Heaven taken

2. The meditation of the uncertainty of all things under the Sun, would much moderate our affections to them. Why should we so eagerly pursue an uncertainty: Many take care to get a great estate; it is uncertain whether they shall keep it. The fire may break in where the thief cannot: or if they do keep it, it is a question whether they shall have the comfort of it. They lay up for a child, that child may die; or, if he live, he may prove a burden. This seriously meditated on, would cure the dropsy of covetousness; and make us sit loose to that which hangs so loose, and is ready to drop off from us.

2. The meditation of the uncertainty of all things under the Sun, would much moderate our affections to them. Why should we so eagerly pursue an uncertainty: Many take care to get a great estate; it is uncertain whether they shall keep it. The fire may break in where the thief cannot: or if they do keep it, it is a question whether they shall have the comfort of it. They lay up for a child, that child may die; or, if he live, he may prove a burden. This seriously meditated on, would cure the dropsie of covetousness; and make us sit loose to that which hangs so loose, and is ready to drop off from us.

3. The meditation of this uncertainty would make us look after a certainty; that is, the getting of grace. This holy anointing abides, 1 John 2. 27. Grace is a flower o• Eternity,—Nonfertur•ad umbras inclyta virtus—Death doth not destroy grace, but transplant it, and make it grow in a better soil. He that hath true holiness, can ⟨p. 49⟩no more lose it, than the Angels can, which are fixed Stars in Glory.

3. The meditation of this uncertainty would make us look after a certainty; that is, the getting of grace. This holy anoiting abides,