YOU have here a plain Discourse concerning Old-age. The Design of it is to Instruct, to Warn, and to Comfort the Weaker sort of Ancient persons, amongst whom I must place my self. The Wiser and stronger may find divers things upon this Subject collected here together, which they have met with asunder, and which they know and practise better than I. But that which put me upon this Attempt, was, 1. Some years Experience of Old-age in my self. 2. More Leisure by reason of my bodily Infirmities, and other Restraints than I could have desired. 3. An Observation, that there was no full Treatise in our Tongue upon this Point. 4. And lastly, an unfeigned desire to be some way useful in the World. These ⟨image 3⟩were the true Occasions of this Adventure. Whatsoever in it tastes of the cask, impute that to my weakness; whatsoever is worthy, ascribe it only to God• Goodness. I know it is full of imperfections, but when the Principle, Matter, and End of an action are honest, Candid persons will interpret the rest in the best sense: Such Ancient and Modern Authors, I could meet with,1 as have written upon this Subject, I have perused, and digested their Observations in their places. But the Scriptures here produced are my great Vouchers, and which I do most earnestly recommend to the Readers, for they are worthy the highest Regard. That the Lord would enable me and you to frame our Old-age according to these Instructions, is the earnest Prayer of
YOU have here a plain Discourse concerning Old-age. The Design of it is to Instruct, to Warn, and to Comfort the Weaker sort of Ancient persons, amongst whom I must place my self. The Wiser and stronger may find divers things upon this Subject collected here together, which they have met with asunder, and which they know and practise better than I. But that which put me upon this Attempt, was, 1. Some years Experience of Old-age in my self. 2. More Leisure by reason of my bodily Infirmities, and other Restraints than I could have desired. 3. An Observation, that there was no full Treatise in our Tongue upon this Point. 4. And lastly, an unfained desire to be some way usefull in the World. These ⟨image 3⟩were the true Occasions of this Adventure. Whatsoever in it tasts of the cask, impute that to my weakness; whatsoever is worthy, ascribe it only to God• Goodness. I know it is full of imperfections, but when the Principle, Matter, and End of an action are honest, Candid persons will interpret the rest in the best sence: Such Ancient and Modern Authors, I could meet with,1 as have written upon this Subject, I have perused, and digested their Observations in their places. But the Scriptures here produced are my great Vouchers, and which I do most earnestly recommend to the Readers, for they are worthy the highest Regard. That the Lord would enable me and you to frame our Old-age according to these Instructions, is the earnest Prayer of
- 1Plutarch, Cicero, Seneca, Palaeotus, Tossanus, Rivet, &c.
