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

When three terrible Evils were propounded to David's choice, pining Famine for three years, or bloody War for three Months, or devouring Pestilence for three days, he chose the shortest, though in it self the heaviest Evil.

Many sad Days must pass under the other Judgments, where Death by anticipation ⟨p. 260⟩in such variety of Shapes would be presented to the Mind, that the lingering expectation of it would afflict more than the sudden stroke: whereas the fury of the Pestilence would be soon over. But the Damned have not this relief, but shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. How earnestly do they seek for Death, but cannot find it? what a favour would they esteem it to be annihilated? For certainly, if when the Evils in the present State are so multiplied, that no Comfort is left, or so violent that the afflicted Person cannot enjoy them, and refresh his sorrowful Spirit, Death is chosen rather than Life, it cannot be imagined that in the future State where the Misery is extreme, and nothing remains to allay it, that the Damned should be in love with the unhappy good of simple being, and not choose an absolute extinction if it might be.

Many sad Days must pass under the other Judgments, where Death by anticipation ⟨p. 260⟩in such variety of Shapes would be presented to the Mind, that the lingring expectation of it would afflict more than the sudden stroke: whereas the fury of the Pestilence would be soon over. But the Damned have not this relief, but shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. How earnestly do they seek for Death, but cannot find it? what a favour would they esteem it to be annihilated? For certainly, if when the Evils in the present State are so multiplyed, that no Comfort is left, or so violent that the afflicted Person cannot enjoy them, and refresh his sorrowful Spirit, Death is chosen rather than Life, it cannot be imagined that in the future State where the Misery is extream, and nothing remains to allay it, that the Damned should be in love with the unhappy good of simple being, and not choose an absolute extinction if it might be.