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

Now this is a sore Affliction, and touches man or woman to the quick. For such as have been regarded and reverenced, to be neglected and despised, grates even the most ingenuous spirits. Job 29. 30. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel: but now they that are younger than I, have me in derision; they abhor me, they flee from me, &c. Miserrimum est fuisse felicem. The respects and honour that one hath formerly had, makes his present contempt more intolerable. Not but that a good man is satisfied with himself; but he is aware, that hereby he is rendered unuseful to others: For when the Person is despised, his Example nor his Counsel, let them be never so profitable, will be regardable or useful: He passes for an old Dotard, and there's an end. The truth is, every man would be beloved, and in some sort esteemed, but when on the contrary, he perceives that he is nothing set by, what should he do in this world? That man is a burden to ⟨p. 173⟩himself, who discerns that he is a burden to every body else.

Now this is a sore Affliction, and touches man or woman to the quick. For such as have been regarded and reverenced, to be neglected and despised, grates even the most ingenuous spirits. Iob 29. 30. Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel: but now they that are younger than I, have me in derision; they abhor me, they flee from me, &c. Miserrimum est fuisse felicem. The respects and honour that one hath formerly had, makes his present contempt more intolerable. Not but that a good man is satisfied with himself; but he is aware, that hereby he is rendred unuseful to others: For when the Person is despised, his Example nor his Counsel, let them be never so profitable, will be regardable or useful: He passes for an old Dotard, and there's an end. The truth is, every man would be beloved, and in some sort esteemed, but when on the contrary, he perceives that he is nothing set by, what should he do in this world? That man is a burden to ⟨p. 173⟩himself, who discerns that he is a burden to every body else.