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

And here is a large field to walk in: You should be able and ready to instruct the younger in the Word of God, in the Doctrine of the Gospel, in that great mystery of Godliness, God manifest in the flesh. The public Explications hereof, should be ⟨p. 270⟩familiarly opened by you at home. You should talk of them, as you sit in your house, as you walk by the way, when you lye down, and when you rise up, Deut. 6. 7. Thus David, Come ye children, hearken unto me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord, Psal. 34. 11. So also Solomon at large, Prov. 4. 1, 2. Hear ye children the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding: For I give you good doctrine, &c. Thus Timothy's mother, yea and grandmother instructed him. You are to instruct them also in the Works of God, both of Creation and Providence▪ wherein you may convey to them many things, tending to the glory of you• Maker, and the benefit of their Souls You should acquaint them with such particular Instances of the Wisdom, Righteousness, Power, and Goodness of God which you have read, heard or seen▪ That the generation to come might kno• them, even the children that should be born who should arise and declare them to thei• children, that they might set their hope i• God, and keep his Commandments, Psal. 78▪ 6, 7. You can tell them also the Methods of Satan, and the wicked device whereby he beguileth poor Souls. • Slave who hath been in Algiers, and i• ⟨p. 271⟩redeemed or rescued, can discover the miserable bondage there, and relate, with pleasure, the means of his Deliverance. You can describe the intrigues of Sin, and warn young people of the deceitfulness, and folly thereof by your own experience. They who have been almost mired in a puddle or quagmire, can easily show others the place, and direct them to avoid it. In Sum, you should instruct the younger to know, and serve, and trust in God; and whatsoever you have observed in the course of your lives conducive thereunto, you should impart unto them. That as ungodly men do wickedly communicate their sinful acts and practices, and endeavour to propagate them unto posterity, that each generation may be worse than other; so all wise and good men, especially when they are in years, should transmit the knowledge and practice of Piety to their Successors, that the next age may be better than this;