Contentment Leading a Christian, Treatise 1 · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII. Of old Age, and its evils, and Contentment therein.
THe fourth personall evill, is old Grounds of Content ment in the evils of old age.age, which is a continuall disease or dying, and many burthens are in it, which godlinesse perswadeth contentment in, thus.
First, although it must be granted, that the incommodities of old 1Age are many, both in respect of body and minde, as, the shaking of the head, stouping of back trembling of joynts, languishing of spirits, decaying of vitall heat, the lesse of all the senses, the presence of many diseases which are the forerunners of death, as palsies, gouts, cholickes, and many moe: Yet the weak and diseased body is no hinderance to the discreet and good mind: Neither are these inconveniences alway appropriate to old Age, but often the punishments of intemperate and disordered youth. Abraham being 120 yeares old begate six children of K…turah after Sarahs death, Gen. 25. 2. Caleb was as strong in body and minde, and as fit for want or government, at eighty five yeares old, as at forty: Moses dyed at 120 Iosh. 14. 10yeares, and yet his eyes were not dim, nor his naturall force abat…d, Deut 34. 7.
Secondly, old age is a thing which 2 foreignevery one desireth: and shall no man like it, when it commeth? Besides, if a man live, it is unavoydable: for wee all waxe old as a garment: the whole world, all the parts and ages of it teach us this: and the course of the yeare comming from Spring to Summer, and from Summer to Autumne, and ending in Winter, is proofe enough.
Thirdly, ther be sundry singular 3priviledges of yeares: as,
1 God hath commanded reverence Priviledges of age. Ioh 12. 12unto it, Levit. 19. 32. thou shalt rise up before the hoare head, and honour the person of the old man.
2 Their experience and yeares have set them above the younger in wisedome, counsell, and government: and their counsell neglected hath been the overthrow of Kingdomes, as in Rehoboam, 1 King. 12. whence God sometimes threatened a great judgement, that he will take away the Esa. 3. 2.aged. Hence also hath God given them the first place in speaking, which Elihu well observed, Iob 32. 11. and the younger are to reverence their counsell and instruction: and cap. 25. 15. to heare, and wait, and hold their tongue at their counsell.
3 God hath set them as Copies and patternes to the yonger, that they should expresse all good vertues, which they have learned by the word of God, or their owne experience in their lives and conversations; in which sense properly their gray haires shall be a crowne of glory to themselves, being found in the way of righteousnesse.
4 There be also sundry comforts of old age: as,4
First, as ripe fruit is most pleasant, Comforts of Age. 1and old wines the best, so is old age seasoned with piety. What a comfort is it to a mans heart, that he can say, Thus long have I served God? if he can say with Polycarpe the Martyr, fourescore and six yeares have I served Christ? How rich is such a one in his grace, how happy in his account, and in his reward? Beside we like antient coynes, and make much of old pictures: And can we set small by a godly old man, who carries an expresse image and stamp of Gods …t…rnity?
Secondly, aged persons have passed 2the troublesome and dangerous time of their life, and are even in the haven; and therefore have great cause to praise God, no lesse then the Israelites did when they were were come over Iordan, and entred the land of Canaan.
Thirdly, as the Husbandman rejoyceth in his harvest, when 3hee gathers in his corne, and layeth it up safely in his barne: so the godly man may in his old age, which is as the harvest of a good life, immediately after which hee shall enjoy the fruits of his faith, hope, and holinesse in the Kingdome of heaven.