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

The future immortality of man seen•s, therefore, so certainly grounded upon what is discovered and generally acknowledged touching the nature of God, and his most peculiar and essential Perfections, that unless we were further put to prove the existence of a God (which to them that are rational need not, and to them that are not, were in vain) there can no reasonable doubt remain concerning it.

The future immortality of man seen•s, therefore, so certainly grounded upon what is discovered and generally acknowledged touching the na•ure of God, and his most peculiar and essential Per•ections, that unless we were further put to prove the existence of a God (which to them that are rational need not, and to them that are not, were in vain) there can no reasonable doubt remain concerning it.

2. Wherefore the further use we have to make of the matter proposed, is in reference to our Practice: Which it may fi•ly serve both to correct and reprove, ⟨p. 81⟩and also to direct and guide.

1. It administers the ground of just rebuke, that since if we terminate our thoughts and designs upon things, only on this side the grave, it would seem we were wholly made in vain, we do yet so generally employ our cares and endeavours about such things, and even the vilest and most de•p ble of these: And so live, not to our own dishonour only, but to the reproach of our Maker, as if he made us for no more worthy Ends. And let us but impartially debate the matter with our selves: Can we, in sober reason, think we were made only for such Ends as the most only pursue? Have we any pretence to think so? Or can it enter into our souls to believe it? Would not men be ashamed to profess such a belief? Or to have it written in their foreheads, These are the only ends they are capable of? Then might one read, Such a man born to put others in mind of his Predecessor's