal more peace in Queen Elizabeths daies; now there is such a deal of distraction & dissention, therfore they are ready to weep, when the foundation of the Temple, when the work of reformation is laid; Oh! they are ready to weep because of so much distraction, but put all together, and certainly never any man since England was a nation, no, nor since the begining of the world, hath seen more of God and of his gracious waies to a people, than you have seen, therefore be not froward for that which is a∣miss, but give God the praise and glory for that that is wel begun.

5. Shew your righteousness in this, that you are wil∣ling to open your hearts, to imbrace what truths God shal come further reveal to you. Say not, what shal we have now? Shal we be wiser than our forefathers? Take heed of such arguments from your fore-fathers, you know that place in 1 Peter. 1.18. Christ was said to come to lay down his life, to redeem us from our

vaine conversation, received by tradition from our fa∣thers; therefore stick not so much to old customs, to what was in your fore-fathers times, but if God come to manifest any further truth, be ready to imbrace it, and bless his name for it, for there are truths that do rise in several generations. If your fore-fathers in time of reformation, should have said (as many of them said) should we be wiser than our fore-fathers? We should have continued in Popery stil, and yet we did think wel that they before us did decline from their forefathers, therefore we must look to the truths that are come up, that are manifested in several Generations; not that any truth is new, but the manifestation of some truths are more evident in some generations than in others, and therefore in 1 Peter, 1.12. The Apostle speakes of being established in the present truth. As in Luthers time there was a present truth, the point of justificati∣on that was the present truth of that age, and so in these times there are present truths made knowen, both con∣cerning our outward and spiritual liberties. There was a great deal of false divinity before preached amongst you, even concerning your estates, that you had nothing of your own, but al was at the absolute wil of those above you, you had no propriety at al; and for spiritual liberty, we know in what bondage we were there. Therefore la∣bor now to understand these truths, and give God the glory of them, before you do imbrace these present truths. It is strang that men should be so much set upon former things, as to neglect the grace of God for the present, and al because of those that were before. As now among the Fathers (as we cal them Fathers) though they be to be reverenced for their graces, yet they living among heathens, and coming newly out of heathenisme, they were faine to yeild as much as ever they could, to the heathens among whom they lived, and did so, and therefore there were many corruptions among them, and so the first reformers coming newly out of popery,

they were fain to yeild, and did yeild so far as they could for the gaining of them, therefore we must not make that that was heretofore, the rule of things, but bless God for what is revealed at the present.

6. Another work of Old men for beautifying their crown in righteousness is this, you that are ancient often think of eternity, you are now just a launching into the ocean of eternity, and in a few years there wil be a mighty difference between your conditions, between that that is now, and that when you shal be entered upon an eternal estate. Think much of eternity al you that are ancient. Al young ones should have their thoughts much weighed with eternity, nothing wil take of the thoughts of Old and young more, than to have them ballased with the thoughts of eternity, especially those that are an∣cient.

7. Take heed of those things that are the usually di∣stempers that accompany Old age; as namely, timer∣ousness, Oh! you would faine die in peace, you have lived al this time in peace, and are loath to suffer any thing for the truth; Policarpus did not so, when he was eighty six yeares of age, he was couragious. So labor you for young mens courage for God, even in the time of your old age. Take heed of such a surliness and pettishness of spirit, that because you have not hereto∣fore received such things, therefore now you wil not. Remember it is reported of the Senate of Rome, that when Tiberius would have had Christ to be honored as a God, Oh! it must not be done, (forsooth) why? Because the Senate did not first motion such a thing, because it was not first motioned by the Senate. Many times in your meetings, though many be convinced of a good thing, they wil give notes against it, why? be∣cause they that were most ancient did not first move it, because it was put on by the young ones first, therefore though it be never so good, they wil stick to their Old

waies, O! take heed of such a surliness and pettishness of spirit, Remember the Gretians, it was said of them, that when they wished a curse upon their enemies, it was that they should please themselves in bad customes; and it is a greivious curse indeed, when old men are set upon such things, that they wil not bauk what they have done heretofore; And then again, another thing for the honor of your crown in the waies of Righteousness, is,

8. When God shal take you out of this world, (as ere longe must needs be) labor before to prepare your selves so, as you may die in faith, in the hope of the glorious things, that God is working for the Church in this latter age, for certainly God is doing great things for his Church in this latter age of the world, greater things than ever yet have bin done, and those that are a live may live to see glorious workings of God in the world, more than before; and though you are not like to live to see the great things that God intendeth to do, yet thus far you may glorifie God before you die, die in faith; as old Jacob did. It is a notable expression of old Jacob, when he lay a dying he called his sons to him, and saith in Gene. 48.21. And Isarael said to Joseph, behold I die, but God shal be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers; So you that are old when you ly upon your death beds, when other young ones com about you, say thus to them, behold I die, but assure your selves God wil be faithful in his promises to the Church, there are glorious things adoing for his people; in Heb. 11.22. the faith of Joseph is there commended, in that when he dyed he gave order concer∣ning his bones; why? what work of faith was it, for him to give order for his bones to be caried out of Egypt? yes, it was a work of faith, that he beleeved God would ful∣fil his promises; do you die so beleeving that God wil fulfil those blessed promises he hath made to the Churches. And,

9. Take heed now in this your old age of a worldly

spirit, this is that that is charged upon old men, and yet it is the most strange and unreasonablest thing that can be, and it is very observable, that God hath promi∣sed length of daies to the quite contrary, and yet we see this distemper of heart prevails with old men exceeding∣ly, in Prov. 28.16. but he that hateth covetuosness shal prolong his daies; and yet it is observable that old men are most subject to it, and yet the scripture promi∣seth length of daies by hating covetuousness; none of you but would fain live a year longer, now hate cove∣tuousness especially in these times. There is nothing wil more dishonor your crowne, than the sin of covete∣ousness in these daies, because if ever there were times that God called for spiritual and heavenly hearts, now it is; in Keve. 4, we read of the discription of the several ages of the Church, one was like a Lion the se∣cond a Calf, the third a Man, the forth an Eagle, the last state of reformation of the Church should be like an Eagle that is the hearts of those that lived in that state should be Eagle like, soaring a loft in heavenly and spi∣ritual things, and so it becometh those that are old. Be not now basey sparing and pichning because God hath now great works to do for his people. I have read of a people in India, that worshipped the tooth of a beast, and when it was taken from them, they offered an incredible mass of treasure to recover the tooth of the beast againe, because they put religion in it; If these heathens should be willing to disburse an in creedible masse of treasure, to regaine that religions relique of a tooth of a beast; how willing should you be freely to lay out your estates for the reformation of religion for the getting of the truth•• and ordinances of God to be in freedom amongst us; We know that both the state and necessity of our brethren cals for free liberal hearts, and you that have the crown of glory in regard of age &c. are to go before others, be you free to lay out for them; Remember it is reported of the Romans for the

honor of them, that at the very time that Hanibal was in the feild, they would be purchasing of those fields when their enemy was there, and would give a round sume for them. Be not so distrustful, but be willing to disburse in this way, that may be so much for the reliefe of our brethren in Ierland, and for the setting up of the gospel there, though for the present there be some hazards; Ordinarily those that are Old are ful of fears and distrust, but of al they should be the freest from them; And in the last place.

10. Let your praiers be, and your imbracing of the gospel so for the present, as you may have hope when you die, that you shal leave the gospel as an inheritance to your children afterwards; with what comfort may an aged man or woman die, unlesse they may have hope the gospel shal be left to their children; Not many years since when old people died, that had any sight in the waies of God, they died with trembling hearts, for they thought, Now I am going, and what miseries my Child may be brought to see I know not, it may be he may be brought up in popery and Idolitry, but now when you die, you may have a hope to leave the Gos∣pel as an inheritance to your Children; especialy if your prayers be strong, and your imbracements of it as it ought to be; It is said of Justin the younger, that he ran mad with this conceite, that the Roman Empire should decay, in his time, he was so extreamly perplex∣ed with such a thought. So it should be with every generation, what! that the gospel should decay, and the entail and evidence of it be cut off in my time, it should go near every one of us, and therefore incourage your selves, and let there be a youthful vigour in your spirits, to see to propagate the Gospel, that you may have hopes to leave it to your posterities when you are gone and it is not longe you shal have it, for consider, you have had a blessed talant of grace in the time God hath afforded to you, I dare say that there was never

eighty years since the world began, so happy for the re∣velation of the mistry of Godlyness, as hath bin for these last eighty years, they that have lived them have had such an eighty years, that cul out any eighty years since the begining of the world, never had a nation such an eighty years as this nation hath had, therefore know that you have much to answer for, and remember this, If you have any Godliness at al, you have made many covenants and vows to God in your times, fulfil them before you dy, die not in Gods debt, you have put up many praiers, and every prayer is an ingagement to you in the waies of Godliness, and if you thus beautify your Crown, when you come to die, O! how sweet wil death be to you, your pilow wil be soft when you come to die if you can say so (according to your measure) as Christ did, in Joh. 17. Father, glorifie me with thy selfe, I have fi∣nished the work thou hast given me to do; Think but with your selves you that are ancient, if you were to die, whe∣ther you are able to say thus as Christ did, for so you may say in your measure, though not so perfectly as Christ did Father glorifie me with thy selfe, I have finish∣ed the work thou hast given me to do; Thou knowest it hath bin my care in the daies of my poor pilgrimage, to finish this great work thou gavest me to finish in this world, O! How sweet wil death be to such an one that shal die so.

ESE 3

One word to you that are young, (and so I have done al) Is it such a crown of Glory to be found Old in the waies of righteousness? Do you then begin to be Godly betimes, that if you live in this world you may have this crown set upon your heads when you are ancient, for is it not better for you to be plants of Gods house, then weeds upon the dunghil, Those that are wicked are but as weeds upon a dunghil, but you that are Godly are as plants in Gods own orchard in the last of the Ro∣mans,

3. We find that Andromicus and Junia are commended, because they were in Christ before saint Paul, They were in Christ before me. It is an honor∣able thing to be in Christ before others, this is honorable when you are yong, and then going on in the waies of Godliness al your young time, and so in your midle age, and til you come to be Old. Here in my text you have this crown prepared for you, for so saith the Holy Ghost here, The hoary head is a crown of Glory, if it be found in the waies of righteousness.