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

What sure ground of hope can we imagine to our selves, that our reconciliation and acquaintance with God shall ever be brought about, if it be not done while we are here in the body? Will we be ⟨p. 136⟩so vain, as to cherish an hope that not only affronts the visible import of God's revelation, but the very reason of things, and the natural tendency of our own spirits? Nor indeed (if we would consider better) can we possibly hope for what we desire not, or whereto our hearts are in an habitual disaffection, other ways than (in the present case) negatively; and that our infidelity permits us not to fear the contrary: yea, and the lively hope of a blessedness in God, as it includes desire, would certainly infer that Purity (the image of his own) that could never fail to incline our hearts to him, and which would habituate us to a course of walking with him in inward communion.

And this were comely and agreeable to our pretences; If while we profess our selves made for another state, we retire our selves from the fading things that put a vanity into this; and single out, by our own choice, the stable ⟨p. 137⟩good which we expect ever to enjoy. How befitting is it to pass by all things with neglect, and betake our selves hither with this sense?

Lord, I have viewed the World over in which thou hast set me; I have tried how this and that thing will fit my spirit, and the design of my Creation; and can find nothing in which to rest, for nothing here doth it self rest, but such things as please me for a while, in some degree, vanish and flee, as shadows, from before me. Lo, I come to Thee, the Eternal Being! the Spring of Life! the Centre of rest! the Stay of the Creation! the Fullness of all things! I join my self to thee; with thee I will lead my life, and spend my days, with whom I aim to dwell for ever; expecting when my little time is over, to be taken up, ere long, into thy Eternity.