Apples of gold for young men and women, and a crown of glory for…Apples of gold for young men and vvomen, and a crown of glory for…

Secondly, God usually reveals himself most to old Disciples, ¹to old Saints, Job 12.12, With the Ancient is wisdom, and in length of ⟨p. 59⟩days understanding. God usually manifests most of himself to aged Saints, ²they usual pray most, and pay most, they labour most, and long most after the choicest manifestations of himself, and of his grace, and therefore he opens his bosom most to them, and makes them of his Cabinet-Council. Gen. 18, 17, 19. And the Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do, for I know him, that he will command his Children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice, and judgement, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Abraham was an old friend, and therefore God makes him both of his Court, and Council; we usually open our hearts most freely, fully, and familiarly to old friends. So doth God to his ancient friends. ³Ah what a blessed sight and enjoyment of Christ had old Simeon, that made his very heart to dance in him! Now Lord, lettest thou ⟨p. 60⟩thy servant to depart in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, &c. I have seen him, who is my light, my life, my love, my joy, my crown, my heaven, my all; therefore now let thy servant depart in peace. ⁴So Anna, when she was fourscore and four years old, was so filled with the discoveries and enjoyments of Christ, that she could not but declare what she had tasted, felt, seen, heard, and received from the Lord: She was ripe, and ready to discover, the fullness, sweetness, goodness, excellency, and glory of that Christ whom she had long loved, feared, and served. So. Paul lived in the light, ⁵