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

But, if any place could be found for calm and sober thoughts, What would be reckoned a greater impertinency, than to be at so great pains for maintaining a bodily life, without considering what that life shall serve for? To employ our utmost care to live, but to live for we know not what? It becomes us to be patient of the body, not fond. To treat and use our bodies as things shortly to be put off, and laid aside. To care for them, not for their own, but the works sake we have to do in them; and leave it to them to indulge and pamper the body, who expect never to live out of it. Not to concern our selves, that the circumstances of our bodily state be such as will gratify our appetites, but answer the Ends for which our Maker thought fit we should live a while in the body. ⟨p. 121⟩Reckoning with our selves, We are lodged in these mean receptacles (though somewhat commodiously, yet) but for a little while, and for great purposes; and more minding our journey, and home, than our entertainment in our Inn. Contentedly bearing the want of bodily accommodations, that are not easily to be compassed, and the pressure of unavoidable bodily infirmities; not much pitying our selves because of them; nor deeply regretting it, if wants and pains pinch our flesh; nay, though we see the outward man perishing, so we can but find the inward renewing day by day.

But, if any place could be found for calm and sober thoughts, What would be reckon'd a greater impertinency, than to be at so great pains for maintaining a bodily life, without considering what that life shall serve for? To employ our utmost care to live, but to live for we know not what? It becomes us to be patient of the body, not fond. To treat and use our bodies as things shortly to be put off, and laid aside. To care for them, not for their own, but the works sake we have to do in them; and leave it to them to indulge and pamper the body, who expect never to live out of it. Not to concern our selves, that the circumstances of our bodily state be such as will gratifie our appetites, but answer the Ends for which our Maker thought fit we should live a while in the body. ⟨p. 121⟩Reckoning with our selves, We are lodg'd in these mean receptacles (though somewhat commodiously, yet) but for a little while, and for great purposes; and more minding our journey, and home, than our entertainment in our Inn. Contentedly bearing the want of bodily accommodations, that are not easily to be compass'd, and the pressure of unavoidable bodily infirmities; not much pitying our selves because of them; nor deeply regretting it, if wants and pains pinch our flesh; nay, though we see the outward man perishing, so we can but find the inward renewing day by day.