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