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

He doth tell thee what is its most natural ⟨p. 151⟩food, and what is not wholesome. He tells thee what thou shalt do to have that soul within thee everlastingly happy. And is all this of so little consequence, as to go in at one ear and out at the other? Are these things to be indifferent in? If mans soul were like the soul of a beast, the case were altered; if when his breath went out of his body there were an end of him, the matter were the less considerable; if he had ever a friend in another world, that could do as much for him as God can do, I should have little to say in this business. But since this is impossible, how can I bare to see thee neglect the making sure of such a friend? How can a Christian with any patience think, that those that he lives with, and dearly loves, should miss of such a friend, without whom their souls must be everlastingly miserable. If it were only for your bodies or estates I should scarce use so many words, neither I believe need I; but when it is for your souls and eternity, who can be silent? Once more consider what a friend thou mayst have; it is a friend for thy soul. Alas man, it is thy soul, thy precious soul that lies at stake; that Spirit within thee, which is more worth then a world; it is that which is in hazard, and here is a friend that offers thee to make that soul of thine happy for ever. Thy soul hath abundance of enemies: Some would debase it, others would rob thee of it, others would clap up a hasty match between that Noble Creature and a Servant, the World I mean: and there are very few that have any true kindness for it, and thou knowest not the worth of that Jewel, thy Soul; but here, here's a friend, if thou wilt but leave it with him, he will take care of it, it shall not be marted away for ⟨p. 152⟩nothing. Here's one will do that for its security, honour and happiness, that all the world besides can't do. If therefore thou hast any love for thy poor soul, if thou settest any price upon that precious thing within thee; in a word, if thou wouldest have thy soul do well in another world, O strike in here, close with these tenders, listen to the counsel of him who offers you the best advice in the world. He, he it is that now offers thee that thou canst never value enough; he it is that will feed, clothe, and portion that Soul of thine, and after that marry thee to his only Son;