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

His Kingdom is not of this world (as we profess not to be). We cannot be innocently ignorant, that its constitution and frame, its laws and ordinances, its aspect and tendency in its self, and the whole course of its administration, are directed to that other state. He hath overcome death, and him that had the power of it; hath brought life and immortality to light, is the first begotten from the dead, and the first fruits of them that slept; hath opened Heaven to us, ⟨p. 139⟩and is himself ascended, and entered as our victorious triumphant Captain and Fore-runner. He is adorned with highest Power, and hath set up an Universal Kingdom, extended to the utmost bounds of this apostate World, and the vaster Regions of innocent and constantly loyal Spirits. His Proclamations are issued out, his Ensigns displayed, to invite and call in whosoever are weary of the sin and vanity of this wretched world, of their alienation from the life of God, of living in the midst of death; to join themselves to Him, the Prince and Lord of Life; and be led by Him to the immortal state. If the present state of things appear dismal to us; if we reckon it a woeful spectacle to behold sin and death reigning, wickedness and mortality acting their combined parts, to waste the world, and lay it desolate; If we would deliver our selves, and escape from the common ruin; are seriously designing for Heaven, ⟨p. 140⟩and that World in which Death hath no place, nor any shadow of Death; Let us betake our selves to Him, enrol our Names, put our selves under his Banners and Discipline, strictly observing the Laws, and following the guidance of that our invisible Lord, who will be Author of eternal salvation to them that obey him; and save to the uttermost all that come to God through him. How dear should he be to us! How cheerfully should we trust him, how dutifully serve him, how faithfully adhere to him, both for his own sake, and that of the design he hath in hand for us, and the pleasant savour of Heaven and Immortality which breathes in both!

His Kingdom is not of this world (as we profess not to be). We cannot be innocently ignorant, that its constitution and frame, its laws and ordinances, its aspect and tendency in its self, and the whole course of its administration, are directed to that other state. He hath overcome death, and him that had the power of it; hath brought life and immortality to light, is the first begotten from the dead, and the first fruits of them that slept; hath opened Heaven to us,