N00204:55
A word to the aged. By Mr. Will. Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College…
A word to the aged. By Mr. Will. Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge, and late preacher of the word of God at Yarmouth.
Boston: printed by John Foster for J.G. i.e, 1679
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.
3. Then are they also to be much in reading the Scripture, Meditation, and Prayer, for by this reading they shall gain knowledge: by meditation upon their reading they shall add affection to their knowledge, and by Prayer they shall add devotion unto their affection.
4. And because they are ready to weigh Anchor, and to set sail for the other World, it will be good for them to observe what is the proper work of this World, and to be much therein: For every thing is beautiful in the time thereof. Now is a time for Believing: Heaven is no time for Faith, for in Heaven we live by sight. Now is a time for repentance, in Heaven there is no repentance, for there is no sorrow. Now is a time for Patience, in Heaven there is no Patience under Affliction, for there is no Affliction. Now is a time of hearing the Word preached, and for Sacraments and Ordinances; there is no preaching, Sacraments and Ordinances in Heaven. Now is a time to relieve the Poor, in Heaven there is no room for such charity: It is that Country where no beggar lies at your door. Now is a time to observe our Relations, in Heaven there are no such Relations, for they neither marry, nor are given in Marriage, but are as the Angels. Now ⟨p. 12⟩therefore, what ever is in the power of your hand to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave there is no work, nor in Heaven there is none of this work whether you are going. This therefore, that is to be done here and cannot be done there, is now to be done especially,
4. And because they are ready to weigh Anker, and to set sail for the other World, it will be good for them to observe what is the proper work of this World, and to be much therein: For every thing is beautiful in the time thereof. Now is a time for Believing: Heaven is no time for Faith, for in Heaven we live by sight. Now is a time for repentance, in Heaven there is no repentance, for there is no sorrow. Now is a time for Patience, in Heaven there is no Patience under Affliction, for there is no Affliction. Now is a time of hearing the Word preached, and for Sacraments and Ordinances; there is no preaching, Sacraments and Ordinances in Heaven. Now is a time to relieve the Poor, in Heaven there is no room for such charity: It is that Country where no beggar lyes at your door. Now is a time to observe our Relations, in Heaven there are no such Relations, for they neither marry, nor are given in Marriage, but are as the Angels. Now