It matters not whether we have more or less of these things, they have vanity written upon the frontispiece of them; the world is like a shadow •hat declineth; it is delightful, but deceitful, it promiseth more then we find, and it fails us when we have most need of it*. All the world rings changes, and is constant only in its disappointments: what then if we have less of that which is at best but voluble and fluid? The world is as full of mutation as motion; and what if God cuts us short in sublunaries? The more a man hath to do with the world, the more he hath to do with vanity. The world may be compared to ye, which is smooth, ⟨p. 265⟩but slippery; or to the Egyptian Temples, without very beautiful and sumptuous, but within nothing to be seen but the image of an Ape; every creature saith concerning satisfaction, It is not in me. The world is not a filling, but a flying comfort. 'Tis like a game at Tennis; Providence bandies her golden balls, first to one, then to another. Why are we discontented at the loss of these things, but because we expect that from them which is not, and repose that in them, which ought not? Jonah was exceeding glad of the Gourd*? what a vanity was it?3 is it much to see a withering Gourd smitten? or to see the Moon dressing it self in a new shape and figure?
It matters not whether wee have more or lesse of these things, they have vanity written upon the frontispice of them; the world is like a shadow •hat declineth; it is delightful, but deceitfull, it promiseth more then we finde, and it failes us when we have most need of it*. All the world rings changes, and is constant onely in its disappointments: what then if we have lesse of that which is at best but voluble and fluid? The world is as full of mutation as motion; and what if God cuts us short in sublunaries? The more a man hath to do with the world, the more he hath to do with vanity. The world may be compared to yee, which is smooth, ⟨p. 265⟩but slippery; or to the Egyptian Temples, without very beautiful and sumptuous, but within nothing to bee seene but the image of an Ape; every creature saith concerning satisfaction, It is not in me. The world is not a filling, but a flying comfort. 'Tis like a game at Tennis; Providence bandies her golden balls, first to one, then to another. Why are we discontented at the losse of these things, but because we expect that from them which is not, and repose that in them, which ought not? Ionah was exceeding glad of the Gourd*? what a vanity was it?3 is it much to see a withering Gourd smitten? or to see the Moone dressing it self in a new shape and figure?
- *O quantum est in rebus inane.
- *Jonah 4. 6.
- 3Quid est omnis hujus mundi voluptas? annon virens hedera, quae textili sylvâ per parietem inserpit, latamque supra caput umbram explicat? paravit Deus vermem & percussit he•eram, & exaruit: is à prorsus hederae nostrae subi••ò marcescunt, simúlque cum illis omne illud umbratile gaudium. Drexel. de Eter. p. 163.
