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

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.

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 Center of rest! the Stay of the Creation! the Fulness of all things! I joyn my self to thee; with thee I will lead my life, and sp•nd 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.