The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

Secondly, As for Old Age, which is scarce able to bear the infirmities of Nature, how unfit must that needs be for such hard and difficult services? How can it be expected, that such who are in a manner past working, should go through the greatest works, that in this world are to be performed? Eccl. 12. 1, Solomon calls the days of Old Age, evil days; not because they are so in themselves, but because of the manifold weaknesses and diseases, pains and aches which do accompany them, whereby they are very much disabled unto any good work. And therefore to put off the main business of our lives, the things which concern the Salvation of our Souls to our Old Age, must needs be the greatest folly in the world, because in so doing we put it to the hazard whether ever it will be done. Besides, that God who requireth the First-fruits of all we have, will not be put off with the Devils leavings. If a Soldier should spend the strength of his days in service against his Prince, and in his Old Age offer his service to him, would he, think you, accept thereof, and ⟨p. 27⟩not rather reject him, and his service? Canst thou then imagine that God will accept the service of thine old Age, when thou hast spent the strength of thy years in the service of sin and Satan?

Secondly, As for Old Age, which is scarce able to bear the infirmities of Nature, how unfit must that needs be for such hard and difficult services? How can it be expected, that such who are in a manner past working, should go thorow the greatest works, that in this world are to be performed? Eccl. 12. 1, Solomon calls the days of Old Age, evil days; not because they are so in themselves, but because of the manifold weaknesses and diseases, pains and aches which do accompany them, whereby they are very much disinabled unto any good work. And therefore to put off the main business of our lives, the things which concern the Salvation of our Souls to our Old Age, must needs be the greatest folly in the world, because in so doing we put it to the hazard whether ever it will be done. Besides, that God who requireth the First-fruits of all we have, will not be put off with the Devils leavings. If a Souldier should spend the strength of his days in service against his Prince, and in his Old Age offer his service to him, would he, think you, accept thereof, and