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

And it is further to be considered, that since God hath given man a being capable of subsisting in another state (as doth appear by what hath been already said): And since he is therefore capable of enjoying a greater happiness than his present state can admit of; that capacity will draw upon him a most indispensable obligation to intend that happiness as his end, For admit that there be no future state for him, it is however impossible any man should know there is none; and upon an impartial view of the whole case, he hath enough to render it (at least) far more likely to him that there is. And ⟨p. 46⟩certainly he cannot but be obliged to pursue the highest good (even by the Law of Nature it self) which his nature is capable of; which probably he may attain, and which he is no where forbidden by his Creator to aspire unto. Whence therefore, if we now circumscribe him within the limits of this present mortal state; or if, for argument's sake, we suppose eventually there is no other; we must not only confess that capacity to be given him in vain, but that he is obliged also to employ the principal endeavours of his life, and all his powers in vain (for certainly his principal endeavour ought to be laid out in order to his principal end): That is, to pursue that good which he may attain, but never shall; and which is possible to him, but not upon any terms future.

And it is further to be considered, that since God hath given man a beeing capable of subsisting in another state (as doth appear by what hath been already said): And since he is therefore capable of enioying a greater happiness than his present state can admit of; that capacity will draw upon him a most indispensable obligation to intend that happiness as his end, For admit that there be no future state for him, it is however impossible any man should know there is none; and upon an impartial view of the whole case, he hath enough to render it (at least) far more likely to him that there is. And ⟨p. 46⟩certainly he cannot but be obliged to pursue the highest good (even by the Law of Nature it self) which his nature is capable of; which probably he may attain, and which he is no where forbidden by his Creator to aspire unto. Whence therefore, if we now circumscribe him within the limits of this present mortal state; or if, for argument's sake, we suppose eventually there is no other; we must not only confess that capacity to be given him in vain, but that he is obliged also to employ the principal endeavours of his life, and all his powers in vain (for certainly his principal endeavour ought to be laid out in order to his principal end): That is, to pursue that good which he may attain, but never shall; and which is possible to him, but not upon any terms future.