The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

GOD is a permanent good: That which makes a man happy, must be immortal like himself: as man is rational, so he is a provident creature, desirous to lay up for hereafter; and this forecast reacheth beyond the fools in the Gospel for many ⟨p. 119⟩years, even for millions of ages for ever, by laying hold on eternal life. He naturally desires an immortality of being (whence that inclination in creatures, say Philosophers, of propagating their kind) and therefore an eternity of blessedness. The soul can enjoy no perfection of happiness, if it be not commensurate to its own duration. For the greater our joy is in the fruition of any good, the greater our grief in its amission. Eternity is one of the fairest flowers in the glorified Saints garland of honour. Its an eternal weight of glory: 2. Cor. 4.17. Were the triumphant spirits ever to put off their Crown of life, the very thought thereof would be death, and like leaven would sower the whole lump of their comforts. The perpetuity of their state, adds infinitely to their pleasure. We shall ever be with the Lord. 2. Thes. 4.16. Here they have many a sweet bait, but there God will be their standing-dish, never off the Heavenly Table.

The creature cannot make man happy,¹ because (as it is not able to fill him so,) it is not fast to him; like the Moon in the increase, it may shine a little the former part of the night, but is down before morning. Man is not sure to hold them whilst he liveth. How often is the candle of outward comforts blown out by a sudden blast of providence? Many (as Naomi) go out full, but come home empty; some disaster or other as a Thief meets them by the way, and robs them of their deified treasure. The Vessel in which all of some mens wealth is embarked, while it spreadeth fair with its, proud Sails, and danceth along upon the surging waters, when the Factor in it is pleasing himself with the kind salutes he shall receive