The Christians converse with God, or, The insufficiency and uncertainty of human friendship and…

Why then should I so much regard, a converse of so short continuance? Why should I be so familiar in my Inn, and so in love with that familiarity, as to grieve when I must but think of leaving it, or talk of going home, and look forward to the place where I must dwell for ever? shall I be fond of the company of ⟨p. 142⟩a passenger that I travel with (yea perhaps one that doth but meet me in the way, and goeth to a contrary place) and shall I not take more pleasure to remember home? I will not be so uncivil as to deny those I meet a short salute, or to be friendly with my fellow-Travellers: But remember, O my Soul, that thou dost not dwell but travel here, and that it is thy Fathers House where thou must abide forever: Yea and he is nearer thee than Man (though invisible) even in thy way. O see him then that is invisible: Hearken to him when he spea•eth: Obey his voice: Observe his way: Speak to him boldly, though humbly and reverently, a• his Child, about the great concernments of thy State: Tell him what it is that aileth thee: And seeing all thy smart is the fruit of thy own sin, confess thy folly and unkindness, crave his forgiveness, and remember him what his Son hath suffered, and for what: Treat with him about thy future course: Desire his Grace, and give up thy self to his Conduct and his Cure: Weep over in his Ears the History of thy misdoings and unthankful course: Tell it him with penitential tears and groans: But tell ⟨p. 143⟩him also the advantage that he hath for the honouring of his grace, if it may now abound where sin aboundeth: Tell him that thou art most offended with thy self, for that which he is most offended with: That thou art angry with thy disobedient unthankful heart: That thou art even a weary of that heart that loveth him no more: And that it shall never please thee, till it love him better and be more desirous to please him: Tell him of thy Enemies, and crave the protection of his Love: Tell him of thy frailties, infirmities and passions, and crave not only his tender forbearance, but his help: Tell him that without him thou canst do nothing; and crave the Grace that is sufficient for thee, that through him that strengtheneth thee thou mayest do all things: When thou fallest, despair not, but crave his helping hand to raise thee. Speak to him especially of the everlasting things, and thank him for his Promises, and for thy Hopes: