A44699:78
The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present…
The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present mortal state by J. Howe ...
London: printed by A. Maxwell for Sa. Gellibrand, 1673
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But how little doth it signify? and how flat and low a thing would it seem, that I should only turn mine eye upwards, and think a few admiring-thoughts of God this hour, while I apprehend my self liable to lose my very thinking-power, and whole being the next! Or if we could spread His just renown, and gain all the sons of men to a concurrence with us, in the adoring of His Sovereign Excellencies; how would it damp and stifle such loyal and dutiful affection, to consider, that the universal testimony, so deservedly given Him, shall shortly cease for ever! And that infinitely blessed Being, be ere long (again, as he was from Eternity before) the only Witness of his own glory!
But how little doth it signifie? and how flat and low a thing would it seem, that I should only turn mine eye upwards, and think a few admiring-thoughts of God this hour, while I apprehend my self liable to lose my very thinking-power, and whole beeing the next! Or if we could spread His just renown, and gain all the sons of men to a concurrence with us, in the adoring of His Soveraign Excellencies; how would it damp and stifle such loyal and dutiful affection, to consider, that the universal testimony, so deservedly given Him, shall shortly cease for ever! And that infinitely blessed Being, be ere long (again, as he was from Eternity before) the only Witness of his own glory!
And if the propension of a man's soul be towards God under the latter notion also, in order to a satisfaction that shall thence accrue to himself (which design, ⟨p. 43⟩both in the pursuit and execution of it, is so conjunct with the former, that it cannot be severed) It cannot but be an unspeakable diminution and check to the highest delights in this kind, to think how soon they shall have an end. That the darkness and dust of the grave shall shortly obscure and extinguish the glory of this lightsome scene.
And if the propension of a man's soul be towards God under the latter notion also, in order to a satisfaction that shall thence accrew to himself (which design,