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

Act like a man that is rational and not beside himself. If the World be God, if Earth be better then Christ, then choose that; if Christ be God, then choose him. How long ⟨p. 171⟩will you stand halting between two? love that which will last longest, be acquainted with him that is willing and able to do most for thee. Is the world worth more now then it was in Davids time, when he preferred the favour of God before thousands of Gold and Silver? Is the price of it raised? Can it bribe death, and stop the mouth of Divine Justice, and procure thee a rea• respect in another world? Go chaffer and see what bargain thou canst make; tell God that thou wilt give him thousands for thy brothers life, and as much more for the lengthening the lease of thy own to Eternity. What doth God say? is the bargain made? is it not enough? why, add a world to it, will that do? If it will not do this, if this purchase be too great for thy purse, then go lower; can all thou hast keep thee from fears, get thee a stomach, procure thee ease, rectify thy constitution; will it do this, or will it not? if not, why shouldst thou value that which can do so little for thee, before that which can do all things for thee? Be persuaded at last to be wise. What is God like to get by your love, or lose by your hatred? What have you to boast of? What excellencies to set you out? what portion to advance you, that you stand thus upon your terms? Come, let's hear a little what it is thou thinkest so highly of thy self for. I am sure your over-great beauty can't commend you; for a Black-moor may with better reason brag of comeliness, then such a deformed loathsome creature can of beauty. I am sure your helpfulness will not speak for you; for thou art a crazy, decrepit, sickly creature, that will cost God more to cure thee, then thou art worth a thousand ⟨p. 172⟩times. It can't be for thy Estate that thou art so much desired, for all thy Gold is adulterate, thy Jewels counterfeit, thy All forfeited; and what is it then that thou hast yet to boast of? come and set it before us, that we may acknowledge our mistakes. Are the Clothes upon thy back (as fine as thou art) thy own? is the Food that thou eatest paid for? and is this the Creature that must be wooed with so much earnestness? Behold all ye Inhabitants of the world, and admire! hear, O Heavens!