I. They who are Older than others in Christianity, are in some regards to be preferred before other Christians. They that First have Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, should in some regards be first Esteemed among the People of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a Seniority in Christianity, as well as in other Points, which is to be accounted Sacred among all Christians. It is required, Rom. 13. 7. Render to all their Dues, Honour to whom Honour. Now there is a special Honour due to Elder Christians, on the score of their being so. The Fifth Commandment requires us, to treat All men, with Respects agreeable ⟨p. 6⟩to the Place and Worth, which God has given them. It is Enjoined, 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all men. And we must especially Honour Old Men; And we must Honour Old Saints yet more especially. All Superiority is to be Dutifully acknowledged. Superiority in Age, calls for very particular Acknowledgements. It is an Edict of Heaven, Lev. 19. 32. Thou Shalt rise up before the Hoary Head, and Honour the Face of the Old Man, and Fear thy God. Now the Age of mens Christianity, may justly call for a peculiar Consideration, in the esteem of all other Christians. An Hoary Head found in the may of Righteousness; and most of all, if it had entered that way, long before its growing Hoary; tis a most Honourable sight. We may see some, that Knew God, and Served Christ, and Forsook Sin, and Walked Religiously, long before us; Yea, perhaps they were New-born before we were Born at all. How much, with what Reverence, with what Affection, ought we to prefer those Old Christians above our selves? The Apostle Paul, could not speak of such as were Converted before him, without some Confession, that they were to be Preferred before him; Says he, Rom. 16. 8. They are of Note,—they were in Christ ⟨p. 7⟩before me. Aged Christians must be Honoured with special Civilities. It becomes Younger Christians to look on Aged Christians, as their Fathers; and speak of them, and speak to them, with a Filial Veneration. When we see Elder Christians, we may suppose, These are they that have done more for God, and Christ; that have more mortified the Sin that easily besets us all; that have more Experience in the Right ways of the Lord; that are more Able to encounter Temptations; that are better Soldiers in the Wars of the Lord: that are more acquainted with Heaven, and more prepared for Heaven;
I. They who are Older than others in Christianity, are in some regards to be preferr'd before other Christians. They that First have Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, should in some regards be first Esteemed among the People of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a Seniority in Christianity, as well as in other Points, which is to be accounted Sacred among all Christians. It is required, Rom. 13. 7. Render to all their Dues, Honour to whom Honour. Now there is a special Honour due to Elder Christians, on the score of their being so. The Fifth Commandment requires us, to treat All men, with Respects agreeable ⟨p. 6⟩to the Place and Worth, which God has given them. It is Enjoined, 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all men. And we must especially Honour Old Men; And we must Honour Old Saints yet more especially. All Superiority is to be Dutifully acknowledged. Superiority in Age, calls for very particular Acknowledgments. It is an Edict of Heaven, Lev. 19. 32. Thou Shalt rise up before the Hoary Head, and Honour the Face of the Old Man, and Fear thy God. Now the Age of mens Christianity, may justly call for a peculiar Consideration, in the esteem of all other Christians. An Hoary Head found in the may of Righteousness; and most of all, if it had entred that way, long before its growing Hoary; tis a most Honourable sight. We may see some, that Knew God, and Serv'd Christ, and Forsook Sin, and Walk'd Religiously, long before us; Yea, perhaps they were New-born before we were Born at all. How much, with what Reverence, with what Affection, ought we to prefer those Old Christians above our selves? The Apostle Paul, could not speak of such as were Converted before him, without some Confession, that they were to be Preferred before him; Sayes he, Rom. 16. 8. They are of Note,—they were in Christ ⟨p. 7⟩before me. Aged Christians must be Honoured with special Civilities. It becomes Younger Christians to look on Aged Christians, as their Fathers; and speak of them, and speak to them, with a Filial Veneration. When we see Elder Christians, we may suppose, These are they that have done more for God, and Christ; that have more mortified the Sin that easily besets us all; that have more Experience in the Right wayes of the Lord; that are more Able to encounter Temptations; that are better Souldiers in the Wars of the Lord: that are more acquainted with Heaven, and more prepared for Heaven;
