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

THE Fourth Work of Old-age is, Instruction ¹of the Younger. God hath in great Wisdom lodged his various gifts in divers subjects, that there may be a mutual dependence one upon another, and a mutual helpfulness of each to others. Thus he entrusts the Young with Strength to support and aid the Elder, whose strength is decayed; and the Aged with knowledge and wisdom to guide the younger, whose judgment is yet unripe. And as it is a great misery, when the Aged are not relieved by the strength and industry of those that are young, so it is a great infelicity, when the Aged are either unable or unwilling to instruct, or when those who are young are too careless or conceited to receive Instruction. That is therefore a barbarous Precept in the Alcoran, and like the rest of that Divinity, You are not obliged to lead men in ⟨p. 268⟩the right way, God guideth whom he listeth. But we have better learned Christ.

THE Fourth Work of Old-age is, Instruction ¹of the Younger. God hath in great Wisdom lodged his various gifts in divers subjects, that there may be a mutual dependance one upon another, and a mutual helpfulness of each to others. Thus he intrusts the Young with Strength to support and aid the Elder, whose strength is decayed; and the Aged with knowledge and wisdom to guide the younger, whose judgment is yet unripe. And as it is a great misery, when the Aged are not relieved by the strength and industry of those that are young, so it is a great infelicity, when the Aged are either unable or unwilling to instruct, or when those who are young are too careless or conceited to receive Instruction. That is therefore a barbarous Precept in the Alcoran, and like the rest of that Divinity, You are not obliged to lead men in ⟨p. 268⟩the right way, God guideth whom he listeth. But we have better learned Christ.

1. 1§. 4. Instruction of the Younger.