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

which he thought a more significant Epithet, then if he had called it Devilish Sin. What makes the children of God to be so weary of this world, and so desirous to be upon the wing? why it is because of better acquaintance else where; they know that then they shall put off that carrion that now they carry about with them; Sin I mean, which like a dead carcass bound to a living, doth now stink so abominably in their nostrils; they know that then they shall have a sweeter smell, and themselves also smell more savoury in the nostrils of God. They know that poverty shall be swallowed up with riches, want with fullness, sin with holiness, misery with happiness, they have an inheritance, a City, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and nothing that is unclean shall enter into it; and when they come thither, they know the case will be altered with them, and that though now they bare about with them a body of death and sin, yet then they shall have a body as pure, as bright ⟨p. 197⟩and glorious as the Sun, they shall be presented by Christ to the Father without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. He knows that as long as he is thus sullied by his sin, his great friend will not take so much pleasure in his company. Isaac and Ishmael, the Ark and Dagon, God and Sin can't dwell in the same heart; therefore he desires to have less of sins company, that he may have more of Gods; none of sins company, that he may have always Gods company. Observe that constantly in your own experience and others, those which walk most close with God are most tender, as to the matter of sin; and those which are less in converse with God, are more bold in their venturing upon sin, and after it is committed they have less regret. What is the reason that one can swallow any thing almost, and another is afraid of the least appearance of evil; he hates the garment spotted with the flesh, he is as fearful of clothing himself with wickedness, as of putting on the garments of one that hath had the Leprosy or Plague upon him; he hates vain thoughts, because he loves God and his laws, Ps. 119.104.113.

which he thought a more significant Epithite, then if he had called it Devillish Sin. What makes the children of God to be so weary of this world, and so desirous to be upon the wing? why it is because of better acquaintance else where; they know that then they shall put off that carrion that now they carry about with them; Sin I mean, which like a dead carcase bound to a living, doth now stink so abominably in their nostrils; they know that then they shall have a sweeter smell, and themselves also smell more savoury in the nostrils of God. They know that poverty shall be swallowed up with riches, want with fulness, sin with holiness, misery with happiness, they have an inheritance, a City, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and nothing that is unclean shall enter into it; and when they come thither, they know the case will be altered with them, and that though now they bare about with them a body of death and sin, yet then they shall have a body as pure, as bright