N01545:86
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 Servants of the Lord have done a great deal of good in the World. The Generation in which they have lived has fared the better for them, and it may be after Generations too. David lived to a good old Age, and he has left this Character behind him, That he served his own Generation according to the will of God, Act. 13.35. Sometimes Young Men have been very useful and serviceable having done a great deal of good in a little time: had they lived to Old Age they would have done a great deal more. But more especially such Servants of God as His Providence has set in a Public Station, if they walk in the way of righteousness, many will fare the better for them. Rulers in the ⟨p. 79⟩Civil State, if they set themselves to promote righteousness, they are blessings to the Land in which they live. One such Man in Jerusalem would have saved the whole City from ruin, Jer. 5.1. But if they continue many Years to do thus, how much Evil will they prevent, and how much good will they obtain, in the place where Providence has cast their lot. Such a King as David that continued serving the Public Forty years together, until Old Age, and in his Old Age to the last a whole Nation fared the better for him. So for such a Governor as Nehemiah who never took a bribe all the time of his Government, which was twelve years, nay, considering the People were poor, he would rather deny himself of the Salary which was due to him as Governor, than the poor People should be burdened, Neh. 5.14, 15. He was one that the whole Province had cause to bless, and to ⟨p. 80⟩bless God for him. And a Minister in the house of God, if he has been so a long time, and has been faithful, must needs have been an instrument of much good. It may be many Sinners have been Converted, and thousands Edified by his holy labours. It is said concerning that faithful & eminent Minister of God Old Jehojadah, that he had done good in Israel both towards God, and towards His House, 2 Chron. 24 16. But others also, although' but in a private Capacity, if they have walked in the way of righteousness, and continued to do so for many years, they have done much good. They have been blessings to their Families, & blessings to their Neighbours. They have done good by their Example, by which they have shined as lights in the world, they have been like Stars which are common blessings. They have done good by their Prayers.