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

And in case you find your selves at a loss in this affair, repair to some Able and faithful Minister of Christ, and be not afraid or ashamed to lay open your Condition, and follow his guidance therein. For if men are not content, in case of an Infirmity of body, to hear the Physic Lectures, or to read books of Receipts, but will state their own case to the Physician himself; and will do the like to the Lawyer in weighty cases concerning their Estates, how much more need have you of a Godly Divine, to direct ⟨p. 248⟩and assist you in an affair, wherein body and Soul are at stake, and that for Eternity? And so much for that First and fundamental Repentance, so absolutely necessary for such Ancient people, as have spent their lives in the service of the world, and the flesh, and were never truly converted unto God.

And in case you find your selves at a loss in this affair, repair to some Able and faithful Minister of Christ, and be not afraid or asham'd to lay open your Condition, and follow his guidance therein. For if men are not content, in case of an Infirmity of body, to hear the Physick Lectures, or to read books of Receits, but will state their own case to the Physician himself; and will do the like to the Lawyer in weighty cases concerning their Estates, how much more need have you of a Godly Divine, to direct ⟨p. 248⟩and assist you in an affair, wherein body and Soul are at stake, and that for Eternity? And so much for that First and fundamental Repentance, so absolutely necessary for such Ancient people, as have spent their lives in the service of the world, and the flesh, and were never truly converted unto God.

But besides these, Repentance in the renewed Acts thereof, is a proper and necessary work for All Old people whatsoever. You have lived a long time, and through Omissions and Commissions have contracted abundance of guilt^w