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

THE Tenth and last Inconvenience in¹ Old-age, is, That they are Terrified with the approach of Death. For Death is a word hard of digestion to any man. ⟨p. 187⟩The Philosopher counted it of all dreadful things the most Terrible. And Mr. Latimer observes of Hezekiah, that he was more afraid of Death, than of all Sennacherib's Army. Now Old-age is a near neighbour to it, and the aspect of it always before them, is not very pleasant. Most men, saith Seneca, are miserably tossed between the fear of Death and the miseries of Life, are unwilling either to live or die^r. Especially they who have had their portion in this life, and have made no provision for a better. This made Lewis 11th of France to charge all about him, to forbear the mention of Death. The strict Account which follows it, and the long Eternity which follows that, makes Death a most serious matter. No wonder if the hand tremble, when it is going to take that Cup, which will mend or end them. Now the Old man is at the door of this fatal place. Though a Casualty may bring Death suddenly, though a sickness may bring it probably, yet Old age brings it certainly^s. Peradventure there are fifty weeks or days remaining in their life, peradventure but forty five; perhaps but forty, but thirty, yea but twenty, as Abraham said of Sodom; nay, since it is dubious every moment, and ⟨p. 188⟩no mortal man knows at what Wat• of the Night he shall be called, the […] person that is but a step from death, must be through fear of Death in continual bondage.

THE Tenth and last Inconvenience in¹ Old-age, is, That they are Terrified with the approach of Death. For Death is a word hard of digestion to any man. ⟨p. 187⟩The Philosopher counted it of all dreadfull things the most Terrible. And Mr. Latimer observes of Hezekiah, that he was more afraid of Death, than of all Senacheribs Army. Now Old-age is a near neighbour to it, and the aspect of it alwayes before them, is not very pleasant. Most men, saith Seneca, are miserably tost between the fear of Death and the miseries of Life, are unwilling either to live or dy