N01545:73
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.
3. Aged Men have more Experience & many times more Knowledge & Wisdom than others have attained unto. It is presumed that Old Men know more than Younger ones who have not had their experience and advantages. Wherefore the Apostle said, I have written unto you Fathers because you have known him that is from the beginning, 1 Joh. 2.14. Job wondered […] the rash and weak Judgment of his three friends, considering they were Old Men, and therefore should have been wiser: He said, Job 12.12. With the Ancient is wisdom, & in length of days understanding. In verse 20. He takes away the understanding of the Aged. Which is not to be understood as if it were impossible for a Young Man to have wisdom. Elihu a Young Man discovered more Wisdom in his discourses than three Old Men. It was said to Solomon when he was Young, Thou art a wise Man & knowest what ⟨p. 59⟩thou oughtest to do, 1 King 2.9. Some by singular advantage of Education have gained a great deal of wisdom in a little time. Nor have grey hairs engrossed this commodity of Wisdom, Great men are not always wise, as was said. So neither are Old Men always wise, Job 32.9. Neither do the aged understand Judgment. Wisdom (says […]) Does not always lean on a Staff, […] look through Spectacles. It does not always go on three legs, or see through your Eyes. Nevertheless, two things […] to be asserted. (1.) That Aged Persons have had greater advantages than others to gain Knowledge and Wisdom. And it is a great shame to whom, if they have not done so. Senex Elementaris, an A, B, C, Old Man is a despicable Creature. (2.) It must be asserted, that many times Old Men excel in Wisdom. That expression of Davids: Psal. 119.100. I understand more than the Ancients, because I keep ⟨p. 60⟩thy Precepts, imports that Ancient Men use to understand more than others. This Elibu was sensible of. Therefore he said to some Ancient Men, I am young, & you are very old, wherefore I durst not show you mine opinion, I said days should speak, & multitude of Years should teach wisdom,