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A Funeral Sermon Occaſion'd by the DECEASE of Mrs. ABIGAIL FOSTER, Of Boſton, in New-England.
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.
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 AdConduct, 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.
IT is a good Sign to ſee People pleas'd with the particular Direction of the Word to themſelves, either in way of Doctrine, RePractice, 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,
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, DeGracious 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 MeExcellent 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.
INDEED, as Providence order'd it, which deFoſter 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 Com
TITUS. II. 3.The Aged Women likewiſe, that
they bein 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 BeOrnament 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
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 tranſMoſes 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 doufull 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
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, SubſtanAged People, both Men & Women, their Duty. The Aged Men, v. 1. that they be Sober, Grave, Temperate, Sound in Faith, in Charity,
in Patience. Theſe are the great OrOld 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 upTimothy 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 beMothers in Iſrael, for their DiThem 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.
Mrs Foſter, Mrs. Webſter, &c.
Eminence have lately gone from us. Let thoſe who thro' Grace SurBehaviour, 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 ARegards and Honours wherewith our LORD reBehaviour to be as became His Holineſs, they were lovely in his Eyes, and dear to his Soul. HE accepted the MiMartha,
Mary; the flowing Penitence too of the fair Sinner at his
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 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 Poor Womens Faith, who lay trembling at His feet! And how tenderly did He beſpeak the 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 Sepulcher, ſo firſt he appear'd to them.
I WILL not proceed to Speak of the MiProphets and Apoſtles; the Honours that 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 inText to this very ſenſe, Scil,
Deaconeſſes who therein Miniſtred.
TO return: The Text is not a Rule peWomen, 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 ſinguBehaviour. 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.
I. What is that Chriſtian Behaviour inUs 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 Im&c. Now what kind of Behaviour do theſe Doctrines imply to be pleaſing to
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 Ho&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 dithem 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 where
THIS is the Behaviour that we profeſs, and which Chriſtianity calls for and binds unto, as the genuine fruit of Internal HoliTeſt of it. By theſe holy Doctrines, Laws and Motives; by this Profeſſion, bond and means of Hoour 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 ornaNature, and Cuſtom, the publick judgment of Nature and NaHoly Scriptures, do com
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,
THE things that do not become HoliInſtance, Lightneſs in Behaviour, ſenſual luſts, wan&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 vertuEducation, and the Admonitions of the Holy Word.
NOR is the Weakneſs of Sex any IndulMen than in Women, and ſo ſeem an ExRule before laid down: for all theſe too do leave a Stain and diſStoop to 'em, tho' there be not a Proſtitution to things of groſſer Turpitude.
LET Chriſtian Women read from the Context. 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. iii. 1, 2, &c.
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 ex
Finally, In our Context They are warn'd & exhorNot 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 HOWomen 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 HouſeProv. xxxi. 10.—31.
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 alreaThem 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 comJuniors, and powerfully commend the Wayes of Religion and Ver
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. InOrnaments in our Congregations for Worſhip, than the gracious Faces and deportment of ſuch religiMatrons; to whom under the InfluenAſſemblies is not a little owing, and the Spirit of Devotion Propagated to the riſing Generations. But here our Defects oblige me to ſay more parti
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 ununto this Day! And if they have been of grave & laudable DeChildren & 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
Abuſes that ever was of a thing ſo good, or of anothers good life) reſtrain
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 FamiMercies 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
brighter tho't and face Adoring the Grace that has been ſo long magnify'd to ſo unGrace 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 fiAged in their pious and devout Reflections, ſhou'd be frequentPleaſant 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 RighteRighteous 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
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 beFew & 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 Enfor them, and from them, who are ſo near it. The proper Effect of a daiPreparation, 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 ReThou 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
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 diPreſerve them therein. I ſaid, Dayes ſhou'd Speak, and Multitude of Years ſhou'd teach Wiſdom: Scil, to Younger Peomy ſelf, ſaid wiſe Elihu before his Fathers. With the Ancient ſhou'd be Wiſdom, and in length of dayes Underſtanding,
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 PlaApoſtle, 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 Libethis Tabernacle, let 'em ſtir up thoſe that are riſing afſhortly 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
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 leſCharacter, where it does not loſe it. Gravity to the Aged ſhou'd be like MoAir of Youth in Age is a Cloud & Slur, even where there is much Wiſdom and many Graces, bright Devotion and many Excellencies conſpicuBlemiſh, 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 aMortify'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
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 Bemuſt 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 trywithout, — 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.
Truſt in GOD,— to this Superiority over the World, and the deareſt & moſt obliged things in it, the deſolate aged Widow is ofact 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, ſevefinally, 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
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 SpiWant, and the natural Conſequent thereof, Coveteouſneſs. Let 'em watch againſt Severity and Cenſoriouſneſs; a too rigid ExpectatiInnocent 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
Him.
THESE, and ſuch-like Temptations of Age, the advanced Believer muſt watch ain 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 graMatrons 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 doIdleneſs,
Hor. Serm. Sat. Prim.Experience is thus profitably communicated, both for the relief & help of Soul & Body, as ocSympathies are relieving to the AfAlms toRich 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 oSaints, 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
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
Never may we write her Mother to many when ſhe ceaſes to bear, and tho' ſhe no more increaſes one Family, ſhe ſupports many.
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 becomAged People; more eſpeWomen. The laſt Enquiry is,
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 & AdvanSpirit of GOD, and that they are grown Old in the Service of Chriſt. More has been done for them than for OPains 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 ſupBehold, 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
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 PeoLicence, 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 Behathem. 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 & ReCan 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 MorNature 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 Bethe 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 Dilibe 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 deGrave of my Father? let me retire then and ſpend the few remaining
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 Circumfaithful Servant will moſt ſenſibly confeſs his great Unprofitableneſs. The loſs of paſt time and Opportunities lies heavy on a gracious heart. Omiſſions are a grieArticle 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 Emi&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 & proAge, under its natural WeakExpectations 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 unPatience 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 noHoly 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 BeUnclothed:
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
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 earyet 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 adThe 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 proBones are full of the Sins of his Youth, and his Conſcience of the remembrance of their dire Guilts.
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 Childtrampling the Goſpel, the Blood of CHRIST with His Authority under foot! Alwayes reſiſting, grieving, quenching, and doing deſpite to the SPIof 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 beAsk your ſelves—.
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!
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 GeneraEnlightned 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 BeneSouls has been all the while abundantly conſulted & promoted: You
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 ExperienFreely You have received, freely Give.
Selves,—Be neither weary of Life, nor afraid to die: but Live exChange, 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 hapGulf 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
Saviour, and to appear beJudge. 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 DiYounger 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 ReJacobs 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
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 HoOld. 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 exthoſe 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
theirs. So live we thereChriſt, 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 Excellenbury 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 neMonuments 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
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 unbroken 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.
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 Pat
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
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.