On the Vanity of the World

How long shall empty Toys possess the Mind, Which should to solid Joys be more inclin'd! What true Content can spring t'immortal Souls From Riches, that take Wings, or lurk in Holes! Thereby deluding those who seem t' possess Them; but excluding from the Happiness, Which, in right Use of them, might be enjoy'd; So in th' Abuse their Hearts are more employ'd, Hoping to find therein a true Content Unto the Mind: Yet nothing permanent Can e'er be found in fading Vanity; Such Hopes are crown'd at last with Misery. Shall then the seeming Beauty of this Thing So disengage from Duty to the King Of Glory, who alone should rule in Man? The Heart shall be his Throne: Shall these Things then So sway the Mind, that Mortals should thereby Be thus inclin'd to dote on Vanity, Rather than to adore their Maker, and Fall down before him, at his just Command. May he be their Delight and Joy alone, For everlasting Life in him is known: Whereas the Love of transient Objects here, Doth often prove a Soul deluding Snare, To hold them fast, as in Captivity: Until at last, for their Iniquity, They come to find themselves in this sad State, Their Minds tormented, and their Joys t' abate. Should any then employ his Time, his Labour, To gain a fading Toy, and lose the Favour Of his Creator! Who, with tender Love, Doth as a Father, visit from above, And gently call unto himself, that he Might ransom all to perfect Liberty: Yet might we use needful Enjoyments here, Without Abuse, in holy Dread and Fear. These outward Things should not possess the Mind, That to the King of Kings should be resign'd. And he perswades to leave Things transitory, Yea, freely leads to never-fading Glory; Come then, embrace the Crown that's set before ye.