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

But if we neglect Him, and disown our relation to him; or if we let days and years go over our heads, wherein we drowsily slumber; roll our selves in the dust of the earth; and, while we call our selves Christians, forget the reason and importance of our own ⟨p. 141⟩Name, and think not of our being under his call and conduct to the eternal Kingdom and Glory. This is perversely to reject what we say (only) we seek; to disclaim and renounce our pretences to Immortality; to blast and damn our own great hopes.

But if we neglect Him, and disown our relation to him; or if we let days and years go over our heads, wherein we drowsily slumber; roll our selves in the dust of the earth; and, while we call our selves Christians, forget the reason and importance of our own ⟨p. 141⟩Name, and think not of our being under his call and conduct to the eternal Kingdom and Glory. This is perversly to reject what we say (only) we seek; to disclaim and renounce our pretences to Immortality; to blast and damn our own great hopes.

Lastly, It is congruous to our §7expectation of so great things after death, That we live in a cheerful pleasant expectation of it. For what must necessarily intervene, though not grateful in it self, should be reckoned so, for the sake of that which is. This, only, can upon the best terms, reconcile us to the grave, That our greatest hopes lye beyond it; and are not hazarded by it, but accomplished.

Lastly, It is congruous to our §7expectation of so great things after death, That we live in a chearful pleasant expectation of it. For what must necessarily intervene, though not grateful in it self, should be reckon'd so, for the sake of that which is. This, only, can upon the best terms, reconcile us to the grave, That our greatest hopes lye beyond it; and are not hazarded by it, but accomplish't.