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

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 ⟨p. 52⟩answer can you give to our Saviours questions, Matth. 20. 15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? is thine eye evil, because I am good? He that grudges at Gods gifts, would make a miserable distribution of them among men, if they were at his disposal. No no, younger people have their proportion of comeliness, strength, estate, honour and parts, and you have yours; and they are distributed by a wise Hand, who is ever righteous in all his ways, and holy all in his works.

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 inn'd his Harvest in Iuly, 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 ⟨p. 52⟩answer can you give to our Saviours questions, Matth. 20. 15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? is thine eye evil, because I am good? He that grudges at Gods gifts, would make a miserable distribution of them among men, if they were at his disposal. No no, younger people have their proportion of comeliness, strength, estate, honour and parts, and you have yours; and they are distributed by a wise Hand, who is ever righteous in all his wayes, and holy all in his works.