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

4. Another glorious effect of acquaintance with God, is, that it will ease us of all sorrows, or cure all sorrows. As soon as any one hath but a saving knowledge of Christ, he is in such a condition as that he need not trouble his head with care, nor his heart with fear; no more then a rich Heir that hath a tender-hearted, loving, wise Father, need not trouble himself what he shall do for bread and clothing: as long as the great cause of fear is taken away, so long he is well enough. As for those that are unacquainted with God, they either are always afraid, or have cause always to be afraid: but as for a Child of God, that Scripture bears up his Soul under the mightiest waves of fear, There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8.1. He that is in Covenant with God, may in this world undergo some petty injures, some insurrections may be made against him; but this is his comfort, he is sure never to be quite over-powered, never to be finally conquered! O the disquietments and ⟨p. 206⟩fears that strangers and enemies are compassed with, or will be! And O the joys, the security, the true security that some have; at what a rate do they live! and how bravely do they die! mark the perfect, and behold the upright man; for the end of that man is peace. This was touched upon before, when I opened the nature and qualifications of this friend, and therefore I need say the less hear; yet it being the great inquiry of the wisest, how they may be sheltered from this storm? What shall they do to be cured of these heart qualms? How they may be freed from fears? I shall not altogether pass it over in this place. I can't but encourage poor strangers, as they value the truest comforts, as they would be free from fear and trembling when the Foundations of the Earth shall be shaken, when the Mountains shall tremble, and melt at the presence of God, the mighty God of Jacob, when the Heavens shall be rolled together as a Scroll, and be all of a flame. Make sure of this Friend! it is impossible that one that hath such a one for his friend should much be daunted, when he hears of Wars, and Rumours of Wars, when the Pestilence rages, when there are dreadful Earthquakes in sundry places, and such distress of Nations and perplexities, that the stoutest heart shall sink that hath not this to support:

4. Another glorious effect of acquaintance with God, is, that it will ease us of all sorrows, or cure all sorrows. As soon as any one hath but a saving knowledge of Christ, he is in such a condition as that he need not trouble his head with care, nor his heart with fear; no more then a rich Heir that hath a tender-hearted, loving, wise Father, need not trouble himself what he shall do for bread and cloathing: as long as the great cause of fear is taken away, so long he is well enough. As for those that are unacquainted with God, they either are always afraid, or have cause always to be afraid: but as for a Child of God, that Scripture bears up his Soul under the mightiest waves of fear, There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,