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

Nay, that sinners may be the more confirmed in their expectation of his favour, he hath most solemnly sworn, That he delights not in the death of sinners, but had rather that they should return and live. Wherefore else is it that we are so straightly commanded, as we will answer the neglect upon our peril before God at that terrible day, that we preach the World in season and out of season? To what purpose should Paul expose himself to so many hazards both by Sea and Land? Why should he teach this Doctrine of Reconciliation night and day with tears? Doth he not tell you that he did all this by Divine Dispensation, and that it was as much as his Soul was worth to ⟨p. 167⟩wave this work? And doth not all this speak his willingness to be friends again with man? Could not God have sent Legions of Angels with flaming swords in their hands, when he sent his Son and thousands of Prophets, Apostles, Ministers and Teachers? might he not have proclaimed war against them for ever, when he followed them with the Ambassadors of peace? If he had had no thoughts of Agreement with them, could he not have spoken to them in thunder and lightning, with fire and brimstone, as well as in the still voice of the Gospel? He could if he had pleased have made them to have known the breach of his Covenant, by giving them up to the will of their cruel enemies. God could as easily have cut off a whole world of us, as we can crush a moth, and easier too. But he is willing to show forth the riches of his patience and goodness, that thereby sinners might be brought to Repentance. How doth God further express his willingness to receive returning sinners, by engaging them by many temporal favours? Who preserved that tender creature in the Womb, and brought it out of those dark Chambers into light? Who kept that helpless infant after it was in the world? Whose flax and wool do we wear upon our backs? To whom is it that we are beholding for every crumb we eat, and every drop we drink? Who spreads our table for us, and makes our cups to overflow? Who brought us from the brink of the grave, when we had received the sentence from our Doctor and our Disease? And what is the Language of all these mercies, but return, O back-sliding Sinner, for in me is thy help found. Love, delight ⟨p. 168⟩in, and be acquainted with him, from whom thou hast received so many kindnesses.