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

The world stands by and looks upon you, the Devil bids them look on still, and ask them, how they like such a dumpish life, and the service of such a Master, all whose servants and friends lead such a doleful life. Stay, hold these Satan, that's a lye, and a loud one too; there are and have been thousands of Gods Children that have lived, as it were in the Suburbs of Heaven, while they have been upon Earth; many thousands there have been, that have spent their days in true solid joy and peace; many that have gone from one Heaven of comfort here, to another of glory and comfort in that other world. As I said before, so I say again, It is not the company of God, but the want of it, makes those sad which you see so; besides, let me tell you, tears and joy are no way inconsistent. It may be also those tears, that sad countenance may be for thy sake; when he sees what comfort thou despisest, and knows what a God, what a Friend thou refusest, he can't but weep; it's no rarity for the people of God in the midst of their spiritual enjoyments to pity poor foolish sinners, that slight those things which they know to be so refreshing: Thus David did when his heart was solaced with the love of God, when his soul was ready to be over-burdened, over-powered with the abundant incomes of Gods kindness, he can't but with grief and pity think of their state, who have nothing to live upon but husks, whilst he seeds thus high. O let my soul be but acquainted with God, let me but taste more of those true comforts, drink of that ⟨p. 79⟩river of pleasures that is at his right hand, and then I could spare these lower sensual pleasures, then I should scarce envy the most merry ranting Blades their comforts; I will not say but then I should with sorrow think of their wants. It was spoken by Galeacius Caraxiola, one that sometimes had none of the least shares of worldly enjoyments, and might have had more, could he have dispensed with the absence of this friend, could he but have been willing to have wanted those spiritual comforts. Let him perish that values not one hours communion with God, and the comforts of a divine life, above all the pleasures and comforts that the earth can afford. Give me such comforts, such a friend, whose smiles may refresh me upon a death-bed, whose presence may revive me when nothing else can.

The world stands by and looks upon you, the Devil bids them look on still, and ask them, how they like such a dumpish life, and the service of such a Master, all whose servants and friends lead such a doleful life. Stay, hold these Satan, that's a lye, and a loud one too; there are and have been thousands of Gods Children that have lived, as it were in the Suburbs of Heaven, while they have been upon Earth; many thousands there have been, that have spent their days in true solid joy and peace; many that have gone from one Heaven of comfort here, to another of glory and comfort in that other world. As I said before, so I say again, It is not the company of God, but the want of it, makes those sad which you see so; besides, let me tell you, tears and joy are no way inconsistent. It may be also those tears, that sad countenance may be for thy sake; when he sees what comfort thou despisest, and knows what a God, what a Friend thou refusest, he can't but weep; it's no rarity for the people of God in the midst of their spiritual enjoyments to pity poor foolish sinners, that slight those things which they know to be so refreshing: Thus David did when his heart was solaced with the love of God, when his soul was ready to be over-burdened, over-powered with the abundant incomes of Gods kindness, he can't but with grief and pity think of their state, who have nothing to live upon but husks, whilest he seeds thus high. O let my soul be but acquainted with God, let me but taste more of those true comforts, drink of that