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

I Shall next proceed to a more particular view of those Objects, from whence Consideration derives vigour, for the inclining of the Will to a right Choice, and for regulating the Life.

1. Consider the End for which Man was designed in his Creation, why endued with rational and noble Powers of Soul, and placed by the Sovereign Maker in the highest rank of so numerous and various Natures that fill the Universe. Is it to raise an Estate, to shine in Pomp, to enjoy sensual Pleasures for a little while, and after the fatal term to be no more for ever? Was he sent into the World upon as mean a Business as that of the foolish Emperor, who employed an Army, furnished with all Military Preparations, to gather Shells upon the Sea-shore? This were, ⟨p. 205⟩according to the passionate expostulation of the Psalmist, to charge God that he had made all Men in vain. Reason and Scripture tells us the End of Man is to glorify and enjoy God, the obtaining whereof makes him perfectly happy, and the missing of it perfectly miserable. This is a fundamental Truth, upon which the whole Fabric of Mans Duty and Felicity is built. Without this Foundation, our Faith presently sinks. If the clearness of this principle be obscured, we shall wander from the way of Eternal Life, and not only lose the way, but the remembrance and desire of it. Thinking is the property of the reasonable Soul, and the just order of Consideration is, that the Mind primarily regards this supreme directive Truth that is to govern all our Actions. 'Twas prudent Counsel that^* one of the Ancients gave for composing a Book, that the Author frequently reflect upon the Title, that it may correspond in all the parts with his original Design. Thus it becomes a Man often to consider the End of his Being, that the course of his Life may have a direct tendency to it; and the more excellent our End is, the more constraining is the necessity to ⟨p. 206⟩prosecute it. 'Tis of great Efficacy to reflect upon our selves, Whither do my Thoughts and Desires tend? for what do I spend my Strength and consume my Days? Will it be my last Account how much by my Prudence and Diligence I have exceeded others in temporal acquisitions? If a General were at play while the Armies are engaging, would it be a noble Exploit for him to win the Game, whiles his Army for want of conduct loses the Victory? Will it be profitable for a Man to gain the World, and lose his Soul? Let Conscience answer in Truth.