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

Thirdly, another Privilege of Old age, ¹is, That it is freer from Sin. The Corruption of Nature, and the Fruits thereof, are the great blot, and woeful plague upon mankind, and the first thing which every person, arrived at the use of Reason should seriously set about, should be to be healed of it. But instead of that, most people meeting with temptations without them, and finding Strength and Youth within them, forget the care of their Hereditary Disease, and pursue their iniquities with greediness. Some are tickled with applause, and so they hunt after an airy renown, and an ungrounded reputation; others let the reins loose to sensual delights, and wallow in the pleasures of Sin for a Season; Others setting aside all fear of God, and love to their Neighbour, are set upon Revenge, and will run down every one that stands in their way; and others hoping for that satisfaction in Riches, which they will never find, set their minds to grasp after a plentiful Estate, ⟨p. 207⟩by hook or crook. Now tho some young people do happily escape these snares, as was the case of Obadiah; and some Old people are unhappily entrapped in them, as was the case of Solomon; yet most commonly Youth, by reason of it's inexperience and unmortifiedness, is full of Sin. Job could reflect on the Sins of his Youth, and David saw cause to cry for the pardon of those offences. Hence Aristotle would scarce admit them capable of Moral Lectures. And indeed that ardour and vehemence which is almost inseparable from that age, makes them an easy prey to many Temptations.