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

And with a proportionable unconcernedness should they look on and behold the various alternations of Political Affairs; no further minding (either the constitution or administration of Government) than as the Interest of the universal Ruler, the weal and safety of their Prince or Country are concerned in them▪ But how many under the specious pretence of a public spirit, make it their whole business to inspect ⟨p. 110⟩and pry into these affairs, even with a most meanly private and interested one! watching over the Public beyond the bounds of their own Calling; and with no other design, than to catch at an opportunity of serving their own turns! How many that stand perpetually at a gaze, in a suspenseful expectation how things will go! either joying or hoping to behold any favourable prognostics to the Party whereto they have thought fit to addict themselves. Glad, or desirous to see it engross power, and grasp the sum of things, not from any sense of duties towards God's Vicegerents; not from love of Justice, or study of public advantage; but that the happier lo• may befall or remain to themselves: These men are absorpt, and swallowed up of the spirit of this World, contempered only to this sublunary Region, concorporate with the earth, so as to partake in all its pangs and paroxysms, and tremulous motions. By the ⟨p. 111⟩beating of their pulse you may know the state of things in this lower World, as if they were of the same piece, and had but one soul with it. Let them see times and a state of things on earth suitable to their Genius, and you put a new life and soul into them. Reduce them to a despair here, and (so little communion have they with the affairs of that other Country) the most specious inviting representation that can be made to them of the world to come, hinders not, but their hearts languish and dye, and become as stones within them.

And with a proportionable unconcernedness should they look on and behold the various alternations of Political Affairs; no further minding (either the constitution or administration of Government) than as the Interest of the universal Ruler, the weal and safety of their Prince or Countrey are concerned in them▪ But how many under the specious pretence of a publike spirit, make it their whole business to inspect