not_o prove_v but_o it_o will_v be_v of_o great_a advantage_n to_o consider_v it_o dye_v we_o must_v as_o man_n who_o soul_n dwell_v in_o such_o earthly_a tabernacle_n it_o be_v unavoidable_a and_o as_o sinner_n we_o be_v under_o a_o sentence_n of_o death_n by_o a_o divine_a constitution_n and_o appointment_n which_o be_v a_o kindness_n unto_o good_a man_n who_o can_v else_o have_v their_o promise_a rest_n and_o crown_n by_o the_o full_a accomplishment_n of_o their_o desire_n and_o hope_n they_o can_v be_v perfect_o free_v from_o evil_a nor_o partaker_n of_o complete_a felicity_n without_o die_v the_o capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n the_o improvement_n we_o may_v attain_v to_o and_o the_o admirable_a mean_n which_o god_n have_v appoint_v to_o fit_v we_o for_o a_o noble_a life_n may_v easy_o convince_v we_o that_o he_o have_v prepare_v another_o state_n and_o life_n and_o world_n which_o it_o be_v now_o our_o business_n to_o provide_v for_o it_o be_v well_o if_o the_o best_a christian_n will_v consider_v it_o more_o to_o make_v they_o diligent_a to_o improve_v this_o life_n wise_o to_o employ_v their_o talent_n and_o careful_o to_o do_v all_o the_o good_a they_o can_v before_o the_o night_n come_v and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o other_o will_v consider_v it_o who_o be_v relate_v to_o they_o who_o have_v opportunity_n to_o converse_v with_o they_o and_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v good_a by_o they_o if_o they_o will_v consider_v that_o such_o useful_a excellent_a person_n be_v not_o to_o stay_v always_o with_o we_o if_o you_o that_o be_v young_a shall_v have_v many_o year_n long_a to_o stay_v your_o most_o valuable_a friend_n who_o be_v advance_v in_o age_n must_v short_o be_v go_v and_o let_v all_o serious_o count_v upon_o it_o that_o it_o be_v but_o a_o little_a while_n and_o every_o one_o of_o we_o shall_v be_v call_v away_o the_o old_a man_n or_o woman_n the_o long_a liver_n that_o we_o read_v of_o do_v not_o reach_v that_o which_o in_o comparison_n with_o god_n eternity_n be_v call_v one_o day_n do_v not_o live_v a_o thousand_o year_n methuselah_n be_v the_o long_a liver_n upon_o record_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o much_o long_a time_n since_o he_o die_v than_o that_o be_v which_o he_o live_v before_o the_o flood_n they_o live_v nine_o or_o ten_o time_n as_o long_o as_o now_o we_o do_v yet_o all_o dye_v enos_n 905_o year_n seth_n 912_o adam_n 930_o jared_n 962_o methuselah_n 969_o yet_o all_o dye_v they_o who_o tarry_v long_a on_o the_o stage_n be_v at_o length_n call_v off_o moses_n speak_v of_o the_o ordinary_a duration_n of_o the_o life_n of_o man_n to_o be_v seventy_o year_n and_o reckon_v it_o a_o great_a matter_n if_o any_o attain_n to_o fourscore_o as_o now_o and_o then_o there_o be_v instance_n of_o some_o that_o do_v yet_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o their_o year_n but_o labour_n and_o sorrow_n but_o because_o moses_n himself_o be_v fourscore_o year_n old_a when_o god_n make_v he_o a_o captain_n and_z aaron_z eighty_o three_o before_o he_o be_v make_v high_a priest_n we_o may_v not_o conclude_v the_o age_n of_o eighty_o at_o that_o time_n to_o be_v a_o very_a decrepit_a old_a age_n therefore_o the_o account_n give_v by_o xc_o by_o see_v dr._n hammond_n on_o psalm_n xc_o moses_n may_v rather_o be_v understand_v either_o to_o refer_v to_o after_o age_n or_o to_o the_o particular_a case_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o wilderness_n where_o multitude_n be_v destroy_v for_o their_o murmur_a and_o unbelief_n so_o that_o in_o forty_o year_n time_n all_o the_o male_n of_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_o that_o be_v able_a to_o go_v forth_o to_o war_n be_v cut_v off_o except_o caleb_n and_o joshua_n the_o number_n of_o such_o as_o die_v under_o the_o age_n of_o eighty_o must_v be_v reckon_v very_o great_a at_o least_o three_o hundred_o thousand_o men._n but_o the_o long_a life_n of_o man_n absolute_o and_o in_o itself_o consider_v be_v very_o short_a once_o in_o a_o hundred_o year_n the_o scene_n of_o the_o world_n be_v shift_v and_o all_o the_o actor_n go_v off_o the_o stage_n and_o other_o come_v in_o their_o room_n and_o how_o soon_o and_o sudden_o be_v individual_n call_v away_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v weak_a and_o wither_a that_o be_v vanish_v and_o of_o no_o continuance_n that_o be_v movable_a and_o may_v be_v take_v down_o at_o pleasure_n but_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v compare_v to_o it_o to_o a_o vapour_n to_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n to_o a_o tabernacle_n to_o a_o shepherd_n tent_n to_o a_o shadow_n etc._n etc._n and_o in_o comparison_n with_o several_a other_o creature_n it_o be_v also_o short_a for_o we_o read_v of_o divers_a animal_n that_o live_v sometime_o thrice_o as_o long_o as_o man_n ordinary_o have_v do_v how_o little_a at_o long_a be_v the_o measure_n of_o our_o day_n that_o may_v be_v reckon_v up_o by_o one_o figure_n and_o a_o cypher_n what_o be_v this_o to_o everlasting_a life_n the_o life_n to_o come_v will_v continue_v more_o million_o of_o age_n than_o there_o be_v moment_n now_o in_o the_o long_a life_n of_o man_n yea_o if_o it_o be_v ten_o thousand_o time_n long_o than_o methuselah_n the_o present_a life_n be_v to_o the_o future_a but_o as_o one_o moment_n in_o the_o apostle_n reckon_v 2_o cor._n 4.17_o and_o it_o be_v short_a yet_o if_o compare_v with_o god_n eternal_a duration_n which_o have_v neither_o beginning_n nor_o end_n my_o age_n be_v as_o nothing_o before_o thou_o psal_n 39.5_o and_o psal_n 90.4_o there_o be_v no_o proportion_n between_o the_o great_a number_n of_o year_n and_o a_o endless_a life_n how_o certain_o how_o soon_o will_v the_o little_a number_n of_o the_o day_n of_o the_o year_n of_o our_o pilgrimage_n be_v end_v though_o we_o shall_v be_v favour_v by_o divine_a providence_n more_o than_o other_o and_z flourish_z in_o outward_a prosperity_n to_o a_o great_a old_a age_n yet_o what_o man_n be_v he_o that_o live_v and_o shall_v not_o see_v death_n let_v he_o live_v never_o so_o long_o and_o never_o so_o well_o shall_v he_o deliver_v his_o soul_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o grave_a psal_n 89.49_o jacob_n be_v a_o 130_o year_n old_a when_o he_o say_v to_o pharaoh_n few_n and_o evil_n have_v the_o day_n of_o the_o year_n of_o my_o life_n be_v and_o yet_o that_o time_n be_v short_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o long_a life_n of_o his_o father_n but_o unconceivable_o short_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o everlasting_a life_n which_o this_o be_v the_o passage_n to_o i_o have_v read_v of_o certain_a little_a beast_n on_o the_o bank_n of_o the_o river_n hypanis_n in_o poland_n that_o never_o live_v above_o a_o day_n they_o which_o die_v at_o eight_o a_o clock_n in_o the_o morning_n die_v in_o their_o youth_n they_o which_o die_v at_o five_o in_o the_o evening_n of_o the_o same_o day_n in_o their_o extreme_a old_a age._n who_o will_v put_v so_o small_a a_o continuance_n into_o the_o consideration_n of_o good_a or_o evil_a and_o yet_o the_o long_a of_o our_o abode_n in_o this_o world_n in_o comparison_n with_o eternity_n be_v much_o less_o than_o the_o life_n of_o one_o of_o those_o creature_n compare_v with_o methuselah_n ii_o it_o be_v a_o mercy_n to_o die_v in_o peace_n so_o as_o to_o have_v a_o grave_a and_o burial_n to_o die_v in_o peace_n be_v sometime_o oppose_v to_o a_o untimely_a violent_a death_n 1_o king_n 2.6_o it_o be_v promise_v to_o zedekiah_n that_o he_o shall_v not_o die_v by_o the_o sword_n but_o die_v in_o peace_n jer._n 34.4_o to_o do_v so_o and_o to_o be_v decent_o inter_v be_v a_o additional_a mercy_n which_o the_o best_a man_n have_v desire_v and_o be_v concern_v for_o we_o read_v that_o abraham_n purchase_v a_o buryingplace_n for_o his_o dead_a god_n encourage_v jacob_n by_o the_o promise_n that_o his_o son_n shall_v take_v care_n of_o his_o funeral_n and_o god_n express_v his_o kindness_n to_o moses_n in_o that_o particular_a that_o he_o bury_v he_o and_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n be_v commend_v for_o his_o care_n in_o the_o burial_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o it_o be_v threaten_v and_o inflict_v as_o a_o judgement_n to_o want_v a_o sepulchre_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o baasha_n and_o jezabel_n jehojachim_n and_o other_o jer._n 22.19_o psal_n 143.11_o it_o be_v threaten_v to_o this_o purpose_n jer._n 14.16_o that_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v cast_v out_o in_o the_o street_n and_o none_o to_o bury_v they_o and_o that_o the_o bone_n of_o the_o king_n and_o priest_n and_o prophet_n shall_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o grave_a and_o lay_v open_a to_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n it_o be_v part_n of_o a_o very_a sad_a complaint_n psal_n 79.2_o the_o dead_a body_n of_o thy_o servant_n have_v
such_o a_o promise_n as_o this_o of_o long_a life_n and_o we_o can_v be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o desire_v it_o if_o it_o will_v tend_v to_o our_o detriment_n it_o be_v therefore_o add_v deut._n 5.16_o honour_n thy_o father_n etc._n etc._n that_o thy_o day_n may_v be_v prolong_v and_o that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o thou_o it_o must_v also_o be_v consider_v that_o there_o be_v particular_a reason_n for_o the_o extraordinary_a long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o those_o before_o the_o flood_n that_o will_v not_o reach_v to_o our_o time_n josephus_n 3._o josephus_n the_o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o greek_n and_o barbarian_n concern_v the_o long_a life_n of_o man_n in_o ancient_a time_n be_v mention_v by_o josephus_n antiq._n lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o give_v this_o account_n of_o it_o that_o they_o be_v man_n belove_v of_o god_n and_o new_o make_v by_o he_o with_o a_o strong_a constitution_n and_o excellent_a temper_n of_o body_n and_o use_v better_o diet_n the_o vigour_n of_o the_o earth_n serve_v at_o first_o for_o the_o production_n of_o better_a fruit_n all_o these_o thing_n join_v with_o their_o temperance_n constant_a exercise_n moderate_a labour_n a_o sweet_a temper_n of_o air_n etc._n etc._n may_v contribute_v much_o to_o the_o length_n of_o their_o life_n which_o be_v but_o necessary_a that_o the_o world_n may_v be_v the_o soon_o people_v petrarch_n people_v which_o reason_n be_v long_o since_o cease_v and_o the_o shorten_n of_o man_n life_n be_v as_o needful_a now_o as_o the_o prolong_n it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la incrementum_fw-la terra_fw-la non_fw-la caperet_fw-la si_fw-la omnes_fw-la senescerent_fw-la qui_fw-la nascuntur_fw-la petrarch_n knowledge_n and_o religion_n more_o certain_o propagate_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o live_a teacher_n and_o art_n and_o science_n bring_v to_o great_a perfection_n not_o that_o the_o privilege_n of_o live_v so_o long_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n mention_v in_o holy_a scripture_n but_o that_o general_o speak_v it_o be_v true_a of_o all_o in_o those_o time_n we_o read_v but_o of_o seven_o generation_n of_o the_o descendant_n of_o the_o race_n of_o cain_n from_o the_o death_n of_o abel_n unto_o the_o flood_n and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v thus_o the_o people_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o mankind_n can_v not_o have_v be_v attain_v by_o the_o long_a life_n only_o of_o five_o or_o six_o of_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n nor_o can_v another_o end_n have_v be_v reach_v viz._n the_o increase_n of_o art_n and_o science_n and_o useful_a knowledge_n for_o humane_a life_n because_o not_o only_o good_a man_n nor_o principal_o they_o but_o other_o who_o have_v little_a religion_n be_v as_o well_o concern_v in_o those_o matter_n 6._o matter_n see_v this_o more_o large_o treat_v of_o by_o joh._n h._n heidegerus_n hist_o sacra_fw-la patriarch_n tom._n 1._o 4o._o amstel_n 1667._o exerc_n 14._o de_fw-la longaevitate_fw-la patriarcharum_fw-la and_o mons_fw-la le_fw-fr clerc_n comment_fw-fr in_o gen._n cap._n 5._o v._n 27._o fol._n amstel_n 1693._o and_o b._n patrick_n on_o gen._n 5._o and_o hackwell_n be_v apology_n fol._n sir_n w._n raleigh_n be_v hist_n of_o the_o world_n l._n 1._o c._n 5._o §._o 5_o 6._o it_o be_v true_a s._n cyprian_n and_o some_o of_o the_o father_n think_v that_o man_n life_n be_v now_o short_a because_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v old_a and_o decline_v and_o that_o nature_n decay_v by_o degree_n and_o that_o it_o be_v upon_o that_o account_n that_o man_n do_v not_o now_o live_v so_o long_o as_o former_o but_o then_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o for_o so_o many_o age_n as_o from_o david_n time_n to_o we_o there_o have_v be_v little_a or_o no_o change_n for_o he_o be_v call_v a_o old_a man_n and_o full_a of_o day_n at_o seventy_o 1_o chron._n 23.1_o we_o shall_v now_o be_v in_o the_o decrepit_a old_a age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o hardly_o live_v ten_o year_n instead_o of_o threescore_o and_o ten_o if_o nature_n decay_v so_o as_o man_n life_n do_v proportionable_o decrease_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o old_a age_n of_o the_o world_n we_o must_v therefore_o consider_v the_o determination_n of_o this_o matter_n to_o depend_v entire_o on_o the_o holy_a and_o wise_a providence_n of_o god_n to_o serve_v the_o purpose_n of_o his_o glory_n in_o mercy_n and_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n past_o our_o find_v out_o as_o to_o many_o thing_n though_o sometime_o we_o discern_v a_o plain_a reason_n as_o we_o may_v well_o suppose_v it_o be_v one_o principal_a reason_n of_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o holy_a patriarch_n that_o they_o may_v propagate_v religion_n in_o their_o generation_n as_o abraham_n and_o noah_n and_o enoch_n and_o the_o rest_n do_v there_o be_v no_o scripture_n write_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v convey_v from_o parent_n to_o child_n and_o god_n prolong_v their_o life_n that_o they_o may_v be_v the_o prop_n and_o pillar_n of_o religion_n in_o their_o family_n and_o transmit_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n to_o adam_n concern_v the_o promise_a seed_n the_o tradition_n of_o these_o divine_a revelation_n to_o our_o first_o parent_n may_v have_v be_v continue_v by_o three_o man_n from_o adam_n to_o the_o israelite_n go_v into_o egypt_n adam_n be_v teach_v of_o god_n by_o oracle_n he_o live_v long_o enough_o to_o teach_v many_o other_o methuselah_n live_v three_o hundred_o forty_o three_o year_n with_o adam_n and_o with_o noah_n five_o hundred_o and_o continue_v to_o the_o flood_n noah_n live_v with_o abraham_n fifty_o eight_o year_n by_o who_o it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o pass_v by_o isaac_n jacob_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o moses_n for_o sem_fw-mi live_v with_o methuselah_n ninety_o eight_o year_n and_o flourish_v about_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o flood_n and_o isaac_n live_v fifty_o year_n with_o sem_fw-mi and_o die_v about_o ten_o year_n before_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n go_v down_o into_o egypt_n so_o that_o by_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n methuselah_n sem_fw-mi and_z isaac_n may_v continue_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o truth_n and_o purity_n of_o religion_n from_o adam_n to_o that_o time_n which_o be_v above_o two_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o year_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n that_o whenever_o a_o good_a man_n live_v long_o it_o be_v in_o mercy_n to_o he_o but_o the_o sinner_n a_o hundred_o year_n old_a be_v accurse_v isa_n 65.20_o if_o wicked_a man_n have_v their_o life_n prolong_v as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o fear_n god_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n the_o one_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o divine_a love_n and_o the_o fruit_n of_o a_o promise_n the_o other_o be_v only_o a_o common_a benefit_n to_o serve_v some_o end_n of_o providence_n for_o the_o sake_n it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o good_a man_n to_o who_o such_o a_o one_o be_v relate_v or_o it_o may_v be_v as_o a_o reward_n of_o some_o little_a service_n that_o even_o a_o wicked_a man_n may_v be_v employ_v to_o do_v in_o this_o world_n in_o the_o one_o case_n long_o life_n be_v in_o order_n to_o great_a mercy_n but_o the_o other_o will_v have_v a_o dismal_a end_n in_o his_o eternal_a ruin_n the_o former_a like_o a_o gentle_a river_n as_o one_o well_o express_v it_o which_o have_v run_v many_o mile_n and_o water_v and_o enrich_v the_o neighbour_a ground_n mingle_v at_o last_o with_o the_o vast_a ocean_n of_o glory_n the_o other_o though_o like_o the_o river_n jordan_n it_o have_v extend_v its_o course_n a_o great_a way_n fall_v at_o last_o into_o the_o dead_a sea_n into_o endless_a howl_n in_o the_o one_o case_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o further_a mercy_n and_o blessing_n be_v to_o be_v add_v to_o it_o in_o the_o other_o that_o after_o this_o all_o his_o blessing_n be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o he_o shall_v have_v no_o more_o the_o sinner_n of_o a_o hundred_o year_n old_a shall_v be_v accurse_v some_o sinner_n bring_v age_n upon_o themselves_o by_o their_o wickedness_n before_o the_o time_n and_o be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a at_o forty_o some_o commit_v the_o sin_n of_o a_o hundred_o year_n in_o half_a that_o space_n of_o time_n and_o though_o they_o shall_v live_v to_o that_o age_n will_v continue_v to_o sin_v on_o and_o in_o old_a age_n their_o full_a ear_n of_o corn_n be_v blast_v with_o a_o mildew_n they_o be_v under_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n and_o their_o long_a day_n shall_v shut_v up_o in_o everlasting_a darkness_n never_o to_o see_v light_n or_o comfort_n more_o beside_o the_o promise_n of_o long_a life_n must_v be_v consider_v as_o make_v to_o such_o as_o be_v eminent_a for_o
enough_o now_o o_o lord_n take_v away_o my_o life_n or_o with_o old_a simeon_n now_o lord_n let_v thou_o thy_o servant_n depart_v in_o peace_n not_o only_o i_o be_o content_a to_o go_v if_o thou_o call_v i_o but_o with_o the_o apostle_n i_o desire_v to_o be_v dissolve_v for_o while_o i_o be_o present_a in_o the_o body_n i_o be_o absent_a from_o the_o lord_n come_v lord_n jesus_n come_v quick_o three_o in_o a_o full_a age_n when_o they_o have_v live_v to_o see_v their_o child_n bring_v up_o and_o dispose_v of_o in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o may_v be_v have_v see_v their_o child_n child_n this_o be_v a_o further_a mercy_n that_o god_n have_v make_v their_o house_n to_o grow_v and_o they_o can_v leave_v the_o world_n with_o hope_n that_o their_o child_n shall_v follow_v they_o to_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o also_o will_v command_v their_o child_n after_o they_o to_o serve_v the_o lord_n not_o to_o be_v call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n till_o they_o have_v a_o fair_a and_o hopeful_a prospect_n that_o the_o covenant_n promise_n shall_v be_v make_v good_a to_o their_o seed_n that_o they_o that_o descend_v from_o they_o shall_v bear_v up_o the_o name_n of_o god_n own_o his_o truth_n and_o live_v to_o be_v blessing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o not_o to_o reproach_n and_o shame_v the_o stock_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v four_o to_o die_v in_o a_o full_a age_n a_o good_a old_a age_n with_o a_o competent_a vigour_n of_o health_n of_o body_n and_o mind_n in_o their_o elder_a year_n i_o mean_v without_o the_o extraordinary_a infirmity_n of_o old_a age._n moses_n be_v a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o year_n old_a yet_o his_o eye_n be_v not_o dim_a nor_o his_o natural_a strength_n abate_v deut._n 34.7_o with_o what_o thankfulness_n do_v good_a old_a joshua_n speak_v this_o josh_n 4.10_o 11._o i_o be_o this_o day_n fourscore_o and_o five_o year_n old_a and_o yet_o i_o be_o as_o strong_a this_o day_n as_o in_o the_o day_n that_o moses_n send_v i_o as_o my_o strength_n be_v then_o so_o it_o be_v now_o what_o vigour_n of_o health_n both_o of_o body_n and_o mind_n god_n blessed_v the_o honourable_a person_n decease_a withal_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o her_o life_n all_o thing_n consider_v as_o to_o her_o particular_a case_n aught_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v with_o great_a thankfulness_n for_o though_o old_a age_n be_v a_o blessing_n yet_o a_o very_a infirm_a one_o be_v not_o desirable_a which_o witchcot_n which_o archbishop_n tillotson_n funeral_n sermon_n of_o dr._n witchcot_n a_o great_a man_n take_v notice_n of_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n who_o say_v he_o will_v desire_v to_o live_v very_o long_o uneasy_a to_o himself_o and_o troublesome_a to_o other_o who_o will_v not_o think_v it_o time_n to_o die_v when_o by_o reason_n of_o old_a age_n we_o can_v hardly_o live_v with_o the_o good_a will_n of_o our_o friend_n when_o those_o who_o ought_v to_o love_v we_o best_o begin_v to_o think_v much_o that_o we_o live_v so_o long_o and_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v to_o give_v we_o broad_a sign_n that_o they_o be_v weary_a of_o our_o company_n in_o such_o a_o case_n one_o will_v almost_o be_v content_v to_o die_v out_o of_o civility_n and_o not_o choose_v to_o make_v a_o long_a stay_n where_o a_o man_n see_v his_o company_n be_v no_o long_o acceptable_a if_o we_o can_v hope_v we_o shall_v be_v welcome_a to_o a_o better_a place_n and_o more_o delightful_a society_n why_o shall_v we_o desire_v to_o thrust_v ourselves_o upon_o those_o who_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o refrain_v from_o tell_v we_o that_o our_o room_n be_v better_a than_o our_o company_n the_o extremity_n of_o old_a age_n be_v general_o peevish_a and_o quarrelsome_a fall_v back_o to_o the_o weak_a and_o helpless_a condition_n of_o infancy_n and_o childhood_n and_o yet_o less_o care_n be_v common_o take_v to_o please_v age_a person_n and_o less_o kindness_n show_v they_o unless_o in_o expectation_n of_o receive_v great_a than_o unto_o child_n because_o these_o be_v cherish_v in_o hope_n the_o other_o in_o despair_n of_o prove_v better_o so_o that_o if_o god_n see_v good_a it_o be_v not_o desirable_a to_o try_v nature_n and_o the_o kindness_n and_o good_a will_n of_o our_o relation_n to_o the_o uttermost_a i_o mention_v this_o because_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o blessing_n of_o old_a age_n to_o have_v the_o taper_n of_o life_n burn_v clear_a to_o the_o last_o for_o any_o to_o have_v their_o understanding_n good_a their_o memory_n and_o sense_n tolerable_a their_o conversation_n acceptable_a their_o relation_n kind_a and_o respectful_a to_o they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o live_v this_o be_v a_o rare_a case_n and_o happen_v seldom_o to_o old_a people_n and_o when_o it_o do_v it_o be_v common_o to_o those_o who_o by_o a_o regular_a and_o religious_a course_n of_o life_n have_v reserve_v some_o of_o their_o best_a spirit_n till_o last_o and_o have_v not_o by_o vice_n and_o intemperance_n draw_v off_o life_n to_o the_o dregs_o and_o leave_v nothing_o to_o be_v enjoy_v but_o infirmity_n and_o ill_a humour_n gild_n and_o repentance_n it_o be_v the_o blessing_n of_o such_o who_o have_v lay_v in_o a_o good_a provision_n for_o such_o a_o evil_a day_n by_o peace_n with_o god_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o sense_n of_o god_n favour_n and_o love_a kindness_n which_o be_v better_o than_o life_n this_o be_v a_o special_a privilege_n and_o a_o singular_a favour_n of_o god_n that_o may_v easy_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o present_a example_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o four_o thing_n iv_o that_o old_a age_n with_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o serious_a religion_n to_o ripen_v and_o fit_v the_o soul_n for_o heaven_n like_o a_o shock_n of_o corn_n fit_a to_o be_v gather_v be_v a_o most_o desirable_a blessing_n but_o before_o i_o speak_v to_o that_o i_o must_v answer_v a_o objection_n that_o you_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o make_v from_o observation_n and_o experience_n viz._n that_o this_o promise_n be_v not_o very_o often_o fulfil_v even_o to_o good_a man_n that_o there_o be_v little_a distinction_n between_o the_o righteous_a and_o the_o wicked_a in_o this_o respect_n many_o excellent_a person_n be_v take_v off_o in_o their_o youth_n and_o many_o wicked_a people_n live_v to_o a_o considerable_a old_a age._n answer_n many_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o as_o that_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v of_o a_o great_a depth_n and_o that_o if_o a_o good_a man_n be_v call_v out_o of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o day_n he_o will_v have_v no_o cause_n to_o repent_v that_o he_o do_v not_o live_v to_o be_v old_a if_o god_n promise_v long_a life_n and_o give_v eternal_a life_n there_o be_v no_o more_o damage_n do_v to_o the_o person_n than_o if_o you_o shall_v promise_v another_o twenty_o shilling_n and_o give_v he_o a_o thousand_o guinea_n and_o by_o give_v long_a life_n to_o some_o good_a man_n god_n show_v that_o it_o be_v his_o gift_n as_o by_o bring_v other_o to_o heaven_n soon_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o have_v something_o better_a to_o bestow_v we_o be_v hereby_o instruct_v in_o the_o nature_n and_o value_n of_o present_a thing_n and_o assist_v to_o expect_v eternal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n we_o can_v reckon_v any_o such_o temporal_a blessing_n a_o peculiar_a mark_n of_o god_n favour_n because_o it_o be_v not_o the_o portion_n of_o all_o good_a man_n and_o other_o sometime_o partake_v of_o it_o without_o this_o variety_n in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o providence_n we_o shall_v want_v one_o of_o the_o best_a moral_a argument_n for_o another_o life_n after_o this_o we_o must_v likewise_o consider_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o dispensation_n of_o god_n providence_n to_o good_a man_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o now_o under_o the_o new_a eternal_a reward_n be_v couch_v and_o shadow_v very_o much_o under_o the_o promise_n of_o temporal_a blessing_n on_o the_o jewish_a nation_n their_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v a_o type_n of_o heaven_n and_o long_a life_n promise_v to_o they_o be_v the_o figure_n of_o a_o eternal_a one_o and_o though_o now_o under_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v the_o promise_n of_o the_o life_n that_o now_o be_v as_o well_o as_o of_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v yet_o the_o fulfil_n of_o any_o such_o promise_n must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n who_o know_v what_o be_v best_a for_o our_o spiritual_a advantage_n and_o when_o in_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o it_o will_v tend_v to_o our_o true_a interest_n and_o promote_v our_o eternal_a welfare_n god_n who_o know_v our_o strength_n and_o weakness_n what_o temptation_n we_o be_v able_a to_o resist_v and_o what_o not_o know_v when_o and_o to_o who_o to_o fulfil_v
honour_v their_o parent_n as_o be_v strict_a and_o conscientious_a in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o tongue_n as_o be_v exemplary_a for_o justice_n towards_o man_n and_o charity_n to_o the_o poor_a now_o every_o good_a man_n who_o have_v sincerity_n enough_o to_o carry_v he_o to_o heaven_n can_v expect_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o and_o the_o like_a temporal_a promise_n which_o be_v make_v to_o person_n who_o be_v peculiar_o eminent_a for_o such_o virtue_n i_o conclude_v this_o head_n with_o the_o word_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n eccl._n 8.12_o 13._o though_o a_o sinner_n do_v evil_a a_o hundred_o time_n and_o his_o day_n be_v prolong_v yet_o sure_o i_o know_v it_o shall_v be_v well_o with_o they_o that_o fear_v god_n that_o fear_v before_o he_o but_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v well_o with_o the_o wicked_a neither_o shall_v be_v prolong_v his_o day_n which_o be_v as_o a_o shadow_n because_o he_o fear_v not_o before_o god_n job_n 21.7_o 20._o the_o wicked_a live_v become_v old_a yea_o be_v mighty_a in_o power_n his_o eye_n shall_v see_v his_o destruction_n he_o shall_v drink_v of_o the_o wrath_n of_o the_o almighty_a i_o come_v now_o to_o consider_v that_o old_a age_n with_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o a_o course_n of_o serious_a religion_n be_v a_o very_a great_a blessing_n when_o the_o soul_n be_v fit_v and_o ripen_v for_o heaven_n and_o this_o be_v the_o benefit_n of_o a_o long_a life_n that_o we_o may_v know_v and_o serve_v and_o praise_n and_o glorify_v and_o enjoy_v god_n more_o than_o other_o this_o have_v make_v the_o best_a man_n desire_v and_o pray_v for_o a_o long_a life_n psal_n 39_o ult_n spare_v i_o that_o i_o may_v recover_v strength_n and_o be_v fit_v for_o my_o duty_n and_o thy_o service_n and_o fit_a to_o leave_v the_o world_n when_o thou_o shall_v call_v i_o psal_n 71.18_o isa_n 38.19_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a blessing_n of_o a_o prolong_a life_n to_o do_v god_n more_o service_n in_o this_o world_n and_o lay_v up_o a_o good_a foundation_n for_o hereafter_o viz._n the_o comfort_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n against_o a_o die_a hour_n and_o a_o great_a meetness_n for_o the_o heavenly_a inheritance_n it_o be_v doubtless_o true_a that_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n do_v beautify_v every_o age_n but_o how_o lovely_a and_o honourable_a be_v the_o hoary_a head_n when_o find_v in_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n after_o the_o resistance_n of_o many_o temptation_n and_o endure_v many_o year_n conflict_n that_o yet_o the_o soul_n be_v fix_v for_o god_n and_o heaven_n and_o its_o choice_n abide_v when_o after_o many_o year_n experience_n they_o like_v their_o master_n service_n the_o better_a when_o they_o have_v faithful_o serve_v he_o for_o fifty_o sixty_o or_o seventy_o year_n to_o say_v with_o good_a obadiah_n 1_o king_n 18._o i_o have_v fear_v jehovah_n from_o my_o youth_n it_o be_v a_o title_n of_o honour_n give_v gnason_n of_o cyprus_n that_o he_o be_v call_v a_o old_a disciple_n act_v 21.16_o so_o anna_n the_o prophetess_n be_v of_o a_o great_a age_n luke_n 2.36_o so_o paul_n the_o age_a and_o now_o also_o a_o prisoner_n of_o christ_n philemon_n v._o 9_o what_o a_o stock_n of_o grace_n must_v such_o a_o old_a disciple_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v who_o be_v early_o plant_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o for_o several_a year_n flourish_v in_o the_o court_n of_o the_o lord_n who_o have_v be_v treasure_v up_o and_o increase_v from_o year_n to_o year_n add_v grace_n to_o grace_n and_o proceed_v from_o strength_n to_o strength_n and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o equitable_a supposition_n that_o such_o have_v understand_v their_o opportunity_n and_o manage_v their_o time_n and_o talent_n to_o good_a advantage_n how_o comfortable_o may_v such_o a_o one_o reflect_v on_o the_o past_a instance_n of_o god_n wisdom_n and_o faithfulness_n kindness_n and_o compassion_n on_o the_o sweet_a communion_n he_o have_v have_v with_o god_n in_o his_o young_a year_n at_o his_o first_o dedication_n of_o himself_o to_o be_v the_o lord_n under_o such_o a_o man_n ministry_n who_o be_v long_o since_o dead_a at_o the_o table_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o such_o or_o such_o a_o assembly_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o city_n or_o country_n what_o comfortable_a reflection_n can_v he_o make_v what_o pleasant_a review_n may_v such_o a_o one_o have_v of_o spiritual_a inward_a experimental_a religion_n who_o can_v say_v with_o david_n i_o have_v know_v thy_o testimony_n of_o old_a psal_n 119.152_o who_o have_v often_o see_v the_o word_n of_o god_n fulfil_v to_o himself_o and_o other_o who_o have_v observe_v how_o public_a and_o private_a providence_n do_v comment_n upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o it_o may_v be_v have_v have_v the_o pleasure_n and_o joy_n to_o see_v his_o prayer_n answer_v and_o his_o endeavour_n prosper_v in_o the_o education_n of_o child_n that_o they_o and_o they_o after_o they_o may_v know_v and_o serve_v the_o lord_n it_o be_v a_o great_a blessing_n to_o live_v to_o such_o a_o age_n and_o find_v this_o how_o helpful_a may_v their_o long_a experience_n be_v to_o enable_v they_o to_o do_v good_a in_o the_o last_o part_n of_o their_o life_n more_o than_o in_o their_o young_a year_n for_o wisdom_n be_v get_v by_o experience_n and_o general_o speak_v they_o who_o have_v long_a time_n to_o improve_v must_v be_v the_o wise_a people_n and_o it_o be_v as_o rare_a almost_o to_o see_v a_o young_a man_n wise_a and_o prudent_a as_o to_o see_v a_o old_a man_n strong_a and_o healthy_a therefore_o two_o or_o three_o year_n of_o the_o life_n of_o a_o age_a experience_a christian_a especial_o if_o employ_v in_o any_o public_a station_n of_o service_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n may_v be_v of_o more_o use_n than_o many_o year_n of_o younger_n less_o experience_v men._n and_o there_o be_v many_o service_n and_o duty_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n which_o we_o be_v now_o call_v to_o that_o even_o the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o the_o faithful_a improvement_n of_o our_o talent_n as_o to_o these_o may_v increase_v our_o happiness_n in_o another_o world_n if_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o glory_n he_o that_o have_v a_o long_a life_n of_o service_n and_o improvement_n in_o grace_n may_v hope_v to_o rise_v high_a than_o other_o how_o useful_a may_v be_v the_o example_n of_o a_o old_a disciple_n and_o how_o beneficial_a his_o prayer_n to_o the_o public_a but_o especial_o to_o his_o own_o family_n and_o relation_n and_o there_o be_v many_o who_o understand_v the_o blessing_n of_o long_a life_n in_o the_o five_o commandment_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o those_o that_o honour_n their_o parent_n to_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o parent_n bless_v their_o child_n by_o their_o prayer_n and_o intercession_n to_o god_n for_o they_o and_o since_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o without_o contradiction_n the_o less_o be_v bless_v of_o the_o great_a and_o the_o prosperity_n of_o child_n depend_v very_o much_o as_o in_o reason_n and_o experience_n be_v evident_a it_o do_v upon_o the_o earnest_a prayer_n of_o holy_a parent_n for_o their_o obedient_a child_n one_o may_v wonder_v that_o child_n shall_v now_o be_v teach_v by_o any_o otherwise_o good_a people_n not_o to_o ask_v that_o blessing_n not_o to_o beg_v those_o prayer_n which_o have_v so_o manifest_a a_o advantage_n especial_o when_o the_o do_v it_o have_v the_o general_a attestation_n of_o all_o christendom_n and_o be_v no_o contemptible_a testimony_n of_o that_o honour_n and_o respect_n which_o be_v due_a from_o child_n to_o their_o religious_a parent_n i_o say_v religious_a because_o to_o make_v old_a age_n honourable_a and_o a_o blessing_n those_o grace_n must_v be_v suppose_v which_o be_v the_o ornament_n of_o that_o age_n sobriety_n and_o temperance_n gravity_n and_o seriousness_n soundness_n in_o the_o faith_n charity_n patience_n and_o diligence_n to_o finish_v the_o work_n god_n have_v give_v they_o to_o do_v how_o honourable_a and_o excellent_a be_v 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lxxxvi_o 8._o p._n 151._o gradual_o it_o do_v advance_v after_o it_o be_v sow_o how_o it_o spring_v up_o like_o a_o herb_n shoot_v forth_o a_o tender_a blade_n rise_v to_o a_o stalk_v and_o then_o come_v to_o be_v ripe_a to_o all_o which_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o time_n be_v requisite_a before_o it_o be_v cut_v down_o and_o lay_v in_o the_o barn_n and_o then_o it_o be_v to_o be_v thresh_v and_o fan_v before_o it_o be_v fit_a for_o the_o master_n use_n but_o yet_o the_o harvest_n be_v certain_a and_o when_o the_o corn_n be_v ripe_a it_o shall_v be_v cut_v down_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o run_v the_o parallel_n as_o to_o a_o good_a old_a age_n according_a to_o this_o metaphor_n you_o see_v plain_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o to_o have_v live_v long_o but_o to_o live_v so_o as_o to_o be_v ripe_a for_o heaven_n that_o be_v the_o great_a blessing_n that_o old_a age_n which_o be_v true_o honourable_a be_v not_o to_o be_v know_v by_o a_o wither_a face_n but_o a_o mortify_v spirit_n not_o by_o the_o 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infirmity_n of_o the_o age_a he_o do_v but_o laugh_v at_o himself_o beforehand_o and_o expose_v his_o own_o future_a condition_n it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o old_a age_n that_o in_o almost_o all_o country_n they_o of_o most_o year_n have_v be_v think_v fit_a to_o preside_v in_o counsel_n and_o have_v the_o direction_n in_o public_a affair_n so_o that_o the_o very_a name_n of_o office_n and_o authority_n be_v derive_v from_o thence_o 42._o thence_o see_v mr._n j._n collier_n be_v essay_n second_o part_n 8vo_fw-la of_o old_a age._n sir_n francis_n bacon_n be_v essay_n of_o youth_n and_o age_n §._o 42._o witness_v the_o jewish_a elder_n the_o spartan_a 〈◊〉_d
may_v call_v thou_o forth_o to_o that_o war_n from_o which_o there_o be_v no_o discharge_n without_o give_v thou_o a_o hour_n warn_v you_o know_v not_o what_o shall_v be_v on_o the_o morrow_n jam._n 4.14_o listen_v not_o to_o those_o while_o you_o be_v young_a who_o will_v persuade_v you_o to_o put_v off_o your_o repentance_n to_o a_o further_a time_n who_o will_v tell_v you_o you_o be_v in_o the_o heat_n and_o flower_n of_o your_o youth_n and_o shall_v now_o if_o ever_o indulge_v yourselves_o that_o religion_n be_v a_o melancholy_a thing_n and_o you_o will_v have_v time_n enough_o for_o it_o hereafter_o but_o who_o will_v defer_v his_o repentance_n till_o hereafter_o that_o do_v not_o know_v but_o he_o may_v die_v to_o night_n who_o will_v put_v it_o off_o to_o old_a age_n when_o it_o be_v so_o uncertain_a whether_o he_o shall_v not_o die_v young_a ludovicus_n capellus_n tell_v we_o of_o one_o of_o the_o rabbin_n that_o when_o one_o of_o his_o disciple_n come_v to_o he_o to_o know_v 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