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

what calling to this servant and that servant to attend them with all the care that may be, and to comfort them in this state? and in case of abuse, how doth he show his love to them? If you should ask Pharaoh, he would tell you, that Gods Friends are edge tools: why else doth the Lord lay about him with so much indignation, when they are oppressed. Nay, for their sakes he rebukes Kings, saying, Touch not mine Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm; if they do, be it on their peril. How did he bare the afflictions of his people Israel in Egypt? did he stand still as if he were unconcerned? did he shut his eyes & not see? or did he stop ⟨p. 119⟩his ears to their cries? No, no, he sees, he sees the sufferings of his in Egypt, and that both enemies and friends too shall know the one to their comfort, and the other to their cost, Exod. 3.7. How doth he awaken for their help, and gird on his sword upon his thigh, and march out with fury? how doth he clothe himself with vengeance, as with a robe, and brandish his glittering sword, and sheath it in the hearts of his and their enemies? Wherefore is it that God hath so many controversies with Edom, Ammon, and Amalek? Why doth he muster up his forces with violence against Babylon? Whose quarrel doth he engage in? What was the ground of that War? If you read over all the indictments that are before this great Judge, you will find this a common one their hatred of his people; and this to be sure he will not put up. And that which puts an Accent upon all this, is the unworthy carriage of most of them towards him all this while. But of that under the next Head, which is this.

what calling to this servant and that servant to attend them with all the care that may be, and to comfort them in this state? and in case of abuse, how doth he shew his love to them? If you should ask Pharaoh, he would tell you, that Gods Friends are edge tools: why else doth the Lord lay about him with so much indignation, when they are oppressed. Nay, for their sakes he rebukes Kings, saying, Touch not mine Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm; if they do, be it on their peril. How did he bare the afflictions of his people Israel in Egypt? did he stand still as if he were unconcerned? did he shut his eyes & not see? or did he stop ⟨p. 119⟩his ears to their cries? No, no, he sees, he sees the sufferings of his in Egypt, and that both enemies and friends too shall know the one to their comfort, and the other to their cost,