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

and therefore he doth very passionately plead with the people of God to love him, and more highly to express their sense of his goodness, that the world might be encouraged also to have good thoughts of him. What Nation under Heaven can say they have not tasted of his goodness, Psal. 33.5. All the carth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Read over the hundred forty fifth Psalm, and let us hear then what you have to say against God. Some indeed may speak of the might of Gods terrible acts; some that have despised his love, have felt his power and justice; as for these we cannot think them competent Judges, in this case; they will not, it may be, commend Gods goodness: yet even they cannot, will not condemn God of injustice, but exclaim against themselves for their unspeakable folly in slighting ⟨p. 67⟩his kindness when it was tendered to them. But as for others, ask them, and they will declare the goodness of God, they will abundantly utter the memory of his great goodness, and sing of his righteousness. Do but try poor sinner, do but try, come a little nearer, and believe your own experience; and if after a thorough knowledge of God, and a real acquaintance with him, you can say that his favour is not to be sought after, his love not worth the desiring; why then I have done▪ I have no more to say. I am sure if God were, as the Devil and the world represent him to be; in so many thousand of years, among so many thousands and millions that have been acquainted with him, and entertained by him, some of them would have complained before this, we should at one time or other have heard something against him. Now I challenge all the world to produce me but an experienced solid Saint, that when he acted like himself, and after he had been in the company of God, and had been feasted by him, could say that he kept a short house, especially could we but enquire of those that sit down at his Table, and are always in his presence; which of them all have a word to say against him? but of that more hereafter. No, no, it is in sinners themselves, there lies the fault; they believe the malicious father of lies, they easily credit the unexperienced ignorant world: and how little reason you have to believe so malicious enemies before the Word of Truth, I leave your selves to determine. O why will you take up a slander against your Creator so easily?