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

And herein Old-age doth or should excel^x. They have met with many troubles in their pilgrimage; and the Scripture tells us, that tribulation worketh patience, Rom. 5. 3. consequently, the more troubles, the greater patience. They have bin taught to wait for some Mercies which they have desired, for many years; and so have bin taught Patience, which when they have well learned, ⟨p. 100⟩then the Mercy hath been conferred. They have been tried with many Afflictions from the hand of God, either upon their Bodies, as Sickness, Pain, &c. sometimes by acute, sometimes by chronic Distempers; and these have exercised and taught them Patience; or upon their Souls, as Desertions, or other Impressions of divine Displeasure, and thereby have learned quietly to wait for the Salvation of God; or by the Death of their dear Consorts or Children; all which, by the blessing of God concurring therewith, have like continual burdens on the shoulder, inured and strengthened them in this Excellent Grace. The Aged Person hath also had many provocations, losses, and injuries from Men, which have both tried and tamed his mettle. He hath been either uncomfortably Matched, whereby his Patience hath been put to it every day; or crossed in his Children, or fixed near some unquiet Neighbour; or harassed by a costly and tedious suit of Law; any of which have forced him to exercise this Grace: Or else he hath been smitten in his Reputation, or maimed by some great loss or disappointment in his Estate, where he hath had no Remedy but Patience. I know ⟨p. 101⟩these things do too often work the wrong way, that is, they produce fretfulness, rage, melancholy, and other dismal effects; but in the upright man, they fortify his Spirits, they break the pride, security and stubbornness of his Soul, and make him by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, honour and immortality, and so fit him for Eternal Life.

And herein Old-age doth or should excel^x. They have met with many troubles in their pilgrimage; and the Scripture tells us, that tribulation worketh patience,