The solemnizing of the birth-day of princes has been an ancient piece of respect done them; and if it be not abused, as Jeroboam's was (Hos. vii.5), and Herod's (Mark vi.21), is a usage innocent enough: and we may all profitably take notice of our birth-days, with thankfulness for the mercies of our birth, sorrow for the sinfulness of it, and an expectation of the day of our death as better than the day of our birth.
Matthew's father, Philip, who was born on Bartholomew's Day, August 24, 1631 -- which due to events in 1572 and 1662 was historically a day of great mourning and lamentation for Protestants -- himself recorded personal reflections on his birthday in his own diary each year. As Matthew wrote:
He was born at White-hall, in Westminster, on Wednesday, August 24, 1631. being Bartholomew-day. I find usually in his Diary, some pious Remark or other upon the Annual Return of his Birth-day: As in one Year he notes, that the Scripture mentions but two who observed their Birth-day with Feasting and Joy, and they were neither of them Copies to be written after: viz. Pharaoh, Gen. 40.20. and Herod, Mat. 14.6. But (saith he) I rather observe it as a Day of Mourning and Humiliation, because shapen in Iniquity, and conceived in Sin. And when he had completed the Thirtieth Year of his Age, he noted this, So old, and no older, Alexander was, when he had conquered the great World, but (saith he) I have not yet subdued the little World, my self. At his Thirty third Year he hath this Humble Reflection; A long time lived to small purpose, What shall I do to redeem it? And at another, I may Mourn as Caesar did when he reflected upon Alexander's early Achievements, that others, younger than I am, have done much more than I have done for God, the God of my Life. And (to mention no more) when he had lived Forty two Years, he thus writes; I would be loath to live it over again, lest instead of making it better I should make it worse, and besides, every Year and Day spent on Earth is less in Heaven. This last Note minds me of a Passage I have heard him tell of a Friend of his, who being grown into Years, was asked how old he was, and answer'd, On the wrong side of Fifty: Which (said Mr. Henry) he should not have said; for if he was going to Heaven, it was the right side of Fifty.
He always kept a Will by him ready made, and it was his Custom yearly, upon the return of his Birth-day, to review, and (if occasion were) to renew and alter it: For it is good to do that at a set time, which it is very good to do at some time.
Two particular specimens of Matthew's (who was born on October 18, 1662) "Birth-day Memorials" as found in his diary follow:
October 18, 1697. Through the good hand of my God upon me, I have finished my thirty-fifth year -- one half of the age of man: as if now in the zenith or [Gk.]; it is high noon with me; but my sun may 'go down at noon.' I was affected this morning, when alone, in thinking what I was born! A rational creature, a helpless creature, and a sinful creature. Where I was born! In the church of God; in a land of light; in a house of prayer. What I was born for! To glorify God my Maker, and prepare to get to heaven.
...
Oct. 18, 1711. I have now finished my seventh climacteric year, in which I have first felt the pain of the gravel and the stone, by which it is easy for me to discern that death is working in my body; for this disease is death begun; perhaps in a little time it will be death itself. The will of the Lord be done; only let patience have its perfect work. I enter now upon the jubilee of my life, my fiftieth year; the term of life approaches; may I be fitter for eternal life.
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