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

For whereas we can never give a ⟨p. 76⟩rational account why such a Creature as man was made, if we confine all ou• apprehensions concerning him to his present state on earth: Let them once transcend those narrow limits, fly over into eternity, and behold him made for an everlasting state hereafter; and the difficulty now vanishes, the whole affair looks with a com•ly and befitting aspect.

For whereas we can never give a ⟨p. 76⟩rational account why such a Creature as man was made, if we confine all ou• apprehensions concerning him to his present state on earth: Let them once transcend those narrow limits, flye over into eternity, and behold him made for an everlasting state hereafter; and the difficulty now vanishes, the whole affair looks with a com•ly and befitting aspect.

For we may now represent the case thus to our selves. That man was put into this terrestrial state and dwelling, by the wise and righteous designation of his great Creator and Lord, that his Loyalty to him amidst the temptations and enticements of sensible things, might be tried a while: That revolting from Him, he is only left to feel here the just smart of his causeless defection. That yet such farther methods are used for his recovery, as are most suitable to his so impaired state. An allayed light shines to him in the midst of darkness, that ⟨p. 77⟩his feebler eye may receive a gradual illumination, and behold God in those more obscure discoveries which he now vouchsafes of himself, till by degrees he be won to take up good thoughts of him, and return into an acquaintance and friendship with him; which once begun here, shall be hereafter perfected in eternal fruitions. The offence and wrong done to his Maker, he in a strange unthought of way makes compensation of to himself. And testifies his reconcilableness, and persuades a reconciliation upon such terms, and by so endearing Mediums as might melt and mollify hearts of Adamant; and shall effectually prevail with many to yield themselves the Subjects and Instances of his admired goodness for ever; while others lye only under the natural consequents and just resentments of their unremedied enmity and olly. So are the glorious issues of God's dispensation towards man, and the wise