The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

But canst thou indeed think it worth the while, that the Maker of the Universe should create a Soul, and send it down into the world on purpose, to superintend these trivial affairs, to keep alive a silly piece of well figured earth, while it eats, and drinks; to move it to and fro in chase of shadows; to hold it up, while others bow the knee, and do it homage, if it had not some higher work to mind in reference to another state? Art thou contented to live long in the world, to such purposes? what low worthless Spirit is this, that had rather be so employed, then in the visions of this Makers face? that chooses thus to entertain it self on earth, rather then partake the effusions of Divine glory above. That had rather creep with Worms, then soar with Angels, associate with Brutes, then with the Spirits of just men made perfect, who can solve the Phenomenon, or give a rational account why there should be such a Creature as man upon the Earth, abstracting from the hopes of another world? who can think it the effect of an infinite wisdom? or account it a more worthy design, then the representing of such a Scene of actions and affairs ⟨p. 406⟩by Puppets on a Stage? for my part, upon the strictest enquiry; I see nothing in the life of man upon earth, that should render it for it self, more the matter of a rational election (supposing the free option given him in the first moment of his being) then presently again to cease to be the next moment.

But canst thou indeed think it worth the while, that the Maker of the Universe should create a Soul, and send it down into the world on purpose, to superintend these trivial affairs, to keep alive a silly piece of well figured earth, while it eats, and drinks; to move it to and fro in chase of shadows; to hold it up, while others bow the knee, and do it homage, if it had not some higher work to mind in reference to another state? Art thou contented to live long in the world, to such purposes? what low worthless Spirit is this, that had rather be so imploy'd, then in the visions of this Makers face? that chuses thus to entertain it self on earth, rather then partake the effusions of Divine glory above. That had rather creep with Worms, then soar with Angels, associate with Bruits, then with the Spirits of just men made perfect, who can solve the Phaenomenon, or give a rational account why there should be such a Creature as man upon the Earth, abstructing from the hopes of another world? who can think it the effect of an infinite wisdom? or account it a more worthy design, then the representing of such a Scene of actions and affairs