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

this is that —(I want a name to call her by) which thinks it below her to be matched to Christ, and an undervaluing to be acquainted with her Maker, and a shame to have God for her Father! from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is nothing but wounds and bruises, and putrefied sores; running plague-sores that are broken, are her greatest beauty: and here's a thing to be loved with all my heart! Ezck. 16. Whosoever thou art that readest these lines, this was once thy condition, in these ornaments he found thee, when God came to ask thy heart, this was thy dress, though thou art thus highly advanced. And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are cleansed.

this is that —(I want a name to call her by) which thinks it below her to be match't to Christ, and an undervaluing to be acquainted with her Maker, and a shame to have God for her Father! from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is nothing but wounds and bruises, and putrified sores; running plague-sores that are broken, are her greatest beauty: and here's a thing to be lov'd with all my heart! Ezck. 16. Whosoever thou art that readest these lines, this was once thy condition, in these ornaments he found thee, when God came to ask thy heart, this was thy dress, though thou art thus highly advanced. And such were some of you, but ye are washed, but ye are cleansed.

And after all this, O Sinner, art thou still as stout and proud as ever? Is Christ so willing to bring thee to his Father? is he willing to Clothe thee from head to foot with glorious Robes, such a dress as may become thee in the presence of a King? doth he offer to lead thee in his hands to his own Palace? is God so willing and desirous to be your Father, and Christ to be your Husband? are all the Ministers of Christ so willing to do their utmost to bring this match to protection? ⟨p. 173⟩shall they lie at you day and night to give your consent, and to be willing; and are you still unwilling? Well, if all this signify little, and you miss of Christ at last, and be not acquainted with God; after all, remember it was your own doings: and that you thought it greater wisdom to marry the Servant then the Master, to obey the Rebel rather then your loving Prince. Remember you preferred Darkness before Light, Hell before Heaven. I call Heaven and Earth to Record this day, that I have set Life and Death before you, and you stand as if it were so difficult a matter to resolve which were the best. This sounds strangely, and every one will be ready to write Fool upon that mans forehead that acts thus. Hold man, be not too ready to pass thy censure before thou look within thee. Dost thou see an absolute need of Christ? Dost thou adore his infinite love and kindness? Dost thou give up thy self to him for thy Lord, and receive him for better for worse, come on it what will? Or dost thou not rather spend thy thoughts, and let out thy affections upon the vanities and pleasures of the world? Dost thou not love Father and Mother, Wife and Children? Brethren and Sisters, House and Lands more then him? Why, if this be thy case, I must say thou art one of the Fools that loves Death and hatest Life, thou callest that folly in another, which in thy self thou countest wisdom. I wonder who it is that you strive to please all this while! Is not the hand of Joab in all this? hath not Satan been deep in retarding this match? hath not he a design to marry thee to some painted Lust, though he undo thee for ever? and must he be pleased rather then