The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present mortal state by J. Howe ...
         Howe, John, 1630-1705.
      
       
         
           1672
        
      
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             The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present mortal state by J. Howe ...
             Howe, John, 1630-1705.
          
           [18], 158 p.
           
             Printed by A. Maxwell, for Sa. Gellibrand ...,
             London :
             1673.
          
           
             Title page has double rule frame border.
             Reproduction of original in Cambridge University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Man (Christian theology)
           Immortality.
        
      
    
     
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           THE
           VANITY
           OF
           THIS
           Mortal
           Life
           :
           OR
           ,
           OF
           MAN
           ,
           Considered
           only
           in
           his
           Present
           Mortal
           state
           .
        
         
           By
           
             J.
             HOWE
          
           ,
           M.
           A.
           
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             A.
             Maxwell
          
           ,
           for
           
             Sa
             :
             Gellibrand
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Ball
           in
           S.
           Pauls
           Church-yard
           .
           1672.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           deservedly
           honoured
           ,
           John
           VPTON
           of
           Lupton
           ,
           
             Esq
          
           with
           the
           many
           surviving
           Branches
           formerly
           sprung
           out
           of
           that
           Religious
           Family
           ;
           and
           the
           Worthy
           Consorts
           of
           any
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           SInce
           it
           is
           the
           lot
           of
           the
           following
           Pages
           to
           be
           exposed
           to
           publike
           view
           ;
           There
           is
           somewhat
           of
           justice
           in
           it
           ,
           to
           your selves
           ,
           or
           me
           ,
           that
           the
           world
           do
           also
           know
           wherein
           divers
           of
           you
           have
           contributed
           thereto
           ,
           that
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           redound
           hence
           to
           publike
           advantage
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           understood
           to
           be
           owing
           in
           part
           to
           you
           :
           or
           ,
           if
           it
           shall
           be
           reckon'd
           an
           useless
           trouble
           ,
           in
           this
           way
           to
           represent
           things
           ,
           so
           obvious
           to
           common
           notice
           ,
           and
           whereof
           so
           much
           is
           already
           said
           ;
           all
           the
           blame
           of
           the
           
           publication
           be
           not
           imputed
           (
           as
           it
           doth
           not
           belong
           )
           to
           me
           only
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           must
           here
           crave
           your
           excuse
           ,
           that
           ,
           on
           this
           account
           ,
           I
           give
           you
           a
           narrative
           of
           what
           (
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           you
           already
           know
           ,
           and
           may
           possibly
           not
           delight
           to
           remember
           ;
           both
           because
           it
           is
           now
           become
           convenient
           that
           others
           should
           know
           it
           too
           ,
           and
           not
           necessary
           to
           be
           put
           into
           a
           distinct
           Preface
           :
           And
           because
           to
           your selves
           the
           review
           of
           those
           less
           pleasing
           passages
           may
           be
           attended
           with
           a
           fruit
           which
           may
           be
           same
           recompence
           for
           their
           want
           of
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           Ther●
           〈◊〉
           give
           the
           Reader
           leave
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
           and
           let
           it
           not
           be
           grievous
           to
           you
           that
           I
           re
           mind
           you
           ,
           That
           after
           this
           your
           near
           Relation
           *
           (
           whose
           death
           gave
           the
           occasion
           of
           the
           ensuing
           Meditations
           )
           had
           ,
           from
           his
           youth
           ,
           lived
           between
           Twenty
           and
           Thirty
           years
           of
           his
           age
           in
           Spain
           ,
           your
           joint-importunity
           had
           at
           length
           obtained
           from
           him
           a
           promise
           of
           returning
           :
           Whereof
           .
           when
           you
           were
           in
           somewhat
           a
           near
           expectation
           ,
           a
           sudden
           disease
           in
           so
           few
           days
           landed
           him
           in
           another
           world
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           notice
           you
           had
           of
           his
           death
           ,
           or
           
           sickness
           ,
           was
           by
           the
           arrival
           of
           that
           Vessel
           (
           clad
           in
           mourning-attire
           )
           which
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           own
           desire
           in
           his
           sickness
           ,
           brought
           over
           the
           deserted
           body
           to
           its
           native
           place
           of
           Lupton
           ;
           that
           thence
           it
           might
           find
           a
           Grave
           where
           it
           first
           received
           a
           Soul
           ;
           and
           obtain
           a
           Mansion
           in
           the
           Earth
           ,
           where
           first
           it
           became
           one
           to
           a
           reasonable
           spirit
           .
        
         
           A
           little
           before
           this
           time
           ,
           the
           desire
           of
           an
           interview
           among
           your selves
           (
           which
           the
           distance
           of
           your
           habitations
           permitted
           not
           to
           be
           frequent
           )
           had
           induced
           divers
           of
           you
           to
           appoint
           a
           meeting
           at
           some
           middle
           place
           ,
           whereby
           the
           trouble
           of
           a
           long
           journey
           might
           be
           conveniently
           shared
           among
           you
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           before
           that
           agreed
           resolution
           could
           have
           its
           accomplishment
           ,
           this
           sad
           and
           most
           unexpected
           Event
           intervening
           ,
           altered
           the
           place
           ,
           the
           occasion
           ,
           and
           disign
           of
           your
           meeting
           ;
           but
           effected
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           and
           brought
           together
           no
           less
           than
           Twenty
           ,
           the
           Brothers
           and
           Sisters
           of
           the
           deceased
           ,
           or
           their
           Consorts
           ;
           besides
           his
           many
           Nephews
           and
           Neices
           ,
           and
           other
           Relations
           ,
           to
           the
           mournful
           solemnity
           of
           the
           
           Interment
           .
           Within
           the
           time
           of
           our
           being
           together
           upon
           this
           sad
           account
           ,
           this
           passage
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           here
           insisted
           on
           ,
           came
           into
           discourse
           among
           us
           ;
           being
           introduced
           by
           an
           occasion
           which
           (
           though
           then
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           unknown
           to
           the
           most
           of
           you
           )
           was
           somewhat
           rare
           ,
           and
           not
           unworthy
           observation
           ;
           viz.
           That
           one
           of
           your selves
           ,
           having
           been
           sometime
           before
           surprised
           with
           an
           unusual
           sadness
           ,
           joined
           with
           an
           expectation
           of
           ill
           tidings
           ,
           upon
           no
           known
           cause
           ,
           had
           so
           urgent
           an
           inculcation
           of
           these
           words
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           able
           to
           forbear
           the
           revolving
           them
           ,
           much
           of
           the
           former
           part
           of
           that
           day
           ,
           in
           the
           latter
           part
           whereof
           the
           first
           notice
           was
           brought
           to
           that
           place
           of
           this
           so
           near
           a
           Relations
           decease
           .
        
         
           Certain
           Months
           after
           ,
           some
           of
           you
           with
           whom
           I
           was
           then
           conversant
           in
           London
           ,
           importuned
           me
           to
           have
           somewhat
           from
           me
           in
           writing
           upon
           that
           Subject
           .
           Whereto
           I
           at
           length
           agreed
           ,
           with
           a
           cautionary
           request
           ,
           That
           it
           might
           not
           come
           into
           many
           bands
           ,
           but
           might
           remain
           (
           as
           the
           occasion
           was
           )
           among
           your selves
           .
           Nor
           will
           I
           deny
           it
           to
           have
           been
           some
           inducement
           to
           me
           
           to
           apply
           my
           thoughts
           to
           that
           Theam
           ,
           that
           it
           had
           been
           so
           suggested
           as
           was
           said
           .
           For
           such
           presages
           and
           abodings
           ,
           as
           that
           above-mentioned
           ,
           may
           reasonably
           be
           thought
           to
           owe
           themselves
           to
           some
           more
           steady
           and
           universal
           principle
           ,
           than
           Casualty
           ,
           or
           the
           party
           's
           own
           Imagination
           :
           By
           whose
           more
           noble
           recommendation
           (
           that
           such
           a
           gloomy
           Premonition
           might
           carry
           with
           it
           not
           what
           should
           only
           afflict
           ,
           but
           also
           instruct
           and
           teach
           )
           this
           Subject
           did
           seem
           offered
           to
           our
           meditation
           .
        
         
           Accordingly
           therefore
           ,
           after
           my
           return
           to
           the
           place
           of
           my
           abode
           ,
           I
           hastily
           drew
           up
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           following
           Discourse
           ;
           which
           ,
           a
           year
           ago
           ,
           I
           transmitted
           into
           their
           hands
           who
           desired
           it
           from
           me
           ,
           without
           reserving
           to
           my self
           any
           Copy
           .
           Hereby
           it
           became
           difficult
           to
           me
           ,
           presently
           to
           comply
           (
           besides
           divers
           considerations
           I
           might
           have
           against
           the
           thing
           it self
           )
           with
           that
           joint
           request
           of
           some
           of
           you
           (
           in
           a
           Letter
           ,
           which
           my
           removal
           into
           another
           Kingdom
           occasioned
           to
           come
           long
           after
           to
           my
           hands
           )
           that
           I
           would
           consent
           these
           Papers
           might
           be
           made
           publike
           .
           For
           as
           I
           have
           reason
           to
           
           be
           conscious
           to
           my self
           of
           disadvantages
           enough
           to
           discourage
           any
           undertaking
           of
           that
           kind
           :
           so
           I
           am
           more
           especially
           sensible
           ,
           that
           so
           curs●ry
           and
           superficial
           a
           management
           of
           a
           Subject
           so
           very
           important
           ,
           (
           though
           its
           private
           occasion
           and
           design
           at
           first
           ,
           might
           render
           it
           excusable
           to
           those
           few
           friends
           for
           whom
           it
           was
           meant
           )
           cannot
           but
           be
           liable
           to
           the
           hard
           censure
           (
           not
           to
           say
           the
           contempt
           )
           of
           many
           whom
           Discourses
           of
           this
           kind
           should
           more
           desgnedly
           serve
           .
           And
           therefore
           ,
           though
           my
           willingness
           to
           be
           serviceaable
           in
           keeping
           alive
           the
           apprehension
           and
           expectation
           of
           another
           state
           ,
           my
           value
           of
           your
           judgments
           who
           conceive
           what
           is
           here
           done
           may
           be
           useful
           thereto
           ;
           and
           my
           peculiar
           respects
           to
           your selves
           ,
           the
           members
           and
           appendants
           of
           a
           Family
           to
           which
           (
           besides
           some
           relation
           )
           I
           have
           many
           obligations
           and
           endearments
           ;
           do
           prevail
           with
           me
           not
           wholly
           to
           deny
           :
           Yet
           pardon
           me
           that
           I
           have
           suspended
           my
           consent
           to
           this
           publication
           ,
           till
           I
           should
           have
           a
           Copy
           transmitted
           to
           me
           from
           some
           of
           you
           ,
           for
           my
           necessary
           review
           of
           so
           hasty
           a
           production
           ,
           that
           I
           
           might
           not
           offer
           to
           the
           view
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           what
           ,
           after
           I
           had
           penn'd
           it
           had
           scarce
           passed
           my
           own
           .
           And
           now
           ,
           after
           so
           long
           an
           expectation
           ,
           those
           Papers
           are
           but
           this
           last
           week
           come
           to
           my
           hands
           :
           I
           here
           return
           them
           ,
           with
           little
           or
           no
           alteration
           ;
           s●ve
           ,
           that
           what
           did
           more
           directly
           concern
           the
           occasion
           ,
           towards
           the
           close
           ,
           is
           transferred
           hither
           ;
           but
           with
           the
           addition
           of
           almost
           all
           the
           directive
           part
           of
           the
           Vse
           :
           which
           I
           submit
           together
           to
           your
           pleasure
           and
           dispose
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           shall
           now
           take
           the
           liberty
           to
           add
           ,
           my
           design
           in
           c●nsenting
           to
           this
           request
           of
           yours
           (
           and
           I
           hope
           the
           same
           of
           you
           in
           making
           it
           )
           is
           not
           to
           erect
           a
           M●nument
           to
           the
           memory
           of
           the
           Deceased
           ,
           (
           which
           how
           little
           doth
           it
           signifie
           !
           )
           nor
           to
           spread
           the
           same
           of
           your
           Family
           (
           though
           the
           visible
           blessing
           of
           God
           upon
           it
           in
           the
           fruitfulness
           ,
           piety
           ,
           and
           mutual
           l●ve
           ,
           wherein
           it
           hath
           st●urish●l
           for
           same
           generations
           ,
           do
           challenge
           observation
           ,
           both
           as
           to
           th●se
           braaches
           of
           it
           which
           grow
           in
           their
           ●wn
           more
           natural
           s●il
           ;
           and
           th●se
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           n●w
           occasion
           to
           take
           further
           notice
           ,
           that
           I
           find
           to
           have
           been
           transplanted
           
           into
           another
           Countrey
           )
           .
           But
           that
           such
           into
           whose
           hands
           this
           little
           Treatise
           shall
           fall
           ,
           may
           be
           induced
           to
           consider
           the
           true
           end
           of
           their
           beings
           ;
           to
           examine
           and
           discuss
           the
           matter
           more
           throughly
           with
           themselves
           ,
           what
           it
           may
           or
           can
           be
           supposed
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Creatures
           was
           made
           and
           placed
           on
           this
           Earth
           for
           :
           That
           when
           they
           shall
           have
           reasoned
           themselves
           into
           a
           setled
           apprehension
           of
           the
           worthy
           and
           important
           Ends
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           attaining
           ,
           and
           are
           visibly
           designed
           to
           ,
           They
           may
           be
           seized
           with
           a
           noble
           disdain
           of
           living
           beneath
           themselves
           ,
           and
           the
           bounty
           of
           their
           Creator
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           obvious
           to
           common
           observation
           ,
           how
           flagrant
           and
           intense
           a
           zeal
           ,
           men
           are
           often
           wont
           to
           express
           for
           their
           personal
           reputation
           ,
           the
           honour
           of
           their
           Families
           ,
           yea
           or
           for
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           Nation
           ;
           but
           how
           few
           are
           acted
           by
           that
           more
           laudable
           and
           enlarged
           zeal
           for
           the
           dignity
           of
           Mankind
           ?
        
         
           How
           few
           are
           they
           that
           resent
           the
           common
           and
           vile
           depression
           of
           their
           own
           species
           !
           Or
           that
           ,
           while
           in
           things
           of
           lightest
           consideration
           they
           strive
           with
           emulous
           endeavour
           ,
           that
           they
           and
           
           their
           relatives
           may
           excel
           other
           men
           ,
           do
           reckon
           it
           a
           reproach
           if
           in
           matters
           of
           the
           greatest
           consequence
           they
           and
           all
           men
           should
           not
           excel
           Beasts
           !
           How
           few
           that
           are
           not
           contented
           to
           confine
           their
           utmost
           designs
           and
           expectations
           within
           the
           same
           narrow
           limits
           !
           Through
           a
           mean
           and
           inglorious
           self-despiciency
           ,
           confessing
           in
           themselves
           (
           to
           the
           Truth
           's
           and
           their
           own
           wrong
           )
           an
           incapacity
           of
           greater
           things
           !
           and
           ,
           with
           most
           injurious
           falshood
           ,
           proclaiming
           the
           same
           of
           all
           Mankind
           besides
           !
        
         
           If
           he
           that
           ,
           amidst
           the
           hazards
           of
           a
           dubious
           Warr
           ,
           betrays
           the
           Interest
           and
           Honour
           of
           his
           Countrey
           ,
           be
           justly
           infamous
           ,
           and
           thought
           worthy
           severest
           punishments
           ;
           I
           see
           not
           why
           a
           debaucht
           Sensualist
           ,
           that
           lives
           as
           if
           he
           were
           created
           only
           to
           indulge
           his
           appetite
           ,
           that
           so
           vilifies
           the
           notion
           of
           man
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           made
           but
           to
           eat
           ,
           and
           drink
           ,
           and
           sport
           ;
           to
           please
           only
           his
           sense
           and
           sancy
           ;
           that
           in
           this
           time
           and
           state
           of
           conflict
           between
           the
           powers
           of
           this
           present
           world
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ,
           quits
           his
           Party
           ,
           bids
           open
           defiance
           to
           Humanity
           ,
           abjures
           the
           Noble
           Principles
           and
           Ends
           ,
           forsakes
           
           the
           Laws
           and
           Society
           of
           all
           that
           are
           worthy
           to
           be
           esteemed
           men
           ;
           abandons
           the
           common
           and
           rational
           hope
           of
           mankind
           concerning
           a
           future
           immortality
           ,
           and
           herds
           himself
           among
           brute
           Creatures
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           I
           see
           not
           why
           such
           a
           one
           should
           not
           be
           scorn'd
           and
           abhorr'd
           as
           a
           Traytor
           to
           the
           wh●le
           Race
           and
           Nation
           of
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ;
           as
           a
           fugitive
           from
           the
           T●nts
           ,
           and
           desertor
           of
           the
           common
           Interest
           of
           men
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           vileness
           of
           his
           practice
           ,
           and
           the
           danger
           of
           his
           example
           .
        
         
           And
           who
           ,
           that
           hath
           open
           eyes
           ,
           beholds
           not
           the
           dreadful
           instances
           and
           increase
           of
           this
           difection
           ?
           When
           it
           hath
           prevailed
           to
           that
           degree
           already
           ,
           that
           in
           Civiliz'd
           ,
           yea
           in
           Christian
           Countreys
           (
           as
           they
           yet
           affect
           to
           be
           cal●'d
           )
           the
           practice
           is
           become
           fashionable
           and
           in
           credit
           ;
           which
           can
           square
           with
           no
           other
           Principle
           ,
           than
           the
           disbelief
           of
           a
           future
           state
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           but
           a
           meer
           Poetick
           ,
           or
           (
           at
           best
           )
           a
           Political
           Fiction
           .
           And
           as
           if
           so
           impudent
           in●idelity
           would
           pretend
           not
           to
           a
           connivence
           only
           ,
           but
           a
           sanction
           ,
           't
           is
           rock●●'d
           an
           odd
           and
           unc●●th
           〈◊〉
           for
           a
           man
           to
           live
           as
           if
           he
           thou●
           〈…〉
           ;
           and
           
           a
           great
           presumption
           to
           seem
           to
           dissent
           from
           the
           prophane
           infidel
           Crew
           .
           As
           if
           the
           matter
           were
           already
           formally
           determined
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           Irreligion
           ,
           and
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           life
           to
           come
           had
           been
           clearly
           condemned
           in
           open
           Council
           ,
           as
           a
           detestable
           Heresie
           .
           For
           what
           Tenet
           was
           ever
           more
           exploded
           and
           hooted
           at
           ,
           than
           that
           practice
           is
           which
           alone
           agrees
           with
           this
           ?
           Or
           what
           series
           or
           course
           of
           repeated
           Villanies
           can
           ever
           be
           more
           ignominious
           than
           (
           in
           vulgar
           estimate
           )
           a
           course
           of
           life
           so
           transacted
           as
           doth
           become
           the
           expectation
           of
           a
           blessed
           immortality
           ?
           And
           what
           ?
           After
           so
           much
           written
           and
           spoken
           by
           persons
           of
           all
           times
           and
           Religious
           for
           the
           immortality
           of
           the
           humane
           Soul
           ,
           and
           so
           common
           an
           acknowledgment
           thereof
           by
           
             Pagans
             ,
             Mahometans
             ,
             Jews
          
           ,
           and
           Christians
           ;
           Is
           man
           now
           at
           last
           condemn'd
           and
           doom'd
           to
           a
           perpetual
           death
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           by
           the
           consent
           and
           suffrage
           even
           of
           men
           ?
           and
           that
           too
           without
           trial
           or
           hearing
           ?
           and
           not
           by
           the
           reason
           of
           men
           ,
           but
           their
           lusts
           only
           ?
           As
           if
           (
           with
           a
           loud
           and
           violent
           cry
           )
           they
           would
           assassinate
           and
           stifle
           this
           belief
           and
           hope
           ,
           but
           not
           
           judg
           it
           ?
           And
           shall
           the
           matter
           be
           thus
           given
           up
           as
           hopeless
           ?
           and
           the
           victory
           be
           yeilded
           to
           prosperous
           wickedness
           ,
           and
           a
           too
           succesful
           conspiracy
           of
           vile
           Miscreants
           against
           both
           their
           Maker
           ,
           and
           their
           own
           Stock
           and
           Race
           ?
        
         
           One
           would
           think
           whosoever
           have
           remaining
           in
           them
           any
           conscience
           of
           obligation
           and
           duty
           to
           the
           common
           Parent
           and
           Author
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           any
           remembrance
           of
           our
           Divine
           Original
           ,
           any
           breathings
           of
           our
           ancient
           hope
           ,
           any
           sense
           of
           humane
           honour
           ,
           any
           resentments
           of
           so
           vile
           an
           indignity
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
           any
           spark
           of
           a
           just
           and
           generous
           indignation
           for
           so
           opprobrious
           a
           contumely
           to
           their
           own
           Kind
           and
           Order
           in
           the
           Creation
           ,
           should
           oppose
           themselves
           with
           an
           Heroick
           vigour
           to
           this
           treacherous
           and
           unnatural
           combination
           .
        
         
           And
           let
           us
           (
           my
           worthy
           Friends
           )
           he
           provoked
           ,
           in
           our
           several
           capacities
           to
           do
           our
           parts
           herein
           ;
           and
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           so
           to
           live
           ,
           and
           converse
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           that
           the
           course
           and
           tenour
           of
           our
           lives
           may
           import
           an
           open
           asserting
           of
           our
           hopes
           in
           another
           ;
           and
           may
           let
           men
           see
           we
           are
           not
           ashamed
           to
           own
           the
           belief
           of
           a
           life
           
           to
           come
           :
           Let
           us
           by
           a
           patient
           continuance
           in
           well-doing
           (
           how
           low
           designs
           soever
           others
           content
           themselves
           to
           pursue
           )
           seek
           honour
           ,
           glory
           ,
           and
           immortality
           to
           our selves
           ;
           and
           ,
           by
           our
           avowed
           ,
           warrantable
           ambition
           in
           this
           pursuit
           ,
           justifie
           our
           great
           and
           bountiful
           Creator
           ,
           who
           hath
           made
           us
           not
           in
           vain
           ,
           but
           for
           so
           high
           and
           great
           things
           :
           And
           glorifie
           our
           blessed
           Redeemer
           ,
           who
           amidst
           the
           gloomy
           and
           disconsolate
           darkness
           of
           this
           wretched
           world
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           overspred
           with
           the
           shadow
           of
           death
           ,
           hath
           brought
           life
           and
           immortality
           to
           light
           in
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Let
           us
           labour
           both
           to
           seel
           and
           express
           the
           power
           of
           that
           Religion
           ,
           which
           hath
           the
           inchoation
           of
           the
           (
           participated
           )
           divine
           life
           ,
           for
           its
           principle
           ;
           and
           the
           perfection
           and
           eternal
           perpetuation
           thereof
           ,
           for
           its
           scope
           and
           end
           .
        
         
           Nor
           let
           the
           time
           that
           hath
           since
           elapsed
           ,
           be
           found
           to
           have
           worn
           out
           with
           you
           the
           (
           useful
           )
           impressions
           which
           this
           monitory
           surprising
           instance
           of
           our
           Mortality
           did
           at
           first
           make
           :
           But
           give
           me
           leave
           to
           inculcate
           from
           it
           what
           was
           said
           to
           you
           when
           the
           occasion
           was
           fresh
           and
           new
           :
           That
           we
           labour
           more
           deeply
           
           to
           apprehend
           Gods
           dominion
           over
           his
           Creatures
           ;
           And
           that
           he
           made
           us
           principally
           for
           himself
           ,
           and
           for
           ends
           that
           are
           to
           be
           compast
           in
           the
           future
           state
           ;
           not
           for
           the
           temporary
           satisfaction
           and
           pleasure
           of
           one
           another
           in
           this
           world
           .
        
         
           Otherwise
           ,
           Providence
           had
           never
           been
           guilty
           of
           such
           a
           Solecism
           ,
           to
           take
           out
           one
           from
           a
           Family
           long
           famous
           for
           so
           exemplary
           mutual
           love
           ,
           and
           dispose
           him
           into
           so
           remote
           a
           part
           ;
           not
           permitting
           to
           most
           of
           his
           nearest
           Relations
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           him
           for
           almost
           thirty
           years
           (
           and
           therein
           all
           the
           flower
           )
           of
           his
           age
           ;
           and
           at
           last
           ,
           when
           you
           were
           expecting
           the
           man
           ,
           send
           you
           home
           the
           breathless
           frame
           wherein
           he
           lived
           .
        
         
           Yet
           it
           was
           not
           contemptible
           that
           you
           had
           that
           .
           And
           that
           dying
           (
           as
           Joseph
           )
           in
           a
           strange
           Land
           ,
           he
           gave
           ,
           also
           ,
           commandment
           concerning
           his
           bones
           ;
           that
           though
           ,
           in
           his
           life
           ,
           he
           was
           (
           mostly
           )
           separated
           from
           his
           brethren
           ,
           he
           might
           in
           death
           be
           gathered
           to
           his
           fathers
           .
        
         
           It
           was
           some
           evidence
           (
           though
           you
           wanted
           not
           better
           )
           that
           amidst
           the
           Traffick
           of
           Spain
           ,
           he
           more
           esteemed
           the
           Religion
           of
           England
           ;
           and
           therefore
           ,
           would
           rather
           his
           dust
           should
           ass●ciate
           
           with
           theirs
           ,
           with
           whom
           also
           he
           would
           rather
           his
           spirit
           should
           .
        
         
           But
           whatever
           it
           did
           evidence
           ,
           it
           occasion'd
           so
           much
           ,
           that
           you
           had
           that
           so
           general
           meeting
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           ,
           probably
           ,
           you
           would
           not
           have
           had
           ,
           nor
           are
           likely
           again
           to
           have
           (
           so
           hath
           Providence
           scattered
           you
           )
           in
           this
           world
           .
           And
           that
           it
           proved
           a
           more
           serious
           meeting
           than
           otherwise
           it
           might
           :
           for
           ,
           however
           it
           might
           blamelesly
           have
           been
           designed
           to
           have
           met
           together
           at
           a
           cheerful
           Table
           ,
           God
           saw
           it
           sitter
           to
           order
           the
           meeting
           at
           a
           mournful
           grave
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           the
           House
           that
           received
           you
           ,
           (
           the
           native
           place
           to
           many
           of
           you
           )
           the
           House
           of
           mourning
           rather
           than
           of
           feasting
           .
           The
           one
           would
           have
           had
           more
           quick
           relishes
           of
           a
           present
           pleasure
           ;
           but
           the
           other
           was
           likely
           to
           yeild
           the
           more
           lasting
           sense
           of
           an
           after-profit
           .
           Nor
           was
           it
           an
           ill
           errand
           to
           come
           together
           (
           though
           from
           afar
           ,
           for
           divers
           of
           you
           )
           to
           learn
           to
           dye
           .
           As
           you
           might
           ,
           by
           being
           so
           sensibly
           put
           in
           mind
           of
           it
           ,
           though
           you
           did
           not
           see
           that
           very
           part
           acted
           it self
           .
        
         
           And
           accept
           this
           indeavour
           to
           further
           
           you
           in
           your
           preparations
           for
           that
           change
           ,
           as
           some
           testimony
           of
           the
           remembrance
           I
           retain
           of
           your
           most
           obliging
           respects
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           of
           my
           still
           continuing
        
         
           
             Your
             affectionate
             and
             respectful
             Kinsman
             and
             Servant
             in
             our
             common
             Lord
             ,
             
               J.
               HOWE
            
             .
          
           
             ANTRIM
             ,
             
               April
               12.
               1671.
               
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           THE
           Vanity
           of
           MAN
           AS
           MORTAL
           .
        
         
           
             PSAL.
             89.
             47
             ,
             48.
             
          
           
             
               Remember
               how
               short
               my
               time
               is
               :
               wherefore
               hast
               thou
               made
               all
               men
               in
               vain
               ?
            
             
               What
               man
               is
               he
               that
               liveth
               ,
               and
               shall
               not
               see
               death
               ?
               shall
               he
               deliver
               his
               soul
               from
               the
               hand
               of
               the
               grave
               ?
               Selah
               .
            
          
        
         
           WE
           are
           not
           concerned
           to
           be
           particular
           and
           curious
           in
           the
           enquiry
           touching
           the
           special
           reference
           or
           occasion
           of
           the
           foregoing
           complaints
           from
           the
           37
           verse
           .
           
           
           
           
           
           It
           is
           enough
           to
           take
           notice
           ,
           for
           our
           pres●●●
           〈◊〉
           ,
           that
           besides
           the
           evil
           which
           had
           ●●●ady
           befaln
           the
           Plaintiff
           ,
           a
           further
           danger
           nearly
           threatned
           him
           ,
           that
           carried
           death
           in
           the
           face
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           suggested
           somewhat
           frightful
           apprehensions
           of
           his
           mortal
           state
           ;
           which
           drew
           from
           him
           this
           quick
           and
           sensible
           petition
           in
           reference
           to
           his
           own
           private
           concern
           ,
           
             [
             Remember
             how
             short
             my
             time
             is
             ]
          
           and
           did
           presently
           direct
           his
           eye
           with
           a
           sudd●n
           glance
           from
           the
           view
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           to
           reflect
           on
           the
           common
           condition
           of
           man
           ,
           whereof
           he
           expresses
           his
           resentment
           ,
           first
           ,
           in
           an
           hasty
           exp●●tulation
           with
           God
           
             [
             Wherefore
             hast
             thou
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             ?
             ]
          
           Then
           ,
           secondly
           ,
           in
           a
           pathetick
           discourse
           with
           himself
           ,
           representing
           the
           reason
           of
           that
           ●ough
           charge
           ;
           
             [
             What
             man
             is
             he
             that
             liveth
             ▪
             and
             shall
             not
             see
             death
             ?
             Shall
             he
             deliver
             ,
          
           &c
           ]
           
             q.
             d.
          
           When
           I
           add
           to
           the
           consideration
           of
           my
           short
           time
           that
           of
           dying-mankind
           ,
           and
           behold
           a
           dark
           and
           deadly
           shade
           universally
           overspreading
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           whole
           species
           of
           humane
           
           Creatures
           vanishing
           ,
           quitting
           the
           stage
           round
           about
           me
           ,
           and
           disappearing
           almost
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           shew
           themselves
           :
           Have
           I
           not
           a
           fair
           and
           plausible
           ground
           for
           that
           (
           seemingly
           rude
           )
           challenge
           ?
           Why
           is
           there
           so
           unaccountable
           a
           Phoenomenon
           ?
           Such
           a
           Creature
           made
           to
           no
           purpose
           ?
           The
           noblest
           part
           of
           this
           inferior
           Creation
           brought
           forth
           into
           being
           without
           any
           imaginable
           design
           ?
           I
           know
           not
           how
           to
           unty
           the
           knot
           ,
           upon
           this
           only
           view
           of
           the
           case
           ,
           or
           avoid
           the
           absurdity
           .
           'T
           is
           hard
           sure
           to
           decline
           the
           supposal
           (
           of
           what
           it
           may
           yet
           seem
           hard
           to
           suppose
           )
           
             that
             all
             men
             were
             made
             in
             vain
             .
          
        
         
           It
           appears
           the
           expostulation
           was
           somewhat
           passionate
           ;
           and
           did
           proceed
           upon
           the
           sudden
           view
           of
           this
           disconsolate
           case
           ,
           very
           abstractly
           considered
           ,
           and
           by
           it self
           only
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           did
           not
           in
           that
           instant
           look
           beyond
           it
           to
           a
           better
           and
           more
           comfortable
           scene
           of
           things
           .
           An
           eye
           bleered
           with
           present
           sorrow
           ,
           sees
           not
           so
           far
           ,
           nor
           comprehends
           so
           much
           at
           one
           view
           ,
           as
           it
           would
           at
           
           another
           time
           ;
           or
           as
           it
           doth
           ,
           presently
           ,
           when
           the
           tear
           is
           wip't
           out
           ,
           and
           its
           own
           beams
           have
           cleard
           it
           up
           .
        
         
           We
           see
           he
           did
           quickly
           look
           further
           ,
           and
           had
           got
           a
           more
           lightsome
           prospect
           ,
           when
           in
           the
           next
           words
           we
           find
           him
           contemplating
           Gods
           
             sworn
             loving-kindness
             unto
             David
          
           .
           
           The
           truth
           and
           stability
           whereof
           he
           at
           the
           same
           time
           expresly
           acknowledges
           ,
           while
           only
           the
           form
           of
           his
           speech
           doth
           but
           seem
           to
           import
           a
           doubt
           
             [
             where
             are
             they
             ?
          
           ]
           But
           yet
           
             [
             they
             were
             sworn
             in
             truth
             ]
          
           Upon
           which
           argument
           he
           had
           more
           copiously
           dilated
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           the
           Psalm
           ;
           and
           it
           still
           lay
           deep
           in
           his
           soul
           ,
           though
           he
           were
           now
           a
           little
           diverted
           from
           the
           present
           consideration
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Which
           ,
           since
           it
           turns
           the
           scales
           with
           him
           ;
           It
           will
           be
           needful
           to
           enquire
           into
           the
           weight
           and
           import
           of
           it
           .
           Nor
           have
           we
           any
           reason
           to
           think
           that
           David
           was
           either
           so
           little
           a
           Prophet
           or
           a
           Saint
           ,
           as
           in
           his
           own
           thoughts
           to
           refer
           those
           
           magnificent
           things
           (
           the
           instances
           of
           that
           loving-kindness
           confirm'd
           by
           Oath
           ,
           which
           he
           recites
           from
           the
           19
           verse
           of
           the
           Psalm
           to
           the
           38
           ,
           as
           spoken
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           declared
           to
           him
           by
           vision
           ,
           to
           the
           dignity
           of
           his
           own
           person
           ,
           and
           the
           grandieur
           and
           perpetuity
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           .
           As
           if
           it
           were
           ultimately
           meant
           of
           himself
           ,
           
           that
           
             God
             would
             make
             him
             his
             first-born
             ,
             higher
             than
             the
             Kings
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
          
           (
           when
           there
           were
           divers
           greater
           Kings
           ,
           and
           (
           in
           comparison
           of
           the
           little
           spot
           over
           which
           he
           reigned
           )
           a
           vastly
           spreading
           Monarchy
           ,
           that
           still
           overtopt
           him
           all
           his
           time
           ,
           as
           the
           same
           and
           successive
           Monarchies
           did
           his
           Successors
           )
           or
           that
           it
           was
           intended
           of
           the
           secular
           glory
           and
           stability
           of
           his
           Throne
           and
           Family
           ;
           that
           God
           would
           make
           them
           
             to
             endure
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           
           and
           
             be
             as
             the
             days
             of
             Heaven
          
           ;
           that
           they
           should
           be
           as
           
             the
             Sun
             before
             him
          
           ,
           
           and
           
             be
             establisht
             for
             ever
             as
             the
             Moon
             ,
             and
             as
             a
             faithful
             witness
             in
             heaven
             .
          
        
         
         
           That
           God
           himself
           meant
           it
           not
           so
           ,
           experience
           and
           the
           event
           of
           things
           hath
           shown
           ;
           and
           that
           these
           predictions
           cannot
           otherwise
           have
           had
           their
           accomplishment
           ,
           than
           in
           the
           succession
           of
           the
           spiritual
           and
           everlasting
           Kingdom
           of
           the
           Messiah
           (
           whom
           God
           raised
           up
           out
           of
           his
           loins
           to
           sit
           on
           his
           throne
           )
           unto
           his
           temporal
           Kingdom
           .
           
           Wherein
           't
           is
           therefore
           ended
           by
           perfection
           ,
           rather
           than
           corruption
           .
           These
           Prophesies
           being
           then
           made
           good
           ,
           not
           formally
           ,
           in
           the
           kind
           which
           they
           literally
           imported
           ;
           but
           with
           an
           (
           highly
           redundant
           )
           equivalency
           in
           another
           (
           far
           more
           noble
           )
           kind
           .
           In
           which
           sense
           God's
           Covenant
           with
           him
           must
           be
           understood
           ,
           
           which
           he
           insists
           on
           so
           much
           in
           this
           Psalm
           ,
           even
           unto
           that
           degree
           ,
           as
           to
           challenge
           God
           upon
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           in
           the
           gloomy
           dispensation
           of
           this
           juncture
           (
           so
           far
           did
           it
           darken
           his
           present
           apprehension
           of
           things
           )
           he
           did
           actually
           vacate
           and
           make
           it
           void
           :
           
           Though
           he
           sufficiently
           express
           his
           
           confidence
           ,
           both
           before
           and
           after
           ,
           that
           this
           could
           never
           be
           .
           But
           't
           is
           plain
           it
           hath
           been
           vacated
           long
           enough
           ago
           ,
           in
           the
           subversion
           of
           
           David's
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           in
           that
           we
           see
           his
           Throne
           and
           Family
           have
           not
           been
           establisht
           for
           ever
           ;
           have
           not
           endured
           as
           the
           days
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           if
           those
           words
           had
           no
           other
           than
           their
           obvious
           and
           literal
           meaning
           .
           And
           if
           any
           would
           imagine
           a
           salvo
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           God
           ,
           from
           the
           wickedness
           of
           his
           posterity
           ,
           first
           making
           a
           breach
           ,
           and
           disobliging
           him
           ;
           it
           is
           expresly
           precluded
           by
           what
           we
           find
           inserted
           in
           reference
           to
           this
           very
           case
           :
           
             If
             his
             children
             forsake
             my
             law
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             walk
             not
             in
             my
             judgments
             ,
          
           
           &c.
           
           
             Then
             will
             I
             visit
             their
             iniquity
             with
             the
             rod
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
           
             Nevertheless
             my
             loving-kindness
             will
             I
             not
             utterly
             take
             from
             him
             ,
          
           
           
             nor
             suffer
             my
             faithful●ess
             to
             fail
             .
          
           
           
             My
             Covenant
             will
             I
             not
             break
             ,
             nor
             alter
             the
             thing
             that
             is
             gone
             out
             of
             my
             lips
             .
          
           All
           which
           is
           solemnly
           sealed
           up
           with
           this
           ,
           
           
             Once
             have
             I
             sworn
             in
             my
             holiness
             ,
             that
             I
             will
             not
             lye
             unto
             David
          
           
           So
           that
           they
           that
           will
           make
           a
           scruple
           to
           accuse
           the
           Holy
           God
           of
           falshood
           in
           that
           which
           with
           so
           much
           solemnity
           he
           hath
           promised
           and
           sworn
           ,
           must
           not
           make
           any
           to
           admit
           his
           further
           intendment
           in
           these
           words
           .
           And
           that
           he
           had
           a
           further
           (
           even
           a
           mystical
           and
           spiritual
           )
           intendment
           in
           this
           Covenant
           with
           David
           ,
           is
           yet
           more
           fully
           evident
           from
           that
           of
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           ;
           
           
             He
             every
             one
             that
             thirsteth
             ,
             come
             ye
             to
             the
             waters
             ,
          
           
           &c.
           
           
             Incline
             your
             ear
             and
             come
             to
             me
             .
          
           
           
             And
             I
             will
             make
             an
             everlasting
             Covenant
             with
             you
             ,
          
           
           
             even
             the
             sure
             mercies
             of
             David
             .
          
           
           Behold
           ,
           
           
             I
             have
             given
             him
             for
             a
             witness
             to
             the
             people
             ,
             a
             leader
             and
             commander
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           What
           means
           this
           universal
           invitation
           to
           all
           thirsty
           persons
           ,
           with
           the
           subjoined
           encouragement
           of
           making
           with
           them
           an
           
             everlasting
             Covenant
          
           (
           the
           same
           which
           we
           have
           here
           ,
           no
           doubt
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           principal
           parts
           ,
           and
           which
           we
           find
           him
           mentioning
           also
           ,
           2
           Sam.
           23.
           5.
           with
           characters
           exactly
           corresponding
           to
           these
           of
           the
           Prophet
           )
           
             even
             the
             sure
             
             mercies
             of
             David
             ?
          
           The
           meaning
           sure
           could
           not
           be
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           be
           all
           Secular
           Kings
           and
           Princes
           ,
           and
           their
           posterity
           after
           them
           for
           ever
           ;
           which
           we
           see
           is
           the
           verbal
           sound
           and
           tenor
           of
           this
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           since
           it
           is
           evident
           God
           intended
           a
           mystery
           in
           this
           Covenant
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           as
           well
           assured
           he
           intended
           no
           deceit
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           designed
           not
           a
           delusion
           to
           David
           by
           the
           vision
           in
           which
           he
           gave
           it
           .
           Can
           we
           think
           he
           went
           about
           to
           gratifie
           him
           with
           a
           solemn
           fiction
           ,
           and
           draw
           him
           into
           a
           false
           and
           fanciful
           faith
           ;
           or
           so
           to
           hide
           his
           meaning
           from
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           tempt
           him
           into
           the
           belief
           of
           what
           he
           never
           meant
           ?
           And
           to
           what
           purpose
           was
           this
           so
           special
           Revelation
           
             by
             vision
          
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           to
           be
           understood
           truly
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           if
           not
           yet
           perfectly
           and
           fully
           ?
           It
           is
           left
           us
           therefore
           to
           collect
           ,
           that
           David
           was
           not
           wholly
           uninstructed
           how
           to
           refer
           all
           this
           to
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           the
           Messiah
           .
           And
           he
           hath
           given
           sufficient
           testimony
           in
           that
           part
           of
           Sacred
           Writ
           wher●of
           God
           used
           him
           
           as
           Pen-man
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           of
           another
           temper
           than
           to
           place
           the
           sum
           and
           chief
           of
           his
           expectations
           ,
           and
           consolations
           ,
           in
           his
           own
           and
           his
           posterities
           worldly
           greatness
           .
           And
           to
           put
           us
           out
           of
           doubt
           ,
           
           our
           Saviour
           (
           who
           well
           knew
           his
           Spirit
           )
           expresly
           enough
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             he
             in
             spirit
             called
             him
             Lord
          
           ;
           
           
             when
             he
             said
             ,
             The
             Lord
             said
             unto
             my
             Lord
             ,
             Sit
             thou
             at
             my
             right
             hand
             ,
             till
             I
             make
             thy
             enemies
             thy
             foot-stool
             .
          
           A
           plain
           discovery
           how
           he
           understood
           God's
           revelation
           touching
           the
           future-concernments
           of
           his
           Kingdom
           (
           and
           the
           Covenant
           relating
           thereto
           )
           viz.
           as
           a
           figure
           and
           type
           of
           Christs
           ,
           who
           must
           reign
           till
           all
           his
           enemies
           be
           subdued
           .
        
         
           Nor
           was
           he
           in
           that
           ignorance
           about
           the
           nature
           and
           design
           of
           Christs
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           understood
           its
           reference
           to
           another
           world
           ,
           and
           state
           of
           things
           ,
           even
           beyond
           all
           the
           successions
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           the
           mortal
           race
           of
           men
           ;
           so
           as
           to
           have
           his
           eye
           fixed
           upon
           the
           happy
           eternity
           which
           a
           joyful
           resurrection
           must
           introduce
           ,
           and
           whereof
           Christs
           resurrection
           
           should
           be
           the
           great
           and
           most
           assuring
           Pledg
           .
           And
           of
           this
           we
           need
           no
           fuller
           evidence
           than
           the
           express
           words
           of
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           Peter
           ,
           
           who
           after
           he
           had
           cited
           those
           lofty
           triumphant
           strains
           of
           David
           ,
           Psal.
           16.
           8
           ,
           9
           ,
           10
           ,
           11
           ,
           
             I
             have
             set
             the
             Lord
             always
             before
             me
             :
             because
             he
             is
             at
             my
             right
             hand
             ,
             I
             shall
             not
             be
             moved
             .
             Therefore
             my
             heart
             is
             glad
             ,
             and
             my
             glory
             rejoiceth
             :
             my
             fl●sh
             also
             shall
             rest
             in
             hope
             ,
             for
             thou
             wilt
             not
             leave
             my
             soul
             in
             hell
          
           (
           or
           in
           the
           state
           of
           darkness
           )
           
             neither
             wilt
             thou
             suffer
             thy
             holy
             One
             to
             see
             corruption
             .
             Thou
             〈◊〉
             shew
             me
             the
             path
             of
             life
             .
             In
             thy
             presence
             is
             fulness
             of
             joy
             ;
             at
             thy
             right
             hand
             there
             are
             pleasures
             for
             evermore
             .
          
           All
           which
           he
           tells
           us
           was
           spoken
           [
           concerning
           Christ
           ]
           ;
           
           he
           more
           expresly
           subjoins
           ,
           
             that
             David
             being
             a
             Prophet
          
           ,
           
           
             and
             knowing
             that
             God
             had
             sworn
             with
             an
             oath
             to
             him
             ▪
             that
             of
             the
             fruit
             of
             his
             loins
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             flesh
             ,
             he
             would
             raise
             up
             Christ
             to
             sit
             on
             his
             throne
             .
          
           He
           seeing
           this
           before
           ,
           spake
           of
           
             the
             resurrection
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           (
           it
           appears
           he
           spake
           not
           at
           random
           ,
           but
           as
           knowing
           and
           
           seeing
           before
           ,
           what
           he
           spake
           )
           
             That
             his
             soul
             was
             not
             left
             in
             hell
             ,
          
           &c.
           nor
           can
           we
           think
           he
           thus
           rejoyces
           in
           another's
           resurrection
           ,
           forgetting
           his
           own
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           we
           have
           a
           further
           evidence
           from
           the
           Apostle
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           
           who
           affirms
           that
           
             the
             promise
             made
             to
             the
             fathers
             ▪
             God
             had
             fulfilled
             to
             their
             children
             ,
             in
             that
             he
             had
             raised
             up
             Jesus
             again
             ;
             as
             it
             is
             also
             written
             in
             the
             second
             Psalm
             ,
             Thou
             art
             my
             Son
             ,
             this
             day
             have
             I
             begotten
             thee
             ;
             and
             as
             concerning
             that
             he
             raised
             him
             up
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             now
             no
             more
             to
             return
             to
             corruption
             ,
             he
             said
             on
             this
             wise
             ,
             I
             will
             give
             you
             the
             sure
             mercies
             of
             David
             .
          
           Which
           it
           is
           now
           apparent
           must
           be
           understood
           of
           eternal
           mercies
           ,
           such
           as
           Christ's
           resurrection
           ,
           and
           triumph
           over
           the
           grave
           ,
           doth
           ensure
           to
           us
           .
           He
           therefore
           look't
           upon
           what
           was
           spoken
           concerning
           his
           Kingdom
           here
           ,
           as
           spoken
           ultimately
           of
           Christs
           ,
           the
           Kingdom
           whereby
           he
           governs
           and
           conducts
           his
           faith●ul
           Subjects
           ,
           through
           all
           the
           troubles
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           terrors
           of
           Death
           (
           through
           both
           
           whereof
           he
           himself
           as
           their
           King
           and
           Leader
           hath
           shown
           the
           way
           )
           unto
           eternal
           blessedness
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           made
           with
           him
           as
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God
           in
           Christ
           ,
           concerning
           that
           blessedness
           ,
           and
           the
           requisites
           thereto
           .
           And
           (
           to
           say
           no
           more
           in
           this
           argument
           )
           how
           otherwise
           can
           we
           conceive
           he
           should
           have
           that
           fulness
           of
           consolation
           in
           this
           Covenant
           ,
           when
           he
           lay
           a
           dying
           ,
           as
           we
           find
           him
           expressing
           ▪
           2
           Sam.
           23
           5.
           (
           for
           these
           were
           some
           of
           the
           last
           words
           of
           David
           ,
           as
           we
           see
           
             v.
             1.
             )
             He
             hath
             made
             with
             me
             an
             everlasting
             Covenant
             ordered
             in
             all
             things
             and
             sure
             ;
             for
             this
             is
             all
             my
             salvation
             ,
             and
             all
             my
             desire
             .
          
           What
           so
           great
           joy
           and
           solace
           could
           a
           dying
           man
           take
           in
           a
           Covenant
           made
           with
           him
           ,
           when
           he
           had
           done
           with
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           was
           to
           expect
           no
           more
           in
           it
           ,
           if
           he
           took
           it
           not
           to
           concern
           a
           future
           blessedness
           in
           another
           world
           ?
           Was
           it
           only
           for
           the
           hoped
           prosperity
           of
           his
           House
           and
           Family
           when
           he
           was
           gone
           ?
           This
           (
           which
           is
           the
           only
           thing
           we
           can
           fasten
           on
           )
           he
           plainly
           secludes
           in
           the
           
           next
           words
           ,
           —
           
             although
             he
             make
             it
             not
             to
             grow
             .
          
        
         
           Therefore
           it
           was
           his
           reflection
           upon
           those
           loving-kindnesses
           mentioned
           in
           the
           former
           part
           of
           the
           Psalm
           ,
           contained
           in
           God's
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           confirmed
           by
           his
           Oath
           ,
           but
           understood
           according
           to
           the
           sense
           and
           import
           already
           declared
           ,
           that
           caused
           this
           sudden
           turn
           in
           
           David's
           spirit
           ;
           And
           made
           him
           that
           lately
           spoke
           as
           out
           of
           a
           Golgotha
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           nothing
           but
           death
           in
           his
           eye
           and
           thoughts
           ;
           to
           speak
           now
           in
           so
           different
           a
           strain
           ,
           and
           (
           after
           some
           additional
           pleadings
           ,
           in
           which
           his
           faith
           further
           recovers
           it self
           )
           to
           conclude
           this
           Psalm
           with
           solemn
           praise
           :
           
             Blessed
             be
             the
             Lord
             for
             evermore
             ,
             Amen
             and
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           We
           see
           then
           the
           contemplation
           of
           his
           own
           and
           all
           mens
           mortality
           ,
           abstractly
           and
           alone
           considered
           ,
           cloathed
           his
           soul
           with
           black
           ,
           wrapt
           it
           up
           in
           gloomy
           darkness
           ,
           makes
           the
           whole
           Kind
           of
           Humane
           Creatures
           seem
           to
           him
           an
           obscure
           shadow
           ,
           an
           empty
           vanity
           :
           But
           his
           recalling
           
           into
           his
           thoughts
           a
           succeeding
           state
           of
           immortal
           life
           ,
           clears
           up
           the
           day
           ,
           makes
           him
           and
           all
           things
           appear
           in
           another
           hue
           ,
           gives
           a
           fair
           account
           why
           such
           a
           Creature
           as
           Man
           was
           made
           ;
           and
           therein
           makes
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           things
           in
           this
           inferior
           World
           ,
           look
           with
           a
           comely
           and
           well-composed
           aspect
           ,
           as
           the
           product
           of
           a
           wise
           and
           rational
           design
           .
           Whence
           therefore
           we
           have
           this
           ground
           of
           discourse
           fairly
           before
           us
           in
           the
           words
           themselves
           :
           
             That
             the
             short
             time
             of
             man
             on
             Earth
             ,
             limited
             by
             a
             certain
             unavoidable
             Death
             ;
             If
             we
             consider
             it
             abstractly
             by
             it self
             ,
             without
             respect
             to
             a
             future
             state
             ,
             carries
             that
             appearance
             and
             aspect
             with
             it
             ,
             as
             if
             God
             had
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             .
          
        
         
           That
           is
           said
           to
           be
           vain
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           importance
           of
           the
           word
           here
           used
           ,
           
           which
           is
           ●ither
           
             
             
               False
               ,
               a
               fiction
               ,
               an
               appearance
               only
               ,
               a
               shadow
               ,
               or
               evanid
               thing
               ;
               or
               ,
               which
               is
            
             
               Vseless
               ,
               unprofitable
               ,
               and
               to
               no
               valuable
               purpose
               .
            
          
        
         
           The
           life
           of
           man
           ,
           in
           the
           case
           now
           supposed
           ,
           may
           be
           truly
           stiled
           vain
           ,
           ●ither
           way
           .
           And
           we
           shall
           say
           somewhat
           to
           each
           ;
           but
           to
           the
           former
           more
           briefly
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           were
           vain
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           little
           other
           than
           a
           shew
           ,
           a
           meer
           shadow
           ,
           a
           semblance
           of
           Beeing
           .
           We
           must
           indeed
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           case
           ,
           even
           abstract
           him
           from
           himself
           ,
           and
           consider
           him
           only
           as
           a
           mortal
           dying
           thing
           ;
           and
           as
           to
           that
           of
           him
           which
           is
           so
           ,
           what
           a
           contemptible
           nothing
           is
           he
           !
           There
           is
           an
           appearance
           of
           somewhat
           ;
           but
           search
           a
           little
           ,
           and
           enquire
           into
           it
           ,
           and
           it
           vanishes
           into
           a
           meer
           nothing
           ▪
           is
           found
           a
           lye
           ,
           a
           piece
           of
           falshood
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           did
           but
           feign
           a
           beeing
           ,
           and
           were
           not
           .
           And
           so
           we
           may
           suppose
           the
           Psalmist
           speaking
           ,
           upon
           the
           view
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           
           the
           common
           case
           of
           man
           ,
           how
           fast
           all
           were
           hastning
           out
           of
           life
           ;
           and
           laying
           down
           the
           beeing
           which
           they
           rather
           seemed
           to
           have
           assumed
           and
           borrowed
           ,
           than
           to
           possess
           and
           own
           :
           Lord
           ,
           why
           hast
           thou
           made
           Man
           such
           a
           fictitious
           thing
           ?
           given
           him
           such
           a
           mock-beeing
           ?
           Why
           hast
           thou
           brought
           forth
           into
           the
           light
           of
           this
           world
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           rather
           
             seem
             to
             be
          
           ,
           than
           are
           ?
           That
           have
           so
           little
           of
           solid
           and
           substantial
           beeing
           ?
           and
           so
           little
           deserve
           to
           be
           taken
           for
           realities
           ?
           that
           only
           serve
           to
           cheat
           one
           another
           into
           an
           opinion
           of
           their
           true
           existence
           ,
           and
           presently
           vanish
           and
           confess
           their
           falshood
           ?
           What
           hovering
           shadows
           ,
           what
           uncertain
           Entities
           are
           they
           ?
           In
           a
           moment
           they
           are
           and
           are
           not
           .
           I
           know
           not
           when
           to
           say
           I
           have
           seen
           a
           man.
           It
           seems
           as
           if
           there
           were
           some
           such
           things
           before
           my
           eyes
           ;
           I
           perswade
           my self
           that
           I
           see
           them
           move
           and
           walk
           to
           and
           fro
           ,
           that
           I
           talk
           and
           converse
           with
           them
           ;
           But
           instantly
           my
           own
           sense
           is
           ready
           to
           give
           my
           sense
           the
           lye
           :
           They
           are
           on
           the
           sudden
           dwindled
           
           away
           ,
           and
           force
           me
           ,
           almost
           ,
           to
           acknowledg
           a
           Delusion
           .
           I
           am
           but
           mockt
           with
           a
           shew
           ;
           and
           what
           seem'd
           a
           reality
           ,
           proves
           an
           Imposture
           .
           Their
           pretence
           to
           beeing
           ,
           is
           but
           fiction
           ,
           and
           falshood
           ;
           a
           cozenage
           of
           over-credulous
           unwary
           sense
           ,
           They
           only
           personate
           what
           ,
           they
           are
           thought
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           quickly
           put
           off
           their
           very
           selves
           ,
           as
           a
           disguise
           .
           This
           is
           agreeable
           to
           the
           language
           of
           Scripture
           elsewhere
           .
           
             Surely
             men
             of
             low
             degree
             are
             vanity
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             men
             of
             high
             degree
             are
             a
             lye
             ,
          
           &c.
           
        
         
           In
           two
           respects
           may
           the
           present
           state
           of
           man
           seem
           to
           approach
           near
           to
           nothingness
           ;
           and
           so
           admit
           this
           Rhetorication
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           in
           this
           sense
           a
           vain
           thing
           ,
           a
           figment
           ,
           or
           a
           lye
           ,
           viz.
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           
             
               Minuteness
               ,
               and
            
             
               Instability
               
                 
                   of
                   this
                
              
            
          
           his
           (
           material
           and
           perishable
           )
           be●ing
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Minuteness
           ,
           the
           small
           portion
           or
           degree
           of
           beeing
           which
           this
           mortal
           part
           of
           man
           hath
           in
           it
           .
           It
           is
           truly
           said
           of
           all
           created
           things
           ,
           
           Their
           
             non
             esse
          
           ,
           is
           more
           than
           their
           esse
           .
           They
           have
           more
           no-beeing
           than
           beeing
           .
           It
           is
           only
           some
           limited
           portion
           that
           they
           have
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           an
           infinitude
           of
           beeing
           which
           they
           have
           not
           .
           And
           so
           ,
           coming
           infinitely
           nearer
           to
           nothingness
           ,
           than
           fulness
           of
           beeing
           ,
           they
           may
           well
           enough
           wear
           the
           name
           of
           Nothing
           .
           Wherefore
           the
           first
           and
           Fountain-beeing
           ,
           justly
           appropriates
           to
           himself
           the
           name
           ,
           
             I
             am
          
           ;
           yea
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             He
             is
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             none
             besides
             Him
             ,
          
           therein
           leaving
           no
           other
           name
           than
           that
           of
           Nothing
           ,
           unto
           Creatures
           .
           And
           how
           much
           more
           may
           this
           be
           said
           of
           the
           material
           and
           mortal
           part
           ,
           this
           outside
           of
           man
           ,
           whatever
           of
           him
           is
           obnoxious
           to
           death
           and
           the
           grave
           ;
           which
           alone
           (
           abstractly
           lookt
           on
           )
           is
           the
           subject
           of
           the
           
           Psalmist's
           present
           consideration
           and
           discourse
           ?
        
         
           By
           how
           much
           any
           thing
           hath
           more
           of
           Matter
           ,
           it
           hath
           the
           less
           of
           actual
           Essence
           .
           Matter
           being
           rather
           a
           capacity
           of
           beeing
           ,
           than
           beeing
           it self
           ,
           or
           a
           dark
           umbrage
           or
           shadow
           of
           it
           ,
           actually
           nothing
           ;
           but
           [
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           (
           as
           are
           the
           expressions
           of
           a
           noble
           Philosopher
           )
           a
           meer
           Semblance
           ,
           
           or
           a
           Lye.
           
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           the
           language
           not
           o●
           Philosophers
           only
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           concerning
           all
           the
           Nations
           of
           men
           ,
           
             that
             they
             are
             as
             nothing
             ,
             less
             than
             nothing
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             vanity
          
           .
           What
           a
           scarcity
           then
           ,
           and
           penury
           of
           beeing
           ,
           must
           we
           suppose
           in
           each
           individuall
           especially
           if
           we
           look
           alone
           upon
           the
           outer
           part
           ,
           or
           rather
           the
           umbrage
           or
           shadow
           of
           the
           man
           ?
        
         
           
           2.
           
           The
           instability
           and
           fluidness
           of
           it
           .
           The
           visible
           and
           corporal
           beeing
           of
           man
           hath
           nothing
           steady
           or
           consistent
           in
           it
           .
           Consider
           his
           exterior
           frame
           and
           composition
           ,
           he
           is
           ,
           no
           time
           ,
           all
           himself
           at
           once
           .
           There
           is
           a
           continual
           defluence
           and
           access
           of
           parts
           ;
           so
           that
           some
           account
           ,
           Each
           Climacterick
           of
           his
           age
           changes
           his
           whole
           Fabrick
           .
           Whence
           it
           would
           follow
           ,
           that
           besides
           his
           statique
           individuating
           Principle
           (
           from
           which
           we
           are
           now
           to
           abstract
           )
           nothing
           of
           him
           remains
           ;
           He
           is
           another
           thing
           ;
           The
           former
           man
           is
           vanished
           and
           gone
           ;
           while
           he
           is
           ,
           he
           
           hastens
           away
           ;
           and
           within
           a
           little
           is
           not
           .
           In
           respect
           of
           the
           duration
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           degree
           of
           his
           beeing
           ,
           he
           is
           next
           to
           nothing
           .
           
           He
           opens
           his
           eye
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           .
           Gone
           in
           the
           twinkling
           of
           an
           eye
           .
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           him
           stable
           enough
           ,
           to
           admit
           a
           fixed
           look
           .
           So
           it
           is
           with
           the
           whole
           scene
           of
           things
           in
           this
           material
           world
           .
           As
           was
           the
           true
           Maxime
           of
           an
           Ancient
           :
           All
           things
           slow
           ,
           
           nothing
           stays
           ;
           after
           the
           manner
           of
           a
           River
           .
           The
           same
           thing
           which
           the
           Apostle's
           words
           more
           elegantly
           express
           :
           
             The
             fashion
             of
             this
             world
             passeth
             away
             .
          
           
           The
           scheme
           ,
           the
           shew
           ,
           the
           pageantry
           of
           it
           .
           He
           speaks
           of
           it
           but
           as
           an
           appearance
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           knew
           not
           whether
           to
           call
           it
           something
           or
           nothing
           ,
           it
           was
           so
           near
           to
           vanishing
           into
           nothing
           .
           And
           therefore
           he
           there
           requires
           ,
           that
           the
           affections
           which
           mutual
           nearness
           in
           relation
           challenges
           ,
           be
           as
           if
           they
           were
           not
           :
           That
           we
           rejoyce
           in
           reference
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           (
           even
           most
           nearly
           related
           ,
           as
           the
           occasion
           and
           scope
           of
           his
           discourse
           teach
           us
           to
           understand
           him
           )
           but
           as
           if
           we
           rejoyced
           not
           ,
           and
           to
           weep
           as
           if
           we
           
           wept
           not
           .
           Which
           implies
           ,
           the
           objects
           merit
           no
           more
           ;
           and
           are
           themselves
           as
           if
           they
           were
           not
           .
           Whence
           therefore
           a
           continued
           course
           of
           intense
           passion
           were
           very
           incongruous
           towards
           so
           discontinuing
           things
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           whole
           state
           of
           man
           being
           but
           a
           shew
           ,
           the
           pomp
           and
           glittering
           of
           the
           greatest
           men
           ,
           make
           the
           most
           splendid
           and
           conspicuous
           part
           of
           it
           :
           yet
           all
           this
           we
           find
           is
           not
           otherwise
           reckoned
           of
           ,
           
             than
             an
             image
             ,
             a
             dream
             ,
             a
             vision
             of
             the
             night
             ;
             every
             man
             at
             his
             best
             state
             is
             altogether
             vanity
             ,
             walketh
             in
             a
             vain
             shew
             ,
          
           
           
             disquieteth
             himself
             in
             vain
          
           ,
           
           &c.
           
           Of
           all
           without
           exception
           't
           is
           pronounced
           
             man
             is
             like
             to
             vanity
          
           ,
           
           
             his
             days
             are
             as
             a
             shadow
             that
             passeth
             away
             :
          
           As
           Ecclesiastes
           often
           ,
           of
           all
           sublunary
           things
           ,
           
             vanity
             of
             vanities
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           yet
           there
           is
           another
           notiof
           
             [
             vain
             ]
          
           ,
           as
           it
           signifies
           useless
           ,
           unprofitable
           ,
           or
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
           And
           in
           this
           sense
           also
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           universal
           mortality
           of
           mankind
           without
           respect
           to
           a
           future
           state
           ;
           There
           were
           a
           specious
           ground
           for
           the
           expostulation
           ,
           
             Why
             hast
             thou
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Vanity
           in
           the
           former
           notion
           speaks
           the
           emptiness
           of
           a
           thing
           ,
           absolutely
           and
           in
           it self
           considered
           ;
           In
           this
           latter
           relatively
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           referred
           to
           and
           measured
           by
           an
           end
           .
           That
           is
           ,
           in
           this
           sense
           ,
           vain
           ,
           which
           serves
           to
           no
           end
           ,
           or
           to
           no
           worthy
           and
           valuable
           end
           ;
           which
           amounts
           to
           the
           same
           .
           For
           in
           as
           much
           as
           all
           ends
           ,
           except
           the
           last
           ,
           are
           means
           also
           to
           a
           further
           end
           ;
           if
           the
           end
           immediately
           aimed
           at
           be
           vain
           and
           worthless
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           referred
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           so
           referred
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           also
           vain
           .
        
         
           Whereupon
           now
           let
           us
           make
           trial
           what
           end
           we
           could
           in
           this
           case
           think
           man
           made
           for
           .
        
         
           Which
           will
           best
           be
           done
           by
           taking
           some
           view
           
             
               1.
               
               Of
               his
               nature
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Of
               the
               ends
               for
               which
               ,
               upon
               that
               supposition
               ,
               we
               must
               suppose
               him
               made
               .
            
          
        
         
           I.
           Of
           the
           former
           (
           neglecting
           the
           strictness
           of
           Philosophical
           disquisition
           )
           no
           more
           is
           intended
           to
           be
           
           said
           than
           may
           comport
           with
           the
           design
           of
           a
           popular
           discourse
           .
           And
           it
           shall
           suffice
           therefore
           ,
           only
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           what
           is
           more
           obvious
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           subservient
           to
           the
           present
           purpose
           .
           And
           yet
           we
           are
           here
           to
           look
           further
           than
           the
           meer
           surface
           and
           outside
           of
           man
           ,
           which
           we
           only
           considered
           before
           ;
           and
           to
           view
           his
           nature
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           :
           and
           not
           as
           the
           supposition
           
             of
             its
             having
             nothing
             but
             what
             is
             mortal
             belonging
             to
             it
             ,
          
           would
           make
           it
           :
           for
           as
           the
           exility
           (
           and
           almost
           nothingness
           )
           of
           man's
           being
           considered
           according
           to
           that
           supposition
           ,
           did
           best
           serve
           to
           express
           the
           vanity
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           the
           former
           notion
           that
           hath
           been
           given
           of
           a
           
             vain
             thing
          
           :
           So
           the
           excellency
           ,
           and
           solid
           substantiality
           of
           it
           ,
           considered
           as
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           ,
           will
           conduce
           most
           to
           the
           discovery
           of
           its
           vanity
           in
           this
           latter
           notion
           thereof
           .
           That
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           first
           consider
           that
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           supposition
           of
           such
           a
           Creature
           's
           being
           only
           made
           to
           perish
           .
           And
           if
           what
           shall
           be
           said
           herein
           ,
           do
           ,
           in
           the
           sequel
           ,
           tend
           to
           destroy
           that
           above-mention'd
           supposition
           ,
           
           (
           as
           it
           ,
           being
           established
           ,
           would
           destroy
           the
           prime
           glory
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           )
           it
           can
           only
           be
           said
           
             magna
             est
             veritas
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           we
           may
           take
           a
           view
           ,
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           Of
           his
           
             Intellective
             Powers
          
           ;
           Hereby
           he
           frames
           notions
           of
           things
           ,
           even
           of
           such
           things
           as
           are
           above
           the
           sphere
           of
           sense
           ;
           of
           moral
           good
           and
           evil
           ,
           right
           and
           wrong
           ,
           what
           is
           vertuous
           and
           what
           is
           vicious
           ;
           of
           abstract
           and
           universal
           natures
           .
           Yea
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           first
           beeing
           ,
           and
           cause
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           wisdom
           ,
           power
           ,
           goodness
           ,
           and
           other
           perfections
           which
           must
           primarily
           agree
           to
           him
           .
           Hereby
           he
           affirms
           and
           denies
           one
           thing
           of
           another
           ,
           as
           he
           observes
           them
           to
           agree
           and
           disagree
           ,
           and
           discerns
           the
           truth
           and
           falshood
           of
           what
           is
           spoken
           or
           deny'd
           .
           He
           doth
           hereby
           infer
           one
           thing
           from
           another
           ,
           and
           argue
           himself
           into
           firm
           and
           unwavering
           assent
           to
           many
           things
           ,
           not
           only
           above
           the
           discovery
           of
           sense
           ,
           but
           directly
           contrary
           to
           their
           sensible
           appearances
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           His
           power
           of
           
             determining
             
             himself
          
           ,
           of
           chusing
           and
           refusing
           ,
           according
           as
           things
           are
           estimated
           ,
           and
           do
           appear
           to
           him
           .
           Where
           also
           it
           is
           evident
           how
           far
           the
           objects
           which
           this
           faculty
           is
           sometimes
           exercised
           about
           ,
           do
           transcend
           the
           reach
           of
           all
           sensible
           nature
           ;
           as
           well
           as
           the
           peculiar
           nobleness
           and
           excellency
           is
           remarkable
           of
           the
           faculty
           it self
           .
        
         
           It
           hath
           ,
           often
           for
           its
           object
           ,
           things
           of
           the
           highest
           nature
           ,
           purely
           spiritual
           and
           divine
           ;
           Vertue
           ,
           Religion
           ,
           God
           himself
           .
           So
           as
           that
           these
           (
           the
           faculty
           being
           repair'd
           only
           by
           sanctifying
           grace
           ;
           not
           now
           first
           put
           into
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           )
           are
           chosen
           by
           some
           ,
           and
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ,
           refused
           (
           't
           is
           true
           )
           by
           the
           most
           ,
           but
           not
           by
           a
           meer
           not-willing
           of
           them
           (
           as
           meer
           brutal
           appetite
           also
           doth
           not-will
           them
           ,
           which
           no
           way
           reaches
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           refusal
           )
           but
           by
           rejecting
           them
           ,
           with
           a
           positive
           aversion
           ,
           and
           dislike
           ,
           wherein
           there
           is
           great
           iniquity
           and
           sin
           :
           which
           could
           not
           be
           but
           in
           a
           nature
           capable
           of
           the
           opposite
           temper
           .
        
         
         
           And
           it
           is
           apparent
           this
           faculty
           hath
           the
           priviledg
           of
           determining
           it self
           ;
           so
           as
           to
           be
           exempt
           from
           the
           necessitating
           influence
           of
           any
           thing
           forreign
           to
           it
           .
           Upon
           the
           supposal
           whereof
           ,
           the
           managery
           of
           all
           humane
           affairs
           ,
           all
           Treaties
           between
           man
           and
           man
           ,
           to
           induce
           a
           consent
           to
           this
           or
           that
           ;
           The
           whole
           frame
           of
           government
           ,
           all
           Legislation
           and
           distribution
           of
           publick
           Justice
           do
           depend
           .
           For
           take
           away
           this
           supposition
           ,
           and
           these
           will
           presently
           appear
           most
           absurd
           ,
           and
           unjust
           .
           With
           what
           solemnity
           are
           applications
           and
           addresses
           made
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           man
           upon
           all
           occasions
           ?
           How
           is
           it
           courted
           and
           solicited
           and
           sued
           unto
           ?
           But
           how
           absurd
           were
           it
           so
           to
           treat
           the
           other
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           act
           by
           a
           necessity
           of
           Nature
           in
           all
           they
           do
           ?
           to
           make
           supplications
           to
           the
           Wind
           ,
           or
           propound
           articles
           to
           a
           Brute
           ?
           And
           how
           unjust
           ,
           to
           determine
           and
           inflict
           severe
           penalties
           for
           unavoidable
           and
           necessitated
           actions
           and
           omissions
           ?
        
         
           These
           things
           occurr
           to
           our
           first
           notice
           ,
           upon
           any
           (
           a
           more
           sudden
           and
           cursory
           )
           view
           of
           the
           nature
           of
           man.
           
           And
           what
           should
           hinder
           ,
           but
           we
           may
           infer
           from
           these
           that
           there
           is
           further
           in
           his
           nature
           ,
        
         
           3.
           
           
             A
             capacity
             of
             an
             immortal
             state
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           that
           his
           nature
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           ,
           if
           God
           so
           please
           ,
           by
           the
           concurrent
           influence
           of
           his
           ordinary
           power
           ,
           and
           providence
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           a
           miracle
           ,
           subsist
           in
           another
           state
           of
           life
           ,
           after
           this
           ,
           even
           a
           state
           that
           shall
           not
           be
           liable
           to
           that
           empairment
           and
           decay
           that
           we
           find
           this
           subject
           to
           .
           More
           ,
           is
           not
           (
           as
           yet
           )
           contended
           for
           ;
           and
           so
           much
           methinks
           ,
           none
           should
           make
           a
           difficulty
           to
           admit
           ,
           from
           what
           is
           evidently
           found
           in
           him
           .
           For
           it
           may
           well
           be
           supposed
           that
           the
           admitting
           of
           this
           (
           at
           least
           )
           will
           seem
           much
           more
           easie
           ,
           to
           any
           free
           and
           unprejudic'd
           reason
           ,
           than
           to
           ascribe
           the
           operations
           before
           instanc'd
           in
           ,
           to
           alterable
           or
           perishable
           matter
           ,
           or
           indeed
           to
           any
           matter
           at
           all
           .
           It
           being
           justly
           presumed
           ,
           that
           none
           will
           ascribe
           to
           matter
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           the
           powers
           of
           ratiocination
           or
           volition
           .
           For
           then
           every
           particle
           of
           matter
           must
           needs
           be
           rational
           ,
           and
           intelligent
           (
           an
           high
           advance
           
           to
           what
           one
           would
           never
           have
           thought
           at
           all
           active
           )
           .
           And
           how
           unconceivable
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           minute
           particles
           of
           matter
           ,
           in
           themselves
           ,
           each
           of
           them
           destitute
           of
           any
           such
           powers
           ,
           should
           by
           their
           mutual
           intercourse
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           become
           furnisht
           with
           them
           !
           That
           they
           should
           be
           able
           to
           understand
           ,
           deliberate
           ,
           resolve
           ,
           and
           chuse
           ,
           being
           assembled
           and
           duly
           disposed
           in
           counsel
           together
           ;
           but
           ,
           apart
           ,
           rest
           all
           in
           a
           deep
           and
           sluggish
           silence
           !
           Besides
           ,
           if
           the
           particles
           of
           matter
           howsoever
           modifi'd
           ,
           and
           moved
           ,
           to
           the
           utmost
           subtilty
           or
           tenuity
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           highest
           vigour
           ,
           shall
           then
           become
           intelligent
           and
           rational
           ,
           How
           is
           it
           that
           we
           observe
           not
           ,
           as
           any
           matter
           is
           more
           subtil
           ,
           and
           more
           swiftly
           and
           variously
           moved
           ,
           it
           makes
           not
           a
           discernably
           nearer
           approach
           ,
           (
           proportionably
           )
           to
           the
           faculty
           and
           power
           of
           reasoning
           ?
           And
           that
           nothing
           more
           of
           an
           aptitude
           or
           tendency
           towards
           intelligence
           and
           wisdom
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           perceived
           in
           an
           aspiring
           Flame
           ,
           or
           a
           brisk
           Wind
           ,
           than
           in
           a
           clod
           or
           a
           stone
           ?
           If
           to
           
           understand
           ,
           to
           define
           ,
           to
           distinguish
           ,
           to
           syllogize
           ,
           be
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           agitation
           and
           collision
           of
           the
           minute
           parts
           of
           rarified
           matter
           among
           one
           another
           ;
           methinks
           some
           happy
           Chymist
           or
           other
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           mist
           his
           designed
           mark
           ,
           should
           have
           hit
           upon
           some
           such
           more
           noble
           product
           ;
           and
           ,
           by
           one
           or
           other
           prosperous
           sublimation
           ,
           have
           caused
           some
           temporary
           resemblance
           (
           at
           least
           )
           of
           these
           operations
           .
           Or
           ,
           if
           the
           paths
           of
           Nature
           ,
           in
           these
           affairs
           of
           the
           mind
           ,
           be
           more
           abstruse
           ,
           and
           quite
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           and
           road
           of
           artificial
           atchievement
           ;
           Whence
           is
           it
           that
           Nature
           her self
           (
           that
           is
           vainly
           enough
           supposed
           by
           some
           to
           have
           been
           so
           happy
           ,
           as
           by
           some
           casual
           stroaks
           to
           have
           fabricated
           the
           first
           of
           humane
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           have
           since
           propagated
           themselves
           )
           is
           grown
           so
           effete
           and
           dull
           ,
           as
           never
           since
           to
           hit
           upon
           any
           like
           effect
           in
           the
           like
           way
           .
           And
           that
           no
           Records
           of
           any
           time
           or
           age
           give
           us
           the
           notice
           of
           some
           such
           Creature
           sprung
           out
           of
           some
           Epicurean
           Womb
           of
           
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           elaborated
           by
           the
           only
           immediate
           hand
           of
           Nature
           ,
           so
           disposing
           the
           parts
           of
           matter
           in
           its
           constitution
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           be
           able
           to
           perform
           the
           operations
           belonging
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           man.
           
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           cannot
           with
           any
           tolerable
           pretence
           or
           shew
           of
           reason
           attribute
           these
           operations
           to
           any
           meer
           matter
           ,
           that
           there
           must
           be
           somewhat
           else
           in
           man
           to
           which
           they
           may
           agree
           ,
           that
           is
           distinct
           from
           his
           corruptible
           part
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           therefore
           capable
           ,
           by
           the
           advantage
           of
           its
           own
           nature
           of
           subsisting
           hereafter
           (
           while
           God
           shall
           continue
           to
           it
           an
           influence
           agreeable
           to
           its
           nature
           ,
           as
           he
           doth
           to
           other
           Creatures
           )
           .
        
         
           And
           hence
           seems
           a
           modest
           and
           sober
           deduction
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           a
           capacity
           of
           an
           immortal
           state
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           we
           yet
           suppose
           there
           is
           actually
           no
           such
           state
           for
           man
           hereafter
           :
           It
           is
           our
           next
           business
           to
           view
           the
           ends
           for
           which
           ,
           upon
           that
           supposition
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           been
           made
           .
           Whence
           
           we
           shall
           soon
           see
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           any
           of
           them
           whereof
           it
           may
           be
           said
           ,
           This
           is
           that
           he
           was
           created
           for
           ,
           as
           his
           adaequate
           End.
           
        
         
           And
           here
           we
           have
           a
           double
           Agent
           to
           be
           accommodated
           with
           a
           suitable
           End
           :
           
             
               Man
               now
               made
               .
               And
            
             
               God
               who
               made
               him
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Man
             himself
          
           .
           For
           it
           must
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           in
           as
           much
           as
           man
           is
           a
           Creature
           capable
           of
           propounding
           to
           himself
           an
           end
           ,
           and
           of
           acting
           knowingly
           and
           with
           design
           towards
           it
           (
           and
           indeed
           uncapable
           of
           acting
           otherwise
           as
           a
           man
           )
           :
           It
           would
           therefore
           not
           be
           reasonable
           to
           speak
           of
           him
           ,
           in
           this
           discourse
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           meerly
           passive
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           acted
           only
           by
           another
           .
           But
           we
           must
           reckon
           him
           obliged
           ,
           in
           subordination
           to
           his
           Maker
           ,
           to
           intend
           and
           pursue
           (
           himself
           )
           the
           proper
           end
           for
           which
           he
           appointed
           and
           made
           him
           .
           And
           in
           reason
           we
           are
           to
           expect
           ,
           that
           what
           God
           hath
           appointed
           to
           be
           
           his
           proper
           end
           ,
           should
           be
           such
           as
           is
           in
           it self
           most
           highly
           desirable
           ,
           suitable
           to
           the
           utmost
           capacity
           of
           his
           nature
           ,
           and
           attainable
           by
           his
           action
           ,
           so
           carrying
           with
           it
           sufficient
           inducements
           ,
           both
           of
           desire
           and
           hope
           ,
           to
           a
           vigorous
           and
           rational
           prosecution
           of
           it
           .
           Thus
           we
           must
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           conceive
           it
           to
           have
           been
           in
           the
           primitive
           institution
           of
           man's
           end
           (
           unto
           which
           the
           expostulation
           hath
           reference
           ,
           
             Wherefore
             hast
             thou
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             ?
             )
          
        
         
           And
           we
           can
           think
           of
           no
           ends
           which
           men
           either
           do
           or
           ought
           to
           propound
           to
           themselves
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           direction
           of
           one
           of
           these
           principles
           ,
           
             Sense
             ,
             Reason
          
           ,
           or
           Religion
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Sense
           is
           actually
           the
           great
           Dictator
           
           to
           the
           most
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           defacto
           ,
           determines
           them
           to
           the
           mark
           and
           scope
           which
           they
           pursue
           ,
           and
           animates
           the
           whole
           pursuit
           .
           Not
           that
           sense
           is
           by
           it self
           capable
           of
           designing
           an
           end
           ,
           but
           it
           too
           generally
           inclines
           and
           byasses
           Reason
           herein
           .
           So
           that
           Reason
           hath
           no
           other
           hand
           in
           the
           business
           ,
           than
           
           only
           as
           a
           slave
           to
           Sense
           ,
           to
           form
           the
           design
           and
           contrive
           the
           methods
           which
           may
           most
           conduce
           to
           it
           ,
           for
           the
           gratification
           of
           sensual
           appetite
           and
           inclination
           at
           last
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           appetitions
           of
           sense
           (
           wherein
           it
           hath
           so
           much
           mastery
           and
           dominion
           )
           are
           but
           such
           as
           we
           find
           enumerated
           1
           
             John
             2.
             16.
             the
             lust
             of
             the
             flesh
             ,
             the
             lust
             of
             the
             eye
             ,
             the
             pride
             of
             life
             .
          
           Or
           (
           if
           we
           understand
           the
           Apostle
           to
           use
           the
           name
           of
           lust
           objectively
           )
           the
           objects
           sufficiently
           connote
           the
           appetitions
           themselves
           .
           All
           which
           may
           fitly
           be
           refer'd
           to
           Sense
           ,
           either
           the
           outward
           senses
           ,
           or
           the
           fancy
           and
           imagination
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           deservedly
           ,
           comes
           under
           the
           same
           common
           denomination
           .
        
         
           Now
           who
           can
           think
           the
           satisfying
           of
           these
           lusts
           the
           commensurate
           end
           of
           man
           ?
           Who
           would
           not
           ,
           upon
           the
           supposition
           of
           no
           higher
           ,
           say
           with
           the
           
             Psalmist
             ,
             Wherefore
             hast
             thou
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             ?
          
           To
           what
           purpose
           was
           it
           for
           him
           to
           live
           in
           the
           world
           a
           few
           years
           ,
           upon
           this
           account
           only
           ,
           and
           
           so
           go
           down
           to
           the
           place
           of
           silence
           ?
           What
           is
           there
           in
           the
           momentary
           titillations
           of
           man's
           wanton
           flesh
           ;
           in
           his
           pleasing-view
           of
           a
           Mass
           of
           Treasure
           (
           which
           he
           never
           brought
           with
           him
           into
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           only
           heaped
           together
           ,
           and
           so
           leaves
           not
           the
           world
           richer
           or
           poorer
           than
           he
           found
           it
           )
           ?
           What
           is
           there
           in
           the
           applause
           and
           admiration
           of
           fools
           (
           as
           the
           greater
           part
           always
           are
           )
           ;
           that
           we
           should
           think
           it
           worth
           the
           while
           for
           man
           to
           have
           liv'd
           for
           these
           things
           ?
           If
           the
           question
           were
           put
           ,
           Wherefore
           did
           God
           make
           man
           ?
           Who
           would
           not
           be
           asham'd
           so
           to
           answer
           it
           ,
           He
           made
           him
           to
           eat
           and
           drink
           and
           take
           his
           pleasure
           ;
           to
           gather
           up
           wealth
           for
           he
           knows
           not
           who
           ;
           to
           use
           his
           inventions
           that
           each
           one
           may
           become
           a
           talk
           and
           wonder
           to
           the
           rest
           ;
           and
           then
           when
           he
           hath
           fetcht
           a
           few
           turns
           upon
           the
           Theater
           ,
           and
           entertained
           the
           eyes
           of
           beholders
           with
           a
           short
           scene
           of
           impertinencies
           ,
           descend
           ,
           and
           never
           be
           heard
           of
           more
           ?
           What
           ?
           that
           he
           should
           come
           into
           the
           
           world
           furnisht
           with
           such
           powers
           and
           endowments
           for
           this
           ?
           It
           were
           a
           like
           case
           as
           if
           one
           should
           be
           clad
           in
           scarlet
           to
           go
           to
           plough
           ,
           or
           curiously
           instructed
           in
           arts
           and
           sciences
           to
           tend
           Hogs
           .
        
         
           Or
           ,
           2dly
           ,
           if
           we
           rise
           higher
           to
           the
           view
           of
           such
           ends
           as
           more
           refined
           Reason
           may
           propose
           ,
           within
           the
           compass
           only
           of
           this
           present
           state
           ;
           we
           will
           suppose
           that
           it
           be
           either
           ,
        
         
           The
           acquisition
           of
           much
           knowledg
           ,
           the
           furnishing
           his
           understanding
           with
           store
           of
           choice
           and
           well-digested
           notions
           ;
           that
           he
           may
           please
           himself
           in
           being
           (
           or
           in
           having
           men
           think
           him
           )
           a
           learn'd
           Wight
           ;
           Death
           robs
           away
           all
           his
           gain
           .
           And
           what
           is
           the
           world
           the
           better
           ?
           How
           little
           shall
           he
           enrich
           the
           clods
           ,
           among
           which
           he
           must
           shortly
           lye
           down
           ,
           and
           have
           his
           abode
           !
           Or
           how
           little
           is
           the
           gain
           when
           the
           labour
           and
           travel
           of
           so
           many
           years
           is
           all
           vanished
           and
           blown
           away
           with
           the
           last
           puff
           of
           his
           dying-breath
           ?
           and
           the
           fruit
           that
           remains
           ,
           is
           to
           have
           it
           said
           
           by
           those
           that
           survive
           ,
           
             There
             lies
             learned
             dust
          
           ?
           That
           any
           part
           of
           his
           acquisitions
           in
           that
           kind
           descend
           to
           others
           ,
           little
           betters
           the
           case
           ,
           when
           they
           that
           suceeed
           are
           all
           hastening
           down
           also
           into
           the
           same
           ignoble
           dust
           .
           Besides
           that
           the
           increase
           of
           sorrow
           ,
           both
           because
           the
           objects
           of
           his
           knowledg
           ,
           the
           more
           he
           knows
           ,
           do
           multiply
           the
           more
           upon
           him
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           beget
           a
           despair
           of
           ever
           knowing
           so
           much
           as
           he
           shall
           know
           himself
           to
           be
           ignorant
           of
           ;
           And
           a
           thousand
           doubts
           ,
           about
           things
           he
           hath
           more
           deeply
           considered
           ,
           which
           his
           more
           confident
           (
           undiscovered
           )
           ignorance
           never
           dreamt
           of
           or
           suspected
           .
           And
           thence
           an
           unquietness
           and
           irresolution
           of
           mind
           ,
           which
           they
           that
           never
           drove
           at
           any
           such
           mark
           are
           (
           more
           contentedly
           )
           unacquainted
           with
           .
           And
           also
           because
           ,
           that
           by
           how
           much
           knowledg
           hath
           refin'd
           a
           man's
           soul
           ,
           so
           much
           it
           is
           more
           sensible
           and
           perceptive
           of
           troublesome
           impressions
           from
           the
           disorderly
           state
           of
           things
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           which
           they
           that
           converse
           
           only
           with
           earth
           and
           dirt
           ,
           have
           not
           spirits
           clarified
           and
           fine
           enough
           to
           receive
           .
           So
           that
           except
           a
           man's
           knowing
           more
           than
           others
           ,
           were
           to
           be
           referr'd
           to
           another
           state
           ,
           the
           labour
           of
           attaining
           thereto
           ,
           and
           other
           accessory
           disadvantages
           ,
           would
           hardly
           ever
           be
           compensated
           by
           the
           fruit
           or
           pleasure
           of
           it
           .
           And
           unless
           a
           man
           would
           suppose
           himself
           made
           for
           torment
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           shrewdly
           tempted
           to
           think
           a
           quiet
           and
           drowsie
           ignorance
           an
           happier
           state
           .
        
         
           Or
           if
           that
           a
           man's
           Reason
           ,
           with
           a
           peculiarity
           of
           temper
           ,
           guide
           him
           to
           an
           active
           ,
           negotiating
           life
           ,
           rather
           than
           that
           of
           contemplation
           ;
           and
           determine
           him
           to
           the
           endeavour
           of
           serving
           mankind
           ,
           or
           the
           community
           to
           which
           he
           belongs
           .
           By
           how
           much
           the
           worthier
           actions
           he
           performs
           ,
           and
           by
           how
           much
           more
           he
           hath
           perfected
           and
           accomplisht
           himself
           with
           parts
           and
           promptitude
           for
           such
           actions
           ;
           The
           loss
           and
           vanity
           is
           but
           the
           greater
           thereby
           ,
           since
           he
           ,
           
           and
           those
           he
           affected
           to
           serve
           ,
           are
           all
           going
           down
           to
           the
           silent
           grave
           .
           Of
           how
           little
           use
           are
           the
           Politician
           ,
           the
           States-man
           ,
           the
           Senator
           ,
           the
           Judg
           ,
           or
           the
           Eloquent
           man
           ?
           If
           we
           lay
           aside
           the
           consideration
           of
           their
           subserviency
           to
           the
           keeping
           the
           world
           in
           a
           more
           composed
           and
           orderly
           state
           ,
           for
           the
           prosecution
           of
           the
           great
           designs
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           when
           ,
           ere
           long
           ,
           all
           their
           thoughts
           shall
           perish
           !
           What
           matter
           were
           it
           what
           became
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           wise
           or
           foolish
           ,
           rich
           or
           poor
           ,
           quiet
           or
           unquiet
           ,
           govern'd
           or
           ungovern'd
           ?
           Whoever
           should
           make
           their
           order
           and
           tranquillity
           their
           study
           ,
           or
           that
           should
           intend
           their
           thoughts
           and
           endeavours
           to
           the
           finding
           out
           the
           exactest
           methods
           and
           rules
           of
           government
           and
           policy
           ,
           should
           but
           do
           as
           they
           that
           should
           use
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           pains
           and
           art
           in
           the
           curious
           adorning
           ,
           and
           trimming
           up
           of
           a
           dying
           person
           .
           Or
           as
           if
           some
           one
           ,
           among
           many
           condemned
           persons
           ,
           should
           be
           very
           solicitous
           to
           have
           them
           march
           with
           him
           in
           
           very
           exact
           order
           to
           the
           place
           of
           Execution
           .
           If
           the
           World
           be
           not
           looked
           upon
           as
           a
           '
           tiring-room
           to
           dress
           one's
           self
           in
           ,
           for
           an
           appearance
           on
           the
           Eternal
           Stage
           ;
           but
           only
           as
           a
           great
           Charnel-house
           ,
           where
           they
           undress
           ,
           and
           put
           off
           themselves
           ,
           to
           sleep
           in
           everlasting
           darkness
           ;
           How
           can
           we
           think
           it
           worth
           a
           thought
           ?
           or
           to
           be
           the
           subject
           of
           any
           rational
           design
           or
           care
           ?
           Who
           would
           not
           rather
           bless
           himself
           in
           a
           (
           more
           rational
           )
           neglect
           ,
           and
           regardlesness
           of
           all
           humane
           affairs
           ?
           and
           account
           an
           unconcerned
           indifferency
           the
           highest
           wisdom
           ?
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           3dly
           ,
           If
           we
           suppose
           Religion
           (
           which
           we
           need
           not
           (
           because
           it
           is
           mentioned
           in
           this
           order
           )
           conceive
           exclusive
           of
           Reason
           ,
           but
           rather
           perfective
           of
           it
           :
           Reason
           having
           first
           found
           out
           God
           ,
           Religion
           adores
           Him
           )
           to
           become
           with
           any
           ,
           the
           Ruling-principle
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           the
           direction
           and
           government
           of
           the
           Man
           ,
           as
           to
           his
           way
           and
           end
           ;
           How
           would
           even
           that
           ,
           languish
           with
           the
           best
           ,
           were
           the
           consideration
           
           of
           a
           future
           state
           laid
           aside
           ,
           which
           ,
           with
           so
           few
           ,
           notwithstanding
           it
           ,
           hath
           any
           efficacy
           at
           all
           to
           command
           and
           govern
           their
           lives
           ?
        
         
           Religion
           terminates
           upon
           God
           :
           And
           upon
           him
           under
           a
           double
           notion
           ;
           either
           as
           we
           design
           service
           and
           honour
           to
           him
           ;
           or
           as
           from
           him
           ,
           we
           design
           satisfaction
           and
           blessedness
           to
           our selves
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           a
           man's
           thoughts
           ,
           and
           the
           intention
           of
           his
           mind
           be
           carried
           towards
           God
           under
           the
           former
           notion
           ;
           How
           great
           an
           allay
           and
           abatement
           must
           it
           needs
           be
           to
           the
           vigour
           and
           zeal
           of
           his
           affection
           ,
           who
           shall
           with
           the
           most
           sincere
           devotedness
           apply
           himself
           to
           serve
           His
           interest
           and
           glory
           ,
           to
           reflect
           upon
           the
           universal
           mortality
           of
           himself
           and
           mankind
           ,
           without
           any
           hope
           of
           compensation
           to
           it
           by
           a
           future
           immortality
           ?
        
         
           It
           is
           agreed
           on
           all
           hands
           ,
           that
           the
           utmost
           contributions
           of
           Creatures
           can
           add
           nothing
           to
           Him.
           And
           that
           our
           glorifying
           Him
           doth
           only
           consist
           ,
           either
           in
           our
           acknowledging
           
           Him
           glorious
           ,
           our selves
           ;
           or
           representing
           him
           so
           to
           others
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           little
           doth
           it
           signifie
           ?
           and
           how
           flat
           and
           low
           a
           thing
           would
           it
           seem
           ,
           that
           I
           should
           only
           turn
           mine
           eye
           upwards
           ,
           and
           think
           a
           few
           admiring-thoughts
           of
           God
           this
           hour
           ,
           while
           I
           apprehend
           my self
           liable
           to
           lose
           my
           very
           thinking-power
           ,
           and
           whole
           beeing
           the
           next
           !
           Or
           if
           we
           could
           spread
           His
           just
           renown
           ,
           and
           gain
           all
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           to
           a
           concurrence
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           adoring
           of
           His
           Soveraign
           Excellencies
           ;
           how
           would
           it
           damp
           and
           stifle
           such
           loyal
           and
           dutiful
           affection
           ,
           to
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           universal
           testimony
           ,
           so
           deservedly
           given
           Him
           ,
           shall
           shortly
           cease
           for
           ever
           !
           And
           that
           infinitely
           blessed
           Being
           ,
           be
           ere
           long
           (
           again
           ,
           as
           he
           was
           from
           Eternity
           before
           )
           the
           only
           Witness
           of
           his
           own
           glory
           !
        
         
           And
           if
           the
           propension
           of
           a
           man's
           soul
           be
           towards
           God
           under
           the
           latter
           notion
           also
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           a
           satisfaction
           that
           shall
           thence
           accrew
           to
           himself
           (
           which
           design
           ,
           
           both
           in
           the
           pursuit
           and
           execution
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           so
           conjunct
           with
           the
           former
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           be
           sever'd
           )
           It
           cannot
           but
           be
           an
           unspeakable
           diminution
           and
           check
           to
           the
           highest
           delights
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           to
           think
           how
           soon
           they
           shall
           have
           an
           end
           .
           That
           the
           darkness
           and
           dust
           of
           the
           grave
           shall
           shortly
           obscure
           and
           extinguish
           the
           glory
           of
           this
           lightsome
           scene
           .
        
         
           To
           think
           every
           time
           one
           enters
           that
           blessed
           Presence
           ,
           for
           ought
           I
           know
           ,
           I
           shall
           approach
           it
           no
           more
           !
           This
           is
           possibly
           my
           last
           sight
           of
           that
           pleasant
           Face
           !
           my
           last
           tast
           of
           those
           enravishing
           pleasures
           !
           What
           bitterness
           must
           this
           infuse
           into
           the
           most
           delicious
           sweetness
           our
           state
           could
           then
           admit
           !
           And
           by
           how
           much
           more
           free
           and
           large
           Grace
           should
           be
           in
           its
           present
           communications
           ;
           and
           by
           how
           much
           any
           soul
           should
           be
           more
           experienc't
           in
           the
           life
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           inured
           to
           divine
           delights
           ,
           so
           much
           the
           more
           grievous
           and
           afflictive
           resentments
           it
           could
           not
           but
           have
           of
           the
           approaching
           
           end
           of
           all
           ;
           And
           be
           the
           more
           powerfully
           tempted
           to
           say
           ,
           Lord
           ,
           why
           was
           I
           made
           in
           vain
           ?
           How
           faint
           and
           languid
           would
           endeavours
           be
           after
           the
           knowledg
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           whom
           I
           may
           but
           only
           know
           ,
           and
           dye
           ?
           How
           impotent
           and
           ineffectual
           would
           the
           attractions
           of
           this
           end
           be
           to
           man
           in
           his
           terrene
           state
           ,
           to
           raise
           him
           above
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           rescue
           him
           from
           the
           power
           of
           sensible
           things
           ,
           to
           engage
           him
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           that
           sanctity
           and
           purity
           which
           alone
           can
           qualifie
           him
           for
           converse
           with
           God
           ,
           to
           bear
           him
           out
           in
           a
           conflict
           against
           the
           (
           more
           natural
           )
           inclinations
           of
           sense
           ;
           When
           if
           with
           much
           labour
           and
           painful
           striving
           ,
           much
           self-denial
           ,
           a●d
           severity
           to
           the
           flesh
           ,
           any
           disposition
           should
           be
           attained
           to
           relish
           divine
           pleasures
           ;
           it
           be
           considered
           all
           the
           while
           ,
           that
           the
           end
           of
           all
           may
           be
           as
           soon
           lost
           as
           it
           is
           gained
           .
           And
           that
           possibly
           there
           may
           be
           no
           more
           than
           a
           moments
           pleasure
           to
           recompence
           the
           pains
           and
           conflicts
           of
           many
           years
           ;
           although
           ,
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           the
           continual
           
           hope
           and
           expectation
           of
           some
           farther
           manifestation
           and
           fruition
           ,
           might
           much
           influence
           a
           person
           already
           holy
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           lover
           of
           God
           ,
           unto
           a
           stedfast
           adherence
           to
           him
           ;
           yet
           how
           little
           would
           it
           do
           to
           make
           men
           such
           ,
           that
           are
           yet
           unsuitable
           and
           disaffected
           to
           him
           ?
           or
           even
           to
           recover
           such
           out
           of
           their
           lapses
           ,
           and
           drowsie
           fits
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           altogether
           so
           ?
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           further
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           that
           since
           God
           hath
           given
           man
           a
           beeing
           capable
           of
           subsisting
           in
           another
           state
           (
           as
           doth
           appear
           by
           what
           hath
           been
           already
           said
           )
           :
           And
           since
           he
           is
           therefore
           capable
           of
           enioying
           a
           greater
           happiness
           than
           his
           present
           state
           can
           admit
           of
           ;
           that
           capacity
           will
           draw
           upon
           him
           a
           most
           indispensable
           obligation
           to
           intend
           that
           happiness
           as
           his
           end
           ,
           For
           admit
           that
           there
           be
           no
           future
           state
           for
           him
           ,
           it
           is
           however
           impossible
           any
           man
           should
           know
           there
           is
           none
           ;
           and
           upon
           an
           impartial
           view
           of
           the
           whole
           case
           ,
           he
           hath
           enough
           to
           render
           it
           (
           at
           least
           )
           far
           more
           likely
           to
           him
           that
           there
           is
           .
           And
           
           certainly
           he
           cannot
           but
           be
           obliged
           to
           pursue
           the
           highest
           good
           (
           even
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           it self
           )
           which
           his
           nature
           is
           capable
           of
           ;
           which
           probably
           he
           may
           attain
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           is
           no
           where
           forbidden
           by
           his
           Creator
           to
           aspire
           unto
           .
           Whence
           therefore
           ,
           if
           we
           now
           circumscribe
           him
           within
           the
           limits
           of
           this
           present
           mortal
           state
           ;
           or
           if
           ,
           for
           argument's
           sake
           ,
           we
           suppose
           eventually
           there
           is
           no
           other
           ;
           we
           must
           not
           only
           confess
           that
           capacity
           to
           be
           given
           him
           in
           vain
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           is
           obliged
           also
           to
           employ
           the
           principal
           endeavours
           of
           his
           life
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           powers
           in
           vain
           (
           for
           certainly
           his
           principal
           endeavour
           ought
           to
           be
           laid
           out
           in
           order
           to
           his
           principal
           end
           )
           :
           That
           is
           ,
           to
           pursue
           that
           good
           which
           he
           may
           attain
           ,
           but
           never
           shall
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           possible
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           not
           upon
           any
           terms
           future
           .
        
         
           And
           if
           it
           be
           admitted
           that
           the
           subject
           state
           of
           man
           must
           silence
           all
           objections
           against
           any
           such
           inconsistencies
           ,
           and
           make
           him
           content
           to
           act
           in
           pure
           obedience
           to
           
           his
           Maker
           (
           whether
           he
           signifie
           his
           will
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Nature
           only
           ,
           or
           by
           any
           positive
           Precept
           )
           though
           he
           shall
           not
           hereafter
           enjoy
           any
           permanent
           state
           of
           blessedness
           ,
           as
           the
           consequent
           reward
           ;
           That
           vertue
           and
           goodness
           ,
           an
           holy
           rectitude
           of
           inclinations
           and
           actions
           ,
           are
           reward
           enough
           to
           themselves
           .
           That
           there
           is
           that
           justice
           and
           sweetness
           in
           Religion
           ,
           to
           oblige
           him
           to
           love
           ,
           and
           reverence
           ,
           and
           adore
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           this
           moment
           ,
           though
           he
           were
           sure
           to
           perish
           for
           ever
           ,
           and
           be
           reduced
           to
           nothing
           the
           next
           .
           I
           say
           ,
           admitting
           all
           this
           ,
           yet
        
         
           2.
           
           Since
           the
           
             blessed
             God
             himself
          
           
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           as
           the
           principal
           Agent
           and
           Designer
           in
           this
           enquiry
           
             [
             Why
             hast
             thou
             made
             all
             men
             in
             vain
             ?
             ]
          
           It
           is
           with
           modest
           and
           humble
           reverence
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           what
           end
           worthy
           of
           that
           infinitely
           perfect
           Beeing
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           propounded
           to
           Himself
           ,
           in
           forming
           such
           a
           Creature
           of
           so
           improvable
           a
           nature
           ,
           and
           furnished
           with
           so
           noble
           faculties
           
           and
           powers
           ,
           for
           so
           transient
           and
           temporary
           a
           state
           .
           And
           how
           well
           it
           will
           consist
           with
           the
           most
           obvious
           and
           unquestionable
           notions
           we
           can
           have
           of
           an
           absolutely
           perfect
           Being
           ,
           and
           the
           Attributes
           which
           he
           most
           peculiarly
           challenges
           and
           appropriates
           to
           himself
           (
           so
           as
           not
           only
           to
           own
           ,
           but
           to
           glory
           in
           them
           )
           that
           he
           should
           give
           beeing
           not
           to
           some
           few
           only
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           whole
           species
           of
           humane
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           therein
           communicate
           to
           them
           a
           nature
           capable
           of
           knowing
           ,
           of
           loving
           ,
           and
           enjoying
           himself
           in
           a
           blessed
           eternity
           ,
           with
           a
           design
           to
           continue
           them
           only
           for
           some
           short
           space
           on
           earth
           ,
           in
           a
           low
           imperfect
           state
           ,
           wherein
           they
           shall
           be
           liable
           to
           sink
           still
           lower
           to
           the
           vilest
           debasement
           of
           their
           natures
           ,
           And
           yet
           ,
           not
           for
           their
           transgression
           herein
           (
           for
           't
           is
           the
           mortality
           of
           man
           not
           by
           sin
           ,
           but
           by
           Creation
           ,
           or
           the
           design
           of
           the
           Creator
           only
           ,
           that
           is
           now
           supposed
           )
           but
           for
           his
           meer
           pleasure
           to
           bereave
           them
           of
           being
           ,
           and
           reduce
           them
           all
           again
           to
           nothing
           ?
        
         
         
           It
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           ,
           whether
           thus
           to
           resolve
           and
           do
           ,
           can
           any
           way
           agree
           to
           God
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           clearest
           and
           most
           assured
           conceptions
           of
           him
           ;
           not
           from
           our
           reasoning
           only
           ,
           but
           his
           discovery
           of
           himself
           .
           For
           ,
           otherwise
           ,
           we
           see
           ,
           the
           imputation
           falls
           where
           we
           should
           dread
           to
           let
           it
           rest
           ,
           of
           having
           
             made
             man
             in
             vain
          
           .
        
         
           He
           is
           ,
           in
           common
           account
           ,
           said
           to
           act
           vainly
           ,
           who
           acts
           beneath
           himself
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           pursue
           an
           end
           altogether
           unworthy
           of
           him
           ,
           or
           none
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           some
           single
           acts
           may
           be
           done
           by
           great
           Persons
           ,
           as
           a
           divertisement
           ,
           without
           dishonourable
           reflection
           ,
           that
           may
           seem
           much
           beneath
           them
           .
           And
           if
           any
           do
           stoop
           to
           very
           mean
           offices
           and
           employments
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           to
           help
           the
           distressed
           ,
           and
           relieve
           the
           miserable
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           glorious
           acquest
           ;
           and
           the
           greater
           they
           are
           ,
           the
           higher
           is
           the
           glory
           of
           their
           condescending
           goodness
           .
           Benignity
           of
           nature
           ,
           and
           a
           propension
           to
           the
           most
           unexpected
           acts
           of
           a
           merciful
           self-d●p●●ision
           ,
           
           when
           the
           case
           may
           require
           it
           ,
           are
           the
           most
           comely
           ornaments
           of
           Princely
           Greatness
           ,
           and
           out-shine
           the
           glory
           of
           the
           richest
           Diadem
           .
           But
           a
           wonted
           habitual
           course
           of
           mean
           actions
           ,
           in
           great
           persons
           ,
           that
           speak
           a
           low
           design
           ,
           or
           no
           design
           at
           all
           ;
           but
           either
           an
           humour
           to
           trifle
           ,
           or
           a
           mischievous
           nature
           and
           disposition
           ,
           would
           never
           fail
           to
           be
           thought
           inglorious
           and
           infamous
           ;
           as
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           instances
           of
           
           Sardanapalus's
           spinning
           ,
           and
           
           Domitian's
           killing
           of
           Files
           .
        
         
           When
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           are
           in
           conjunction
           with
           Power
           and
           Greatness
           ,
           they
           never
           perswade
           a
           descent
           but
           upon
           such
           terms
           ,
           and
           for
           such
           purposes
           ,
           that
           a
           more
           glorious
           advancement
           shall
           ensue
           .
           Wisdom
           foreseeing
           that
           end
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           readily
           taking
           the
           way
           ,
           which
           (
           though
           it
           were
           most
           undesigned
           ,
           or
           not
           aimed
           at
           as
           an
           end
           )
           could
           not
           fail
           to
           effect
           it
           .
        
         
           Nor
           are
           any
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Divine
           Beeing
           more
           conspicuous
           than
           th●se
           ;
           more
           testified
           by
           Himself
           ,
           or
           more
           generally
           acknowledged
           
           by
           all
           men
           that
           have
           not
           deny'd
           his
           existence
           .
           Or
           if
           any
           have
           done
           that
           violence
           to
           their
           own
           minds
           ,
           as
           to
           erase
           and
           blot
           out
           thence
           the
           belief
           of
           an
           existing
           Deity
           ;
           yet
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           while
           they
           deny
           it
           ,
           they
           cannot
           but
           have
           this
           notion
           of
           what
           they
           deny
           ;
           and
           grant
           that
           these
           are
           great
           perfections
           ,
           and
           must
           agree
           to
           God
           ,
           upon
           supposition
           that
           He
           do
           exist
           .
           If
           therefore
           He
           should
           do
           any
           thing
           repugnant
           to
           these
           ,
           or
           we
           should
           suppose
           Him
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           we
           should
           therein
           suppose
           Him
           to
           act
           below
           a
           God
           ,
           and
           so
           ,
           as
           were
           very
           unworthy
           of
           Him.
           
        
         
           And
           though
           it
           becomes
           us
           to
           be
           very
           diffident
           of
           our
           own
           reasonings
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Counsels
           and
           Designs
           of
           that
           Eternal
           Being
           :
           so
           as
           if
           we
           should
           find
           him
           to
           assert
           any
           thing
           expresly
           of
           himself
           ,
           which
           we
           know
           not
           how
           to
           reconcile
           with
           our
           own
           preconceived
           thoughts
           ,
           therein
           to
           yeeld
           him
           the
           cause
           ,
           and
           confess
           the
           debility
           of
           our
           understandings
           .
           Yet
           certainly
           it
           were
           great
           rashness
           ,
           and
           void
           of
           
           all
           pretence
           ,
           to
           suppose
           any
           thing
           ,
           which
           neither
           he
           saith
           of
           himself
           ,
           nor
           we
           know
           how
           ,
           consistently
           ,
           to
           think
           .
        
         
           Nor
           are
           we
           ,
           in
           judging
           of
           his
           designs
           ,
           to
           bring
           him
           down
           to
           our
           model
           ,
           or
           measure
           him
           by
           man
           ,
           whose
           designs
           do
           for
           the
           most
           part
           bespeak
           only
           his
           own
           indigency
           ,
           and
           are
           levelled
           at
           his
           own
           advantage
           ,
           and
           the
           bettering
           some
           way
           or
           other
           of
           his
           present
           condition
           .
           Whatsoever
           the
           great
           God
           doth
           towards
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           we
           must
           understand
           him
           to
           do
           ,
           though
           with
           design
           ,
           yet
           from
           an
           exuberant
           fulness
           of
           life
           and
           beeing
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           is
           uncapable
           of
           an
           accession
           to
           himself
           .
           And
           hence
           that
           he
           can
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           himself
           ,
           have
           no
           other
           inducement
           to
           such
           action
           ,
           besides
           the
           complacency
           which
           he
           takes
           in
           diffusing
           his
           free
           communications
           ,
           (
           for
           he
           
             exercises
             loving-kindness
             ,
             judgment
             and
             righteousness
             in
             the
             earth
             ,
             
             because
             he
             delights
             in
             these
             things
             )
          
           ;
           and
           the
           maintaining
           the
           just
           honour
           and
           reputation
           of
           his
           government
           over
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           
           who
           as
           they
           are
           of
           him
           ,
           
           and
           through
           him
           ,
           must
           be
           all
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           have
           glory
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           Now
           though
           it
           be
           most
           undoubtedly
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           dominion
           over
           his
           Creatures
           (
           of
           which
           he
           hath
           no
           need
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           so
           freely
           gave
           beeing
           )
           is
           so
           absolute
           and
           unlimited
           ,
           that
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           only
           ,
           we
           must
           acknowledg
           he
           might
           create
           a
           Man
           or
           an
           Angel
           ,
           and
           annihilate
           him
           presently
           :
           yea
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           ,
           if
           he
           so
           pleased
           ,
           raise
           up
           many
           Thousand
           Worlds
           of
           intelligent
           and
           innocent
           Creatures
           into
           being
           in
           one
           moment
           ,
           and
           throw
           them
           into
           nothing
           again
           the
           very
           next
           moment
           .
        
         
           Yet
           how
           unwarrantably
           should
           we
           maim
           the
           notion
           of
           God
           ,
           if
           we
           should
           conceive
           of
           him
           only
           ,
           according
           to
           one
           Attribute
           ,
           secluding
           the
           consideration
           of
           the
           rest
           !
           How
           mishapen
           an
           Idea
           should
           we
           bear
           of
           him
           in
           our
           
           minds
           !
           And
           how
           would
           it
           deform
           the
           face
           of
           Providence
           ,
           and
           spoil
           the
           Decorum
           of
           his
           Administrations
           ,
           if
           they
           should
           be
           the
           effects
           of
           one
           single
           Attribute
           only
           ,
           the
           other
           having
           no
           influence
           on
           the
           affairs
           of
           the
           world
           !
           If
           nothing
           but
           Mercy
           should
           appear
           in
           his
           dispensations
           towards
           sinful
           man
           ,
           so
           that
           every
           man
           might
           do
           what
           were
           good
           in
           his
           own
           eyes
           ,
           without
           cause
           of
           fear
           to
           be
           called
           to
           account
           ;
           If
           the
           most
           dissolute
           and
           prophane
           were
           equally
           assured
           of
           his
           favour
           ,
           with
           those
           who
           are
           most
           holy
           ,
           and
           strictly
           regular
           in
           all
           their
           conversation
           ;
           what
           would
           be
           thought
           of
           God
           and
           Religion
           ?
           Or
           how
           should
           we
           savour
           the
           notion
           of
           an
           impure
           Deity
           taking
           pleasure
           to
           indulge
           the
           wickedness
           of
           men
           ?
           And
           if
           Justice
           alone
           have
           the
           whole
           management
           of
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           every
           act
           of
           sin
           be
           followed
           with
           an
           act
           of
           sudden
           vengeance
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           world
           become
           a
           flaming
           .
           Theater
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           held
           in
           an
           
           hopeless
           expectation
           of
           fiery
           indignation
           ,
           and
           of
           judgment
           without
           mercy
           ;
           What
           would
           become
           of
           that
           amiable
           Representation
           ,
           and
           the
           consolatory
           thoughts
           we
           have
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           love
           and
           duty
           which
           some
           souls
           do
           bear
           towards
           him
           ?
           Or
           if
           Power
           should
           affect
           daily
           to
           shew
           it self
           in
           universal
           appearances
           and
           effects
           ,
           in
           changing
           every
           hour
           the
           shapes
           of
           the
           Terrestrial
           Creatures
           ,
           in
           perpetual
           quick
           innovations
           of
           the
           courses
           of
           the
           Celestial
           ,
           with
           a
           thousand
           more
           kinds
           of
           prodigious
           events
           that
           might
           be
           the
           hourly
           effects
           of
           unlimited
           power
           ;
           How
           were
           the
           order
           of
           the
           World
           disturb●d
           ,
           and
           how
           unlovely
           an
           Idea
           would
           it
           beget
           in
           every
           intelligent
           Creature
           ,
           of
           him
           that
           made
           and
           rules
           it
           ?
           Yet
           is
           it
           from
           no
           defect
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           that
           all
           men
           are
           not
           equally
           favoured
           and
           blessed
           of
           God
           ;
           nor
           of
           Justice
           ,
           that
           a
           speedy
           vengeance
           is
           not
           taken
           on
           all
           ;
           nor
           of
           Power
           ,
           that
           the
           World
           is
           
           not
           filled
           with
           astonishing
           wonders
           every
           day
           ;
           but
           rather
           from
           their
           unexcessiveness
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           make
           that
           blessed
           temperature
           where
           they
           reside
           ,
           and
           are
           exercised
           in
           so
           exact
           proportion
           ,
           that
           nothing
           is
           ever
           done
           unworthy
           of
           Him
           who
           is
           ,
           at
           once
           ,
           both
           perfectly
           Merciful
           ,
           and
           Just
           ,
           and
           Powerful
           ,
           and
           Wise
           ,
           and
           hath
           all
           Perfections
           eminently
           comprehended
           and
           united
           in
           His
           own
           most
           simple
           Being
           .
        
         
           It
           were
           therefore
           besides
           the
           purpose
           to
           insist
           only
           what
           Soveraign
           Power
           ,
           considered
           apart
           ,
           might
           do
           ;
           but
           we
           are
           to
           consider
           what
           may
           be
           congruous
           to
           Him
           to
           do
           ,
           who
           is
           infinitely
           Wise
           and
           Good
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Powerful
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           And
           first
           ,
           let
           it
           be
           weighed
           ,
           how
           it
           may
           square
           with
           this
           Divine
           Wisdom
           to
           give
           being
           to
           a
           World
           of
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           giving
           them
           only
           a
           short
           time
           of
           abod●
           in
           being
           ,
           to
           abandon
           them
           to
           a
           perpetual
           annihilation
           .
        
         
         
           Wisdom
           in
           any
           Agent
           must
           needs
           suppose
           the
           intention
           of
           some
           valuable
           End
           of
           his
           action
           .
           And
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           wherein
           it
           hath
           any
           End
           divers
           from
           that
           which
           his
           pure
           Goodness
           and
           Benignity
           towards
           his
           Creatures
           would
           incline
           him
           to
           (
           which
           also
           we
           must
           conceive
           it
           most
           intent
           to
           promote
           and
           further
           )
           cannot
           but
           have
           it
           chiefly
           in
           design
           ;
           it
           being
           determined
           that
           his
           goodness
           should
           open
           it self
           ,
           and
           break
           forth
           into
           a
           Creation
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           so
           to
           manage
           his
           government
           over
           these
           (
           which
           indeed
           are
           the
           only
           subjects
           of
           government
           in
           the
           strict
           and
           proper
           notion
           of
           it
           )
           as
           may
           most
           preserve
           his
           authority
           ,
           and
           keep
           up
           his
           just
           interest
           in
           them
           ,
           both
           by
           recommending
           him
           to
           their
           fear
           ,
           and
           love
           ;
           to
           possess
           them
           with
           that
           due
           and
           necessary
           reverence
           of
           him
           ,
           that
           may
           restrain
           them
           from
           contemptuous
           sinning
           ;
           and
           so
           endear
           his
           government
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           engage
           
           them
           to
           a
           placid
           and
           free
           obedience
           .
        
         
           But
           how
           little
           would
           it
           agree
           with
           this
           design
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           man
           only
           for
           this
           temporary
           state
           ?
        
         
           For
           ,
        
         
           1.
           
           How
           little
           would
           it
           tend
           to
           the
           begetting
           and
           setling
           that
           fear
           of
           God
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           men
           ,
           that
           were
           necessary
           to
           preserve
           his
           authority
           and
           government
           from
           a
           prophane
           contempt
           ;
           whereas
           daily
           experience
           shews
           ,
           that
           there
           's
           now
           no
           difference
           made
           between
           them
           that
           fear
           God
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           fear
           him
           not
           ,
           unless
           wherein
           the
           former
           are
           worse
           dealt
           with
           ,
           and
           more
           exposed
           to
           sufferings
           and
           wrongs
           ;
           That
           at
           least
           't
           is
           often
           (
           yea
           for
           the
           most
           part
           )
           so
           ,
           that
           to
           depart
           from
           iniquity
           is
           to
           make
           one's
           self
           a
           prey
           ;
           that
           those
           who
           profess
           and
           evidence
           the
           most
           entire
           devotedness
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           pay
           the
           greatest
           observance
           and
           duty
           to
           him
           ,
           become
           a
           common
           scorn
           upon
           this
           
           very
           account
           ;
           and
           are
           in
           continual
           danger
           to
           be
           eaten
           up
           as
           bread
           ,
           by
           those
           that
           call
           not
           upon
           God
           ,
           while
           ,
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           the
           Tabernacles
           of
           Robbers
           prosper
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           provoke
           God
           are
           secure
           ,
           are
           not
           plagued
           as
           other
           men
           ,
           nor
           in
           trouble
           as
           other
           men
           .
           And
           judgment
           is
           not
           here
           executed
           for
           wicked
           works
           in
           this
           world
           :
           If
           also
           nothing
           is
           to
           be
           expected
           (
           either
           of
           good
           or
           evil
           )
           in
           another
           ,
           who
           is
           likely
           to
           be
           induced
           (
           in
           this
           case
           )
           to
           fear
           God
           ,
           or
           be
           subject
           to
           him
           ?
           And
           how
           unlike
           is
           this
           to
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Supream
           Ruler
           ,
           to
           expose
           his
           most
           Rightful
           and
           Soveraign
           Authority
           ,
           to
           the
           fearless
           and
           insolent
           affronts
           of
           his
           own
           revolted
           Creatures
           ,
           without
           any
           design
           of
           future
           reparation
           to
           it
           !
           as
           if
           he
           had
           created
           them
           on
           purpose
           only
           to
           curse
           him
           ,
           and
           dye
           !
           But
           he
           hath
           prevented
           the
           occasion
           of
           so
           reproachful
           a
           Censure
           ,
           and
           thought
           fit
           to
           fill
           his
           Word
           and
           the
           Consciences
           of
           guilty
           sinners
           with
           
           threats
           and
           dreadful
           presages
           of
           a
           future
           judgment
           ,
           and
           state
           of
           punishment
           .
           To
           which
           he
           is
           no
           less
           concern'd
           ,
           both
           in
           point
           of
           wisdom
           and
           veracity
           (
           and
           I
           may
           add
           ,
           of
           Legal
           Justice
           )
           to
           make
           the
           event
           correspond
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           neither
           be
           found
           to
           have
           omitted
           any
           due
           course
           ,
           for
           prevention
           or
           redress
           of
           so
           great
           an
           evil
           ;
           and
           that
           ,
           if
           the
           threatning
           do
           not
           effectually
           over-awe
           sinners
           ,
           the
           execution
           may
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           right
           himself
           :
           And
           that
           ,
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           ,
           he
           do
           not
           (
           that
           which
           would
           least
           of
           all
           become
           him
           ,
           and
           which
           were
           most
           repugnant
           to
           his
           nature
           )
           make
           use
           of
           a
           solemn
           fiction
           to
           keep
           the
           world
           in
           order
           ,
           and
           maintain
           his
           government
           by
           falshood
           and
           deceit
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           threatning
           what
           he
           knows
           shall
           never
           be
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Nor
           were
           there
           (
           in
           the
           case
           all
           along
           supposed
           )
           a
           more
           probable
           provision
           made
           ,
           to
           conciliate
           and
           procure
           to
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           the
           love
           which
           it
           is
           requisite
           he
           should
           have
           from
           the
           children
           of
           men
           .
        
         
         
           And
           this
           cannot
           but
           be
           thought
           another
           apt
           method
           for
           his
           wisdom
           to
           pitch
           upon
           ,
           to
           render
           his
           government
           acceptable
           ,
           and
           to
           engage
           men
           to
           that
           free
           and
           complacential
           subjection
           which
           is
           suitable
           to
           a
           God.
           For
           how
           can
           that
           filial
           and
           dutiful
           affection
           ●ver
           be
           the
           genuine
           product
           or
           impress
           of
           such
           a
           representation
           of
           the
           case
           between
           God
           and
           them
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           be
           most
           indispensably
           obliged
           to
           devote
           their
           whole
           being
           ,
           and
           all
           their
           powers
           ,
           entirely
           to
           his
           Service
           and
           Interest
           ;
           exactly
           to
           observe
           his
           strictest
           Laws
           ,
           to
           keep
           under
           the
           severest
           restraint
           their
           most
           innate
           reluctant
           inclinations
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           expect
           the
           administrations
           of
           Providence
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           towards
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           find
           harder
           usage
           all
           their
           days
           ,
           than
           his
           most
           insolent
           and
           irreconcilable
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           lose
           their
           very
           Beings
           they
           know
           not
           how
           soon
           ;
           and
           therewith
           (
           necessarily
           )
           all
           possibilities
           of
           any
           future
           recompence
           .
           
           Is
           this
           a
           likely
           way
           to
           procure
           love
           ,
           and
           to
           captivate
           hearts
           into
           an
           affectionate
           and
           free
           obedience
           ?
           Or
           what
           is
           it
           probable
           to
           produce
           ,
           but
           a
           sowr
           and
           sullen
           despondency
           ,
           the
           extinction
           of
           all
           generous
           affection
           ,
           and
           a
           temper
           more
           agreeable
           to
           a
           forc'd
           enthralment
           to
           some
           malignant
           insulting
           Genius
           ,
           than
           a
           willing
           subjection
           to
           the
           God
           of
           all
           Grace
           and
           Love
           ?
        
         
           And
           every
           one
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           say
           ,
           There
           is
           little
           of
           wisdom
           in
           that
           Government
           ,
           the
           administration
           whereof
           is
           neither
           apt
           to
           beget
           fear
           or
           love
           in
           those
           that
           are
           subject
           to
           it
           :
           but
           either
           through
           the
           want
           of
           the
           one
           to
           be
           despised
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           regretted
           through
           the
           want
           of
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           being
           the
           very
           case
           ,
           upon
           supposition
           of
           no
           future
           state
           ;
           It
           seems
           altogether
           unworthy
           of
           the
           Divine
           Wisdom
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           Creature
           should
           ever
           have
           been
           made
           ,
           as
           Man
           ,
           upon
           which
           no
           end
           is
           attainable
           (
           as
           the
           course
           of
           
           Providence
           commonly
           runs
           in
           this
           world
           )
           in
           comparison
           whereof
           ,
           it
           were
           not
           better
           ,
           and
           more
           honourable
           to
           his
           Maker
           ,
           (
           whose
           interest
           it
           is
           the
           part
           of
           his
           wisdom
           to
           consult
           )
           that
           he
           had
           never
           been
           .
           And
           therefore
           as
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           just
           and
           worthy
           designs
           of
           his
           glory
           ,
           he
           would
           seem
           upon
           this
           supposition
           wholly
           
             made
             in
             vain
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           How
           congruous
           and
           agreeable
           would
           this
           supposition
           prove
           to
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ?
           As
           that
           other
           Attribute
           of
           Wisdom
           doth
           more
           especially
           respect
           His
           own
           interest
           ;
           so
           doth
           this
           ,
           the
           interest
           of
           his
           Creatures
           :
           That
           is
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           understood
           ,
           not
           in
           a
           Metaphysical
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           Moral
           sense
           ,
           as
           it
           imports
           a
           propensity
           and
           steddy
           bent
           of
           will
           unto
           benefaction
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           of
           the
           Psalmist
           ,
           
           
             Thou
             art
             good
             ,
             and
             dost
             good
             .
          
        
         
           And
           this
           free
           and
           generous
           Principle
           it
           is
           ,
           which
           gives
           the
           first
           rise
           and
           beginning
           to
           all
           the
           designs
           any
           way
           respecting
           the
           well-being
           
           and
           happiness
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           which
           ,
           then
           ,
           infinite
           wisdom
           forms
           and
           manages
           to
           their
           full
           issues
           and
           accomplishment
           ,
           guiding
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           the
           hand
           of
           Almighty
           Power
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           That
           there
           should
           be
           a
           Creation
           ,
           we
           may
           conceive
           to
           be
           the
           first
           Dictate
           of
           this
           Immense
           Goodness
           ,
           which
           afterwards
           diffuses
           it self
           through
           the
           whole
           ,
           in
           communications
           agreeable
           to
           the
           nature
           of
           every
           Creature
           .
           So
           that
           even
           this
           inferior
           ,
           and
           less
           noble
           part
           ,
           
           the
           Earth
           ,
           is
           
             full
             of
             the
             goodness
             of
             the
             Lord.
             
          
        
         
           It
           creates
           first
           its
           own
           object
           ,
           and
           then
           pours
           forth
           it self
           upon
           it
           with
           infinite
           delight
           ,
           rewarding
           the
           expence
           with
           the
           pleasure
           of
           doing
           good
           .
        
         
           Now
           if
           we
           should
           suppose
           such
           a
           Creature
           as
           Man
           made
           only
           for
           that
           short
           time
           and
           low
           state
           ,
           which
           we
           see
           to
           be
           allotted
           him
           in
           this
           world
           ;
           It
           were
           neither
           difficult
           ,
           nor
           enough
           ,
           to
           reconcile
           the
           Hypothesis
           with
           strict
           Justice
           ,
           
           which
           upon
           the
           ground
           of
           absolute
           dominion
           ,
           may
           do
           what
           it
           will
           with
           its
           own
           :
           But
           the
           ill
           accord
           it
           seems
           to
           have
           with
           so
           large
           and
           abounding
           Goodness
           ,
           renders
           it
           very
           unlike
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           blessed
           God.
           No
           enjoyment
           being
           in
           that
           case
           afforded
           to
           this
           sort
           of
           Creatures
           ,
           agreeable
           to
           their
           common
           nature
           and
           capacity
           ,
           either
           in
           degree
           or
           continuance
           .
        
         
           Not
           in
           degree
           :
           for
           who
           sees
           not
           that
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           is
           capable
           of
           greater
           things
           than
           he
           here
           enjoys
           ?
           and
           where
           that
           capacity
           is
           rescued
           from
           the
           corruption
           that
           narrows
           and
           debases
           it
           ,
           how
           sensibly
           do
           holy
           souls
           resent
           and
           bewail
           their
           present
           state
           ,
           as
           a
           state
           of
           imperfection
           !
           With
           how
           fervent
           and
           vehement
           desires
           and
           groans
           do
           they
           aspire
           and
           pant
           after
           an
           higher
           and
           more
           perfect
           !
           
             We
             that
             are
             in
             this
             tabernacle
             do
             groan
             ,
          
           
           
             being
             burdened
             ;
             not
             for
             that
             we
             would
             be
             unclothed
          
           (
           that
           is
           not
           enough
           ,
           to
           be
           delivered
           
           out
           of
           the
           miseries
           of
           life
           ,
           by
           laying
           down
           this
           passive
           part
           ,
           is
           not
           that
           which
           will
           terminate
           their
           desires
           )
           
             but
             clothed
             upon
             ,
             that
             mortality
             might
             be
             swallowed
             up
             of
             life
             .
          
        
         
           Theirs
           are
           not
           brutal
           groans
           ,
           the
           complaint
           of
           opprest
           sensitive
           nature
           under
           a
           present
           evil
           ;
           but
           rational
           and
           spiritual
           ,
           the
           expressions
           of
           desire
           strongly
           carri'd
           to
           pursue
           an
           apprehended
           suitable
           good
           .
        
         
           The
           truest
           notion
           we
           can
           yet
           have
           of
           the
           primitive
           nature
           and
           capacity
           of
           man
           ,
           is
           by
           beholding
           it
           in
           its
           gradual
           restitution
           .
           And
           is
           it
           agreeable
           to
           the
           goodness
           of
           God
           to
           put
           such
           a
           nature
           into
           any
           ,
           and
           with-hold
           the
           suitable
           object
           ?
           As
           if
           it
           were
           a
           pleasure
           to
           him
           to
           behold
           the
           work
           of
           his
           own
           hands
           spending
           it self
           in
           weary
           struglings
           towards
           him
           ,
           and
           vext
           all
           the
           while
           it
           continues
           in
           being
           ,
           with
           the
           desire
           of
           what
           it
           shall
           never
           enjoy
           ?
           and
           which
           he
           hath
           made
           it
           desire
           ,
           and
           
           therein
           encouraged
           it
           to
           expect
           ?
        
         
           Nor
           in
           continuance
           :
           For
           I
           suppose
           it
           already
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           is
           capable
           (
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           principal
           part
           )
           of
           perpetuity
           ,
           and
           so
           of
           enjoying
           a
           felicity
           hereafter
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           permanent
           and
           know
           no
           end
           .
           And
           it
           seems
           no
           way
           congruous
           to
           so
           large
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           stifle
           a
           capacity
           whereof
           it
           was
           it self
           the
           Author
           ,
           and
           destroy
           its
           own
           work
           .
        
         
           For
           if
           the
           Being
           of
           man
           is
           intended
           for
           so
           short
           a
           continuance
           ,
           either
           he
           may
           have
           the
           knowledg
           of
           this
           determination
           concerning
           him
           ,
           or
           not
           :
           If
           he
           cannot
           have
           the
           knowledg
           of
           it
           ,
           why
           should
           any
           one
           say
           what
           they
           cannot
           know
           ;
           or
           put
           such
           a
           thing
           upon
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           so
           vilely
           reflecting
           ,
           and
           dishonourable
           to
           him
           ?
           If
           he
           may
           have
           the
           knowledg
           of
           it
           ,
           then
           doth
           he
           seem
           a
           Creature
           made
           for
           torment
           ,
           while
           ,
           by
           an
           easie
           reflection
           upon
           himself
           ,
           he
           may
           discern
           he
           is
           not
           uncapable
           of
           a
           perpetual
           state
           ;
           and
           is
           yet
           
           brought
           forth
           into
           the
           light
           ,
           to
           be
           ,
           ere
           long
           ,
           extinguish't
           ,
           and
           shut
           up
           in
           everlasting
           darkness
           .
           And
           who
           can
           think
           this
           a
           thing
           worthy
           of
           infinite
           and
           eternal
           Goodness
           ?
           Besides
           (
           as
           hath
           been
           insisted
           before
           )
           that
           this
           torture
           ,
           proceeding
           from
           so
           sad
           an
           expectation
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           most
           grievous
           and
           afflictive
           to
           the
           best
           .
           Whence
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           Christians
           ,
           
             if
             in
             this
             life
             only
             they
             had
             hope
             ,
          
           
           
             were
             of
             all
             men
             most
             miserable
             .
          
           So
           that
           it
           were
           more
           desirable
           never
           to
           have
           been
           .
           If
           any
           yet
           ,
           fall
           hereafter
           into
           a
           state
           to
           which
           they
           would
           prefer
           perpetual
           annihilation
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           it
           is
           wholly
           by
           their
           own
           default
           ,
           it
           no
           way
           reflects
           upon
           Divine
           Goodness
           .
           But
           it
           would
           be
           a
           dishonourable
           reflection
           rather
           upon
           that
           Author
           and
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Goodness
           ,
           if
           he
           should
           not
           express
           himself
           wise
           and
           just
           as
           well
           as
           good
           ;
           as
           it
           would
           upon
           a
           man
           ,
           especially
           a
           Ruler
           over
           others
           ,
           if
           that
           which
           we
           call
           good
           nature
           were
           conjunct
           with
           stolidity
           ,
           
           or
           an
           insensibleness
           of
           whatsoever
           affronts
           to
           his
           Person
           and
           Government
           .
        
         
           Upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           it
           seems
           most
           repugnant
           to
           these
           great
           Attributes
           of
           the
           Divine
           Being
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           man
           only
           for
           this
           present
           state
           .
           That
           to
           think
           so
           ,
           were
           to
           conceive
           unworthily
           of
           him
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           acted
           much
           beneath
           himself
           ,
           and
           done
           a
           vain
           thing
           in
           making
           such
           a
           Creature
           ,
           no
           end
           being
           attainable
           by
           it
           ,
           which
           we
           can
           suppose
           either
           his
           Wisdom
           or
           Goodness
           to
           aim
           at
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           would
           imagine
           to
           themselves
           an
           expedient
           ,
           by
           supposing
           an
           eternal
           succession
           of
           humane
           generations
           ,
           upon
           whom
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           of
           God
           might
           have
           a
           perpetual
           exercise
           in
           the
           government
           and
           sustentation
           of
           them
           for
           their
           appointed
           times
           :
           This
           would
           be
           far
           from
           satisfying
           ,
           as
           to
           either
           ;
           but
           would
           rather
           encrease
           the
           difficulty
           .
           For
           there
           would
           be
           the
           same
           temptation
           upon
           all
           the
           Individuals
           ,
           to
           contemn
           
           or
           regret
           the
           Government
           of
           their
           Maker
           .
        
         
           So
           that
           he
           should
           hereby
           even
           eternize
           his
           own
           reproach
           ;
           and
           should
           always
           ,
           in
           every
           succession
           ,
           have
           still
           the
           same
           craving
           appetites
           returning
           ,
           and
           expectations
           never
           to
           be
           satisfied
           ;
           which
           were
           as
           repugnant
           to
           all
           he
           hath
           discovered
           to
           us
           of
           his
           nature
           ,
           as
           any
           thing
           we
           can
           suppose
           .
        
         
           Though
           some
           persons
           of
           a
           light
           and
           desultory
           humour
           ,
           might
           imagine
           to
           themselves
           a
           pleasure
           in
           it
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           the
           power
           to
           make
           such
           a
           rotation
           of
           things
           ,
           rising
           and
           falling
           ,
           coming
           and
           passing
           away
           ,
           at
           their
           beck
           and
           command
           ;
           and
           such
           as
           were
           of
           a
           Sanguinary
           Temper
           ,
           might
           sport
           themselves
           in
           raising
           up
           and
           lopping
           off
           lives
           at
           pleasure
           with
           an
           arbitrary
           hand
           .
           Yet
           sure
           they
           would
           never
           gain
           by
           it
           the
           esteem
           of
           being
           either
           wise
           or
           good
           ;
           and
           would
           'tis
           like
           ,
           in
           time
           ,
           grow
           weary
           of
           the
           sport
           .
           But
           to
           form
           to
           our selves
           such
           Idea's
           of
           the
           
           blessed
           God
           ,
           were
           an
           injury
           not
           inferior
           to
           the
           vety
           denial
           of
           his
           being
           .
        
         
           His
           providence
           towards
           the
           inferior
           Creatures
           ,
           hath
           no
           resemblance
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           ;
           whom
           his
           bounty
           sustains
           agreeably
           to
           their
           natures
           ,
           who
           have
           no
           foresight
           of
           their
           own
           cessation
           from
           being
           ,
           to
           keep
           them
           in
           a
           continual
           death
           by
           the
           expectation
           of
           it
           .
           And
           who
           serve
           to
           valuable
           and
           reasonable
           purposes
           ,
           while
           they
           are
           continued
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           useful
           ,
           partly
           to
           the
           sustentation
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           partly
           to
           his
           instruction
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           his
           higher
           Ends.
           
        
         
           And
           though
           each
           individual
           of
           them
           do
           not
           actually
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           sufficient
           that
           the
           several
           kinds
           of
           them
           are
           naturally
           apt
           thereto
           ,
           which
           are
           propagated
           according
           to
           a
           setled
           course
           and
           Law
           of
           Nature
           in
           their
           individuals
           .
           And
           if
           all
           immediately
           serve
           not
           man
           ,
           yet
           they
           do
           it
           mediately
           in
           serving
           those
           that
           more
           immediately
           do
           .
           Besides
           that
           when
           such
           a
           
           work
           was
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           as
           the
           furnishing
           out
           ,
           and
           accomplishing
           this
           lower
           world
           ;
           It
           was
           meet
           all
           things
           should
           be
           in
           number
           ,
           weight
           and
           measure
           ,
           and
           correspond
           in
           every
           part
           .
           As
           if
           one
           build
           a
           House
           for
           entertainment
           ,
           though
           the
           more
           noble
           Rooms
           only
           do
           come
           in
           view
           ,
           yet
           all
           the
           rest
           are
           made
           answerably
           decent
           ,
           on
           supposition
           that
           they
           may
           .
           It
           was
           becoming
           the
           august
           and
           great
           Lord
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           that
           it
           have
           in
           it
           ,
           not
           only
           what
           may
           sustain
           the
           indigent
           ,
           but
           gratifie
           the
           contemplative
           ,
           by
           fresh
           variety
           ;
           who
           would
           be
           apt
           to
           grow
           remiss
           by
           conversing
           only
           with
           what
           were
           of
           every
           days
           observation
           .
           Nor
           was
           that
           a
           low
           end
           ,
           when
           such
           contemplation
           hath
           so
           direct
           a
           tendency
           to
           raise
           a
           considering
           mind
           to
           the
           sight
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           praise
           of
           the
           Supream
           Being
           ,
           that
           hath
           stampt
           so
           lively
           signatures
           and
           prints
           of
           his
           own
           perfection
           upon
           all
           his
           works
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           Man
           might
           be
           in
           
           the
           same
           kind
           serviceable
           to
           the
           contemplation
           of
           Angels
           ,
           though
           he
           were
           himself
           never
           to
           know
           any
           other
           than
           this
           mortal
           state
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           so
           ;
           but
           yet
           the
           incongruities
           were
           no
           way
           salved
           ,
           of
           God's
           putting
           a
           capacity
           and
           expectation
           into
           his
           nature
           of
           a
           better
           state
           .
           Of
           his
           dealing
           so
           hardly
           with
           them
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           procured
           to
           love
           him
           .
           Of
           his
           never
           vindicating
           their
           high
           contempt
           ,
           that
           spent
           their
           days
           in
           rebellion
           against
           him
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           that
           these
           were
           ill
           precedents
           ,
           and
           no
           pleasant
           Theams
           for
           the
           view
           of
           an
           Angelical
           mind
           .
           And
           if
           they
           see
           a
           nature
           extinct
           ,
           capable
           of
           their
           state
           ,
           what
           might
           they
           suspect
           of
           their
           own
           ?
        
         
           So
           that
           which
           way
           soever
           we
           turn
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           we
           still
           see
           that
           man's
           mortality
           ,
           and
           liableness
           to
           an
           unavoidable
           death
           ,
           abstracted
           from
           the
           thoughts
           of
           another
           state
           ,
           carry
           that
           constant
           aspect
           ,
           as
           if
           
             all
             men
             were
             made
             in
             vain
             .
          
        
         
         
           What
           remains
           then
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           conclude
           hence
           ,
           we
           ought
           not
           too
           much
           ,
           o●
           too
           long
           ,
           thus
           to
           abstract
           ,
           no●
           too
           closely
           confine
           our
           eye
           to
           this
           dark
           and
           gloomy
           Theam
           ,
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Grave
           ,
           or
           with-hold
           it
           from
           looking
           further
           .
           For
           far
           be
           it
           from
           us
           to
           think
           the
           wise
           and
           holy
           God
           hath
           given
           being
           to
           man
           (
           and
           consequently
           exercised
           a
           long
           continued
           series
           of
           Providence
           thorough
           so
           many
           successive
           Ages
           towards
           him
           )
           
             in
             vain
          
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           but
           a
           prospect
           of
           another
           state
           can
           solve
           the
           knot
           ,
           and
           work
           through
           the
           present
           difficulty
           ,
           can
           give
           us
           a
           true
           account
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           was
           made
           for
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           since
           it
           would
           be
           prophane
           and
           impious
           ,
           sad
           and
           uncomfortable
           ,
           a
           blasphemy
           to
           our
           Maker
           ,
           and
           a
           torture
           to
           our selves
           ,
           to
           speak
           it
           as
           our
           setled
           apprehension
           and
           judgment
           ,
           That
           God
           had
           made
           man
           to
           no
           purpurpose
           :
           We
           are
           obliged
           and
           concerned
           ,
           
           bo●●
           〈…〉
           to
           Him
           ,
           and
           compossion
           to
           our selves
           ,
           so
           to
           repre●ent
           the
           ●a●e
           as
           that
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           remove
           so
           unworthy
           and
           black
           a
           thought
           to
           the
           greatest
           distance
           from
           us
           ,
           both
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           practise
           would
           be
           consequent
           thereto
           .
           That
           is
           ,
           to
           conclude
           ,
           That
           certainly
           there
           must
           be
           another
           state
           after
           this
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           steer
           our
           course
           .
        
         
           The
           Improvement
           then
           of
           the
           foregoing
           Discourse
           ,
           will
           have
           a
           double
           aspect
           ;
           
             
               On
               our
               
                 
                   Judgments
                   .
                
                 
                   Practice
                   .
                
              
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           On
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           To
           settle
           this
           great
           Principle
           of
           Truth
           in
           them
           ,
           
             The
             certain
             futurity
             of
             another
             state
             ,
             after
             this
             life
             is
             over
             .
          
           Unto
           which
           this
           present
           state
           is
           only
           preparatory
           and
           introductive
           .
        
         
           For
           whereas
           we
           can
           never
           give
           a
           
           rational
           account
           why
           such
           a
           Creature
           as
           man
           was
           made
           ,
           if
           we
           confine
           all
           ou●
           apprehensions
           concerning
           him
           to
           his
           present
           state
           on
           earth
           :
           Let
           them
           once
           transcend
           those
           narrow
           limits
           ,
           flye
           over
           into
           eternity
           ,
           and
           behold
           him
           made
           for
           an
           everlasting
           state
           hereafter
           ;
           and
           the
           difficulty
           now
           vanishes
           ,
           the
           whole
           affair
           looks
           with
           a
           com●ly
           and
           befitting
           aspect
           .
        
         
           For
           we
           may
           now
           represent
           the
           case
           thus
           to
           our selves
           .
           That
           man
           was
           put
           into
           this
           terrestrial
           state
           and
           dwelling
           ,
           by
           the
           wise
           and
           righteous
           designation
           of
           his
           great
           Creator
           and
           Lord
           ,
           that
           his
           Loyalty
           to
           him
           amidst
           the
           temptations
           and
           enticements
           of
           sensible
           things
           ,
           might
           be
           tried
           a
           while
           :
           That
           revolting
           from
           Him
           ,
           he
           is
           only
           left
           to
           feel
           here
           the
           just
           smart
           of
           his
           causeless
           defection
           .
           That
           yet
           such
           farther
           methods
           are
           used
           for
           his
           recovery
           ,
           as
           are
           most
           suitable
           to
           his
           so
           empaired
           state
           .
           An
           allayed
           light
           shines
           to
           him
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           darkness
           ,
           that
           
           his
           feebler
           eye
           may
           receive
           a
           gradual
           illumination
           ,
           and
           behold
           God
           in
           those
           more
           obscure
           discoveries
           which
           he
           now
           vouchsafes
           of
           himself
           ,
           till
           by
           degrees
           he
           be
           won
           to
           take
           up
           good
           thoughts
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           return
           into
           an
           acquaintance
           and
           friendship
           with
           him
           ;
           which
           once
           begun
           here
           ,
           shall
           be
           hereafter
           perfected
           in
           eternal
           fruitions
           .
           The
           offence
           and
           wrong
           done
           to
           his
           Maker
           ,
           he
           in
           a
           strange
           unthought
           of
           way
           makes
           compensation
           of
           to
           himself
           .
           And
           testifies
           his
           reconcileableness
           ,
           and
           perswades
           a
           reconciliation
           upon
           such
           terms
           ,
           and
           by
           so
           endearing
           Mediu●●s
           as
           might
           melt
           and
           molli●ie
           hearts
           of
           Adamant
           ;
           and
           shall
           effectually
           prevail
           with
           many
           to
           yeild
           themselves
           the
           Subjects
           and
           Instances
           of
           his
           admired
           goodness
           for
           ever
           ;
           while
           others
           lye
           only
           under
           the
           natur●l
           consequents
           and
           just
           resentments
           of
           their
           unremedied
           enmity
           and
           ●olly
           .
           So
           are
           the
           glorious
           issues
           of
           God's
           dispensation
           towards
           man
           ,
           and
           the
           wise
           
           and
           merciful
           conduct
           of
           his
           equal
           Government
           ,
           worthily
           celebrated
           through
           the
           days
           of
           Eternity
           with
           just
           acclamations
           and
           praises
           .
           We
           can
           fasten
           upon
           nothing
           ex●●ptionable
           or
           unaccountable
           ,
           yea
           ,
           or
           that
           is
           not
           highly
           laudable
           and
           praise-worthy
           in
           this
           course
           of
           procedure
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           ,
           though
           now
           we
           behold
           a
           dark
           Cloud
           of
           Mortality
           hanging
           over
           the
           whole
           Humane
           Race
           ;
           Though
           we
           see
           the
           grave
           still
           devouring
           ,
           and
           still
           unsatisfied
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           are
           successively
           drawn
           down
           into
           it
           ;
           and
           we
           puzzle
           our selves
           to
           assign
           a
           reason
           why
           such
           a
           Creature
           was
           made
           a
           reasonable
           Being
           ,
           capable
           of
           an
           everlasting
           duration
           ,
           to
           visit
           the
           world
           only
           ,
           and
           vanish
           ;
           to
           converse
           a
           short
           space
           with
           objects
           and
           affairs
           so
           far
           beneath
           it
           ,
           and
           retire
           we
           know
           not
           whither
           .
           If
           yet
           our
           eye
           follow
           him
           through
           the
           darker
           paths
           of
           the
           Region
           of
           Death
           ,
           till
           at
           the
           next
           appearance
           we
           behold
           him
           cloathed
           with
           immortality
           ,
           
           and
           fitted
           to
           an
           endless
           state
           ,
           the
           wonder
           is
           over
           ,
           and
           our
           amusement
           quickly
           ceases
           .
        
         
           Wherefore
           l●t
           us
           thus
           bethink
           our selves
           ,
           and
           consider
           :
           Surely
           he
           that
           m●●●e
           this
           great
           Universe
           ,
           and
           dispos'd
           all
           the
           sorts
           ,
           stations
           ,
           and
           motions
           o●
           Creatures
           in
           it
           ,
           in
           so
           exquisite
           order
           and
           method
           ,
           cannot
           but
           be
           a
           most
           perfectly
           wise
           and
           intellectual
           Ag●nt
           ,
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           done
           any
           thing
           to
           no
           purpose
           ;
           much
           less
           when
           all
           the
           inferior
           Creatures
           have
           Ends
           visibly
           answering
           the
           exigency
           of
           their
           natures
           ,
           to
           have
           made
           so
           excellent
           a
           Creature
           as
           Man
           (
           the
           nobler
           part
           of
           his
           lower
           Creation
           )
           in
           vain
           ;
           that
           He
           only
           should
           be
           without
           his
           proportionable
           end
           ,
           and
           after
           a
           short
           continuance
           in
           being
           ,
           return
           to
           nothing
           ,
           without
           leaving
           it
           conjecturable
           what
           he
           was
           made
           for
           .
           This
           were
           so
           intolerable
           an
           incongruity
           ,
           and
           so
           unlike
           the
           footsteps
           that
           every
           where
           else
           appear
           of
           the
           Divine
           
           wisdom
           and
           goodness
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           but
           enquire
           further
           into
           this
           matter
           ,
           and
           conclude
           at
           last
           ,
           That
           he
           was
           made
           for
           some
           higher
           purposes
           than
           are
           within
           the
           reach
           of
           our
           sight
           ;
           and
           hath
           his
           principal
           ●●●t
           yet
           to
           act
           upon
           another
           st●ge
           ,
           within
           the
           vail
           ,
           that
           shall
           never
           be
           taken
           down
           .
        
         
           The
           future
           immortality
           of
           man
           seen●s
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           so
           certainly
           grounded
           upon
           what
           is
           discovered
           and
           generally
           acknowledged
           touching
           the
           na●ure
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           most
           peculiar
           and
           essential
           Per●ections
           ,
           that
           unless
           we
           were
           further
           put
           to
           prove
           the
           existence
           of
           a
           God
           (
           which
           to
           them
           that
           are
           rational
           need
           not
           ,
           and
           to
           them
           that
           are
           not
           ,
           were
           in
           vain
           )
           there
           can
           no
           reasonable
           doubt
           remain
           concerning
           it
           .
        
         
           
           2.
           
           Wherefore
           the
           further
           use
           we
           have
           to
           make
           of
           the
           matter
           proposed
           ,
           is
           in
           reference
           to
           our
           Practice
           :
           Which
           it
           may
           fi●ly
           serve
           both
           to
           correct
           and
           reprove
           ,
           
           and
           also
           to
           direct
           and
           guide
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           It
           administers
           the
           ground
           of
           
             just
             rebuke
          
           ,
           that
           since
           if
           we
           terminate
           our
           thoughts
           and
           designs
           upon
           things
           ,
           only
           on
           this
           side
           the
           grave
           ,
           it
           would
           seem
           we
           were
           wholly
           made
           in
           vain
           ,
           we
           do
           yet
           so
           generally
           employ
           our
           cares
           and
           endeavours
           about
           such
           things
           ,
           and
           even
           the
           vilest
           and
           most
           de●p●●●ble
           of
           these
           :
           And
           so
           live
           ,
           not
           to
           our
           own
           dishonour
           only
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           reproach
           of
           our
           Maker
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           made
           us
           for
           no
           more
           worthy
           Ends.
           And
           let
           us
           but
           impartially
           debate
           the
           matter
           with
           our selves
           :
           Can
           we
           ,
           in
           sober
           reason
           ,
           think
           we
           were
           made
           only
           for
           such
           Ends
           as
           the
           most
           only
           pursue
           ?
           Have
           we
           any
           pretence
           to
           think
           so
           ?
           Or
           can
           it
           enter
           into
           our
           souls
           to
           believe
           it
           ?
           Would
           not
           men
           be
           ashamed
           to
           profess
           such
           a
           belief
           ?
           Or
           to
           have
           it
           written
           in
           their
           foreheads
           ,
           These
           are
           the
           only
           ends
           they
           are
           capable
           of
           ?
           Then
           might
           one
           read
           ,
           Such
           a
           man
           born
           to
           put
           others
           in
           mind
           of
           his
           Predecessor's
           
           Name
           ;
           and
           only
           lest
           such
           a
           Family
           should
           want
           an
           Heir
           ;
           Such
           a
           one
           to
           consume
           such
           an
           Estate
           ,
           and
           devour
           the
           Provenue
           of
           so
           many
           Farms
           and
           Manors
           .
           Such
           a
           one
           to
           ●ill
           so
           many
           Bags
           and
           Coffers
           ,
           to
           sustain
           the
           riot
           of
           him
           that
           succeeds
           .
           Some
           created
           to
           see
           ,
           and
           make
           sport
           ;
           to
           run
           after
           Hawks
           and
           Dogs
           ,
           or
           spend
           the
           time
           which
           their
           weariness
           redeems
           from
           converse
           with
           Brutes
           ,
           in
           making
           themselves
           such
           ,
           by
           drinking
           away
           the
           little
           residue
           of
           Wit
           and
           Reason
           they
           have
           left
           ;
           mixing
           with
           this
           gentile
           exercise
           ,
           their
           impure
           and
           scurrilous
           Drolleries
           ,
           that
           they
           m●y
           befriend
           one
           another
           with
           the
           kind
           occasion
           of
           proving
           themselves
           to
           be
           yet
           of
           Humane
           Race
           ,
           by
           this
           only
           demonstration
           remaining
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           laugh
           .
           Which
           medium
           ,
           if
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           jest
           were
           known
           ,
           would
           be
           found
           so
           pregnant
           ,
           as
           to
           afford
           them
           a
           double
           conclusion
           ;
           and
           be
           as
           effectual
           oftentimes
           ,
           to
           prove
           them
           Fools
           
           as
           Men.
           Others
           one
           might
           read
           born
           to
           trouble
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           di●quiet
           the
           neighbourhood
           ,
           and
           be
           the
           common
           plague
           of
           all
           about
           them
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           if
           they
           have
           any
           within
           their
           reach
           and
           power
           ,
           that
           are
           v●is●r
           and
           more
           sober
           than
           themselves
           ;
           or
           that
           value
           not
           their
           souls
           at
           so
           cheap
           a
           rate
           as
           they
           .
           Others
           made
           to
           blaspheme
           their
           Maker
           ,
           to
           rent
           the
           Sacred
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           make
           proof
           of
           their
           high
           valour
           ,
           and
           the
           gallantry
           of
           their
           brave
           spirits
           ,
           by
           bidd●ng
           a
           defiance
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           proclaiming
           their
           Heroick
           contempt
           of
           the
           Deity
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           Religion
           .
           As
           if
           they
           had
           perswaded
           themselves
           into
           an
           opinion
           ,
           That
           because
           they
           have
           had
           so
           prosperous
           success
           in
           the
           high
           atchievements
           of
           conquering
           their
           humanity
           ,
           and
           bassling
           their
           own
           Fear
           ,
           and
           Reason
           ,
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           Death
           also
           will
           yeild
           them
           as
           easie
           a
           victory
           ,
           or
           be
           afraid
           to
           encounter
           men
           of
           so
           redoubled
           courage
           ;
           that
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           rather
           than
           offend
           
           them
           ,
           will
           not
           stick
           to
           repeal
           his
           Laws
           for
           their
           sakes
           ,
           or
           never
           exact
           the
           observance
           of
           them
           from
           persons
           of
           their
           quality
           ;
           that
           they
           shall
           never
           be
           called
           to
           judgment
           ;
           or
           be
           complemented
           only
           there
           ,
           with
           great
           respect
           ,
           as
           persons
           that
           bore
           much
           sway
           in
           their
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           could
           number
           so
           many
           Hundreds
           or
           Thousands
           a
           year
           ;
           that
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           the
           infernal
           flames
           will
           never
           presume
           to
           touch
           so
           worthy
           Personages
           ;
           that
           Devils
           will
           be
           awed
           by
           their
           Greatness
           ,
           and
           fear
           to
           seize
           them
           ,
           lest
           they
           should
           take
           it
           for
           an
           affront
           .
           No
           conceit
           can
           be
           imputed
           to
           these
           men
           absurd
           enough
           to
           over-match
           the
           absurdity
           of
           their
           practice
           .
           They
           can
           themselves
           think
           nothing
           more
           gross
           and
           shameful
           ,
           than
           what
           they
           daily
           are
           not
           ashamed
           to
           act
           .
           For
           what
           absurdity
           can
           be
           compassed
           in
           a
           thought
           ,
           greater
           than
           what
           appears
           in
           a
           course
           of
           life
           managed
           in
           perpetual
           hostility
           to
           all
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           and
           Humanity
           ?
           
           And
           either
           they
           must
           own
           all
           the
           impious
           solly
           of
           such
           thoughts
           ;
           or
           confess
           ,
           upon
           other
           accounts
           ,
           an
           equal
           inf●tuation
           in
           their
           thinking-faculty
           it self
           .
           For
           either
           they
           think
           their
           course
           justifiable
           ,
           or
           they
           do
           not
           .
           If
           they
           do
           ,
           how
           fatally
           are
           all
           things
           inverted
           in
           their
           depraved
           minds
           ?
           Wisdom
           and
           Folly
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           Vice
           ,
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           seem
           to
           them
           transform'd
           into
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           are
           no
           longer
           to
           be
           known
           by
           their
           Names
           .
           The
           common
           notions
           of
           all
           mankind
           are
           but
           blind
           fancies
           in
           comparison
           of
           their
           later
           and
           clearer
           illumination
           .
           And
           the
           ancient
           religious
           sentiments
           of
           all
           former
           ages
           ,
           dreams
           and
           follies
           to
           their
           admired
           n●w
           light
           .
           Their
           wise
           and
           rare
           d●scov●ries
           ,
           That
           they
           and
           all
           things
           came
           by
           chance
           ;
           That
           this
           wor●●
           hath
           no
           Owner
           or
           Lord
           (
           because
           they
           never
           had
           wit
           or
           patience
           to
           consider
           the
           non-sense
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           though
           they
           never
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           had
           the
           luck
           to
           see
           〈◊〉
           
           clod
           of
           earth
           or
           grain
           of
           sand
           start
           up
           into
           being
           out
           of
           nothing
           ;
           much
           less
           ground
           to
           think
           ,
           that
           su●h
           a
           World
           should
           of
           it self
           do
           so
           )
           are
           reason
           enough
           with
           them
           to
           mock
           at
           the
           Eternal
           Being
           ,
           and
           attempt
           to
           jeer
           Religion
           out
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           men
           out
           of
           their
           reason
           and
           wits
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           themselves
           .
           And
           sure
           this
           must
           be
           their
           only
           pretence
           ;
           and
           their
           Atheism
           the
           best
           reason
           ,
           upon
           which
           to
           justifie
           their
           constant
           practice
           .
           For
           who
           can
           think
           ,
           (
           while
           he
           sees
           them
           not
           yet
           in
           chains
           )
           they
           should
           be
           so
           perfectly
           mad
           ,
           as
           to
           acknowledg
           only
           such
           a
           Deity
           (
           the
           Author
           and
           Ruler
           of
           all
           things
           )
           whose
           favour
           were
           worth
           nothing
           ?
           or
           to
           be
           procured
           by
           affronts
           ?
           to
           whom
           contempt
           were
           a
           sacrifice
           ?
           and
           the
           violation
           of
           whatsoever
           is
           Sacred
           ,
           the
           most
           effectual
           propitiation
           ?
           or
           acknowledg
           him
           for
           a
           God
           whom
           they
           hope
           to
           over-power
           ,
           and
           to
           prosper
           in
           a
           War
           against
           him
           ?
        
         
         
           And
           if
           they
           acknowledg
           none
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           this
           be
           the
           fundamental
           Article
           of
           their
           Creed
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           indeed
           none
           ;
           Then
           can
           no
           man
           charge
           them
           with
           any
           thought
           more
           grosly
           foolish
           than
           their
           own
           ,
           nor
           can
           they
           devise
           to
           say
           any
           thing
           ,
           by
           which
           more
           certainly
           to
           argue
           themselves
           berest
           of
           the
           common
           understanding
           of
           men
           .
           For
           who
           that
           is
           not
           so
           ,
           if
           he
           only
           take
           notice
           of
           his
           own
           being
           ,
           may
           not
           as
           certainly
           conclude
           the
           existence
           of
           a
           God
           ,
           as
           that
           two
           and
           two
           make
           four
           ?
           Or
           what
           imagination
           can
           be
           too
           absurd
           to
           have
           place
           in
           that
           mind
           that
           can
           imagine
           this
           Creation
           to
           be
           a
           casualty
           ?
           He
           would
           be
           thought
           besides
           himself
           that
           should
           say
           the
           same
           of
           the
           composition
           of
           a
           Clock
           ,
           or
           a
           Watch
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           a
           thousand
           times
           more
           supposable
           .
           But
           if
           they
           do
           not
           justifie
           themselves
           ,
           to
           what
           purpose
           is
           it
           further
           to
           press
           them
           with
           absurdities
           ,
           that
           persist
           in
           constant
           self-contradiction
           ?
           or
           that
           have
           not
           so
           much
           left
           them
           of
           rational
           
           sensation
           ,
           as
           to
           feel
           in
           their
           own
           minds
           the
           pressure
           of
           the
           very
           greatest
           absurdity
           ?
        
         
           If
           they
           only
           presume
           they
           do
           well
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           never
           askt
           themselves
           the
           question
           ,
           or
           spent
           any
           thoughts
           about
           it
           ;
           this
           speaks
           as
           much
           a
           besotted
           mind
           ,
           as
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           ;
           and
           is
           as
           unworthy
           of
           a
           reasonable
           Creature
           .
           Why
           have
           they
           the
           power
           of
           thinking
           ?
           Or
           who
           do
           in
           any
           case
           more
           generally
           incurr
           the
           censure
           of
           imprudence
           and
           folly
           ,
           than
           they
           who
           have
           only
           this
           plea
           for
           their
           actions
           ,
           That
           they
           did
           not
           consider
           ?
           Especially
           when
           the
           case
           is
           so
           plain
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           sudden
           reflection
           would
           discover
           the
           iniquity
           and
           danger
           of
           their
           course
           .
        
         
           And
           one
           would
           think
           nothing
           should
           be
           more
           obvious
           ,
           or
           more
           readily
           occurr
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           a
           man
           ,
           than
           to
           contemplate
           himself
           ,
           and
           taking
           notice
           there
           is
           such
           a
           Creature
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           furnished
           with
           such
           abilities
           and
           powers
           ,
           to
           consider
           ,
           What
           was
           I
           
           made
           for
           ?
           What
           am
           I
           to
           pitch
           upon
           as
           my
           proper
           End
           ?
           Nor
           any
           thing
           appear
           more
           horrid
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           to
           cross
           the
           very
           Ends
           of
           his
           Creation
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           may
           also
           be
           improv'd
           to
           the
           
             directing
             of
             our
             Practice
          
           .
           For
           which
           purpose
           we
           may
           hence
           take
           this
           general
           Rule
           ,
           
             That
             it
             be
             such
             as
             becomes
             the
             expectation
             of
             a
             future
             state
             .
          
           For
           what
           else
           is
           left
           us
           ,
           since
           in
           our
           present
           state
           we
           behold
           nothing
           but
           vanity
           ?
        
         
           We
           see
           thus
           stands
           our
           case
           ,
           that
           we
           must
           measure
           our selves
           by
           one
           of
           these
           apprehensions
           ;
           Either
           
             [
             we
             are
             made
             in
             vain
             ]
          
           ;
           or
           
             [
             we
             are
             made
             for
             a
             future
             state
             ]
             .
          
           And
           can
           we
           endure
           to
           live
           according
           to
           the
           former
           ?
           As
           if
           we
           were
           impertinencies
           in
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           had
           no
           proper
           business
           in
           it
           ?
           What
           ingenuous
           persons
           would
           not
           blush
           to
           be
           always
           in
           the
           posture
           of
           an
           useless
           hang-by
           ?
           to
           be
           still
           hanging
           on
           ,
           where
           he
           hath
           nothing
           to
           do
           ?
           that
           if
           he
           be
           asked
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           what
           's
           your
           business
           here
           ?
           he
           hath
           nothing
           to
           say
           ?
        
         
         
           Or
           how
           can
           we
           bear
           it
           ,
           to
           live
           as
           if
           we
           came
           into
           the
           world
           by
           chance
           ?
           or
           rather
           by
           mistake
           ?
           As
           though
           our
           Creation
           had
           been
           a
           misadventure
           ,
           a
           thing
           that
           would
           not
           have
           been
           done
           ,
           had
           it
           been
           better
           thought
           on
           ?
           And
           that
           our
           Maker
           had
           overshot
           himself
           ,
           and
           been
           guilty
           of
           an
           oversight
           ,
           in
           giving
           us
           such
           a
           being
           ?
           Who
           that
           hath
           either
           just
           value
           for
           himself
           ,
           or
           any
           reverence
           for
           his
           Maker
           ,
           could
           endure
           either
           to
           undergo
           the
           reproach
           ,
           or
           be
           guilty
           of
           the
           blasphemy
           which
           this
           would
           import
           ?
           And
           who
           can
           acquit
           himself
           of
           the
           one
           or
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           lives
           not
           in
           some
           measure
           agreeably
           to
           the
           expectation
           of
           somewhat
           beyond
           this
           present
           life
           ?
           Let
           us
           therefore
           gird
           up
           the
           loins
           of
           our
           minds
           ,
           and
           set
           our
           faces
           as
           persons
           designing
           for
           another
           world
           ;
           so
           shaping
           our
           course
           ,
           that
           all
           things
           may
           concur
           to
           signifie
           to
           men
           the
           greatness
           of
           our
           expectations
           .
           We
           otherwise
           proclaim
           to
           the
           world
           (
           to
           our
           
           own
           and
           our
           Creator's
           wrong
           )
           that
           we
           have
           reasonable
           souls
           given
           us
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
           We
           are
           therefore
           concern'd
           and
           obliged
           both
           to
           aim
           at
           that
           worthy
           End
           ,
           and
           to
           discover
           and
           make
           it
           visible
           that
           we
           do
           so
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           a
           design
           for
           an
           immortal
           state
           so
           mean
           and
           inglorious
           ,
           or
           so
           irrational
           and
           void
           of
           a
           solid
           ground
           ,
           that
           we
           have
           any
           cause
           either
           to
           decline
           or
           conceal
           it
           ;
           either
           not
           to
           retain
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           ashamed
           of
           our
           hope
           .
        
         
           Nor
           is
           there
           any
           thing
           to
           be
           done
           in
           prosecution
           of
           it
           ,
           so
           unworthy
           as
           to
           need
           a
           corner
           ,
           or
           merit
           to
           be
           done
           as
           a
           work
           of
           darkness
           .
        
         
           Neither
           yet
           is
           it
           a
           vain-glorious
           ostentation
           ,
           or
           the
           affectation
           of
           making
           shew
           of
           an
           excellency
           above
           the
           vulgar
           pitch
           that
           I
           perswade
           to
           :
           But
           a
           modest
           sober
           avowing
           of
           our
           high
           design
           and
           hope
           ;
           neither
           making
           any
           near
           approach
           to
           a
           proud
           arrogance
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ;
           nor
           a
           mean
           pusillanimity
           
           on
           the
           other
           .
           Truly
           great
           and
           generous
           spirits
           know
           how
           to
           carry
           under
           Secular
           Honour
           with
           that
           prudent
           and
           graceful
           decorum
           as
           shall
           signifie
           a
           just
           owning
           of
           themselves
           without
           insolence
           towards
           others
           .
           Real
           worth
           though
           it
           do
           not
           vaunt
           ,
           will
           shew
           it self
           ;
           and
           while
           it
           doth
           not
           glare
           ,
           yet
           cannot
           forbear
           to
           shine
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           endeavour
           the
           excellency
           of
           a
           spirit
           refin'd
           from
           earth
           and
           dross
           ,
           and
           aspiring
           towards
           a
           state
           of
           immortality
           ,
           may
           
             express
             it self
          
           ;
           and
           shine
           in
           its
           
             native
             lustre
          
           ;
           with
           its
           own
           ,
           not
           with
           borrowed
           beams
           ;
           with
           a
           constant
           ,
           even
           ,
           natural
           ;
           not
           with
           an
           unequal
           artificial
           light
           .
           That
           all
           that
           will
           ,
           may
           see
           ,
           by
           the
           steddy
           tendency
           of
           our
           course
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           aiming
           at
           the
           great
           things
           of
           another
           world
           .
           Though
           we
           ,
           all
           the
           while
           ,
           are
           not
           so
           much
           solicitous
           to
           have
           our
           end
           and
           purpose
           known
           ,
           as
           to
           obtain
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           verily
           ,
           since
           the
           vile
           sons
           
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           the
           men
           of
           sense
           ,
           that
           aim
           at
           no
           other
           end
           than
           to
           gratifie
           their
           brutal
           appetite
           with
           such
           pleasure
           as
           is
           only
           to
           be
           compass'd
           within
           a
           short
           li●●s-time
           in
           this
           world
           ;
           and
           who
           live
           to
           the
           reproach
           of
           their
           Maker
           ,
           and
           of
           mankind
           ,
           do
           not
           go
           about
           to
           hide
           the
           infamy
           of
           their
           low
           design
           ,
           or
           conceal
           the
           degenerous
           baseness
           of
           their
           mean
           spirits
           ;
           but
           while
           they
           make
           their
           belly
           their
           God
           ,
           and
           only
           mind
           earthly
           things
           ,
           do
           also
           glory
           in
           their
           shame
           :
           How
           much
           were
           it
           beneath
           the
           state
           and
           spirit
           of
           the
           sons
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           are
           worthily
           designing
           for
           a
           glorious
           immortality
           ,
           to
           be
           ashamed
           of
           their
           glory
           ?
           or
           think
           of
           stealing
           a
           passage
           to
           Heaven
           in
           the
           dark
           ?
        
         
           No
           ;
           let
           them
           know
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           only
           too
           mean
           a
           thing
           for
           them
           to
           involve
           themselves
           in
           the
           common
           spirit
           of
           the
           sensual
           world
           ,
           but
           even
           to
           seem
           to
           do
           so
           .
           And
           that
           this
           is
           so
           soul
           and
           ignominious
           a
           thing
           ,
           as
           whereof
           they
           are
           concern'd
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           free
           from
           the
           
           guilt
           only
           ,
           but
           the
           suspition
           .
           
           Those
           worthy
           souls
           that
           in
           former
           (
           and
           darker
           )
           days
           were
           engaged
           in
           seeking
           the
           Heavenly
           Countrey
           ,
           thought
           it
           became
           them
           to
           confess
           themselves
           
             pilgrims
             and
             strangers
             on
             the
             earth
             :
          
           And
           therein
           ,
           to
           declare
           plainly
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           seeking
           that
           better
           Countrey
           .
           Which
           confession
           and
           plain
           declaration
           ,
           we
           need
           not
           understand
           to
           be
           meerly
           verbal
           ,
           but
           practical
           and
           real
           also
           ,
           such
           as
           might
           be
           understood
           to
           be
           the
           language
           of
           their
           lives
           ,
           and
           of
           a
           constant
           uniform
           course
           of
           actions
           ,
           agreeable
           to
           such
           a
           design
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           therefore
           bethink
           our selves
           ,
           what
           temper
           of
           mind
           ,
           and
           manner
           of
           life
           may
           be
           most
           conformable
           to
           this
           design
           ,
           and
           best
           become
           persons
           pretending
           to
           it
           :
           Whereupon
           we
           should
           soon
           find
           our
           own
           thoughts
           instructing
           us
           ,
           that
           such
           things
           as
           these
           would
           be
           most
           becoming
           ,
           and
           fit
           ,
           in
           reference
           thereto
           ;
           and
           which
           ,
           
           we
           may
           therefore
           take
           as
           so
           many
           particular
           directions
           how
           to
           govern
           our
           spirits
           ,
           and
           behave
           our selves
           answerably
           to
           so
           great
           an
           expectation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           we
           endeavour
           for
           a
           calm
           indifferency
           and
           dispassionate
           temper
           of
           mind
           towards
           the
           various
           objects
           and
           affairs
           that
           belong
           to
           this
           present
           life
           .
           There
           are
           very
           narrow
           limits
           already
           set
           ,
           by
           the
           nature
           of
           the
           things
           themselves
           ,
           to
           all
           the
           real
           objective
           value
           that
           such
           things
           have
           in
           them
           :
           And
           it
           is
           the
           part
           of
           wisdom
           and
           justice
           to
           set
           the
           proportionable
           bounds
           to
           all
           the
           thoughts
           ,
           cares
           ,
           and
           passions
           ,
           we
           will
           suffer
           to
           stir
           in
           our
           minds
           in
           reference
           to
           them
           .
           Nothing
           is
           a
           more
           evident
           acknowledged
           Character
           of
           a
           Fool
           ,
           than
           upon
           every
           slight
           occasion
           to
           be
           in
           a
           transport
           .
           To
           be
           much
           taken
           with
           empty
           things
           ,
           betokens
           an
           empty
           spirit
           .
           It
           is
           a
           part
           of
           manly
           fortitude
           to
           have
           a
           soul
           so
           fenc't
           against
           forreign
           impressions
           ,
           as
           little
           to
           be
           mov'd
           with
           things
           that
           
           have
           little
           in
           them
           .
           To
           keep
           our
           passions
           under
           a
           strict
           rein
           ,
           and
           steddy
           command
           ,
           that
           they
           be
           easily
           retractable
           ,
           and
           taught
           to
           obey
           .
           Not
           to
           move
           till
           severe
           Reason
           have
           audited
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           pronounc't
           the
           occasion
           just
           and
           valuable
           .
           In
           which
           case
           the
           same
           manly
           temper
           will
           not
           refuse
           to
           admit
           a
           proportionable
           stamp
           and
           impress
           from
           the
           occurring
           object
           :
           For
           it
           is
           equally
           a
           prevarication
           from
           true
           Manhood
           ,
           to
           be
           mov'd
           with
           every
           thing
           ,
           and
           with
           nothing
           .
           The
           former
           would
           speak
           a
           man's
           spirit
           a
           feather
           ,
           the
           latter
           a
           stone
           .
           A
           total
           apathie
           and
           insensibleness
           of
           external
           occurrents
           ,
           hath
           been
           the
           aim
           of
           some
           ,
           but
           never
           the
           attainment
           of
           the
           highest
           pretenders
           .
           And
           if
           it
           had
           ,
           yet
           ought
           it
           not
           to
           have
           been
           their
           boast
           ;
           as
           upon
           sober
           thoughts
           it
           cannot
           be
           reckoned
           a
           perfection
           .
           But
           it
           should
           be
           endeavour'd
           ,
           that
           the
           passions
           which
           are
           not
           to
           be
           rooted
           up
           (
           because
           they
           are
           of
           Nature's
           planting
           )
           be
           yet
           so
           discreetly
           
           check't
           and
           deprest
           ,
           that
           they
           grow
           not
           to
           that
           enormous
           tallness
           ,
           as
           to
           over●op
           a
           man's
           intellectual
           power
           ,
           and
           cast
           a
           dark
           shadow
           over
           his
           soul.
           
        
         
           A
           rational
           authority
           must
           be
           maintained
           ,
           a
           continency
           and
           dominion
           of
           one's
           self
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           not
           an
           impotent
           profusion
           ,
           and
           we
           be
           never
           so
           affected
           with
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           object
           may
           still
           be
           able
           to
           warrant
           and
           justifie
           the
           affection
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           nature
           and
           degree
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Which
           rule
           if
           we
           strictly
           observe
           ,
           and
           apply
           it
           to
           the
           present
           case
           ,
           we
           shall
           rarely
           meet
           with
           any
           temporal
           concern
           that
           ought
           to
           move
           us
           much
           :
           both
           for
           the
           littleness
           of
           such
           things
           themselves
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           have
           so
           unspeakably
           greater
           things
           in
           our
           view
           and
           design
           .
        
         
           In
           con●ormity
           therefore
           to
           our
           so
           great
           Expectation
           ,
           we
           ought
           more
           particularly
           to
           watch
           and
           repress
           our
           inclinations
           ,
           appetites
           ,
           and
           affections
           towards
           each
           several
           
           sort
           and
           kind
           of
           objects
           which
           time
           and
           this
           present
           state
           hath
           within
           the
           confines
           of
           it
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
           How
           contemptuously
           should
           we
           look
           upon
           that
           empty
           vanity
           of
           being
           rich
           ?
           How
           coldly
           and
           carelesly
           should
           we
           pursue
           ;
           how
           unconcern'dly
           should
           we
           lose
           any
           thing
           that
           might
           intitle
           us
           to
           that
           Name
           ?
        
         
           The
           pursuit
           of
           so
           d●spicable
           a
           trifle
           ,
           with
           violent
           and
           peremptory
           desire
           ,
           so
           as
           hereby
           to
           suffer
           a
           diversion
           from
           our
           design
           for
           another
           world
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           our
           eternal
           hope
           less
           than
           nothing
           (
           For
           to
           any
           man's
           calm
           and
           sober
           thoughts
           this
           will
           be
           found
           as
           little
           )
           .
           And
           so
           will
           amount
           to
           a
           total
           quitting
           of
           all
           our
           pretensions
           to
           a
           (
           better
           )
           future
           state
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           we
           so
           indulge
           this
           odd
           ,
           irrational
           ,
           this
           wildly
           sanciful
           ,
           and
           purely
           humoursome
           appetite
           (
           of
           which
           no
           man
           can
           give
           any
           tolerable
           account
           )
           ,
           that
           it
           becomes
           ravenous
           ,
           when
           it
           devours
           a
           man's
           time
           ,
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           the
           strength
           
           and
           vigour
           of
           his
           spirit
           ,
           swallows
           up
           his
           nobler
           designs
           ,
           and
           makes
           an
           idle
           doting
           about
           he
           knows
           not
           what
           ,
           or
           why
           ,
           his
           main
           business
           .
        
         
           Especially
           when
           Conscience
           it self
           becomes
           a
           sacrifice
           to
           this
           impure
           ,
           unhallowed
           Idol
           ;
           and
           the
           question
           is
           wholly
           waved
           ,
           Is
           this
           thing
           just
           and
           honest
           ?
           and
           nothing
           is
           considered
           ,
           but
           that
           its
           commodious
           and
           gainful
           .
        
         
           Yet
           (
           if
           herein
           we
           will
           take
           upon
           us
           to
           pass
           a
           judgment
           upon
           other
           men
           )
           it
           will
           be
           no
           way
           ingenuous
           or
           just
           ,
           that
           in
           smaller
           and
           disputable
           matters
           ,
           we
           make
           our
           own
           apprehensions
           a
           measure
           and
           standard
           to
           them
           .
           They
           are
           commonly
           aptest
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           who
           have
           least
           studied
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           have
           nothing
           but
           their
           ignorant
           confidence
           to
           intitle
           them
           to
           the
           Dictator's
           Chair
           ;
           where
           ,
           however
           ,
           having
           placed
           themselves
           ▪
           they
           liberally
           bestow
           their
           censures
           and
           reproaches
           on
           all
           that
           think
           ir
           not
           fit
           to
           throw
           away
           
           their
           own
           eyes
           ,
           and
           see
           with
           their
           bad
           ones
           .
           And
           conclude
           them
           to
           have
           no
           Conscience
           ,
           who
           go
           not
           according
           to
           theirs
           .
           And
           that
           they
           cannot
           but
           have
           some
           base
           design
           ,
           who
           in
           any
           thing
           presume
           to
           swerve
           from
           their
           judgment
           ,
           especially
           if
           the
           advantage
           ,
           in
           any
           temporal
           respect
           ,
           happen
           to
           lye
           on
           that
           side
           from
           which
           they
           dissent
           .
        
         
           Nothing
           can
           indeed
           so
           comport
           with
           the
           spirit
           and
           design
           of
           one
           who
           believes
           himself
           made
           for
           another
           world
           ,
           as
           a
           brave
           and
           generous
           disdain
           of
           stooping
           to
           the
           lure
           of
           present
           emolument
           ,
           so
           as
           thereby
           to
           be
           drawn
           into
           any
           the
           least
           thing
           which
           he
           judges
           not
           disensible
           by
           the
           severest
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           and
           Religion
           ;
           which
           were
           to
           quit
           a
           serene
           Heaven
           for
           mire
           and
           dirt
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           nothing
           in
           this
           world
           of
           that
           value
           ,
           or
           worthy
           to
           be
           bought
           so
           deer
           ,
           as
           with
           the
           less
           and
           forfeiture
           of
           the
           rest
           and
           repose
           of
           a
           mind
           quiet
           ,
           benign
           ,
           peaceful
           ,
           and
           well
           pleased
           with
           it self
           .
           It
           is
           
           enough
           if
           one
           find
           himself
           ,
           by
           difficulties
           which
           he
           cannot
           master
           ,
           constrained
           to
           dissent
           from
           persons
           above
           exception
           wise
           and
           pious
           ,
           placidly
           ,
           and
           without
           unbecoming
           confidence
           ,
           to
           go
           on
           in
           the
           way
           which
           his
           present
           judgment
           allows
           ,
           carrying
           with
           him
           a
           modest
           sense
           of
           humane
           infirmity
           ,
           and
           how
           possible
           it
           is
           the
           error
           may
           lye
           on
           his
           own
           part
           :
           Having
           ,
           yet
           ,
           to
           relieve
           him
           against
           that
           supposition
           ,
           the
           clearness
           of
           his
           own
           spirit
           ,
           the
           conscience
           of
           his
           innocency
           of
           any
           ill
           disposition
           or
           design
           ;
           of
           his
           instructibleness
           and
           preparedness
           to
           admit
           a
           conviction
           if
           he
           err
           .
           And
           be
           he
           never
           so
           fully
           perswaded
           about
           the
           thing
           in
           difference
           ,
           yet
           to
           consider
           the
           smallness
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           how
           little
           cause
           he
           hath
           of
           glorying
           ,
           if
           he
           know
           in
           this
           matter
           more
           than
           others
           ,
           who
           ,
           possibly
           ,
           know
           ten
           times
           more
           than
           he
           ,
           in
           far
           greater
           and
           more
           important
           matters
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           in
           matters
           clearly
           determined
           
           by
           common
           agreed
           Principles
           ,
           to
           prevaricate
           out
           of
           an
           indulgence
           to
           meer
           appetite
           ;
           To
           give
           up
           one self
           to
           practices
           apparently
           immoral
           and
           flagitious
           ,
           only
           to
           comply
           with
           ,
           and
           lest
           he
           should
           not
           satisfie
           sensual
           desires
           ,
           is
           the
           Character
           of
           one
           who
           hath
           abandoned
           the
           common
           hope
           of
           all
           good
           men
           ;
           and
           who
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           have
           his
           lot
           with
           beasts
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           dreads
           not
           to
           have
           it
           with
           Devils
           in
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           upon
           the
           same
           ground
           ,
           equally
           unbecoming
           them
           that
           pretend
           to
           this
           hope
           ,
           to
           be
           visibly
           concern'd
           and
           discompos'd
           for
           losses
           and
           disappointments
           they
           may
           meet
           with
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           when
           unexpected
           events
           withstand
           their
           having
           much
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           or
           deprives
           them
           of
           what
           they
           have
           .
           It
           becomes
           them
           that
           reckon
           their
           good
           things
           are
           to
           come
           hereafter
           ,
           to
           shew
           by
           their
           equal
           deportment
           and
           cheerful
           aspect
           in
           any
           such
           case
           ,
           that
           they
           apprehend
           not
           themselves
           toucht
           in
           their
           
           most
           considerable
           Interests
           .
           Yea
           ,
           though
           they
           suffer
           not
           losses
           only
           ,
           but
           injuries
           ;
           and
           besides
           that
           they
           are
           damnifi'd
           (
           as
           much
           as
           such
           things
           can
           signifie
           )
           they
           find
           themselves
           wrong'd
           ;
           and
           though
           further
           trouble
           and
           danger
           threaten
           them
           in
           the
           same
           kind
           ,
           They
           should
           evidence
           how
           much
           it
           is
           above
           the
           power
           either
           of
           chance
           or
           malice
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           make
           them
           miserable
           ,
           but
           even
           to
           disturb
           or
           make
           them
           sad
           .
           That
           they
           are
           not
           happy
           by
           a
           casualty
           ;
           And
           that
           their
           happiness
           is
           not
           in
           the
           command
           of
           them
           who
           cannot
           command
           their
           own
           .
           That
           it
           only
           depends
           on
           the
           inward
           constitution
           and
           frame
           of
           their
           own
           spirits
           ,
           attempered
           to
           the
           blessed
           objects
           of
           the
           invisible
           world
           ,
           whereby
           they
           have
           the
           assurance
           of
           enjoying
           them
           fully
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           grateful
           relishes
           thereof
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           :
           and
           hence
           ,
           That
           they
           can
           be
           happy
           without
           the
           world's
           kindness
           ,
           and
           in
           despite
           of
           its
           unkindness
           .
           That
           they
           
           have
           somewhat
           within
           them
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           are
           enabled
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           tribulation
           ;
           being
           troubled
           on
           every
           side
           ,
           yet
           not
           to
           be
           distress'd
           :
           To
           
             take
             joyfully
             the
             spoiling
             of
             goods
             ,
             knowing
             within
             themselves
             they
             have
             in
             Heaven
             a
             better
             and
             enduring
             substance
             .
          
           Not
           to
           suffer
           or
           discover
           any
           perturbation
           or
           disquiet
           .
           Not
           to
           have
           their
           Souls
           ruffled
           or
           put
           into
           disorder
           ;
           Nor
           let
           any
           Cloud
           sit
           on
           their
           brow
           ,
           though
           dark
           and
           dismal
           ones
           seem
           to
           hang
           over
           their
           heads
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           same
           absurdity
           it
           would
           be
           to
           indulge
           to
           themselves
           an
           unbounded
           liberty
           of
           sensual
           pleasures
           .
           For
           that
           looks
           like
           a
           despair
           of
           futurity
           ;
           as
           if
           a
           day
           were
           a
           mighty
           gain
           for
           eating
           and
           drinking
           ,
           because
           to
           morrow
           we
           must
           dye
           .
           An
           abstemious
           shyness
           here
           is
           comely
           .
           A
           tasting
           only
           the
           delights
           ,
           whereof
           others
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           ingulft
           .
           A
           prudent
           reservednes
           and
           restraint
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           what
           shall
           cause
           with
           others
           an
           unbeseeming
           transport
           ,
           
           and
           diffusion
           of
           themselves
           ,
           be
           entertain'd
           ,
           not
           with
           a
           Cynical
           morosity
           ,
           but
           a
           pleasant
           composure
           ,
           and
           well
           order'd
           complacence
           ;
           keeping
           a
           due
           and
           even
           distance
           between
           levity
           and
           sourness
           .
        
         
           Yet
           there
           is
           a
           natural
           retiredness
           in
           some
           mens
           tempers
           ;
           and
           in
           others
           an
           aversion
           to
           pleasures
           ,
           proceeding
           only
           of
           a
           rational
           estimate
           of
           their
           emptiness
           and
           vanity
           in
           themselves
           ;
           which
           may
           ,
           however
           ,
           much
           fall
           short
           of
           wha●
           the
           present
           case
           requires
           :
           The
           exigency
           whereof
           is
           no
           way
           satisfied
           ,
           but
           where
           such
           a
           moderation
           to
           the
           product
           of
           a
           comparative
           judgment
           between
           the
           delights
           of
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           those
           of
           the
           future
           state
           :
           When
           one
           so
           enjoys
           any
           thing
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           under
           the
           power
           of
           nothing
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           more
           prevailing
           influence
           he
           is
           under
           from
           the
           power
           of
           the
           world
           to
           come
           :
           When
           his
           Faith
           is
           the
           Parent
           of
           his
           Sobriety
           ;
           and
           his
           denial
           of
           worldly
           lusts
           flows
           from
           the
           expectation
           of
           the
           blessed
           
           hope
           :
           When
           ,
           because
           he
           more
           highly
           prizes
           ,
           and
           lest
           he
           forfeit
           eternal
           pleasures
           ,
           he
           so
           behaves
           himself
           towards
           all
           temporary
           ones
           ,
           as
           neither
           to
           abuse
           those
           that
           are
           lawful
           ,
           nor
           to
           be
           abused
           by
           the
           unlawful
           ;
           not
           to
           exceed
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           nor
           to
           touch
           with
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Thus
           also
           ought
           we
           to
           look
           upon
           Secular
           Honours
           and
           Dignity
           ;
           neither
           to
           make
           them
           the
           matter
           of
           our
           admiration
           ,
           affectation
           ,
           or
           envy
           .
           We
           are
           not
           to
           behold
           them
           with
           a
           libidinous
           eye
           ,
           or
           let
           our
           hearts
           thirst
           after
           them
           .
           Not
           to
           value
           our selves
           the
           more
           for
           them
           if
           they
           be
           our
           Lot
           :
           nor
           let
           our
           eye
           be
           dazled
           with
           admiration
           ,
           or
           distorted
           with
           envy
           ,
           when
           we
           behold
           them
           the
           ornaments
           of
           others
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           not
           to
           express
           that
           contempt
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           may
           make
           a
           breach
           on
           civility
           ,
           or
           disturb
           the
           order
           and
           policy
           of
           the
           Communities
           whereto
           we
           belong
           .
           Though
           this
           be
           none
           of
           our
           own
           Countrey
           ,
           
           and
           we
           are
           still
           to
           reckon
           our selves
           but
           as
           pilgrims
           and
           strangers
           while
           we
           are
           here
           ;
           yet
           it
           becomes
           not
           strangers
           to
           be
           insolent
           or
           rude
           in
           their
           behaviour
           ,
           where
           they
           sojourn
           ;
           how
           much
           soever
           greater
           value
           they
           may
           justly
           have
           of
           their
           own
           Countrey
           .
           We
           should
           pay
           to
           Secular
           Greatness
           a
           due
           respect
           ,
           without
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           neither
           despise
           nor
           adore
           it
           ;
           considering
           at
           once
           the
           requisiteness
           of
           such
           a
           thing
           in
           the
           present
           state
           ,
           and
           the
           excelling
           glory
           of
           the
           other
           .
           As
           ,
           though
           in
           prudence
           and
           good
           manners
           ,
           we
           would
           abstain
           from
           provoking
           affronts
           towards
           an
           
             American
             Sachim
          
           ,
           or
           Sagamore
           ,
           if
           we
           did
           travel
           or
           converse
           in
           their
           Countrey
           ;
           yet
           we
           could
           have
           no
           great
           veneration
           for
           them
           ,
           having
           beheld
           the
           royal
           pomp
           and
           grandeur
           of
           our
           own
           Prince
           ;
           especially
           he
           who
           were
           himself
           a
           Courtier
           and
           Favourite
           to
           his
           much
           more
           glorious
           Soveraign
           ,
           whom
           he
           is
           shortly
           to
           attend
           at
           home
           ,
           could
           have
           no
           great
           temptation
           
           to
           sue
           for
           Offices
           and
           Honours
           ,
           or
           bear
           a
           very
           profound
           intrinsick
           homage
           to
           so
           mean
           and
           unexpressive
           an
           Image
           of
           Regality
           .
        
         
           It
           can
           surely
           no
           way
           become
           one
           who
           seeks
           and
           expects
           the
           honour
           and
           glory
           which
           is
           conjunct
           with
           immortality
           ,
           
           to
           be
           fond
           of
           the
           airy
           titles
           that
           poor
           Mortals
           are
           wont
           to
           please
           themselves
           with
           ;
           or
           to
           make
           one
           among
           the
           obsequious
           servile
           company
           of
           them
           whose
           business
           it
           is
           to
           court
           a
           vanishing
           shadow
           ,
           and
           tempt
           a
           dignified
           trifle
           into
           the
           belief
           it
           is
           a
           Deity
           ;
           to
           sneak
           and
           cringe
           for
           a
           smile
           from
           a
           supercilious
           brow
           ;
           and
           place
           his
           Heaven
           in
           the
           disdainful
           favours
           of
           him
           ,
           who
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           places
           his
           own
           as
           much
           in
           thy
           homage
           (
           so
           that
           it
           befalls
           into
           the
           Supplicant's
           power
           to
           be
           his
           Creator
           whose
           Creature
           he
           affects
           to
           be
           )
           .
           What
           eye
           would
           not
           soon
           spy
           out
           the
           grosness
           of
           this
           absurdity
           ?
           And
           what
           ingenuity
           would
           not
           blush
           to
           be
           guilty
           of
           
           it
           ?
           Let
           ,
           then
           ,
           the
           joyful
           expectants
           of
           a
           blessed
           immortality
           ,
           pass
           by
           the
           busie
           throng
           of
           this
           fanciful
           Exchange
           ;
           and
           behold
           it
           with
           as
           little
           concern
           ,
           as
           a
           grave
           Statesman
           would
           the
           sports
           and
           ludicrous
           actions
           of
           little
           Children
           ,
           and
           with
           as
           little
           inclination
           of
           mind
           ,
           as
           he
           would
           have
           to
           leave
           his
           business
           ,
           and
           go
           play
           with
           them
           ;
           bestowing
           ,
           there
           ,
           only
           the
           transient
           glance
           of
           a
           careless
           or
           a
           compassionate
           eye
           ,
           and
           still
           reserving
           their
           intent
           steddy
           views
           for
           the
           glorious
           hope
           set
           before
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           with
           a
           proportionable
           unconcernedness
           should
           they
           look
           on
           and
           behold
           the
           various
           alternations
           of
           Political
           Affairs
           ;
           no
           further
           minding
           (
           either
           the
           constitution
           or
           administration
           of
           Government
           )
           than
           as
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           universal
           Ruler
           ,
           the
           weal
           and
           safety
           of
           their
           Prince
           or
           Countrey
           are
           concerned
           in
           them
           ▪
           But
           how
           many
           under
           the
           specious
           pretence
           of
           a
           publike
           spirit
           ,
           make
           it
           their
           whole
           business
           to
           inspect
           
           and
           pry
           into
           these
           affairs
           ,
           even
           with
           a
           most
           meanly
           private
           and
           interested
           one
           !
           watching
           over
           the
           Publike
           beyond
           the
           bounds
           of
           their
           own
           Calling
           ;
           and
           with
           no
           other
           design
           ,
           than
           to
           catch
           at
           an
           opportunity
           of
           serving
           their
           own
           turns
           !
           How
           many
           that
           stand
           perpetually
           at
           a
           gaze
           ,
           in
           a
           suspenceful
           expectation
           how
           things
           will
           go
           !
           either
           joying
           or
           hoping
           to
           behold
           any
           favourable
           prognosticks
           to
           the
           Party
           whereto
           they
           have
           thought
           fit
           to
           addict
           themselves
           .
           Glad
           ,
           or
           desirous
           to
           see
           it
           ingross
           power
           ,
           and
           grasp
           the
           sum
           of
           things
           ,
           not
           from
           any
           sense
           of
           duties
           towards
           God's
           Vicegerents
           ;
           not
           from
           love
           of
           Justice
           ,
           or
           study
           of
           publike
           advantage
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           happier
           lo●
           may
           befall
           or
           remain
           to
           themselves
           :
           These
           men
           are
           absorpt
           ,
           and
           swallowed
           up
           of
           the
           spirit
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           contemper'd
           only
           to
           this
           sublunary
           Region
           ,
           concorporate
           with
           the
           earth
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           partake
           in
           all
           its
           pangs
           and
           paroxisms
           ,
           and
           tremul●us
           motions
           .
           By
           the
           
           beating
           of
           their
           pulse
           you
           may
           know
           the
           state
           of
           things
           in
           this
           lower
           World
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           of
           the
           same
           piece
           ,
           and
           had
           but
           one
           soul
           with
           it
           .
           Let
           them
           see
           times
           and
           a
           state
           of
           things
           on
           earth
           suitable
           to
           their
           Genius
           ,
           and
           you
           put
           a
           new
           life
           and
           soul
           into
           them
           .
           Reduce
           them
           to
           a
           despair
           here
           ,
           and
           (
           so
           little
           communion
           have
           they
           with
           the
           affairs
           of
           that
           other
           Countrey
           )
           the
           most
           specious
           inviting
           representation
           that
           can
           be
           made
           to
           them
           of
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ,
           hinders
           not
           ,
           but
           their
           hearts
           languish
           and
           dye
           ,
           and
           become
           as
           stones
           within
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           lofty
           foul
           that
           bears
           about
           with
           it
           the
           living
           apprehension
           of
           its
           being
           made
           for
           an
           everlasting
           state
           ,
           so
           earnestly
           intends
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           ever
           be
           a
           descent
           and
           vouchsafement
           with
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           allow
           it self
           to
           take
           notice
           what
           busie
           mortals
           are
           doing
           in
           their
           (
           as
           they
           rec●●●n
           them
           )
           grand
           negotiations
           here
           below
           .
           And
           if
           there
           be
           a
           suspition
           of
           an
           aptness
           
           or
           inclination
           to
           intermeddle
           in
           them
           to
           their
           prejudice
           to
           whom
           that
           part
           belongs
           ,
           can
           heartily
           say
           to
           it
           (
           as
           the
           Philosopher
           to
           the
           jealous
           Tyrant
           )
           
             We
             of
             this
             Academy
             are
             not
             at
             leisure
             to
             mind
             so
             mean
             things
             .
             We
             have
             somewhat
             else
             to
             do
             than
             to
             talk
             of
             you
             .
          
           He
           hath
           still
           the
           image
           before
           his
           eye
           ,
           of
           this
           world
           vanishing
           and
           passing
           away
           ;
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           with
           the
           everlasting
           affairs
           and
           concernments
           of
           it
           ,
           even
           now
           ready
           to
           take
           place
           ,
           and
           fill
           up
           all
           the
           stage
           :
           and
           can
           represent
           to
           himself
           the
           vision
           (
           not
           from
           a
           melancholick
           fancy
           or
           crazed
           brain
           ,
           but
           a
           rational
           faith
           ,
           and
           a
           sober
           well
           instructed
           mind
           )
           of
           the
           World
           dissolving
           ,
           Monarchies
           and
           Kingdoms
           breaking
           up
           ,
           Thrones
           tumbling
           ,
           Crowns
           and
           Scepters
           lying
           as
           neglected
           things
           .
           He
           hath
           a
           Telescope
           through
           which
           he
           can
           behold
           the
           glorious
           appearance
           of
           the
           Supream
           Judg
           ,
           the
           solemn
           state
           of
           his
           Majestick
           Person
           ,
           the
           splendid
           pomp
           of
           his
           magnificent
           and
           vastly
           numerous
           
           retinue
           ;
           the
           obsequious
           Throng
           of
           glorious
           Celestial
           Creatures
           ,
           doing
           homage
           to
           their
           Eternal
           King
           ;
           the
           quick
           celerity
           of
           the
           emissitious
           Partisans
           covering
           the
           face
           of
           the
           Heavens
           with
           their
           spreading
           wings
           ,
           and
           dispersing
           themselves
           into
           all
           the
           four
           Winds
           to
           gather
           the
           Elect
           :
           The
           universal
           silent
           attention
           of
           all
           to
           that
           loud-sounding
           Trumpet
           that
           shakes
           the
           pillars
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           pierces
           the
           inmost
           caverns
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           and
           refounds
           from
           every
           part
           of
           the
           incircling
           Heavens
           :
           The
           many
           Myriads
           of
           joyful
           Expectants
           arising
           ,
           changing
           ,
           putting
           on
           glory
           ,
           taking
           wing
           ,
           and
           contending
           upwards
           ,
           to
           joyn
           themselves
           to
           the
           triumphant
           Heavenly
           Hoast
           :
           The
           Judgment
           set
           :
           The
           Books
           opened
           :
           The
           frightful
           amazed
           looks
           of
           surprized
           Wretches
           :
           The
           equal
           administration
           of
           the
           final
           Judgment
           :
           The
           adjudication
           of
           all
           to
           their
           eternal
           states
           :
           The
           Heavens
           roll'd
           up
           as
           a
           scrowl
           ;
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           therein
           ,
           consumed
           and
           burnt
           up
           .
        
         
         
           And
           now
           what
           spirit
           is
           there
           any
           more
           left
           in
           him
           towards
           the
           trivial
           affairs
           of
           a
           vanishing
           world
           !
           How
           indifferent
           a
           thing
           is
           it
           with
           him
           ,
           who
           bears
           himself
           highest
           in
           a
           state
           of
           things
           whereof
           he
           foresees
           the
           certain
           hastning
           end
           !
           Though
           he
           will
           not
           neglect
           the
           duty
           of
           his
           own
           place
           ,
           is
           heartily
           concerned
           to
           have
           the
           knowledg
           and
           fear
           of
           God
           more
           generally
           obtained
           in
           this
           apostate
           world
           ;
           and
           is
           ready
           to
           contribute
           his
           utmost
           regular
           endeavours
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           common
           peace
           and
           order
           in
           subserviency
           hereto
           .
           Yet
           abstractedly
           ,
           from
           these
           confiderations
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           have
           been
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           he
           is
           no
           more
           concerned
           who
           is
           uppermost
           ,
           than
           one
           would
           ,
           passing
           by
           a
           swarm
           of
           Flyes
           ,
           which
           hath
           the
           longest
           wings
           ,
           or
           which
           excels
           the
           rest
           in
           sprightliness
           or
           briskness
           of
           motion
           ▪
           And
           for
           himself
           ,
           he
           can
           insert
           this
           among
           his
           most
           serious
           thanksgivings
           ,
           That
           while
           the
           care
           is
           incumbent
           on
           others
           ,
           of
           
           watching
           over
           the
           publike
           peace
           and
           safety
           ,
           he
           may
           sit
           still
           ,
           and
           converse
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           more
           sedate
           thoughts
           .
           How
           secure
           is
           he
           in
           this
           ,
           That
           infinite
           Wisdom
           governs
           the
           world
           !
           That
           all
           things
           shall
           be
           disposed
           the
           best
           way
           ,
           to
           the
           best
           and
           most
           valuable
           ends
           !
           That
           an
           afflicted
           state
           shall
           never
           befall
           unto
           good
           men
           ,
           but
           when
           it
           is
           fittest
           ,
           and
           most
           conducible
           it
           should
           do
           so
           !
           That
           the
           prosperity
           carnal
           appetite
           covets
           ,
           is
           never
           denied
           them
           ,
           but
           when
           it
           would
           be
           pernicious
           !
           How
           calm
           is
           he
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           external
           troubles
           !
           How
           placid
           and
           serene
           a
           spirit
           inhabits
           his
           peaceful
           breast
           !
           When
           all
           things
           are
           shaken
           round
           about
           him
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           shaken
           .
           He
           bears
           all
           sort
           of
           troubles
           ,
           but
           creates
           none
           to
           others
           ,
           nor
           is
           disturbed
           by
           any
           himself
           .
        
         
           But
           they
           that
           delight
           to
           see
           this
           world
           rolling
           or
           fixed
           ,
           as
           may
           most
           serve
           their
           private
           purposes
           ;
           and
           have
           a
           perpetual
           quarrel
           
           with
           it
           ,
           while
           it
           looks
           not
           kindly
           upon
           them
           .
           Their
           life
           is
           bound
           up
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           their
           pretences
           to
           another
           ,
           are
           but
           the
           languid
           faint
           notions
           of
           what
           they
           never
           heartily
           believe
           nor
           desire
           .
        
         
           Upon
           the
           whole
           matter
           ,
           Nothing
           is
           more
           agreeable
           to
           this
           great
           expectation
           ,
           than
           a
           steady
           restraint
           ,
           and
           moderation
           of
           our
           passions
           towards
           things
           without
           us
           ▪
           That
           is
           ,
           all
           the
           several
           sorts
           of
           external
           objects
           and
           affairs
           ,
           that
           so
           variously
           invite
           ,
           and
           tempt
           our
           observation
           and
           regard
           in
           this
           our
           present
           state
           .
        
         
           
           2.
           
           I
           next
           add
           :
           A
           further
           congruity
           ,
           if
           we
           pretend
           to
           this
           expectation
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             That
             we
             be
             not
             over-much
             taken
             up
             in
             minding
             the
             body
             .
          
           For
           this
           looks
           like
           a
           design
           (
           or
           that
           inconsistent
           wish
           )
           to
           have
           our
           present
           state
           perpetuated
           ;
           And
           that
           the
           thoughts
           are
           remote
           from
           us
           of
           a
           change
           for
           a
           better
           .
           As
           if
           notwithstanding
           all
           
           that
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           hath
           promised
           concerning
           the
           future
           inheritance
           of
           the
           free
           and
           heaven-born
           Seed
           ,
           This
           did
           still
           lye
           nearest
           our
           hearts
           ,
           
             O
             that
             Ishmael
             might
             live
             in
             thy
             sight
             !
          
           And
           that
           the
           belief
           did
           miserably
           languish
           with
           us
           of
           any
           better
           portion
           than
           what
           our
           eyes
           do
           already
           behold
           :
           Together
           with
           the
           apprehension
           of
           a
           spiritual
           being
           in
           us
           ,
           to
           be
           ripened
           into
           a
           compleat
           and
           actual
           capacity
           of
           enjoying
           what
           is
           better
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           exorbitant
           workings
           of
           those
           meaner
           and
           ignoble
           passions
           that
           are
           moved
           by
           objects
           aud
           occasions
           without
           ,
           and
           forreign
           to
           us
           ,
           have
           the
           body
           for
           their
           first
           and
           last
           ,
           their
           spring
           and
           source
           ,
           their
           center
           and
           end
           .
           But
           thence
           it
           becomes
           the
           more
           proper
           ,
           and
           requisite
           ,
           that
           we
           draw
           nearer
           this
           their
           seat
           and
           center
           ,
           and
           strike
           at
           the
           root
           ;
           and
           ,
           in
           killing
           that
           inordinate
           love
           and
           solicitude
           for
           the
           body
           ,
           mortifie
           them
           all
           at
           once
           .
        
         
         
           We
           are
           indeed
           so
           far
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           pleasure
           of
           our
           Maker
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           despise
           the
           mean
           abode
           which
           he
           hath
           assigned
           us
           for
           a
           while
           in
           the
           body
           .
           But
           withall
           ,
           to
           take
           heed
           lest
           we
           so
           cross
           and
           resist
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           caring
           for
           the
           body
           our
           whole
           business
           :
           which
           he
           hath
           only
           enjoyn'd
           us
           ,
           in
           subserviency
           to
           an
           unspeakably
           greater
           and
           more
           important
           business
           .
           It
           s
           health
           and
           welfare
           ought
           upon
           very
           valuable
           accounts
           to
           be
           carefully
           preserved
           by
           all
           prudent
           means
           .
           But
           to
           indulge
           its
           slothful
           desires
           ,
           and
           comply
           with
           its
           licentious
           wild
           cravings
           ,
           is
           far
           beneath
           us
           ,
           a
           base
           unmanning
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           would
           signifie
           as
           if
           so
           absurd
           a
           conceit
           had
           past
           with
           us
           into
           a
           setled
           judgment
           ,
           That
           a
           reasonable
           immortal
           spirit
           was
           created
           only
           to
           tend
           and
           serve
           a
           Brute
           .
           It
           is
           monstrous
           to
           behold
           ,
           with
           how
           common
           consent
           multitudes
           that
           professedly
           agree
           in
           the
           belief
           of
           the
           immortal
           nature
           of
           their
           souls
           ,
           do
           yet
           agree
           to
           debase
           and
           
           enslave
           them
           to
           the
           meanest
           servility
           to
           their
           mortal
           bodies
           ;
           so
           as
           these
           are
           permitted
           to
           give
           Laws
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           prescribe
           them
           rules
           of
           living
           ,
           and
           what
           their
           daily
           employment
           shall
           be
           .
           For
           observe
           the
           designs
           they
           drive
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           the
           tendency
           of
           their
           actions
           and
           affairs
           (
           whence
           the
           judgment
           is
           to
           be
           made
           concerning
           their
           inward
           thoughts
           ,
           deliberations
           ,
           and
           resolves
           )
           and
           is
           not
           the
           body
           the
           measure
           and
           mark
           of
           them
           all
           ?
           What
           import
           or
           signification
           is
           there
           in
           this
           course
           ,
           of
           a
           design
           for
           futurity
           ?
           And
           (
           which
           increases
           the
           folly
           of
           it
           to
           a
           wonder
           )
           they
           can
           make
           a
           shift
           to
           go
           on
           thus
           from
           year
           to
           year
           ,
           and
           take
           no
           notice
           of
           the
           absurdity
           !
           They
           agree
           to
           justifie
           each
           one
           himself
           ,
           and
           one
           another
           .
           The
           commonness
           of
           the
           course
           takes
           away
           all
           sense
           of
           the
           horrid
           madness
           of
           it
           .
           And
           because
           each
           doth
           as
           the
           rest
           do
           ,
           they
           seem
           to
           imagine
           they
           all
           do
           well
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           exceptionable
           in
           
           in
           the
           case
           ;
           
           and
           go
           on
           *
           (
           as
           the
           sequacious
           sheep
           )
           not
           the
           way
           they
           ought
           ,
           but
           which
           they
           see
           others
           go
           before
           them
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           if
           any
           place
           could
           be
           found
           for
           calm
           and
           sober
           thoughts
           ,
           What
           would
           be
           reckon'd
           a
           greater
           impertinency
           ,
           than
           to
           be
           at
           so
           great
           pains
           for
           maintaining
           a
           bodily
           life
           ,
           without
           considering
           what
           that
           life
           shall
           serve
           for
           ?
           To
           employ
           our
           utmost
           care
           to
           live
           ,
           but
           to
           live
           for
           we
           know
           not
           what
           ?
           It
           becomes
           us
           to
           be
           patient
           of
           the
           body
           ,
           not
           fond
           .
           To
           treat
           and
           use
           our
           bodies
           as
           things
           shortly
           to
           be
           put
           off
           ,
           and
           laid
           aside
           .
           To
           care
           for
           them
           ,
           not
           for
           their
           own
           ,
           but
           the
           works
           sake
           we
           have
           to
           do
           in
           them
           ;
           and
           leave
           it
           to
           them
           to
           indulge
           and
           pamper
           the
           body
           ,
           who
           expect
           never
           to
           live
           out
           of
           it
           .
           Not
           to
           concern
           our selves
           ,
           that
           the
           circumstances
           of
           our
           bodily
           state
           be
           such
           as
           will
           gratifie
           our
           appetites
           ,
           but
           answer
           the
           Ends
           for
           which
           our
           Maker
           thought
           fit
           we
           should
           live
           a
           while
           in
           the
           body
           .
           
           Reckoning
           with
           our selves
           ,
           We
           are
           lodg'd
           in
           these
           mean
           receptacles
           (
           though
           somewhat
           commodiously
           ,
           yet
           )
           but
           for
           a
           little
           while
           ,
           and
           for
           great
           purposes
           ;
           and
           more
           minding
           our
           journey
           ,
           and
           home
           ,
           than
           our
           entertainment
           in
           our
           Inn.
           Contentedly
           bearing
           the
           want
           of
           bodily
           accommodations
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           easily
           to
           be
           compass'd
           ,
           and
           the
           pressure
           of
           unavoidable
           bodily
           infirmities
           ;
           not
           much
           pitying
           our selves
           because
           of
           them
           ;
           nor
           deeply
           regretting
           it
           ,
           if
           wants
           and
           pains
           pinch
           our
           flesh
           ;
           nay
           ,
           though
           we
           see
           the
           outward
           man
           perishing
           ,
           so
           we
           can
           but
           find
           the
           inward
           renewing
           day
           by
           day
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           we
           set
           our selves
           with
           
           the
           whole
           intention
           of
           our
           souls
           ,
           to
           mind
           the
           concernments
           of
           the
           future
           state
           ,
           the
           invisible
           things
           of
           the
           other
           world
           ;
           and
           direct
           the
           main
           stream
           of
           our
           thoughts
           ,
           desires
           ,
           hopes
           ,
           and
           joys
           ,
           thitherward
           .
           For
           how
           highly
           justifiable
           and
           becoming
           is
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           principally
           
           mind
           the
           state
           and
           things
           we
           were
           made
           for
           ?
           We
           should
           therefore
           make
           these
           familiar
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           use
           our
           spirits
           to
           those
           more
           noble
           and
           pleasant
           Theams
           :
           Recounting
           often
           ,
           how
           unworthy
           it
           is
           of
           them
           to
           grovel
           in
           the
           dust
           ,
           or
           chuse
           the
           objects
           of
           their
           converse
           by
           such
           measures
           only
           as
           are
           taken
           from
           sense
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           an
           iniquity
           which
           ,
           though
           God
           may
           be
           so
           gracious
           to
           us
           as
           to
           forgive
           ,
           we
           should
           not
           easily
           forgive
           to
           our selves
           ;
           That
           we
           have
           so
           often
           chosen
           to
           converse
           with
           empty
           trifles
           ,
           while
           so
           great
           things
           have
           invited
           our
           thoughts
           in
           vain
           .
        
         
           Their
           remoteness
           from
           sense
           hath
           little
           of
           excuse
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           unworthy
           a
           reasonable
           Creature
           .
           Methinks
           they
           should
           be
           ashamed
           to
           alledg
           it
           ,
           who
           consider
           themselves
           furnished
           with
           an
           intellectual
           power
           that
           doth
           ,
           in
           many
           other
           instances
           ,
           controle
           the
           judgment
           of
           sense
           ,
           and
           impeach
           it
           of
           falshood
           .
           Would
           we
           not
           blush
           to
           
           profess
           it
           for
           a
           Principle
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           nothing
           real
           that
           exceeds
           the
           sphere
           of
           our
           sense
           ?
        
         
           We
           would
           reckon
           it
           a
           part
           of
           modesty
           ,
           not
           to
           ascribe
           too
           much
           to
           our
           own
           Understandings
           ,
           or
           presume
           too
           far
           upon
           our
           intellectual
           Ability
           ,
           against
           the
           Judgment
           of
           sage
           and
           knowing
           persons
           .
           How
           is
           it
           then
           ,
           that
           we
           think
           it
           not
           immodest
           to
           oppose
           the
           apprehensions
           of
           our
           dull
           and
           incapacious
           sense
           ,
           to
           the
           common
           faith
           and
           reason
           of
           all
           good
           and
           wise
           men
           ,
           that
           are
           or
           have
           been
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           our
           own
           ?
           If
           we
           have
           not
           seen
           what
           the
           state
           of
           things
           is
           in
           the
           other
           world
           ,
           are
           we
           not
           told
           ?
           And
           have
           we
           not
           enough
           to
           assure
           us
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           He
           hath
           told
           us
           ,
           whose
           nature
           cannot
           suffer
           him
           to
           impose
           upon
           us
           ,
           or
           represent
           things
           otherwise
           than
           they
           are
           ?
           Who
           else
           can
           be
           the
           Author
           of
           so
           common
           a
           perswasion
           ?
           I●
           any
           man
           had
           been
           the
           first
           Inventor
           of
           the
           opinion
           ,
           
             That
             there
             is
             another
             state
             of
             things
             to
             succeed
             
             to
             this
          
           ;
           would
           he
           not
           have
           assumed
           it
           to
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           so
           ?
           Would
           he
           not
           have
           own'd
           it
           ,
           and
           glory'd
           in
           it
           ?
           Or
           would
           not
           some
           or
           other
           of
           his
           proselyted
           disciples
           have
           preserved
           his
           name
           and
           memory
           ,
           and
           transmitted
           them
           to
           posterity
           ?
           Could
           so
           vast
           a
           sect
           be
           without
           an
           Head
           or
           Master
           ,
           known
           and
           celebrated
           among
           men
           ?
        
         
           Less
           plausible
           Opinions
           find
           some
           Owner
           ;
           Why
           is
           it
           not
           said
           ,
           Who
           was
           the
           first
           Broacher
           of
           this
           ?
           And
           if
           we
           can
           find
           no
           other
           Parent
           for
           it
           ,
           but
           He
           who
           was
           the
           Parent
           of
           our
           beings
           ,
           how
           grateful
           should
           such
           a
           discovery
           be
           to
           us
           ,
           both
           for
           His
           sake
           ,
           and
           its
           own
           ?
           Upon
           His
           account
           ,
           we
           should
           surely
           think
           it
           worthy
           to
           be
           believed
           ;
           and
           upon
           its
           own
           ,
           to
           be
           considered
           and
           seriously
           thought
           on
           ,
           with
           greatest
           delight
           and
           sense
           of
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           Many
           things
           that
           we
           reckon
           considerable
           upon
           much
           lower
           accounts
           ,
           we
           so
           believe
           ,
           as
           to
           let
           them
           engage
           our
           hearts
           ,
           and
           influence
           
           our
           practice
           ,
           upon
           much
           lower
           evidence
           :
           How
           intirely
           are
           mens
           spirits
           taken
           up
           many
           times
           about
           meaner
           matters
           ,
           whereof
           they
           have
           only
           a
           (
           much
           more
           uncertain
           and
           ●allible
           )
           report
           from
           one
           another
           ?
           What
           pretence
           can
           we
           have
           ,
           less
           to
           regard
           ▪
           the
           testimony
           of
           Him
           that
           made
           us
           ,
           discovering
           to
           us
           things
           so
           great
           ,
           so
           important
           ,
           so
           rational
           in
           themselves
           ,
           even
           though
           they
           had
           not
           been
           so
           expresly
           revealed
           ?
           Let
           us
           therefore
           d●ive
           the
           matter
           to
           a
           clear
           and
           short
           issue
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           a
           resolution
           wi●●
           our selves
           :
           Have
           we
           reason
           to
           believe
           such
           things
           ,
           or
           no
           ?
           If
           we
           can
           so
           far
           impose
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           we
           have
           not
           ;
           or
           be
           tempted
           into
           so
           abject
           ,
           so
           unrequired
           ,
           and
           so
           unwarrantable
           a
           self
           denial
           ,
           so
           base
           an
           esteem
           of
           our
           own
           beings
           ,
           as
           to
           account
           the
           things
           of
           this
           earth
           and
           present
           world
           have
           enough
           in
           them
           to
           answer
           any
           Ends
           we
           can
           suppose
           our selves
           made
           for
           ;
           Let
           us
           no
           longer
           mock
           the
           world
           ,
           by
           
           pretending
           to
           believe
           what
           we
           believe
           not
           :
           but
           if
           this
           be
           our
           setled
           judgment
           ,
           and
           we
           will
           avow
           and
           own
           it
           ,
           That
           we
           believe
           these
           things
           ;
           Let
           us
           no
           longer
           expose
           and
           make
           our selves
           ridiculous
           ,
           by
           counter-acting
           our
           own
           pr●fessed
           belief
           in
           matters
           of
           such
           moment
           ,
           pretending
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           disregarding
           them
           at
           the
           same
           time
           .
           'T
           is
           absurd
           and
           foolish
           to
           believe
           such
           things
           ,
           and
           not
           mind
           them
           much
           ,
           or
           not
           let
           our
           souls
           and
           our
           practice
           be
           commanded
           and
           governed
           by
           them
           :
           Not
           to
           have
           our
           desires
           ,
           and
           cares
           ,
           and
           hopes
           ,
           and
           joys
           ,
           influenc'd
           thereby
           to
           the
           uttermost
           ;
           How
           rational
           〈…〉
           ,
           here
           ,
           to
           be
           deeply
           〈…〉
           by
           the
           unsuitableness
           〈…〉
           own
           spirits
           we
           defeat
           not
           our
           〈◊〉
           expectations
           !
           How
           pleasant
           and
           delectable
           (
           that
           danger
           being
           provided
           against
           )
           to
           sit
           down
           and
           compare
           our
           present
           with
           our
           expected
           state
           !
           what
           we
           are
           ,
           with
           what
           we
           hope
           to
           be
           ere
           long
           !
           To
           think
           of
           exchanging
           
           shortly
           ,
           infirmity
           ,
           pollution
           ,
           darkness
           ,
           deformity
           ,
           trouble
           ,
           complaint
           ;
           for
           power
           ,
           purity
           ,
           light
           ,
           beauty
           ,
           rest
           ,
           and
           praise
           !
           How
           pleasant
           ,
           if
           our
           spirits
           be
           fitted
           to
           that
           state
           !
           The
           endeavour
           whereof
           is
           a
           further
           congruity
           in
           the
           present
           case
           ,
           viz.
           
        
         
           4
           That
           we
           make
           it
           our
           principal
           
           business
           to
           intend
           our
           spirits
           ,
           to
           adorn
           and
           cu●●ivate
           our
           inward
           man.
           What
           can
           more
           become
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           reckon
           we
           have
           somewhat
           about
           us
           made
           for
           immortality
           ,
           than
           to
           bestow
           our
           chief
           care
           upon
           that
           immortal
           part
           ?
           Therefore
           to
           neglect
           our
           spirits
           ,
           con●●ss●dly
           capable
           of
           so
           high
           an
           estate
           ;
           to
           let
           th●m
           languish
           under
           w●●●ing
           distemp●rs
           ,
           or
           lye
           as
           the
           S●uggard's
           Field
           ,
           overgrown
           with
           thorus
           and
           b●iars
           ,
           is
           as
           vile
           a
           sl●rr
           as
           we
           can
           put
           upon
           our selves
           and
           our
           own
           profession
           .
        
         
           We
           should
           therefore
           make
           this
           the
           matter
           of
           our
           earnest
           study
           ,
           
           What
           would
           be
           the
           proper
           improvements
           and
           ornaments
           of
           our
           spirits
           ,
           and
           will
           most
           fitly
           qualifie
           them
           for
           the
           state
           we
           are
           going
           into
           ;
           and
           of
           our
           daily
           observation
           how
           such
           things
           thrive
           and
           grow
           in
           us
           .
           Especially
           we
           should
           not
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           till
           we
           find
           in
           our selves
           a
           refinedness
           from
           this
           earth
           ,
           a
           thorough
           purgation
           from
           all
           undue
           degrees
           of
           sensual
           inclination
           and
           affection
           ;
           the
           consumption
           of
           our
           dross
           by
           a
           Sacred
           Fire
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Judgment
           and
           of
           Burning
           ,
           an
           aptitude
           to
           spiritual
           exercises
           and
           enjoyments
           ;
           high
           complacency
           in
           God
           ,
           fervent
           love
           ,
           a
           worshipping
           posture
           of
           soul
           ,
           formed
           to
           the
           veneration
           of
           the
           eternal
           Wisdom
           ,
           Goodness
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Holiness
           ,
           profound
           humility
           ,
           and
           abnegation
           of
           our selves
           ;
           a
           praiseful
           frame
           of
           spirit
           ,
           much
           used
           to
           gratulations
           and
           thanksgivings
           ;
           a
           large
           and
           universal
           love
           ,
           imitating
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           is
           possible
           ,
           the
           Divine
           :
           A
           proneness
           to
           do
           good
           to
           all
           ;
           a
           steady
           composure
           ,
           
           and
           serene
           temper
           of
           spirit
           ;
           the
           repose
           and
           rest
           of
           a
           contented
           mind
           ,
           not
           boisterous
           ,
           not
           apt
           unto
           disquiet
           ,
           or
           to
           create
           storms
           to
           our selves
           ,
           or
           the
           world
           ;
           Every
           way
           suitable
           to
           the
           blissful
           Regions
           ,
           where
           nothing
           but
           perfect
           purity
           ,
           entire
           devotedness
           to
           God
           ,
           love
           ,
           goodness
           ,
           benignity
           ,
           well-pleasedness
           ,
           order
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           shall
           have
           place
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           This
           we
           ought
           to
           be
           constantly
           intent
           upon
           ,
           as
           the
           business
           of
           our
           lives
           ,
           our
           daily
           work
           ,
           to
           get
           our
           spirits
           so
           attempered
           and
           fi●ted
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           be
           asked
           ,
           What
           design
           we
           drive
           ?
           What
           are
           we
           doing
           ?
           We
           may
           be
           able
           to
           make
           this
           true
           answer
           ,
           We
           are
           dressing
           our selves
           for
           Eternity
           :
           And
           since
           nothing
           is
           required
           hereto
           ,
           that
           is
           simply
           impossible
           ,
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           agreeable
           to
           our
           natures
           ,
           and
           would
           be
           a
           perfection
           to
           them
           ;
           How
           worthy
           and
           commendable
           an
           ambition
           were
           it
           to
           be
           always
           aspiring
           ?
           not
           to
           rest
           or
           take
           up
           beneath
           the
           
           highest
           pitch
           of
           attainable
           excellency
           in
           these
           kinds
           ,
           reckoning
           every
           degree
           thereof
           a
           due
           to
           our
           natures
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           have
           not
           what
           belongs
           to
           them
           ,
           while
           any
           thing
           of
           real
           intrinsick
           moral
           goodness
           is
           yet
           wanting
           ;
           and
           not
           only
           due
           ,
           but
           necessary
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           shall
           have
           need
           of
           in
           reference
           to
           the
           state
           we
           are
           shortly
           to
           enter
           upon
           ;
           that
           
             except
             such
             things
             be
             in
             us
             ,
             and
             abound
             ,
             we
             cannot
             have
             an
             abundant
             entrance
             into
             the
             everlasting
             Kingdom
             .
          
        
         
           And
           should
           we
           ,
           pretending
           to
           such
           an
           expectation
           ,
           omit
           such
           endeavours
           of
           preparing
           our selves
           ,
           it
           were
           alike
           thing
           as
           if
           an
           unbred
           Peasant
           should
           go
           about
           to
           thrust
           himself
           ,
           with
           an
           expectation
           of
           high
           Honours
           and
           Preferments
           ,
           into
           the
           Prince's
           Court
           ;
           or
           as
           if
           a
           distracted
           man
           should
           expect
           to
           be
           employed
           in
           the
           greatest
           and
           most
           intricate
           affairs
           of
           State
           ;
           or
           an
           uninstructed
           Idiot
           take
           upon
           him
           to
           profess
           and
           teach
           Philosophy
           .
        
         
         
           Therefore
           let
           us
           consider
           ;
           Are
           we
           conscious
           of
           no
           unfitn●ss
           for
           that
           blessed
           state
           ?
           To
           dwell
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           holy
           God
           ?
           To
           be
           associated
           with
           the
           H●av●nly
           Assembly
           of
           pure
           intellectual
           spirits
           ?
           To
           consort
           and
           joyn
           with
           them
           in
           their
           celebrations
           and
           triumphant
           Songs
           ?
           Can
           we
           espy
           no
           such
           thing
           in
           our selves
           ,
           as
           an
           earthy
           mind
           ,
           aversation
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           pride
           ,
           disdain
           ,
           wrath
           ,
           or
           envy
           ,
           admiration
           of
           our selves
           ,
           aptness
           to
           seek
           our
           own
           things
           ,
           with
           the
           neglect
           of
           others
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           ?
           And
           do
           not
           our
           hearts
           then
           misgive
           ?
           and
           tell
           us
           we
           are
           unready
           ?
           not
           yet
           prepared
           to
           approach
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ,
           or
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           habitation
           of
           his
           Holiness
           and
           Glory
           ?
           And
           what
           then
           have
           we
           to
           do
           ,
           but
           set
           our selves
           to
           our
           preparatory
           work
           ?
           To
           set
           our
           watches
           ,
           make
           our
           observations
           ,
           take
           strict
           notice
           of
           all
           the
           deflections
           and
           obliquities
           of
           our
           spirits
           ,
           settle
           our
           methods
           ,
           and
           hasten
           a
           redress
           ?
           Do
           not
           we
           know
           this
           is
           the
           
           time
           and
           state
           of
           preparation
           ?
           And
           since
           we
           know
           it
           ,
           how
           would
           the
           folly
           torture
           us
           ,
           by
           reflection
           ,
           of
           having
           betrayed
           our selves
           to
           a
           surprisal
           !
           None
           are
           ever
           wont
           to
           enter
           upon
           any
           new
           state
           without
           some
           foregoing
           preparation
           .
           Every
           more
           remarkable
           turn
           or
           change
           in
           our
           lives
           ,
           is
           ,
           commonly
           (
           if
           at
           all
           ●or●known
           )
           introduced
           by
           many
           serious
           fore-thoughts
           .
           If
           a
           man
           be
           to
           change
           his
           dwelling
           ,
           employment
           ,
           condition
           ,
           common
           discretion
           will
           put
           him
           upon
           thinking
           how
           to
           comport
           with
           the
           place
           ,
           business
           ,
           converse
           ,
           and
           way
           of
           living
           he
           is
           next
           to
           betake
           himself
           to
           :
           And
           his
           thoughts
           will
           be
           the
           more
           intense
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           more
           momentous
           the
           change
           .
           If
           he
           be
           to
           leave
           his
           Countrey
           ,
           with
           no
           probability
           of
           returning
           ;
           If
           he
           be
           designed
           to
           a
           station
           ,
           the
           circumstances
           whereof
           carry
           any
           thing
           of
           awfulness
           in
           them
           ;
           if
           to
           publike
           business
           ,
           if
           to
           Court-attendances
           ,
           With
           what
           solemnity
           and
           address
           are
           such
           things
           undertaken
           !
           
           How
           loath
           and
           ashamed
           would
           one
           be
           ,
           to
           go
           into
           such
           a
           condition
           ,
           being
           totally
           unapt
           ,
           not
           at
           all
           knowing
           how
           to
           behave
           himself
           in
           it
           !
           But
           what
           so
           great
           change
           as
           this
           can
           the
           nature
           of
           man
           admit
           ?
           That
           a
           soul
           ,
           long
           shut
           up
           in
           flesh
           ,
           is
           now
           to
           go
           forth
           from
           its
           earthly
           Mansion
           ,
           and
           return
           no
           more
           ;
           expecting
           to
           be
           received
           into
           the
           glorious
           Presence
           of
           the
           Eternal
           King
           ,
           and
           go
           act
           its
           part
           among
           the
           perfected
           Spirits
           that
           attend
           His
           Throne
           !
           How
           solicitous
           endeavour
           of
           a
           very
           thorough
           preparation
           ,
           doth
           this
           case
           call
           for
           !
        
         
           But
           how
           ill
           doth
           the
           common
           course
           of
           men
           agree
           to
           this
           !
           who
           never
           have
           such
           matters
           in
           their
           thoughts
           !
           who
           so
           much
           neglect
           not
           their
           very
           Hogs
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           their
           Spirits
           !
        
         
           5.
           
           That
           we
           have
           much
           conversation
           
           with
           God.
           He
           is
           the
           only
           full
           and
           permanent
           Good
           ;
           therefore
           the
           endeavour
           of
           becoming
           
           very
           inward
           with
           him
           ,
           doth
           best
           agree
           with
           the
           expectation
           of
           a
           state
           perfectly
           good
           and
           happy
           .
        
         
           To
           expect
           this
           ,
           and
           converse
           only
           with
           shadows
           and
           vanishing
           things
           ,
           is
           to
           expect
           to
           be
           happy
           without
           a
           happiness
           ;
           or
           that
           our
           happiness
           should
           betide
           us
           as
           a
           casual
           thing
           ,
           or
           be
           forc'd
           upon
           us
           at
           last
           whether
           we
           will
           or
           no.
           But
           since
           our
           happiness
           in
           God
           is
           on
           his
           part
           not
           necessary
           ,
           but
           vouchsafed
           and
           gratuitous
           ,
           depending
           on
           meer
           good
           pleasure
           ;
           Is
           it
           our
           best
           way
           of
           ingratiating
           our selves
           with
           him
           ,
           to
           neglect
           him
           ,
           and
           live
           as
           without
           him
           in
           the
           world
           ?
           To
           keep
           our selves
           strangers
           to
           him
           all
           our
           days
           ,
           with
           a
           purpose
           only
           of
           flying
           to
           him
           at
           last
           ,
           when
           all
           things
           else
           that
           were
           wont
           to
           please
           us
           ,
           are
           vanished
           and
           gone
           ?
           And
           if
           we
           could
           suppose
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Justice
           to
           admit
           his
           forgiving
           so
           provoking
           contempt
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           receiving
           an
           exiled
           Soul
           forced
           out
           from
           its
           earthly
           abode
           ,
           that
           to
           the
           last
           moment
           
           of
           it
           would
           never
           look
           after
           him
           ,
           or
           have
           to
           do
           with
           him
           ;
           yet
           can
           it
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           its
           own
           habitual
           aversation
           to
           him
           ,
           could
           allow
           it
           to
           be
           happy
           in
           him
           ?
           Especially
           being
           increased
           and
           confirmed
           by
           its
           consciousness
           and
           sense
           of
           guilt
           ?
           How
           can
           these
           but
           make
           it
           banish
           it self
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           sullen
           enmity
           and
           despair
           perp●tually
           fl●e
           the
           Divine
           Presence
           ?
           What
           can
           in
           this
           case
           be
           more
           natural
           to
           it
           ,
           than
           to
           give
           up
           it self
           to
           eternal
           solitary
           wandrings
           ,
           as
           a
           Fugitive
           from
           God
           ?
           to
           affect
           to
           be
           ever
           enwrapt
           in
           its
           own
           darkness
           ,
           and
           hidden
           from
           his
           sight
           ,
           and
           be
           an
           everlasting
           tormentor
           to
           it self
           ?
           Can
           we
           be
           happy
           in
           him
           whom
           we
           do
           not
           love
           ?
           or
           love
           whom
           we
           will
           not
           know
           or
           be
           acquainted
           with
           ?
        
         
           What
           sure
           ground
           of
           hope
           can
           we
           imagine
           to
           our selves
           ,
           that
           our
           reconciliation
           and
           acquaintance
           with
           God
           shall
           ever
           be
           brought
           about
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           done
           while
           we
           are
           here
           in
           the
           body
           ?
           Will
           we
           be
           
           so
           vain
           ,
           as
           to
           cherish
           an
           hope
           that
           not
           only
           affronts
           the
           visible
           import
           of
           God's
           revelation
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           reason
           of
           things
           ,
           and
           the
           natural
           tendency
           of
           our
           own
           spirits
           ?
           Nor
           indeed
           (
           if
           we
           would
           consider
           better
           )
           can
           we
           possibly
           hope
           for
           what
           we
           desire
           not
           ,
           or
           whereto
           our
           hearts
           are
           in
           an
           habitual
           disaffection
           ,
           other
           ways
           than
           (
           in
           the
           present
           case
           )
           negatively
           ;
           and
           that
           our
           infidelity
           permits
           us
           not
           to
           fear
           the
           contrary
           :
           yea
           ,
           and
           the
           lively
           hope
           of
           a
           blessedness
           in
           God
           ,
           as
           it
           includes
           desire
           ,
           would
           certainly
           infer
           that
           Purity
           (
           the
           image
           of
           his
           own
           )
           that
           could
           never
           fail
           to
           incline
           our
           hearts
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           which
           would
           habituate
           us
           to
           a
           course
           of
           walking
           with
           him
           in
           inward
           communion
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           were
           comely
           and
           agreeable
           to
           our
           pretences
           ;
           If
           while
           we
           profess
           our selves
           made
           for
           another
           state
           ,
           we
           retire
           our selves
           from
           the
           fading
           things
           that
           put
           a
           vanity
           into
           this
           ;
           and
           single
           out
           ,
           by
           our
           own
           choice
           ,
           the
           stable
           
           good
           which
           we
           expect
           ever
           to
           enjoy
           .
           How
           befitting
           is
           it
           to
           pass
           by
           all
           things
           with
           neglect
           ,
           and
           betake
           our selves
           hither
           with
           this
           sense
           ?
        
         
           Lord
           ,
           I
           have
           viewed
           the
           World
           over
           in
           which
           thou
           hast
           set
           me
           ;
           I
           have
           tried
           how
           this
           and
           that
           thing
           will
           fit
           my
           spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           design
           of
           my
           Creation
           ;
           and
           can
           find
           nothing
           in
           which
           to
           rest
           ,
           for
           nothing
           here
           doth
           it self
           rest
           ,
           but
           such
           things
           as
           please
           me
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           in
           some
           degree
           ,
           vanish
           and
           flee
           ,
           as
           shadows
           ,
           from
           before
           me
           .
           Lo
           ,
           I
           come
           to
           Thee
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Being
           !
           the
           Spring
           of
           Life
           !
           the
           Center
           of
           rest
           !
           the
           Stay
           of
           the
           Creation
           !
           the
           Fulness
           of
           all
           things
           !
           I
           joyn
           my self
           to
           thee
           ;
           with
           thee
           I
           will
           lead
           my
           life
           ,
           and
           sp●nd
           my
           days
           ,
           with
           whom
           I
           aim
           to
           dwell
           for
           ever
           ;
           expecting
           when
           my
           little
           time
           is
           over
           ,
           to
           be
           taken
           up
           ,
           ere
           long
           ,
           into
           thy
           Eternity
           .
        
         
           And
           since
           we
           who
           live
           under
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           have
           heard
           of
           the
           Redeemer
           ,
           of
           the
           dignity
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           of
           his
           high
           Office
           and
           Power
           ,
           of
           his
           
           merciful
           design
           ,
           and
           great
           Atchievements
           for
           the
           restoring
           of
           lapsed
           and
           lost
           souls
           :
        
         
           It
           is
           most
           agreeable
           to
           our
           apprehensions
           of
           the
           vanity
           of
           this
           present
           state
           ,
           and
           our
           expectations
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           that
           we
           commit
           our selves
           to
           him
           .
           That
           with
           intire
           trust
           and
           love
           ,
           devotedness
           and
           subjection
           ,
           we
           give
           our selves
           up
           to
           his
           happy
           conduct
           ,
           to
           be
           led
           by
           him
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           instated
           into
           that
           eternal
           blessedness
           which
           we
           look
           for
           .
        
         
           His
           
             Kingdom
             is
             not
             of
             this
             world
          
           (
           as
           we
           profess
           not
           to
           be
           )
           .
           We
           cannot
           be
           innocently
           ignorant
           ,
           that
           its
           constitution
           and
           frame
           ,
           its
           laws
           and
           ordinances
           ,
           its
           aspect
           and
           tendency
           in
           its
           self
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           its
           administration
           ,
           are
           directed
           to
           that
           other
           state
           .
           
             He
             hath
             overcome
             death
             ,
             and
             him
             that
             had
             the
             power
             of
             it
             ;
             hath
             brought
             life
             and
             immortality
             to
             light
             ,
             is
             the
             first
             begotten
             from
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             the
             first
             fruits
             of
             them
             that
             slept
          
           ;
           hath
           opened
           Heaven
           to
           us
           ,
           
           and
           is
           himself
           ascended
           ,
           and
           entred
           as
           our
           victorious
           triumphant
           Captain
           and
           Fore-runner
           .
           He
           is
           adorned
           with
           highest
           Power
           ,
           and
           hath
           set
           up
           an
           Universal
           Kingdom
           ,
           extended
           to
           the
           utmost
           bounds
           of
           this
           apostate
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           vaster
           Regions
           of
           innocent
           and
           constantly
           loyal
           Spirits
           .
           His
           Proclamations
           are
           issued
           out
           ,
           his
           Ensigns
           displayed
           ,
           to
           invite
           and
           call
           in
           whosoever
           are
           weary
           of
           the
           sin
           and
           vanity
           of
           this
           wretched
           world
           ,
           of
           their
           alienation
           from
           the
           life
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           living
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           death
           ;
           to
           joyn
           themselves
           to
           Him
           ,
           the
           Prince
           and
           Lord
           of
           Life
           ;
           and
           be
           led
           by
           Him
           to
           the
           immortal
           state
           .
           If
           the
           present
           state
           of
           things
           appear
           dismal
           to
           us
           ;
           if
           we
           reckon
           it
           a
           woful
           spectacle
           to
           behold
           sin
           and
           death
           reigning
           ,
           wickedness
           and
           mortality
           acting
           their
           combined
           parts
           ,
           to
           waste
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           lay
           it
           desolate
           ;
           If
           we
           would
           deliver
           our selves
           ,
           and
           escape
           from
           the
           common
           ruin
           ;
           are
           seriously
           designing
           for
           Heaven
           ,
           
           and
           that
           World
           in
           which
           Death
           hath
           no
           place
           ,
           nor
           any
           shadow
           of
           Death
           ;
           Let
           us
           betake
           our selves
           to
           Him
           ,
           enroll
           our
           Names
           ,
           put
           our selves
           under
           his
           Banners
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           strictly
           observing
           the
           Laws
           ,
           and
           following
           the
           guidance
           of
           that
           our
           invisible
           Lord
           ,
           who
           will
           be
           
             Author
             of
             eternal
             salvation
             to
             them
             that
             obey
             him
          
           ;
           and
           
             save
             to
             the
             uttermost
             all
             that
             come
             to
             God
             through
             him
             .
          
           How
           dear
           should
           he
           be
           to
           us
           !
           How
           chearfully
           should
           we
           trust
           him
           ,
           how
           dutifully
           serve
           him
           ,
           how
           faithfully
           adhere
           to
           him
           ,
           both
           for
           his
           own
           sake
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           the
           design
           he
           hath
           in
           hand
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           pleasant
           savour
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Immortality
           which
           breathes
           in
           both
           !
        
         
           But
           if
           we
           neglect
           Him
           ,
           and
           disown
           our
           relation
           to
           him
           ;
           or
           if
           we
           let
           days
           and
           years
           go
           over
           our
           heads
           ,
           wherein
           we
           drowsily
           slumber
           ;
           roll
           our selves
           in
           the
           dust
           of
           the
           earth
           ;
           and
           ,
           while
           we
           call
           our selves
           Christians
           ,
           forget
           the
           reason
           and
           importance
           of
           our
           own
           
           Name
           ,
           and
           think
           not
           of
           our
           being
           under
           his
           call
           and
           conduct
           to
           the
           eternal
           Kingdom
           and
           Glory
           .
           This
           is
           perversly
           to
           reject
           what
           we
           say
           (
           only
           )
           we
           seek
           ;
           to
           disclaim
           and
           renounce
           our
           pretences
           to
           Immortality
           ;
           to
           blast
           and
           damn
           our
           own
           great
           hopes
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           It
           is
           congruous
           to
           our
           
           expectation
           of
           so
           great
           things
           after
           death
           ,
           That
           we
           live
           in
           a
           chearful
           pleasant
           expectation
           of
           it
           .
           For
           what
           must
           necessarily
           intervene
           ,
           though
           not
           grateful
           in
           it self
           ,
           should
           be
           reckon'd
           so
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           that
           which
           is
           .
           This
           ,
           only
           ,
           can
           upon
           the
           best
           terms
           ,
           reconcile
           us
           to
           the
           grave
           ,
           That
           our
           greatest
           hopes
           lye
           beyond
           it
           ;
           and
           are
           not
           hazarded
           by
           it
           ,
           but
           accomplish't
           .
        
         
           Although
           ,
           indeed
           ,
           nothing
           were
           to
           be
           expected
           hereafter
           ;
           yet
           so
           little
           suitable
           entertainment
           doth
           this
           world
           afford
           to
           a
           reasonable
           spirit
           ,
           that
           the
           meer
           weariness
           of
           beholding
           a
           Scene
           of
           vanity
           and
           
           folly
           ,
           might
           well
           make
           a
           recess
           acceptable
           .
           For
           is
           it
           so
           grateful
           a
           thing
           to
           observe
           the
           confused
           scramble
           and
           hurry
           of
           the
           world
           ?
           How
           almost
           every
           one
           makes
           it
           his
           business
           to
           catch
           from
           another
           what
           is
           worth
           nothing
           !
           With
           what
           toil
           ,
           and
           art
           ,
           and
           violence
           men
           pursue
           ,
           what
           when
           they
           embrace
           they
           find
           a
           shadow
           !
           To
           see
           deluded
           Mortals
           ,
           each
           one
           intent
           upon
           his
           own
           particular
           design
           ,
           most
           commonly
           interfering
           with
           anothers
           ;
           some
           impos'd
           upon
           by
           others
           over-reaching
           Wit
           ,
           and
           all
           by
           their
           own
           folly
           :
           Some
           lamenting
           their
           losses
           ,
           others
           their
           short
           and
           unsatisfying
           acquisitions
           :
           Many
           pleasing
           themselves
           with
           being
           mock't
           ,
           and
           contentedly
           hugging
           the
           empty
           Cloud
           ;
           till
           Death
           comes
           and
           ends
           the
           story
           ,
           and
           ceases
           the
           busie
           agitation
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           with
           so
           many
           particular
           persons
           ,
           not
           with
           the
           World.
           A
           new
           succretion
           still
           springing
           up
           ,
           that
           continue
           the
           Interlud●
           ,
           and
           still
           act
           over
           the
           same
           parts
           ,
           
             ad
             taedium
             usque
          
           !
        
         
         
           What
           serious
           person
           ?
           who
           that
           is
           not
           in
           love
           with
           impertinency
           and
           foolery
           ,
           would
           much
           regret
           it
           ,
           to
           close
           his
           eyes
           ,
           to
           have
           the
           Curtains
           drawn
           ,
           and
           bid
           good-night
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           without
           ever
           wishing
           to
           see
           the
           morning
           of
           such
           another
           day
           !
           And
           even
           they
           that
           have
           the
           world
           most
           in
           their
           power
           ,
           and
           can
           command
           what
           they
           please
           for
           the
           gratifying
           of
           their
           appetites
           ,
           without
           the
           contradiction
           and
           controll
           of
           others
           ,
           What
           can
           they
           enjoy
           more
           to
           morrow
           than
           they
           did
           yesterday
           ?
           or
           the
           next
           year
           than
           this
           ?
           Is
           it
           so
           much
           worth
           the
           while
           to
           live
           ,
           to
           see
           a
           few
           more
           persons
           bow
           the
           knee
           ?
           To
           extend
           power
           a
           little
           further
           ?
           To
           make
           another
           essay
           what
           pleasure
           sense
           can
           tast
           in
           some
           or
           other
           hitherto
           unexperimented
           Rarity
           ?
           What
           more
           peculiar
           gusto
           this
           or
           that
           thing
           will
           afford
           ?
           and
           try
           the
           other
           Dish
           ?
           or
           to
           renew
           the
           same
           relishes
           over
           again
           ?
        
         
         
           He
           whose
           creative
           fancy
           could
           make
           him
           golden
           Mountains
           in
           a
           dream
           ,
           create
           him
           a
           Prince
           of
           Nations
           ,
           give
           him
           to
           enjoy
           the
           most
           delicious
           pleasures
           of
           the
           world
           in
           Idea
           ;
           might
           ,
           with
           some
           plausible
           shew
           of
           reason
           ,
           be
           deem'd
           the
           happier
           man
           ,
           than
           he
           that
           hath
           ,
           and
           is
           all
           this
           indeed
           :
           for
           his
           toil
           is
           less
           ,
           and
           his
           victories
           unbloody
           ,
           his
           pleasures
           not
           so
           impure
           .
           However
           ,
           one
           would
           think
           that
           to
           such
           whose
           utmost
           attainments
           end
           only
           in
           the
           pleasure
           of
           their
           sense
           ,
           and
           have
           but
           this
           Epiphonema
           ,
           
             Now
             ,
             let
             us
             sit
             down
             ,
             eat
             ,
             drink
             ,
             and
             be
             merry
          
           ;
           A
           little
           time
           might
           suffice
           for
           business
           of
           no
           more
           weight
           ;
           and
           that
           no
           man
           ,
           after
           he
           hath
           once
           seen
           the
           course
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           tasted
           of
           its
           best
           delicacies
           ,
           should
           greatly
           wish
           for
           a
           renewal
           ,
           or
           long-continued
           repetition
           of
           so
           fulsome
           vanities
           .
        
         
           But
           the
           most
           find
           not
           the
           world
           so
           kind
           ;
           and
           are
           not
           so
           much
           exercised
           in
           the
           innovating
           of
           
           pleasures
           ,
           as
           miseries
           (
           changes
           being
           their
           only
           remedies
           ,
           as
           the
           Moralist
           speaks
           )
           ;
           or
           in
           bearing
           (
           more
           sadly
           )
           the
           same
           every
           day's
           burden
           ;
           and
           drawing
           out
           the
           series
           of
           their
           calamities
           in
           the
           same
           kind
           through
           the
           whole
           course
           of
           their
           time
           .
        
         
           And
           surely
           these
           things
           considered
           ,
           there
           wants
           not
           what
           might
           perswade
           a
           Sceptick
           ,
           or
           even
           a
           perfect
           Infidel
           ,
           as
           to
           another
           world
           ,
           not
           much
           to
           be
           in
           love
           with
           this
           .
        
         
           For
           upon
           the
           whole
           ,
           let
           but
           the
           case
           be
           thus
           put
           :
           Is
           it
           not
           as
           good
           to
           do
           nothing
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           busie
           to
           no
           purpose
           ?
           And
           again
           ,
           Is
           it
           not
           as
           good
           to
           be
           nothing
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           do
           nothing
           ?
           Sober
           reason
           would
           judg
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           there
           were
           but
           little
           odds
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           ;
           If
           such
           considerations
           as
           have
           been
           mentioned
           ,
           would
           suffice
           to
           state
           the
           matter
           in
           aequilibrio
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           〈◊〉
           even
           ;
           Ought
           the
           ra●i●n●l
           sober
           belief
           of
           a
           blessed
           immortality
           do
           nothing
           
           to
           turn
           the
           ballance
           ?
           Ought
           the
           love
           of
           God
           to
           do
           nothing
           ?
           The
           desire
           and
           hope
           of
           a
           state
           perfectly
           good
           and
           happy
           ,
           quiet
           and
           peaceful
           ;
           of
           living
           in
           the
           Region
           of
           undefiled
           innocent
           love
           and
           pleasure
           ;
           in
           the
           communion
           of
           holy
           and
           blessed
           spirits
           (
           all
           highly
           pleased
           ,
           not
           in
           their
           own
           only
           ,
           but
           one
           another's
           happiness
           ;
           and
           all
           concen●●ing
           in
           the
           admiration
           and
           praise
           of
           their
           common
           Parent
           and
           Lord
           )
           Ought
           all
           this
           nothing
           to
           alter
           the
           case
           with
           us
           ?
           or
           signifie
           nothing
           to
           the
           inclining
           our
           mind●
           to
           the
           so
           unspeakably
           better
           part
           ?
        
         
           Methinks
           since
           we
           acknowledg
           such
           an
           order
           of
           intelligent
           (
           and
           already
           happy
           )
           Creatures
           ,
           we
           should
           even
           b●ush
           to
           think
           they
           should
           be
           spectators
           of
           our
           daily
           course
           and
           (
           too
           plainly
           discovered
           )
           inclinations
           ,
           so
           disform
           and
           unagreeable
           to
           all
           the
           Laws
           and
           dictates
           of
           reasonable
           nature
           ?
           What
           censures
           ,
           may
           we
           think
           ,
           do
           they
           pass
           upon
           our
           follies
           ?
           Are
           
           those
           things
           great
           in
           their
           eyes
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           in
           ours
           ?
           In
           lesser
           matters
           (
           as
           some
           interpret
           that
           passage
           )
           indecencies
           are
           to
           be
           avoided
           ,
           because
           of
           those
           blessed
           spirits
           .
           
           May
           we
           not
           then
           be
           ashamed
           that
           they
           should
           discern
           our
           terrene
           dispositions
           ?
           and
           see
           us
           come
           ,
           so
           unwillingly
           ,
           into
           their
           con●ort
           ,
           and
           happy
           state
           ?
           Although
           our
           present
           depressing
           circumstances
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           be
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           as
           yet
           ,
           conformable
           to
           their
           high
           condition
           ,
           we
           should
           however
           carry
           it
           as
           Candidates
           thereto
           ,
           studying
           to
           approve
           our selves
           ;
           waiting
           and
           longing
           to
           be
           transum'd
           and
           taken
           up
           into
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           since
           we
           have
           so
           high
           and
           great
           an
           expectation
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           understood
           and
           known
           ,
           That
           the
           very
           perfection
           and
           end
           of
           our
           Beings
           is
           no
           otherwise
           attainable
           ,
           than
           by
           putting
           off
           our
           sordid
           sl●sh
           ,
           and
           laying
           aside
           this
           earthly
           Appurtenanc●
           ;
           that
           yet
           there
           should
           be
           so
           fixed
           and
           prevailing
           
           an
           aversion
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           unaccountable
           thing
           ,
           and
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           Problems
           in
           Nature
           .
        
         
           I
           say
           ,
           prevailing
           :
           For
           admit
           what
           is
           like
           to
           be
           alledg'd
           ,
           that
           an
           addictedness
           to
           the
           body
           is
           by
           natural
           inclination
           ;
           ought
           not
           the
           Laws
           of
           a
           Sup●rior
           to
           prevail
           over
           those
           of
           the
           inferior
           nature
           ?
           And
           is
           not
           the
           love
           of
           God
           a
           higher
           natural
           Law
           than
           that
           of
           the
           body
           ?
           to
           whom
           here
           our
           service
           is
           little
           ,
           yea
           our
           disservice
           much
           ;
           and
           from
           whose
           most
           desirable
           commerce
           we
           s●ffer
           so
           uncomfortable
           a
           disclusion
           by
           the
           sad
           circumstances
           of
           our
           bodily
           s●ate
           ?
           Are
           we
           more
           nearly
           〈◊〉
           to
           a
           piece
           of
           C●●y
           ▪
           〈◊〉
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           our
           spirits
           ?
           And
           〈◊〉
           ,
           Is
           not
           every
           thing
           〈…〉
           ?
           and
           obliged
           to
           〈…〉
           there
           ,
           rather
           than
           〈…〉
           in●●rior
           thing
           (
           at
           least
           )
           ●ow
           n●●rly
           soever
           united
           ?
           since
           there
           can
           be
           no
           pretence
           of
           any
           such
           〈◊〉
           union
           ,
           than
           o●
           a
           thing
           with
           it self
           ?
           And
           ●re
           not
           our
           souls
           and
           our
           bodies
           (
           though
           
           united
           ,
           yet
           )
           distinct
           things
           ?
           Why
           then
           should
           not
           our
           souls
           ,
           that
           are
           capable
           of
           understanding
           their
           own
           interest
           ,
           mind
           that
           first
           ;
           intend
           most
           their
           own
           perfection
           and
           improvement
           ,
           and
           begin
           their
           charity
           at
           home
           ?
           It
           is
           nor
           strange
           ,
           that
           what
           is
           weaker
           and
           more
           ignoble
           ,
           should
           affect
           union
           with
           what
           is
           above
           it
           ,
           and
           a
           spring
           of
           life
           to
           it
           :
           But
           when
           it
           is
           found
           burdensome
           ,
           nothing
           forbids
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           superior
           Being
           may
           be
           well
           content
           ,
           upon
           fair
           and
           allowable
           terms
           ,
           to
           be
           rid
           of
           the
           burden
           .
           Therefore
           though
           flesh
           and
           blood
           may
           reluctate
           and
           shrink
           at
           it
           ,
           when
           we
           think
           of
           laying
           it
           down
           ;
           yet
           it
           becomes
           immortal
           spirits
           to
           consider
           their
           own
           affairs
           ,
           and
           be
           (
           more
           principally
           )
           intent
           upon
           what
           will
           be
           their
           own
           advantage
           .
           If
           so
           mean
           a
           Creature
           as
           a
           sorry
           Flea
           ,
           finding
           it
           can
           draw
           a
           suitable
           aliment
           from
           our
           bodies
           ,
           affect
           to
           dwell
           there
           ,
           and
           is
           loath
           to
           leave
           us
           ;
           It
           were
           a
           ludicrous
           pity
           to
           be
           there-therefore
           
           content
           to
           endure
           its
           troublesome
           v●llications
           ,
           because
           we
           fear
           the
           poor
           Animal
           should
           be
           put
           to
           its
           shifts
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           otherwise
           able
           to
           find
           a
           subsistence
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           great
           Creator
           and
           Lord
           of
           the
           Universe
           ,
           hath
           not
           permitted
           us
           the
           liberty
           of
           so
           throwing
           off
           our
           bodies
           when
           we
           will
           (
           which
           otherwise
           are
           in
           dignity
           far
           more
           beneath
           our
           spirits
           ,
           than
           so
           despicable
           a
           Creature
           is
           beneath
           
             them
             )
          
           .
           And
           to
           his
           dispose
           that
           hath
           order'd
           this
           conjunction
           for
           a
           time
           (
           whether
           we
           look
           upon
           it
           as
           an
           effect
           of
           his
           simple
           pleasure
           ,
           or
           of
           his
           displeasure
           )
           we
           must
           yeild
           an
           awful
           and
           a
           patient
           submission
           ,
           till
           this
           part
           of
           his
           Providence
           towards
           us
           have
           run
           its
           course
           ,
           and
           attain'd
           its
           ends
           .
           And
           then
           ,
           how
           welcome
           should
           the
           hour
           of
           our
           discharge
           and
           freedom
           be
           ,
           from
           so
           troublesome
           an
           Associate
           !
           which
           upon
           no
           other
           account
           than
           that
           of
           duty
           towards
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           beings
           ,
           one
           would
           more
           endure
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           
           the
           most
           noysome
           offensive
           Vermine
           always
           preying
           upon
           his
           flesh
           .
           At
           least
           ,
           (
           though
           the
           consideration
           of
           our
           own
           advantage
           had
           no
           place
           with
           us
           in
           this
           matter
           )
           the
           same
           sense
           of
           duty
           towards
           our
           great
           Creator
           ,
           which
           should
           make
           us
           patient
           of
           an
           abode
           in
           the
           body
           ,
           while
           he
           will
           have
           it
           so
           ;
           should
           also
           form
           our
           spirits
           to
           a
           willing
           departure
           ,
           when
           it
           shall
           be
           his
           pleasure
           to
           release
           us
           thence
           .
           But
           that
           neither
           a
           regard
           to
           his
           ple●sure
           ,
           nor
           our
           own
           blessedn●ss
           ,
           should
           prevail
           against
           our
           love
           to
           the
           body
           ,
           is
           the
           unaccountable
           thing
           I
           speak
           of
           .
           And
           to
           plead
           only
           ,
           in
           the
           case
           ,
           the
           corruption
           of
           our
           natures
           that
           sets
           us
           at
           odds
           with
           God
           and
           our selves
           ,
           is
           to
           justifie
           the
           thing
           by
           what
           is
           it self
           most
           unjustifiable
           ;
           or
           rather
           (
           as
           some
           that
           have
           affected
           to
           be
           styl'd
           Philosophers
           have
           been
           wont
           to
           expedite
           difficulties
           ,
           by
           resolving
           the
           matter
           into
           the
           usual
           course
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           is
           )
           to
           resolve
           the
           thing
           into
           it self
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             It
             is
             so
             ,
             
             because
             it
             is
             so
             ,
             or
             is
             wont
             to
             be
          
           ;
           and
           indeed
           ,
           plainly
           to
           confess
           there
           is
           no
           account
           to
           be
           given
           of
           it
           .
           This
           being
           the
           very
           thing
           about
           which
           we
           expostulate
           ,
           that
           reasonable
           nature
           should
           so
           prevaricate
           :
           The
           commonness
           whereof
           doth
           not
           take
           away
           the
           wonder
           ,
           but
           rather
           render
           it
           more
           dreadful
           and
           astonishing
           .
        
         
           The
           truth
           is
           ,
           the
           incongruity
           in
           the
           present
           case
           is
           only
           to
           be
           solved
           by
           redress
           ;
           by
           earnest
           strivings
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           souls
           ,
           till
           we
           find
           our selves
           recovered
           into
           a
           right
           mind
           ;
           into
           the
           constitution
           and
           composure
           whereof
           a
           generous
           fortitude
           hath
           a
           necessary
           ingrediency
           ;
           that
           usually
           upon
           lower
           motives
           refuses
           no
           change
           of
           Climate
           ,
           and
           will
           carry
           a
           man
           into
           unknown
           Countreys
           ,
           and
           through
           greatest
           hazards
           in
           the
           pursuit
           of
           honourable
           enterprizes
           ,
           of
           a
           much
           inferior
           kind
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           reckon'd
           a
           brave
           and
           manly
           thing
           to
           be
           in
           the
           temper
           of
           one's
           mind
           a
           Citizen
           of
           the
           World
           
           meaning
           it
           of
           this
           lower
           one
           )
           .
           But
           why
           not
           rather
           of
           the
           Universe
           ?
           And
           't
           is
           accounted
           mean
           and
           base
           that
           one
           should
           be
           so
           confin'd
           by
           his
           fear
           or
           sloath
           to
           that
           spot
           of
           ground
           where
           he
           was
           born
           ,
           as
           not
           upon
           just
           inducement
           to
           look
           abroad
           ,
           and
           go
           for
           warrantable
           and
           worthy
           purposes
           (
           yea
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           only
           honest
           self-advantage
           )
           as
           far
           as
           the
           utmost
           ends
           of
           the
           earth
           .
           But
           dare
           we
           not
           venture
           a
           little
           farther
           ?
           These
           are
           too
           narrow
           bounds
           for
           a
           truly
           great
           spirit
           .
           Any
           thing
           that
           is
           tinctur'd
           with
           earth
           ,
           or
           favours
           of
           mortality
           ,
           we
           should
           reckon
           too
           mean
           for
           us
           ;
           and
           not
           regret
           it
           ,
           that
           Heaven
           and
           Immortality
           are
           not
           to
           be
           attained
           but
           by
           dying
           ;
           so
           should
           the
           love
           of
           our
           own
           souls
           ,
           and
           the
           desire
           of
           a
           perpetual
           state
           of
           life
           ,
           triumph
           over
           the
           fear
           of
           death
           .
        
         
           But
           it
           may
           be
           alledged
           by
           some
           ,
           That
           't
           is
           only
           a
           solicitous
           love
           to
           their
           souls
           ,
           that
           makes
           them
           dread
           this
           change
           .
           They
           know
           it
           wi●l
           not
           sare
           with
           all
           alike
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           
           know
           not
           what
           their
           own
           lot
           shall
           be
           .
        
         
           And
           is
           this
           indeed
           our
           case
           ?
           then
           ,
           what
           have
           we
           been
           doing
           all
           this
           while
           ?
           and
           how
           are
           we
           concerned
           to
           lose
           no
           more
           time
           ?
        
         
           But
           too
           often
           a
           terrene
           spirit
           lurks
           under
           this
           pretence
           ;
           and
           men
           alledg
           their
           want
           of
           assurance
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           when
           the
           love
           of
           this
           earth
           (
           which
           they
           cannot
           endure
           to
           think
           of
           leaving
           )
           holds
           their
           hearts
           .
        
         
           And
           (
           a
           little
           to
           discuss
           this
           matter
           )
           what
           would
           we
           have
           to
           assure
           us
           ?
           Do
           we
           expect
           a
           vision
           or
           a
           voice
           ?
           or
           are
           we
           not
           to
           try
           our selves
           ;
           and
           search
           for
           such
           characters
           in
           our
           own
           souls
           ,
           as
           may
           distinguish
           and
           note
           us
           out
           for
           Heaven
           ?
           Among
           these
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           more
           clear
           and
           certain
           than
           this
           ,
           
             that
             we
             have
             our
             hearts
             much
             set
             upon
             it
             ?
          
           
           They
           that
           have
           their
           conversations
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           may
           from
           thence
           expect
           the
           Saviour
           ,
           
             who
             shall
             change
             their
             vile
             bodies
          
           (
           the
           bodies
           of
           their
           ●●mil●●tion
           ,
           
           or
           low
           abject
           state
           )
           
             and
             make
             them
             like
             his
             own
             glorious
             body
             .
          
        
         
         
           God
           ,
           
           
             who
             will
             render
             to
             every
             man
             according
             to
             his
             works
          
           ;
           will
           give
           them
           that
           
             by
             patient
             continuance
             in
             well
             doing
             ,
             seek
             honour
             ,
             and
             glory
             ,
             
             and
             immortality
             ,
             eternal
             life
             .
          
           They
           that
           
             set
             their
             affections
          
           (
           or
           mind
           )
           
             on
             the
             things
             above
             ,
             not
             those
             on
             the
             earth
             ;
             when
             Christ
             shall
             appear
             ,
             who
             is
             their
             life
             ,
             shall
             appear
             with
             him
             in
             glory
             .
          
           Mistake
           not
           the
           notion
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           the
           blessedness
           of
           the
           other
           world
           ;
           render
           it
           not
           to
           your selves
           a
           composition
           of
           sensual
           enjoyments
           ;
           Understand
           it
           (
           principally
           )
           to
           consist
           in
           perfect
           holiness
           and
           communion
           with
           God
           (
           as
           his
           own
           word
           represents
           it
           ,
           and
           as
           reason
           hath
           taught
           even
           some
           Pagans
           to
           reckon
           of
           it
           )
           and
           you
           cannot
           judg
           of
           your
           own
           Right
           by
           a
           surer
           and
           plainer
           Rule
           ,
           than
           
             that
             eternal
             blessedness
             shall
             be
             theirs
             whose
             hearts
             are
             truly
             bent
             and
             directed
             towards
             it
             .
          
           Admit
           we
           ,
           then
           ,
           this
           Principle
           ;
           and
           now
           let
           us
           reason
           with
           our selves
           from
           it
           :
           We
           have
           a
           discovery
           made
           to
           us
           of
           a
           future
           state
           ,
           of
           blessedness
           in
           God
           ,
           not
           as
           desirable
           only
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           as
           attainable
           ,
           
           and
           possible
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           (
           the
           Redeemer
           having
           opened
           the
           way
           to
           it
           by
           his
           blood
           ,
           and
           given
           us
           at
           once
           both
           the
           prospect
           and
           the
           offer
           of
           it
           )
           so
           that
           it
           is
           before
           us
           as
           the
           object
           of
           a
           reasonable
           desire
           .
           Now
           either
           our
           hearts
           are
           so
           taken
           with
           this
           discovery
           ,
           that
           we
           above
           all
           things
           desire
           this
           state
           ,
           or
           not
           .
           If
           they
           be
           ,
           we
           desire
           it
           more
           than
           our
           earthly
           stations
           and
           enjoyments
           ,
           and
           are
           willing
           to
           leave
           the
           world
           and
           the
           body
           to
           enjoy
           it
           ;
           and
           so
           did
           falsly
           accuse
           our selves
           of
           a
           prevailing
           aversion
           to
           this
           change
           .
           If
           they
           be
           not
           ,
           the
           thing
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           upon
           no
           terms
           willing
           to
           dye
           ,
           but
           the
           cause
           is
           falsly
           (
           or
           partially
           )
           assigned
           :
           It
           is
           not
           so
           much
           because
           we
           are
           unassured
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           but
           (
           as
           was
           above
           suspected
           )
           because
           we
           love
           this
           world
           better
           ,
           and
           our
           hearts
           center
           in
           it
           as
           our
           most
           desirable
           good
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           we
           see
           how
           unreasonably
           this
           is
           ,
           often
           ,
           said
           ,
           We
           are
           unwilling
           to
           change
           states
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           unassured
           ;
           the
           truth
           is
           ,
           they
           are
           unassured
           ,
           
           because
           they
           are
           unwilling
           ;
           and
           what
           then
           ensues
           ?
           They
           are
           unwilling
           because
           they
           are
           unwilling
           .
           And
           so
           they
           may
           endlesly
           dispute
           themselves
           round
           ,
           from
           unwillingness
           to
           unwillingness
           .
           But
           is
           there
           no
           way
           to
           get
           out
           of
           this
           unhappy
           Circle
           ?
           In
           order
           to
           it
           ,
           let
           the
           case
           be
           more
           fully
           understood
           ;
           Either
           this
           double
           unwillingness
           must
           be
           refer'd
           to
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           or
           to
           divers
           :
           If
           to
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           sense
           ;
           they
           say
           what
           signifies
           nothing
           :
           For
           ,
           being
           to
           assign
           a
           cause
           of
           their
           unwillingness
           to
           quit
           the
           body
           ,
           to
           say
           ,
           
             because
             they
             are
             unwilling
             ,
             (
             viz.
          
           of
           that
           )
           is
           to
           assign
           no
           cause
           ,
           for
           nothing
           can
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           it self
           .
           But
           if
           they
           refer
           to
           divers
           things
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           
             They
             are
             unwilling
             to
             go
             out
             of
             the
             body
             ,
             because
             they
             are
             unwilling
             to
             forsake
             Earth
             for
             Heaven
          
           ;
           The
           case
           is
           then
           plain
           ,
           but
           sad
           ,
           and
           not
           alterable
           ,
           but
           with
           the
           alteration
           of
           the
           temper
           of
           their
           spirits
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           all
           apply
           our selves
           (
           since
           with
           none
           this
           is
           so
           fully
           done
           ,
           that
           no
           more
           is
           needful
           )
           to
           
           the
           serious
           endeavour
           of
           getting
           our
           souls
           purged
           from
           the
           dross
           of
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           enamoured
           of
           the
           purity
           and
           blessedness
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           so
           the
           cause
           and
           effect
           will
           vanish
           together
           ;
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           suitableness
           and
           inclination
           in
           our
           spirits
           to
           that
           blessedness
           ,
           as
           may
           yeild
           us
           the
           ground
           of
           a
           comfortable
           perswasion
           that
           it
           belongs
           to
           us
           us
           ;
           and
           then
           ,
           not
           be
           unwilling
           ,
           though
           many
           deaths
           stood
           in
           our
           way
           ,
           to
           break
           through
           to
           attain
           it
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A44699-e90
           
             *
             Mr.
             Anthony
             Vpton
             ,
             
               the
               Son
               of
            
             John
             Vpton
             ,
             of
             Lupton
             ,
             
               Esq
            
          
        
         
           Notes for div A44699-e550
           
             V.
             49.
             
          
           
             V
             ,
             27.
             
          
           
             V.
             29.
             
          
           
             V.
             36
             ,
             37.
             
          
           
             Act.
             2.
             30
             
          
           
             V.
             28.
             34.
             
          
           
             ●●9
             .
          
           
             V.
             30.
             
          
           
             31.
             
          
           
             32.
             
          
           
             33.
             
          
           
             34.
             
          
           
             35
             ▪
             
          
           
             Isa.
             55.
             
          
           
             V.
             1.
             
          
           
             2.
             
          
           
             3.
             
          
           
             4.
             
          
           
             5.
             
          
           
             Mat.
             22.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             110.
             
          
           
             Act.
             2.
             
             V.
             25
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           
             V.
             25.
             
          
           
             26.
             
          
           
             V.
             31.
             
          
           
             Acts
             13.
             
             V.
             32
             ,
             33
             ,
             34.
             
          
           
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
          
           
             2.
             9.
             
          
           
             Plotin
             .
             En.
             2.
             1
             ,
             6
             
          
           
             Isa.
             40.
             
          
           
             Job
             27.
             19
             
          
           
             Heracl
             .
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             7.
             
          
           
             Job
             20.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             73.
             20.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             39.
             5
             ,
             6.
             
          
           
             Jer.
             9.
             24
             ,
          
           
             Rom.
             11.
             36.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             119.
             68.
             
          
           
             Psal.
             33.
             5
             
          
           
             2
             Cor.
             5.
             4.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             15.
             19.
             
          
           
             Heb.
             11.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             7.
             
          
           
             Non
             qua
             eundum
             est
             sed
             qua
             itur
             .
             Sen.
             
          
           
             1
             Cor.
             8.
             
          
           
             Phil.
             3.
             20
             ,
             21.
             
          
           
             Gr.
             
          
           
             Rom.
             2.
             6
             ,
             7.
             
          
           
             Col.
             3.
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.