SECT. V.

Why it is called Old-man.

IN the second place, It may be called the Old man; First, Because it came from Adam the first man, and most antient: Thus it is a sinne of great antiquity, it hath been in the world ever since Adam's transgression; Most things have had their times and their seasons, but this hath been alwayes; There was never any age, wherein men were not born sinfull, though some actual sins have abounded more at one time than another, though Adam be dead thousands of years ago, yet the sin liveth and is propagated.

2. It is Old, Because it is from every mans particular beginning: Thou canst not think of the number of thy years, or how old thou art, but thou mayest with groans remember also that sinne is just as old as thou art; Hast thou lived to threescore or an hundred years, even thus old sinne is? Alas we are apt to complain of old age, to count it a disease; we say, Alas now our best time is gone, we are weak old men: Oh but there is an old man within that is more to be la∣mented!

3. It's the Old man, Because of the crast and subtil wayes that this sinne hath within us: Insomuch that Jeremiah complaineth Chap 17. None can find out the depth of sinne, none but God can search thy heart: This is the old subtil fox within thee, and therefore it's said to deceive and to tempt us.

4. It's the Old man, Because it is to be renewed; That which is old (saith the Apostle) is to vanish away. The Old Testament was removed that the New might succeed. Thus the Old man is to die, is to continue no longer, that the New may be established in us.

Lastly, It's called the Old man, Because there is no loveliness or comeliness in it; For old age is like winter, making the blossoms of beauty to fall: Thus the name Old man argueth the uncomeliness of it.

Vse. Of Instruction, To acquaint your selves with this Old man in you, young and old, rich and poor, all have this Old man, that will at last betray and damn you: Oh consider you carry your own bane about with you, out of thy own bowels, thy own heart, will arise that which will destroy thee, and this Old man is in every one; The Pharisees told the blind man, He was wholly born in sinnes; They thought it was the condition of some miserable afflicted people to be so born, but it is the condition of all, and therefore expect no heaven or slavation, till this Old man be crucified, and the New man repaired in thee.