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

But among other useful Points, The Aged is greatly concerned to Meditate on Death, and the endless Life after it; which is, to pencil out before the Eyes of his mind the time of his Departure, the serious Circumstances and Consequences of it. We should place our selves upon our Death-beds, gasping there for breath, our Friends ready to close our Eyes, the dab of flegme ready to stop our breath, and our Souls just forsaking the poor carcass. When we look upon our hands and feet, it should be attended with these thoughts, that shortly they will be turned to rottenness; that the worms will make furrows in our faces, and feed upon our very hearts; yea that we at present do breed and nourish the vermin, that wait for to devour us: that ere long we shall have ⟨p. 309⟩nothing to do here, our house and goods in the possession of those that would be affrighted to see us again: that we must lodge a long time in the dark grave, and the Soul must go into an unknown world, and that unto all Eternity. These are thoughts for Aged persons; and not to▪ be roving about things past to no purpose, or contriving about things of this world to come. This is in some sense to die daily, to wit, by serious thoughts concerning our latter end.

But among other useful Points, The Aged is greatly concern'd to Meditate on Death, and the endless Life after it; which is, to pencill out before the Eyes of his mind the time of his Departure, the serious Circumstances and Consequences of it. We should place our selves upon our Death-beds, gasping there for breath, our Friends ready to close our Eyes, the dabbe of flegme ready to stop our breath, and our Souls just forsaking the poor carkass. When we look upon our hands and feet, it should be attended with these thoughts, that shortly they will be turn'd to rottenness; that the worms will make furrows in our faces, and feed upon our very hearts; yea that we at present do breed and nourish the vermine, that wait for to devour us: that e're long we shall have ⟨p. 309⟩nothing to do here, our house and goods in the possession of those that would be affrighted to see us again: that we must lodge a long time in the dark grave, and the Soul must go into an unknown world, and that unto all Eternity. These are thoughts for Aged persons; and not to▪ be roving about things past to no purpose, or contriving about things of this world to come. This is in some sence to dy daily, to wit, by serious thoughts concerning our latter end.