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

4. The Fourth Temptation which Aged persons are liable unto, is, Expectation still of longer life. No man is so Old, saith the Orator, but thinks it very possible to weather it out a year longer^q; and such men do, upon the matter, think they may live always. It hath been an old complaint, that men eat and drink, as though they must dye to morrow, and yet buy and build as though they must live always. How usual is it with very Aged men and women, to contrive ⟨p. 284⟩and appoint affairs for a month, or a year beforehand? It is not only young persons that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a City, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain. Whereas you know not, what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, Jam. 5. 13, 14. But even Old persons are apt to think the same thing. The most decrepit person fancies he shall abide here a little longer; and when that time is expired, still reckons to continue a little longer^r.

4. The Fourth Temptation which Aged persons are liable unto, is, Expectation still of longer life. No man is so Old, saith the Orator, but thinks it very possible to weather it out a year longer^q; and such men do, upon the matter, think they may live alwayes. It hath been an old complaint, that men eat and drink, as though they must dye to morrow, and yet buy and build as though they must live alwayes. How usual is it with very Aged men and women, to contrive ⟨p. 284⟩and appoint affairs for a month, or a year beforehand? It is not only young persons that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a City, and continue there a year, and buy and sell and get gain. Whereas you know not, what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away,