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

I say, prevailing: For admit what is like to be alleged, that an addictedness to the body is by natural inclination; ought not the Laws of a Sup•rior to prevail over those of the inferior nature? And is not the love of God a higher natural Law than that of the body? to whom here our service is little, yea our disservice much; and from whose most desirable commerce we s•ffer so uncomfortable a disclusion by the sad circumstances of our bodily s•ate? Are we more nearly […] to a piece of C••y▪ […] to the Father of our spirits? And […], Is not every thing […]? and obliged to […] there, rather than […] in••rior thing (at least) •ow n••rly soever united? since there can be no pretence of any such […] union, than o• a thing with it self? And •re not our souls and our bodies (though ⟨p. 149⟩united, yet) distinct things? Why then should not our souls, that are capable of understanding their own interest, mind that first; intend most their own perfection and improvement, and begin their charity at home? It is nor strange, that what is weaker and more ignoble, should affect union with what is above it, and a spring of life to it: But when it is found burdensome, nothing forbids, but that the superior Being may be well content, upon fair and allowable terms, to be rid of the burden. Therefore though flesh and blood may reluctate and shrink at it, when we think of laying it down; yet it becomes immortal spirits to consider their own affairs, and be (more principally) intent upon what will be their own advantage. If so mean a Creature as a sorry Flea, finding it can draw a suitable aliment from our bodies, affect to dwell there, and is loath to leave us; It were a ludicrous pity to be therefore ⟨p. 150⟩content to endure its troublesome v•llications, because we fear the poor Animal should be put to its shifts, and not to be otherwise able to find a subsistence. 'Tis true, that the great Creator and Lord of the Universe, hath not permitted us the liberty of so throwing off our bodies when we will (which otherwise are in dignity far more beneath our spirits, than so despicable a Creature is beneath them).