Heaven upon earth, or, The best friend in the worst of times. Delivered in…

Shall I tell him that thou hast something of greater weight, and higher importance to trouble your head with? And do you in sober sadness think so? For you make account, that excuse is sufficient? I pray then make use of it your self (for I dare not.) When God shall come to ask you, why you did no more vigorously ⟨p. 58⟩mind the getting acquaintance with himself, tell him then if you think that answer will serve your turn, that you were not at leisure, you had such urgeth occasions which took up the whole of your time, such and such a friend you had, who sent for you to the Tavern, and you could not possibly come when he invited you, tell him if you believe that plea will hold water, that you would have been glad to have come upon his invitation, but that you were taken up with such good old friends, the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. How do you think such an answer will be taken? You may think to put us off with such kind of reasons as this: but do you hope by this answer to satisfy your Judge? Believe it sinner, God will not thus be put off. Wherefore I do again with all the earnestness I can for my soul renew by suit to thee, that thou wouldest act like a man in his wits; make some serious inquiry into the state and condition of thy soul. And consider for the Lords sake again and again, before you send me away thus, what errand I come to you on: It is to treat with you about a rich match for thy poor undone soul: therefore consider well what you do before you make light of this business, and know when you are well offered; believe it, God will not long send after you in this manner, and you are not like every day to have such proffers; Divine Patience and Goodness will not always plead at this rate with you; God will ere long say, let them alone: the Lord will ere long speak to scornful sinners in such language that will make their ears to tingle; he will despise and slight as well as they: and who is like to have the worst of it at last? ⟨p. 59⟩I leave to any rational man to judge. The time is coming, when your ungodly hearts shall ache to see him whom you might have had for your husband; when you shall have him for your Judge, whom you might have had for your Advocate. And though we could not get you to be willing to be acquainted with him, no, not so much as to have any serious thoughts about it, or to make any enquiry after him to inform your self concerning him;