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

And to his dispose that hath ordered this conjunction for a time (whether we look upon it as an effect of his simple pleasure, or of his displeasure) we must yield an awful and a patient submission, till this part of his Providence towards us have run its course, and attained its ends. And then, how welcome should the hour of our discharge and freedom be, from so troublesome an Associate! which upon no other account than that of duty towards the Author of our beings, one would more endure, than to have ⟨p. 151⟩the most noisome offensive Vermin always preying upon his flesh. At least, (though the consideration of our own advantage had no place with us in this matter) the same sense of duty towards our great Creator, which should make us patient of an abode in the body, while he will have it so; should also form our spirits to a willing departure, when it shall be his pleasure to release us thence. But that neither a regard to his ple• sure, nor our own blessedness, should prevail against our love to the body, is the unaccountable thing I speak of. And to plead only, in the case, the corruption of our natures that sets us at odds with God and our selves, is to justify the thing by what is it self most unjustifiable; or rather (as some that have affected to be styled Philosophers have been wont to expedite difficulties, by resolving the matter into the usual course of Nature, which is) to resolve the thing into it self, and say, It is so, ⟨p. 152⟩because it is so, or is wont to be; and indeed, plainly to confess there is no account to be given of it. This being the very thing about which we expostulate, that reasonable nature should so prevaricate: The commonness whereof doth not take away the wonder, but rather render it more dreadful and astonishing.

And to his dispose that hath order'd this conjunction for a time (whether we look upon it as an effect of his simple pleasure, or of his displeasure) we must yeild an awful and a patient submission, till this part of his Providence towards us have run its course, and attain'd its ends. And then, how welcome should the hour of our discharge and freedom be, from so troublesome an Associate! which upon no other account than that of duty towards the Author of our beings, one would more endure, than to have ⟨p. 151⟩