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

For besides the advantage they have ⟨p. 123⟩had of Gods holy Ordinances, the Scope whereof is to increase our Faith and Love^h; they have found by experience, that the Life and Soul of Religion lies not in these lesser matters, that have caused the greatest noise in the World; that every difference in Religion makes not a different Religion: so that wheresoever they see any thing of Christ, these they love. Their Consciousness of their own mistakes, and of their own imperfections, hath forced them to more charitable thoughts of others. They have observed, that true Grace hath lived in the midst of great infirmities; yea, they have found this Flower in divers persons, where they thought there had been nothing but Weeds. Being conversant most at home in their own Souls, they have in their long experience discovered so much Vanity and Iniquity there, that they are are very charitable Judges of all other persons. They grow like the famous Pliny, who so past by others offences, as if himself had been the greatest offender; and yet was so severe to himself, as if he would pardon no body: their Charity covers a multitude of Sins. In short, their Age and Afflictions have so happily humbled them, that ⟨p. 124⟩they are ready to esteem every one better than themselves; and so they are far from that uncharitable Censoriousness, which tears mens Names in pieces, and keeps up a continual civil War among mankind.

For besides the advantage they have ⟨p. 123⟩had of Gods holy Ordinances, the Scope whereof is to increase our Faith and Love^h; they have found by experience, that the Life and Soul of Religion lies not in these lesser matters, that have caused the greatest noise in the World; that every difference in Religion makes not a different Religion: so that wheresoever they see any thing of Christ, these they love. Their Consciousness of their own mistakes, and of their own imperfections, hath forced them to more charitable thoughts of others. They have observed, that true Grace hath lived in the midst of great infirmities; yea, they have found this Flower in divers persons, where they thought there had been nothing but VVeeds. Being conversant most at home in their own Souls, they have in their long experience discovered so much Vanity and Iniquity there, that they are are very charitable Iudges of all other persons. They grow like the famous Pliny, who so past by others offences, as if himself had been the greatest offender; and yet was so severe to himself, as if he would pardon no body: their Charity covers a multitude of Sins. In short, their Age and Afflictions have so happily humbled them, that