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

2. Unteachableness. When the fault is only in the understanding or memory, it is rather matter of pity, but when it is in the will, it is highly criminal. Now this is a fault very incident to Old-age, yea, ⟨p. 71⟩the more ignorant, the more obstinate^y. Hence we read, Eccl. 4. 13. of an old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished. They think it a disgrace to learn; they are more ready to teach, than to learn. It's grown proverbial, They are too old to learn. Indeed if the things propounded be unnecessary and useless, you may safely remain in your ignorance; but if they be proper either to your civil or spiritual Calling, it is a greater shame to be ignorant of them, than to learn them: especially in the great Points that are necessary to Salvation. How many instructive Discourses have you heard about these things, and how little have you learned? You have your Lesson to get, and your Master is just coming.

2. Unteachableness. When the fault is only in the understanding or memory, it is rather matter of pity, but when it is in the will, it is highly criminal. Now this is a fault very incident to Old-age, yea, ⟨p. 71⟩the more ignorant, the more obstinate^y. Hence we read, Eccl. 4. 13. of an old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished. They think it a disgrace to learn; they are more ready to teach, than to learn. It's grown proverbial, They are too old to learn. Indeed if the things propounded be unnecessary and useless, you may safely remain in your ignorance; but if they be proper either to your civil or spiritual Calling, it is a greater shame to be ignorant of them, than to learn them: especially in the great Points that are necessary to Salvation. How many instructive Discourses have you heard about these things, and how little have you learn'd? You have your Lesson to get, and your Master is just coming.