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

We should endeavour the excellency of a spirit refined from earth and dross, and aspiring towards a state of immortality, may express it self; and shine in its native lustre; with its own, not with borrowed beams; with a constant, even, natural; not with an unequal artificial light. That all that will, may see, by the steady tendency of our course, that we are aiming at the great things of another world. Though we, all the while, are not so much solicitous to have our end and purpose known, as to obtain it.

We should endeavour the excellency of a spirit refin'd from earth and dross, and aspiring towards a state of immortality, may express it self; and shine in its native lustre; with its own, not with borrowed beams; with a constant, even, natural; not with an unequal artificial light. That all that will, may see, by the steddy tendency of our course, that we are aiming at the great things of another world. Though we, all the while, are not so much solicitous to have our end and purpose known, as to obtain it.

And verily, since the vile sons ⟨p. 93⟩of the earth, the men of sense, that aim at no other end than to gratify their brutal appetite with such pleasure as is only to be compassed within a short li••s-time in this world; and who live to the reproach of their Maker, and of mankind, do not go about to hide the infamy of their low design, or conceal the degenerous baseness of their mean spirits; but while they make their belly their God, and only mind earthly things, do also glory in their shame: How much were it beneath the state and spirit of the sons of God, that are worthily designing for a glorious immortality, to be ashamed of their glory? or think of stealing a passage to Heaven in the dark?

And verily, since the vile sons ⟨p. 93⟩