Ultima, = the last things in reference to the first and middle things

But secondly, as Nature, so Scripture will inform you in this point. The life of man is but of little esteem; what is it but a Shrub, or a Brier in the fire? As the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the (life or) laughter of the fool: momentary and vanity, Eccles. 7.6.¹ Nay, a shrub were something, but our life ⟨p. 4⟩is less no better then a leaf, not a tree, nor shrub, nor fruit nor blossom: We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have swept us away, Isaiah 64 6.² Yet a leaf may glory of his birth; it is descended of a Tree; life is a Reed, sometimes broken at least shaken, so vain, so infirm so inconstant is the life of man: What went you out to see? a reed shaken with the wind? Matth. 11.7.³ Nay, a reed were something, our life is baser, indeed no better then a rush or flag. Can a rush grow without mire? though it were green and not cut down, yet shall it wither before any other herb, Job 8 11, 12.⁴ What shall I say more? what shall I cry, a rush? All flesh is grass, and all the grace thereof as the flower of the field, the grass withereth, the flower fadeth, surely the people is grass, Esa. 40.7.⁵ I am descended beneath just patience; but not so low as the life of man; as all these resemble life, so in some measure they have life: but life is a smoke, without any spark of life in it, thus cries David, My days are consumed like smoke, & my bones are burnt like an hearth, Psal. 102.3