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

THE Third Sin more peculiar to Old age, ¹is Envy, which is an inward Grudging at those who do in any thing excel us. Now because they which are Old do see many that surpass them in strength, beauty, riches or esteem, they are too apt to look at them with an envious Eye, and to grudge them those blessings, which God hath vouchsafed them. Hence ⟨p. 51⟩it is but too usual with them, to lessen their deserts, to carp at their enjoyments, to abound in all such reports and stories, as may degrade or blacken them; thinking by a great mistake, that what is detracted from others, is added to themselves. Thus when an House is decaying, all the props men can get, they will buttress it up withal: but these are but rotten Pillars, and will but expose you to more contempt.

THE Third Sin more peculiar to Oldage, ¹is Envy, which is an inward Grudging at those who do in any thing excell us. Now because they which are Old do see many that surpass them in strength, beauty, riches or esteem, they are too apt to look at them with an envious Eye, and to grudge them those blessings, which God hath vouchsafed them. Hence ⟨p. 51⟩it is but too usual with them, to lessen their deserts, to carp at their enjoyments, to abound in all such reports and stories, as may degrade or blacken them; thinking by a great mistake, that what is detracted from others, is added to themselves. Thus when an House is decaying, all the props men can get, they will buttress it up withall: but these are but rotten Pillars, and will but expose you to more contempt.

1. 1§ 3. Envy.

For this is an odious sin in it self: from hence proceeded the Fall of the first Adam, and the Death of the Second, for which mischiefs we should hate it the more. And indeed it is a very unreasonable thing to envy those mercies to others, whereof we have had our share as well as they. Are they strong, comely or respected? You have in your time partaken of them, and why should you grudge at those that do but come after you? It is like as if the Southern Husbandman, who hath inned his Harvest in July, should repine at them that live more Northerly, whose Harvest is in September: why, the former had his Harvest as well as the Other; and hath reason rather to be thankful to God, than to envy them that follow him. Besides, would you have two Harvests? What