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

18. He is an everlasting Friend. I shall be but brief in speaking to this head, because what might have been spoken of this, fell under that ⟨p. 160⟩of his immorality. Yet because it is possible to conceive God immortal in himself, and yet by reason of mans default, his kindness to him to be finite; so it was in respect of the Angels that fell from him. But now Blessed be free Grace, man stands upon surer ground then ever he did, the children of God have a firmer bottom by far then Adam had when he was in Paradise; his state is more secure, being once united to God in Christ, then that of the Angels of Heaven in their first Creation. For that their State was mutable, is de facto proved; but now blessed be rich goodness, if we can but make sure of reconciliation with God, again it is impossible for us to miscarry. God hath sworn, and he will perform it, that the heirs of glory might have the more strong consolation, Isa. 54, 9, 10. For this is as the waters of Noah: for I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wrath with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee. Gods children need not fear dis-inheriting; his gifts, and callings are without repentance. If God loved us while we were enemies, how much more being reconciled will he continue his love to us; once a Child of God, and a Child of God for ever; once in favour, and never out of it again, Rom. 8.35, 39. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who can ⟨p. 161⟩pluck us our of the Arms of the Almighty? Who, or what is that which can alienate our Fathers affections from us? If the promise of God, which saith, I will never, never, never, never, never leave nor forsake you, be valid, if his oath bind him, if the blood of Christ continue always to be satisfactory, if his mediation can prevail, if the nature of God be unchangeable, we are well enough, we are safe, if this be but clear that we are really reconciled to God, if we be acquainted with him.