BERM. XXVIII., A LOVELY CARRIAGE, &C. 461 ing statewith an air of modesty, nor is there any need to put on haughty and scornful airs, in order to secure the. honours of a tribunal, or the highest offices of magis- tracy. I have known a man who acted in an exalted station with so much condescension and candour, that all men agreed to love and honour him so far, that it was hard to say, whether he was most honoured, or most beloved. How amiable a behaviour is it in younger persons, when respect is paid to age, and the honour is given to thehoary head that nature and scripture join to require ! Lev. xix. 32. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour theface of theold man : and fear thy God : .I am the Lord. Though the character of the aged per- son, in respect of riches, quality, and learning, may be much inferior, yet the wisdom that is naturally supposed to be derived from long experience, lays a foundation for this superior honour. And I look upon it as a part of the shame and just reproach of our day, that there is such á licentious insolence assumed by youth to treat their elders with contempt. But_so much the more lovely is the carriage of those who, in spite of evil custom, treat old age with reverence, and abhor the., pert and. petulant indignites that some of their companions cast: upon the writings andcounsels of their ancestors. And here I beg leave also- humbly to admonish my fathers, that they practise the lovely grace of condescen- sion, when they converse with those that are young. I entreat them to permit a, youth of an inquisitive genius, to propose an argument for some farther improvement of knowledge, or to raise an objection against an estab-. blished doctriné, and not to answer him with an imperi- ous frown, or with the reproaches of heresy or imperti- nence. I beseech them to indulge the rising generation in some degrees of freedom of sentiment, and to offer. some demonstration for their own,opinions, besides their authority, and the multitude of their years. The apostle Peter's advice maybe addressed to persons of all ages and characters ; 1 Pet., v. 5. Ye younger, sub mit yourselves to the elder Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothedwith humility ; for Godd resisteth the proud, and,giveth grace to the humble. Ifwe have more knowledge than others, how lovely is;
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