So that the Privilege of Aged persons who are even past the World, is really great. They have escaped those rocks and gulfs, of which younger persons are yet in danger. They may look back with pity on younger persons, who are to grapple with the difficulties, which they have overcome. They have also attained that, which all young men desire, for these would live long, and the Aged have lived longh. They have seen an end of all perfection, and that is a poor perfection that hath an end; and after all they find, that this is not their rest, because it is polluted. Although they have been crucifying the world a long time, ⟨p. 231⟩yet they cannot make it wholesome enough to feed on, without much caution and jealousy. And finding it so dangerous a Master, and so troublesome a Servant, they are glad to be rid of it, and glad that they are near parting: So that he who hath tried the world, and yet loves it, is bewitched by it. As a man that hath surfeited on any thing, his Stomach riseth against it: so is it with the Aged, they have too long surfeited on it, and now their Hearts rise against iti. The World and they are easily parted, for it cares little for them, and they care less for it. Farewell (think they) thou false and flattering World, that promised me content, and never performed it; that pretended to be my good Friend, and hast proved my constant Snare, my deadly Enemy; I am now going to a peaceable holy and endless World. Hence it was that when the Physicians once told holy Mr. Dod, in a dangerous Sickness in his Old age, that they had good hopes of his Recovery; he answered them, that the news pleased him no better, than if one should tell the weather-beaten Mariner that was putting into the haven, that he must turn back to conflict with the Storms again. ⟨p. 232⟩No certainly, they who are almost got safely through this dangerous World, would be loth to venture into it again.
So that the Priviledge of Aged persons who are even past the World, is really great. They have escaped those rocks and gulfs, of which younger persons are yet in danger. They may look back with pity on younger persons, who are to grapple with the difficulties, which they have overcome. They have also attained that, which all young men desire, for these would live long, and the Aged have lived longh. They have seen an end of all perfection, and that is a poor perfection that hath an end; and after all they find, that this is not their rest, because it is polluted. Although they have been crucifying the world a long time, ⟨p. 231⟩yet they cannot make it wholsome enough to feed on, without much caution and jealousie. And finding it so dangerous a Master, and so troublesome a Servant, they are glad to be rid of it, and glad that they are near parting: So that he who hath tried the world, and yet loves it, is bewitcht by it. As a man that hath surfeited on any thing, his Stomach riseth against it: so is it with the Aged, they have too long surfeited on it, and now their Hearts rise against iti. The World and they are easily parted, for it cares little for them, and they care less for it. Farewell (think they) thou false and flattering World, that promised me content, and never performed it; that pretended to be my good Friend, and hast proved my constant Snare, my deadly Enemy; I am now going to a peaceable holy and endless World. Hence it was that when the Physicians once told holy Mr. Dod, in a dangerous Sickness in his Oldage, that they had good hopes of his Recovery; he answered them, that the news pleased him no better, than if one should tell the weather-beaten Mariner that was putting into the haven, that he must turn back to conflict with the Storms again. ⟨p. 232⟩No certainly, they who are almost got safely through this dangerous World, would be loth to venture into it again.
- hAt senex est eò melior conditione quam adolescens, cùm id quod sperat ille, hic jam assecutus est. Ille vult diu vivere, hic diu vixit. Cicero.
- iSolemn in confinio mortis positis, res humanas ex ignotâ quadam & supernaturali causa fastidire. P. Suav: Histor. Conc. Trident.Solenne in confinio mortis positis, res humanas ex ignotâ quadam & supernaturali causa fastidire. P. Suav: Histor. Conc. Trident.
