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

Methinks since we acknowledge such an order of intelligent (and already happy) Creatures, we should even b•ush to think they should be spectators of our daily course and (too plainly discovered) inclinations, so disform and unagreeable to all the Laws and dictates of reasonable nature? What censures, may we think, do they pass upon our follies? Are ⟨p. 147⟩those things great in their eyes, that are so in ours? In lesser matters (as some interpret that passage) indecencies are to be avoided, because of those blessed spirits.¹ May we not then be ashamed that they should discern our terrene dispositions? and see us come, so unwillingly, into their con•ort, and happy state? Although our present depressing circumstances will not suffer us to be in all things, as yet, conformable to their high condition, we should however carry it as Candidates thereto, studying to approve our selves; waiting and longing to be transum'd and taken up into it.

Methinks since we acknowledg such an order of intelligent (and already happy) Creatures, we should even b•ush to think they should be spectators of our daily course and (too plainly discovered) inclinations, so disform and unagreeable to all the Laws and dictates of reasonable nature? What censures, may we think, do they pass upon our follies? Are ⟨p. 147⟩those things great in their eyes, that are so in ours? In lesser matters (as some interpret that passage) indecencies are to be avoided, because of those blessed spirits.¹ May we not then be ashamed that they should discern our terrene dispositions? and see us come, so unwillingly, into their con•ort, and happy state? Although our present depressing circumstances will not suffer us to be in all things, as yet, conformable to their high condition, we should however carry it as Candidates thereto, studying to approve our selves; waiting and longing to be transum'd and taken up into it.