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

That which looks most contemptibly, if throughly understood, will be found to have more depth in it than the wisest men of the world can reach. To choose such a friend, this is wisdom, this is prudence. The godly man knows that he hath a great cause to be decided ere long, and it will be no lost labour to make the Judg his Friend. Well, what say you sinners, is this considerable that I do now propound, or is it not? Can you plead your own cause, can you clear your title to glory without him? if not, be well advised before you slight such a motion, as I now do make to you.

13. He is an immortal Friend. I, that's a Friend indeed. If one friend could be sure to live just as long as the other; and were friends sure never to want the advice, comfort, society, and help one of another, it would not a little advance the worth of a friend. But where is such a one to be found? What Histories can give us an account of such amities? Let persons be united in never so close an union, conjoined in the fastest knot that nature can tie, yet death will First or last dissolve it. So that sometimes I ⟨p. 141⟩have been almost of this mind, as to all worldly friends, considering them abstract from God (for grace in any friend doth unspeakably sweeten the relation, and such a relation will not dye) if we compare the shortness and uncertainty of possessing, and the bitterness in losing, with the sweetness of enjoying; that it's somewhat difficult to resolve, whether such short-lived comforts are worth the looking after. Not but that I think a friend, a true friend, a great mercy, and much to be desired; but really, if our affections be not for Gods sake, if our love be not regulated by Religion I can easily believe that the bitterness in losing doth over-balance the pleasure in enjoying. And who would much trouble himself to get that with care, which must be possest with fears, & will be parted with with tears? All worldly enjoyments will serve us thus. When we expect most from them, and please our selves to think what content we enjoy in them, ten to one, if God love us, but that he either embitters, or takes away that comfort from us. One faith, I had a dear Husband, such a one as never woman had, but he is dead, I have lost him. Another saith, I had a precious Child, a Brother, but he is gone. And every body, will be in this note first or last. And if the case be thus, who would be so foolish as to let out the strength of his soul, upon that which he may soon be deprived. of? But here, here's a friend, whom you need not fear over-loving or losing a never dying friend, one that will be sure to out-live you. (Ar. Epict. 1.3. c. 22.) Say of what you will, that it is mortal, and you have disgraced it enough; for how can