N01545:81
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.
2. It is to be asserted, That being found in the way of righteousness, does ⟨p. 69⟩imply having been therein for some time. How should hoary heads be found in the way of righteousness, if they were not in that way afore they were adorned with hoary heads, and then their grey hairs will be a great glory to them. The Expression implies not only a Conversion to God, but an early Conversion. A Man that from his Youth to his Old Age has gone on in a course of righteousness and holiness, is honourable indeed. It is mentioned to the honour of a Disciple whose Name was Mnason that he was an Old Disciple, Act. 21.16. He had been a Disciple for many years. The Apostle Paul mentions it to the honour of some kinsmen of his, they were (says he) in Christ before me, Rom. 16.7. And that which is recorded concerning Obadiah is a great honour to his Name & Memory, that he said to the Prophet Elijah, 1 King 18.12. I fear the Lord from my youth. That ⟨p. 70⟩Expression intimates that he was not then in his Youth, but that Age had overtaken him, and found him fearing God, and that for many Years he had done so. Such an one was Samuel He therefore said, I am old & grey headed and I have walked before you from my Childhood unto this day, 1 Sam. 12.2. He began to fear and serve God in his Childhood, and continued to do so, until he had an hoary head. Such Persons be they Men or Women that have for many Years walked in the ways of righteousness, have an honour due to them. Such as Zechary & Elizabeth, of whom it is said, Luk. 1.6. They were both righteous before God, & walking in all the Commandments & Ordinances of the Lord blameless. It is reported concerning Polycarp (once a famous Pastor of the Church in Smyrna) that when he came to dye he said to his Persecutors, I have served Christ fourscore & six years. It is supposed ⟨p. 71⟩that he was Converted about the Sixteenth Year of his Age, & that he was an hundred Years Old at his Death and Martyrdom. Surely that was a Venerable Old Servant of the Lord. None of us in this Congregation can say, that we have served Christ Eighty & six Years, but I trust there are some among us that can say that they have these fifty, nay sixty Years and more been His Servants in the way of righteousness. Why should not such be honoured?