Let there be always something of God stamped upon all that you do, suffer, or enjoy. Do you think that a naked profession is worthy of God; that to pray morning and evening, and never think of God all the day after, is worthy of God? No, but if you will walk worthy of God, something of God should be stamped upon all your doings, sufferings, company, converses and enjoyments. How is it with you as to what you have heard? Observe yourselves; would you walk worthy of God? You have heard it is the duty of all that are called to his kingdom and glory; but, Lord, how few are there that walk worthy of God, of the gospel, of Christ, of that high calling whereunto they are called! Are there not some among us that sit under the gospel, that in point of righteousness live beneath heathens; that walk contrary to their profession? Is this to walk worthy of God? Are there not some of us that at the best walk in a legal way, as under a covenant of works? Either you are called effectually or you are not; called you are, outwardly, all of you that live under the gospel. If you be not called effectually, the time will come when you will have this dreadful question put to you, "Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment?" not having a gospel disposition suitable to a gospel dispensation. If you be called effectually, you are called to a kingdom, and faithful is he that hath called you, who also will do it. 66 Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel, worthy of him who hath called you to his kingdom and glory." A WORD TO THE AGED. CHAPTER I. THE OLD MAN'S WEAKNESS. THERE is no state or condition of men, but some grace, goodness or virtue may and can plant upon; as there is no condition but some sin will grow upon. Yet there is some grace or virtue that is most suited unto some condition, and will grow best upon such a soil; therefore the apostle John saith, "I will write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I will write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father," 1 John ii. 13. It is our wisdom, therefore, to observe what our state and soil is, and to plant our ground accordingly. Now old age is a dry and barren ground. The state of old age is a state of weakness and of much infirmity. Solomon calls it "the evil day," Eccles. xii. 1. Evil it is in regard of natural and moral infirmities. Evil in regard of natural infirmities, for then "the clouds return after the rain." In the time of youth, if a man be sick, and that cloud hath emptied itself by some great sickness, he is well again, and a fair day of health is upon him. But if a man be stricken with years, and a cloud of sickness doth arise upon him, though that cloud hath discharged itself by some great distemper, yet he hath still infirmitatis stillicidia post ingentem tempestatem; still it rains in upon him, and he can hardly sit dry in his old cottage; and therefore Solomon saith of this evil day, that then "the clouds return after the rain." Then, also," the sun and moon and stars are darkened;" that is, the reason, memory, fancy, and all those faculties which do receive and give out our reason, ver. 2. "Then the keepers of the house do tremble;" that is, the hands and the arms: "and the strong men bow themselves;" that is, the thighs and legs: " and the grinders cease, because they are few;" that is, the teeth: " and those |