1. Long life is in it self a blessing, and so promised, though more in the Old Testament than in the New, when Eternity was more sparingly revealed. That it is promised as a blessing, is evident, Prov. 28. 16. He that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days. And in the fifth Commandment, Exod. 20. 12. That thy days may be long in the land of the living. So Psal. 91. 16. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation; not only heaven hereafter, but long life here. It is in it self a benefit, a mercy to the godly and the wicked. To the godly, that they may not be gathered till ripe; for God hath set a mark upon it: Prov. 16. 31. ⟨p. 102⟩The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in a way of righteousness. It is some kind of resemblance of God, who is the Ancient of days. It was a title of honour, Paul the aged. It giveth many advantages of glorifying God, and doing good to others. It is no small benefit to those that employ it well. To those that are in a state of sin, the continuance of life is a mercy, as it affords them time to repent and reconcile themselves to God. And the contrary is threatened as a curse, Eccles. 8. 13. He shall not prolong his days, because he feareth not God. For wicked men to have the Sun go down at noon-day, and to be cut off before their preparations or expectations, and so thrown headlong into Hell by a speedy death, is a great misery.
1. Long life is in it self a blessing, and so promised, though more in the Old Testament than in the New, when Eternity was more sparingly revealed. That it is promised as a blessing, is evident, Prov. 28. 16. He that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days. And in the fifth Commandment, Exod. 20. 12. That thy days may be long in the land of the living. So Psal. 91. 16. With long life will I satisfie him, and shew him my salvation; not only heaven hereafter, but long life here. It is in it self a benefit, a mercy to the godly and the wicked. To the godly, that they may not be gathered till ripe; for God hath set a mark upon it: Prov. 16. 31. ⟨p. 102⟩The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in a way of righteousness. It is some kind of resemblance of God, who is the Ancient of days. It was a title of honour, Paul the aged. It giveth many advantages of glorifying God, and doing good to others. It is no small benefit to those that employ it well. To those that are in a state of sin, the continuance of life is a mercy, as it affords them time to repent and reconcile themselves to God. And the contrary is threatned as a curse, Eccles. 8. 13. He shall not prolong his days, because he feareth not God. For wicked men to have the Sun go down at noon-day, and to be cut off before their preparations or expectations, and so thrown headlong into Hell by a speedy death, is a great misery.
