N01545:12
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of…
Two discourses showing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]Two discourses shewing, I. That the Lords ears are open to the prayers of the righteous. II. The dignity & duty of aged servants of the Lord. : Also, a preface in which the Congregational discipline of the churches in New-England is vindicated, with the authors dying testimony there-unto. / By I. Mather, D.D. ; [Four lines of quotations]
printed by B. Green for Daniel Henchman, 1716
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
On the Subject of Old Age many have Written. Several Moralists among the Gentiles have treated th•••. In special Plutarch, Cicero, and Seneca of whom it is said, That the reason of his having that Name given to him, was, his being Born with grey hairs upon him. ⟨image ?⟩Some profitable Observations are to be seen in those Authors; but not comparable with what has been Written by those Eminent Divines Tossanus and Rivet, and of our own Nation Mr. Boroughs, Mr. Bridge, and more lately Mr. Boise, has done worthily. Also, that Reverend and Aged Minister of CHRIST, Mr. Steele, (whom I knew in London) has an Elaborate Discourse of Old Age. He mentions Dr. Sheafe's Vindication of Old Age, Written by him when he was Fourscore, and Dedicated to Dr. Chaderton, who was an Hundred Years old. I have not been able to obtain the sight of that Book, in which I doubt not but that there are many things very Edifying.
On the Subject of Old Age many have Written. Several Moralists among the Gentiles have treated th•••. In special Plutarch, Cicero, and Seneca of whom it is said, That the reason of his having that Name given to him, was, his being Born with gray hairs upon him. ⟨image ?⟩Some profitable Observations are to be seen in those Authors; but not comparable with what has been Written by those Eminent Divines Tossanus and Rivet, and of our own Nation Mr. Borroughs, Mr. Bridge, and more lately Mr. Boyse, has done worthily. Also, that Reverend and Aged Minister of CHRIST, Mr. Steele, (whom I knew in London) has an Eleborate Discourse of Old Age. He mentions Dr. Sheafes Vindication of Old Age, Written by him when he was Fourscore, and Dedicated to Dr. Chaderton, who was an Hundred Years old. I have not been able to obtain the sight of that Book, in which I doubt not but that there are many things very Edifying.
AGE is commonly attended with many Infirmities, O quam continuis, et quantis plena senectus longa malis. There have been but few Men in the World, that could say as that Philosopher did, who being asked when an Hundred and Seven Years Old, Why he desired to Live longer, Replied, Because he had nothing to accuse Old Age with. And few that can say as that Learned and Critical Divine, Dusius did, Mihi Senectus metior quam ipsa Juvenius. That his Old Age was more Comfortable to him than his Youth. For a Man to Enjoy Health, and the continuance of his Intellectual Abilities in Old Age is a rare and wonderful Mercy. It is impossible to be Thankful enough for so great a favour of Heaven. An holy and fruitful Old Age, though accompanied with Infirmities is in good Old Age. And if it is not so qualified, yet there is a Veneration due to Age itself.