A word to the aged. By Mr. Will. Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College…

4. In case you sin at any time (as you will often) then be sure, O my Children, that you delay not your repentance; for the green wound is most easily cured. The Thief indeed was converted at the last, but it was as soon as he was called: some come in at the last hour of the day, but they come when they are called, now you are called to day, and therefore defer not till the morrow.

5. Let your company be good, for every man is as the company of his choice is, Solomon saith, Eccl. 12, Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, which if you please you may read according to the Hebrew, in the days of thy choice or choices, because in the days of youth, a man makes choice of his Trade or Calling: then he makes choice of his Religion: then he makes choice of his Wife, and then he makes choice of his Company. Now then, my Son, have a care of these choices.

5. Let your company be good, for every man is as the company of his choice is, Solomon saith, Eccl. 12, Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth, which if you please you may read according to the Hebrew, in the dayes of thy choice or choices, because in the dayes of youth, a man makes choice of his Trade or Calling: then he makes choice of his Religion: then he makes choice of his Wife, and then he makes choice of his Company. Now then, my Son, have a care of these choices.

6. And let your discourse be always seasoned with salt, for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned at the last day, says our Saviour, for Sermo Index animi, words are the Index of the mind, a good Soul never dives at the sign of ill speech.