i_o can_v be_v ascertain_v of_o my_o election_n to_o life_n i_o can_v be_v patient_a so_o i_o may_v be_v sure_a but_o wretched_a man_n that_o i_o be_o here_o here_o i_o stickâ—_n i_o see_v other_o walk_v confident_o and_o comfortable_o as_o if_o they_o be_v in_o heaven_n already_o whereas_o i_o droop_v under_o a_o continual_a diffidence_n raise_v unto_o myself_o daily_o new_a argument_n of_o my_o distrust_n can_v my_o heart_n be_v settle_v in_o this_o assurance_n nothing_o can_v ever_o make_v i_o other_o then_o happy_a it_o be_v true_a my_o son_n that_o as_o all_o other_o mercy_n flow_v from_o this_o of_o our_o election_n so_o the_o secure_n of_o this_o one_o involve_v all_o other_o favour_n that_o concern_v the_o well-being_n of_o our_o soul_n it_o be_v no_o less_o true_a that_o our_o election_n may_v be_v assure_v else_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v never_o lay_v so_o deep_a a_o charge_n upon_o we_o to_o do_v our_o utmost_a endeavour_n to_o ascertain_v it_o and_o we_o shall_v be_v much_o want_v to_o ourselves_o if_o hear_v so_o excellent_a a_o blessing_n may_v be_v attain_v by_o our_o diligence_n we_o shall_v slacken_v our_o hand_n and_o not_o stretch_v it_o forth_o to_o the_o height_n to_o reach_v that_o crown_n which_o be_v hold_v out_o to_o we_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v true_a that_o if_o there_o be_v not_o difficulty_n more_o than_o ordinary_a in_o this_o work_n the_o apostle_n have_v not_o so_o earnest_o call_v for_o the_o utmost_a of_o our_o endeavour_n to_o effect_v it_o 10._o short_o 〈◊〉_d the_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o christianity_n there_o be_v no_o path_n wherein_o there_o be_v more_o need_n of_o tread_v wary_o then_o in_o this_o on_o each_o side_n be_v danger_n and_o death_n security_n lie_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n presumption_n on_o the_o other_o the_o miscarriage_n either_o way_n be_v deadly_a look_v about_o thou_o and_o see_v the_o miserable_a example_n on_o both_o kind_n some_o walk_v careless_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o heaven_n or_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n yet_o as_o if_o it_o nothing_o concern_v they_o their_o heart_n be_v take_v up_o with_o earth_n neither_o care_n nor_o wish_v to_o be_v other_o than_o this_o world_n can_v make_v they_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v their_o mind_n that_o believe_v not_o 4._o some_o other_o walk_v proud_o be_v vain_o puff_v up_o with_o their_o own_o ungrounded_a imagination_n as_o if_o they_o be_v already_o invest_v with_o their_o glory_n as_o if_o be_v rapt_v up_o with_o the_o choose_a vessel_n into_o the_o three_o heaven_n they_o have_v there_o see_v their_o name_n recoâ—â—ded_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n where_o as_o this_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o illusion_n of_o that_o lie_a spirit_n who_o know_v the_o way_n to_o keep_v they_o for_o ever_o out_o of_o heaven_n be_v to_o make_v they_o believe_v they_o be_v there_o it_o must_v be_v thy_o main_a care_n to_o walk_v even_o in_o a_o jusâ—_n equidistance_n from_o both_o these_o extreme_n and_o so_o to_o compose_v thyself_o that_o thou_o may_v be_v resolute_a without_o presumption_n and_o careful_a without_o diffidence_n and_o first_o i_o advise_v thou_o to_o abandon_v those_o false_a teacher_n who_o trade_n be_v to_o improve_v their_o wit_n for_o the_o discomfort_n of_o soul_n in_o broach_v the_o sad_a doctrine_n of_o uncertainty_n and_o distrust_n be_v sure_a our_o saviour_n have_v never_o bid_v his_o disciple_n to_o reâ—joyce_v that_o their_o name_n be_v write_v in_o heaven_n 20._o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v a_o particular_a enrolment_n of_o they_o or_o if_o that_o record_n have_v be_v alterable_a or_o if_o the_o same_o disciple_n can_v never_o have_v attain_v to_o the_o notice_n of_o such_o inscription_n neither_o be_v this_o a_o mercy_n peculiar_a to_o his_o domestic_a follower_n alone_o but_o universal_a to_o all_o that_o shall_v believe_v through_o their_o word_n even_o thou_o and_o i_o be_v speak_v to_o in_o they_o so_o sure_a as_o we_o have_v name_n we_o may_v know_v they_o register_v in_o those_o eternal_a record_n above_o not_o that_o we_o shall_v take_v a_o acesius_n his_o ladder_n and_o climb_v up_o into_o heaven_n and_o turn_v over_o the_o book_n of_o god_n secret_a counsel_n and_o read_v ourselves_o design_v to_o glory_n but_o that_o as_o we_o by_o experience_n see_v that_o we_o can_v by_o reflection_n see_v and_o read_v those_o letter_n which_o direct_o we_o can_v so_o we_o may_v do_v here_o in_o this_o high_a of_o spiritual_a object_n the_o same_o apostle_n that_o give_v we_o our_o charge_n give_v we_o withal_o our_o direction_n 11._o wherefore_o say_v he_o brethren_n give_v all_o diligence_n to_o make_v your_o call_n and_o election_n sure_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o divers_a copy_n read_v it_o by_o good_a work_n for_o if_o you_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o shall_v never_o fall_v for_o so_o a_o entrance_n shall_v be_v minister_v to_o you_o abundant_o into_o the_o everlasting_a kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ._n lo_o first_o our_o call_v than_o our_o election_n not_o that_o we_o shall_v begin_v with_o heaven_n and_o thence_o descend_v to_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o angel_n on_o that_o celestial_a ladder_n of_o jacob_n to_o both_o descend_v and_o ascend_v but_o that_o we_o shall_v from_o earth_n ascend_v to_o heaven_n from_o our_o call_v to_o our_o election_n as_o know_v that_o god_n show_v what_o he_o have_v do_v for_o we_o above_o by_o that_o which_o he_o have_v wrought_v in_o we_o here_o below_o our_o call_v therefore_o first_o not_o outward_a and_o formal_a but_o inward_a and_o effectual_a the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v a_o voice_n and_o our_o soul_n have_v a_o ear_n that_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n speak_v inward_o and_o effectual_o to_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o soul_n call_v we_o out_o of_o the_o state_n of_o corrupt_a nature_n into_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n out_o of_o darkness_n into_o his_o marvellous_a light_n by_o thy_o call_n therefore_o may_v thou_o judge_v of_o thy_o election_n god_n never_o work_v in_o vain_a neither_o do_v he_o â—ver_o cast_v away_o his_o save_a grace_n what_o ever_o become_v of_o the_o common_a but_o who_o he_o do_v predestinate_a 30._o they_o also_o he_o call_v and_o who_o he_o call_v they_o he_o justify_v and_o who_o he_o justify_v they_o also_o he_o glorify_v this_o doubtless_o thou_o say_v be_v sure_a in_o itself_o but_o how_o be_v it_o assure_v to_o i_o resp._n that_o which_o the_o apostle_n add_v as_o it_o be_v read_v in_o some_o copy_n by_o good_a work_n if_o therein_o we_o also_o comprehend_v the_o act_n of_o believe_v and_o repent_v be_v a_o notable_a evidence_n of_o our_o election_n but_o not_o to_o urge_v that_o clause_n which_o though_o read_v in_o the_o vulgar_a be_v find_v want_v in_o our_o edition_n the_o clear_a word_n of_o the_o text_n evince_v no_o less_o for_o if_o you_o do_v these_o thing_n you_o shall_v never_o fall_v here_o be_v our_o negative_a certainty_n and_o for_o onr_v positive_a so_o a_o entrance_n shall_v be_v minister_v unto_o you_o abundant_o into_o the_o everlasting_a kingdom_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n lo_o if_o we_o shall_v never_o fall_v if_o we_o shall_v undoubted_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n what_o possible_a scruple_n can_v be_v make_v of_o the_o bless_a accomplishment_n of_o our_o election_n what_o then_o be_v these_o thing_n which_o must_v be_v do_v by_o we_o cast_v your_o eye_n upon_o that_o precious_a chain_n of_o grace_n which_o you_o shall_v find_v string_v up_o in_o the_o before_o go_v word_n 6._o if_o you_o add_v to_o your_o faith_n virtue_n and_o to_o virtue_n knowledge_n and_o to_o knowledge_n temperance_n and_o to_o temperance_n patience_n and_o to_o patience_n godliness_n and_o to_o godliness_n brotherly_a kindness_n and_o to_o brotherly_a kindness_n charity_n if_o you_o will_v know_v what_o god_n have_v write_v concern_v you_o in_o heaven_n look_v into_o your_o own_o bosom_n see_v what_o grace_n he_o have_v there_o wrought_v in_o you_o truth_n of_o grace_n say_v the_o divine_a apostle_n will_v make_v good_a the_o certainty_n of_o your_o election_n not_o to_o instance_n in_o the_o rest_n of_o that_o heavenly_a combination_n do_v but_o single_a out_o the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o faith_n and_o charity_n for_o faith_n how_o clear_a be_v that_o of_o our_o saviour_n he_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o that_o send_v i_o 24._o have_v everlasting-life_n and_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o condemnation_n but_o have_v pass_v from_o death_n to_o life_n lo_o what_o access_n can_v danger_n have_v into_o heaven_n all_o the_o peril_n be_v in_o the_o way_n now_o the_o believer_n be_v already_o pass_v into_o life_n this_o be_v the_o grace_n by_o which_o christ_n dwell_v in_o our_o heart_n 17_o and_o
turn_v his_o blessing_n into_o a_o curse_n yea_o the_o same_o god_n who_o best_o know_v the_o price_n of_o his_o own_o favour_n as_o he_o make_v no_o small_a estimation_n of_o age_n himself_o so_o he_o have_v think_v fit_a to_o call_v for_o a_o high_a respect_n to_o be_v give_v to_o it_o by_o man_n out_o of_o a_o holy_a awe_n to_o himself_o 32._o thou_o shall_v rise_v up_o before_o the_o hoary_a head_n and_o honour_v the_o face_n of_o the_o old_a man_n and_o fear_v thy_o god_n i_o be_o the_o lord_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o he_o have_v please_v to_o put_v together_o the_o ancient_n and_o the_o honourable_a 15._o and_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o a_o hoary_a head_n be_v a_o crown_n of_o glory_n 31._o if_o it_o be_v find_v in_o a_o way_n of_o righteousness_n 29._o and_o last_o make_v it_o a_o argument_n of_o the_o deplore_a estate_n of_o jerusalem_n that_o they_o favour_v not_o the_o elder_n 15._o as_o therefore_o we_o too_o sensible_o feel_v what_o to_o complain_v of_o so_o we_o well_o know_v what_o privilege_n we_o may_v challenge_v as_o due_a to_o our_o age_n even_o such_o as_o nature_n itself_o have_v teach_v those_o heathen_n which_o have_v be_v in_o the_o next_o degree_n to_o savage_a if_o pride_n and_o skill_n have_v make_v the_o athenian_n uncivil_a yet_o a_o young_a lacedaemonian_a will_v rise_v up_o and_o yield_v his_o place_n in_o the_o theatre_n to_o neglect_a age_n §._o 3._o the_o advantage_n of_o old_a age_n 1._o fearlesnesse_n it_o be_v not_o a_o little_a injurious_a so_o to_o fasten_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o discommodity_n of_o any_o condition_n as_o not_o to_o take_v in_o the_o advantage_n that_o belong_v to_o it_o which_o careful_o lay_v together_o may_v perhaps_o sway_v the_o balance_n to_o a_o equal_a poise_n let_v it_o be_v true_a that_o old_a age_n be_v oppress_v with_o many_o bodily_a grief_n but_o what_o if_o it_o yield_v other_o immunity_n which_o may_v keep_v the_o scale_n even_o whereof_o it_o be_v not_o the_o least_o that_o it_o give_v we_o firm_a resolution_n and_o bold_a security_n against_o danger_n and_o death_n itself_o for_o the_o old_a man_n know_v how_o little_a of_o his_o clew_n be_v leave_v in_o the_o wind_a and_o therefore_o when_o just_a occasion_n be_v offer_v stick_v not_o much_o upon_o so_o inconsiderable_a a_o remainder_n old_a age_n and_o orbity_n as_o cesellius_n profess_v be_v those_o two_o thing_n that_o embolden_v he_o and_o when_o castritius_n refuse_v to_o deliver_v the_o hostage_n of_o placentia_n to_o carbo_n the_o consul_n and_o be_v threaten_v with_o many_o sword_n he_o answer_v those_o menace_n with_o his_o many_o year_n and_o that_o we_o may_v not_o disdain_v homebred_a instance_n and_o may_v see_v that_o brave_a spirit_n may_v lodge_v in_o cottage_n in_o my_o time_n a_o plain_a villager_n in_o the_o rude_a peake_n when_o thief_n take_v advantage_n of_o the_o absence_n of_o his_o family_n break_v into_o his_o solitary_a dwell_n and_o find_v he_o sit_v alone_o by_o his_o fire_n side_n fall_v violent_o upon_o he_o and_o one_o of_o they_o set_v his_o dagger_n to_o his_o heart_n swear_v that_o he_o will_v present_o kill_v he_o if_o he_o do_v not_o instant_o deliver_v to_o they_o that_o money_n which_o they_o know_v he_o have_v late_o receive_v the_o old_a man_n look_v bold_o in_o the_o face_n of_o that_o stout_a villain_n and_o with_o a_o undaunted_a courage_n return_v he_o this_o answer_n in_o his_o peakish_a dialect_n nay_o even_o put_v from_o thou_o son_n i_o have_v live_v long_o enough_o but_o i_o tell_v thou_o unless_o thou_o mend_v thy_o manner_n thou_o will_v never_o live_v to_o see_v half_a my_o day_n put_v from_o thou_o if_o thou_o will_v what_o young_a man_n will_v have_v be_v so_o easy_o induce_v to_o part_v with_o his_o life_n and_o have_v be_v so_o ready_a to_o give_v entertainment_n to_o a_o unexpected_a death_n sure_o the_o hope_n and_o love_n of_o life_n common_o soften_v the_o spirit_n of_o vigorous_a youth_n and_o dissuade_v it_o from_o those_o enterprise_n which_o be_v attend_v with_o manifest_a peril_n whereas_o extreme_a age_n teach_v we_o to_o contemn_v danger_n §._o 4._o the_o second_o advantage_n of_o old_a age_n freedom_n from_o passion_n yet_o a_o great_a privilege_n of_o age_n be_v a_o freedom_n from_o those_o impetuous_a passion_n wherewith_o youth_n be_v common_o over-swayed_n for_o together_o with_o our_o natural_a heat_n be_v also_o abate_v the_o heat_n of_o our_o inordinate_a lust_n so_o as_o now_o our_o weak_a appetite_n may_v easy_o be_v subdue_v to_o reason_n the_o temperate_a old_a man_n in_o the_o story_n when_o one_o show_v he_o a_o beautiful_a face_n can_v answer_v i_o have_v long_o since_o left_a to_o be_v eyesick_a and_o that_o other_o can_v say_v of_o pleasure_n i_o have_v glad_o with_o draw_v myself_o from_o the_o service_n of_o that_o imperious_a mistress_n what_o a_o unreasonable_a vassalage_n our_o youthful_a lust_n subject_v we_o unto_o we_o need_v no_o other_o instance_n then_o in_o the_o strong_a and_o wise_a man_n how_o be_v the_o strong_a man_n samson_n effeminate_a by_o his_o impotent_a passion_n and_o weaken_v in_o his_o intellectual_n so_o far_o as_o wilful_o to_o betray_v his_o own_o life_n to_o a_o mercenary_a harlot_n and_o to_o endure_v to_o hear_v she_o say_v tell_v i_o wherewith_o thou_o may_v be_v bow_v to_o do_v thou_o hurt_v 6._o how_o easy_o may_v he_o have_v answer_v thou_o o_o delila_n even_o with_o these_o cord_n of_o brutish_a sensuality_n wherewith_o thou_o have_v already_o bind_v i_o to_o the_o loss_n of_o my_o liberty_n my_o eye_n my_o life_n how_o be_v the_o wise_a man_n solomon_n besot_v with_o his_o strange_a wife_n so_o as_o to_o be_v draw_v away_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o strange_a god_n and_o how_o may_v the_o fir_n tree_n howl_v when_o the_o cedar_n fall_v who_o can_v hope_v to_o be_v free_a from_o be_v transport_v with_o irregular_a affection_n when_o we_o see_v such_o great_a precedent_n of_o frailty_n before_o our_o eye_n from_o the_o danger_n of_o these_o miserable_a miscarriage_n our_o age_n happy_o secure_v we_o put_v we_o into_o that_o quiet_a harbour_n whence_o we_o may_v see_v young_a man_n perillous_o toss_v with_o those_o tempest_n of_o unruly_a passion_n from_o which_o our_o cool_a age_n have_v free_v we_o §._o 5._o the_o three_o advantage_n of_o age_n experimental_a knowledge_n add_v hereunto_o the_o benefit_n of_o experimental_a knowledge_n wherewith_o age_n be_v wont_a to_o enrich_v we_o every_o dram_n whereof_o be_v worth_a many_o pound_n of_o the_o best_a youthly_a contentment_n in_o comparison_n whereof_o the_o speculative_a knowledge_n be_v weak_a and_o imperfect_a this_o may_v come_v good_a cheap_a perhaps_o cost_v we_o nothing_o that_o common_o we_o pay_v dear_a for_o and_o therefore_o be_v just_o esteem_v the_o more_o precious_a if_o experience_n be_v the_o mistress_n of_o fool_n i_o be_o sure_a it_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o wisdom_n neither_o can_v it_o be_v except_o we_o be_v too_o much_o want_v to_o ourselves_o but_o the_o long_a observation_n of_o such_o variety_n of_o action_n and_o event_n as_o meet_v with_o we_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n must_v needs_o leave_v with_o we_o such_o sure_a rule_n of_o judgement_n as_o may_v be_v unfailing_a direction_n for_o ourselves_o and_o other_o in_o vain_a shall_v this_o be_v expect_v from_o our_o young_a year_n which_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n exclude_v from_o be_v meet_a auditor_n much_o less_o judge_n of_o true_a morality_n in_o regard_n whereof_o well_o may_v the_o old_a man_n say_v you_o young_a man_n think_v we_o old_a man_n fool_n but_o we_o old_a man_n know_v you_o young_a man_n to_o be_v fool_n certain_o what_o value_n soever_o ignorance_n may_v put_v upon_o it_o this_o fruit_n of_o age_n be_v such_o as_o that_o the_o earth_n have_v nothing_o equal_o precious_a it_o be_v a_o profane_a word_n and_o fit_a for_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o heathen_a poet_n that_o prudence_n be_v above_o destiny_n but_o sure_o a_o christian_a may_v modest_o and_o just_o say_v that_o next_o to_o divine_a providence_n humane_a prudence_n may_v challenge_v the_o supreme_a place_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o these_o earthly_a affair_n and_o that_o age_n may_v claim_v the_o great_a interest_n in_o that_o prudence_n young_a elihu_n can_v say_v 7_o multitude_n of_o year_n shall_v teach_v wisdom_n and_o the_o wise_a man_n 5._o oh_o how_o comely_a a_o thing_n be_v judgement_n for_o gray_a hair_n and_o for_o ancient_a man_n to_o know_v counsel_n oh_o how_o comely_a be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o old_a man_n and_o understanding_n and_o counsel_n to_o man_n of_o honour_n in_o regard_v whereof_o the_o grecian_n have_v wont_a to_o say_v that_o young_a man_n be_v for_o action_n old_a man_n for_o advice_n and_o among_o the_o roman_n we_o
know_v that_o senator_n take_v their_o name_n from_o age_n that_o therefore_o which_o be_v the_o weakness_n of_o old_a man_n eye_n that_o their_o visual_a spirit_n not_o unite_n till_o some_o distance_n they_o better_a discern_v thing_n further_o off_o be_v the_o praise_n and_o strength_n of_o their_o mental_a eye_n they_o see_v either_o judgement_n or_o advantage_n afar_o off_o and_o according_o frame_v their_o determination_n it_o be_v observe_v that_o old_a lute_n sound_v better_a than_o new_a and_o it_o be_v rehoboam_n folly_n and_o undo_n etc._n that_o he_o will_v rather_o follow_v the_o counsel_n of_o his_o green_a head_n that_o stand_v before_o he_o then_o of_o those_o grave_a senator_n that_o have_v stand_v before_o his_o wise_a father_n not_o that_o mere_a age_n be_v of_o itself_o thus_o rich_a in_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n but_o age_n well_o culture_v well_o improve_v there_o be_v old_a man_n that_o do_v but_o live_v or_o rather_o have_v a_o be_v upon_o earth_n so_o have_v stock_n and_o stone_n as_o well_o as_o they_o who_o can_v give_v no_o proof_n of_o their_o many_o year_n but_o their_o gray_a hair_n and_o infirmity_n there_o be_v those_o who_o like_v to_o hermogenes_n be_v old_a man_n while_o they_o be_v boy_n and_o child_n when_o they_o be_v old_a man_n these_o the_o elder_a they_o grow_v be_v so_o much_o more_o stupid_a time_n be_v a_o ill_a measure_n of_o age_n which_o shall_v rather_o be_v mete_v by_o proficiency_n by_o ripeness_n of_o judgement_n by_o the_o monument_n of_o our_o commendable_a and_o useful_a labour_n if_o we_o have_v thus_o bestow_v ourselves_o our_o autumn_n will_v show_v what_o our_o spring_n be_v and_o the_o colour_n of_o our_o hair_n will_v yield_v we_o more_o cause_n to_o fear_v our_o pride_n then_o our_o dejection_n §._o 6._o age_n in_o some_o be_v vigorous_a and_o well_o affect_v we_o accuse_v our_o age_n of_o many_o weakness_n and_o indisposition_n but_o these_o imputation_n must_v not_o be_v universal_a many_o of_o these_o be_v the_o fault_n of_o the_o person_n not_o of_o the_o age_n he_o say_v well_o as_o all_o wine_n do_v not_o turn_v sour_a with_o age_n no_o more_o do_v every_o nature_n old_a oil_n be_v note_v to_o be_v clear_a and_o hot_a in_o medicinal_a use_n then_o new_a there_o be_v those_o who_o be_v pettish_a and_o crabbed_a in_o youth_n there_o be_v contrary_o those_o who_o be_v mild_a gentle_a sociable_a in_o their_o decay_a year_n there_o be_v those_o who_o be_v crazy_a in_o their_o prime_n and_o there_o be_v those_o who_o in_o their_o wane_n be_v vigorous_a there_o be_v those_o who_o ere_o the_o fullness_n of_o their_o age_n have_v lose_v their_o memory_n as_o hermogenes_n cornivus_n antonius_n caracalla_n georgius_n trapezuntiâ—s_v and_o nizolius_n there_o be_v those_o who_o intellectual_n have_v so_o happy_o hold_v out_o that_o they_o have_v be_v best_a at_o the_o last_o plato_n in_o his_o last_o year_n which_o be_v fourscore_o and_o one_o die_v as_o it_o be_v with_o his_o pen_n in_o his_o hand_n isocrates_n write_v his_o best_a piece_n at_o ninety_o four_o year_n and_o it_o be_v say_v of_o demosthenes_n that_o when_o death_n summon_v he_o at_o a_o hundred_o year_n and_o somewhat_o more_o he_o bemoan_v himself_o that_o he_o must_v now_o die_v when_o he_o begin_v to_o get_v some_o knowledge_n and_o as_o for_o spiritual_a grace_n and_o improvement_n 13._o such_o as_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v flourish_v in_o the_o court_n of_o our_o god_n they_o also_o shall_v bring_v forth_o more_o fruit_n in_o their_o age_n and_o shall_v be_v fat_a and_o well_o like_n §_o 7._o the_o four_o advantage_n of_o age_n near_o approach_n to_o our_o end_n but_o the_o chief_a benefit_n of_o our_o age_n be_v our_o near_a approach_n to_o our_o journey_n end_n for_o the_o end_n of_o all_o motion_n be_v rest_n which_o when_o we_o have_v once_o attain_v there_o remain_v nothing_o but_o fruition_n now_o our_o age_n bring_v we_o after_o a_o weary_a race_n within_o some_o breathe_n of_o our_o goal_n for_o if_o young_a man_n may_v die_v old_a man_n must_v a_o condition_n which_o a_o mere_a carnal_a heart_n bewail_v and_o abhor_v complain_v of_o nature_n as_o niggardly_o in_o her_o dispensation_n of_o the_o short_a time_n to_o her_o noble_a creature_n and_o envy_v the_o oak_n which_o many_o generation_n of_o man_n must_v leave_v stand_v and_o grow_v no_o marvel_n for_o the_o worldling_n think_v himself_o here_o at_o home_n and_o look_n upon_o death_n as_o a_o banishment_n he_o have_v place_v his_o heaven_n here_o below_o and_o can_v see_v nothing_o in_o his_o remove_n but_o either_o annihilation_n or_o torment_v but_o for_o we_o christian_n who_o know_v that_o while_o we_o be_v present_a in_o the_o body_n 6._o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o lord_n and_o do_v just_o account_v ourselves_o foreigner_n our_o life_n a_o pilgrimage_n heaven_n our_o home_n how_o can_v we_o but_o rejoice_v that_o after_o a_o tedious_a and_o painful_a travel_n we_o do_v now_o draw_v near_o to_o the_o threshold_n of_o our_o father_n house_n wherein_o we_o know_v there_o be_v many_o mansion_n and_o all_o glorious_a i_o can_v blush_v to_o hear_v a_o heathen_a say_v senect_n if_o god_n will_v offer_v i_o the_o choice_n of_o renew_v my_o age_n and_o return_v to_o my_o first_o childhood_n i_o shall_v hearty_o refuse_v it_o for_o i_o shall_v be_v loath_a after_o i_o have_v pass_v so_o much_o of_o my_o race_n to_o be_v call_v back_o from_o the_o goal_n to_o the_o bar_n of_o my_o first_o set_v out_o and_o to_o hear_v a_o christian_a whine_v and_o pule_v at_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o dissolution_n where_o be_v our_o faith_n of_o a_o heaven_n if_o have_v be_v so_o long_o sea-beaten_a we_o be_v loath_a to_o think_v of_o put_v into_o the_o safe_a and_o bless_a harbour_n of_o immortality_n comfort_n against_o the_o fear_n and_o pain_n of_o death_n §._o 1._o the_o fear_n of_o death_n natural_a thou_o fear_v death_n thou_o be_v not_o a_o man_n if_o thou_o do_v not_o so_o the_o holy_a the_o wise_a the_o strong_a that_o ever_o be_v have_v do_v no_o less_o he_o be_v the_o king_n of_o fear_n and_o therefore_o may_v and_o must_v command_v it_o thou_o may_v hear_v the_o man_n after_o god_n own_o heart_n say_v the_o sorrow_n of_o death_n compass_v i_o 3._o and_o again_o my_o soul_n be_v full_a of_o trouble_n 5._o my_o life_n draw_v nigh_o to_o the_o grave_n i_o be_o count_v with_o they_o that_o go_v down_o to_o the_o pit_n as_o a_o man_n that_o have_v no_o strength_n free_a among_o the_o dead_a thou_o may_v hear_v good_a and_o great_a hezekiah_n upon_o the_o message_n of_o his_o death_n 14._o chatter_v like_o a_o crane_n or_o a_o swallow_n and_o mourn_v as_o a_o dove_n thou_o fear_v as_o a_o man_n i_o can_v blame_v thou_o but_o thou_o must_v overcome_v thy_o fear_n as_o a_o christian_a which_o thou_o shall_v do_v if_o from_o the_o terrible_a aspect_n of_o the_o messenger_n thou_o shall_v cast_v thy_o eye_n upon_o the_o gracious_a and_o amiable_a face_n of_o the_o god_n that_o send_v he_o 6._o holy_a david_n show_v the_o way_n the_o snare_n of_o death_n prevent_v i_o in_o my_o distress_n i_o call_v upon_o the_o lord_n and_o cry_v unto_o my_o god_n he_o hear_v my_o voice_n out_o of_o his_o temple_n and_o my_o cry_n come_v before_o he_o even_o into_o his_o ear_n lo_o he_o that_o be_v our_o god_n 20._o be_v the_o god_n of_o salvation_n and_o unto_o god_n the_o lord_n belong_v the_o issue_n of_o death_n make_v he_o thy_o friend_n and_o death_n shall_v be_v no_o other_o than_o advantage_n 21._o it_o be_v true_a as_o the_o wise_a man_n say_v 24._o that_o god_n make_v not_o death_n but_o that_o through_o envy_n of_o the_o devil_n death_n come_v into_o the_o world_n but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o though_o god_n make_v he_o not_o yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o employ_v he_o as_o his_o messenger_n to_o summon_v some_o soul_n to_o judgement_n to_o invite_v other_o to_o glory_n and_o for_o these_o late_a precious_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o death_n of_o his_o saint_n 15._o and_o what_o reason_n have_v thou_o to_o abominate_a that_o which_o god_n account_v precious_a §._o 2._o remedy_n oâ—_n fear_n acquaintance_n with_o death_n thou_o be_v afraid_a of_o death_n acquaint_v thyself_o with_o he_o more_o and_o thou_o shall_v fear_v he_o less_o even_o bear_n and_o lion_n which_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n affright_v we_o upon_o frequent_a view_n lose_v their_o terror_n snure_n thy_o eye_n to_o the_o sight_n of_o death_n and_o that_o face_n shall_v begin_v not_o to_o displease_v thou_o thou_o must_v short_o dwell_v with_o he_o for_o a_o long_a time_n for_o the_o day_n of_o darkness_n be_v many_o do_v thou_o