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

AND so I come in the Seventh, ¹and Last place to treat, concerning the Work and Business of Old-age: What special and proper Employment, besides their necessary and ordinary affairs, ⟨p. 240⟩their Years obligeth them unto. Their labouring and travelling days are done, but yet they have much Work to do. Sith they have not yet apprehended, this One thing they must do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, they must press towards the mark. There is no complete rest for the body, on this side the grave; nor for the soul, on this side Heaven. They that were Idle in the eleventh hour, were checked with, Why stand ye here idle all the day? Matth. 20. 6. You have been busy a great while for Time, it is but reasonable, you should take some pains for Eternity. The shadows of the Evening have overtaken you, ye have but a little time to work in. It was wise counsel of the Wise man; Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest, Eccles. 9. 10. Behold and see how fast the sands of your glass are running; hearken how fast the Pendulum of your Clock hastens. The Bills of Mortality, besides other Diseases, contain some weekly that dye for Age; and which week your Name will be called, ⟨p. 241⟩