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

Why, then let me tell you further, I have not, I cannot tell you the half of what you will find to be true, if you would come to be throughly resolved, or of what you will believe hereafter, to your sorrow if you still refuse him. And I must further add to what I said before, that whatever riches God possesses, he will jointure you in, as soon as you shall in good earnest be willing to accept him for your Friend; all that I can speak of, and more too, you may call your own. Ask, and it shall be given without prescribing how much more then you can ask or think shall be given you. Your Lord and ⟨p. 110⟩husband is not so niggardly as Ahasuerus, who said, What is thy request, and what is thy petition, Queen Esther, and it shall be given thee, to the half of my Kingdom? But God saith what is thy request, and what is thy petition poor Soul, and it shall be granted to the whole of my Kingdom; what is it thou wantest, what attendants dost thou lack to wait upon thee to my Court? are they Prophets, Apostles, Ministers, Angels, they shall be given, 1 Cor 3.21. Do but try him; he bids you ask, and you shall have: Let me give you this one memento, Ask like one that hath to do with a rick King, who hates to do any thing below himself; remember it is he that delights to give like a God: widen therefore thy desires as large as Heaven, be bold and speak a great word, and I warrant thee thou shalt not be denied; tell God, that seeing in his infinite goodness and condescension, he hath been pleased to give thee leave to ask without restraint, thou dost humbly request his Son for thy Lord and Husband, himself for thy Father, God, and Friend, his Kingdom for thy Dowry, the Righteousness of his Son for thy Ornament, Clothing, and Beauty, the comforts of his Spirit, and abundance of his grace to bear thy charges handsomely, till thou comest to his house. This is high indeed! but thy great and noble Lord loves dearly to hear such covetous Petitioners, who will be put off with nothing but such great things. When do any of these go sad from his Court? When do any of the seed of Jacob seek his face in vain? This, this is the generation of thriving ones, who seek for life, immortality and glory; who seek thy face, O God of Jacob. And now what do you say. ⟨p. 111⟩will you believe all this? Dare you take my word? I am persuaded none of you all think I dare tell you a lye, and do you any wrong;