The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present…

And every one will be ready to say, There is little of wisdom in that Government, the administration whereof is neither apt to beget fear or love in those that are subject to it: but either through the want of the one to be despised, or to be regretted through the want of the other.

And this being the very case, upon supposition of no future state; It seems altogether unworthy of the Divine Wisdom, that such a Creature should ever have been made, as Man, upon which no end is attainable (as the course of ⟨p. 63⟩Providence commonly runs in this world) in comparison whereof, it were not better, and more honourable to his Maker, (whose interest it is the part of his wisdom to consult) that he had never been. And therefore as to God, and the just and worthy designs of his glory, he would seem upon this supposition wholly made in vain.

2. And Secondly, How congruous and agreeable would this supposition prove to the Goodness of God? As that other Attribute of Wisdom doth more especially respect His own interest; so doth this, the interest of his Creatures: That is, if it be understood, not in a Metaphysical, but in a Moral sense, as it imports a propensity and steady bent of will unto benefaction, according to that of the Psalmist, ¹Thou art good, and dost good.

2. And Secondly, How congruous and agreeable would this supposition prove to the Goodness of God? As that other Attribute of Wisdom doth more especially respect His own interest; so doth this, the interest of his Creatures: That is, if it be understood, not in a Metaphysical, but in a Moral sense, as it imports a propensity and steddy bent of will unto benefaction, according to that of the Psalmist,