N01545:79
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.
PROP. II. It is especially true, that Old Age is honourable, when found in a way of Righteousness. If the hoary head is an honour, this is the honour of that honour. It is a Crown, righteousness is the Crown of that Crown. It has been well said by some, that Life is not to be measured by the length of it, but by the righteousness of it. When the Silver Crown of Old Age is adorned with the Golden Crown of Religion, as one expresses it, that is the ⟨p. 67⟩honour of it. The proposition before us may be opened and confirmed in two Assertions.
1. He that is in the Way of righteousness is a righteous Man. He is one that not only does actions which as to the matter of them are according to the rule or law of righteousness, for so may an unrighteous man, but one that as to his spiritual State is, a righteous, or a godly Man. One whose way and course is righteous. Men while in this World are Viatores, they are travelling in one of two ways. Either in the broad way which leads to destruction, which the most of Men are going in, that's the way of Unrighteousness: Or in the narrow way which leads to life; that's the way of Righteousness. Prov. 12.28. In the way of righteousness is Life, & in the path way thereof is no death. This is that which is called the good way: 1 Sam. 12.23. I will teach you the good & the right ⟨p. 68⟩way, which men should be very solicitous about their getting into that way. Jer. 6.16. Ask where is the good way & walk therein. And the way of good men, Prov. 2.20. And the way which is called holy,