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

Let others think, or do as they please, as for him he values the light of Gods countenance above corn, and wine, and oil, Psal. 4.6, 7.1 Joh. 3.1. Cant. 1.4. And what sayest thou now. poor creature? Art thou still of the same mind? Wilt thou have God for thy God and Friend, or no? Is he good and kind, or not? Is his favour worth the desiring and seeking after? Psal. 94.8. Under stand O ye brutish among the people, and ye fools when will you be wise: ⟨p. 71⟩If God himself may not be believed, if David his servant may not be credited, hear what one of your brethren, a Heathen I mean, saith in this case. I shall translate his words into English; they are as follows: The goodness and providence of God to man is so great, that if he were well in his wits, he would do nothing publicly or privately, but praise God, and speak well of his name, Ar. Epic. l. 1. c. 16. Doth it not become man, while he his ploughing, and digging, and eating, &c. to be singing, Great is that God that hath given us land to till, instruments to work with; great is that God who hath given us hands and feet, and other members, above all, that he hath given us an understanding soul? And seeing most men are blind in these things, is it not fit that some that are more wise and able should publicly praise God for all these things? and now I am a lame old man, but partaker of Reason, God is to be praised by me, this is my work, and this I will do, and I will not leave this station as long as I live; and I wish that all the world would join with me in singing a song of thankfulness to this good God. Hear what a testimony he gives of the goodness of God; Hark how he invites you to join in that sweet consort of singing praises to your Maker: hark at what a rate he talks, that never read a Bible, or heard of a Christ, or knew what this acquaintance with God that I am speaking of, meant; how bravely doth he set out the goodness of God? What say you, will you yet be persuaded to think well of God? Methinks I am loath to see my good master thus slighted and undervalued; methinks it grieves me to see thee too, so foolishly to refuse such an offer. I shall conclude what I have to say upon ⟨p. 72⟩