sect_n vii_o the_o seven_o work_n of_o old-age_n be_v world._n mortification_n and_o the_o object_n hereof_o be_v double_a 1._o that_o which_o be_v evil_a in_o itself_o 2._o that_o which_o be_v lawful_a in_o itself_o the_o religious_a old_a person_n have_v work_v in_o both_o these_o 1._o one_o great_a work_n of_o old-age_n be_v die_v to_o sin_n to_o all_o sin_n the_o time_n pass_v of_o our_o life_n may_v suffice_v we_o to_o have_v walk_v in_o lasciviousness_n lust_n excess_n of_o wine_n revel_n banquet_n etc._n etc._n 1_o pet._n 4._o 3._o we_o have_v sin_v enough_o already_o yea_o much_o more_o than_o enough_o it_o be_v high_a time_n to_o undo_v that_o which_o have_v almost_o undo_v we_o we_o be_v die_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o our_o sin_n die_v before_o we_o 27._o and_o that_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o repentance_n from_o dead_a work_n for_o want_v of_o which_o course_n our_o evidence_n prove_v litigious_a and_o snarl_a with_o inextricable_a doubt_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o we_o want_v strength_n or_o opportunity_n to_o sin_n but_o our_o will_n and_o desire_n towards_o it_o must_v be_v dead_a also_o sin_n be_v only_o asleep_a or_o benumb_v in_o we_o if_o we_o have_v not_o use_v god_n mean_n to_o crucify_v it_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a that_o we_o leave_v it_o except_o we_o loathe_v it_o go_v throughstitch_n therefore_o with_o this_o work_n do_v it_o quick_o do_v it_o sincere_o it_o be_v kill_v or_o be_v kill_v and_o necessity_n make_v the_o coward_n resolute_a dread_v not_o any_o scriptural_a severity_n necessary_a in_o mortification_n some_o devil_n be_v not_o cast_v out_o without_o prayer_n and_o fast_v and_o hypocrates_n 13._o observe_v that_o old-age_n be_v the_o fit_a for_o the_o use_n of_o fast_v the_o wound_n that_o sin_n have_v make_v must_v be_v search_v to_o the_o bottom_n and_o doubtless_o it_o be_v never_o crucify_v no_o more_o than_o christ_n be_v without_o pain_n how_o just_o do_v the_o scripture_n still_o stigmatize_v sin_n with_o the_o name_n of_o folly_n to_o weave_v a_o webb_n that_o must_v be_v unrav'led_a and_o to_o make_v we_o spend_v our_o life_n between_o sinful_a joy_n and_o painful_a sorrow_n and_o though_o old-age_n do_v not_o mortify_v sin_n by_o itself_o yet_o cool_v our_o lust_n and_o passion_n it_o prove_v helpful_a in_o that_o work_n cicer._n and_o provide_v we_o be_v true_o thankful_a unto_o god_n for_o that_o advantage_n and_o that_o we_o use_v other_o necessary_a mean_n to_o that_o end_n we_o may_v comfortable_o acquiesce_v in_o that_o bless_a effect_n and_o rejoice_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v displease_v to_o god_n be_v become_v unpleasant_a to_o we_o but_o we_o must_v not_o be_v content_a to_o be_v only_o passive_a in_o the_o decay_n of_o sin_n we_o must_v be_v active_a in_o that_o work_n if_o you_o through_o the_o spirit_n mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n you_o shall_v live_v rom._n 8._o 13._o and_o as_o all_o sin_n must_v be_v the_o object_n of_o mortification_n so_o especial_o all_o youthful_a sin_n 16._o for_o as_o chrysostom_n say_v a_o old_a man_n act_v juvenile_a sin_n be_v far_o more_o ridiculous_a than_o young_a person_n that_o commit_v those_o sin_n to_o have_v our_o heart_n burn_v with_o lust_n or_o revenge_n when_o our_o vein_n be_v freeze_a with_o age_n the_o soul_n rampant_a and_o the_o body_n die_v be_v monstrous_a sen._n and_o yet_o we_o know_v how_o s._n hierom_n himself_o complain_v of_o scald_a motion_n that_o be_v ready_a to_o invade_v his_o wither_a body_n and_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o a_o sad_a instance_n hereof_o even_o of_o solomon_n the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o man_n alive_a that_o have_v do_v more_o for_o god_n and_o god_n for_o he_o than_o any_o man_n in_o the_o age_n he_o live_v in_o that_o he_o when_o he_o be_v between_o fifty_o and_o sixty_o year_n of_o age_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o enslave_v to_o his_o strange_a wife_n as_o to_o be_v carry_v by_o they_o to_o worship_v strange_a god_n for_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o soloman_n be_v old_a that_o his_o wife_n turn_v away_o his_o heart_n etc._n etc._n 1_o kin._n 11._o 4._o whereby_o he_o set_v in_o such_o a_o cloud_n as_o have_v draw_v his_o very_a salvation_n into_o question_n let_v it_o be_v a_o warning_n to_o all_o age_a people_n to_o see_v that_o their_o corruption_n be_v not_o asleep_a but_o dead_a as_o far_o as_o be_v attainable_a in_o this_o life_n that_o the_o old_a man_n as_o well_o as_o the_o outward_a man_n perish_v and_o which_o will_v be_v a_o good_a proof_n thereof_o that_o the_o inward_a man_n be_v renew_v day_n by_o day_n that_o our_o thought_n our_o word_n our_o very_a behaviour_n and_o attire_n proclaim_v that_o sin_n and_o we_o be_v part_v never_o to_o meet_v again_o it_o be_v a_o good_a answer_n of_o a_o lacedaemonian_a to_o one_o that_o ask_v he_o why_o he_o wear_v his_o beard_n so_o long_o answ._n it_o be_v to_o mind_v i_o that_o i_o do_v nothing_o unbeseeming_a my_o hoary_a hair_n a_o light_a behaviour_n in_o a_o grave_a person_n be_v foolish_a and_o loathsome_a for_o as_o dead_a fly_v cause_v the_o ointment_n of_o the_o apothecary_n to_o send_v forth_o a_o stink_a saviour_n so_o do_v a_o little_a folly_n he_o that_o be_v in_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n and_o honour_n eccl._n 10._o 1._o 2._o the_o other_o object_n of_o mortification_n proper_a for_o old-age_n be_v the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o innocent_a but_o charm_a vanity_n thereof_o not_o that_o they_o be_v bind_v actual_o to_o forsake_v the_o world_n either_o the_o needful_a care_n or_o the_o lawful_a comfort_n of_o it_o but_o to_o wean_v and_o abate_v their_o desire_n of_o it_o their_o delight_n in_o it_o their_o care_n about_o it_o vixit_fw-la this_o shall_v be_v every_o christian_n work_n but_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o age_a person_n care_n in_o a_o more_o eminent_a measure_n for_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o leave_v this_o world_n and_o ascend_v into_o another_o and_o every_o one_o take_v off_o their_o mind_n from_o a_o house_n they_o be_v leave_v the_o world_n also_o be_v forsake_v they_o the_o pleasure_n they_o have_v former_o take_v in_o meat_n apparel_n building_n be_v much_o decay_v the_o thing_n which_o do_v former_o ravish_v be_v now_o grow_v insipid_a and_o do_v not_o this_o call_v aloud_o to_o they_o to_o real_a mortification_n you_o shall_v most_o ready_o consent_v to_o part_v with_o they_o and_o say_v farewell_n my_o gold_n and_o all_o my_o gaiety_n i_o mean_v not_o to_o enjoy_v but_o use_v you_o i_o can_v be_v happy_a without_o you_o it_o be_v the_o absurde_a sight_n in_o the_o world_n to_o see_v one_o gape_a and_o grasp_a after_o this_o world_n when_o he_o be_v go_v into_o another_o let_v your_o moderation_n be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n the_o lord_n be_v at_o hand_n phil._n 4._o 5._o your_o loin_n shall_v be_v always_o gird_v about_o and_o your_o light_n burn_v and_o you_o yourselves_o like_v unto_o man_n that_o wait_v for_o your_o lord_n luk._n 12._o 35._o i_o write_v unto_o you_o father_n love_v not_o the_o world_n neither_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n 1_o joh._n 2._o 14_o 15._o abate_v your_o love_n to_o thing_n below_o and_o increase_v your_o love_n to_o thing_n above_o nothing_o can_v overcome_v love_n but_o love_n love_v of_o earthly_a thing_n but_o the_o love_n of_o heavenly_a thing_n as_o nothing_o can_v fetch_v out_o fire_n like_o fire_n o_o when_o we_o do_v love_v all_o these_o thing_n for_o god_n we_o will_v willing_o leave_v they_o all_o to_o go_v to_o god_n for_o who_o sake_n only_o we_o value_v they_o otherwise_o you_o will_v find_v it_o a_o hard_o pluck_v to_o leave_v they_o even_o like_o the_o pluck_n the_o skin_n off_o your_o hand_n whereas_o the_o heart_n that_o be_v mortify_v to_o they_o can_v part_v with_o they_o as_o easy_o as_o you_o can_v draw_v the_o glove_n off_o your_o hand_n how_o readiâ—…_n do_v 〈◊〉_d gâ—…_n up_o into_o the_o mount_n and_o die_v what_o little_a noise_n or_o dispute_n do_v jacob_n or_o david_n or_o paul_n make_v about_o leave_v â—…he_a world_n they_o be_v dead_a to_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d he_o that_o say_v i_o be_o ready_a to_o be_v offerâ—…_n have_v say_v before_o the_o world_n be_v crucify_v to_o i_o and_o i_o unto_o â—…he_a world_n so_o that_o the_o age_a person_n shall_v be_v mortify_v to_o life_n itself_o he_o shall_v be_v very_o well_o content_a to_o die_v it_o be_v a_o sad_a confession_n of_o caesar_n borgia_n that_o ambitious_a grandee_n when_o he_o be_v near_o his_o end_n that_o he_o be_v prepare_v for_o every_o occurrent_a but_o death_n which_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v most_o ready_a for_o but_o it_o be_v grace_n not_o year_n that_o make_v we_o dead_a to_o
of_o temperance_n and_o sobriety_n and_o that_o both_o for_o other_o sake_n and_o for_o your_o own._n you_o shall_v be_v example_n o_o be_v not_o stumble_v block_n to_o young_a people_n your_o vice_n may_v propagate_v when_o your_o person_n be_v pass_v it_o and_o those_o that_o be_v eye_n or_o ear-witness_n of_o your_o folly_n may_v derive_v the_o practice_n of_o they_o to_o the_o child_n that_o be_v yet_o unborn_a and_o although_o you_o may_v recover_v by_o true_a repentance_n yet_o they_o may_v stumble_v upon_o you_o and_o fall_v and_o never_o rise_v again_o entail_v not_o a_o curse_n upon_o your_o posterity_n do_v not_o nourish_v in_o they_o that_o natural_a depravation_n which_o in_o equity_n you_o ought_v rather_o to_o cure_v and_o for_o your_o own_o sake_n be_v sober_a be_v vigilant_a for_o you_o be_v upon_o the_o confine_n of_o the_o everlasting_a world_n a_o world_n wherein_o all_o sensual_a enjoyment_n will_v be_v for_o ever_o out_o of_o date_n endeavour_v to_o go_v off_o the_o stage_n without_o a_o blemish_n when_o some_o courtier_n be_v send_v to_o s_o r_o fr._n walsingham_n be_v sick_a and_o sad_a to_o make_v he_o merry_a god_n say_v he_o be_v serious_a in_o his_o law_n jesus_n christ_n be_v serious_a in_o his_o death_n the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v serious_a in_o his_o deal_n with_o our_o soul_n all_o in_o heaven_n and_o hell_n be_v serious_a and_o shall_v a_o man_n that_o have_v one_o foot_n in_o the_o grave_a laugh_v and_o jest_n take_v warning_n by_o poor_a noah_n one_o hour_n drunkenness_n discover_v that_o which_o six_o hundred_o year_n sobriety_n have_v conceal_v if_o his_o inexperience_n do_v in_o any_o degree_n excuse_v he_o you_o can_v make_v no_o such_o pretence_n if_o you_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o the_o health_n and_o vigour_n of_o your_o body_n to_o the_o quiet_a and_o welfare_n of_o your_o soul_n to_o the_o please_a and_o honour_v of_o god_n bridle_v your_o appetite_n and_o check_v the_o pleasure_n of_o your_o sense_n in_o short_a there_o be_v as_o we_o observe_v before_o no_o better_a way_n to_o spin_v out_o your_o life_n to_o make_v old-age_n pleasant_a and_o death_n easy_a than_o the_o exercise_n of_o this_o virtue_n the_o instance_n of_o cornaro_n a_o learned_a and_o rich_a venetian_a be_v common_a that_o with_o a_o spare_v and_o orderly_a diet_n live_v to_o a_o great_a age_n with_o little_a inconvenience_n to_o deny_v a_o man_n self_n be_v the_o way_n to_o please_v himself_o at_o length_n and_o by_o oppose_v the_o preternatural_a desire_n of_o the_o body_n we_o contribute_v to_o the_o true_a happiness_n even_o of_o the_o body_n itself_o and_o here_o come_v in_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_v of_o mortification_n wherein_o though_o a_o wise_a man_n may_v make_v some_o step_n yet_o the_o work_n can_v be_v do_v without_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n if_o you_o through_o the_o spirit_n mortify_v the_o deed_n of_o the_o body_n you_o shall_v live_v rom._n 8._o 13._o implore_v therefore_o the_o aid_n of_o this_o good_a spirit_n who_o can_v make_v you_o mortal_o to_o hate_v that_o which_o you_o now_o do_v ardent_o love_v and_o will_v pluck_v up_o the_o root_n of_o that_o whereof_o morality_n do_v only_o shave_v the_o hair._n set_v the_o spectacle_n of_o death_n oft_o before_o you_o and_o of_o that_o endless_a estate_n to_o which_o you_o be_v such_o near_a neighbour_n and_o think_v how_o unsuitable_a a_o vain_a life_n be_v to_o a_o serious_a death_n be_v much_o in_o prayer_n and_o if_o need_v be_v add_v fast_v thereunto_o that_o your_o moderation_n may_v be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n see_v undoubted_o to_o old_a people_n the_o lord_n be_v at_o hand_n sect_n vii_o the_o seven_o grace_n proper_a for_o old-age_n love._n be_v charity_n or_o love._n not_o that_o sensual_a or_o carnal_a love_n which_o be_v proper_a or_o rather_o common_a to_o youth_n and_o which_o have_v long_o since_o drop_v off_o like_a leave_n in_o the_o autumn_n of_o their_o age_n but_o that_o grace_n which_o dispose_v the_o heart_n to_o think_v the_o best_a the_o tongue_n to_o speak_v the_o best_a and_o the_o whole_a man_n to_o promote_v the_o welfare_n of_o other_o the_o seat_n or_o chief_a mansion_n of_o this_o be_v the_o heart_n which_o be_v fill_v with_o this_o grace_n it_o be_v diffuse_v every_o way_n and_o the_o whole_a man_n be_v tincture_v with_o it_o it_o oblige_v a_o man_n to_o think_v the_o best_a of_o every_o man._n charity_n think_v no_o evil_a believe_v all_o thing_n hope_v all_o thing_n bear_v all_o thing_n by_o this_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o account_v the_o certain_a good_a thing_n in_o other_o better_o than_o they_o be_v the_o certain_a evil_n in_o other_o less_o than_o they_o be_v the_o good_a that_o be_v but_o doubtful_a in_o other_o certain_z and_o doubtful_a evil_n none_o nulla_fw-la and_o it_o rest_v not_o in_o opinion_n but_o work_v by_o desire_n whereby_o the_o heart_n do_v unfeigned_o desire_v the_o temporal_a spiritual_a and_o eternal_a good_a of_o all_o man_n neither_o do_v it_o rest_n there_o but_o show_v itself_o in_o endeavour_n and_o that_o both_o by_o word_n and_o deed_n speak_v to_o they_o of_o they_o for_o they_o to_o god_n and_o man_n what_o may_v conduce_v thereunto_o in_o their_o lip_n be_v the_o law_n of_o kindness_n charity_n vaunt_v not_o itself_o be_v not_o puff_v up_o do_v not_o behave_v itself_o unseemly_a be_v not_o easy_o provoke_v 1_o cor._n 13._o 5._o neither_o will_v word_n satisfy_v it_o but_o do_v actual_o help_v and_o cheerful_o succour_v every_o body_n as_o their_o occasion_n require_v and_o his_o own_o ability_n extend_v and_o in_o this_o grace_n do_v every_o good_a old_a man_n and_o woman_n excel_v this_o be_v the_o eminent_a grace_n of_o the_o evangelist_n john_n in_o his_o old-age_n for_o he_o live_v long_o than_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o his_o swan-like_o song_n still_o be_v love_n as_o be_v evident_a in_o all_o his_o epistle_n yea_o some_o church_n historian_n affirm_v that_o when_o he_o can_v go_v no_o long_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o age_n into_o the_o christian_a assembly_n yet_o he_o be_v instant_a to_o be_v lead_v or_o carry_v there_o where_o the_o substance_n of_o what_o he_o be_v able_a to_o say_v be_v little_a child_n love_v one_o another_o and_o you_o may_v find_v how_o pathetical_a be_v paul_n the_o age_a in_o his_o tender_a charity_n to_o onesimus_n philem_n 9_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o paul_n the_o age_a for_o love_n sake_n i_o beseech_v thou_o for_o my_o son_n onesimus_n and_o this_o spirit_n do_v continue_v in_o the_o ancient_a christian_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n fel._n who_o love_v as_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o as_o brethren_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o die_v for_o one_o another_o we_o that_o do_v hate_v one_o another_o say_v justin_n martyr_n now_o do_v live_v familiar_o together_o and_o do_v pray_v for_o our_o enemy_n in_o all_o age_n as_o man_n have_v increase_v in_o piety_n they_o have_v increase_v in_o charity_n and_o come_v to_o relent_v of_o their_o rigour_n and_o keenness_n it_o be_v age_n experience_n and_o consideration_n as_o well_o as_o a_o prison_n that_o melt_v bishop_n ridley_n to_o accost_v his_o brother_n hooper_n in_o this_o manner_n however_o in_o some_o by-matter_n and_o circumstance_n of_o religion_n your_o wisdom_n and_o my_o simplicity_n have_v a_o little_a jar_v yet_o now_o i_o sincere_o love_v and_o embrace_v you_o you_o know_v rehoboam'_v old_a counselor_n be_v for_o lenity_n when_o the_o young_a be_v stern_a and_o furious_a it_o be_v true_a the_o natural_a temper_n or_o painful_a distemper_n may_v incline_v some_o old_a people_n to_o too_o much_o acrimony_n yet_o all_o age_a people_n that_o be_v considerate_a have_v take_v more_o degree_n in_o charity_n than_o young_a people_n have_v it_o be_v a_o old_a man_n in_o gibeah_n that_o have_v more_o of_o this_o grace_n than_o all_o the_o city_n beside_o judg._n 19_o 16._o for_o beside_o the_o advantage_n they_o have_v have_v of_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n the_o scope_n whereof_o be_v to_o increase_v our_o faith_n and_o love_n ignatius_n they_o have_v find_v by_o experience_n that_o the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o religion_n lie_v not_o in_o these_o lesser_a matter_n that_o have_v cause_v the_o great_a noise_n in_o the_o world_n that_o every_o difference_n in_o religion_n make_v not_o a_o different_a religion_n so_o that_o wheresoever_o they_o see_v any_o thing_n of_o christ_n these_o they_o love_v their_o consciousness_n of_o their_o own_o mistake_n and_o of_o their_o own_o imperfection_n have_v force_v they_o to_o more_o charitable_a thought_n of_o other_o they_o have_v observe_v that_o true_a grace_n have_v live_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o great_a infirmity_n yea_o they_o have_v find_v this_o flower_n in_o divers_a person_n where_o they_o think_v there_o have_v be_v nothing_o but_o
serve_v their_o generation_n some_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n inflict_v such_o distemper_n on_o their_o mind_n or_o body_n as_o have_v make_v they_o useless_a in_o their_o place_n some_o by_o the_o procurement_n of_o man_n by_o who_o many_o in_o the_o prime_n of_o their_o time_n have_v be_v lay_v aside_o sometime_o just_o sometime_o unjust_o and_o all_o opportunity_n take_v from_o they_o of_o do_v good_a in_o the_o world._n neither_o be_v all_o age_a person_n render_v useless_a for_o many_o there_o be_v of_o both_o sex_n that_o persevere_v in_o well-doing_n to_o the_o last_o cato_n plead_v cause_n when_o he_o be_v pass_v fourscore_o year_n and_o isocrates_n write_v excellent_a thing_n at_o fourscore_o and_o fourteen_o year_n of_o age_n and_o not_o only_o the_o tongue_n but_o the_o hand_n of_o very_a many_o old_a people_n be_v find_v as_o nimble_a to_o good_a work_n as_o of_o young_a person_n they_o that_o have_v be_v useful_a in_o their_o strength_n will_v scarce_o ever_o become_v useless_a in_o their_o weakness_n plutarch_n observe_v that_o a_o industrious_a bee_n never_o degenerate_v into_o a_o drone_n in_o its_o old-age_n too_o many_o there_o be_v of_o every_o age_n that_o live_v only_o to_o themselves_o that_o neither_o serve_v god_n nor_o observe_v man_n but_o in_o order_n to_o their_o own_o interest_n or_o appetite_n these_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o young_a or_o old_a but_o they_o that_o understand_v and_o embrace_v the_o true_a end_n of_o life_n will_v be_v useful_a one_o way_n or_o other_o to_o their_o life_n end_v and_o the_o great_a service_n that_o the_o ancient_n do_v perform_v be_v by_o their_o sage_a advice_n when_o the_o levite_n be_v at_o fifty_o release_v from_o the_o labour_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n they_o be_v say_v yet_o to_o be_v judge_n in_o their_o city_n so_o that_o although_o they_o can_v do_v that_o service_n which_o young_a person_n may_v yet_o they_o do_v great_a for_o the_o great_a thing_n be_v compass_v not_o by_o strength_n but_o counsel_n they_o can_v be_v count_v useless_a say_v tully_n that_o prescribe_v to_o the_o more_o raw_a and_o ignorant_a their_o work_n like_a as_o a_o pilot_n who_o tho'_o he_o run_v not_o up_o and_o down_o the_o ship_n but_o sit_v at_o the_o helm_n yet_o be_v the_o most_o useful_a person_n in_o the_o ship_n so_o the_o age_a head_n be_v the_o most_o useful_a part_n in_o a_o family_n or_o commonwealth_n though_o it_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o fire_n side_n cicer._n hence_o homer_n bring_v in_o agamemnon_n wish_v rather_o for_o ten_o nestor_n a_o age_a wise_a man_n among_o the_o greek_n than_o so_o many_o ajax_n who_o be_v a_o man_n of_o arm_n for_o the_o win_n of_o troy._n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o grand_a magistrate_n both_o in_o greece_n and_o rome_n be_v the_o ancient_n of_o their_o city_n and_o thereupon_o they_o be_v call_v senator_n and_o the_o great_a council_n of_o rome_n the_o senate_n be_v compose_v of_o age_a man_n yea_o if_o they_o shall_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o age_n be_v whole_o unserviceable_a yet_o their_o example_n be_v useful_a to_o see_v a_o man_n or_o woman_n deprive_v of_o all_o outward_a comfort_n and_o respect_n and_o lade_v with_o heavy_a distemper_n yet_o patient_a and_o thankful_a serious_a and_o devout_a it_o be_v a_o powerful_a lecture_n to_o all_o the_o spectator_n and_o may_v teach_v they_o to_o be_v do_v their_o own_o great_a work_n with_o all_o their_o might_n to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n for_o their_o present_a strength_n and_o ease_n to_o beware_v of_o slothfulness_n and_o selfishness_n that_o when_o they_o arrive_v at_o that_o decrepit_a estate_n they_o may_v have_v the_o pleasant_a prospect_n of_o a_o fruitful_a life_n behind_o they_o and_o the_o joyful_a prospect_n of_o a_o bless_a life_n before_o they_o sect_n ix_o the_o nine_o disadvantage_n of_o old-age_n exercise_n be_v that_o it_o be_v unfit_a for_o religious_a exercise_n when_o we_o be_v in_o year_n we_o be_v indispose_v to_o prayer_n and_o fast_v to_o hear_v or_o read_v and_o in_o general_a to_o all_o such_o spiritual_a employment_n wherein_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n must_v concur_v they_o need_v these_o help_n as_o much_o as_o other_o and_o perhaps_o desire_v they_o as_o much_o as_o other_o but_o the_o dead_a weight_n of_o a_o crazy_a body_n sink_v down_o the_o tower_a of_o their_o precious_a soul_n to_o will_n be_v present_a with_o they_o but_o how_o to_o perform_v the_o same_o they_o find_v not_o and_o no_o wonder_n have_v not_o only_o a_o law_n of_o sin_n within_o they_o but_o a_o body_n of_o death_n without_o they_o their_o sense_n be_v grow_v weak_a their_o faculty_n weak_a their_o spirit_n weak_a how_o then_o shall_v they_o wrestle_v with_o god_n in_o prayer_n or_o continue_v instant_a therein_o let_v the_o rider_n be_v never_o so_o good_a a_o horsman_n yet_o he_o must_v travel_v as_o his_o horse_n will_v give_v he_o leave_v so_o let_v the_o soul_n be_v never_o so_o active_a it_o can_v operate_v only_o as_o the_o organ_n of_o the_o body_n will_v permit_v it_o instead_o of_o take_v pain_n about_o their_o soul_n they_o be_v force_v to_o prop_v up_o their_o decrepit_a body_n their_o weakness_n keep_v they_o in_o bed_n while_o the_o holy_a zeal_n of_o other_o be_v burn_v in_o devotion_n and_o as_o the_o old_a woman_n in_o plautus_n be_v ask_v why_o she_o go_v no_o fast_o answer_v because_o she_o carry_v so_o great_a a_o load_n to_o wit_n of_o eighty_o four_o year_n on_o her_o back_n so_o the_o load_n on_o old_a people_n back_n either_o hinder_v they_o from_o come_v to_o holy_a assembly_n or_o else_o cause_v they_o to_o travel_v thither_o very_o slow_o so_o that_o they_o be_v constrain_v to_o live_v in_o a_o manner_n without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n now_o this_o affliction_n to_o a_o holy_a heart_n be_v a_o very_a heavy_a burden_n when_o a_o poor_a man_n be_v cut_v short_a in_o all_o his_o other_o comfort_n and_o as_o it_o be_v besiege_v with_o all_o the_o calamity_n of_o this_o life_n yet_o while_o he_o have_v this_o river_n of_o god_n ordinance_n free_a and_o open_a thereby_o he_o receive_v continual_a supply_n from_o heaven_n the_o stream_n thereof_o make_v glad_a the_o city_n of_o god_n but_o when_o this_o be_v stop_v the_o soul_n grow_v sad_a and_o dry_a and_o barren_a hence_o holy_a david_n in_o his_o exile_n never_o mention_v his_o temporal_a loss_n yet_o cry_v out_o psal._n 42._o 4._o when_o i_o remember_v these_o thing_n i_o pour_v out_o my_o soul_n in_o i_o for_o i_o have_v go_v with_o the_o multitude_n to_o the_o house_n of_o god._n this_o go_v near_o to_o his_o heart_n for_o when_o a_o man_n be_v harrass_v with_o care_n and_o trouble_v all_o the_o week_n long_o yet_o he_o be_v relieve_v and_o refresh_v in_o his_o approach_n unto_o god_n upon_o his_o own_o day_n but_o with_o the_o decrepit_a old_a man_n every_o day_n be_v alike_o and_o his_o soul_n be_v leave_v destitute_a of_o spiritual_a supply_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n and_o this_o affliction_n be_v sad_a of_o all_o when_o by_o disuse_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n the_o soul_n grow_v stupid_a and_o unconcern_v in_o the_o matter_n as_o without_o special_a grace_n we_o shall_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v so_o that_o the_o misery_n be_v great_a in_o the_o want_n and_o great_a when_o insensible_a of_o the_o want_n no_o great_a wonder_n therefore_o that_o when_o all_o these_o misery_n meet_v together_o a_o man_n cry_v out_o with_o job_n i_o will_v not_o live_v always_o so_o that_o tiberius_n caesar_n have_v a_o say_n as_o plutarch_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o shameful_a thing_n for_o a_o man_n that_o be_v pass_v sixty_o to_o stretch_v out_o his_o hand_n to_o a_o physician_n reckon_v that_o it_o be_v fit_a he_o shall_v then_o be_v content_a to_o die_v but_o yet_o if_o we_o weigh_v the_o matter_n well_o the_o case_n of_o ancient_a people_n be_v not_o so_o desperate_a as_o it_o seem_v for_o to_o proceed_v in_o our_o former_a method_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o many_o other_o beside_o the_o age_a be_v cut_v short_a in_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n some_o willing_o in_o factory_n beyond_o the_o sea_n some_o wilful_o by_o their_o own_o atheism_n and_o ungodliness_n some_o unwilling_o by_o distemper_n and_o other_o hindrance_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n divers_a ancient_a people_n have_v be_v capable_a to_o attend_v the_o service_n of_o god_n even_o to_o their_o die_a day_n thus_o ahijah_n though_o his_o eye_n be_v set_v for_o age_n yet_o be_v enable_v to_o prophesy_v to_o ieroboam_n wife_n and_o jacob_n can_v worship_v god_n lean_v on_o the_o top_n of_o his_o staff._n and_o st._n john_n be_v a_o evangelist_n when_o he_o be_v a_o hundred_o year_n old_a and_o there_o be_v anna_n a_o widow_n of_o about_o