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

Now if there be so vast a difference in their Nature, as between a painted Vapour, and the solid glorious Good, between Finite and Infinite, why is there not a difference accordingly in our Esteem, Affections and Respects to them? How unreasonable is it that a Soul capable of God, should cleave to the Dust? It would be most egregious Folly to hang a Weight, that is able to turn a great Engine, upon a small Clock: 'tis incomparably more Foolish, when the love of Happiness, the Weight of Human Nature, which applied aright, will turn our Desires to Heaven, is only used to give vigorous motion to our endeavours about earthly things.

2. Consider their Duration. The Apostle tells us that the main scope of his actions was things invisible; and gives the reason of it, for the things that are seen are Temporal, and the things that are not ⟨p. 211⟩seen are Eternal. To insist upon the vast difference between temporal and eternal may seem needless: for the first notions of things are of such uncontrollable Clearness, that an attempt to prove them, is to light a Candle to discover the Sun. Yet this principle drawing after it such powerful Consequences for the government of our Hearts and Lives, and Conscience being so remiss, and the sensual Affections so rebellious, 'tis needful to consider this seriously, that what is really assented to in Speculation, may not be contradicted in Practice. Now who can unfold the infinite volume of Ages in Eternity? the Understanding of an Angel can no more comprehend what is incomprehensible than the Mind of a Man. A Snail will pass over an immense space as soon as an Eagle: for though one dispatches more way than the other, yet both are equally distant from arriving to the end of what is endless. But that the conception of Eternity may be more distinct, and affecting, it is useful to represent it under some temporal resemblances, that sensibly though not fully express it. Suppose that the vast Ocean were distilled drop by drop, but so ⟨p. 212⟩slowly that a thousand years should pass between every drop, how many Millions of years were required to empty it? Suppose this great World in its full compass from one Pole to another, and from the top of the Firmament to the bottom, were to be filled with the smallest Sand, but so slowly that every thousand years only a single Grain should be added, how many Millions would pass away before it were filled? If the immense Superficies of the Heavens, wherein are innumerable Stars, the least of which equals the magnitude of the Earth, were filled with Figures of Numbers without the least vacant space, and every Figure signified a Million, what created Mind could tell their Number, much less their Value? Having these Thoughts, I reply; the Sea will be emptied drop by drop, the Universe filled grain by grain, the Numbers written in the Heavens will come to an end, and how much of Eternity is then spent? Nothing; for still infinitely more remains.