A61390:280
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst, 1688
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. IV.
THE Fourth Privilege of Old-age 1is, That it is Proner to Piety. True and solid Piety is the Dominion of Gods Fear and Love, in the Heart of Man, and exerts its self in the constant Practice of all the Duties of Religion, in a conscientious manner. For in Religion there is a Body and a Soul. The Body of it consists in the Form of Godliness; the Soul of it, is that which animates all the outward Acts, and is fitly called the Power of Godliness; for that the Activity and force of any thing proceeds from the Soul, or inward Principle. Now the separating this form and power of Godliness, like as that of the Soul and Body, is the death of Godliness. And therefore, though we prefer the Soul, or inside of Religion, yet we divorce it not from the Body: but do take Piety in ⟨p. 212⟩it's just Latitude, comprehending the Acts of Devotion, from a right principle, in a right manner, and to a right end, and expressing it self in a sober, righteous, and godly life. And however the profane Atheist may wickedly deride it on the one hand, or the rotten Hypocrite falsely pretend it on the other; yet there is a wonderful excellency in it, and an absolute necessity of it, even the Consciences of it's greatest Enemies, first or last, being Judges.
THE Fourth Priviledge of Old-age 1is, That it is Proner to Piety. True and solid Piety is the Dominion of Gods Fear and Love, in the Heart of Man, and exerts its self in the constant Practice of all the Duties of Religion, in a conscientious manner. For in Religion there is a Body and a Soul. The Body of it consists in the Form of Godliness; the Soul of it, is that which animates all the outward Acts, and is fitly called the Power of Godliness; for that the Activity and force of any thing proceeds from the Soul, or inward Principle. Now the separating this form and power of Godliness, like as that of the Soul and Body, is the death of Godliness. And therefore, though we prefer the Soul, or inside of Religion, yet we divorce it not from the Body: but do take Piety in