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

1. Sense is actually the great Dictator §1to the most of men, and defacto, determines them to the mark and scope which they pursue, and animates the whole pursuit. Not that sense is by it self capable of designing an end, but it too generally inclines and biasses Reason herein. So that Reason hath no other hand in the business, than ⟨p. 34⟩only as a slave to Sense, to form the design and contrive the methods which may most conduce to it, for the gratification of sensual appetite and inclination at last.

1. Sense is actually the great Dictator §1to the most of men, and defacto, determines them to the mark and scope which they pursue, and animates the whole pursuit. Not that sense is by it self capable of designing an end, but it too generally inclines and byasses Reason herein. So that Reason hath no other hand in the business, than ⟨p. 34⟩only as a slave to Sense, to form the design and contrive the methods which may most conduce to it, for the gratification of sensual appetite and inclination at last.

And the appetitions of sense (wherein it hath so much mastery and dominion) are but such as we find enumerated 1 John 2. 16. the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, the pride of life. Or (if we understand the Apostle to use the name of lust objectively) the objects sufficiently connote the appetitions themselves. All which may fitly be referred to Sense, either the outward senses, or the fancy and imagination, which, as deservedly, comes under the same common denomination.

And the appetitions of sense (wherein it hath so much mastery and dominion) are but such as we find enumerated