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

But further, they must riot, they must be drunk, they must whore, they must have what their lust calls for, let it be what it will, they must get into the favour of such and such a great ⟨p. 155⟩person whose displeasure they have incurred: These are things that the world say must be; they are reckoned among the necessary things: but they do not say they must have a Christ, they must be reconciled to God, they must deny themselves, they must seek first the Kingdom of Heaven; No, these are indifferent things amongst them, these are things minded by the by, if not matter of scorn and jesting, these the world think unnecessary things. It's necessary their flesh should be pleased, it's necessary the Devil should be obeyed, it's necessary they and theirs should be somebody in the world, these are matters of weight, for these they think it worth the while to toil and moil, to ride early and late, and to lose their sleep, and think they can never do too much; and all this while they see no need at all of getting a friend for their souls, no need at all of knowing, loving and delighting in God. Well, seeing the case is thus, seeing it is no great matter whether you know God, or be known of him; be not then troubled at the day of Judgement, if God look upon you as a stranger then, be not grieved (seeing the knowledge of God is nothing with you) if God say he knows you not; if Gods presence be no such material thing, complain not then for the want of it; be content, if you can, to hear him say, Depart I know you not. O, but shall I thus leave you, poor ignorant sinners? Consider for the Lords sake, for thy soul sake, whether it be a necessary thing to avoid everlasting burnings; is it a necessary thing to be saved? Is Eternal Glory and Heaven necessary? dare you say these are unnecessary things? If these be necessary, then I am sure ⟨p. 156⟩God and Christ are necessary; For this is Life Eternal to know God, and him whom he hath sent, Jesus Christ. O how will the case be a altered ere long, with the God-hating and Christ-despising world?