Heaven and earth reconciled A sermon preached at Saint Pauls church in Bedford, October.…Heauen and earth reconcil'd A sermon preached at Saint Paules church in Bedford, October.…

A double beam, then, you must expect from your Stars, your Ministers, preaching, and praising God: the means & the end; both I say, not one only: some of you are all for prayers, and care for no preaching: some all for preaching, & care for no praying: if there be no sermon, they will sit still, and serve God at home; as if he had promised his presence to the chimney corner, sooner then to the Temple. Indeed saith S. Paul, despise not prophesying, but for ought I see,¹ he allows no where, the vilipending of public prayers, but rather seems to imitate, Magnify praising God; for he prefixeth, if not preferreth, Pray continually, ²and, in all things give thanks, &c. adding under them;³ and, Despise not Prophesying. I speak it not to vilify ⟨image 14⟩Preaching, (so principally a necessary means for our salvation,) J would ye did all Prophesy, was the the speech of Moses and Paul: Neither would I hearten the common disestimation, and contempt of public Prayers: both are necessary; yet is the last best (if I be not deceived) so far as the end transcends the means: Your health is more precious then the Physic, that recovers you, though it come as far as the East. All our Preaching, labours and Aims at this, to beget in you a knowledge, and a conscience, how to serve and praise God.⁴ Preaching is the work of our way, praising God, of our Country: in Heaven there shall be no Sermons, but even then Hosanna's and Hallelujah's: We shall spend the time, nay that eternity, in praising our Creator and Saviour, and Sanctifier, when there shall be none to preach to us. Love then Preaching and do not despise Praying; both are the lightful & delightful beams, that come from your Stars, your Ministers.

A double beame, then, you must expect from your Starres, your Ministers, preaching, and praising God: the meanes & the end; both I say, not one only: some of you are all for prayers, and care for no preaching: some all for preaching, & care for no praying: if there be no sermon, they will sitte still, and serue God at home; as if he had promised his presence to the chimney corner, sooner then to the Temple. Indeed sayth S. Paul, dispise not prophecying, but for ought I see,