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

But their most pleasing Harangues are concerning Themselves. What they have bin, what they have done, what they have had, what Strength, what Beauty, what Estates, what Affairs they have managed, what adventures they have made, what victories they have gotten; in sum, wherever the Story begins, it shall be sure to end at their dear selves, the feats they have done, or the respect they have received.

But their most pleasing Harangues are concerning Themselves. What they have bin, what they have done, what they have had, what Strength, what Beauty, what Estates, what Affairs they have managed, what adventures they have made, what victories they have gotten; in summe, wherever the Story begins, it shall be sure to end at their dear selves, the feats they have done, or the respect they have received.

Now all this must be nauseous to every ingenuous hearer, and is most loathsome in the sight of God. For He and his Glory is the only centre, towards which all our words and actions should tend. All other discourse is no other or better, than wherein Turks and Pagans may vie with you: and our Blessed Book assures us, Mat. 12. 36. That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. If all your extravagant words in one day should be written down, and presented at night to you, it would amaze you; how then will ye answer whole volumes of them at the day of Judgment? say not, that ⟨p. 48⟩words are but wind; since they are such a wind as, if irregular, will blow the soul into Hell; for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Now all this must be nauseous to every ingenuous hearer, and is most loathsome in the sight of God. For He and his Glory is the only center, towards which all our words and actions should tend. All other discourse is no other or better, than wherein Turks and Pagans may vye with you: and our Blessed Book assures us,