be of low degree.”  Which Ecclesiastes also confirmeth:  “Man walketh in a shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain:  he heapeth up riches, and can not tell who shall gather them.  The living (saith he) know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing at all:  for who can show unto man what shall be after him under the sun?” He therefore accounteth it among the rest of worldly vanities, to labor and travail in the world; not knowing after death whether a fool or a wise man should enjoy the fruits thereof:  “which made me (saith he) endeavor even to abhor mine own labor.”  And what can other men hope, whose blessed or sorrowful estates after death God hath reserved? man’s knowledge lying but in his hope, seeing the Prophet Isaiah confesseth of the elect, “That Abraham is ignorant of us, and Israel knows us not.”  But hereof we are assured, that the long and dark night of death (of whose following day we shall never behold the dawn till his return that hath triumphed over it), shall cover us over till the world be no more.  After which, and when we shall again receive organs glorified and incorruptible, the seats of angelical affections, in so great admiration shall the souls of the blessed be exercised, as they can not admit the mixture of any second or less joy; nor any return of foregone and mortal affection towards friends, kindred, or children.  Of whom whether we shall retain any particular knowledge, or in any sort distinguish them, no man can assure us; and the wisest men doubt.  But on the contrary, if a divine life retain any of those faculties which the soul exercised in a mortal body, we shall not at that time so divide the joys of Heaven, as to cast any part thereof on the memory of their felicities which remain in the world.  No, be their estates greater than ever the world gave, we shall (by the difference known unto us) even detest their consideration.  And whatsoever comfort shall remain of all forepast, the same will consist in the charity which we exercised living; and in that piety, justice, and firm faith, for which it pleased the infinite mercy of God to accept of us, and receive us.  Shall we therefore value honor and riches at nothing? and neglect them, as unnecessary and vain?  Certainly no.  For that infinite wisdom of God, which hath distinguished his angels by degrees; which hath given greater and less light and beauty to heavenly bodies; which hath made differences between beasts and birds; created the eagle and the fly, the cedar and the shrub; and among stones, given the fairest tincture to the ruby, and the quickest light to the diamond; hath also ordained kings, dukes, or leaders of the people, magistrates, judges, and other degrees among men.  And as honor is left to posterity, for a mark and ensign of the virtue and understanding of their ancestors:  so (seeing Siracides preferreth death before beggary:  and that titles, without proportionable estates, fall under the miserable succor of other men’s pity) I account it foolishness