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

SECT. VIII.

THE Eighth Privilege of Old-Age, ¹which is, that it is Nearer to Death than in the Course of Nature, younger persons are, and consequently if they be in Christ, nearer to the Everlasting Life. For though it is possible for the Young to dye soon, yet it is impossible for the Aged to live long^†. Their manifest Decays are a certain presage of their approaching Dissolution, and no Medicine ⟨p. 233⟩hath yet bin found to cure Oldage. The graves are ready for them, and the Worms wait for their last repast upon them. The moth of Mortality, which is bred in our Nature, will still be fretting the Garment of our Bodies, till they be consumed. Death is already got into the Aged persons Eye, and Ear, and in a short time will bring him unto the dust. Now though this be an unwelcome Messenger to those that live at ease, yet to an holy Old man and woman it is a blessed Privilege: for as looking backward they see a tempting troublesome world, so looking forward they see by Faith a state of perfect Holiness and Happiness prepared for them. This Faith assures them, that the end of their fight, is the beginning of their Victory, and as they part from their labours, they take possession of their honours^k. And doth not any Apprentice rejoice, when the time of his service is near its expiration? I know Nature recoils at the approach of Death in the best, but Faith is then of greatest need and use, and the just may be said to die, as well as to live by his faith. Thereby he sees Life and Immortality just before him, and one only miry step to pass, and then he is ⟨p. 234⟩well. Indeed the idle man desires not to go to bed, but to all that take or suffer pain, saith S. Chrysostom