The sovereign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain itThe soveraign and final happiness of man with the effectual means to obtain it

1. This Life is the only season allowed us for preparation in order to Immortality. As we improve or neglect it, we shall be for ever. 'Tis observed concerning the Straights where the Sea is but a few miles broad,¹ yet from thence it pours it self into the vast Ocean that extends to both the Indies. So this Life that is confined within the straits of Time, issues it self into a boundless Eternity of Good or Evil. From a few years, well or ill spent here, tam immensa soeculorum vastitas panditur, Millions of Ages follow of Happiness or Misery. If Men now set their affections on things above, and earnestly seek them, they shall joyfully ascend to the Inheritance of the Saints in Light: for the ⟨p. 121⟩preparation for Happiness is here, the perfection of it hereafter. But if they are carnally minded, and the main design of their lives be to enjoy the present World, when the parting hour is come, and Death shall make a separation between them and it, their Misery is irrecoverable as the Grave. Indeed if we had two lives in succession allowed us for trial, and having erred in our choice of Happiness in the first, might correct our error in a second Life, there were some pretence for security: but since immediately after Death a private judgment passes upon the Soul, without appeal to a more favourable Tribunal, since then the error is unpardonable for ever, there is no stupidity equals the present neglect of Salvation.

1. This Life is the only season allowed us for preparation in order to Immortallity. As we improve or neglect it, we shall be for ever. 'Tis observ'd concerning the Straights where the Sea is but a few miles broad,¹ yet from thence it pours it self into the vast Ocean that extends to both the Indies. So this Life that is confin'd within the straits of Time, issues it self into a boundless Eternity of Good or Evil. From a few years, well or ill spent here, tam immensa soeculorum vastitas panditur, Millions of Ages follow of Happiness or Misery. If Men now set their affections on things above, and earnestly seek them, they shall joyfully ascend to the Inheritance of the Saints in Light: for the ⟨p. 121⟩preparation for Happiness is here, the perfection of it hereafter. But if they are carnally minded, and the main design of their lives be to enjoy the present World, when the parting hour is come, and Death shall make a separation between them and it, their Misery is irrecoverable as the Grave. Indeed if we had two lives in succession allowed us for tryal, and having err'd in our choice of Happiness in the first, might correct our errour in a second Life, there were some pretence for security: but since immediately after Death a private judgment passes upon the Soul, without appeal to a more favourable Tribunal, since then the errour is unpardonable for ever, there is no stupidity equals the present neglect of Salvation.