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

THE Second Privilege of Old-age is,¹ That it is Richer in Experience, than any other age. This is manifest on the first view, that Experience is the consequent of a long life^k. We have a confused knowledge of things by Hear-say, or Instruction, but by tract of time we arrive at an experimental knowledge thereof. Job could say, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear, but now mine Eye seeth thee, Job 42. 5. By which it appears, that ocular demonstration is the most certain, wherein Old-age hath the greatest advantage^l. They have lived long enough to find, in matters Speculative, what is true and what is false. We owe the knowledge we have of the Celestial Bodies, to the Study and observation of Aged men. We discover what is Safe, or Dangerous in matters of Practice, to the well-tried Maxims of men in years. What was it, which found out the nature and use of herbs and drugs, but long observation? It's true, Experience is a dear Mistress, but yet 'tis a sure ⟨p. 201⟩one, and the Instructions we have that way, stick fastest to us. We far sooner forget the particulars of those Countries of which we have read, than of those which we have traversed our selves. The Aged person can tell experimentally of the wisdom and justice of Gods Providence, of the Truth of his Promises and Threatenings, of the Devices of Satan, of the Deceitfulness of Riches, of the Wisdom of Integrity, of the Vanity of all carnal Delights, of the wickedness of his own Heart. Old-age is rich in the Experience of these things, whereby they are able to govern themselves, and to advise others.

THE Second Priviledge of Old-age is,¹ That it is Richer in Experience, than any other age. This is manifest on the first view, that Experience is the consequent of a long life^k. We have a confused knowledge of things by Hear-say, or Instruction, but by tract of time we arrive at an experimental knowledge thereof. Iob could say, I have heard of thee by the hearing of the Ear, but now mine Eye seeth thee,