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

And whereas the noblest and best subject of Discourse is the ever blessed God, his Properties, Word and Works, too few of them deal in this argument; but the ordinary Theme of their speech, is concerning Other folks, and concerning Themselves: and here you may find in their tongues the Perpetual Motion. About Others, their tongue travelleth round about, and few of their neighbours escape the scourge of it. It is their delight to be judging, censuring, and condemning all mankind. How much good might the same breath produce, if it were employed in good instruction, in faithful counsel or in wise reproof? But their talent lies not that way, but rather like Zoilus of old, who being asked, why he carped so much at others, answered, that he spoke ill of them, because he could do no other ill to them; so the impotence of old people must be a plea for their ill language: but God will reprove thee, and set this and all thine other sins before thee, because thou sittest and speakest ⟨p. 47⟩against thy brother, and slanderest thine own mothers son, Psal. 50. 20, 21.

And whereas the noblest and best subject of Discourse is the ever blessed God, his Properties, Word and Works, too few of them deal in this argument; but the ordinary Theme of their speech, is concerning Other folks, and concerning Themselves: and here you may find in their tongues the Perpetual Motion. About Others, their tongue travelleth round about, and few of their neighbours escape the scourge of it. It is their delight to be judging, censuring, and condemning all mankind. How much good might the same breath produce, if it were imployed in good instruction, in faithful counsel or in wise reproof? But their talent lies not that way, but rather like Zoilus of old, who being asked, why he carped so much at others, answer'd, that he spoke ill of them, because he could do no other ill to them; so the impotence of old people must be a plea for their ill language: but God will reprove thee, and set this and all thine other sins before thee, because thou sittest and speakest ⟨p. 47⟩against thy brother, and standerest thine own mothers son, Psal. 50. 20, 21.