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

First, The Aged are Deprived of many Pleasures. They cannot divert themselves by Hunting, Hawking, Fishing: They can neither well ride abroad, nor walk about home. They have done with Visits, and Feasts, and Music: All the recreations of sense are generally tasteless to them. Yea, they have scarce any pleasure in their meat, and drink, and sleep: So that their Condition seems to be sad and lamentable. And we have the substance of all this confessed by an Old man himself, namely Barzillai, 2 Sam. 19. 35. I am this day fourscore years old; and can thy servant taste what I eat, or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? q. d. These things will signify nothing to me; they have forsaken me, and I value them as little. Here you have the Verdict which Barzillai brings in the Case. Yea instead of Pleasure, a constant Sadness ⟨p. 134⟩takes place in their Countenance without, and, as may be judged, in their Hearts within. Sobs and sighs are the accent of their language, and their complaints are frequently mixed with tears. Their Condition then must needs be miserable, when they have such constant heaviness within, and no recreation without to alleviate it. Company burdens them, and Solitariness saddens them. Yea they are loth that any body should be merry about them: So that they seem to lead a dolorous life, and to be estranged from all manner of Pleasure.

First, The Aged are Deprived of many Pleasures. They cannot divert themselves by Hunting, Hawking, Fishing: They can neither well ride abroad, nor walk about home. They have done with Visits, and Feasts, and Musick: All the recreations of sense are generally tastless to them. Yea, they have scarce any pleasure in their meat, and drink, and sleep: So that their Condition seems to be sad and lamentable. And we have the substance of all this confessed by an Old man himself, namely Barzillai, 2 Sam. 19. 35. I am this day fourscore years old; and can thy servant tast what I eat, or what I drink? can I hear any more the voyce of singing men and singing women? q. d. These things will signifie nothing to me; they have forsaken me, and I value them as little. Here you have the Verdict which Barzillai brings in the Case. Yea instead of Pleasure, a constant Sadness ⟨p. 134⟩