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

Now the Decays of the Eye and Ear are grievous Afflictions; when one can scarce discern one thing, or person, or one letter from another; to continue in a perpetual night or twilight, how uncomfortable must it be? Or, to see people speak, and yet scarce to hear what they say, it is next to being buried alive. For man is a sociable creature; and the All-wise God saw that it was not good for Adam himself, to be alone: but the Privation of these senses leaves a man to himself alone. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath born it upon him. He is liable to be abused and injured both in word and deed, and is ⟨p. 153⟩uncapable to help himself. He is also rendered useless; hereupon T. Manlius Torquatus excused himself from the Consulship, saying it was not fit he should be entrusted with the Lives and Fortunes of others, that could not see or hear, but with others eyes and ears: yea, which is worst of all, such persons are precluded from the Means of Grace and Salvation. There is no better company sometimes than a good Book, but they cannot see a letter. And then Faith comes by Hearing, and it is preserved, and increased by the same means; but let them press never so near, they can scarce hear a distinct word, much less a whole sentence: and what a dry and dead Soul must that be, that lives out of the road of these ordinary helps?

Now the Decayes of the Eye and Ear are grievous Afflictions; when one can scarce discern one thing, or person, or one letter from another; to continue in a perpetual night or twilight, how uncomfortable must it be? Or, to see people speak, and yet scarce to hear what they say, it is next to being buried alive. For man is a sociable creature; and the All-wise God saw that it was not good for Adam himself, to be alone: but the Privation of these senses leaves a man to himself alone. He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath born it upon him. He is liable to be abused and injured both in word and deed, and is ⟨p. 153⟩uncapable to help himself. He is also rendred useless; hereupon T. Manlius Torquatus excused himself from the Consulship, saying it was not fit he should be intrusted with the Lives and Fortunes of others, that could not see or hear, but with others eyes and ears: yea, which is worst of all, such persons are precluded from the Means of Grace and Salvation. There is no better company sometimes than a good Book, but they cannot see a letter. And then Faith comes by Hearing, and it is preserved, and increased by the same means; but let them press never so near, they can scarce hear a distinct word, much less a whole sentence: and what a dry and dead Soul must that be, that lives out of the road of these ordinary helps?