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

But that which should chiefly support a wise and good man under these Decays of the Senses, is, The comfortable review of the right use he hath made of them, that he hath not used them as Instruments of unrighteousness unto Sin, but as the Instruments of righteousness unto God; or an hearty Grief for his Abuse of them: And the joyful Prospect of the Resurrection, when all our Imperfections will be done away, and our vile bodies made like Christs glorious body. ⟨p. 156⟩There's no body much grieved at the want of repair in a House which he is leaving, when he is ready to go to one that will need reparation no more. Yea, there is cause of Thankfulness, that we have enjoyed the use of these Senses so long, whereas we might have bin born blind, and deaf, and dumb: but especially, that God hath given us a spiritual Eye, and an inward Ear. Let that Soul exceedingly rejoice, said Basil, that hath an Eye to discern invisible things, even to behold him with whom it shall dwell for ever. And thus Antony the Hermite comforted Didymus. You should not, saith he, take it heavily, that you want such Eyes as Mice and other brute Animals enjoy, but rather reckon your self a blessed man, in having such eyes as Angels have, whereby you may behold God himself .^e

But that which should chiefly support a wise and good man under these Decayes of the Senses, is, The comfortable review of the right use he hath made of them, that he hath not us'd them as Instruments of unrighteousness unto Sin, but as the Instruments of righteousness unto God; or an hearty Grief for his Abuse of them: And the joyful Prospect of the Resurrection, when all our Imperfections will be done away, and our vile bodies made like Christs glorious body. ⟨p. 156⟩There's no body much grieved at the want of repair in a House which he is leaving, when he is ready to go to one that will need reparation no more. Yea, there is cause of Thankfulness, that we have enjoyed the use of these Senses so long, whereas we might have bin born blind, and deaf, and dumb: but especially, that God hath given us a spiritual Eye, and an inward Ear. Let that Soul exceedingly rejoyce, said Basil, that hath an Eye to discern invisible things, even to behold him with whom it shall dwell for ever. And thus Antony the Hermite comforted Didymus. You should not, saith he, take it heavily, that you want such Eyes as Mice and other brute Animals enjoy, but rather reckon your self a blessed man, in having such eyes as Angels have, whereby you may behold God himself .