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A Funeral Sermon Occasion'd by the DECEASE of Mrs. ABIGAIL FOSTER, Of Boston, in New-England.

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THE DUTY and HONOUR OF Aged Women, Deliver'd at the Lecture in Boston, March 15. 1711. After the FUNERAL of the Excellent, Mrs. Abigail Foster. Consort and Relict of the late Honourable, John Foster Esqr. One of her Mejesties Council, &c.

By BENJAMIN COLMAN.

BOSTON: N. E. Printed by B. Green, for Joanna Perry at her Shop over against the South side of the Town House. 1711.

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To my Vertuous and Honour'd FRIENDS the GENTLEWOMEN of Boston, Who have desir'd the Publishing of this SERMON.

I DESIRE thankfully to Acknowledge the Favour of GOD to Me, in the kind Acceptance which this plain & faithful Discourse has found with You; Praying Him to bless it indeed for much Spiritual and Everlasting Ad­vantage to Your Selves and Others: that it may help to excite You unto, and assist you in such an Exemplary holy Conduct, as may be your present Comfort & Honour, and may end at last in Your Eternal Peace & Glory.

I MUST confess that the Singularity and Nicety of the Subject, as well as its Weight and Dignity, gave me no little fears and Check in determining my Tho'ts there-unto; but I now the more readily Publish them, because Treatises of this Nature seem wanting among us.

[Page ii] IT is a good Sign to see People pleas'd with the particular Direction of the Word to themselves, either in way of Doctrine, Re­proof, Excitation or Warning: it gives Hopes that they will set themselves to Practice, which is the Crown and End of Hearing. Yet neither is it always thus; Practice does not alwayes follow Conviction & Delight; As the Prophet was to Israel, a very lovely Song of One that had a plea­sant Voice, and cou'd play well on an In­strument; they show'd much love, they heard his Words, but they did 'em not. It is the Practice of these Truths that must Adorn & Save You, render you Amiable and Heavenly, like the Kings Dau'ter, all Glo­rious within.

IT must be confess'd to the Great Honour, of Your SEX, that more of the Life & Power of Religion is with You, than with Us. When I have sometimes contemplated this, I have tho't that as it may be partly owing, under the Soverain Pleasure & Election of GOD, to a natural Ten­derness of Spirit & Your Retiredness from the Cares & Snares of the World; so more especially to Your Multiplied Sorrows, the Curse pronounc'd upon our first Mother Eve, turn'd into the greatest Blessing to Your Souls. Your frequent Returns in Your own Apprehension towards the Gates of Death, [Page iii] by which We all receive our Life, suitably lead You to a returning serious Tho'tfulness for your Souls and of Your Spiritual State; and that in a more sedate calm manner, & with longer Continuance, (for divers Months together) and so with better Effect ordinarily, than Fits of Sickness are wont to have upon us; which do more surprise, & terrify for the time, but are usually soon over and their Impressions vanish.

A PECULIAR Regard is due to You, and indeed ever had, in the Labours of Your Pastors; among which I bring my Offering; for my Ability where-unto I freely confess my Self Indebted, after the Holy Scriptures, to the Wise Conduct, De­portment, and Religious Discourses, which with no little Admiration I have observ'd sometimes Habi­tual to divers of our Gracious Mothers. So that I here return You but Your Own, what some of Your Selves have supply'd me with, and taught me. 'Tis a Pleasant way of Learning, and thus Good People do often Instruct their Teachers.

I AM Sensible of the Advantage which the Discourse receives, from Your Reverence to the Me­mory of that Excellent PERSON, Whose Death is the sad Occasion of it. The Town justly Mourns the Awful, Sudden & repeated Breaches made in that Honourable Family: While at the same time, It is comforted in its Expectations from the Surviving BRANCHES, and in the Disposal which Providence has made of the Estate into such Hands, from Whom the Publick Promises it Self so good a Use of it.

[Page iv] INDEED, as Providence order'd it, which de­termineth our Habitations, Mrs. Foster had the Early & First Reverence of my Childhood; Her Multiply'd Bereavments & Yearly returning Sorrows than making deep Impressions on the Nei'bourhood, whilst Her Exemplary Resignations greatly Edify'd it. Those dayes of Mourning have been since follow'd with a long Uninterupted Lease of Prosperity. So GOD often prepares Persons for their Temporal Comforts by many previous Trials; which is both a gracious Care to preserve them Humble and Mortify'd in their Affluence, and also a present Reward, as Job had, for past Patience.

TO CONCLUDE, The Example is indeed very Great & Worthy of Singular Remark, to the Glory of the Power of Divine Grace, when Persons are Preserved Humble, Grave, Devout, Boun­tiful in the midst of Insnaring Riches: their Prayers and their Alms going up before GOD, yea remaining also with Men, for a lasting MEMORIAL.

LET THOSE that have Riches be Exhorted to an Emulous Imitation: And may the Grace and Consolations of GOD abound to our Aged, and the same Blessed Spirit of Holiness and Com­fort be poured out on Younger Persons; Which is the Earnest Prayer of,

YOUR most Humble Servant, BENJ. COLMAN.
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The DUTY and HONOUR OF Aged Women, &c.

TITUS. II. 3.

The Aged Women likewise, that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holiness.

SOLOMON tells us, that the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory if it be found in the way of Righteousness. A double Honour has GOD put on that Venerable Head, and a double Reverence is due there-unto from all Be­holders: the Ornament of Grace Superadded to the last and highest beauty of Nature; and so the nearest Approach on Earth to that Vision of the Son of Man, Who is also the Ancient of Dayes & Father of Eternity, Rev. i. 14. His Head and his Hairs white [Page 2] like wooll, as white as snow. HE, the Eter­nal Purity and Holiness sometimes gildes the Grey Head with a beam and Raye of His own Glory, and the white hairs shine as the light; like some thread of the trans­figur'd SAVIOURS Raiment, or a lock of Moses descending from the Mount.

EVEN Nature teaches, what the Law of old so strictly enjoyned, Lev. xix. 32. To rise up before the hoary head, and to honour the face of the Old Man. But Grace teaches us to pay this Act of Reverence with dou­ble love & pleasure, where we can see a­ny advanc'd in Holiness as well as Years, full of Grace as well as Dayes.

EVERY now and then we see some of these beauteous Old Monuments of Time and free Grace taken down, or rather taken up from our heads like Elijahs, worn out with labours and fastings, or consum'd with Zeal; while Others of either Sex are waiting in the Temple, like Simeon & Anna for their happy dismission also. They are waiting for the full Consolations in CHRIST; by the SPIRIT they come into the Temple; they embrace their Sa­viour in the Arms of faith; they Speak of [Page 3] Him to all that are Looking for Redemption, they Serve GOD with Fastings and Pray­ers night and day, and are ready to Sing their Nunc dimittis, Lord, now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace, &c.

IN Honour unto Such, both Living & lately deceas'd, I have presum'd to fix at this time on these Words; The Aged Wo­men also that they be in Behaviour as be­cometh Holiness.

TITUS was the Superior Pastor or Bishop of Crete, left there by the Apostle, St. Paul, to set in order the Churches. The Apostle writes him here a very Solemn Charge and Directory; ‘Canons for the Church very sufficient, if men wou'd but Swear and pay a strict Canonical Obedience.’

IN this Chapter he is directed what to Speak and Preach; In General, Sound Doctrine; i. e. Wholesome, Solid, Substan­tial, and necessary Truths, which contribute to the Souls health & nourishment. Par­ticularly, He is directed to teach Aged People, both Men & Women, their Duty. The Aged Men, v. 1. that they be Sober, Grave, Temperate, Sound in Faith, in Cha­rity, [Page 4] in Patience. These are the great Or­naments of Old Age, and greatly requisite for the Comfort, Honour and Safety of it.

NONE are exempt from the Instructions and Admonitions of the Word. Ministers must Preach to both Old & Young. GOD's School is (as One sayes) not only for the Initiating of the Youth, but also for the Edifying the Aged.

NOR is the Sex any Exemption from the Exhortations of the Word. We must up­on occasion Preach to Women their pecu­liar Duties. Timothy is bid to entreat the Elder Women as Mothers, & the Younger as Sisters with all Purity. And so Titus must do likewise, — The Aged Women, that they be in Behaviour, &c.

IT will not therefore seem Indecent, nor I hope be Unacceptable, that I now be­speak the Mothers in Israel, for their Di­rection, Excitation, and Comfort in the holy Wayes of GOD. Let Them accept this Duty from the least of their Sons. I hope it looks respectful and reverential, while I use this Authority given us of GOD. And let Us all in Tho't and Word both, take heed to observe a strict Purity.

[Page 5]THE Occasion of my present Address to You is obvious. Several Aged Women, and some of * Eminence have lately gone from us. Let those who thro' Grace Sur­vive, take heed to their Behaviour, that it be as becometh Holiness.

GREAT is the Honour which the Scrip­ture from the Beginning does unto Good Women. The Records of their Graces and Devotions are Many and Eminent: Their Services to the Church and Interests of Religion signal and Illustrious: Their Zeal, Faith, Purity, Charity, Patience bright and conspicuous: Their Courage and Constancy at the Cross of Christ and at His Grave, out-did the very chiefest A­postles: And peculiar were the Regards and Honours wherewith our LORD re­warded their Piety & Fidelity. Wherever he saw their Behaviour to be as became His Holiness, they were lovely in his Eyes, and dear to his Soul. HE accepted the Mi­nistrations of Martha, (a) but more the devout Attention of Mary; the flowing Penitence too of the (b) fair Sinner at his [Page 6] feet; She washt 'em with her Tears, nor did He forbid her to touch 'em, nor spurn'd her away. How graciously did He seek out the (c) Samaritan at the Well, to wash her polluted Soul from the Spring of living Water, his Spirit and holy Breath! How did He Praise and Magnify the (d) Poor Womens Faith, who lay trembling at His feet! And how tenderly did He bespeak the (f) Weeping Dau'ters who follow'd Him to his Cross, while He disdain'd a look or a word to the impious Rout that hal'd Him along to it with Scoffs & Flouts! And finally, when He was risen from the dead, as the holy Women were first at the (g) Sepulcher, so first he appear'd to them.

I WILL not proceed to Speak of the Mi­nistrations of Holy Women to Prophets and Apostles; the Honours that (h) Elijah & Elisha did 'em, and the Rank or Order which many suppose they even held in the Primitive Church; tho' the Learned know well how great a Current of Expositors in­terpret my Text to this very sense, Scil, [Page 7] the (i) Deaconesses who therein Ministred.

TO return: The Text is not a Rule pe­culiar only to Women, nor appropriate to the Aged; Men need the Exhortation at least as much, if not more, and Younger Women more than their Mothers. But as the Divine Providence leads me, & my Text more especially confines me to the Aged Handmaids of the LORD; so eminently it is their Duty and Honour that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holiness.

IN Behaviour: the Greek word is singu­lar: [...]: of large sense, and well translated by the most general word, Be­haviour. The whole outward deportment and carriage; the whole Life and all the Actions of it; Every thing that appertains to our Publick Appearance & Conversation; Garb, Dress, Gate, Countenance, Speech, Silence, Gesture, in the Habit of them all, do fall under this Copious word, Behaviour.

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

[Page 8]IN Speaking to these words, I shall first enquire more in General,

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

II. What peculiarly is becoming Women professing Holiness?

III. What more Eminently becometh Holiness in Aged Women?

IV. Why are They Eminently obliged to such Behaviour?

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

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

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

SO likewise, if it becomes the holy and glorious Example, which our Lord Je­sus Christ has given us in his blessed Life. For here-unto are we called, to walk even as He walked, to be as He was in the World, to follow His Steps, who was Ho­ly, harmless, undefiled, separate from Sin, &c. ‖.

MOREOVER, Our Behaviour must be such as becomes the blessed Promises and holy Motives of the Gospel: the glorious Hopes which it wou'd beget us to: the di­rect Influence whereof is † to put us upon Purifying our selves as GOD is Pure; to [Page 10] be cleansing our selves from all filthiness of Flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holiness in the fear of the LORD; and that by them we might be made partakers of the Divine Nature, having escap'd the Corruption that is in the World thro' Lust.

TO conclude, Our Behaviour must be such as becomes the fair Profession which we make, the Vows that we are bro't under, the Means and long Day of Grace which we enjoy. We must adorn our Profession, and walk worthy of the Vocation where­with we are called, and consider what manner of Persons we ought to be, in all holy Conversation and Godliness under our peculiar Advantages & Bonds.*.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Page 29]IV. WHY are They Eminently obliged to be of such Behaviour?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BUT then as to Death's Terrors no­thing tends to prevent & take away these like this Holy Behaviour. Blessed are those Servants whom the LORD when He cometh shall find so doing! and if He come in the second Watch, or come in the third Watch and find them so, Blessed are those Servants. Luk. xii. 38. Like Old Aaron † unclothing himself in the Mount, there to die; so may we hope that the Aged waiting Be­liever may be willing to be Unclothed: [Page 34] Or like the Apostle ‖ ready to be Offer'd, groaning earnestly to be clothed upon, and having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

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

I. TO Admonish & Awaken the Wick­ed in Age.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINIS.

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