A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…

THE Sixth Privilege of Old-age is,¹ That it is worthier of Respect, than those of an inferior Age. I mean hereby, both an Inward Reverence, and the External expression thereof; and the former is and ought to be the foundation of the latter. An Aged person, even ⟨p. 222⟩on that account, though neither ric• nor wise, though neither noble nor pious, yet deserves a respect for the Priority of his Being. The Veneration d• to them is founded on the Law ^bof Nature. Hence Plato appoints that ever• one should honour the Aged both in word and deed, and this he often repeats. And it was much observed in Three Indians once in Paris, that kept strictly to the order of their Age in speaking, without any Director but the Law of Nature. All the disputes abou• the Antiquity, and consequently the Dignity of Families or Cities is grounde• on this foundation. Why should Ol• Monuments, Old Coins, yea even Ol• Ruins be regarded, and not Old men and Old women? This is also directly enjoined in the Fifth Commandment, where by Father and Mother that are to be honoured, Divines do rightly determine, that such as are Elders by Age, as well as those that are so by Relation, and Office are intended. And Honour in that Precept means an inward Esteem, and Reverence in the heart, and the same expressed by a suitable behaviour towards them, in word and deed. And this is expressly specified, ⟨p. 223⟩Levit. 19. 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord. The Jews indeed had a Tradition hereupon, that it was not only fit to rise, when an Aged person was passing by us, but that we should rise up, when they were four cubits distance from us; and then we should presently sit down again, thereby to manifest that we rose up in honour to them: But the plain scope of that Command is only, that we ought to make all due expression of Respect to the Aged. And the indefiniteness of the Precept shows, that it is due to all that are Aged; even that pale and wrinkled face challengeth a regard; and the fear of God is joined with it: q. d. As you fear God, honour the Aged: and because the young, the rich, and the proud will be loth to stoop herein, therefore he adds, I am the Lord: Whose Authority is unquestionable, and whose Will is the highest Reason, who will reward the keepers of this law, and punish the breakers of it.