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

1. Craftiness, which is Prudence degenerate. Old people have had much dealing in the World, and have seen, yea, perhaps felt the effects of other mens sinister Carriage; and being too much devoted to a selfish interest, do thereupon too often strain a point of equity and integrity, to compass their own ends. If this subtlety were only employed for their own security, it were less culpable; but when it is an Engine to ensnare, or to over-reach their Brother, it is inexcusable. When a Crafty old Miser, hath a young Prodigal in his Talons, what work doth he make with him? What cunning arts, what tricks and stratagems hath he to distil his Estate into his own Coffers? But this is a baseness unbecoming a Moral Heathen, who would put himself into another's case, and deal with him as he would be used by him: how enormous then is it for a Christian, that ought by no means to live to himself, that should remember he is but a Stranger in this Earth, and is seeking a better Country, that is a professor of self-denial and sincerity!

1. Craftiness, which is Prudence degenerate. Old people have had much dealing in the World, and have seen, yea, perhaps felt the effects of other mens sinister Carriage; and being too much devoted to a selfish interest, do thereupon too often strain a point of equity and integrity, to compass their own ends. If this subtilty were only imployed for their own security, it were less culpable; but when it is an Engine to insnare, or to over-reach their Brother, it is inexcusable. When a Crafty old Miser, hath a young Prodigal in his Tallons, what work doth he make with him? What cunning arts, what tricks and stratagems hath he to distill his Estate into his own Coffers? But this is a baseness unbecoming a Moral Heathen, who would put himself into anothers case, and deal with him as he would be used by him: how enormous then is it for a Christian, that ought by no means to live to himself, that should remember he is but a Stranger in this Earth, and is seeking a better Country, that is a professour of self-denial and sincerity!

Beware therefore of this unworthy Trade: believe, that what you save or gain by indirect ways, brings to you a Curse along with it; resolve, that if you cannot stand by plain dealing, to fall with it, your fall will be glorious. Esau was a cunning Fellow, but Jacob was a plain man, and so should all his Off-spring be. But if you will needs be exercising your Talent, employ it in a wise contriving, which way to do good to your Neighbour. So did St. Paul,