OLD AGE IS A Crown of Glory, Especially When Found in Ways OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
faith opened to the Gentiles, so let this be the conclusion of all: I pray that, at last, there may be a door of faith opened to this congregation, to receive these truths that have been delivered by faith.
OLD AGE IS A Crown of Glory, Especially When Found in Ways OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Preached before the Company of Mercers at their Chapel. May 20, 1641.
Proverbs 16:31
"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."
I have lately preached in this city to young men, and at this time, supposing this audience to be intended chiefly for grave citizens
(though others may be present), I have prepared to speak suitably unto them. In Psalm 148:12, both young men and old men are called to praise the name of the Lord. As it was a blessed time when the children cried "Hosanna" upon Christ's coming to purge the Temple
(for that was the occasion), so it shall be, and is, a blessed time when old men come to God in the praise of His great works, when God shall reign gloriously before the elders of Israel.
We have such a prophecy in Isaiah 24:23, "When the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, before His elders gloriously." A blessed time it will be when the elders behold the
glorious reign of Christ and are joyful in it. And again, in Revelation 4, it is prophesied of the Elders (at the end of the chapter) that they fell down and worshipped Him that lives forever, casting down their crowns before Him.
This text of mine is a proverbial sentence, setting out the glory of old men in the ways of righteousness. We may spare the dependence, for proverbs are not like jewels linked together in a bracelet but are as many separate diamonds lying one by another, some of them, as it were, in a box together. Now, this proverb has in it two diamonds set upon the crown of old men—one below it, and the other atop it. The one below it is the "hoary head," and atop it is "found in the way of righteousness." The hoary head is a crown to old men, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
There are two doctrinal points we have in these words. The first is...
Doctrine 1: That Old Age is an honourable thing; it is a Crown of Glory.
Doctrine 2: But it is especially honourable when it is found in the way of righteousness.
For it is not wholly limited to the way of righteousness—the word [IF] is not in the original. It is honourable regardless, but then most honourable when found in the way of righteousness.
I shall first address the first Doctrine.
It is a high expression of the Holy Spirit here: The hoary head is glory, and it is a crown of glory. Corona ornatissima (a most glorious crown), saith one interpreter; a crown of exaltation, says another; corona pulchritudinis, a crown of beauty, says another. The
hoary head is a glorious crown, a crown of exaltation, a crown of beauty.
1. God honours Old Age by speaking honourably of it, as in Proverbs 20:29, "Gray hairs are the beauty of old men."
2. God honours it by promising Old Age to those who keep His commandments, as in Deuteronomy 4:40. And you know the first commandment with a promise—the fifth commandment:
"Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."
3. God honours it by preferring it before all riches and all other kinds of honours. In Proverbs 3:16, it is said that in the right hand of wisdom is length of days, and in her left hand are riches and honour. Riches and honour are but in the left hand of wisdom, while length of days is in the right hand. Thus, God honours Old Age.
4. God honours it by giving a charge to others to honour it. In Leviticus 19:32, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." It is one of the most solemn charges we have in the Scripture. Mark with what gravity and solemnity the charge is given: "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." Your fear of God is laid upon this.
And because I see many young ones here, I shall direct my speech to you, especially those of you who make any profession of religion. You must manifest it in this: Would you make it appear that you fear the Lord? "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear the Lord." This is one aspect of fearing God:
to do this in obedience to Him. And if you are bold and disrespectful before the aged, know that this is evidence that the fear of God is not upon you.
The beauty and glory of religion are to be shown in the duties of our relationships: between father and child, servant and master, inferior and superior, young and old. Unless religion manifests itself in our relationships, it is all in vain. "Thou shalt honour the face of the old man, and fear the Lord." God places the fear of His name upon this, and this is a great honour that God bestows upon Old Age.
Secondly, it is honoured by all good men. In Job 32:5-6, Elihu honours the aged in various verses, and when Paul wrote to Philemon, in verse 9 of that epistle, he presents it as an argument, referring to himself as "Paul the aged," knowing it was indeed a powerful appeal to Philemon.
Thirdly, Old Age is honoured even by the heathen themselves. I remember reading about the Lacedaemonians: when their ambassadors were at Athens, they were once in a theatre where a great crowd had gathered. A grave, elderly man entered, and immediately, the Lacedaemonian ambassadors, out of reverence for the aged man, rose to make room for him. Upon seeing this, all the Athenians gave a great shout, applauding their act of respect, noting that they, being strangers, would show such reverence to age. This is a good rule, not just when they come into theatres, but also into places of God's assemblies. When aged men come, not to theatres to see plays, but to worship God and hear His word, young men should rise up before them and show respect to their age. Know that I do not speak of this merely as a moral act, but as a demonstration of the fear of God.
Fourthly, it has been considered in Scripture as a sign of great humanity when the aged are honoured. In Deuteronomy 28:50, there is a notable passage where God threatens to send "a nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old." It is described as an inhumane nation for this lack of regard.
Fifthly, when God would threaten judgment against a family, He threatens that there shall be no old man in it, as seen in 1 Samuel
2:31-32.
Question: But why should Old Age be so honoured?
I do not have time to explore fully all the reasons (as there are other matters I intend to address), but I shall provide a few points.
Answer 1: They possessed the world before you, and they have been the means to maintain the world, acting as instruments to keep it in the order and good condition in which it exists.
2. They are presumed to have knowledge, prudence, and understanding, as Old Age is often linked with wisdom in Scripture. I remember the Chaldee paraphrase on the passage
"thou shalt rise up before the old man," which translates it as qui doctus est in Lege, "before him who is taught in the law," supposing that all old men should be men of understanding and knowledge. Indeed, an ignorant old man in these times of knowledge is a monster in the world, having lived through such an age of light that has shone so clearly, dazzling our very eyes and continually sparking within our consciences.
3. Old Age is something that all desire to reach, and therefore, it is honourable.
4. There is a kind of image of God's eternity upon it, for God Himself holds the title of "the Ancient of Days."
USE 1.
If God thus honours old age and bestows such honour upon it, O! let us all honour it likewise. Let there be a reverent demeanour from you towards them; let them see the work of godliness, the fruit of godliness, especially in governors towards their servants, and parents towards their children, so that they may perceive that since they became more godly, they have shown greater reverence for old age. Seek advice from them and be willing to be guided by them, yet do not give so much regard to age that you allow it to lead you into error.
When antiquity is cited for that which is not truth, it becomes but the very mould of error. Many, when they are entrenched in their error and cannot find their way out—especially in disputes—will attempt to defend themselves with claims of antiquity. Just as we read of Jeremiah, when he was put into the mire, they used old, rotten rags under his armholes to lift him out; so many, when mired in disputes and with nothing else to say, will attempt to gather together the old rotten rags of antiquity. Yet true antiquity is that which aligns with the original source of all antiquity. "Meus Jesus Christus," said
Ignatius, and Chrysostom added, "Christ said not that 'I am custom,' but that 'I am the truth.'"
There is indeed great influence in old age, capable of prevailing upon the younger, sometimes even in matters that are not right. In this sense, the Holy Ghost instructs us to "call no man father" in such a way that grants him authority to dictate our actions against the truth.
We have a notable story in 1 Kings 13:11, of the prophet whom God commanded not to return the same way he came, nor to stay or eat in
that place when he arrived at the court. When he came to the court, they tried to persuade him to return, to stay and eat, but he easily dismissed the group of young courtiers. However, when he met the old prophet—"Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel," says the text—this old prophet persuaded him to go against God's command.
It seems he had some reverential respect for his age, and so he prevailed, where the younger courtiers could not.
We must be careful that antiquity does not lead us into error, not even by an old prophet. Yet, even so, we must maintain our reverence towards them. Especially you who are children, show respect to your elderly parents. In Proverbs 23:22, there is a charge:
"Hearken to thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old." Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother simply because she is older, for mothers, being weaker, are more easily despised. Therefore, God gives a specific command that no one should despise their mothers when they are old.
2. Show respect to them by being dutifully obedient and heeding their counsel. Even Esau, who was so wicked, still sought to show respect to his aged father, Isaac. As in Genesis 28:8-9, when Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please
Isaac his father, he then went to Ishmael and took Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, as a wife, in addition to the wives he already had. When Esau realised that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father, he chose someone whom he believed would be more agreeable to the mind of his old father.
Even a profane Esau would not displease his aged father, especially in such an important matter as his choice of wife.
3. Show respect to your parents by bearing good will towards them.
The very reason why many desire to be rid of their aged parents, or to be apart from them, is in fact an argument (if rightly considered) why they should desire to have them near instead.
Since they have many weaknesses, you should desire to have your parents with you, so that you may cover their weaknesses and bear with them. Who is more suited to do this than you, their child? Even the stork will teach you to care for your aged parents, helping them to fly and feeding them when they are no longer able to do so themselves.
4. It is a great evil in a commonwealth, and a sign of great confusion, when the young behave proudly against the old. In Isaiah 3:5, when the young rise up and act arrogantly towards the old, it is noted as a significant indication of God's judgment upon a kingdom. Indeed, it is a sad and grievous disorder. We love the houses and towns in which we were born; how much more should we love the loins and the womb in which we were born, to which we should give even greater respect?
5. God threatens those who are disobedient and defiant towards their parents, stating that the very ravens shall pick out their eyes. Under the law, they were to be punished with death. If any parent came and charged their son with disobedience, that son was to be stoned to death.
USE 2.
You who are old and advanced in years, seeing that God has bestowed honour upon you, take care that you do not dishonour your grey hairs. God says that you are a crown of glory; do not dishonour this crown of glory. Your white hairs will only make your sins appear darker by contrast. We read in Numbers 6:7 that the high priest was
not permitted to defile himself because the consecration of God was upon his head. There is a crown of glory upon your head; therefore, do not defile yourself.
I have read of a Spartan (Lacedaemonian) who wore his beard very long, and it was white. When someone asked him why he wore it so long, he answered, "I wear it long so that, seeing my white hairs, I may do nothing dishonourable to them, nothing unbefitting of these white hairs of mine." If you do anything that is unbefitting of your hoary head and crown of glory, you take away its beauty. There is a puerilis senectus—an old man may be as a child, just as a young man may be old. A young man can be old in spirit, demeanour, and conduct, while much vanity can make the old behave like children.
In Titus 2:2-3, we find the exhortation of the Holy Spirit to older men, instructing them to carry themselves with dignity and modesty.
It is noteworthy that although Rehoboam was over forty years old, the scripture (as found in 2 Chronicles 13:7) calls him a child. He was but a child—someone with a very childish, effeminate heart. When
Rehoboam was young and tender-hearted, he could not stand firm.
"Young," "a child," "tender-hearted," all indicate a foolish, effeminate, and childish spirit, yet this Rehoboam was over forty years old. In contrast, Joseph, a young man, is referred to in Genesis
45 as a "father to Pharaoh."
USE 3.
If it is an honour to live many years in this world, O! What honour, then, is eternity—to live forever? It has been considered a great honour to have any monument of a person last for a considerable time after they have died. Julius Caesar, for example, is said to have had his ashes kept in an urn in a room to this day, such is the esteem for a monument. But to live eternally with God—what honour is in
that? If the hoary head is a crown of glory, what greater crown of glory is there than to possess eternal life, to have that eternal crown placed upon you? What are a few years here in this world compared to eternity? They are but a drop of water compared to the infinite ocean. If you have reason to bless God for a few years that He has granted you here, how much more should you bless Him for the hope of eternal life?
USE 4.
If the hoary head is such a crown of glory, if it confers honour upon men, what, then, does eternity itself confer upon God? If men are to be honoured for having lived a few years in this world, how much more should God be honoured, who is eternal? God takes glory in His eternity, declaring, "I am He that inhabiteth eternity." The elders in Revelation 4:8 fell down and worshipped Him who "was, and is, and shall be forevermore."
I recall that Pareus speaks of a custom of the Turks: every morning, they have someone proclaim aloud, "The Lord that was, and that shall be forever, the Lord is eternal; He has no beginning." Though you may have lived many years, you are but of yesterday, while the Lord shall have no end. In a short time, it will be said of you, "He lived for seventy or eighty years and then died," as it is in Genesis 5, where Methuselah, Adam, and others are recorded: "He lived so many years, and he died."
I have read of one who, upon hearing that chapter read—"such a one lived so many hundred years and then died"—was so deeply moved that it caused him to forsake all worldly things and focus on preparing for his eternal estate, leading to his conversion. It must one day be said of you, "He was seventy or eighty years old, and he died," but God remains forever. We are but as grass. Therefore, if
God commands that honour be given to you because of your age, you must also honour God for His eternity.
God cannot have any time added to Him; there is no succession of time with Him. God cannot be said to have lived longer now than before the world began; there is no addition of time to Him, for He is beyond all measure of time. When we experience any measure of time, or any continuance of comfort, it is good for us to worship the eternal God, finding our hearts delighting in Him who transcends all time.
There is a particularly noteworthy passage in Genesis concerning Abraham, in Genesis 21. After Abraham had been moving about for a time, he finally found a resting place. The text says, "Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba," which suggests he was to remain there. And what did he do next? "He called there upon the name of the Lord, the everlasting God." This is the first time God is called
"the everlasting God" in Scripture, and Abraham invoked this name when he was granted some stability in that place where he could plant a grove.
Has God granted you stability, allowing you to live for a long time in this city in a prosperous condition? Then learn to call upon the name of God, the everlasting God, and give honour to the eternal God.
But we must now pass from this first point, though it is a matter of great importance, to the second, which is the principal point:
The hoary head is a crown of glory—but when? When it is found in the way of righteousness. That is the second point.
Doctrine 2: That it is the way of righteousness that truly places the crown of glory upon the hoary head.
That is the diamond atop the crown. If the grey head is an honour, then righteousness is the honour of that honour; if it is a crown, righteousness is the crown of that crown. Mensura vitae non est longitudo sed honestum—the measure of life is not its length but its godliness, which is the great honour by which we are to measure our lives.
You may have heard the saying of the one who remarked, "I have been long, but I have not lived long." Old men, unless they are righteous, have been long, but they can scarcely be said to have lived long.
"If it be found in the way of righteousness," that is, supposing that you have been godly from your youth and have continued in godliness as you age, then that is true honour. For although it is good for people to begin walking in the ways of godliness at any point in their lives—and it is never too late to start—being an Elementarius
Senex (a beginner in old age) is rather a dishonour. It is a dishonour (I mean) if you only start then; surely the text means this: If it is found—that is, if you have continued in the course of your life in righteousness, and so your old age does not mark the beginning of righteousness in you but finds you already walking in the way of righteousness—then it brings honour.
It is spoken to the honour of the disciple Mnason in Acts 21:16:
"There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge." An old disciple—it is a mark of honour unto him that he was an old disciple. Likewise, Obadiah says in 1 Kings
18:12, "I have feared God from my youth," and the Holy Spirit records this as a great honour to him.
If any of you, as Obadiah, who was advanced in years, can say, "The Lord has now granted me length of days, and I bless His name that (though in weakness, yet) I have feared God from my youth," oh, that is truly honourable!
As it is reported of Polycarp, when he was about to die as a martyr, they tried to make him renounce the truth. "Oh," said he, "these eighty-six years I have served Christ and found Him a good Master.
Shall I forsake Him now?" What an honourable statement that was— to be able to say, "These eighty-six years have I served Christ and found Him a good Master." Can you, perhaps, say, "For sixty, seventy, or even forty years, I have served Christ and found Him a good Master"? If you can, then that is truly honourable if you are found in the way of righteousness.
1. This is a great evidence of the deep rooting of your grace, which confers even greater honour upon you. It indicates that grace has taken a very deep root, given that it has sustained and flourished in you all this while. You know the seed that was sown on the stony ground—it sprang up for a moment but soon withered away. But that which was sown on good ground came up and flourished, even under the heat of the sun.
Many people have a good beginning. Even Nero, though he became an abominable wretch later, had a notable five years of being quite zealous in godliness but eventually fell away. If, however, you continue and persevere until you are aged, it is a blessed sign of the deep root of grace in your heart. That is the first point.
2. Those who are old in the ways of righteousness must surely be assumed to be very eminent in grace and godliness. They have acquired much in the ways of godliness and have grown to some measure of excellence in holy ways. John began young and
continued into old age in godliness. Indeed, he was nearly one hundred years old, for his banishment occurred during the time of Domitian, which was eighty years after Christ. When he was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, he was not less than over a hundred years old, and at that age, he received divine revelations.
Those who have continued long in godliness grow to a great eminence in godliness. Obadiah (as some believe) was the prophet
Obadiah, who had continued long in the ways of godliness. Grace does not follow the same pattern as nature. While nature comes to a peak and then declines, grace continues to grow and flourish.
Though the body may weaken, grace will continue to thrive.
It is the promise of God in Psalm 92:14: "Those that are planted in the house of God shall flourish in the courts of God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and flourishing."
That is the promise of God. Therefore, it stands to reason that there is great eminence in such people, and they are to be honoured, wearing a crown of glory.
And thirdly...
3. Those who have continued long in the ways of righteousness have had many experiences of God—wonderful experiences of His ways, His faithfulness, His mercies, and His truth in the course of His providence towards His Churches. This is an honourable thing. David, in Psalm 25:6, speaks of God's mercies of old; and in Psalm 74:12, he says, "He was a King of old"; and in Psalm 44, at the beginning, "Our fathers have told us the things of old that Thou hast done." In Psalm 119:152, he states,
"I have known Thy testimonies of old."
To have experienced God's will and ways in the passages of His providence from times past is a glorious thing. Those who are old in the ways of righteousness come to know exceedingly much of God's mind in that regard, and this is a crown of glory.
4. Those who are old in the ways of righteousness give a good testimony to the truth that the ways of righteousness are indeed good. An old servant who remains with his master gives a positive testimony of the master's goodness. Similarly, the bee that stays long at a flower and does not leave gives testimony that there is much sweetness to be gathered there. As apostates who fall away from God's service bring dishonour and imply, as much as in them lies, that there isn't as much goodness in God's service as others claim, those who have remained steadfast, like
Polycarp who could say, "I have found Him a good Master all this while," bring honour to God's ways.
5. It is honourable because there are so few who continue in the ways of godliness until they are old. If we plant many seeds and most of them fail, but one or two flourish and grow into strong trees, we value and delight in them more. In the same way, because God sees that there are so few who continue in His ways, those who do are more prized and honoured by Him.
Paul tells us that many forsook him, as recorded in 2 Timothy 1:1516, where he prays for the house of Onesiphorus because he remained with Paul when most in Asia had abandoned him. This is honourable.
Furthermore, Those who continue in the ways of godliness are honourable before the Lord because they have passed through many difficulties in the
ways of God. A soldier who has endured many dangers and difficulties in the King's service is all the more honoured.
We read of Solomon in 1 Kings 2:26, where he honoured Abiathar because he had endured much affliction with his father in the past.
Likewise, God will honour those who have faced many trials and changes over time and yet remained steadfast and upright. In Luke
22:28-29, Christ says, "Because you have endured with me in the time of temptation, I appoint unto you a Kingdom."
Again...
It is an honourable thing to be old in the ways of righteousness because such individuals have much acquaintance with God; they become God's long-standing acquaintances. Now, we take great delight when we meet someone who is an old acquaintance. We say,
"Oh! Such a one is my old acquaintance; he was my father's acquaintance, and therefore we prize him now."
An elderly person who has been godly for a long time is an old acquaintance of God our Father, and thus we honour him. In Exodus
15:23, where Moses praises God, he says, "He is our God, and our fathers' God." Is it an honour to God that He was the God of our fathers? Then it is an honour to you that you are a godly person, as our fathers were. If God is honoured for being our fathers' God, then you are honoured for being one of our fathers' saints, God's saint who is our father.
We read of Moses that, after spending only forty days conversing with God upon the mount, his face shone. If conversing with God for forty days made his face shine, what will it be like to converse with God for forty years? Oh! How their faces must shine, being so long acquainted with Him.
8. Those who continue to be gracious and godly in old age have done a great deal of service and are therefore honourable, especially if they have served in public roles. A public minister who has grown old in service to God is an object of great honour, worthy of deep reverence. I recall it is reported of Basil that, when officers came to apprehend him, he was engaged in holy duties, and the gravity and evident holiness of his countenance caused the officers to fall backwards; they were not able to bear it.
A man who has lived long in the service of God is very honourable before the Lord and men. We honour our old servants; if someone has been your family's servant for many years, you will not allow them to go without. You might say, "He was my father's servant before me, an ancient servant to the family, and therefore should not be disrespected." If we respect ancient servants to our families and companies, how much more should we respect an ancient servant of the Lord? How many glory in saying they have served the King for so long? Oh! It is truly worthy of glory if you have been in the service of the Lord for so long.
9. Oh! It is a crown of glory to be old in the ways of righteousness because you are near to that eternal crown. Romans 13:11 says,
"Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." You are almost at heaven's door, and when you are seen in this light, you are to be honoured. An old soldier who, by virtue of long service, is next in line for promotion is looked upon with respect and regard. Perhaps the next place in heaven is likely to be your portion, for you are near your glory. Young people still have their warfare here, but your warfare is almost accomplished. As Isaiah 40 says, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, for their warfare is accomplished." Such individuals are to be honoured,
for it is a glory for a man to be near the Kingdom of Heaven, to be close to this crown of eternal glory.
10. If you continue in the ways of righteousness in your old age, then your crown of glory shall be exceedingly great and glorious.
The longer you wait for it, the more glorious it shall be; the longer your crown is being crafted, the more it will be adorned with diamonds and pearls when it arrives. I have read of an emperor's son, who, when someone spoke to him about the glory he was to have in the future, said, "Yes, the cooks are taking a long time to prepare the dinner, but we shall have the better feast when it comes."
So, though God has allowed those who are aged and godly to live here in their pilgrimage for a long time, when their time comes, they shall have the greater glory. Put all these points together, and it is clear that the hoary head must indeed have a crown of glory if it is found in the way of righteousness.
USE 1.
We have cause to lament that we have so few objects of honour among us. Indeed, it is a most glorious sight to see an old, gracious, holy man who has been godly and righteous from his youth. It is truly a sight that draws the eyes of all to behold it. I remember
Josephus says that, even as a child, Moses had such beauty that all who passed by were enamoured with him and could not help but stop and gaze at him. Truly, if there is a beautiful and honourable object in the world, it is to see a hoary head in the ways of righteousness.
But, oh! Woe to us that we have so few of them among us. Blessed be God that there are some, but how happy we would be if we had more such examples to honour. That there are so few, I give you these evidences:
1. How few elderly people do we have who, when they come together, delight in sharing the experiences of God's ways, the passages of God's providence, the faithfulness of God, and His goodness to them and His people, giving glory to His name?
Instead, when they meet, they tell many old tales or fables, delighting in recounting the tricks of their youth—what they did in such an inn, such a tavern, or in such company. They revive their youthful sins, but where do you find them discussing the providence and ways of God in their past to glorify Him?
2. How few elderly ones do we have who are fit to instruct the younger generation, to encourage them in the ways of righteousness, and to share what they have experienced in God's ways, thereby spurring them on to righteousness?
3. How few elderly ones do we find who delight in seeing God manifesting His glory even more in His ways, His truth, and His ordinances than He did before? Instead, are not many vexed and dismissive, thinking everything is merely new and wishing things remained as they were in the past?
4. How many do we have among the elderly who can say with Paul, "Now I have finished my course, I have fought the good fight of faith, and henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory; Come,
Lord Jesus, come quickly"? Certainly, if old age is found in the way of sin, it is as dishonourable as it is glorious when found in the ways of righteousness. Isaiah 65:20 says, "A sinner who is a hundred years old shall be accursed," says the Lord.
We read in Ezekiel 8:12 that when God wanted to expose the superstitious idolatry of His people, He showed Ezekiel what the elders of Israel were doing. Oh! It is a grave and heavy thing when the elders of Israel condone or engage in ways of superstition and
idolatry. And in Ezekiel 9:6, when God was bringing judgment upon His people, He commanded the destroying angel to begin with the elderly first. It is indeed a blessed thing when the hoary head is found in the ways of righteousness, but when white hairs cover a black conscience, it is a grievous thing.
Instead of being old in the ways of righteousness, some are old in adulteries, as in Ezekiel 23:43, where it says, "She was old in adultery." This was an aggravation of her sin—that she was old in it.
To continue in the wantonness of youth into old age, or for old age to be a repository for the diseases of youth—these are serious offences.
Those who are old in sin shall find old wrath heaped up for them. In Ezekiel 25:15, wrath is described as "old wrath," meaning it has accumulated over time. An old enemy of God is a dreadful thing, for such a one has been an enemy all his life and, perhaps, following in the footsteps of forefathers who were also enemies of God.
An old enemy of God is a most dreadful thing, for such a one, along with his forefathers, to have been long-standing adversaries to God.
To be an old, earthly "muckworm," to be aged yet still ignorant and superstitious, and to serve as an example that leads others into evil merely because of the supposed respectability of their age—this is a grievous and deeply troubling matter. May the Lord speak to the hearts of those in such a condition, for they have so little time left to prepare their souls and make peace with God, and it is indeed a difficult task to accomplish.
As we read about the children of Israel, who were in captivity for seventy years, so there are many men and women who have been in captivity under Satan for seventy, perhaps even eighty years. Oh!
How hard it is to work upon them. It is like trying to light a candle that has been left in the wet for a long time—it is difficult to ignite. In
the same way, it is hard to work the work of grace upon anyone who has been soaking in their corruptions for such an extended period. I will not say it is impossible, but show me an example of an aged person who has been converted late in life. Only one seems to stand out with any likelihood, and that is Manasseh; but aside from him, I know no other example.
I do not mean to say it is impossible, but I speak in this manner to stir up those who have not yet made peace with God, even though they have one foot in the grave. It is possible, but we must regard it as a mighty and significant act. God must magnify His free grace towards you, for how shall God accomplish His purpose in working upon you? What service can God expect from you when you have already given away your prime years to the ways of sin?
May the Lord speak to your consciences and humble you before Him this day, for your condition is indeed sad, and it is a most dreadful sight. Just as it is a most glorious sight to behold one who is righteous in their old age, so it is a most dreadful sight to see an old drunkard, an old swearer, or an old profane man. It is truly a fearful and terrible object to behold. However, we hope that the Lord has some among us who are worthy of much reverence and respect, and it is to them that I would prefer to speak.
USE 2 By way of encouragement and exhortation, much peace and comfort are due to such individuals. The Lord and the saints regard them as honourable. You are a Father in Israel, and God remembers all that you have done for Him over these forty, sixty years. I recall Luther saying that one gracious action is more excellent than heaven and earth, Millies quam caelum et terra (he said), meaning one gracious action; and there is truth in this. There is no gracious action that
doesn't possess more excellence than the very structure of heaven and earth.
Therefore, those who have remained steadfast in God's ways and have grown old in them—oh, how excellent are they, having performed so many gracious actions, all of which are treasured up with the Lord. Know that the Lord has old mercies for you, who have been an old disciple, and He will not forsake you in your old age. As Psalm 71:9 states, "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth." And in verse 18, "Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not."
If your conscience tells you that you have endeavoured to serve God from your youth and to do good in the place God has set you, you may now approach God with comfort. "O Lord! Now forsake me not when I am old; leave me not when I am aged." Now, you have the blessings of God's people upon you, and whenever you depart from this world, oh, the sweet fragrance you will leave behind! You are a glory and honour to all your children and will continue to be so after you are dead and gone.
In Proverbs 17:6, it says, "Children's children are the crown of old men, and the glory of children are their fathers." The glory of children indeed lies in their fathers when they are gracious and godly. And now, what an honour it is for a child to have descended from such a person! "Oh! This young man had a very gracious father, an ancient, respectable citizen who acted worthily in his time, serving
God greatly. He was a man of excellent gifts in the place where God had set him." Surely, there is a blessing for the child who had such a father. Why? Because the very mention of you in your old age is an honour to your child after you.
Therefore, seeing that God has placed a crown upon you, strive to brighten this crown more and more, making it more glorious before you die. That is my task now (and then I shall conclude): to show you what old men should do to make their crown more glorious, how they should exercise righteousness so as to be truly glorious both in life, in death, and eternally thereafter.
1. Bewail the sins of your youth; that is a most suitable work for old men, where their righteousness should flow. Mourn over the sins of your youth, and bless God that you have time to lament them. Thus
David, in Psalm 25:7, prays, "Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions." Oh, the many evils of my youth that have passed! How blessed I would have been had I begun sooner in the ways of God! It was Augustine's grievous complaint, Domine nimis
Sera amavi te ("O Lord, I have loved you too late"), when he was an old man. So, all of you who are old and ancient, reflect on your past— did you begin to grow in grace when you were young? If you must say, "O Lord, I began to love you too late," then it would have been a great blessing had you begun sooner.
2. Strive to redeem the time, to do much for God while He continues to give you time. You have but a little time left to live, so let much be done in that time. Even the best of you have neglected the early part of your lives; now double your diligence in the latter part. Strive to redeem the time by encouraging others in the ways of godliness, that they may be more fervent than you, leaving a succession of godliness after you are dead and gone. Ask yourselves, "Shall I leave this world having done so little for God? How little and poor the service I have rendered unto God all my days." Again, consider what you may yet do for His glory.
3. Encourage those who are young and who will follow after you. As David said, "Come, children, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord." Tell them what you have experienced in the ways of God, how sweet and good they have been to you. Labour with your servants and children so that, when you pass away, you may do so with greater comfort. Take care not to criticise the younger ones in their zeal for the ways of God. Do not seize upon any small offence they might commit and say, "Aha, this is your religion, this is your zeal, this is your profession." Oh! If you were truly gracious yourselves, you would be cautious about rebuking them in matters of faith.
It is true that if any of your servants or children profess religion more than others yet are negligent in their duties, they should be rebuked all the more sharply. But you must do it with gravity, tenderness of affection, and with a sense of how God's name suffers. This would befit you, to speak to them as if in God's name, charging matters solemnly upon their consciences and sanctifying them through prayer. However, to criticise them for every expression of their fervour in religion, surely this is wrong. If they were to bring their grievances before God, claiming that they try their best to please you but you take advantage of their earnestness in religion, oh! This would be heard against you in heaven.
4. You who are older, strive to enhance the crown of your glory. Bless God that you live to see any manifestation of His name beyond what you have seen before. That you live to see this day, Christ appearing for His people, His children, and His ordinances more than in times past—whatever you may think of it. Certainly, if many of your forefathers could come back to life and witness these times, they would fall on their faces to the ground in thanksgiving for what you have lived to see. I dare say, there is no godly elder living today in
England who does not find cause for abundant praise to God that they have lived to witness such a revelation of God's work.
Do not be vexed or frustrated because of some troubles and interruptions. In Zechariah 3, at the end, when the foundation of the Temple was laid, the old men wept and cried. The young men shouted and praised God, but the old men wept because they remembered what had been before. In a similar way, many young men today shout and bless God for what they witness, but many older men weep because it is not as it once was. They can recall much more peace in Queen Elizabeth's days; now, they see so much distraction and dissension. Therefore, they are prone to weep when the foundation of the Temple, the work of reformation, is laid.
Oh! They are ready to weep because of the current turmoil, but when you consider everything together, certainly no one since England became a nation, no, nor since the beginning of the world, has seen more of God and His gracious ways with a people than you have seen. Therefore, do not be irritable about what is lacking, but give
God the praise and glory for what has been well begun.
5. Show your righteousness by being willing to open your hearts to embrace whatever truths God may further reveal to you. Do not say,
"What new things will we have now? Shall we be wiser than our forefathers?" Be cautious of using such arguments about your ancestors. You know that passage in 1 Peter 1:18, where Christ is said to have laid down His life to redeem us from our vain ways, received by tradition from our fathers. Therefore, do not cling too much to old customs or what existed in your forefathers' time, but if God reveals any further truth, be ready to embrace it and bless His name for it, for there are truths that arise in different generations.
If your forefathers, during times of reformation, had said (as many of them did), "Shall we be wiser than our forefathers?" we would still be in popery. And yet, we think it was good that they before us departed from their ancestors' ways. Therefore, we must pay attention to the truths that emerge, those manifested in different generations. It is not that any truth is entirely new, but the manifestation of some truths is more evident in certain generations than in others. Hence, in 1 Peter 1:12, the Apostle speaks of being established in the "present truth."
In Luther's time, the doctrine of justification was the present truth of that age, and so, in these times, there are present truths being made known, both concerning our outward and spiritual liberties. There was much false teaching before, even concerning your estates—that you owned nothing, but that all was at the absolute will of those above you, that you had no property rights at all. Regarding spiritual liberty, we know the bondage we were once in. Therefore, strive now to understand these truths and give God the glory for them before you embrace these present truths. It is strange that people should be so fixated on former things as to neglect the grace of God for the present, simply because of what came before.
Now, as for the Fathers (as we call them Fathers), though they are to be revered for their grace, they lived among heathens and had just emerged from heathenism. They were forced to yield as much as they could to the heathens around them, which led to many corruptions.
Likewise, the first reformers, having come out of popery, yielded as far as they could to gain others. Therefore, we must not make what happened before the rule of things but instead bless God for what is revealed now.
6. Another way for older men to beautify their crown in righteousness is this: you who are advanced in years should often reflect on eternity. You are now on the verge of launching into the ocean of eternity, and in a few years, there will be a mighty difference between your present condition and what it will be when you enter your eternal state. Think much about eternity, all you who are older.
Although young people should have their thoughts weighed down with eternity, nothing will better temper the thoughts of both the old and the young than to have them balanced with considerations of eternity—especially those of you who are advanced in years.
7. Beware of those things that are common weaknesses associated with old age, such as timorousness. Oh! You wish to die in peace; you have lived in peace all this time and are reluctant to suffer anything for the truth. Polycarp was not like this—when he was eighty-six years old, he remained courageous. So, strive to have the courage of young men for God, even in your old age.
Guard against a surly and irritable spirit that resists new things simply because you have not received them before. Remember the account of the Roman Senate: when Tiberius wanted Christ to be honoured as a god, they refused. Why? Because the Senate had not proposed it first. In your meetings, even when many are convinced of a good thing, they may oppose it simply because it wasn't first suggested by the elders, but by the young ones. Therefore, even if it is excellent, they will stubbornly cling to their old ways. Oh! Beware of such surliness and irritability of spirit.
Remember the Greeks: it was said that when they wished a curse upon their enemies, they would wish that their enemies would be pleased with bad customs. Indeed, it is a grievous curse when old
men are so set in their ways that they refuse to depart from what they have done in the past.
And then, again, another way to honour your crown in the ways of righteousness is… 8. When God takes you out of this world (as before long He surely must), labour to prepare yourselves so that you may die in faith, in the hope of the glorious things that God is working for the Church in this latter age. Certainly, God is doing great things for His Church in this latter age of the world, greater things than have ever been done before, and those who are still alive may live to see more glorious workings of God in the world than ever before. Though you may not live to see the great things that God intends to do, you can still glorify
God before you die by dying in faith, as old Jacob did.
It is a notable expression of old Jacob when he lay dying; he called his sons to him and said, in Genesis 48:21, "And Israel said to Joseph, 'Behold, I die, but God shall be with you and bring you again to the land of your fathers.'" So, when you who are old lie upon your deathbeds and younger ones gather around you, say to them,
"Behold, I die, but rest assured, God will be faithful in His promises to the Church. There are glorious things being done for His people."
In Hebrews 11:22, the faith of Joseph is commended, in that when he died, he gave orders concerning his bones. Why? What act of faith was it for him to give instructions for his bones to be carried out of Egypt? Yes, it was an act of faith that he believed God would fulfil His promises. You should die believing that God will fulfil those blessed promises He has made to the Churches.
9. Take heed now in your old age against a worldly spirit. This is a charge often laid against older men, and yet it is one of the most strange and unreasonable things that can be. It is very noticeable
that God has promised length of days to those with quite the opposite attitude. However, we see that this heart condition prevails exceedingly among older men. In Proverbs 28:16, it says, "But he who hates covetousness shall prolong his days," yet we find that older men are most prone to it, even though the scripture promises length of days by hating covetousness. There are none among you who wouldn't desire to live a year longer, so now especially hate covetousness in these times.
Nothing will dishonour your crown more than the sin of covetousness in these days, because if ever there were times when
God called for spiritual and heavenly hearts, it is now. In Revelation 4, we read a description of the various ages of the Church: one was like a lion, the second a calf, the third a man, and the fourth an eagle.
The last state of reformation of the Church should be like an eagle, meaning that the hearts of those living in that state should be eaglelike, soaring aloft in heavenly and spiritual things, as it befits those who are old. Do not now be meanly sparing and stingy, for God has great works to do for His people.
I have read of a people in India who worshipped the tooth of a beast, and when it was taken from them, they offered an incredible amount of treasure to recover it because they placed their religion in it. If these heathens were willing to disburse an incredible amount of treasure to regain that religious relic of a beast's tooth, how much more willing should you be to freely lay out your estates for the reformation of religion and for ensuring that the truths and ordinances of God are free among us?
We know that both the state and the necessity of our brethren call for generous hearts, and you, who wear the crown of glory in regard to age, ought to lead the way for others. Be willing to give freely for
their sake. Remember, it is said of the Romans, to their honour, that at the very time when Hannibal was in the field, they would be purchasing fields where their enemy was and would pay a substantial sum for them. Do not be so distrustful, but be willing to disburse in ways that might be beneficial for the relief of our brethren in Ireland and for the establishment of the gospel there, even though there may be some hazards at present.
Ordinarily, those who are old are often full of fears and distrust, but of all people, they should be the freest from them. And in the last place:
10. Let your prayers and your embracing of the gospel in the present be such that you may have hope when you die, that you will leave the gospel as an inheritance to your children afterwards. With what comfort can an aged man or woman die unless they have the hope that the gospel will be left to their children?
Not many years ago, when elderly people died who had any insight into the ways of God, they died with trembling hearts, thinking,
"Now I am going, and what miseries might my child experience? I do not know; perhaps they may be brought up in popery and idolatry."
But now, when you die, you may have the hope of leaving the gospel as an inheritance to your children, especially if your prayers are fervent and your embrace of it is as it ought to be.
It is said of Justin the Younger that he went mad with the fear that the Roman Empire would decay in his time; he was extremely troubled by such a thought. In the same way, each generation should be concerned, asking, "What! Should the gospel decay, and its legacy be cut off in my time?" This should trouble each one of us deeply.
Therefore, be encouraged, and let there be a youthful vigour in your
spirits to strive to propagate the gospel so that you may hope to leave it to your posterity after you are gone.
And it will not be long that you shall have it, for consider this: you have been given a blessed talent of grace in the time God has granted you. I dare say that there has never been a period of eighty years since the world began that has been as blessed for the revelation of the mystery of godliness as these past eighty years. Those who have lived through them have experienced such a remarkable span of time. Pick out any other eighty years since the beginning of the world, and no nation has had such an eighty years as this nation has had. Therefore, know that you have much to answer for.
Remember this: if you have any godliness at all, you have made many covenants and vows to God during your lifetime. Fulfil them before you die; do not die in God's debt. You have offered many prayers, and each prayer is an obligation to you in the ways of godliness. If you thus beautify your crown, when the time comes for you to die, oh, how sweet death will be for you! Your pillow will be soft when you come to die if you can say (according to your measure), as Christ did in John 17, "Father, glorify me with Thyself; I have finished the work Thou hast given me to do."
Reflect upon this, you who are advanced in years: if you were to die, are you able to say as Christ did? For in your own measure, though not as perfectly as Christ did, you may say, "Father, glorify me with Thyself; I have finished the work Thou hast given me to do. Thou knowest that it has been my concern throughout the days of my humble pilgrimage to finish this great work Thou gavest me to do in this world." Oh, how sweet death will be for one who dies in such a way!
USE 3
One word to you who are young (and so I will conclude): Is it such a crown of glory to be found old in the ways of righteousness? Then begin to be godly early, so that if you live long in this world, you may have this crown set upon your heads when you are aged. For is it not better for you to be plants in God's house than weeds upon the dunghill?
Those who are wicked are but as weeds upon a dunghill, but you who are godly are as plants in God's own orchard. In the last chapter of Romans, we find that Andronicus and Junia are commended because they were in Christ before Saint Paul: "They were in Christ before me." It is an honourable thing to be in Christ before others. This is truly honourable when you are young, and then to continue in the ways of godliness throughout your youth, into your middle age, and until you become old.
Here in my text, you have this crown prepared for you, for so says the Holy Spirit: "The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness."
FINIS
-----
MONERGISM BOOKS
Gospel Reconciliation by Jeremiah Burroughs, Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright
Conventions. By downloading this eBook, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Monergism Books. ePub, .mobi & .pdf Editions September 2024. Requests for information should be addressed to: Monergism Books, PO Box 491,
West Linn Or 97068