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

But now the pious Old person hath really crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts; His Sins did not leave him, but he hath left them. They have not heard and read the Scripture so long in vain, which every where disgraceth ⟨p. 116⟩and condemneth all excess and riot, all Chambering and Wantonness, and obligeth all Christians to deny themselves, and to pluck out the right Eye that doth offend them. They have found by experience that as true Virtue, so true Satisfaction is only found in a Mediocrity; and that all extremes and inordinacies, are offensive both to the Mind and Body. I said of Laughter, it is mad, and of Mirth, what doth it? Eccles. 2. 2. This was the Verdict which wise Solomon brought in his Old-age, when he had not withheld his Heart from any joy, &c. yet then he concludes, all was vanity and vexation of Spirit, and there was no profit under the Sun, Eccles. 2. 10. Besides, they who have lived long, have seen the woeful Effects of Drunkenness, Uncleanness, and Luxury; how many Bodies they have destroyed, how many Estates and Families they have ruined, and what small pity the miserable Spend-thrift meets with in those persons and places, where he hath consumed his substance. These and such like observations have contributed to the Aged mans Sobriety, they have been Pillars of Salt to him.

But now the pious Old person hath really crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts; His Sins did not leave him, but he hath left them. They have not heard and read the Scripture so long in vain, which every where disgraceth ⟨p. 116⟩and condemneth all excess and riot, all Chambering and Wantonness, and obligeth all Christians to deny themselves, and to pluck out the right Eye that doth offend them. They have found by experience that as true Vertue, so true Satisfaction is only found in a Mediocrity; and that all extremes and inordinacies, are offensive both to the Mind and Body. I said of Laughter, it is mad, and of Mirth, what doth it? Eccles. 2. 2. This was the Verdict which wise Solomon brought in his Old-age, when he had not withheld his Heart from any joy, &c. yet then he concludes, all was vanity and vexation of Spirit, and there was no profit under the Sun,