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

Naturalists tells us of a Bird called Charadius, that being brought into the room where any one lieth sick, if he look upon the sick person with a fixed eye, he recovereth, but if he turn away his eyes, the person dies. It is true, I am sure, of this friend, in whose favour is life, and in whose frowns there is death. [Ar. Epic. l. 3. cap. 24.] Can you help me to such a friend (may all say with as good reason as he) that can keep me from all fears. O for such a friend! This is instead of all pleasures to me, to think that God is my Father, and to know that I have loved and obeyed him to the utmost of my power, not only in words but in deeds; this, this is the pleasure, here's a friend indeed. Now what do you say to all this, is God to be desired? Is his acquaintance to be sought after? Can such a friend be too much valued? The truth of it is, I would not give a rush for any of your comforts which come ⟨p. 80⟩not from a sense of our interest in Christ, and which have not a solid foundation, Scripture-consolations. It is not he that smiles, but he that can look up to God as his, and look into his soul, and see things there in a good composure, and kept in a cheerful subjection to his maker and Redeemer; this, this is the state, here dwells joys, and comforts that deserve such a name. This lower Region sometimes is stormy, but above there is a constant calm. Sen. And is God still to be slighted? are his favours, is his acquaintance little worth? I know you can't be an enemy to comfort and joys; why, let me tell you here's the Well of Consolation, here's the Fountain, and all other joys which are drawn out of the Cisterns will ere long be dry. Come away therefore, poor soul, and do not refuse such joys as all the carnal world can't parallel for their hearts. And this is the next Motive, taken from the consideration of the Nature of this Friend, which I would persuade you to get acquainted with.

Naturalists tells us of a Bird call'd Charadius, that being brought into the room where any one lieth sick, if he look upon the sick person with a fixed eye, he recovereth, but if he turn away his eyes, the person dies. It is true, I am sure, of this friend, in whose favour is life, and in whose frowns there is death. [Ar. Epic. l. 3. cap. 24.] Can you help me to such a friend (may all say with as good reason as he) that can keep me from all fears. O for such a friend! This is instead of all pleasures to me, to think that God is my Father, and to know that I have loved and obeyed him to the utmost of my power, not only in words but in deeds; this, this is the pleasure, here's a friend indeed. Now what do you say to all this, is God to be desired? Is his acquaintance to be sought after? Can such a friend be too much valued? The truth of it is, I would not give a rush for any of your comforts which come