The “old things” – neuter plural things – an expression of the “unredeemed world,” existing in sin and misery.

「旧事」指﹕未被救赎的世界，于罪与痛苦中生存。

There was an iciness , a sinking, a sickening of the heart, an unredeemed torture into ought of the sublime.

我只觉心中一凉，往下一沉，异常难受。还有一种挥之不去的凄凉之感，无论如何也不能激起我的兴致。