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

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 ⟨p. 82⟩Name; and only lest such a Family should want an Heir; Such a one to consume such an Estate, and devour the Provenue of so many Farms and Manors. Such a one to •ill so many Bags and Coffers, to sustain the riot of him that succeeds. Some created to see, and make sport; to run after Hawks and Dogs, or spend the time which their weariness redeems from converse with Brutes, in making themselves such, by drinking away the little residue of Wit and Reason they have left; mixing with this gentile exercise, their impure and scurrilous Drolleries, that they m•y befriend one another with the kind occasion of proving themselves to be yet of Humane Race, by this only demonstration remaining to them, that they can laugh. Which medium, if the wisdom of the jest were known, would be found so pregnant, as to afford them a double conclusion; and be as effectual oftentimes, to prove them Fools