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

new drink, Wine on the Lees well refined, he draws all out of those wells of Consolation, the Promises: he hath new thoughts, words, and actions; God, invisibles, and all the things of faith are now Substances with him. Now the threats or promises of a God are not counted small matters; ⟨p. 218⟩Heaven, Hell, and Eternity go for the greatest Realities, because God saith they are such. So he that sometimes lived without God in the world, had no respect at all to his glory, but valued himself and his most base lust, and the Devil himself before God, doth now respect Gods glory in all that he doth, he ventures upon nothing deliberately, but what may please him; Religion runs through all he doth; he eats, he drinks, and sleeps, and clothes himself, he prays, he works, he recreates himself with a design for God. The grand project he still is carrying on, is the honour of God. He will undertake nothing of importance, before he consult with, and hath the advice and direction of his Friend. Whatsoever he hath that is worth any thing, he sends it to this Friend, he presents him with his first fruits, he sacrificeth his male, the best of his flock; desires that his Friend may be always at his house, and that he may have the best entertainment that he can possibly give; and he is ashamed at the best, that he can make him no more welcome, whom he so highly honours; he is grieved that his entertainment is no better; he would fain give God his first and last thoughts, his warmest affections; he would gladly have the strength and vigour of body and soul spent in his service; he studies how to improve all mercies and enjoyments, for God, to take hold of all opportunities that he can possibly, and to make the best of them for the promoting that grand Design which he hath on foot, his Honour. He thinks not wife and children, houses and lands, body, soul, and all that he can make in the world too good for him. Whatever temptations he ⟨p. 219⟩conquers, whatsoever sin he slays, whatsoever piece of gallantry or prowess he hath done in his inroads upon Satan's Kingdom, he gives the honour of all to the valour, conduct, and assistance of this his noble Ally and Friend. He sets the Crown of the King of Ammon, like Joab, upon the head of this King David. He hath such a high esteem for God, that he thinks nothing well done but when it is done exactly as he would have it;