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

Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry, and he remembered for them his Covenant, &c. Here, here's Patience, here's love and goodness with a witness! What Prince under Heaven would trust a Rebel, that hath been in arms a hundred times against him, and that at the best doth serve him with so little delight? What friend would continue his familiarity and kindness there, where he hath found abundance of falseness? and who but thou, O God, is so merciful and gracious, Long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth? As for the trouble that any of his meet with, most commonly they may thank themselves for it; and it's always sent them in kindness: there is none of them all but may say, this is my iniquity, this is the fruit of my back-sliding, this I have got by my estrangement from God.

Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry, and he remembred for them his Covenant, &c. Here, here's Patience, here's love and goodness with a witness! What Prince under Heaven would trust a Rebel, that hath been in arms a hundred times against him, and that at the best doth serve him with so little delight? What friend would continue his familiarity and kindness there, where he hath found abundance of falseness? and who but thou, O God, is so merciful and gratious, Long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth? As for the trouble that any of his meet with, most commonly they may thank themselves for it; and it's always sent them in kindness: there is none of them all but may say, this is my iniquity, this is the fruit of my back-sliding, this I have got by my estrangment from God.

Tenthly, He is an honourable friend, and to be acquainted with him is the highest honour in the world. This word, honour, sounds great in the ears of this proud world; what running and catching to get a little of it! How do many undervalue their lives, and make nothing to hazard their blood for a little of that men call Honour; some prize it above riches and wealth, and care not almost at what rate they purchase it; and yet in the meanwhile they are furthest from that which they so greedily desire, and they run away from that which they seem to pursue. Poor ignorant man is fearfully mistaken, he calls that his honour which degrades him, and takes that for his glory which is his shame: How is he pleased with that which when he hath, he neither sees nor feels, ad scarce knows what it is! (Epict.) What is it, O man, that thou loosest thy sleep for? what is it that thou art at so much charge to buy? that rather then you will want it, Estate, Blood, Life and Soul, and all must go for it? Knight, Lord, Earl, &c. Worshipful, Right-worshipful, Honourable, Excellent, Gracious, are big words, and make a great noise; but is this the true honour? will these words without the thing do a man so much good? a man, I said, and so doth God say too, and death will make the biggest of them all know as much ere it be long; for all those big words? what if his breath stinks that speaks these words, and his that hears them, be not much sweeter. (Antoninus) Is it such an honour to have a company of fools to call him wise that it may be is like themselves? is it worth a Soul to have it said when I am in hell, there lived a brave Gentleman, that kept a