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

How willingly would they mortgage all their Lands, part with their richest Jewels to buy it! & yet how little will they expend for that, which if they had, would prove far more effectual! O would men and women but understand themselves, and mind their business, what sweet lives might they lead, what a calm might there be constantly upon their Spirits! How cheerfully might they live! and how joyfully might they dye! Tully saith, that he and many others had been gathering the most powerful herbs that they could find to cure all fears: but, saith he, I know not what is the matter, the disease is still stronger then the remedy. And dost thou not know, O Tully, what's the matter? why then I ⟨p. 210⟩will tell thee, One principal Ingredient was left out, viz, Faith in the Blood of Christ, and Union with God by virtue of that blood. He that is by Christ brought acquainted with God, need not much fear griefs, sorrows, and such things Christ was acquainted with for him; he hath unsting'd Death, and sweetened the Grave: all his troubles are now but as Physic, the Poison of them is corrected; though the Pill be bitter, yet it's of his Friends composing, and therefore you may take it without any turning away of your head. Show me a man (said old Epictetus) that is happy, truly in his life, and happy in his death; happy in his health, & in his sickness; happy when poor, scorned, tormented and banished; in a word, happy in all conditions. O that I could but talk with such a man! O that I could see such a spectacle! such a one as my eyes never yet beheld. Why, I will tell thee the reason of it, O Epictetus, It is because thou never sawest a Christian, one that was acquainted with God; for let me tell the world, Through Grace I have seen such a sight, and do believe it to be the most lovely sight on this side Heaven. I have seen one smiling when his Jaws have been falling, and eye-strings breaking; rejoicing, when most about him were weeping, and accounting it a high act of patience to be willing to live; and how do you like such a condition? Is it better to lie quivering, shaking and groaning, or rejoicing and praising, and admiring of free grace, and setting forth the riches of Gods love and goodness: which of these would you choose?

How willingly would they mortgage all their Lands, part with their richest Jewels to buy it! & yet how little will they exspend for that, which if they had, would prove far more effectual! O would men and women but understand themselves, and mind their business, what sweet lives might they lead, what a calm might there be constantly upon their Spirits! How cheerfully might they live! and how joyfully might they dye! Tully saith, that he and many others had been gathering the most powerful herbs that they could find to cure all fears: but, saith he, I know not what is the matter, the disease is still stronger then the remedy. And dost thou not know, O Tully, what's the matter? why then I