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

THE Eighth Work of Old-age is,¹ Laying up a treasure in Heaven. Where by Heaven I understand not only the Place, but the Nature of the Treasures, heavenly Treasures. Some of these the Aged will have need of Before Death, of some At Death, of some After Death.

1. 1§. 8. Laying up a Treasure in Heaven.

1. You should lay up for your selves a Treasure of Prayers, and Promises to support you before Death comes. Of Prayer I have spoken before; but there are Promises that are very comfortable and very necessary for Old people; which they who are assured of Gods Veracity, and their own Integrity, may apply to themselves, as if individually directed unto them. The Apostle makes that inference from that excellent Promise, which hath more value in it, than all the Old mans bags and bonds, Heb. 13. 5. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee; whence he infers, vers. 6. So that we, even we, may boldly say, The Lord is my helper. Another Promise there is, ⟨image 155⟩most comfortable for Ancient people, Isa. 46. 4. Even to your Old-age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry, and will deliver you. When our feeble legs will not carry us; when the pillars of the house tremble, and in effect cry out, we can bear you no longer; then will the power and goodness of God carry us up and deliver us, yea when we approach to Death, and fear presents it, and the grave most formidably, we may then apply what the Lord spake to Old Jacob, concerning his going down into Egypt, Gen. 46. 3. I am God, the God of thy father, fear not to go down into Egypt: For I will go down with thee, and will also surely bring thee up again. So assuredly will the Lord go down with us to the grave, and as surely bring us up again, and how can we be afraid with such company, and with such a promise? Hoard on still, there is another gracious Promise,