The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

2. Consider that it is the unseen things that are only Great and Necessary, that are worthy of a man, and answer the excellency of our nature, and the ends of our lives, and all our mercies. All other things are inconsiderable toys, except as they are dignified by their relation to these. Whether a man step into eternity from a Palace or a Prison, a Lordship or a Lazarus state, is little to be regarded. All men in the world, whose designs and business take up with any thing short of Heaven, are in the main of one condition, and are but in several degrees and forms in the School of folly. If the intendment of your lives fall short of God, it matters not much what it is you seek, as to any great difference. If lesser children play for pins, and bigger boys for points and pence, and aged children for lands and money, for titles of honour, and command, What difference is there between these, in point of wisdom and felicity? but that the little ones have more innocent delights, and at a cheaper rate, than the aged have, without the vexatious cares and dangers that attend more grave and serious dotage. As Holiness to the Lord is written upon all that is faithfully referred to his Will and Glory; so Vanity and Sin, is written upon all that is but made provision for the flesh, and hath no higher end than Self. To go to Hell with greater stir, and attendance, and repute, with greater pomp and pleasure than the poor, is a poor consolation, a pitiful felicity!

2. Consider that it is the unseen things that are only Great and Necessary, that are worthy of a man, and answer the excellency of our nature, and the ends of our lives, and all our mercies. All other things are inconsiderable toyes, except as they are dignified by their relation to these. Whether a man step into eternity from a Palace or a Prison, a Lordship or a Lazarus state, is little to be regarded. All men in the world, whose designs and business take up with any thing short of Heaven, are in the main of one condition, and are but in several degrees and forms in the School of folly. If the intendment of your lives fall short of God, it matters not much what it is you seek, as to any great difference. If lesser children play for pins, and bigger boyes for points and pence, and aged children for lands and money, for titles of honour, and command, What difference is there between these, in point of wisdom and felicity? but that the little ones have more innocent delights, and at a cheaper rate, than the aged have, without the vexatious cares and dangers that attend more grave and serious dotage. As Holiness to the Lord is written upon all that is faithfully referred to his Will and Glory; so Vanity and Sin, is written upon all that is but made provision for the flesh, and hath no higher end than Self. To go to Hell with greater stir, and attendance, and repute, with greater pomp and pleasure than the poor, is a poor consolation, a pitiful felicity!