though_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n pestilence_n have_v not_o be_v very_o fatal_a of_o late_a year_n and_o we_o observe_v from_o our_o weekly_a bill_n of_o mortality_n that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o decease_a be_v great_o augment_v for_o in_o the_o year_n 1604._o there_o die_v 4323_o and_o 895_o of_o the_o plague_n but_o in_o the_o year_n 1659._o there_o die_v 14720_o and_o 36_o of_o the_o plague_n and_o yet_o we_o observe_v near_o the_o same_o number_n of_o person_n bear_v and_o christen_v both_o year_n so_o that_o the_o disproportion_n be_v near_o nine_o thousand_o in_o a_o year_n in_o about_o sixty_o year_n distance_n we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o space_n of_o sixty_o year_n so_o small_a a_o spot_n of_o ground_n as_o a_o churchyard_n swallow_v up_o a_o whole_a parish_n i_o know_v a_o old_a sexton_n in_o london_n who_o tell_v i_o he_o live_v to_o bury_v his_o parish_n almost_o three_o time_n over_o as_o one_o generation_n come_v on_o the_o stage_n another_o go_v off_o and_o very_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o more_o die_v now_o in_o a_o state_n of_o childhood_n than_o in_o former_a age_n we_o lick_v new_a body_n off_o our_o trencher_n once_o in_o seven_o year_n and_o the_o very_a fear_n of_o a_o clymacterical_a year_n have_v kill_v some_o who_o have_v not_o understand_v how_o groundless_a such_o a_o fear_n be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o ancient_a time_n it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n to_o hear_v of_o the_o death_n of_o a_o young_a child_n according_a unto_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n some_o of_o the_o jewish_a doctor_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o son_n die_v of_o a_o natural_a death_n before_o his_o father_n for_o near_o three_o thousand_o year_n after_o the_o creation_n but_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v observe_v and_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v first_o die_v first_o until_o terah_n time_n who_o be_v the_o first_o that_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o make_v image_n of_o clay_n and_o to_o corrupt_v divine_a worship_n with_o idolatry_n and_o as_o a_o punishment_n of_o his_o sin_n his_o son_n haran_n be_v snatch_v away_o before_o he_o and_o moses_n observe_v that_o haran_n die_v before_o his_o father_n terah_n in_o the_o land_n of_o his_o nativity_n and_o we_o find_v it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o great_a judgement_n that_o the_o male_a heir_n of_o eli_n family_n as_o soon_o as_o bear_v die_v for_o many_o generation_n so_o that_o a_o old_a man_n can_v not_o be_v see_v of_o his_o posterity_n and_o we_o find_v the_o good_a woman_n expostulate_v passionate_o with_o the_o prophet_n when_o she_o say_v be_v thou_o come_v to_o call_v my_o sin_n to_o remembrance_n and_o to_o slay_v my_o son_n every_o age_n have_v its_o peculiar_a disease_n in_o the_o state_n of_o infancy_n life_n be_v like_o a_o spark_n in_o a_o pile_n of_o wood_n the_o candle_n be_v so_o new_o light_v that_o every_o breath_n of_o air_n or_o the_o least_o shake_v put_v it_o out_o and_o it_o die_v childhood_n be_v so_o active_a and_o unwary_a so_o subject_a to_o run_v into_o danger_n that_o unless_o a_o messenger_n be_v send_v from_o heaven_n to_o stand_v sentinel_n and_o watch_v its_o play_v sleep_a eat_v and_o drink_v it_o be_v expose_v to_o death_n every_o minute_n the_o middle_a age_n be_v apt_a to_o lend_v its_o help_a hand_n to_o the_o use_n of_o remedy_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v how_o many_o new_a distemper_n invade_v we_o and_o how_o many_o old_a one_o intermingle_v with_o collateral_a complication_n and_o many_o disease_n be_v not_o full_o understand_v as_o in_o time_n they_o may_v be_v and_o many_o symptom_n be_v often_o alike_o and_o sometime_o there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o as_o in_o several_a impostume_n and_o some_o disease_n be_v lodge_v in_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o body_n that_o oftentimes_o no_o application_n can_v be_v make_v or_o at_o least_o the_o effect_n of_o medicine_n can_v reach_v they_o until_o after_o two_o or_o three_o alteration_n and_o concoction_n which_o change_v the_o species_n of_o medicine_n and_o sometime_o new_a method_n come_v upon_o the_o stage_n and_o alter_v old_a foundation_n old_a age_n have_v disease_n incurable_a by_o nature_n the_o house_n must_v fall_v when_o the_o foundation_n be_v decay_v old_a man_n in_o scripture_n account_n be_v say_v to_o be_v as_o good_a as_o dead_a as_o abraham_n be_v in_o some_o disease_n the_o patient_n seem_v bailable_a yet_o a_o distemper_n lie_v in_o ambush_n and_o set_v upon_o he_o with_o full_a strength_n when_o the_o bitterness_n of_o death_n seem_v to_o be_v pass_v and_o some_o man_n live_v and_o die_v like_o fool_n pour_v in_o drink_n and_o let_v out_o life_n and_o so_o by_o inconsideration_n pull_v the_o monumental_a stone_n upon_o their_o own_o head_n man_n be_v like_o water_n if_o the_o sluice_n be_v open_v it_o run_v away_o apace_o if_o the_o current_n be_v stop_v it_o swell_v and_o grow_v troublesome_a and_o spill_v over_o if_o it_o stand_v still_o than_o it_o stink_v and_o putrify_v some_o sickness_n walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o destroy_v angel_n be_v wrap_v up_o in_o the_o curtain_n of_o immateriality_n who_o we_o can_v see_v but_o feel_v in_o some_o chronic_a distemper_n man_n walk_v about_o and_o hear_v passing-bell_n ring_v for_o strong_a man_n there_o be_v no_o age_n of_o man_n but_o have_v some_o postern_n and_o outlet_n to_o death_n out_o of_o which_o thousand_o pass_n into_o the_o land_n of_o forgetfulness_n every_o breath_n of_o wind_n trouble_v our_o face_n and_o our_o little_a care_n wrinkle_v our_o forehead_n and_o trifle_a accident_n dig_v our_o grave_n in_o favour_n man_n ride_v post_n to_o the_o chamber_n of_o death_n they_o prove_v a_o besom_n of_o destruction_n to_o three_o part_n of_o adam_n race_n if_o all_o the_o age_n of_o all_o mankind_n be_v put_v together_o it_o will_v scarce_o make_v one_o and_o twenty_o to_o each_o single_a person_n it_o be_v more_o natural_a for_o youth_n to_o die_v than_o the_o age_a it_o be_v more_o common_a have_v more_o natural_a cause_n as_o be_v more_o subject_a to_o acute_a disease_n which_o surprise_n man_n sudden_o and_o undiscernable_o but_o to_o die_v of_o age_n be_v a_o very_a rare_a thing_n old_a age_n be_v a_o young_a death_n but_o to_o speak_v strict_o all_o man_n die_v before_o they_o come_v to_o be_v of_o age_n every_o man_n be_v within_o a_o inch_n of_o death_n like_o a_o mariner_n at_o sea_n we_o carry_v our_o life_n in_o our_o hand_n many_o a_o man_n in_o a_o state_n of_o health_n have_v a_o secret_a enemy_n lie_v hide_v ready_a to_o surprise_v either_o god_n archer_n cleave_v our_o reins_o in_o sunder_o with_o the_o stone_n or_o strangury_n or_o our_o foot_n be_v set_v in_o the_o stock_n by_o the_o gout_n or_o our_o breath_n be_v corrupt_a by_o the_o ptysick_n or_o our_o gaul_n be_v pour_v on_o the_o ground_n by_o the_o dissentery_n or_o our_o skin_n cleave_v to_o our_o bone_n by_o a_o hectic_a the_o clock_n have_v struch_n twelve_o this_o night_n therefore_o take_v it_o not_o ill_a that_o i_o abrupt_o style_v myself_o you_o while_o i_o be_o j._n m._n letter_n x._o sir_n i_o receive_v your_o dated_n the_o 7_o instant_n wherein_o you_o speak_v very_o slight_o of_o old_a age_n as_o if_o you_o do_v not_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o so_o great_a a_o blessing_n and_o also_o seem_v to_o question_v whether_o the_o patriarch_n live_v so_o long_o as_o some_o imagine_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v you_o be_v certain_o under_o a_o great_a mistake_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a than_o that_o the_o antediluvian_n patriarch_n be_v very_o long_o live_v and_o particular_o father_n adam_n who_o may_v well_o be_v account_v above_o a_o thousand_o year_n old_a if_o we_o compute_v that_o time_n which_o he_o may_v have_v live_v have_v he_o be_v bear_v as_o methusalem_n be_v we_o may_v judge_v he_o at_o his_o creation_n as_o perfect_a as_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n at_o two_o hundred_o they_o outlive_v all_o their_o title_n of_o consanguinity_n and_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o live_v a_o complete_a thousand_o year_n which_o possible_o may_v be_v to_o accomplish_v the_o threaten_n unto_o adam_n that_o the_o day_n he_o eat_v the_o forbid_a fruit_n he_o shall_v die_v compute_v a_o day_n for_o a_o thousand_o year_n but_o a_o more_o probable_a reason_n may_v be_v to_o demonstrate_v to_o man_n the_o vanity_n of_o life_n when_o those_o who_o live_v long_a can_v not_o arrive_v to_o that_o period_n which_o compare_v to_o god_n eternity_n be_v but_o a_o day_n as_o there_o be_v at_o this_o day_n some_o who_o exceed_v a_o hundred_o so_o there_o be_v a_o hundred_o time_n as_o many_o who_o do_v not_o arrive_v at_o that_o period_n have_v man_n in_o all_o age_n and_o place_n arrive_v at_o the_o age_n of_o the_o patriarch_n the_o earth_n
be_v in_o the_o world_n if_o alexander_n the_o great_a have_v be_v strangle_v in_o the_o cradle_n how_o can_v the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n have_v be_v fulfil_v concern_v he_o the_o jew_n can_v not_o prejudice_v the_o life_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o life_n until_o that_o hour_n which_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v his_o last_o hour_n be_v come_v for_o as_o it_o be_v appoint_v once_o to_o die_v so_o also_o when_o to_o die_v and_o that_o you_o may_v enjoy_v a_o long_a and_o healthful_a life_n and_o at_o last_o a_o happy_a eternity_n be_v the_o prayer_n of_o your_o humble_a servant_n j._n m._n letter_n iu._n sir_n i_o joyful_o entertain_v the_o welcome_a news_n of_o the_o good_a success_n of_o your_o last_o remedy_n but_o be_o sorry_a to_o find_v you_o attribute_v all_o to_o necessity_n as_o if_o because_o the_o period_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v appoint_v and_o the_o success_n of_o medicine_n depend_v upon_o a_o supernatural_a concourse_n therefore_o to_o infer_v we_o can_v be_v accessary_a towards_o the_o shorten_n of_o our_o own_o day_n sir_n it_o be_v a_o fond_a opinion_n and_o a_o great_a mistake_n so_o to_o think_v for_o the_o jew_n be_v wicked_o instrumental_a in_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o the_o lord_n of_o life_n notwithstanding_o they_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o divine_a goodness_n have_v determine_v before_o to_o be_v do_v the_o prophet_n tell_v amaziah_n he_o know_v god_n have_v determine_v to_o destroy_v he_o and_o yet_o he_o also_o tell_v he_o that_o he_o be_v instrumental_a towards_o his_o own_o death_n in_o not_o harken_v unto_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o lord_n eli_n son_n disobedience_n pronounce_v the_o sentence_n of_o death_n against_o they_o and_o it_o be_v render_v as_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o slay_v they_o the_o date_n of_o the_o old_a world_n duration_n be_v fix_v to_o one_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n yet_o we_o find_v it_o not_o so_o long-lived_a by_o twenty_o year_n their_o wickedness_n contract_v that_o which_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o determine_a period_n at_o what_o time_n soever_o the_o almighty_a be_v but_o please_v to_o speak_v concern_v a_o nation_n people_n or_o person_n to_o pluck_v up_o to_o pull_v down_o or_o to_o destroy_v if_o that_o nation_n people_n or_o person_n turn_v from_o their_o evil_a way_n he_o will_v repent_v of_o the_o intend_a evil_n whether_o sickness_n or_o mortality_n the_o flight_n of_o that_o arrow_n which_o procure_v king_n ahabs_n death_n be_v guide_v by_o a_o divine_a hand_n who_o aim_v at_o his_o mortal_a wound_n yet_o his_o rash_a go_v to_o battle_n by_o the_o advice_n of_o his_o false_a prophet_n render_v he_o instrumental_a towards_o his_o own_o death_n the_o evangelical_n prophet_n tell_v we_o of_o a_o consumption_n determine_v upon_o the_o whole_a earth_n occasion_v by_o their_o great_a provocation_n the_o divine_a determination_n concern_v our_o life_n shall_v not_o lessen_v our_o care_n to_o preserve_v our_o life_n king_n david_n understand_v that_o the_o determination_n concern_v the_o child_n death_n be_v past_a yet_o he_o pray_v and_o use_v mean_n to_o restore_v it_o it_o be_v a_o turkish_a principle_n to_o dream_v that_o because_o the_o manner_n and_o moment_n of_o man_n death_n be_v appoint_v therefore_o to_o think_v it_o vanity_n and_o cowardice_n to_o arm_v ourselves_o or_o antidote_n our_o body_n against_o the_o injury_n of_o war_n and_o assault_n of_o disease_n a_o man_n may_v live_v out_o all_o god_n time_n who_o wicked_o shorten_v his_o own_o and_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o do_v those_o forbid_a act_n which_o inevitable_o tend_v to_o his_o own_o destruction_n and_o cut_v the_o thread_n of_o his_o day_n the_o israelite_n murmur_a anticipate_v their_o funeral_n and_o bury_v they_o in_o the_o wilderness_n notwithstanding_o their_o promise_n of_o see_v canaan_n the_o impiety_n of_o the_o old_a world_n bring_v a_o deluge_n which_o possible_o may_v have_v be_v prevent_v have_v their_o repentance_n be_v as_o visible_a as_o that_o of_o ninive_n who_o be_v reprieve_v from_o execution_n after_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n seem_v pass_v upon_o they_o their_o reformation_n prevent_v ruin_n and_o destruction_n the_o addition_n of_o fifteen_o year_n to_o hezekias_n life_n be_v the_o result_n of_o the_o divine_a favour_n but_o not_o without_o signal_n demonstration_n of_o repentance_n the_o rabin_n tell_v we_o of_o one_o go_v to_o gather_v his_o remedy_n prescribe_v by_o king_n solomon_n against_o his_o peculiar_a distemper_n be_v meet_v by_o a_o apparition_n of_o death_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o a_o skeleton_n which_o tell_v he_o with_o a_o audible_a voice_n it_o be_v too_o late_o for_o he_o be_v strike_v by_o the_o angel_n who_o keep_v the_o key_n of_o the_o grave_a the_o moral_a be_v obvious_a enough_o to_o a_o wise_a man_n unto_o who_o a_o word_n be_v enough_o and_o i_o pray_v sir_n excuse_v this_o unravel_v my_o thought_n in_o such_o a_o ruffle_a manner_n from_o your_o health_n friend_n j._n m._n letter_n v._n sir_n these_o medicine_n the_o doctor_n have_v now_o prescribe_v i_o have_v convey_v unto_o you_o according_a unto_o your_o desire_n the_o direction_n be_v give_v with_o the_o particular_a parcel_n and_o i_o be_o of_o opinion_n that_o a_o firm_a belief_n that_o man_n may_v be_v many_o way_n accessary_a towards_o the_o shorten_n their_o own_o day_n may_v much_o conduce_v towards_o the_o good_a success_n of_o remedy_n by_o exciting_a great_a care_n and_o circumspection_n and_o great_a piety_n and_o prudence_n in_o the_o management_n of_o ourselves_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n do_v apparent_o shorten_v life_n and_o multiply_v disease_n the_o life_n of_o man_n seem_v to_o be_v much_o pare_v away_o but_o it_o can_v be_v artribute_v unto_o any_o decay_n in_o nature_n and_o its_o universal_a frame_n but_o rather_o unto_o the_o great_a immorality_n and_o imprudent_a extravagancy_n of_o nation_n and_o person_n indulge_v effeminate_a luxurious_a and_o pernicious_a custom_n sin_n bring_v death_n at_o first_o and_o as_o sin_n increase_v so_o death_n come_v near_o by_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n man_n sin_v still_o and_o build_v castle_n in_o the_o air_n and_o then_o death_n come_v near_o by_o three_o hundred_o year_n and_o by_o moses_n time_n a_o great_a part_n of_o that_o remnant_n be_v pare_v away_o and_o threescore_o and_o ten_o be_v the_o period_n have_v offend_v justice_n go_v on_o still_o to_o shorten_v man_n day_n as_o man_n increase_v in_o sin_n our_o life_n by_o this_o time_n have_v not_o be_v a_o day_n long_o and_o therefore_o he_o no_o long_o destroy_v the_o kind_a but_o punish_v the_o individual_n and_o set_v it_o down_o as_o a_o stand_a rule_n that_o evil_n shall_v slay_v the_o wicked_a and_o he_o shall_v not_o live_v out_o half_a his_o day_n we_o can_v now_o observe_v one_o in_o five_o hundred_o arrive_n at_o that_o age_n unto_o which_o they_o may_v attain_v by_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n but_o end_v their_o day_n in_o sin_n and_o folly_n from_o surfeit_v proceed_v dissolution_n of_o member_n relaxation_n of_o nerve_n fracture_n of_o bone_n inflammation_n of_o blood_n crudity_n of_o the_o stomach_n beside_o the_o unclean_o consequence_n of_o lust_n which_o like_o a_o dart_n strike_v through_o the_o liver_n our_o great_a creator_n have_v compose_v our_o body_n like_o lamp_n and_o to_o supply_v the_o oil_n consume_v by_o the_o flame_n have_v give_v we_o appetite_n of_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n and_o reason_n to_o guide_v our_o appetite_n and_o the_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o guide_v our_o reason_n but_o if_o man_n through_o the_o depravation_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o predominancy_n of_o temptation_n suffer_v their_o appetite_n to_o dethrone_v their_o reason_n and_o give_v way_n to_o intemperance_n which_o extinguish_v nature_n lamp_n by_o corrupt_v the_o oil_n or_o spill_v it_o or_o blow_v out_o the_o flame_n man_n may_v then_o just_o expect_v to_o be_v cut_v off_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o day_n and_o to_o be_v make_v a_o sacrifice_n unto_o their_o overmuch_a wickedness_n be_v not_o improbable_a that_o baalam_n wish_n to_o die_v the_o death_n of_o the_o righteous_a do_v not_o only_o include_v his_o be_v save_v at_o last_o but_o also_o that_o he_o may_v come_v to_o his_o grave_n in_o a_o good_a old_a age_n with_o his_o father_n in_o peace_n and_o may_v not_o be_v cut_v off_o like_o the_o moabite_n and_o other_o nation_n who_o be_v to_o perish_v in_o their_o wickedness_n before_o his_o eye_n since_o mankind_n bruise_v himself_o with_o his_o fall_n he_o have_v corrupt_v his_o blood_n and_o sow_v the_o seed_n of_o innumerable_a disease_n we_o daily_o feel_v the_o smart_n of_o our_o first_o sentence_n viz._n thou_o shall_v die_v the_o death_n or_o in_o die_v thou_o shall_v die_v or_o thou_o shall_v become_v expose_v unto_o sickness_n and_o death_n man_n
by_o this_o time_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o sustain_v the_o inhabitant_n with_o food_n the_o egyptian_n calculate_v the_o bound_n of_o man_n day_n from_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o judge_v a_o hundred_o year_n the_o utmost_a period_n take_v their_o estimate_n from_o the_o weight_n of_o their_o heart_n which_o they_o say_v increase_v two_o drachm_n every_o year_n under_o fifty_o and_o then_o decrease_v two_o drachm_n until_o a_o hundred_o but_o this_o opinion_n seem_v questionable_a the_o reason_n give_v by_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n for_o contract_n the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n from_o one_o hundred_o to_o fifty_o and_o from_o fifty_o to_o five_o and_o twenty_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o supposition_n that_o the_o age_n of_o man_n be_v contract_v to_o what_o cause_v to_o consign_v the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o ancient_n it_o need_v not_o be_v difficult_a if_o we_o consider_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v so_o to_o be_v for_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n and_o people_n the_o world_n with_o inhabitant_n and_o also_o for_o the_o learning_n art_n and_o science_n wherein_o it_o be_v requisite_a man_n shall_v have_v the_o experience_n of_o former_a age_n for_o as_o many_o sensation_n breed_v a_o experiment_n so_o many_o experiment_n breed_v a_o science_n the_o several_a motion_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n can_v not_o be_v know_v without_o a_o long_a time_n to_o observe_v their_o motion_n and_o revolution_n it_o be_v a_o old_a complaint_n that_o art_n be_v long_o and_o life_n be_v short_a and_o therefore_o almighty_a god_n proportion_v man_n life_n according_o we_o now_o account_v he_o wondrous_a old_a who_o live_v fourscore_o summer_n to_o see_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o year_n fourscore_o time_n the_o length_n of_o man_n age_n since_o moses_n dwell_v among_o we_o seem_v considerable_o abbreviate_v he_o compute_v threescore_o and_o ten_o the_o ordinary_a period_n unto_o which_o man_n general_o arrive_v in_o those_o time_n whereas_o now_o a_o three_o part_n of_o all_o that_o be_v bear_v in_o populous_a city_n die_v under_o seven_o year_n old_a and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o that_o be_v alive_a be_v between_o fifteen_o and_o five_o and_o thirty_o few_o prince_n either_o jewish_a german_a greek_a or_o roman_a arrive_v at_o fourscore_o queen_n elizabeth_z outlive_v all_o her_o predecessor_n since_o the_o conquest_n and_o i_o think_v his_o majesty_n our_o present_a sovereign_n who_o god_n grant_v long_o to_o live_v be_v the_o elder_a crown_a head_n in_o christendom_n and_o it_o be_v to_o i_o observable_a that_o during_o the_o stand_n of_o the_o first_o temple_n there_o be_v but_o eighteen_o high-priest_n but_o three_o hundred_o while_n the_o second_o stand_v and_o but_o ten_o year_n difference_n between_o the_o stand_n of_o the_o former_a and_o the_o latter_a which_o plain_o demonstrate_v that_o man_n life_n have_v be_v cut_v and_o pare_v away_o in_o several_a age_n the_o father_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n have_v great_a advantage_n for_o the_o prolongation_n of_o their_o life_n as_o they_o have_v convey_v to_o they_o the_o nature_n of_o life-preserving_a remedy_n from_o adam_n who_o give_v name_n to_o all_o creature_n according_a to_o their_o particular_a quality_n and_o wonderful_a be_v their_o skill_n in_o all_o the_o secret_n of_o nature_n also_o the_o air_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v more_o pure_a and_o not_o corrupt_v with_o terrene_a exhalation_n as_o it_o be_v after_o the_o flood_n have_v drench_v it_o and_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v its_o fruit_n may_v be_v more_o nutritive_a moreover_o adam_n be_v the_o immediate_a work_n of_o god_n and_o be_v come_v as_o it_o be_v new_o from_o the_o shop_n of_o his_o creator_n he_o can_v not_o be_v like_o a_o house_n build_v of_o rot_a timber_n but_o of_o a_o far_o strong_a constitution_n than_o this_o weak_a age_n afford_v their_o body_n be_v not_o waste_v with_o fuccession_n of_o sickness_n nor_o weaken_a with_o hereditary_a disease_n but_o be_v arm_v to_o resist_v those_o few_o thing_n contrary_a to_o their_o health_n the_o seminality_n of_o disease_n be_v not_o so_o pregnant_o convey_v from_o parent_n to_o child_n their_o infant_n be_v not_o so_o tender_o bring_v up_o wasteful_a riot_n be_v a_o stranger_n to_o they_o and_o variety_n of_o meat_n be_v to_o they_o unknown_a their_o nature_n be_v not_o oppress_v with_o burden_n and_o force_v to_o stagger_v with_o her_o load_n we_o can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o reason_n pretend_v to_o mistake_v in_o the_o manner_n of_o compute_v the_o year_n of_o the_o patriarch_n for_o if_o you_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v only_o lunar_a year_n and_o that_o twelve_o of_o they_o make_v but_o one_o of_o we_o then_o gross_a absurdity_n must_v follow_v from_o thence_o as_o that_o they_o be_v prolifique_a at_o seven_o year_n of_o age_n enoch_n be_v no_o more_o when_o he_o beget_v methusalem_n at_o that_o rate_n the_o date_n of_o their_o life_n must_v be_v reckon_v short_a than_o many_o of_o we_o moreover_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o abraham_n die_v in_o a_o good_a old_a age_n and_o full_a of_o day_n be_v one_o hundred_o seventy_o and_o five_o year_n old_a which_o number_n according_a to_o that_o computation_n be_v but_o seventeen_o year_n and_o a_o half_a a_o very_a ridiculous_a old_a age._n but_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a that_o moses_n computation_n of_o the_o year_n be_v the_o same_o with_o we_o for_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o first_o second_o and_o seven_o month_n and_o mention_n be_v also_o make_v of_o the_o seventeen_o day_n of_o the_o month._n we_o find_v but_o one_o woman_n age_n record_v in_o scripture_n and_o that_o be_v sarah_n some_o give_v this_o reason_n because_o a_o woman_n first_o occasion_v the_o shorten_v the_o life_n of_o man_n by_o listen_v to_o the_o serpent_n old_a age_n be_v doubtless_o a_o very_a great_a blessing_n being_n subservient_fw-fr to_o great_a and_o noble_a end_n namely_o our_o better_a preparation_n for_o a_o bless_a eternity_n and_o there_o be_v some_o privilege_n that_o holy_a soul_n be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o world_n which_o they_o can_v partake_v of_o in_o the_o region_n of_o immortal_a bliss_n and_o they_o be_v the_o opportunity_n of_o do_v good_a to_o other_o and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o eternal_a mansion_n and_o thereby_o brightning_n their_o own_o diadem_n and_o make_v their_o weight_n of_o glory_n the_o heavy_a by_o turn_v many_o to_o righteousness_n which_o that_o you_o may_v do_v be_v the_o wish_n of_o your_o cordial_a friend_n j._n m._n letter_n xi_o sir_n i_o receive_v your_o date_a the_o second_o instant_a wherein_o you_o seem_v to_o question_v whether_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n on_o have_v any_o tendency_n towards_o health_n and_o long_a life_n because_o sometime_o good_a man_n dye_v sudden_a and_o immature_n death_n but_o nothing_o be_v more_o plain_a and_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o carcase_n of_o good_a israelite_n may_v fall_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o this_o world_n who_o soul_n may_v be_v entertain_v in_o the_o heavenly_a canaan_n a_o good_a prophet_n for_o some_o single_a act_n of_o disobedience_n may_v be_v make_v a_o prey_n to_o a_o devour_a lion_n if_o a_o eli_n neglect_v to_o chasten_v his_o rebellious_a child_n he_o may_v be_v permit_v to_o break_v his_o neck_n when_o uzzth_n shall_v touch_v the_o ark_n without_o a_o commission_n his_o death_n shall_v immediate_o succeed_v his_o rashness_n when_o a_o moses_n shall_v neglect_v to_o circumcize_v his_o child_n a_o angel_n shall_v threaten_v his_o life_n with_o a_o draw_a sword_n when_o a_o ionas_n shall_v go_v contrary_a to_o a_o divine_a command_n he_o shall_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v swallow_v up_o by_o death_n as_o well_o as_o by_o a_o whale_n many_o time_n judgement_n begin_v at_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o he_o make_v good_a man_n the_o example_n of_o his_o severity_n in_o this_o life_n it_o be_v think_v that_o king_n david_n number_v the_o people_n be_v the_o last_o act_n he_o do_v before_o he_o take_v his_o bed_n evil_a angel_n sometime_o contend_v with_o good_a one_o about_o the_o body_n of_o good_a man_n samson_n lose_v his_o natural_a strength_n by_o his_o disobedience_n and_o violation_n of_o his_o vow_n rather_o than_o by_o the_o mere_a cut_v off_o his_o hair_n it_o be_v rather_o a_o moral_a than_o a_o natural_a cause_n of_o his_o weakness_n the_o righteous_a may_v sometime_o be_v take_v away_o from_o the_o evil_a to_o come_v as_o the_o good_a patriarch_n be_v before_o the_o flood_n and_o as_o abijah_n be_v lay_v to_o sleep_v before_o the_o calamity_n of_o his_o father_n house_n and_o sometime_o the_o child_n may_v derive_v those_o distemper_a humour_n from_o the_o parent_n which_o may_v prove_v the_o occasion_n of_o its_o death_n though_o god_n have_v promise_v long_a life_n to_o they_o