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

SECT. I.

I Proceed now in the Sixth place, to¹ discourse the Privileges, and Comforts of Old-age. That there is some peculiar Blessing and Dignity in Old-age, is evident, both by the Light of Scripture, and the Light of Nature. The First Commandment with promise is, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy days may be long in the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee: The like Promise ⟨p. 194⟩you will find, Psal. 91. last. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my Salvation. Which shows that Old-age, whatever Inconveniences it is attended withal, is in its self a special Blessing. And on the Contrary, it is threatened as an heavy Judgment unto Eli, that God would cut off his Arm, and the Arm of his Fathers House; that is, he would take away his might, and the strength of his Family, in that there should not be an Old man in his House, 1 Sam. 2. 31. And in general, that bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, Psal. 55. last. Whereupon holy David prays, Psal. 102. 24. O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days. Finally, the Holy Ghost assures us, that the Beauty of old men, is the Grey Head, Psal. 20. 29. By all which it plainly appears, that Old-age is a desirable Mercy, in the judgment of God himself.

I Proceed now in the Sixth place, to¹ discourse the Priviledges, and Comforts of Old-age. That there is some peculiar Blessing and Dignity in Old-age, is evident, both by the Light of Scripture, and the Light of Nature. The First Commandment with promise is, Honour thy Father and thy Mother, that thy days may be long in the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee: The like Promise