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

They know that he spoke that sentence who could not be mistaken, Prov. 14.13. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness. Then call your roaring, and your singing, and laughter mirth, but the Spirit of God calls it madness, Eccl. 2.2. When a carnal mans heart is ready to die within him, and with Nabal to become like a stone; how cheerfully then can those look that have God for their friend! Which of the valiant ones of the world can outface. Death, look joyfully into Eternity? Which of them can hug a Faggot, embrace the Flames? This the Saint, can do, and more too; for he can look infinite Justice in the face with a cheerful heart, he can hear of Hell with joy and thankfulness, he can think of the day of Judgment with great delight and comfort. I again challenge all the world to produce one out of all their merry Companies, one that can do all this; come muster up all your jovial Blades together; call for your Harps and Viols, add what you will to make the consort complete; bring in your richest Wines; come lay your heads together, and study what may still add to your comfort; well, is it done? Now come away sinner, this night thy soul must-appear before God. Well now, what say you man? What, doth your courage fail you? Now call for your merry ⟨p. 76⟩Companions, and let them cheer thy heart. Now call for a Cup, a Whore, never be daunted man; shall one of thy courage quail, that could make a mock at the threatenings of the Almighty God? what so boon and jolly but now, and now down in the mouth? Here's a sudden change indeed! Where's thy merry companions. I say again? all fled! Where are thy darling pleasures? have all forsaken thee? Why shouldest thou be dejected, there's a poor man in rags that's smiling? What, art thou quite bereft of all comfort? What's the matter man? What's the matter? There's a question with all my heart, to ask a man that must appear before a God to morrow morning. Well then, it seems your heart misgives you, what then did you mean to talk of joy and pleasures? are they all come to this? Why, there stands one that now hath his heart as full of comfort as ever it can hold; and the very thoughts of Eternity, which do so daunt your soul, raise his; and would you know the reason? he knows he is going to his friend, nay, his friend bears him company through that dirty Lane.