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

Why will you receive such great things wherein your eternal welfare is concerned ⟨p. 68⟩upon trust? Do but search diligently, turn over the Bible, consult the experiences of wiser men, and see whether things be not as I tell you. And how doth the matter stand now poor heart? what must the Devil be believed before God? what is God a hard master still? of all the Creatures in the world, some of you have little reason to say so. Hast thou not been fed, clothed, and delivered a thousand times by him? Who is it that provided so richly for you? Who filled your barns? Who restored your health at such & such a time, when the Doctor gave you over? Was that one of his unkindnesses? Are these the things for which you slight him? God himself makes a challenge in Jer. 25 What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, & have walked after vanity, and become vain? neither said they, where is the God that brought us out of the land of Egypt, and let us through the wilderness, through a land of desert and pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, where no man dwelt: and I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof, & the goodness thereof, and yet you know not me, saith the Lord. Was there ever such ingratitude heard of? Pass ye over the Isles of chittim, and send unto Kedar, and consider diligently, and see if there be such a thing: hath a nation changed their gods? but my people hath changed their glory for that which doth not profit. And what sayest thou, O ungrateful Israel? have the Heathens more reason to cleave to their idols? Are the Pagans more beholding to their stocks and stones then thou art to the living God? And now what hast thou got by all this? hast thou increased thy riches? Are thy barns more full of Corn? Are there ever ⟨p. 69⟩the more Cattle in thy Pastures? Are thy Presses more full of Grapes? Art thou not now grown poor? Is not the Heaven become as Brass, and the Earth as Iron? Do not thy Cattle groan for want of food? Are not thy Vines and Fields grown barren? Why, you may thank your selves for all this; you did not know when you were well. Return therefore, O backsliding Israel, and thou shalt know the difference between my service, and the service of Devils, Jer. 2.30, 31