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

Doct. It is the duty of all Christians, yea even of Ministers, to carry themselves to old men as their Fathers.

For this duty belongs to all christians, as well as Ministers; God hath special care to the reverence of old age, for he would have ministers to rebuke with all authority, and yet he would not have them easily rebuke an Elder, Tit. 2, 15. much less is a private person that hath less authority and commission, to deal roundly with elder years, Levit. 19.32. he gives special Commandment to all men to rise up before the hoary head, and reverence the person of the old-man, and dread thy God; implying, that the fear of God requires this duty, as who should say, there is no fear of God in such men as do not reverence the persons of old men.

For this duty belongs to all christians, as well as Ministers; God hath speciall care to the reverence of old age, for he would have ministers to rebuke with all authority, and yet he would not have them easily rebuke an Elder, Tit. 2, 15. much lesse is a private person that hath lesse authority and commission, to deale roundly with elder years, Levit. 19.32. he gives speciall Commandement to all men to rise up before the hoary head, and reverence the person of the old-man, and dread thy God; implying, that the fear of God requires this duty, as who should say, there is no fear of God in such men as doe not reverence the persons of old men.

Reas. God hath stamped on old men the image of his Eternity, as on Magistrates the image of his Sovereignty, God himself is called the ancient of days, so that an old man bears a blush of the image of God; rich men carry the image of Gods Allsufficiency, Magistrates of his Sovereignty, old men of his Eternity.

Reas. God hath stampt on old men the image of his Eternity, as on Magistrates the image of his Soveraingty, God himselfe is called the ancient of dayes, so that an old man bears a blush of the image of God; rich men carry the image of Gods Allsufficiency, Magistrates of his Soveraignty, old men of his Eternity.

Use 1. To teach us to honour old men as our Fathers.

Ʋse 1. To teach us to honour old men as our Fathers.

2 It proves the rudeness of some young men that look at old men as base and contemptible, he speaks of it as a sign of confusion, (Isa. 3.5.) to those persons, when they see the hoary head pass by, rise not up, nor reverence him.

2 It proves the rudenesse of some young men that look at old men as base and contemptible, he speaks of it as a sign of confusion, (Isa. 3.5.) to those persons, when they see the hoary head passe by, rise not up, nor reverence him.

3 It may stir up all young men to reverence old age, and that by a threefold respect.

3 It may stirre up all young men to reverence old age, and that by a threefold respect.

1 In rising up before them, Levit. 19.32.

2 You must show them reverence in speech, as St. John here calls them Fathers.

2 You must shew them reverence in speech, as St. John here calls them Fathers.

3 In silence, in their presence not to put forth your selves, Job 32.6, 7. but to be silent, till at least they have spoken.

Use 4. This should teach old men, seeing God hath put such honour and respect upon them, how much the more should they think themselves bound to God? Shall he be so respective to thy honour, and wilt not thou honour the ancient of days? would you have all to rise up, and express reverence in speech and carriage to you, and ought not you then to come before God with reverence, and speak reverently of his name? would he have others be silent in your presence, much more should you subject your best gifts to God, and take heed that you put no dishonour upon your selves, by any unseemly ⟨p. 95⟩carriage; old Noah had no sooner committed that shameful sin of drunkenness, but his own child mocked him, Gen. 19.17. Prov. 6.11.

Ʋse 4. This should teach old men, seeing God hath put such honour and respect upon them, how much the more should they think themselves bound to God? Shall he be so respective to thy honour, and wilt not thou honour the ancient of dayes? would you have all to rise up, and expresse reverence in speech and carriage to you, and ought not you then to come before God with reverence, and speake reverently of his name? would he have others be silent in your presence, much more should you subject your best gifts to God, and take heed that you put no dishonour upon your selves, by any unseemly ⟨p. 95⟩carriage; old Noah had no sooner committed that shamefull sin of drunkennesse, but his own child mocked him, Gen. 19.17. Prov. 6.11.

Doct. It is the honour of aged men, of fathers, when they know him which was from the beginning.

When they know the Father of eternity, the Ancient of days, this is that which is an honour to old men, both before God and man, viz. the knowledge of Christ dispensed from the beginning, as 1 Joh. 1.1.

When they know the Father of eternity, the Antient of dayes, this is that which is an honour to old men, both before God and man, viz. the knowledg of Christ dispensed from the beginning, as 1 Joh. 1.1.

From the beginning is not to be understood in relation to time, but Eternity, he doth not say, That was with the beginning, but from the beginning, before the beginning, Joh. 8. Before Abraham was, I am; he was before the World; now the knowledge of Christ is the honour of aged persons.