And this is a great Privilege, for as much as Sin is the Disease of the Soul, and the greatest Evil in the World: so that that State of life, which is freest ⟨p. 209⟩from it, must needs be the happiest. For it is this that helps to complete our felicity in Heaven, that no Sin lodgeth there, and the Aged person is hastening thither, and consequently strives to break this Yoke, and fit himself for that Estate. As the pleasures he hath had in these is gone, so his desires after them are gone also. He now finds that there is more Satisfaction, in not desiring them, than there is in enjoying of them, and so is far from being grieved at his releasement from those Shacklesr. He would not live over again his sinful life for all the world; and he is concerned, not because they are past, but because at any time they had dominion. Yea, he finds more real content in his Penitential Tears, than ever he had in his Youthful Frolics: with what contempt doth he behold the Debaucheries, the Duels, and the frothy Follies of the roaring Sparks, which they triumph in, as in an Heaven upon Earth? But he hath fathomed them, and found them empty as vanity, and filthy as the Mire. He now believes what he had often heard, that the pleasures of Sin are but like a golden dream, which leave nothing but Pensiveness behind them, till God upon ⟨p. 210⟩his repentance, restore unto him the joys of his Salvation. Now the Varnish of his Sin is worn off, he sees the filthy and ugly nature of it, and wonders that any rational person should ever love it. He is now frighted at the remembrance of those Pranks, that he formerly committed without remorse; and in short, he is well pleased, that he hath a weak body instead of his strong corruption; and is ready, with that excellent Philosopher sto count his Old-age, his flourishing age, because he only finds his Vices, and the fuel of them withered, and that his mind began now to be freed from the Snares, wherein it was held by the Body, &c.
And this is a great Priviledge, for as much as Sin is the Disease of the Soul, and the greatest Evil in the World: so that that State of life, which is freest ⟨p. 209⟩from it, must needs be the happiest. For it is this that helps to compleat our felicity in Heaven, that no Sin lodgeth there, and the Aged person is hastning thither, and consequently strives to break this Yoke, and fit himself for that Estate. As the pleasures he hath had in these is gone, so his desires after them are gone also. He now finds that there is more Satisfaction, in not desiring them, than there is in enjoying of them, and so is far from being grieved at his releasement from those Shacklesr. He would not live over again his sinful life for all the world; and he is concern'd, not because they are past, but because at any time they had dominion. Yea, he finds more real content in his Poenitential Tears, than ever he had in his Youthful Frolicks: with what contempt doth he behold the Debaucheries, the Duels, and the frothy Follies of the roaring Sparks, which they triumph in, as in an Heaven upon Earth? But he hath fathom'd them, and found them empty as vanity, and filthy as the Mire. He now believes what he had often heard, that the pleasures of Sin are but like a golden dream, which leave nothing but Pensiveness behind them, till God upon ⟨p. 210⟩his repentance, restore unto him the joys of his Salvation. Now the Varnish of his Sin is worn off, he sees the filthy and ugly nature of it, and wonders that any rational person should ever love it. He is now frighted at the remembrance of those Pranks, that he formerly committed without remorse; and in short, he is well pleased, that he hath a weak body instead of his strong corruption; and is ready, with that excellent Philosopher sto count his Old-age, his flourishing age, because he only finds his Vices, and the fewel of them withered, and that his mind began now to be freed from the Snares, wherein it was held by the Body, &c.
- rQui se libidinum vinculis laxatos no• molesti •errent. Cicer.
- sNon sentio in animo aetatis injuriam, cùm sentiam in corpore: tantum vitia & vitiorum ministeria senu• runt; vig•t animus & gaudet non multum sibi cum corpore; magnam partem oneris sui deposuit; Exultat & mihi facit controversiam de senectute, hanc ait esse •orem suum; credamus illi, bono suo utat•r. Sen. Ep. 26.
