A61390:54
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.
SECT. II.
THE Second which is the Immediate 1and Natural Cause of Old-age, is the Dryness and Coldness of the Temperament of the Body. There is according to the Old Philosophy, a certain Native Heat and Radical Moisture ingenerated in all mankind at their Conception, whereby Life is preserved: The one is like the Flame, the other like the Oil that feeds it. Diseases and Disasters are like a Thief in the Candle, that makes it wast the sooner: but if no such thing happen, yet the Lamp will consume, and at last extinguish. All the supplies of Food and Physic, are not able to maintain nor repair that Heat nor that Moisture, but a cold and dry temper grows upon the Body, till it be quite exhaust and wasted.
THE Second which is the Immediate 1and Natural Cause of Old-age, is the Dryness and Coldness of the Temperament of the Body. There is according to the Old Philosophy, a certain Native Heat and Radical Moisture ingenerated in all mankind at their Conception, whereby Life is preserved: The one is like the Flame, the other like the Orl that feeds it. Diseases and Disasters are like a Thief in the Candle, that makes it wast the sooner: but if no such thing happen, yet the Lamp will consume, and at last extinguish. All the supplies of Food and Physick, are not able to maintain nor repair that Heat nor that Moisture, but a cold and dry temper grows upon the Body, till it be quite exhaust and wasted.
- 1§ 2. The Natural cause of Old-age.