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

And (a little to discuss this matter) what would we have to assure us? Do we expect a vision or a voice? or are we not to try our selves; and search for such characters in our own souls, as may distinguish and note us out for Heaven? Among these, what can be more clear and certain than this, that we have our hearts much set upon it? ¹They that have their conversations in Heaven, may from thence expect the Saviour, who shall change their vile bodies (the bodies of their ••mil••tion,² or low abject state) and make them like his own glorious body.

1. 1Phil. 3. 20, 21.
2. 2Gr.

God,¹ who will render to every man according to his works; will give them that by patient continuance in well doing, seek honour, and glory,² and immortality, eternal life. They that set their affections (or mind) on the things above, not those on the earth; when Christ shall appear, who is their life, shall appear with him in glory. Mistake not the notion of Heaven, or the blessedness of the other world; render it not to your selves a composition of sensual enjoyments; Understand it (principally) to consist in perfect holiness and communion with God (as his own word represents it, and as reason hath taught even some Pagans to reckon of it) and you cannot judg of your own Right by a surer and plainer Rule, than that eternal blessedness shall be theirs whose hearts are truly bent and directed towards it. Admit we, then, this Principle; and now let us reason with our selves from it: We have a discovery made to us of a future state, of blessedness in God, not as desirable only in it self, but as attainable,