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

If thou wouldest accept of him for thy Lord, Husband, and Friend, who hath sent thee these tokens, thou shalt have other favours then these be. Is not this the meaning of all the common mercies that we daily receive from him? Why? was not thy breath stopped with an Oath in thy mouth? Why is it that so many thousands that were born since thy self, are gone to their eternal state, when thou art still standing? What hast thou done to engage God more then others, that Worms should not be feeding on thee, when thou art feeding upon the fat and sweet? What is the English of all this? what are all these droves of mercies which God sends to thee, but to cool thy enmity against him, and to make thee, who art marching out in thy warlike furniture, to meet him with tears of joy and friendly embraces? Is not, Love the Giver, written upon all his tokens? What means his frequent visiting of thee, but desire of acquaintance with thee? Had he had no desire at all to know you, and to be known of you, do you think he would have called so oft and so kindly at your door, would he have stood knocking with so much patience, and have spoke to you so lovingly if he desired still to be a stranger to you? Is this like one that desires your ruin? Did God never plead with thee by his Ministers, and urge the same Argument that I do now? Did you never hear such kind of expostulations as these? Why wilt thou go on to despise thy God, and to refuse his love? what reason hast thou to harbour such hard thoughts of him? doth he deserve such ⟨p. 169⟩unkindness at your hands? How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity? why will ye make light of that you can't possibly overvalue? the favour of God, and acquaintance with thy maker. How oft have you grieved his Spirit by your unworthy contempts? how many times have you given him cause to complain of your unhandsome usage, when he in very pity and compassion came to visit you: He hath reason to say now, as well as of old, Hear O Heavens, and give ear O Earth, for I have nourished and brought up Children, and they have Rebelled against me, Isa. 1.2. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise? is not he thy Father that bought thee? hath he not made thee and established thee? Deut. 32.6. O that they were wise. And be instructed O Jerusalem, least my Soul depart from thee,