A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

For young men, famous is the example of Phinehas, Numb. 25. in his youth he was full of zeal; such was Josiah, 2 Chron. 34.1, 2, 3. we read that at sixteen years of age he sought the Lord God of his Fathers, and at twenty years he grew so strong that he wholly carried before him the whole State, though they were then strongly corrupted, and given to Idolatry, yet being strong in the Spirit, he carried them on to Justice, and reformation strongly, he cleansed the Land from Dan to Beersheba; a notable encouragement to youth, to be vigorous in zeal and grace.

For young men, famous is the example of Phineas, Numb. 25. in his youth he was full of zeal; such was Josiah, 2 Chron. 34.1, 2, 3. we read that at sixteen years of age he sought the Lord God of his Fathers, and at twenty years he grew so strong that he wholly carried before him the whole State, though they were then strongly corrupted, and given to Idolatry, yet being strong in the Spirit, he carryed them on to Justice, and reformation strongly, he cleansed the Land from Dan to Beersheba; a notable encouragement to youth, to be vigorous in zeal and grace.

And for Children, Samuel, when he was but a child ministered to the Lord, 1 Sam. 2. so John the Baptist was filled with the holy Ghost from his Mothers womb, Luke 1.15. and of Timothy it is said, that he knew the Scripture from a child, 2 Tim. 3.15. & 2 Tim. 1.5. so that in this Family there ⟨p. 86⟩[…] ⟨p. 87⟩[…] ⟨p. 88⟩[…] ⟨p. 89⟩[…] ⟨p. 90⟩were in degrees, his grand-mother Lois, an old woman, his mother Eunice, a young woman, and Timothy almost a child, Lois teacheth Eunice, and both teach Timothy, [Greek or Hebrew] from a very Babe he knew the Scripture.

And for Children, Samuel, when he was but a child ministred to the Lord, 1 Sam. 2. so John the Baptist was filled with the holy Ghost from his Mothers wombe, Luke 1.15. and of Timothy it is said, that he knew the Scripture from a childe, 2 Tim. 3.15. & 2 Tim. 1.5. so that in this Family there ⟨p. 86⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 87⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 88⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 89⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 90⟩were in degrees, his grand-mother Lois, an old woman, his mother Eunice, a young woman, and Timothy almost a child, Lois teacheth Eunice, and both teach Timothy, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 from a very Babe he knew the Scripture.

But why will God have some of all sorts to be servants to him, old men, young men, and children?

Reas. 2. From the honour that is returned to God by the several ages.

1 For old men, they bring this honour to God, whether they be called in old age, or before, and hold on.

1 Herein God glorifies the truth of his promise, that length of days is in the right hand of Wisdom (by Wisdom is meant the fear of the Lord) on this ground he encourageth his Son to Wisdom, that it will be a means to lengthen his days, Prov. 3.16. therefore that God might justify this promise, he will have some old men stand up before him, it doth not make them so melancholy that they shorten their days, Religion distempers no man, godly sorrow never wasted our days, but worldly sorrow: Haman the Ezrahite, was wonderfully addicted to godly sorrow, yet he grew up to his old age, Psal. 88.8. Riches, and honour, and long life are the reward of godliness, Prov. 22.4. Wealth and credit, and length of days happen oft to them.

1 Herein God glorifies the truth of his promise, that length of dayes is in the right hand of Wisdom (by Wisdom is meant the fear of the Lord) on this ground he encourageth his Son to Wisdom, that it will be a means to lengthen his dayes, Prov. 3.16. therefore that God might justifie this promise, he will have some old men stand up before him, it doth not make them so melancholly that they shorten their days, Religion distempers no man, godly sorrow never wasted our days, but worldly sorrow: Haman the Ezrahite, was wonderfully addicted to godly sorrow, yet he grew up to his old age, Psal. 88.8. Riches, and honour, and long life are the reward of godlinesse, Prov. 22.4. Wealth and credit, and length of dayes happen oft to them.

2 When you see old men continue in their profession to their old age, they put an honour on Religion; if young men and children only should profess Religion, you would take it as indiscretion and hotness of Spirit, but do you see any grave wise old man take up a Christian course? none do it but young Punies that know not what they do, this would be a great disparagement, but that God may make it known, that wisdom and discretion is to be found in the ways of grace, therefore he will have some old men walk in those ways, Prov. 16.31. that grey hairs may honour Religion, and Religion may be a crown to them; Eighty six years, said old Ignatius, have I served God, and yet never found him a hard master; so when Christians can say, so many years have I served God, and if it had been such a wearisome course they would have shaken it off, but when we see they hold out in it, it implies they find some comfort and joy therein, and if old men come on, it will be said, they now see by experience the vanity of all other courses, they see it is best dying a christian, and spending our last days in christianity, old men would never fall into it, unless they saw there is no way so comfortable and peaceable as that is.

2 When you see old men continue in their profession to their old age, they put an honour on Religion; if young men and children only should professe Religion, you would take it as indiscretion and hotnesse of Spirit, but doe you see any grave wise old man take up a Christian course? none doe it but young Punies that know not what they doe, this would be a great disparagement, but that God may make it known, that wisdom and discretion is to be found in the wayes of grace, therefore he will have some old men walke in those ways, Prov. 16.31. that grey hairs may honour Religion, and Religion may be a crown to them; Eighty six years, said old Ignatius, have I served God, and yet never found him a hard master; so when Christians can say, so many years have I served God, and if it had been such a wearisome course they would have shaken it off, but when we see they hold out in it, it implies they find some comfort and joy therein, and if old men come on, it will be said, they now see by experience the vanity of all other courses, they see it is best dying a christian, and spending our last days in christianity, old men would never fall into it, unlesse they saw there is no way so comfortable and peaceable as that is.

2 For young men, it is a great bonour to Religion if they come on, they make the power of Christs grace manifest, that is able to overcome the heat and violence of youthful lusts, no age so violent and boisterous in corruption, so head-strong, so indiscreet and rash, so that what for unruliness, stubbornness, vanity, pleasure, they are most indisposed to grace, and will not hold on: if God therefore take hold of their Spirits, and stablish their Spirits, when they by Gods Grace shall be able to rule their Spirits, their lusts, to rule their hearts, this argues the strength of grace, in that, when neither wise counsel, nor Magistrate can rule them, yet the grace of Christ can rule them, rule ⟨p. 91⟩their passions, so that they can put forth their strength against the enemy, either against their own corruptions, or abuses of others, so that when the Elders sit still, sometimes a young Phinehas rises up, and shows his zeal for Christ, what an honour is this to Christs grace? Psal. 119.9. Eccles. 11. ult. Childhood and youth are vanity, so that if Gods grace can lay hold on them, and restrain them, the power of Gods grace is hereby magnified, Psal. 110.2, 3. 2 Cor. 12.7. youth is only strong in weakness, if Gods grace therefore shall be so strong as to subdue all these, and make them like unto Josiah, who at sixteen years of age set himself to seek God, and compelled the whole Land to do so, 2 Chron. 34.33. (he compelled them at least to outward Reformation) it is a great glory to God, when young men thus give up their young days to God

2 For young men, it is a great bonour to Religion if they come on, they make the power of Christs grace manifest, that is able to overcome the heat and violence of youthful lusts, no age so violent and boysterous in corruption, so head-strong, so indiscreet and rash, so that what for unrulinesse, stubbornesse, vanity, pleasure, they are most indisposed to grace, and will not hold on: if God therefore take hold of their Spirits, and stablish their Spirits, when they by Gods Grace shall be able to rule their Spirits, their lusts, to rule their hearts, this argues the strength of grace, in that, when neither wise counsel, nor Magistrate can rule them, yet the grace of Christ can rule them, rule

2 Another Honour they bring to God, is by their boldness and courage in a good cause; old men sometimes, though wise yet are too cautelous and backward, but young men, what is wanting in experience they have in zeal, they are forward in any service for God.

2 Another Honour they bring to God, is by their boldnesse and courage in a good cause; old men sometimes, though wise yet are too cautelous and backward, but young men, what is wanting in experience they have in zeale, they are forward in any service for God.

3 And for Babes and Children, if they be brought to grace, God hereby casts shame on elder men, Psal. 8.7. when they see Babes come off with more savoury words than old men, sometimes God confounds the folly of ancient men by the wisdom and grace in Children; when Christ came riding to Jerusalem, the Children cried out, Hosanna, and praised him, the High Priests disdained it; but, Mat. 21.16, 17. Christ told them, have ye not read, that out of the mouths of Babes and sucklings thou hast perfected thy praise? This is to still the enemy and revenger; they shame you that are Elders and Priests; in regard of your backwardness. Thus we see, God will have of all sorts and ages of men stand up to do him service.

3 And for Babes and Children, if they be brought to grace, God hereby casts shame on elder men, Psal. 8.7. when they see Bahes come off with more savoury words than old men, sometimes God confounds the folly of ancient men by the wisdome and grace in Children; when Christ came riding to Jerusalem, the Children cried out, Hosanna, and praised him, the High Priests disdained it; but, Mat. 21.16, 17. Christ told them, have ye not read, that out of the mouthes of Babes and sucklings thou hast perfected thy praise? This is to still the enemy and revenger; they shame you that are Elders and Priests; in regard of your backwardnesse. Thus we see, God will have of all sorts and ages of men stand up to doe him service.

Use 1. May serve to teach all sorts of men.

Ʋse 1. May serve to teach all sorts of men.

1 Old men; If God hath his number among all ages and conditions of men, then God looks to have his number amongst you that are old men; say not, I have now long lived in another course, but come on to a Christian course, or if you began before, go on; I write unto you Fathers▪ because you have known him that was from the beginning; it may well beseem you to talk of the ancient Promises and Mercy of God; God looks that you should take away the reproach of Religion, that they may not say, none but young he•ds take up this course; do you this, remember that Religion is no point of indiscretion; no, an hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteousness; would you not think it a great misery if it should befall a Mariner after all Tempests, to suffer Shipwreck in the very havens mouth? so is it with old men, when you have run on through all the difficulties of this Life, in your last days, when you should arrive at the Haven of Peace, and Hope, and eternal Happiness, if you should sink and fail, what a misery were it? Tit. 2.1, 2. [Greek or Hebrew], Paul did consider that old age was an old crazy time; their he•ds unhealthful, their stomachs unhealthful, their hearts unhealthful, how should old age get healthful hearts again? why get an healthful spirit, a sound heart, an upright spirit; what a staff would this be to weak age? to have sound faith, to be sound in love, sound in meekness and patience? what a support will it be to them, to uphold all diseases and distempers? how will they be able to bear al• the Sicknesses of this age, when their spirits are lively, and their hearts comfortable, and Gods Spirit upholding them? that will be the staff and crown of old age; as therefore you desire to honour God, to support your old age, as you desire to go to the Grave with a Crown, give up your selves to God, that so the Apostles and Elders may acknowledge you as Fathers in Christ.

1 Old men; If God hath his number among all ages and conditions of men, then God looks to have his number amongst you that are old men; say not, I have now long lived in another course, but come on to a Christian course, or if you began before, goe on; I write unto you Fathers▪ because you have known him that was from the beginning; it may well beseem you to talke of the ancient Promises and Mercy of God; God looks that you should take away the reproach of Religion, that they may not say, none but young heds take up this course; doe you this, remember that Religion is no poynt of indiscretion; no, an hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in a way of righteousnesse; would you not think it a great misery if it should befall a Mariner after all Tempests, to suffer Shipwrack in the very havens mouth? so is it with old men, when you have run on through all the difficulties of this Life, in your last days, when you should arrive at the Haven of Peace, and Hope, and eternall Happinesse, if you should sink and faile, what a misery were it?

Use 2. For young men, think it not too soon for you to enter on a Christian course, and if you have begun, grow up in grace; what an honour will it be, As you have been strong in outward strength, so now to be strong in Grace, strong in the Spirit? what an honour will it be to see you strong, to ⟨p. 92⟩subdue your corruptions? what an honour will it be to see your zeal and courage, stirring up old mens discretion, so that what is wanting in them, may be supplied by you? how many strong temptations are incident to young men, from evil company, from beauty, from pleasure, &c. what an honour will it be to Gods grace, to see your strength turned against sin and lust; to see you sober, and temperate, and chaste; to see you zealous and quickened in Grace? I write unto you young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, Eccle. 12.1. God takes pleasure then in thy service; if you remember him then, he will be most ready to remember you in your old age.

Ʋse 2. For young men, think it not too soon for you to enter on a Christian course, and if you have begun, grow up in grace; what an honour will it be, As you have been strong in outward strength, so now to be strong in Grace, strong in the Spirit? what an honour will it be to see you strong, to ⟨p. 92⟩subdue your corruptions? what an honour will it be to see your zeale and courage, stirring up old mens discretion, so that what is wanting in them, may be supplied by you? how many strong temptations are incident to young men, from evill company, from beauty, from pleasure, &c. what an honour will it be to Gods grace, to see your strength turned against sin and lust; to see you sober, and temperate, and chast; to see you zealous and quickned in Grace? I write unto you young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth, Eccle. 12.1. God takes pleasure then in thy service; if you remember him then, he will be most ready to remember you in your old age.

Use 3. And for little children, if God have his number amongst Babes, then you that are Parents say not, it is too soon to learn them any thing, they are too young, they cannot understand, why, cannot you learn them to know their Father? you learn them nothing, till you learn them to know you, and express joy in you, but teach them to know what an happy thing it is to have God for their father; tell them, that he is able to do more for them; and give them better things than you can do. Levit. 23.10. to 15. take no comfort in them, till they take comfort in God; train them up to know God, to know his ways, that they may be able to rejoice, and solace themselves in God and good things, that the first fruits of their age may be consecrated to God; and if you do so, you consecrate the whole lump, if the first fruits be holy, so will the whole Vintage be, if the root be holy so will the branches; consider, these Babes are flexible and easily bowed; it is far more easy to train them up to good things now, than in their youth and riper years; therefore labour now to incline them unto God and good things; take special care to train them up to know God their Father, train them up to come to the ordinances with reverence and diligence, and this will be their honour, God will make them instruments to confound elder, stronger men.

Ʋse 3. And for little children, if God have his number amongst Babes, then you that are Parents say not, it is too soon to learn them any thing, they are too young, they cannot understand, why, cannot you learn them to know their Father? you learn them nothing, till you learn them to know you, and express joy in you, but teach them to know what an happy thing it is to have God for their father; tell them, that he is able to doe more for them; and give them better things than you can do. Levit. 23.10. to 15. take no comfort in them, till they take comfort in God; train them up to know God, to know his ways, that they may be able to rejoyce, and solace themselves in God and good things, that the first fruits of their age may be consecrated to God; and if you do so, you consecrate the whole lumpe, if the first fruits be holy, so will the whole Vintage be, if the root be holy so will the branches; consider, these Babes are flexible and easily bowed; it is far more easie to train them up to good things now, than in their youth and riper years; therefore labour now to incline them unto God and good things; take speciall care to train them up to know God their Father, train them up to come to the ordinances with reverence and diligence, and this will be their honour, God will make them instruments to confound elder, stronger men.

Thus we see God hath among all sorts and ages of men, some that belong unto him, whose sins are remitted, whose spirits are sanctified.