A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…

Strive therefore to break this snare; And to this end, 1. Consider these few ⟨p. 65⟩things, namely, The absolute Vanity of all these worldly things; that is, they are not able to satisfy the Mind, or to cure the Body, or to embellish your Name, or to lengthen the Life, or to save the Soul: and all this hath been proved, and concluded by Solomon a King of vast knowledge and experience. And their Vanity is yet further seen in their uncertainty, there being an hundred ways to rend them from you, and as many ways to rend you away from them. And are they not vain then? And why wilt thou set thine Eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves Wings, they fly away as an Eagle towards Heaven, Prov. 23. 5. Consider again the End for which these things are bestowed upon you, which is, that you should employ them, and use them for him. God doth hereby try you, whether you will deny your self, whether you will glorify him, whether you will lay out your Talent, or lay it up. He makes some persons poor, that he may exercise their patience and humility; and others Rich, to exercise their bounty and their charity. In short, Riches were never given to any man to spend upon his Lusts, or to hoard them up without just cause; but to do ⟨p. 66⟩good withal, first to your selves, then to your Families and Relations, and then to others: when they are not thus employed, you utterly pervert the End for which you are entrusted with them. Consider also, that you are but Stewards in your Estates, and you must give a just account of them to him. All that you possess is His Stock only in your Hands, it is not your own. The Earth is the Lords, and the fullness of it. If you really believed this, you would never pinch or grudge to your self or others, that which is convenient. For what is it to a Steward, when his Lord and Master shall order him to abate so much to his Tenant, or pay so much to another poor man? He sticks not at it, he knows it will pass in his account, and there's an end. And why cannot you, who are only Stewards to the God of Heaven and Earth, of that Estate which is in your hand, when you can discern that he requires it; I say, why cannot you give, forgive, lend, lay out freely, for none of it is your own? and whether will it pass better in your accounts; so much left in Bags or Bonds, or to a prodigal Heir;