A61390:140
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst, 1688
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. III.
THE Third Grace proper for Old age 1is Wisdom: which we take here in the largest and yet truest sense, not once regarding that mere worldly wisdom, which is not only earthly and selfish, but wicked and devilish; that is only skilled in getting an Estate by hook or crook, and in keeping it without respect to God or our Neighbour. No, this cannot in any tolerable sense be called Wisdom. It's absolute folly to lose, yea to venture a Soul, for what may be utterly lost to morrow. But I speak here of true Wisdom in its latitude, teaching men to live safely and comfortably here, and happily hereafter; as it fixes upon a right End, and chooses and uses the proper Means to attain it. This Grace directs a man to make choice of God for his Happiness, and ⟨p. 92⟩then diligently to apply himself to know, love, serve and enjoy him. This also guides him in all his employments in this world, to attempt nothing but what is possible, honest and useful; to choose the fittest means for the attainment of his just ends; to place his words and actions in their proper circumstances; not always to take the next, but the safest way to his desires; and in short to order his affairs with discretion.
THE Third Grace proper for Oldage 1is Wisdom: which we take here in the largest and yet truest sence, not once regarding that meer worldly wisdom, which is not only earthly and selfish, but wicked and devilish; that is only skill'd in getting an Estate by hook or crook, and in keeping it without respect to God or our Neighbour. No, this cannot in any tolerable sence be called Wisdom. It's absolute folly to lose, yea to venture a Soul, for what may be utterly lost to morrow. But I speak here of true Wisdom in its latitude, teaching men to live safely and comfortably here, and happily hereafter; as it fixes upon a right End, and chuses and uses the proper Means to attain it. This Grace directs a man to make choice of God for his Happiness, and