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

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 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 refer'd to Sense, either the outward senses, or the fancy and imagination, which, as deservedly, comes under the same common denomination.

Now who can think the satisfying of these lusts the commensurate end of man? Who would not, upon the supposition of no higher, say with the Psalmist, Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? To what purpose was it for him to live in the world a few years, upon this account only, and ⟨p. 35⟩so go down to the place of silence? What is there in the momentary titillations of man's wanton flesh; in his pleasing-view of a Mass of Treasure (which he never brought with him into the world, but only heaped together, and so leaves not the world richer or poorer than he found it)? What is there in the applause and admiration of fools (as the greater part always are); that we should think it worth the while for man to have lived for these things? If the question were put, Wherefore did God make man? Who would not be ashamed so to answer it, He made him to eat and drink and take his pleasure; to gather up wealth for he knows not who; to use his inventions that each one may become a talk and wonder to the rest; and then when he hath fetched a few turns upon the Theatre, and entertained the eyes of beholders with a short scene of impertinences, descend, and never be heard of more? What? that he should come into the