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

he calls for a Hatchet to cut down the bough upon which himself stands. And this is your man of Wisdom. The man is under sail in the midst of Rocks and Sands; and if he would but look, he might see many doleful Spectacles, the tops of Masts, ship-wrecked souls I mean; and though the Pilots tell him of the danger, yet he says, he will never believe; but that's the best and the safest road to the harbour, and so on he goes as if he were sure he could not miscarry; and all this while he will not be persuaded but that he acts every wisely; he judgeth it one of his greatest comforts, that he runs to misery without any hinderance; and how can it otherwise be, except men were spiritually wise? and who can teach man this wisdom? who shall instruct him? who shall help him, now his affairs are upon the matter ⟨p. 138⟩almost desperate? why, if thou wilt but hear, here is one that will yet undertake their foul cause if you will be advised by him, for this he will set all at right. And O how doth he call after you! how willing to give you his advice! how desirous to assist you, Prov. 1.20. &c. Wisdom crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief places of concourse, in the openings of the Gates, she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And ye scorners delight in scorning, and fools hate Knowledge? Turn ye at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you. And will you set at naught all his Counsels, and have none of his reproofs! Will you rather be ruined then beholding to him for advice. Let me put in one word, if this wise Counsellor be not for you, he will be against you, and if you find any that can order your sad affairs more to your advantage, I pray make use of him; but if you will be ruled by him, you can't miscarry, as ill a condition as you are in; though thou beest quite broke, yet he will give you such a stock as that you may set up again, and such directions as that you can't but thrive, if you will but follow them. It is he that teacheth his Spiritual Frugality, not to part with that for a trifle, which will be a rich commodity ere long; it is he who persuades us to make the best use of every thing; it is he that teacheth Fools more true wisdom then the great Politicians of the World;

he calls for a Hatchet to cut down the bough upon which himself stands. And this is your man of Wisdom. The man is under sail in the midst of Rocks and Sands; and if he would but look, he might see many doleful Spectacles, the tops of Masts, ship-wacked souls I mean; and though the Pilots tell him of the danger, yet he says, he will never believe; but that's the best and the safest road to the harbour, and so on he goes as if he were sure he could not miscarry; and all this while he will not be perswaded but that he acts every wisely; he judgeth it one of his greatest comforts, that he runs to misery without any hinderance; and how can it otherwise be, except men were spiritually wise? and who can teach man this wisdom? who shall instruct him? who shall help him, now his affairs are upon the matter