A61390:51
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…
A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J. Astwood for Tho. Parkhurst, 1688
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Having thus Described Old-age, and1 selected some of the most eminent Examples thereof, I come now in the Second place, to inquire into the true Causes of it, and Preservatives against it. For the Causes thereof.
HAving thus Described Old-age, and1 selected some of the most eminent Examples thereof, I come now in the Second place, to inquire into the true Causes of it, and Preservatives against it. For the Causes thereof.
- 1Cap. 2. The Causes of Old age.
First, the Original meritorious Cause 1is Mans Sin and Defection from God. The truth is, it may seem somewhat strange, that Man being created at the first in the Image of the Immortal God, placed but little lower than the Angels, crowned with glory and honour, and made Ruler over all other creatures, should have his life burdened with so many sorrows, and then so soon arrive at Old-age and Death. And some of the Heathens did foolishly charge Nature with Envy and Cruelty towards Man, ⟨p. 19⟩in causing so noble a creature to tarry so short a time in the world, and to grow old as soon as he begins to grow ripe; And Others as wisely concluded, that Men were sent into this world only for their Punishment, for crimes committed in others Bodies before. And indeed, if you set the Scriptures aside which resolve the Case, it is somewhat unaccountable to have so short an History of so noble a creature. If a curious Architect should frame and rear up a firm and stately pile of Building, and being completely furnished, the same should presently shrink, and in a short time decay and fall to the ground; Passengers would be apt to call in question the fidelity or skill of him that made it; or exceedingly wonder by what means it came to ruin, till they come to know, that the Inhabitant himself undermined, plucked down, or fired his own house: So in the Case before us, it is matter of grief and astonishment to see the most exquisite piece of Gods workmanship upon earth, to become decrepit in so short a space, and to be reduced so soon into dust and ashes.