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

though the world judge them weak, yet they have wit enough to make a good bargain; to value Heaven before Hell, to fly from everlasting burnings. They are wise enough to know ⟨p. 139⟩what is for their real advantage, and what not. This is he that would bring thee acquainted with him. It is he who give his so much understanding, as to know the true worth of things, and the difference between good and evil; finite and infinite, time and eternity. Who is it that David goes to for counsel, when his politic Enemies combined against him? where doth he advise? who brings him out of all his intricacies? Is it not He that I am persuading you to go to, who was never out-witted, who can easily turn the counsel of Achitophels into foolishness; It is he who can infatuate the great Sages of the World, and make them weaker then children in their Counsels. And this is he who will be a constant Councillor to all those that are his friends, his acquaintance. Seneca, Epist. 41.81. gives excellent counsel indeed, which if we will precisely follow, our matters can't, but succeed. Art thou never in any straights? are all thy affairs carried on with so much prudence, both as to time and eternity, that thou standst in no need of advice? Art thou sure that this will always be thy condition? If not, why then wilt thou not be persuaded to strike in here? Why if you will believe them, which to their comfort have tried him again, & again, it is your unspeakable interest and wisdom to get God for your Friend, & then what soever you do, shall prosper by his advice; a poor Christian can out-wit all the policy of Hell, and show himself more wise than those which call himself Fool, and count him mad, Psal. 73.24. David durst trust none else to guide him; but with his conduct he doth not fear but that he ⟨p. 140⟩shall come safe to his journeys end, Thou shalt guide me by thy counsels, and bring me to thy glory. And again he saith, by the help of this Counsellor he was wiser than his teachers, Psal. 119.18. Here therefore what you had best to do as matters stand with you, Prov. 4.11. He will teach thee in the way of wisdom: he will lead thee in the right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble, &c.