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

Again, as the Aged person is deprived of these Pleasures, so he is freed from any Desires after them. As his sensual Delights fail, so his Desires to them fail also. As he hath not the Pleasure of ⟨p. 137⟩Scratching, so he is free from the trouble of Itching, and what man ever complains of such a want? We are never molested by the want of any thing, which we do not desire^s. Neither is Old-age without it's particular Pleasures. Tully tells us of divers Old-men, that diverted themselves with great delight in their Studies. And for those that have any smattering of Learning, there is no Earthly Pleasure comparable to that of penetrating into the works of Creation and Providence, of observing the Natures, Causes, and Effects of those things, the Surface whereof only is known to younger people.

1. sNihil autem molestum, quod non desideramus. Non caret is, qui non desiderat. Cicer.

Furthermore, the Religious Old person hath an unexpressible Pleasure in the Reflection of a well-spent Life, and upon the various Preservations and Deliverances, which the Lord hath vouchsafed him, out of many Temptations and Afflictions. They have also the solid comfort of seeing their Posterity grow up in the endowments of Mind, Body or Estate; and so of a Generation after them to serve and honour God, while the World stands.

Furthermore, the Religious Old person hath an unexpressible Pleasure in the Reflexion of a well-spent Life, and upon the various Preservations and Deliverances, which the Lord hath vouchsafed him, out of many Temptations and Afflictions. They have also the solid comfort of seeing their Posterity grow up in the endowments of Mind, Body or Estate; and so of a Generation after them to serve and honour God, while the World stands.