Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

2. How foolish a thing is it to set our hearts upon that which shall perish, and be no more what it is now? The Heavens and Earth, the solidest and firmest parts of the Creation shall not continue in the posture they are; they must perish and undergo a refining change: How feeble and weak are the other parts of the Creation, the little Creatures walking upon and fluttering about the world, that are perishing and dying every day; and we scarce see them clothed with life and beauty this day, but they wither and are despoiled of all the next; and are such frail things fit Objects for our everlasting Spirits and Affections? Though the daily employment of the Heavens is the declaration of the glory of God^*, yet neither this, nor their harmony, order, beauty, amazing greatness and glory of them, shall preserve them from a dissolution and melting at the presence of the Lord: Though they have remained in the same posture from the Creation till this day, and are of so great antiquity; yet they must bow down to a change before the Will and Word of their Creator; and shall we rest upon that which shall vanish like Smoke? Shall we take any Creature for our support like Ice, that will crack under our feet, and must by the order of their Lord Creator deceive our hopes? Perishing things can be no support to the Soul; If we would have rest, we must run to God and rest in God. How contemptible should that be to us, whose fashion shall pass away, which shall not endure long in its present form and appearance; contemptible as a rest, not contemptible as the work of God; contemptible as an end, not contemptible as a means to attain our end? If these must be changed, how unworthy are other things to be the Centre of our Souls, that change in our very using of them, and slide away in our very enjoyment of them?

2. How foolish a thing is it to set our hearts upon that which shall perish, and be no more what it is now? The Heavens and Earth, the solidest and firmest parts of the Creation shall not continue in the posture they are; they must perish and undergo a refining change: How feeble and weak are the other parts of the Creation, the little Creatures walking upon and fluttering about the world, that are perishing and dying every day; and we scarce see them clothed with life and beauty this day, but they wither and are despoyl'd of all the next; and are such frail things fit Objects for our everlasting Spirits and Affections? Though the daily employment of the Heavens is the declaration of the glory of God