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

I can easily believe that few are so bad, but that they could be contented as well as Balaam to dye the death of the righteous, and to have their latter ⟨p. 211⟩end like his? But would you dye joyfully? why then, you must live holily; get acquainted with God, and then this may be your state. I remember Seneca speaks of one Pacuvius, who when he was drunk, cried out [Greek or Hebrew] (I have been alive) very merrily. But had he well understood himself, he would have thought be bad had much better reason to have cried out, I am dead, I am dead. But however, what he said ungroundly and wickedly, a child of God may easily and thankfully say; when he is going to his last sleep, he may with joy and cheerfulness say, I have lived, and through grace, I have kept a fair correspondency with my God, my Friend, whom I am now going to dwell with for ever. Do not think therefore that I come to take away your comforts and joys, when I come to persuade you to get acquaintance with God, no such matter, I would have you learn to rejoice, but yet I would that that joy, should be born from above, that the foundation of it should be the knowledge of your interest in Gods love. Other joys may make you have a smiling countenance, but they do not raise and fill the Soul; for I must tell you, I am far from thinking that every one that laughs, is joyful, and without fears. Give me a man that knows that God is his portion, and Heaven his inheritance, that knows with what Friend, and in what a happy state he shall live in after death; this, this is the cheerful man: such one as this is can overlook momentany sorrows, he understands full well that the case will be quickly altered with him; and the thoughts of Eternal happiness do swallow up his temporal miseries: Tell one of Gods acquaintance, of poverty, ⟨p. 212⟩he values is not, as long as he knows he hath a brave estate that can't be confiscated, riches that none can take from him, a treasure that thieves can't break through to, and steal. As for all worldly things, he knows that before a few years are over, he must part with them however; he is of that mans mind, who having a considerable sum of money, and precious Jewels hid in his saddle, and a little odd money in his pocket, was set upon by thieves; who readily went to his pocket, and took what was there, and looked no further:

I can easily believe that few are so bad, but that they could be contented as well as Balaam to dye the death of the righteous, and to have their latter