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

he will not stand long before he determine the case, he will soon answer with him, That he had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God, then dwell in tabernacles of wickedness. If mens actions may speak their Judgements, most of the Gallants of the world are of a far different opinion. But, O let me dwell for ever in his house, and stand always in his presence; happy are they that see his face, happy are they that behold his beauty. This, this mans Crown, this is his highest honour and dignity, for God to be mindful of man, and for his Maker to visit him; this sets him but little below the Angels, this Crowns him with Glory and Honour, Psal. 8.45. This is that which puts a true personal worth upon any one; and therefore the Psalmist thinks those the excellent persons, in whom is his delight. Upon this account the Scripture saith, The righteous man, who is in covenant with God, is more excellent then his neighbour. The purr-blind World, they judge altogether by the outward garb; they see the face, the rich apparel, they see the estate, but they see not that inward excellency and beauty that may be under but mean habit: they are ready to despise the Noble Worthies of the World, such as can look upon Kingdoms as small things in comparison of what they have an interest in, ⟨p. 128⟩who can call God Father, and Christ Brother. Have you never heard of a King in mean apparel, of a Prince without his Robes upon his back, or his Crown upon his head? and will you say that therefore he was but a common person? But those heavenly Creatures that have a more spiritual refined sense, that understands something of things and Persons, are quite of another mind, they can look upon great ones in the midst of their gallantry, without a friend in Heaven, as mean persons that have no interest to speak of, and many of them, for all their greatness, to be in a far worse condition then Dogs and Toads. They can also look upon a poor despised Saint, a contemned Christian, though as to a carnal eye, he should look as if he could scarce speak sense, to be a favourite of Heaven, a person of quality; such a one as this he values as the Son of a King, a Citizen of Zion, one of the Royal Race, one of that glorious Retinue, that stand always in the presence of God to serve him, the least of which are Kings and Priests to their great Lord, Rev. 1.6.

he will not stand long before he determine the case, he will soon answer with him, That he had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God, then dwell in tabernacles of wickedness. If mens actions may speak their Judgements, most of the Gallants of the world are of a far different opinion. But, O let me dwell for ever in his house, and stand always in his presence; happy are they that see his face, happy are they that behold his beauty. This, this mans Crown, this is his highest honour and dignity, for God to be mindful of man, and for his Maker to visit him; this sets him but little below the Angels, this Crowns him with Glory and Honour, Psal. 8.45. This is that which puts a true personal worth upon any one; and therefore the Psalmist thinks those the excellent persons, in whom is his delight. Upon this account the Scripture saith, The righteous man, who is in covenant with God, is more excellent then his neighbour. The pur-blind World, they judge altogether by the outward garb; they see the face, the rich apparel, they see the estate, but they see not that inward excellency and beauty that may be under but mean habit: they are ready to despise the Noble Worthies of the World, such as can look upon Kingdoms as small things in comparison of what they have an interest in,